Aegis Vanguard

Vanguard

 File:Vanguard.jpg
*The A3G Vanguard is the United Empire of Earth’s dedicated deep space fighter. Initially developed as a bomber-destroyer, the Vanguard is a hard-charging bulldog of a ship which features extensive forward-mounted weaponry designed to tear through the shields and armor of other spacecraft.*

The Aegis **Vanguard** is a dedicated deep space fighter utilized by the UEE. It is a highly customizable craft, categorized into three primary variants; the Warden, the Sentinel and the Harbringer.

## Development

Aegis initially began developing the Vanguard as a bomber-destroyed, but plans were later changed to make the craft more tailored to forward-mounted weaponry. The resulting fighter has since been described as a 'bulldog' by its designers, as the ship's multiple-jump range has made it a treasured weapon in the ongoing fight against the Vanduul.

## Usage

The Vanguard isn't as manoeuvrable as ships like the Hornet or the Gladius, but what it lacks in agility it makes up for in terms of range, armor and durability. What makes the craft so useful is its scope for specialization: with the right equipment installed, a Vanguard could just as easily perform recon assignments as it would a bombing run.

The ship has become a firm favorite amongst UEE marines, not just for its resiliency — reports circulate that Vanguard craft have returned to base comprising of little more than an engine and some fuselage — but also for its capacity to excel in adverse circumstances. No matter the weather, or the base it's being docked in, you can rely on your Vanguard to keep going with a minimum of maintenance.

## Vanguard Warden

The Warden can be seen as the standard model of the Vanguard craft, and it's the variant that resembles the military version of the ship most closely. As you might imagine from that background, this is a vessel that has been built for combat, and as such it's a robust and resilient piece of equipment.

The original contract between Aegis and the UEE called for a craft that could withstand a complete hull breach and structural losses of up to 33% — those demands were met by the first iteration of the ship, and have been built upon since then. This is a craft that can roll with the punches, but has enough firepower at its disposals to throw a few of its own as well.

## Vanguard Sentinel

Unlike the Warden, the Sentinel is designed for pilots who would rather avoid taking damage than withstand plenty of it. Decoy missiles and EMP charges are the typical loadout for this craft, as missions undertaken in a Sentinel are usually centred around espionage and misdirection rather than out-and-out combat.

However, this is a ship that really comes into its own when it's working together with other Vanguards. With cover from a Warden, a Sentinel can prove to be a difference-maker in all kinds of scenarios.

## Vanguard Harbringer

The Harbringer is the go-to bomber-class vessel for Earth's fighting forces. With its escape pod converted into a high-capability bomb bay, there aren't many ships that can hit harder than the Harbringer.

The craft is aided by its small stature, which means that it can fly where the standard size of bomber cannot. This sort of flexibility is reflected in its minimal needs in terms of upkeep and repair — if you need a ship that can perform at its best under pressure, even out in the furthest reaches of the Empire, the Harbringer is a vessel that you can rely upon.

## External links

* UNVEILING THE AEGIS VANGUARD
* Vanguards: And Then There Were Three