Raider (TOS)

Cylon Raider
[show/hide spoilers] Spoilers hidden in infobox by default only.
Race:	Cylon
Type:	Military
FTL:	No
Propulsion:
Crew:	3 Cylons
Capacity:
CO:	{{{co}}}
XO:	{{{xo}}}
Role:	Space superiority fighter
Weapons:	Lasers Missiles
Armaments:	{{{arm}}}
Defenses:	{{{def}}}
Aircraft:	{{{aircraft}}}
Aviation facilities:	{{{facilities}}}
Fate:	Active
Emblem:	[[File:{{{patch}}}|175px|Ship's patch]]
Other Images:	Gallery
Dimensions
Length:	{{{length}}}
Width:	{{{width}}}
Height:	{{{height}}}
Weight:	{{{weight}}}
Wingspan:	{{{wingspan}}}
Other:	{{{otherdi}}}
Game Information
Cost:	{{{construction}}}
Construction Time:	{{{construction}}}
Hull Size:	{{{hull size}}}
Hull:	{{{hull}}}
Mobility
FTL Cooldown:	{{{ftl cooldown}}} turns
Speed:	{{{speed}}} m/s
Turn Rate:	{{{turn rate}}}°/turn
Armor Sum
Armor Total:	{{{armor total}}}
Armor Left:	{{{armor left}}}
Armor Right:	{{{armor right}}}
Armor Front:	{{{armor front}}}
Armor Rear:	{{{armor rear}}}
Armor Top:	{{{armor top}}}
Armor Bottom:	{{{armor bottom}}}
Armament
DRADIS Range:	{{{dradis range}}} m
Processing Power:	{{{processing power}}}
Munition Slots:	{{{munitions}}}
Munition Cooldown Period:	{{{munition cooldown}}} turns
Squadron Slots:	{{{squadrons}}}
Squadron Size:	{{{squadron size}}}
Special Abilities:	{{{special abilities}}}
Additional Information

The Raider is the primary fighter attack craft of the Cylons. and is the craft most often encountered by Colonial Warriors in engagements.

It is capable of both atmospheric and space flight, and capable of being used in both a defensive and offensive campaign. Raiders tend to swarm in phalanxes using superior numbers to overwhelm their adversaries and, while lacking in originality, are devastatingly effective in engagements.

They are a primary workhorse of the Cylon Empire's military campaigns, and are versatile in their use as platforms for numerous types of engagements, from their use as bomber craft on planetary targets to using their crafts as weapons themselves in suicide runs. They are also used in transportation of cargo and personnel.

Raiders are not only part of a basestar's standard complement (numbering 300 units ^{(TOS: "The Hand of God")}), but also part of the complement of various outposts and listening posts.

Crew and Armament

Raiders are typically crewed by three centurions. Two centurions sit up front at the controls to pilot the ship, while the third centurion sits on a raised chair behind the others to command and coordinate ^{(TOS: "The Hand of God")}.

It is armed with two forward-firing laser cannons and can carry bombs in bays within the wings and on racks mounted beneath the wings ^{(TOS: "Saga of a Star World", "Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II")}.

Raiders themselves can be converted into an offensive weapon, stowing devastating amounts of solonite for suicide missions ^{(TOS: "Saga of a Star World", "Fire in Space")}.

Technology

Oval in shape, the piloted Raider has two sublight engines for propulsion. The vehicle is both space and atmosphere-capable ^{(TOS: "Saga of a Star World", "The Long Patrol")} and has a life-support system capable of supporting humanoids ^{(TOS: "The Living Legend, Part I", "War of the Gods, Part I", "Baltar's Escape", "The Hand of God")}.

Deployment

On extended missions, Raiders have been known to be accompanied by fuel tankers. This allows wings of Raiders increased flight range at sublight speeds without the aid of a basestar. This tactic is normally used on sneak attack missions, allowing Raider wings to slip past enemy defenses undetected, whereas a basestar would easily be spotted by enemy scanners ^{(TOS: "Saga of a Star World")}.

Despite their larger crew and greater potential for firepower, the Raider often finds itself outmatched by the Colonial Viper. This may be in part to the greater maneuverability of the Viper, and the unique skills of the Colonial Warriors that fly them. Apollo seems confident in his ability to defeat Raiders if they possess any fewer than 10 to 1 in numbers ^{(TOS: "Saga of a Star World")}.

Dimensions

The interior of the full scale Cylon Raider cockpit set measures 9' x 10' x 7'1.5" while the maximum width of the 4' 1.5" high "windshield" is 8'1" . The shape and dimensions of the windshield are in fairly good agreement with those of the SFX miniature; the full scale vehicle would be about 41 feet (12.5 meters) long and 50.5 feet (15.4 meters) wide.

Galactica 1980

Raiders, including one unique craft, attack Delphi ^{(1980: "The Super Scouts, Part I")}

Raiders continue to be the primary attack craft of the Cylons, harassing the Galactican Fleet well into 1970 CE / 7368 ^{(1980: "The Return of Starbuck")}.

In the ten yahren hence, they develop a successor variant that is better armed and capable of surviving a one-to-one engagement with a Viper ^{(1980: "The Night the Cylons Landed, Part I")}. However, they still rely on the standard Raider for most engagements ^{(1980: "Space Croppers")}.

In the separate continuity

One of many Raiders pursuing Apollo and Zac, who've uncovered the numerous phalanxes of Raiders in waiting, precipitating the Battle of Cimtar (Annihilation!).

The Raider is the primary space superiority fighter of the Cylon Empire, often deployed by basestars.

These craft are prevalent and are relied on for the defense of the Fleet through the various and divergent continuities offered, starting from Marvel's comics through to the present-day Dynamite Entertainment comic book adaptations.

Notes

• Cylon ships of the identical appearance were used during the Cylon War in the Re-imagined Series ^{(TRS: "Razor")}.
• The fourth issue of the re-imagined Galactica 1980 comic book series identifies the mainstay Cylon Raider as an "alpha class." As this is a separate continuity source, this is not considered canon to either the Original Series or its spin-off.

Related Images

• 
  A typical Raider crew ^{(TOS: "Saga of a Star World")}.
• 
  A Raider schematic displayed by a scanner on Galactica ^{(TOS: "Saga of a Star World")}.
• 
  The helm console of a Raider ^{(TOS: "Baltar's Escape")}.
• 
  The underside of a Raider (The Return of Starbuck).
• 
  Original Raider as seen in the Re-imagined Series.

Re-imagined Series definition: Commanding Officer; e.g. William Adama

Re-imagined Series definition: Executive Officer, e.g. Saul Tigh

Re-imagined Series definition: technology enabling travel across distances faster than the speed of light would permit, see: FTL

Original Series definition: unit of time akin to a "year" (see: Yahren)

Original Series definition: interchangeable term for a computer monitor and television set (see: scanner)