- For information about the the possaible new Caprica series, please visit it's home here.
The combat air patrol ("CAP") is a part of a battlestar's early warning network and defensive posture in protecting the Fleet.
CAP typically consists of two Vipers flying a designated pattern in and around the Fleet in order to provide an immediate spaceborne response to incoming threats. CAP flights may sometimes be accompanied by a Raptor, particularly if trouble is anticipated.
It is possible that more than one CAP may be flown at a time, with Vipers positioned at different distances from the Fleet, and occupying different "orbits" around the fleet.
CAP flights are generally backed-up by the Alert Fighters on Galactica (33).
Notes[edit]
On Earth, the term "combat air patrol" is most frequently applied to fighter aircraft patrols guarding a carrier battle group; however, it applies equally to flights guarding a fixed land target, other vessels at sea, and (least commonly) slower, more vulnerable aircraft. Series information notes the existence of battlestar groups, which are analogous to carrier battle groups, so the use of CAPs in the series likely parallels real CAPs.
It should be noted that there are two other, less common standard names for types of air patrols which may have parallels in the Re-imagined Series:
- BARCAP or BARrier Combat Air Patrol: a patrol flown between the guarded and the likely origin of an attack
- TARCAP or TARget Combat Air Patrol: a patrol flown near a target to protect the attack aircraft from air-to-air attack