GNS-98

Produced by Oldingtech, the GNS-98 "Andreas" is a small gunship, barely larger than a fighter, and is sometimes unofficially referred to as the FTR-98. It is the successor to the GNS-16 "Doreau". Its unusual numeric designation arose from intial plans to classify it as a Fighter, but it was later decided that it be considered a gunship. Due to the comparatively rapid development of Fighters (next to other classes), this was in fact a backtrack, to fill in a designation skipped. Adding to the conflicting designations, it is more frequently assigned to Fighter wings that it is to larger, heavyweight "Capital" fleets.

The GNS-98 Andreas is a narrow, fairly well armored, and well armed vessel. It has a similar basic shape to the CRU-2 and -3. It is hyperdrive-equipped in some variants, but most are designed for use within a single system. It is notable for being the smallest vessel equipped with turbolasers in excess of the 250MW range. It also posesses the non-conventional engine arrangement of 5 small engines in a tight cluster in the rear. It also has a larger crew than any fighter, with 6 men required to operate all the systems.