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The '''Raptor''' is a vehicle utilized by the [[Colonial Fleet (RDM)|Colonial military]]. A versatile craft, it is designed to perform multiple roles, but the Raptor most commonly takes part in reconnaissance and scouting operations. There have been at least two variants of this design in use by the Colonials since the outbrake of hostilities with the Cylons.

== Cylon War era Variant ==

=== Overview ===

{{Ship Data
| image= Raptor Type I.png
| title= Cylon War era Variant
| race= Colonial
| type= Military
| ftl= Unknown
| propol= * 2x movable sublight engine pods <br /> * RCS thrusters
| crew= 2 (Pilot and [[ECO]])
| cap= Approximately 5-10 passengers
| role= * Reconnaissance and surveillance <br / > * Battlefield logistics <br /> * Search and Rescue <br /> * Transport
| arm= * Ship to ship missiles <br /> * Rear [[Kinetic Energy Weapon|"Toaster Slayer" automatic cannon]]
| def= * Electronic countermeasures
| status = Decommissioned 
}}

The First War era Raptor (also known as "flying pillboxes", or "buses") is little changed from its later counterpart, but features a longer cabin with an aft-facing gun emplacement. This design also relies on the main sublight engines for maneuvering. 

This design was considered by the Colonials to generally be slow, and an easy target for Cylon forces to attack and destroy. However, it was not impossible to eliminate enemy targets while flying one. 

The Raptors of this type are eventually replaced by their modern counterparts ([[TRS]]: "[[Razor Flashbacks]]").

=== FTL Operations ===
It is not known if this design commonly carries [[FTL]] drives, like their later counterparts do. Ten years into the [[Cylon War|War]] (42 BCH), and [[Raptor 909]] does not carry one, however, a statement by ''[[Galactica]]'' CO [[Silas Nash]] suggests that the Colonials do utilize smaller FTL capable ships. It is possible that the FTL drive and related components were removed in order to enlarge the cabin, and to accommodate the "Toaster Slayer" cannon. 

=== Life Support ===
The main flight deck / cabin of a Raptor is fully pressurized. However, crews operate in [[flight suit]]s and helmets to help protect them against any hull breach. The cabin can also be depressurized and used in space rescue operations.

=== Propulsion ===
*2x rotating sublight engine pods mounted aft.
*[[RCS]] points

=== Armament ===
Raptors of this era are more commonly armed that the later design. This design can be outfitted with mission specific ship to ship missiles, incorporates a rear [[Kinetic Energy Weapon|cannon]], and is equipped with electronic countermeasures for defense (''[[Blood and Chrome]]''). 

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===Gallery===
<gallery>
Image:Cylon War Era Raptor.png|Cylon war era generation Raptor. Its sublight drives are configured differently.
Image:Cylon War Era Raptor Rear.png|Engine pods and rear view bubble.
Image:Blood and Chrome Raptor Tail Gun.png|"Toaster Slayer".
</gallery>

==Modern Raptor==

=== Overview ===

{{Ship Data
| image= Raptor Armed.jpg
| title= Modern Raptor
| race= Colonial
| type= Military
| ftl= Yes (short range)
| propol= * 2x fixed sublight engines
| crew= 2 (Pilot and [[ECO]])
| cap= Approximately 5-10 passengers
| role= * Reconnaissance and surveillance <br / > * Battlefield logistics <br /> * Search and Rescue <br /> * Transport
| arm= * 2x automatic cannons <br /> * 8x Ship to ship missiles <br /> * 2x rocket pods <br /> * 2x missile based [[Battery#Close-in_Weapon_Systems|CIWS]] pods <br /> * [[Communication drone|Communication drones]]
| def= * Electronic countermeasures <br /> * [[Swallow|Decoy drones]]
| length= {{Feet2Meters|28}}
| height= {{Feet2Meters|9.5}}
| weight= 50 tons <ref>In the [[Miniseries]], [[Sharon Valerii]] tells Chief Tyrol "You're not the one out there trying to bring 50 tons of Raptor onto a moving hangar deck". However, given the relatively small size of the craft, this figure seems unrealistically high. In comparison, large military helicopters like the [[w:Mil Mi-24|Mi-24 Hind]] or the [[w:CH-53 Sea Stallion|CH-53 Sea Stallion]] weigh approximately 10-15 metric tons.</ref>
| wingspan= {{Feet2Meters|18.34}}
| status = Destroyed 
}}

The Raptor is usually operated by a crew of two (one pilot and one [[ECO]]), has [[Gravity in the Re-imagined series|synthetic gravity]] on board, and is controlled by means of a fly-by-wire system ([[TRS]]: "[[Rapture]]"). It is capable of atmospheric flight and is also equipped with a short-range [[FTL]] engine, allowing it to make short faster-than-light hops. Due to its size and shape, a Raptor is not launched from a battlestar's [[Launch tubes (RDM)|launch tube]], rather, it deploys from the forward end of a [[flight pod]]. The vehicle has been a mainstay of the Colonial fleet for over 40 years, having entered service sometime prior to the twelfth year of the first [[Cylon War]] ([[TRS]]: "''[[Razor Flashbacks]]''", Episode 3). Its versatility and reliability in various roles has likely prevented it from being phased out by newer Colonial craft.

As a scout, Raptors can:
*Undertake short and medium-range scans to detect electromagnetic, heat or other signatures from other vessels
*Scan planetary surfaces for signs of life, energy output, or to locate and assess mineral deposits ([[TRS]]: "[[Water]]", "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]")
*Scout ahead of its parent warship in other planetary or celestial systems for any signs of hostile intent or stellar conditions prior to the parent ship's arrival ([[TRS]]: "[[Miniseries]]")
*Undertake [[SAR|search & rescue operations]] after an engagement with Cylon forces.

When scouting, Raptors can operate independently, or in concert with other Raptors and Vipers ([[TRS]]: "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]"). 

As an [[ECM]] platform, the Raptor contains a full suite of electronic countermeasure and monitoring tools, enabling it to:
*Jam [[wireless]] or relay transmissions (by wireless or optically) from other spacecraft ([[TRS]]: "[[Miniseries]]", "[[33]]")
*Scramble control signals used by guided weapons ([[TRS]]: "[[Miniseries]]")
*Undertake IFF operations for Viper squadrons ([[TRS]]: "[[Miniseries]]")

In addition to reconnaissance and scouting, the Raptor can also undertake the following roles: 
*Airborne warning & control and electronic countermeasures platform supporting [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] operations ([[TRS]]: "[[Miniseries]]", "[[33]]")
*Marine assault craft ([[TRS]]: "[[Bastille Day]]", "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]", "[[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]")
*Ambulance / evac vehicle ([[TRS]]: "[[Miniseries]]", "''[[The Plan]]''")
*General purpose transport ([[TRS]]: "[[Flesh and Bone]]", "[[Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down]]", "[[Home, Part II]]")
*Combat Search and Rescue ([[TRS]]: "[[Fragged]]", "[[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]")
*Secure communication with other vessels ([[TRS]]: "[[33]]")
*Launching decoy drones ([[TRS]]: "[[Exodus, Part II]]")
*Combat assault vehicle ([[TRS]]: "[[A Measure of Salvation]]", "[[Crossroads, Part II]]")

In the transport role, a Raptor is capable of carrying around eight to ten adults in addition to the two-person crew. In the assault role, it can carry a squad of some eight equipped Marines ([[TRS]]: "[[Bastille Day]]").

=== Atmospheric Operations ===
The Raptor is designed for atmospheric as well as space-based operations. However, a critical element for atmospheric operations is that to remain airborne requires fuel: once in an atmosphere, the engines must be run constantly to maintain lift and to hover. Depending on the composition of the atmosphere itself, this can place severe strain on the Raptor's engines ([[TRS]]: "[[You Can't Go Home Again]]").

Due to their overall configuration and bulk, Raptors may also suffer from poor handling at low speeds, and rely heavily on directed thrust to remain airborne.

=== FTL Operations ===
Raptors are fitted with small, general purpose FTL drives, but unlike larger drives on capital ships, they seem to be limited to ten to twenty FTL jumps, depending in part on the amount of [[tylium]] fuel being carried. A Raptor can also be outfitted with a [[Heavy Raider]]'s navigational computer that, when operated by a Cylon, can be used to calculate and safely make longer jumps than normal ([[TRS]]: "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]]").

After allying with the [[Cylon Civil War|Cylon rebels]], ''Galactica's'' Raptors were updated with Cylon FTL drives, allowing them to jump further. ([[TRS]]: "[[Daybreak, Part I]]")

=== Life Support ===
The main flight deck / cabin of a Raptor is fully pressurized. However, crews operate in [[flight suit]]s and helmets to help protect them against any hull breach ([[TRS]]: "[[Miniseries]]"). The cabin can also be depressurized and used in space rescue operations. Re-pressurization takes 10 seconds ([[TRS]]: "[[You Can't Go Home Again]]", "[[A Day in the Life]]"). The forward pilot and co-pilot seats can eject in an emergency as the forward canopy is blown away prior to the ejection ([[TRS]]: "[[Dirty Hands]]").

=== Propulsion ===
*2x fixed sublight engines mounted aft
*1x small-scale [[FTL]] system
*[[RCS]] points

=== Armament ===

[[Image:RaptorWeapons.jpg|thumb|right|Raptor weapon pods ([[Exodus, Part II]]).]]

====Offensive====
Raptors are normally unarmed as they make for a poor general-purpose fighter. The craft have an internal weapons bay capable of holding both offensive and defensive weapons. They are also capable of carrying heavy external armaments on four wing hardpoints, two wingtip hardpoints, and two fuselage hardpoints on the sides of the Raptor's body. Known weapons carried include:
*nuclear missiles
*bombs/munitions pods
*quad racks of missiles
*multiple-tube rocket batteries mounted on the fuselage points
*dual [[Weapons in the Re-imagined Series#Viper and Cylon Raider|Kinetic Energy Weapons]]

====Defensive====
The Raptor's contours provide it a reduced [[DRADIS]] signature to avoid detection. In addition, the craft carry an assortment of pods to aid in communications or defense as well as electronic countermeasures such as a [[jigger]].<ref>A close-up of a Raptor display in the [[Miniseries]] (timestamp 57 m 41 sec) shows the name and number of these items.</ref>
*Up to 6 [[Swallow|decoy drones]]
*Up to 4 [[Communication drone|communication drones]]
*Up to 4 sets of flares
*Up to 4 chaff pods

=== Layout ===
[[Image:Raptor-1.jpg|thumb|[[Raptor 312]] taking off from the ground ([[TRS]]: "[[Miniseries]]").]]
The Raptor is an angular vehicle built for function, not aesthetics. The forward section consists of a flight cabin with side-by-side seats for the pilot and ECO, with a large bubble canopy providing wide fields of view both forward and side. The flight cabin opens into the main compartment where a workstation containing early warning, electronic countermeasures, and other equipment is manned by the ECO when not co-piloting the craft.

Access to the Raptor's main compartment is primarily through a large port-side hydraulic door, and a floor-mounted hatchway provides access through the deck. A pressurized docking skirt can also be extended from the underside, enabling the Raptor to dock to the hulls of other vessels. In assault missions, [[marines]] can use this skirt to breech a hull and board a hostile vessel ([[TRS]]: "[[Bastille Day]]").

Aft of the pressurized area are the [[FTL]] drive and main [[sublight]] engines. Port and starboard stub wings provide additional lift during atmospheric flight, and winglets reduce drag and provide step access to the wings and hull. [[RCS]] thrusters are placed throughout the craft for landing, maneuvering and stabilization ([[TRS]]: "[[Miniseries]]").

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===Gallery===
<gallery>
Image:Raptor front down.jpg|Zoic CGI model.
Image:Raptor back side.jpg|Zoic CGI model.
Image:Raptor port.jpg|Zoic CGI model.
Image:Raptor front canopy.jpg|Zoic CGI model.
</gallery>

<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Civilian Variant==
{{Ship Data
| image= EVAC Raptors.jpg
| title= EVAC Raptor
| race= Colonial
| type= Civilian
| ftl= Unknown
| crew= 2
| cap= Approximately 5-10 passengers
| role= VTO/L Transport
| length= {{Feet2Meters|28}}
| height= {{Feet2Meters|9.5}}
| weight= 50 tons <ref>In the [[Miniseries]], [[Sharon Valerii]] tells Chief Tyrol "You're not the one out there trying to bring 50 tons of Raptor onto a moving hangar deck". However, given the relatively small size of the craft, this figure seems unrealistically high. In comparison, large military helicopters like the [[w:Mil Mi-24|Mi-24 Hind]] or the [[w:CH-53 Sea Stallion|CH-53 Sea Stallion]] weigh approximately 10-15 metric tons.</ref>
| wingspan= {{Feet2Meters|18.34}}
| status = Presumed destroyed
}}

===Overview===
The EVAC Raptor is utilized by medical facilities to airlift patients to nearby hospitals. These craft were used after the renewed Cylon attacks to evacuate injured persons from the rubble of targeted cities. After the attacks on [[Picon (RDM)|Picon]], [[John Cavil]] took an injured [[Ellen Tigh]] to one of these Raptors, which made its way to the [[Rising Star (RDM)|''Rising Star'']] before escaping with [[Galactica (RDM)|''Galactica'']] at [[Ragnar]]. These craft have a red/white paint scheme which differentiates them with their military counterparts.  

It is presumed that the remaining fleet is destroyed or captured by Cylon forces during their occupation of the Colonies ("''[[The Plan]]''"). 

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== Notes ==
* "Raptor" is a Latin word meaning [[w:Bird of prey|bird of prey]].
*The design of the Raptor originally began as [[:image:Raptor concept drawing.JPG|this sketch]]. "Sketches like this are great for selling a concept," explains production designer Richard Hudolin. "The Raptor is derived from an Apache helicopter and we wanted to give it a retro feel, a nuts-and-bolts look, to give the impression that in its time it was the best of the best, but now its time is almost over."
*The design of the Raptor was based on the US Army's [[Wikipedia:AH-64_Apache|Apache helicopter]]. [[Ronald D. Moore]] thinks of it "as analogous to the Navy's [[Wikipedia:EA-6 Prowler|EA-6 Prowler]] (a variant of the [[Wikipedia:A-6 Intruder|A-6 Intruder]] popularized in ''[[IMDB:tt0099587|Flight of the Intruder]]'')."<ref name="apache">{{cite web|url=http://blog.scifi.com/battlestar/archives/2006/04/|title=RDM Battlestar Blog |accessdate=18 April 2006}}</ref>
*The joystick seen inside of the Raptor appears to be a [http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/gaming/pc_gaming/joysticks/devices/302&cl=us,en Logitech Attack 3].

==== Making the Raptor fly ====
[[Image:Raptor, lifted by crane.JPG|thumb|right|Shooting of the Miniseries.]]
 
Richard Hudolin explains: "The Raptor is made out of foam on a steel frame. We built it so that we could have people safely in there as a 100ft crane picks it up and swings it around. The actors were a little bit surprised: 'Oh, my God, it goes up that high!'"

It's custom-built and then it's painted. We have painters who are literally standing by on the day to add to it before the camera rolls [the wires are removed digitally later in post production]."

"The actors are rehearsing and we have people aging [the Raptor], adding the gunshot hits. One day we had to paint it up as if it had crashed and been on fire - the next day it had to be made pristine again." 
<ref>{{cite_magazine|quotes=|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|year=2004|month=October|title=Making the Raptor fly|magazine=[http://www.radiotimes.com/content/show-features/battlestar-galactica/making-the-raptor-fly/ Radio Times]|volume=|issue=|pages=|id=|url=|accessdate=}}</ref>

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== See Also ==
* [[List of Raptors]]

==References==
<div style="font-size:85%"><references/></div> 

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