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The Raptor is a multipurpose military spacecraft featured in the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica. According to producer Ronald D. Moore, the Raptor is analogous to the U.S. Navy's EA-6 Prowler, and its physical appearance was inspired by the AH-64 Apache. On the show, however, it seems to serve several roles analogous not just to the late 20th century EA-6 Prowler, but to the E-2 Hawkeye, and various cargo/transport aircraft as well (i.e. C-2 Greyhound, SH-60 Sea Hawk). The Raptor's primary function with the Colonial Defense Force is as an electronic warfare platform, similar to the modern day AWACS system (akin to the E-2 Hawkeye). It scouts ahead of the fleet and it accompanies Vipers and provides targeting information and electronic counter measures (akin to the EA-6B Prowler). Raptors can also carry external munitions to assist Vipers against large targets. Its non-combat roles include SAR (search and rescue) operations (akin to the SH-60 Sea Hawk) and transport of military personnel in hostile areas. Raptors, unlike Vipers, are capable of short-range FTL jumps. They are also capable of atmospheric operations. Standard crew includes a pilot and electronics countermeasure officer (ECO)•. As a scout it can operate independently or with other Raptors and Vipers using short and medium-range scans to detect radio, heat, or other signatures from spacecraft, scanning planet surfaces for life, energy output, and mineral content and location, scouting ahead and looking for hazards before its Battlestar takes an FTL jump, and search and rescue operations. A Raptor can carry about eight to ten adults in addition to its two-person crew functioning as a transporter and can carry about eight marines including their equipment as an assault vessel. The crew of a Raptor operate using their flight suits and helmets in order to ensure their protection in case of any hull breach causing depressurization of its cabin. It cannot takeoff from a Battlestar's launch tube like the Vipers because of its large size; it is launched from a flight pod instead. Battlestars carry squadron of 8 to 10 Raptors and each Raptor is designated to each Viper squadron with two Raptors on reserve. The Raptors can fly in both atmosphere and space, but in order to mainain lift in an atmosphere its engines must be constantly running which consumes more fuel. At low speeds, Raptors may experience poor handling.
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