<infobox>
<title source="title1"> <default>USFI Star Cruiser IV</default> </title> <image source="image1">
</image> <group> <header>Overview</header> <label>Name</label> <label>Manufacturer</label> <label>Operators</label> <label>Predecessor</label> <label>Successor</label> <label>Launch</label> <label>Retirement</label> <label>In service</label> </group> <group> <header>Specifications</header> <label>Type</label> <label>Length</label> <label>Width</label> <label>Height</label> <label>Top speed</label> <label>Range</label> <label>Crew</label> </group> <group> <header>Equipment</header> <label>Power</label> <label>Armaments</label> <label>Defenses</label> <label>Misc</label> </group> </infobox>
Summary
Most ambitious of USFI's recent projects is the reincarnation of the Star Cruiser into a modern seventh-generation fighter craft. Launched in 2518, the initial version of the B-715d Star Cruiser IV did away with the variable-incident secondary wings of the preceding Star Cruiser III and much of its dedicated armaments, including the characteristic rear turret, saving only the torpedo launcher and installing four new turbocharged MP1950 phasers. In the meantime, the Replicating Bomb Bay was tripled, with a total of three bays now so equipped in the Cruiser IV's airframe, while also being smaller, lighter, and leaner than any Star Cruiser before it.
Despite its powerful quad MP1950s providing equivalent and more efficient forward firepower than the preceding Cruiser III's six-phaser assortment, Star Force operators knew the Cruiser IV still had room for greater armaments, and sent requests as such back to USFI. A period of active incremental development would befall the manufacturer again, and like the Star Falcon V before it, the Cruiser IV would yield marks of distinction.
Star Cruiser IV Mark I
The original version of the Cruiser IV with its quad MP1950 turbocharged phasers would be retroactive reclassified as the Mark I.
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Star Cruiser IV Mark 1
Star Cruiser IV Mark 2
In 2519, USFI completed the Mark 2 version of the Cruiser IV. Not wanting to disturb the airframe's streamlined form, which could decrease its agility in atmospheric drag, USFI not only upgraded the primary phasers to the more powerful MP2050s, advances in technology decrease the physical presence of the phasers as well.
Despite the increase in firepower, Star Force remained unsatisfied, and set USFI on another upgrade request.
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Star Cruiser IV Mark 2, now equipped with MP2050 phasers.
Star Cruiser IV Mark 3
Once again, not wishing to disturb the smooth airframe of their otherwise very fine product, USFI reequipped the Cruiser IV with more efficient MP2150 phasers.
Once again, Star Force was not impressed.
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Star Cruiser IV Mark 3, now with MP2150 phasers
Star Cruiser IV Mark 4
Finally, in 2521, USFI heeded Star Force's preference for the Star Cruiser IV to the letter and more than doubled the count of phaser emplacements. The four MP2150s were now accompanied by a second pair of MP2150s, one on each wing, along with two uselage-mounted forward-facing MP1150s and two turret-based TP-1150s. Last but not least, the traditional MP1000 turret (reclassified as MP1000R) was reequipped, confirming the Cruiser IV's return to form. And with the Mark 4, Star Force was pleased.
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Mark 4 Fore
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Mark 4 ventral view, showing additional weapons
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Closeup on the rear turrets
