V5.00ACrusaderCRD-9S ``EDAAAMH 5 4 5 5 21 4 if  !b (Unknown)b (Unknown)k2 (Unknown)k (Unknown)8 (Unknown)8 (Unknown)bbbkbbbk 8 88The CRD-8S "Reseen" Crusader, with its HGR, was a radical departure from Crusader tradition. Too radical, as it turned out; after several of the new Crusaders were captured by Allied forces on Tharkad during the FCCW, the popularity of the new design swiftly plummeted. After the FCCW, Defiance Industries tooled up to produce a new Crusader. They took surveys and listened to pilot concerns, and quickly saw that a large part of the problem, was the history of the Crusader design. What the pilots wanted, simply put, was an old Crusader with new tech. Defiance Industries responded with their "new" CRD-9S Crusader, a design closer to both the old Crusader, and newer Reseen models from other factions.The CRD-9S Crusader uses the same basic ES2 chassis as other Reseen Crusaders, but is fitted with a Defiance 260 LFE. It is not fitted with jump jets, but does carry more armor than other Reseen Crusader models...a classic Lyran tradeoff of mobility for toughness. The CRD-9S Crusader is armed much like its Unseen ancestors, and in appearance, looks much like the 7L Reseen model. The 9S model carries Artemis-guided LRM-15's in its forearms, and Streak SRM-4's in its torso; the ammo bins are fitted with CASE. Three Defiance B3M ML's provide backup firepower at close range; one is head mounted like the 7L model, while the pair in the center torso mimic the 5K model. The resulting design fits perfectly beside both its Unseen ancestors, and its new Reseen kindred. The CRD-9S is tougher and less costly than its XL-engined brethren, while lacking none of the original Crusader's versatility or brawling power. It is truly the next generation, giving its family a new lease on life with the LAAF. A number of other Reseen Crusader variants have been proposed, following the success of the CRD-9S. Defiance Industries is looking at many different variants on the Crusader theme, and has come up with several intriguing models that may yet see service.  Designed by James Myers [ none ]Defiance Industries Hesperus IIDefianceLexington Ltd. with CASE (Unknown)TharHes Calliope HM-10TharHes Ares-7 with Artemis IVNone