StarCitizen:Cutlass Black
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The Drake AS-1 Cutlass Black (also: DCB1) is a low-cost, easy-to-maintain solution for local in-system militia units. The larger-than-average cargo hold, Radar intercept officer (RIO) back-seat and dedicated tractor mount are, the company literature insists, for facilitating search and rescue operations.<ref>Template:Cite RSI</ref> The Cutlass Black is very popular among pirates.
Features
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Acquisition
Lore
Lost in UEE bid
The Cutlass was initially developed to StarCitizen:UEE specifications as a candidate for their StarCitizen:2845 “volksfighter” specifications. The specs were for a low-cost configurable space fighter that could be constructed rapidly to outfit distant home defense squadrons in times of need. The Cutlass lost out in the bidding to the now-forgotten StarCitizen:Wildcat, but the development team led by StarCitizen:Jan Dredge opted to re-appropriate the design for StarCitizen:civilian use.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite RSI</ref>
Redesign for Civilian
The initial sales pitches went to private StarCitizen:militia groups. UEE law allows anyone, anywhere to own armed spacecraft, and so the plan was that private squadrons in more distant areas of the galaxy would welcome a low-cost spacecraft solution. Regions specifically classified high insurance risks, the Drake board reasoned, would especially welcome an easier way to replenish lost spacecraft.<ref name=":0" />
The sales of Cutlass were phenomenal. Within nine months, Drake had opened six offworld factories and had licensed dealerships in nine systems. In another year, the company had quadrupled again. Within five years they were the fifth largest spacecraft manufacturing concern and couldn’t license subsystems manufacturers quickly enough.<ref name=":0" />
Popular among outlaws
By the turn of the 30th century, the galaxy was as close to peace as it had ever been. StarCitizen:Vanduul raids at the time were disorganized, brush wars on frontier colonies were limited in scope, and the StarCitizen:UEE military was in the middle of a several year stand down. The outlaw organizations were buying thousands upon thousands of Cutlasses and no one at Drake was especially interested. The Cutlass had became a new tool of choice for smugglers and pirates, as they are cut off from the standard insurance system available to StarCitizen:Citizens. Before the Cutlass, they had mostly been operating with obsolete discards and military surplus, but now they had a readily replaceable spacecraft that fit their budget, and thanks to its larger-than-average cargo hold and extremely customizable nature, one that fit their needs exactly. An analysis found that Cutlasses were suddenly transporting narcotics, raiding cargo convoys and even daring to engage police patrols with increasing frequency. In time, the bulky, modular look of the Cutlass would even come to redefine pirates as much as pirates did the Cutlass, giving new life to a very old profession.<ref name=":0" />
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Development
| 2012-10-18 | Cutlass Black is a part of the StarCitizen:Kickstarter pledge.<ref name="kickstarter">Star Citizen - Kickstarter</ref> |
| 2013-12 | The original Cutlass Black concept is designed by StarCitizen:Jim Martin (Freelance Concept Artist). It is later converted into the game by StarCitizen:Patrick Thomas (Freelance Modeler). Other contributions include StarCitizen:Chris Olivia (Chief Visual Officer), StarCitizen:Chris Smith (Lead Vehicle Modeler), StarCitizen:Mark Skelton (Art Director), StarCitizen:Ted Beargeon (Concept Artist), and StarCitizen:Elijah Michael (Concept Artist).<ref name="wip">Template:Cite Jump Point</ref> |
| 2013-12-20 | It is introduced to the game in Patch 10 of the StarCitizen:Hangar Module.<ref name="cl13444">Template:Cite RSI</ref> |
| 2014-12-19 | It becomes flight ready in Patch V1.0.0 in StarCitizen:Arena Commander.<ref name="cl14399">Template:Cite RSI</ref> |
| 2017-09 | In the concept stage of the rework, StarCitizen:Daniel Joustra (Senior Concept Artist) designed the modular interiors concept. During the rework, the ship is scaled back to the portion in the original concept. It is implemented in game by StarCitizen:Josh Coons (3D Modeler), with contributions from StarCitizen:John Crewe (Lead Technical Designer), StarCitizen:Matthew Sherman (Technical Designer), and StarCitizen:Hannes Appell (Cinematics Director).<ref>Template:Cite Jump Point</ref> |
| 2017-12-23 | It is reworked in Alpha 3.0.0.<ref name="cl16348">Template:Cite RSI</ref> |
| 2019-11-24 | Cutlass Black Best In Show Edition implemented in Alpha 3.7.2. |
| 2026-05-14 | In Alpha 4.8.0, all of the "2949 Best In Show Editions" special editions (of Caterpillar, Cutlass, Hammerhead, and Reclaimer) were removed and were all replaced by the their respective liveries.<ref name="SCA4.8.0">Template:Cite RSI</ref> |
Trivia
- The ship is named after a Cutlass, a short, curved saber type sword that was historically employed by sailors aboard warships from the 17th century until the early 20th century. The Cutlass was ideal in situations involving close-quarters combat, including boarding actions, engagements in the rigging, or confrontations below decks. Additionally, one of the notable benefits of the cutlass was its ease of use, necessitating less training compared to the mastery required for a rapier or small sword.<ref>https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cutlass</ref>
- It was one of four finalists in the 'Best In Show' event during StarCitizen:Intergalactic Aerospace Expo 2949. Cutlass Black owners, at the time of the event, received an upgrade to this variant as a reward. The ship was also offered as a stand alone purchase to backers only during the event.<ref>Template:Cite RSI</ref>
References
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