The White Star - A unique symbol of the B5 Universe

The whitestar class of warship is one of the most interesting class of ship found within the Babylon 5 universe, largely because there is no other kind of ship that's quite like it - it was the first ship of its kind and still remains the only ship of its kind. At the time of the revealing of the first whitestar back at the beginning of season 3, a ship of that immense power and size was unheard of and perhaps thought of as impossible.

Through the merger of both Minbari and Vorlon technology, the Minbari have been able to create a ship that is small, fast, with the manoeuvrability of a fighter and with the firepower of a capital warship. Its design is also unique, looking like a cross between a snake and a tortoise it is sleek and beautiful. But never be fooled by its magnificence, for underneath that sleek design lurks a deadly and efficient killing machine. Like all Minbari craft it is powered by a magnetic drive system that negates the need for a fusion reactor or fuel system and is the source for its manoeuvrability. It also has artificial gravity which enables it to stay in space longer than any other ship of its size. In addition it has its own jump engines, giving another tactical advantage over other medium warships which require jump gates. Its weapon system is so powerful, that it could even destroy a shadow capital ship (the Battlecrab thing) with one focused shot.

The Whitestar ships were used extensively during the shadow war and was the backbone of Sheridan's fleet throughout the civil war with Earth. It now forms the bulk of the Interstellar Alliance's military forces. The whitestar was a radical concept which departed from all previous ship design knowledge and when first revealed was light years ahead of its time. It will remain one of the most enduring designs in this side of the rim.

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