(MNB) Yelsain, Minos – Following the most recent transmission from the organisers of the Droid Hunt, Mando'ade has followed-up with the announcement of a new event that focuses on pilots' abilities and determination against one another in a simulated combat environment.

Speaking from the event's mobile headquarters, Mandalorian pilot Mav Rykk described the competition and what competitors would face when engaged in battle against opponents.

"There are a vast number of talented pilots that inhabit this galaxy. While some of them claim to be the best, few can back up those claims. The Iron Hawk Challenge gives those pilots who possess the skill, courage, and tenacity to put their money where their mouth is – to test themselves against those of similar expertise."

"Mandalorian, Imperial, Rebel, Spacer, Smuggler… It doesn't matter who you are. All that matters is if you've got what it takes to beat all other competitors to win the prize. So, come ahead and see if you're going to be the first-ever "Iron Hawk" of this inaugural event."

Competing pilots will be given the opportunity to enter one of three tiers in the event:

A-class will pit pilots against one another in R-41 Starchasers, making full use of the arsenal the ship possesses.

B-class will take the pilots into the fast-paced T-Wing Interceptors' cockpit, pushing the vessel's speed into high-velocity face-offs.

C-class entrants will find themselves facing their opponents in the more manoeuvrable Cloakshape/H, where they will try and get a clear shot on their opponents in the agile and often overlooked fighter.

The Iron Hawk Challenge will be taking place from Year 22 Day 123, the day after the Droid Hunt's conclusion, and will be located at a nearby area of space outside of the Yelsain system.

The competition will be a single-round elimination event, where entrants will be drawn randomly against one another for each round. The contest will continue until a winner has successfully defeated all other contenders for their tier and will conclude with the ceremony onboard the Acclamator-class Assault Ship that will serve as the command ship for the event.

Each tier's winner will receive an Iron Hawk Challenge trophy, as well as other prizes, and will be awarded the title of Beskar'galaar "Iron Hawk" for their specific class.

When asked why the organisers chose the specific starfighters for each tier, Rykk explained that while there were often records of skirmishes showing the most up-to-date military technology used by the combatants in the ongoing galactic civil war, it often seemed to take the heart and soul out of flying.

"Any idiot can fly a ship where the targeting computer does all of the work but put them in a starfighter that relies on skill and accuracy, and put them under pressure… well, that's where you find out whether they have the gett'se and skill to fly against the best of us!"

Rykk also noted that future Iron Hawk Challenge events would allow competitors to enter their own choice of squadrons and that officials would make sure to keep the event balanced and focused on the pilots' skills and not how many credits they could spend on the latest military technology.

As with all Mando'ade competitions, the Iron Hawk Challenge will be broadcast and commentated by Rehd Duurgo on the event's holoserver. The holo-address will follow at the end of this transmission.

"Haat, Ijaat, Haa'it - Truth, Honour, Vision!"