| |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
AEROSPACE 
SPECIAL NOTES FOR SHIPS
DROPSHIPS
DROPSHIP UD-4 CHEYENNE
It's main feature is it's ability to take off and land from unprepared sites. In addition to it's role as a transport, the Cheyenne can act as a gunship with it's weapons pods and fixed point rockets, as well as using it's internal cannon. All things considered, this is the ship of choice if you're getting into some heat. The payload bay is a 9.5 l x 4.5 w x 2.4 h meter (102.6 m3) volume with a 3.92 meter wide deck ramp suspended from four dual-hydraulic assemblies. The deck ramp can comfortable carry a fully-crewed M577 APC (with turret stowed) or a HALOS stores pallet, and is able to raise the cargo completely into the payload space from ground level. Within the bay, latches are automatically activated, extending to hold cargoes in place when the deck is raised. A 20 cm cavity to either side of the payload bay separates the cargo volume from the outer skin and contains the main structural members, cable runs and the blower pipes from the forward turbines to the aft lift nozzles.
It must be noted that even light damage can prevent a dropship from lifting into orbit. A breach of the fuselage skin will seriously compromise the ship's high-speed thermal protection, and even a tiny hole can cause oxidation or 'burn through' when atmospheric speeds exceed Mach 5.0. To prevent such accidents, a sensor net is bonded to the inside of the skinning to monitor for breaches, differential hull temperature and ionization. If a breach is detected, a warning is flashed to the cockpit monitors to notify the crew. The UD-4 is a reliable craft in all realms of it's aerospace operating platform, and is a popular craft with it's pilots. It handles well above the specific purpose for which it was designed, but with in the world of war, nothing can be expected to handle as it was designed, here the Cheyenne delivers above and beyond... but not as well as the pilots who push these craft to their limits would prefer. At subsonic speeds the lifting body configuration generates little lift and the pilot becomes increasingly reliant on the flight software and lift from the vectored thrust engines to deep the dropship stable in the air. Stall speed is very high, and as the Cheyenne approaches the stall it tends to fly increasingly nose-high. As transition is made through the stall speed, vertical lift from the nose and stern nozzles are bled in to prevent departure. Though the airframe is nominally stressed to +6 g, maneuvers in conventional flight greater than +3 g are prohibited due to the excessive stall speed, which can cause the Cheyenne to prematurely depart controlled flight. When fully loaded, turns greater than +1 g are prohibited. At very low speeds and at altitudes below 500m, VTOL hovering flight is recommended. The Cheyenne is at it's nimblest in the hover; here, response is crisp in all axes and the dropship is a very steady weapons platform. The Cheyenne has a crew of two, comprising a Pilot and a Crew Chief / Weapons Officer. Flight control is quadruplex digital fly-by-light with automatic self-monitoring and reversion to back-up modes, all handled through the Herriman-Weston 5 / 480 flight computer. There is no manual reversion since the dropship is too unstable to be flown with direct control inputs. Engine thrust and nozzle settings are automatically moved to their optimum positions depending on speed, altitude, throttle and stick settings. An intelligent autopilot facility allows the automatics to fly all phases of the mission profile, including ingress and egress to the target zone as well as landing and docking cycles. Navigation combines an inertial system with ring laser gyros and strapdown accelerometers, backed up by Global Positioning from reference satellites where available. Dropship communications are handled through a AN / ASC-155 digital datalink offering HF, VHF, UHF and SHF broadcast options. The hardware includes two 12-channel receiver / transmitters with the associated antennae capable of establishing high performance voice, video or computer links in a stressed environment. Antijam features are classified, though they are known to include adaptive HF spectrum techniques to achieve a low probability of intercept and frequency hopping. The Cheyenne is a very reliable and complex machine, not to mention a deadly weapon if deployed correctly. Information on this craft can be broken down into 2 categories, with 3 divisions within each category. The first, "Characteristics," gives a general description of the UD-4 as a combat unit. The second category breaks the craft down into individual systems, where the main focus is specific tasks or advantages. The menu to the right gives you the option of viewing any of these files. The UD-4 'Cheyenne' is a versatile dropship and tactical transport employed in a primary role in the United States Colonial Marine Corps. Derived from and original Department of Defense requirement formulated at the end of the Tientsin conflict for a multi-role light aerospace shuttle capable of lifting heavy payloads up 10 16,000 kg, the UD-4 has evolved into the definitive dropship design, influencing the shape of many derivatives and successors. The Cheyenne's unique flexibility comes from its ability to lift itself into orbit under its own power from unprepared landing sites with the aid of its vertical takeoff (VTOL) capability. In addition to carrying its large payload, the Cheyenne can operate in the close-support gunship role by deploying weapons pods and hardpoints for rockets and missiles, as well as using its own internal gun. VARIANTS UD-4B
UD-4C
UD-4E
UD-4H
UD-4J
UD-4L
STATISTICS
Communication range:
2300 km, 3000 for the 4H and 4L models
NTV Mk 1 SNAKEFIGHTER 
Crew: 1 Pilot, 1 Co-Pilot, 1 Gunner, 1 Engineer. Life support for up to 100 personnel. Bunks for 30 passengers. Maneuverability: +4 dodge of guided missiles. Additions: Fire Retardant, Flares, Raft, Emergency Rations, Sleeping Bags. Evacuation: 2 EEVs, 120 Parachutes Armament package: Two Pistols. 4 Smart Guns, 30 Pulse Rifles 20 Flame-throwers, 200 Pistols, 30 Shotguns, up to 30 other weapons. May be replaced with higher TL weapons. Range: Atmospheric: 50 000 km Orbital: Unlimited FTL: 4 ly FTL Speed: 0.5 ly/day Cargo Slots: 2 Hardpoints: 12 Basic Armament: 2x25 mm "Gargoyle" Gatling, 16x120 mm rockets, 8xAGM-220 missiles, 64 x 150 mm rockets, 2 x TSAM Missiles, 3xAIM-90 missiles, 2 XIM-28A missiles FIGHTERS
AD-17 COUGAR STRIKESHIP
VARIANTS
STATISTICS
Crew: 1 Pilot. Life support for 2 personnel. Maneuverability: +2 dodge of guided missiles. Additions: Fire Retardant, Flares, Raft, Emergency Rations, Sleeping Bag. Evacuation: 1 Parachute, 1 Space Suit. Armament package: 2 Pistols. Range: Atmospheric: 7 000 km Orbital: 5 AU for the 17I only Hardpoints: 7, 8 for 17I Basic Armament: AD-17A: 1x25mm "Gargoyle" gatling, 12 AGM-204A's or 16 AIM-90E's can be carried on each of two missile racks, AD-17I: 1x20mm "Gargoyle" gatling cannon, 12 AGM-204A's or 16 AIM-90E's can be carried on each of two missile racks, 2 XIM-28A missiles.
HA-117 STINGRAY COMBAT INTERCEPTOR
The HA-117 is more related to the Cheyenne than the Cougar. It was developed as a fighter designed purely for space. Its small wingspan adds maneuverability but pound for pound, the Cougar will defeat it in an atmosphere. Just from a size comparison, the Stingray is three times more massive. On the other hand, the Stingray has pure strength. It was not designed to take out ground armor like the Cougar, instead, it was designed to fly in squads and take down the monstrous battlecruisers orbiting above planet. The Stingray is equipped with a nose mounted, “Thunderhawk” 30 mm Railcannon designed to operate purely in space. It does not have a high cyclic rate so its effectiveness against fast moving ground targets is limited. It is also equipped 8 XIM-28A Long Lance anti-satellite missiles and two NIC-79 Captor Missiles on Hardpoints. 24 150 mm rockets are also internally mounted. STATISTICS
Crew: 1 Pilot. 1 Co-Pilot Life support for 4 personnel. Bunks for 2 Maneuverability: +1 dodge of guided missiles. +2 in space. Additions: Fire Retardant, Flares, Raft, Emergency Rations, Sleeping Bag. Evacuation: 3 Parachutes, 2 Space Suits. Armament package: 2 Pulse Rifles, 2. May be replaced with high TL weapons Range: Atmospheric: 20 000 km Orbital: 500 AU Hardpoints: 9 Basic Armament: 30 mm Railcannon, 8 XIM-28A missiles, 2 NIC-79 Missiles, 24 150 mm rockets M-1000 TSAPC TRANS-ATMOSPHERIC PERSONNEL CARRIER (TL4) 
When you look at it as a dropship, the M-1000 is slow and clumsy. As an APC, it is far superior. NO longer does a strike team need to waste precious time waiting for the dropship to pick them up. The TSAPC can just take off. At TL 6, the TSAPC is still a rarity even though it becomes standard equipment on Bouganville Attack Transports. At this TL, the armor is equipped with Grant Corp nutra-gel to combat xenomorphic acid. STATISTICS
Communication range: 500 km, FTL. Crew: 1 Driver. 1 optional Gunner. Life support for 30 personnel. Bunks for 15. 1 cryotube. Additions: Fire Retardant, Flares, Raft, Emergency Rations, Sleeping Bag. Evacuation: 35 Parachutes Armament package: 4 Smart Guns, 20 Pulse Rifles, 10 Flamethrowers, 30 Pistols, 10 Shotguns. May be replaced with higher TL weapons. Range: Atmospheric: 1 000 km Orbital: 500 AU Hardpoints: 1 Basic Armament: Triple Barreled Particle Beam SPACE-BORNE DREADNOUGHTS CONESTOGA 
Over 385 meters in length and massing some 78,000 metric tons, the Conestogas are designed to an 8-17-0 layout, an asymmetric configuration which offers the optimum cargo capacity within a compact and well-armored hull. The spaceframe extends forward and aft of the vessel's primary power system, a Westingland A-59 fusion reactor with a maximum generating output of 3.6 Terawatts. Like most military vessels, the Conestogas use a lithium-hydride or 'dry' fusion plant. The basic fuel for the plant is the crystalline powder form of lithium-hydride. The specific gravity of the fuel is 0.82 metric tons per cubic meter, making it extremely space efficient, avoiding the problems of cryogenic storage associated with civilian reactors fueled by heavy hydrogen isotopes such as deuterium and tritium. The LiH plant accepts the powder in very fine form, allowing it to be shipped and pumped as if it were a liquid, and administered into the powerplant as a blown dust. The powder must be stored in double-lined containers to prevent contact with water, otherwise it will dissociate and react violently. All propulsion units are located aft of the Conestoga’s main reactor. All Conestoga class vessels employ a dual drive method for sublight and Faster Than Light (FTL) movement. To maneuver in realspace at sublight speeds, the Conestoga is equipped with four Gates-Heidman GF-240 rockets than derive power from the main reactor. At maximum power, each rocket provides a thrust of more than 35,100 metric tons. However, fuel consumption is astronomical, allowing maximum thrust for short periods. When FTL travel is necessary, the Conestoga employs a Romberg-Rockwell Cygnus 5 tachyon shunt hyperdrive. The normal cruising speed sustainable by these units is .74 light years per Terran day. Spaceframe composition consists of bonded alloy and composite beams. These materials provide enough strength for massive acceleration while remaining flexible enough to withstand atmospheric re-entry. Hull armor consists of one armored skin, heavier than that on civilian transports. The armor is composed of laminated insulators, micrometeorite shielding, composite material, and aerogel. Protection against projectile weapons is limited, as with all spacecraft, but the aerogel is capable of dissipating radiation from lasers and particle beams. The hull is also covered with radar absorbent material. The engines vents are provided with infrared suppression/dispersion. The hull coating is laser absorbent to reduce lidar detection. The ship is colored in a dark charcoal scheme to reduce visibility. The foremost hull section provides the main cargo area for the Conestoga. Five 25x10 meter cargo doors on each side of the hull provide access. They have even been retrofitted into improvised dropship/shuttle launch bays. Underneath the cargo area reside the Conestoga's dedicated dropship/shuttle hangar with capacity for up to four UD-4L Cheyenne dropships.
To reduce crew workload, and increase efficiency and safety, operation of
the is fully automated. The Conestoga is equipped with a 28 Terabyte, carbon-60
based core mainframe. In effect, the ship could pilot itself and fight a space
battle even if the crew were all dead or in hypersleep. However, at any time,
combat or navigational decisions made by the ship can be overridden by the
commanding officer. Backup is provided by an 8 terabyte mainframe and local
terminals dispersed throughout the ship. The Conestoga carries a light complement of weaponry that allows it to function as a light cruiser. The main space-to-space punch is provided by eight XIM-28A Long Lance ASAT missiles within a dorsal launch bay. The missile is self guiding, and is capable of homing through the reception of several different formats of energy emission from the target. Its warhead is a forged fragment ring that creates a lethal burst of fragments. Secondary punch is provided by several systems. Twin 800 megavolt particle beams run parallel to the ship's main axis. These weapons are powered from storage cells between the main reactor and the weapons. For close combat, the Conestoga mounts twin railguns in dorsal and ventral turrets. Muzzle velocities exceed 12 km per second, with a practical range of 100 km. A single hit from a railgun round is often enough to cripple a ship. Close-in defense is handled by port and starboard laser turrets. The Conestoga mounts 80 megawatt infrared lasers capable of vaporizing railgun fire or crippling incoming missiles and fighters. A ventral launch bay carries 60 orbital mines, enough to deny low orbit to large ships. A dorsal bay amidships also carries 20 decoys designed to present a radar signature mimicking the Conestoga's. There are also two maneuvering drones designed to confuse enemy spacecraft. Space-to-surface capability is provided by a magazine below the cargo bay and forward of the dropship hangar. 80 free-fall, self-guiding re-entry vehicles are carried. The armament carried by the Conestoga enhances her flexibility, allowing her to function as a multi-role platform independent of a fleet or taskforce. She can carry a sizable Marine complement while defending herself from attack, or provide orbital bombardment in support of a Marine landing or planetary action. This has made the Conestoga the prime movers of the Marine fleet for almost two decades. STATISTICS
Crew: 1 Navigator, 1 Engineer, Capsules for 90 crew, 2 000 more capable in Cargo Maneuverability: +8 dodge of guided missiles. Additions: Full stock. Everything on the gear list. Evacuation: 8 EEVs, 200 space suits 80 Re-Entry Pods. Armament package: 10 Smart Guns, 100 Pulse Rifles 20 Flamethrowers, 200 Pistols, 30 Shotguns, up to 30 other weapons. May be replaced with higher TL weapons. Range: Orbital: Unlimited FTL: 15 FTL Speed: 0.74 ly/day Drop Slots: 4 Craft Slots: 1 Cargo Slots: 6 Automatic Systems: Base 11 skill. Hardpoints: n/a Weapons are fixed. Basic Armament: 8 XIM-28A missiles, 2 Particle Beams, 4 30 mm railgcannon turrets (each turret has two linked guns), 6 infrared lasers on turrets, 60 orbital mines, 20 decoys, 2 maneuvering drones Z-1 RAZZIA 
The Razzia and its sisters are all owned by Grant-Corp but are often leased to whomever needs them. Grant Corp uses them almost exclusively. The Prototype is currently on indefinite loan to the CMC at TL3 for an exchange of information. The Razzia is over 3.5 kilometers long. It is an armored strong point and flagship for whatever flag it flies under. Like the Conestoga, it is mostly automated, carrying mostly support and mission personnel. The base crew is fifteen. At least three must operate the flight controls when near a strong gravity field. The Razzia is somewhat flawed this way. It must keep clear from any maneuvers that could cause it to dangerously approach a planet. It is not even alowed to slingshot around gravity fields like Conestoga’s can. The Razzia is a fast jump ship but a slug at sublight. What it looses it speed, it makes up for in strength. It may be slow, but it offers the comfort and power of pure mass. The Razzia has the largest jump drive ever constructed., the McKinnley Ion Mark 1. With it, it can traverse half way across the core worlds without refueling at a top speed of 1.1 light years a day. Four Grant-Corp Pulse Drives occupy the rear of the ship for sublight travel. Even with its awesome thrust capacity, the ship still crawls through a star system. Besides its base crew capacity, the Razzia is equipped with over 500 cryotubes. That may seem small but the cargo bays can be filled to an unprecedented 15 000. The Razzia, sometimes, is employed as a colonizer ship, transporting huge populaces through militarized zones. Additionally, the Razzia is great for massive evacuations from combat areas. The crew compartments are extremely cosey. Armament-wise, this monstrosity can level entire planets on its own. Its firepower is effectively triple that of the Conestoga with an additional nuclear payload added for good measure. The Razzia has been prohibited from entering large trafficked systems by major groups because of its mass and its potential of armageddon if a catastrophic failure were to occur on board. The Razzia is an experiment in the feasibility of creating one ship to do the job of many. In every field, it succeeds, except in one, cost. The Razzia is a juggernaut and requires many a dollar to maintain. Multiple contracts run at once on board as a result. As a money-maker, the Razzia is not much to speak of, but as a weapon of war, it is unstoppable STATISTICS
Communication
range: Orbital, FTL STATISTICS
Crew: 1 Pilot, 1 Co-Pilot, 2 Engineer, Life Support for 500 Maneuverability: +1 in space. Additions: Full Stock. Evacuation: 200 Space Suits, 200 Parachutes. Armament package: 10 Smart Guns, 100 Pulse Rifles 30 Flamethrowers, 200 Pistols, 50 Shotguns, May be replaced with higher TL weapons. Up to 30 other weapons. Range: Atmosphere: unlimited Orbital: Unlimited Cargo Slots: 3 Hardpoints: n/a Basic Armament: 3x25 mm "Gargoyle" Gatling, 14xAGM-220 missiles, 6 x TSAM Missiles, 6xAIM-90 missiles, 2 XIM-28A missiles 
N-1 BOUGAINVILLE CLASS ATTACK TRANSPORT
Two Westingland A-59 fusion reactors with a maximum generating output of 3.6 Terawatts power the N-1. Auxiliary power is provided by a cluster of four Continental Electric AS-4B/AV5 magnetohydrodynamic turbines, each unit capable of generating 20 to 40 megawatts. Unlike the Conestoga, the N-1 uses the new Ryansite tachyon pulse hyperdrive making it faster with a longer range. Hull armor consists of two layers of ceramic and plastic alloy, thicker but lighter than that on other frigates. The hull is also covered with radar absorbent material. The engines vents are provided with infrared suppression/dispersion. The hull is constructed in segmented plates, making it easier to simply replace hole section rather than patching holes. Upon closer inspection, the hull is comprised of a honeycomb arrangement if interchanging hexagons. This absorbs the shock of incoming fire. The Cargo, however, is surprisingly smaller that the Conestoga. It has two cargo bays instead of four with a third specially design to launch a forward mounted M-1000 TSAPC. The two drop-bays can hold either Snakefighers or Cheyennes. Cryogenic hypersleep capsules are provided for sixty crew, marines, and passengers, but there are provisions for troop transport configurations of up to 4000 capsules in the cargo bay. Artificial gravity is provided by field generators parallel to the main axis of the ship.
The Bougainville’s classification was given a general purpose charter, making the craft available for a variety of purposes. The Conestoga is still a useful troop transport but are often flanked now by is more heavily armored that is cousin ship. It carries less but sports heavier armor and more weapons. The assault is provided by twelve XIM-28A Long Lance ASAT missiles hidden in concealed bays. Three 800 megavolt particle beams are built right into the hull, fixed forward, one points aft. These weapons are powered from storage cells between the main reactor and the weapons. The N-1 mounts railguns and laser turrets as well a 80 megawatt infrared lasers. Eighty orbital mines, and forty decoys are also equipped. STATISTICS
Communication
range: Orbital, FTL CIVILIAN SPACECRAFT “M” CLASS STARFREIGHTER (eg: “NOSTROMO”)
The ships mass, 63,000 metric tons, the M Class’s spaceframe is based on a modified Lockmart CM-88B Bison transporter. It is designed to a 6-10-4 layout with three pressurized decks and four main cargo holds. The spare volume is taken by the fuel tanking for the fusion reactor and the reaction mass for the thrust engines. An off-axis hooded frame mounts the docking latches for the towed cargo. The M-Class is sturdy enough of a vehicle to withstand atmospheric re-entries and for surface landings is supported by three main landing shocks. The micrometeorite and particulate shielding is sufficient enough to withstand rough re-entries. The in-flight systems are all controlled by the central "Mother" processor. Mother is a 2.1 Terabyte intelligent mainframe which monitors all of the ship's flight and autonomic functions. A 2.0 Terabyte backup mainframe comes on line in an event of a CPU failure, and a third tier of automatics is also capable of sustaining an autonomic functions should the backup fail as well. The communications fit is standard, it compromises of a 10 and 4 meter hyperstate antenna for any interstellar communications and short-range UHF/VHF/HF radio/video links. The sensors are mounted on pylons which are clustered around the forward hull of the ship and have two 2 m aperture telescopes which are capable of optical, spectrographic and infrared resolution; a gas chromatograph; centimetric navigation and landing radar; a synthetic aperture ground mapping radar; and a mass counter for supralight navigation. The M-Class power core is a Laretel WF-15 2.8 Terawatt fusion reactor. The fusion process is a deuterium/tritium reaction that can fuse the fuel elements in a containment chamber using conversionlasers. The He4 byproduct of the reaction is kept separately and is vented at regular intervals. The power is drawn off of the reactor by a closed-cycle liquid potassium cooling system. Running off into a induction torus which can use the intense magnetic field created by the superheated potassium to generate electric power. The ship may be destroyed by an authorized crewmember by overriding the reactor cooling system and bleed off coolant, which initiates a supercritical reaction in the containment area. After the activation of the self-destruct device, the crew has ten minutes to get far enough from the ship before it's reactor explodes. The supralight drive is a Yutani T7A NLS tachyon shunt which is capable of unladen high cruise up to 0.42 ly per sidereal day (153 cee). When it is towing large amounts of cargo such as automated refineries, the maximum sustainable cruise speed drops radically, about 0.1-0.12 ly per sidereal day (40-45 cee). For maneuvering at sublight speeds when towing large amounts of cargo, the immensely powerful mass reaction engines are required. On the M-Class, the original Saturn J-3000 engines have been replaced to two Rolls-Royce N66 Cyclone thrust tunnels with bipolar vectoring for midline lifting functions. Each of the powerplants develop a 65,830 metric ton of thrust, using water for reaction mass. When running wideopen, both of the engines give a high impulse thrust totaling of 131,660 kN. The lifesystems comprise of three decks, which include the bridge, crews quarters, and dining area. Others include the science station, the CPU module, medical bays, four main cargo bays, storing areas, and the engineering stations. All of these compromise 1.1 million cubic meters of pressurized volume, including all of the air ducts and the air scrubbing plant. The M-Class has a crew of seven-Ship's Master, First Officer, Executive Officer, Navigation Officer, Science Officer, Chief Engineer, and Engineer's Mate. There are seven hypersleep capsules that have been installed for any long-duration flight. The polarized gravity generators provide the internal gravity and the internal dampening. Beneath the hull, is an external docking bay for a shuttlecraft. The shuttlecraft is capable of being a lifeboat in the case of a ship's evacuation is necessary. STATISTICS
Crew: 7--Captain, First Officer, Exec. Officer, Navigator, Science, Engineer, and Engineer's Mate. Life support for up to 30. Evacuation: 1 EEV, 20 space suits. Armament Package: 3 Stunner, 2 Flamethrowers Range: Atmosphere: Unlimited. Orbital: Unlimited FTL: 10 FTL Speed: 0.1 to 0.4 Craft Slots: 1—Narcissus Shuttle Cargo Slots: 100 Automatic Systems: 8 Base skill Hardpoints: None LOCKMART STARCUB LIGHT INTRASYSTEM SHUTLE
For any long duration in-system flight or interstellar travel, one hypersleep capsule is installed. The Shuttle is powered by a 9 gW microfusion reactor which drives the two Newington A-24 rocket motors which employ water as a reaction mass. The rocket thrust is vectored through the four aft or two forward thrust tunnels. For the interstellar travel, a Romberg 100c tachyon shunt can drive the shuttlecraft at a low supralight speed. The Lockmart can enter an atmosphere but don’t expect it to maneuver much.
STATISTICS
Communication Range: 1000, FTL
“DUTTON” COAST GUARD PATROL CRAFT It was a lot cheaper to abandon a ship than retro-fit and refuel especially the old style Nuclear Jobs. A lot of the Industrials just dumped them in decaying orbit, waiting for gravity and atmospheric burn-up to solve their problem. That worked until one of the flamers crashed half-intact near a coffee plantation on the island Hawaii. The radiation killed the indigenous population and made it damn near impossible to find a good cup of “Kona.” So now the Coast Guard tags the floaters and blasts them before they can decay into the atmosphere. It keeps the world safe and gives the guard boys something to do between poker games. They still call them the coast guard, even though the coast they’re guarding is three or four hundred miles in space. The Dutton is their prime craft, designed for speed and maneuverability, but not range. It is small enough to be carried in spacecraft bays but it doesn’t often get transported unless it is being moved to its current port. Its lack of a Tachyon drive decreases its weight. The Two Lase Photon Drives produce twice the thrust of the UD-4 Cheyenne. The large wing surface allows the craft to operate equally in an atmosphere and in space. It is lightly armored, giving it up for maneuverability and speed. Weapons are minor but formidable, with a single particle beam and a battery of rockets. STATISTICS
Crew: 2 Pilots, Life support for up to six. Additions: Fire Retardant, Flares, Raft, Emergency Rations, Sleeping Bags. Evacuation: 1 Drop Pod, two space suits. Armament Package: Four shotguns, four pistols. Range: Atmosphere: Unlimited Orbital: Unlimited Hardpoints: 3 Basic Armament: 1 Particle Beam, 6 AIM-90 missiles
TF-ALPHA-1 CARGO-CRAWLER Using a modular design, the TF-Alpha can be fitted with a variety of cargo modules although the basic design can only carry one. These modules have been widely even before this freighter was introduced. The connecting brackets were a cheap modification to the existing modules. These crates have been found on worlds that don’t even operate Cargo-Crawlers. The TF-Alpha can detach or re-attach a module in under 30 seconds. The Cargo Crawler has been manufactured in the hundreds and is used by practically ever corporation and government. The design is often modified but the standard model run off a regular assembly line hasn’t been changed since it was released. Its charter is to be short range craft but the first modification often given is range booster. This does not cut down on cargo space or speed. The current drive capacity is a pair of McKinnley Ion drives set on slow burn. The TF-ALPHA is slow but uses its fuel wisely. In an atmosphere, the ship usually only raises and lower altitude and doesn’t maneuver much. The ship is not often used in single sorties but is often used in group of three of more, transporting large supplies across star systems. When used alone, they are usually only utilized in-system. The crew compliment need only be one, but three more can be carried. The module can carry its won life support system and can transport up to 500 cryotubes. STATISTICS
Crew: 1, up to three passengers. Two cryotubes. Additions: Fire Retardant, Flares, Raft, Emergency Rations, Sleeping Bags. Evacuation: Three Spacesuits Armament Package: Pistol, Stunner. Range: Atmosphere: 10 000 Orbital: Unlimited FTL: 4 FTL Speed: 0.2 Cargo Slots: 2 Automatic Systems: 8 base skill
DOLOMITE CLASS CARGO HAULER
The desire for a long range cargo ship resulted in the Dolomite.
It can both carry cargo internally and tow behind it. It is meant
to a successor to the M-Class Freighter. The new Dolomite cannot link
directly to a cargo module but can tow behind using cable lines. However
the robust design of the M-class assures its future. The Dolomite’s
fate is cloudy.
STASISTICS
Crew: 3-- support for up to 500. Up to 500 more in cryotubes Additions: Fire Retardant, Flares, Raft, Emergency Rations, Sleeping Bags. Evacuation: 1 EEV, 100 space suits. Armament Package: 3 Stunner, 2 Flamethrowers Range: Atmosphere: Unlimited. Orbital: Unlimited FTL: 10 FTL Speed: 0.7 Craft Slots: 1—Narcissus Shuttle Cargo Slots: 60 Automatic Systems: 8 Base skill Hardpoints: One Basic Armament: None. ZAJER / COMM TEHCNIC TRANSPORT VESSEL 
|
The
spacious pressurized cockpit is accessed from the payload bay and features
two crew positions, seated in tandem. Both crew sit in Martin-Siekert R2102
zero-zero ejection seats which are cleared for operation at any altitude
below 10,000 m and speeds below Mach 1. In the event of an emergency, explosive
cord blows the canopy off and the crew are ejected clear of the ship.
Canopy transparencies are made from single-crystal quartz, flash coated
with gold, germanium, molybdenum and iridium to provide protection against
bright light and short-wavelength lasers. The coatings also act as a radar
reflecting surface, preventing the entire cockpit volume from becoming a
radar reflecting cavity. 
The main fuselage also features the mounting points
for the main weapons pods and the secondary weapons bay. The main weapons
pods are attached to cross-folded pylons just forward of the ramrocket intakes,
which at supersonic speeds, the 4.4 m pylons can be deployed crosswise to
secure the ordnance within the pods. The total span of the pods when deployed
is 15.3 m. The pods cannot be deployed at speeds above transonic because
of the adverse effects of drag and the torsion caused by dynamic pressure
on the pylons. The secondary bays also fold flush against the sides of the
lifting body, and can be sprung out to expose all the weapon hardpoints and
allow exhaust space for weapons launch. Unlike the main weapon pods, the
secondary bays can be deployed at super-sonic speeds up to Mach 2.4 without
adverse effects on dropship handling. 
Pilots of the AD-17 claim an overwhelming percentage
of successful dogfights. This can be attributed to several distinguishing
features in the AD-17 that combine to make the fighter not only highly stealthy,
but also quick and agile. The Cougar can engage and destroy targets before
anyone knows it's there. A highly advanced vector matrixing OBCS can provide
for mach +4 NOE flight patterns. This plane can fly invisible, and leave faster
than anyone else in the sky. 
The UD-5 Prototype promptly vanished from the
Test Bed a month later. Rumors indicate that the design was sold to
a rival group. Rival or not, a month before the official release of
the HA-117, an identical design was spotted in a UPP patrol group, indicating
that the design specs were either sold to the UPP or stolen.
The CMC’s findings were inconclusive. Whatever the cause, the HA-117
is now operated by rival territories. As of yet, direct military conflicts
with these fighters have not occurred. It is hoped the upgrade capability
with the Stingray will allow the arms race to continue. 
When preparing for flight, the reactor engines move out of the sides and
stabilizer wings fold from the top. These are maneuvering wings with
thrusters installed to help stability. They offer little stability
in an atmosphere. If the VTOL engines went off line, the TSAPC would
drop like a rock. As it lifts off, its wheels fold in slightly and
engines scream. 
The M-1000 is also fast on the ground. Even though it is larger, it
is almost 60% lighter because of the absence of a primary turret and shell
weapons and the decrease in armor. In a one-on-one fight, the odds are
even. Even though the M-577 has the turret, the M-1000 is much more
maneuverable. That and the fact that the after a quick 30 second prep,
can achieve flight. Thus comes the final great advantage.
Measuring more than 500 meters, the Bougainville is the largest spacecraft
currently in operation by the CMC. At TL 2, only the prototype is
currently in operation. At TL3, 4 are in operation and 6 more are introduced
at TL4. By TL6, they have all but replaced the Conestoga. At TL6,
the few that are around are specifically used as Xenomorphic extermination.
Like the Conestoga, the N-1 is fully automated, being equipped with a 36
Terabyte, carbon-60 based core mainframe. In effect, the ship could pilot
itself and fight a space battle even if the crew were all dead or in hypersleep.
However, at any time, combat or navigational decisions made by the ship can
be overridden by the commanding officer. The biggest change is that,
unlike the Conestoga, the Bougainville is capable of landing. It is
extremely tricky and not recommended but the ship is equipped with landing
gear. It must land on a flat surface and takes more than twenty
minutes to accomplish. Taking off takes less time (fifteen minutes
or less). All weapons still function but all ships in the drop
slots are stuck. Also, the cargo slots can all feed through a main
cargo ramp, allowing vehicles to directly load out and in.
The a M
class is one of a large group of transports that seem to change daily.
New freighter designs pop up every year. Other, have been modified so
much, are almost unrecognizable to their original specifications. What
makes the “Mega” class apart from the rest is it pure size. It is the
largest of the standard unmodified freighters…but what makes it the most
common was that all current models built (and all the ones refitted It was
refitted to be a commercial towing vehicle in 2116, after that, the M Class
have largely been employed running automated ore and oil refineries between
systems. 
The mass
of this shuttlecraft is 48 metric tons, the Shuttle is configured around a
single 108 m3 pressure cabin. Which holds storage space and lockers for supplies
and any necessary equipment. The spaceframe is of a conventional composite
construction, with a ceramic and composite outer skinning. A tricycle undercarriage
extends for any surface landings. There are three crew stations for the pilot,
co-pilot and a scientist. Though additional seating can be installed.
