Aquarius
Sarna News
| Aquarius is ship launching in foreground, the Lyonesse small craft launches in background with it. | |
| Aquarius (Escort) | |
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Andurien AeroTech |
| Use | Surface-to-Orbit Escort |
| Type (Shape) | Military Aerodyne |
| Tech Base | Inner Sphere Standard |
| Cost | ??? |
| Introduced | 2515 |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 200 |
| Structural Integrity | |
| Length | 20 Meters |
| Engine (Type) | Fusion |
| Safe Thrust | 4 |
| Maximum Thrust | 6 |
| Fuel | 6 tons |
| Burn Rate | |
| Armament | 2 x Large Lasers 2 x LRM 10s 2 x SRM 6 4 x Medium Lasers (2 rear) |
| Armor | ???? |
| Heat Sinks | 32 |
| Crew | 6 |
| Passengers | |
| BV (1.0) | 1,912 |
| BV (2.0) | 2,510 |
Contents
Description
The Aquarius was first introduced into service in 2515, after the success of its older counterpart, the Lyonesse. It is a large small craft designed to escort spacecraft from a planet's surface to orbiting WarShips or space stations.
Despite having a limited fuel capacity, the ship has been given balanced firepower and heavy armor that rivals many DropShips and Aerospace fighters. The Aquarius was highly sought out craft for its time.
However, surface-to-orbit escorts were eclipsed by newer heavy weight Aerospace fighters and some newer designs of DropShips.
The Aquarius and its sister class, Lyonesse, designs were revisited during the early years of the Jihad, where they were upgraded with new technology for other uses in the conflict.[1]
Armament & Capacities
The ship principle weaponry includes pair of fifteen-tube long Range Missile launchers with 2 tons of ammunition. The launchers are augmented by pair of large laser for medium range targets. The craft has a Six-tube Short-Range Launchers with medium laser in both wing section. To protect the craft's aft, its has been given additional two medium lasers.
The ship's fusion engine has been given maximum thrust of 6, with six tons of fuel.
Variants
- Aquarius-M1 - A Jihad era variant, the Marik variant replaces all its lasers with Extended-Range models. The ship is given larger engine to provide improve craft's speed.
- Aquarius (Blakist Variant) -This is a Word of Blake variant that was produced in early years of the Jihad. The Aquarius is changed from escort craft to mobile artillery battery, using Arrow IV artillery missiles launcher while grounded. The Blakist variant's armor type is changed out for Ferro-Aluminum while still maintaining same armor protection. Also the ship's engine is altered to increase the ship's speed.
Related Aerospace Small Craft
Notes
Originally published in the Technical Readout: 3026 Revised, the Aquarius' maximum thrust was listed as 8 instead of the 6 listed in later Technical Readout: 3075. The general rule of Catalyst Game Labs cites new publications trumps older one, this case the older thrust ratio is changed.
Record Sheets for both variants and the republished original craft are not yet in print.
References
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3075, p 268 - Aquarius & Lyonesse - Marik and Word Blake factions re-introduce old Escort ships with new technology.