Boeing Jump Bomber
Boeing Jump Bomber | |
Production information | |
Manufacturer | Federated Boeing |
Equipment Rating | |
Use | Bomber |
Tech Base | Inner Sphere |
Cost | ??? |
Introduced | 3037[1] |
Technical specifications | |
Mass | 20 tons |
Engine (Type) | GM 180 Turbine |
Fuel | 320 - 2 tons |
Communications System | Boeing A30 |
Armament | External only |
Armor | Boeing Standard Plating |
Crew | 1 |
BV (1.0) | ??? |
BV (2.0) | 64[2][3] 103[4] |
Description
The Boeing Jump Bomber was developed as a low-cost garrison bomber based on the Guardian. Developed for worlds in the Capellan March, the Jump Bomber was deployed on the eve of the War of 3039. AFFS planners, concerned that the Capellan Confederation would take advantage of the focus on House Kurita, provided large numbers of the Jump Bomber to supplement militia ground forces. The main difference between the Guardian and the Jump Bomber is that the Jump Bomber's designers deleted the weapons and some armor to install a larger engine.
Bizarrely the original pilots assigned to test the Jump Bomber had serious difficulty using the plane effectively. Their ingrained habits proved too difficult to overcome. Designed to be simple to operate, rugged, and cheap, the Jump Bomber was used extensively by inexperienced pilots who could adapt to the craft's attack methods.[2]
Armament
Unlike the Guardian that served as its inspiration, the Jump Bomber was designed only to carry external ordnance. The idea was for these fighters to carry bombs and external rocket pods to the battle zone, engage ground forces, and then withdraw to rearm. The last point was critical as the armor protection of the fighter had to be reduced to get a larger engine in the fuselage. This larger engine allows the bomber to carry more external ordnance.
Cargo
Four external hardpoints allow the Jump Bomber to carry a variety of external bombs, rocket pods, or missiles. The Jump Bomber is too small to carry any cargo internally.
Variants
There are no known variants of the Jump Bomber.
Notes
The Jump Bomber was introduced in the McCarron's Armored Cavalry (scenario pack) and later incorporated into Technical Readout: 3039.