Cloud Nine
Sarna News
| |
| Cloud Nine Carrier Airship | |
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Cal-Boeing of Dorwinion[1][2] |
| Production Year | 3065[3] |
| Use | Mobile Air Field |
| Tech Base | Inner Sphere (Advanced)[1][2] |
| Chassis Type (Size) | Airship (Large, Template E)[1][2] |
| Equipment Rating | E/X-X-F[2] |
| Introduced | 3065 |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 1,000 tons[1][2] |
| Structural Integrity | 20[1][2] |
| Safe Thrust | 0.5g[1][2] |
| Max Thrust | 1g[1][2] |
| Power Plant | fusion[1][2] |
| Fuel (Type/Range) | Unlimited[1][2] |
| Communications System | Unspecified |
| Targeting Tracking System | Unspecified |
| Armament | None[1][2] |
| Heat Sinks | None[1][2] |
| Armor | Commercial[1][2] |
| Barrier Armor Rating (BAR) | 2[1][2] |
| Crew | 20 (3 officers, 17 enlisted/non-rated)[2] |
Contents
Description[edit]
The Cloud Nine was an experimental airship designed to be a mobile airborne airfield. It was the brainchild of Donald Hoeck, who was assigned by Cal-Boeing owner Count Douglas Fassei to this project. Donald Hoeck, also nicknamed "Macon", had convinced Count Fassei that his Cloud Nine Project would bolster the company's sagging profits.[1][2]
The Cloud Nine was designed to carry a single squadron of Corsair aerospace fighters, launched from its belly hangar bay. The airship was also designed to be a mobile headquarters. Being a mobile flying airfield gave it and the aircraft aboard a unique safeguard against terrorism or espionage.[1][2]
The Count brought in Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth officers to review his potential airship for military service. However, the few officers that did come laughed at the concept and needed to be escorted from Count Fassei's office.[1][2]
Ultimately, Count Fassei convinced the military to give Cloud Nine a chance by allowing it make a trial run. Six Corsair aerospace fighters from the local March Militia were used to test the Cloud Nine. The ship was able to launch its fighters, and they successfully struck the target. However, when the last of the Corsair squadron was being reeled in, the fifth fighter missed the arresting hook. The Corsair crashed through the Cloud Nine's thinly armored hull, bringing the ship down in flames over the Great Dorwinion Sea.[1][2]
Donald Hoeck left the planet soon after the crash.
Weapons and Equipment[edit]
The ship featured a single aerospace fighter bay, allowing six fighters to be stored. The ship's hangar had a 400 ton capacity and was located at the bottom of the ship. A pair of lift hoists acted as arrester cables for retrieving fighters. The ship carried 7 tons of communication equipment to allow Cloud Nine to act as a Command HQ. Four searchlights were mounted singly on the front, rear, and sides. The ship had a mobile field base integrated into the hull as well.[1][2]
Variants[edit]
There are no known variants of the Cloud Nine.
Related Vehicles[edit]
- The Cloud Ten airship is based upon the Cloud Nine.
Notes[edit]
- As of this article's original writing, Cloud Nine had no record sheet available.
- The ship is considered unique, never mass produced, and is not listed with the Federated Suns Support Vehicle categories.
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex, p. 100: "Cloud Nine Carrier Airship"
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex Revised, p. 102: "Cloud Nine Carrier Airship"
- ↑ MUL online date for the Cloud Nine