Leopard CV (DropShip class)

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Leopard CV
Production information
Manufacturer	various
Use	ASF Carrier
Type	Aerodyne
Tech Base	Inner Sphere
Technical specifications
Mass	1,720 tons
Structural Integrity	7
Length	70.2 meters
Width	53 meters
Height	19.8 meters
Safe Thrust	4
Max Thrust	6
Fuel (tons)	137 tons
Fuel (days)	74.5 days
Armament	2 x PPCs 3 x LRM-20s 5 x Large Lasers 7 x Medium Lasers
Armor	Standard Fore: 14 Sides: 13 Aft: 10
Crew	9
Heat Sinks	80 (single)
BV (1.0)	2,579
BV (2.0)	2,854

Description

Cousin to the original Leopard class DropShip, the Leopard CV is the most common fighter carrier in the Inner Sphere. Carrying a standard squadron of ASFs, the vessel is the means in which an assault (or raiding) force can transport the aerospace support to the scene of battle from the jumppoint, providing dedicated refueling, re-arming and maintenance requirements. However, due to its lack of significant cargo space, the vessel is not intended for long-term inhabitation; instead, the transported crew would require continuous support from the mother JumpShip, until the time for system transit. Like its cousin, there are plenty of parts, both still in production or available as salvage and surplus, to keep the Leopard CV strongly active.

Armament

The Leopard has an impressive weapons loadout for such a small DropShip, most useful for attacks from aerospace interceptors. It can be easily overwhelmed, however, if swarmed. While it does count on three long range missile racks for heavy hitting, two PPCs, five Large Lasers, and seven Medium Lasers give it more than enough combat capability when it's munitions run out.

Cargo

6 ASFs

Variants

In 3054, Irian Technologies began producing an upgraded Leopard CV. The PPCs and Large Lasers have both been replaced by extended-range models, while the Medium Lasers have been upgraded with pulse technology. BV (1.0) = 3,217 BV (2.0) = 3,376

References

• AeroTech 2 Revised Edition
• Combat Operations
• Technical Readout: 3025 Revised
• Technical Readout: 3057
• Technical Readout: 3057 Revised