Leopard CV (DropShip class)
Leopard CV | |
Production information | |
Manufacturer | Boeing Interstellar[1]
Federated-Boeing Interstellar[2][3] |
Production Year | 2581[4] |
Use | Aerospace fighter 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 | 2 g |
Max Thrust | 3 g |
Fuel (tons) | 137 tons |
Fuel (days) | 74.5 days |
Armament |
|
Armor | Standard Fore: 14 Sides: 13 Aft: 10 |
Crew | 9[1]
(Crew Types)[5]
Bay Personnel: 12 |
Escape Pods/Life Boats | 2/0 |
Heat Sinks | 80 (single) |
BV (1.0) | 2,579 |
BV (2.0) | 2,854 |
Contents
Description
Cousin to the original Leopard class DropShip, the Leopard CV is the most common fighter carrier in the Inner Sphere. Designed 50 years after the standard Leopard, advances in curved armor allowed the designers to create a more aerodynamic craft, though they left the internal systems nearly unchanged. The signature tail of the aerospace carrier does reduce the infrared signal when aimed away from an observer but opens the design to the loss of control surfaces when needed, such as in an atmosphere. The vessel's lack of a separate transit drive also requires a reconfiguring of crew furnishings, similar to the Nagumo and Avenger.[1]
The crew and passengers of a Leopard CV can enjoy small though single occupancy rooms, a rarity aboard a combat DropShip. A roomy lounge and exercise facility are likewise enjoyed by few other classes. However, due to its lack of significant cargo space, the vessel is not intended for long-term habitation; instead, the transported crew would require continuous support from the mother JumpShip, until the time for system transit. Carrying a standard squadron of aerospace fighters, the vessel is the means by which an assault (or raiding) force can transport the aerospace support to the scene of battle from the jump point, providing dedicated refueling, rearming, and maintenance requirements. Like its relative, there are plenty of parts, both still in production or available as salvage and surplus, to keep the Leopard CV strongly active.[1]
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. It has three long range missile racks for heavy hitting, two PPCs, five Large Lasers, and seven medium lasers, which give it more than enough combat capability when its munitions run out. The CV can often be found at the forefront of any attack, alongside attack DropShips such as the Avenger.[1]
Cargo
Six aerospace fighters, in 3 bays, each with 2 launch doors. This allows the quick launching and recovery of the aerospace fighters carried therein, with the small 87-ton cargo bay utilized through one of the fighter doors.[1]
Variants
- Leopard (3054)
- In 3054, Irian Technologies began producing an upgraded Leopard CV at Clipperton, a fact that garnered the attention of both Capellan and Word of Blake military members. Fererated-Boeing and Bowie Industries were expected to produce the upgraded variant sometime in the later half of the 3050s. 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[1] BV (2.0) = 3,376
Named Vessels
(See Category:Individual Leopard CV-class DropShips)
Notes
- In German products, the unit's proper name was translated to Leopard JT, where the abbreviation JT stands for Jägertender. The German nautical term tender is used for supply ships, while Jäger is a common short form for Jagdflugzeug (fighter aircraft).
Gallery
Original Leopard CV from TRO:3025
Leopard CV from TRO:3025 Revised
Illustration of Leopard CV from DropShips and JumpShips
Leopard CV (3054) from TRO:3057
Illustration of a Leopard CV launching a Transgressor aerospace fighter from The Periphery (sourcebook)