Aquarius

Aquarius (Escort)
Production information
Manufacturer	Andurien AeroTech
Use	Surface-to-Orbit Escort
Type (Shape)	Military Aerodyne
Tech Base	Inner Sphere
Cost	14,221,120 C-Bills
Introduced	2515
Technical specifications
Mass	200 Tons
Structural Integrity	8
Length	29 meters
Width	25 meters
Engine (Type)	Heat-Expansion Drive
Safe Thrust	2 g
Maximum Thrust	3 g
Fuel	6 tons
Burn Rate
Armament	2x large laser 2x LRM-10 2x SRM-6 4x medium laser
Armor
Heat Sinks	32 single
Crew	6 2 Officers 2 Enlisted 2 Gunners
Passengers
BV (1.0)	1,912
BV (2.0)	2,510 2,263

Description

The Aquarius was first introduced into service in 2515, after the success of its older counterpart, the Lyonesse. It is a small craft designed to escort spacecraft from a planet's surface to orbiting WarShips or space stations, using ubiquitous Small Craft Bays found on most DropShips, Jumpships, and WarShips. Able to fill the role better than the DropShips available at the time, and able to travel longer distances than any aerospace fighter, the Aquarius, along with the Lyonesse were two of the most common interplanetary escort craft during the Star League.

The class was given balanced firepower and heavy armor that rivaled many DropShips and any aerospace fighter. The Aquarius was a highly sought-after craft for its time. It was among Andurien AeroTech's most profitable products, and several other defense contractors attempted to enter the market. However, demand for the role had waned, and surface-to-orbit escorts were eclipsed by newer heavyweight aerospace fighters and some newer designs of DropShips.

The Aquarius and its sister class Lyonesse were revisited during the early years of the Jihad, where they were upgraded with new technology for other uses in the conflict.

Weapons and Equipment

The ship's primary weaponry is a pair of Long Range Missile launchers with 2 tons of ammunition. The launchers are augmented by a pair of large lasers for medium-range targets. The craft has a Six-tube Short-Range Launcher and medium laser in each wing section. To protect the craft's aft, it has been given an additional two medium lasers.

Variants

• Aquarius-M1 

  A Jihad era variant, the Marik variant replaces all its lasers with Extended-Range models. The ship is given a larger engine to improve the craft's speed. BV (2.0) = 2,568

• Aquarius W1 

  This is a Word of Blake variant that was produced in the early years of the Jihad. The Aquarius is changed from an escort craft to a 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 the same armor protection. Also, the ship's engine is altered to increase the ship's speed. BV (2.0) = 2,698

Related Aerospace Small Craft

• Lyonesse Escort
• Tigress Close Patrol Craft (Gunship)
• Condottiere - Revival of the small craft escort in the Republic Age.

Notes

• Originally published in Technical Readout: 3026 Revised, the Aquarius' maximum thrust was listed as 4 g, instead of the 3 g listed in (later) Technical Readout: 3075. The general rule of Catalyst Game Labs cites new publications trump older ones, which in this case results with the thrust ratio changed.

Gallery

• 

  Original Aquarius from TRO:3026 Revised

Bibliography

• Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War
• Technical Readout: 3026 Revised
• Technical Readout: 3075