Buccaneer (DropShip class)

This article is about the DropShip. For other uses, see Buccaneer.

Buccaneer
Production information
Manufacturer	Brigadier Corporation Dynamico Limited Semier Data Tron
Production Year	2708
Use	Cargo Carrier
Type	Civilian Aerodyne
Tech Base	Inner Sphere
Technical specifications
Mass	3,500 tons
Structural Integrity	8
Length	136.5 meters
Width	127.5 meters
Height	30 meters
Drive System	Magna Corp. VX250B
Safe Thrust	1.5 g
Max Thrust	2.5 g
Fuel (tons)	160 tons
Fuel (days)	56.7 days
Armament	1x large laser 1x LRM-5 6x medium laser
Armor	13 tons standard
Crew	12 2 Officers 8 Enlisted 2 Gunners (Base Crew Type Requirement) 2 Pilots 4 Engineers 6 Secondary Engineers
Escape Pods/Life Boats	2/0
Heat Sinks	58 single
BV (1.0)	998
BV (2.0)	951

Description

First produced in 2708, the Buccaneer was originally conceived as a replacement for the aging Lion class, but failed to secure a contract with the SLDF as a BattleMech transport when the superior Union Class appeared. The design was modified into a cargo carrier, proving extremely popular due to its fuel-efficient aerodyne structure, landing reinforced gear suitable for even unpaved terrain, and fast (by civilian standards) unloading and deployment speeds. The crew accommodations also contribute, with spacious single occupancy rooms and excellent mess and recreation facilities making the class a sought-after assignment. While not as efficient as the larger Mule Class, its versatility and profitability have ensured that the Buccaneer is an extremely common design.

The class accommodates twelve crew members, more than enough for a DropShip of this size. Excess cabins can be used for extra-income passengers or crew (especially captain) recreational use. The bridge is known as small, with only piloting and the forward-mounted weapons having a station. Communication is handled in a separate room from the bridge, along with an internal security control station, though it is often empty if security is a low priority for the flight.

While the Brigadier Corporation and Dynamico Limited both build the class's Magna Corp. VX250B in the same system as the rest of the vessel's components, Semier Data Tron has no known Buccaneer drive system line, and presumably sources them from the other manufacturers. Dynamico's Delavan site is particularly adept at needed component production. Instead of importing needed components from whatever is cheaper or most numerous, as most contractors do, Dynamico builds enough of the Buccaneer's weapons systems to export them for use throughout the Federated Suns.

The class is often paired with Fury-class troop transports to keep enough manpower available for equipment supply runs to combat zones; its ruggedness is a boon, though low troop accommodations on the Buccaneer often necessitate the assistance.

Armament

The Buccaneer's armament and armor are light for a military vessel, contributing to its contract loss against the Union Class, but are more than suitable for a merchant craft. The design features a single large laser and LRM-5 with 1 ton of ammunition in the nose, backed up by two forward-facing medium lasers on each wing, with a further two facing aft in the body.

Cargo

The Buccaneer is capable of carrying 2,308.5 tons in its three cargo holds, with two main bays running the length of the craft capable of storing 1,000 tons each and directly accessible by large cargo doors on either side of the ship, with a third 300-ton bay split into multiple decks located above the transit drive.

• Bay 1: Cargo (2,308.5 tons), 2 doors

Variants

No upgraded LosTech variant has been known to be in production, as there appears to be little interest or need to upgrade the venerable design. A popular and common design in the Inner Sphere, the Buccaneer still has numerous variants. Some split each main cargo bay in two, allowing the craft to carry 36 light combat vehicles, though the Buccaneer lacks suitable crew quarters.

• Buccaneer (Armor) 

  The most common variant, appropriately named (Armor), and seen mostly among mercenaries, the Draconis Combine, and Federated Suns, reduces the Buccaneer's cargo capacity by 30 tons in exchange for adding six tons of armor, a PPC and LRM-10 to the nose, a large laser on each wing, and two extra tons of LRM ammunition. This modification allows the Buccaneer increased defense when used in hostile landing zones.

• Buccaneer Rezak (a.k.a. Red Raider) 

  Used by Vance Rezak, this heavily armed Buccaneer carries five ER large lasers, two ER PPCs, and two LRM-15s in the nose. Each wing carries three ER Large Lasers and two Gauss rifles. Covering the aft arc is a trio of ER medium lasers and a Streak SRM-6. The cargo bay can carry 1,509 tons of cargo.

Individual Vessels

(See Category:Individual Buccaneer-class DropShips)

Notes

• In German products, the unit's proper name was translated to Freibeuter.

Gallery

• 

  Original Buccaneer from DropShips and JumpShips: ComStar Intelligence Summary

• 

  Buccaneer from TRO:3057

Bibliography

• AeroTech 2 Record Sheets
• BattleSpace
• DropShips and JumpShips
• Historical Turning Points: Antallos
• Objective Raids
• Technical Readout: 3057
• Technical Readout: 3057 Revised
• Historical Turning Points: Antallos