Explorer
Sarna News
| |
| Explorer | |
|---|---|
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Irian Naval Systems[1][2][3] |
| Use | Touring Craft |
| Tech Base | Inner Sphere |
| Cost | 243,725,792 C-Bills[4] |
| Introduced | 2703[1][2] |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 50,000 tons |
| Length | 205 meters |
| Sail Diameter | 740 meters |
| Fuel | 75 tons |
| Burn Rate | 9.77 |
| Top Thrust | 0.1 g |
| Sail Integrity | 3 |
| KF Drive Integrity | 2 |
| LF Battery | No |
| Armament | None |
| Armor | 27 tons standard |
| DropShip Capacity | None |
| Crew | 9[2]
Bay Personnel: 20 |
| Grav Decks | 1 x 80 meters diameter |
| Escape Pods/Life Boats | 3/0 |
| Heat Sinks | 79 single |
| Structural Integrity | 1 |
| BV (1.0) | 424[1][5] |
| BV (2.0) | 428[2] |
Contents
Description[edit]
Introduced at the height of the Star League as a touring craft to ferry VIPs and the wealthy elite, the Explorer class is the smallest JumpShip design still functional (though not in common use) in the modern Inner Sphere.[1][2]
The decline in interest even during the JumpShip-starved Succession Wars era is due to the Explorer's inability to carry DropShips. Harking back to the earliest eras of interstellar travel, the Explorer class lacks a Docking hardpoint and relies entirely upon its own internally-carried quartet of small craft for interplanetary transit. The space that would have gone towards a hardpoint was instead devoted to cargo space and passenger accommodations, including an 80-meter Grav Deck, an almost unheard-of luxury on such a small vessel. A large amount of automated systems allows the ship to be operated by half of the assigned crew if necessary, allowing the other staff to attend to the needs of the passengers.[1][2]
While a sought-after luxury item and status symbol during the golden age of the Star League, the number of Explorers has steadily declined due to combat losses and break-downs due to a lack of spare parts. The largest surviving concentration of Explorers resides with the class's original manufacturer, Irian Naval Systems of Clipperton. Circa 3025, IrTech's Technology Transfer division (ITT) retained about a dozen Explorer-class vessels used by their field teams for exploration and marketing.[6]
Irian Technologies opted to convert their shipyards to the production of the smallest JumpShip in common use, the Scout class, during the early Succession Wars.[1][2]
Armament[edit]
The Explorer-class is completely unarmed. Unable to rely on a carried DropShip's armament, it is protected only by its 27 tons of standard armor. This was intentional in the belief that the harmless design would escape notice and hostile intent. While this was a valid modus operandi during the Star League era, it led to the design suffering heavy losses during the unrestricted warfare of the Succession Wars.[1][2]
Cargo[edit]
The Explorer has a single large cargo bay capable of storing 275 tons of cargo. Like the passengers, cargo is brought to and from the ship by its four assigned small craft.[1][2]
- Bay 1: Cargo (275.5 tons), 1 door
- Bay 2: Small Craft (4), 2 doors
Variants[edit]
The single known variant of the Explorer mounted a portable hyperpulse generator. This absurdly expensive modification was only used by the ultra-rich, the largest corporations, and Star League government diplomats.[2]
During the Jihad, unconfirmed reports told of Explorer class ships modified by Word of Blake operatives with Sub-Capital Weaponry.[2]
See Also[edit]
Gallery[edit]
Original Explorer from TRO:3026 Revised
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Technical Readout: 3026 Revised, p. 124: "Explorer JumpShip Profile"
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 Technical Readout: 3075, p. 270: "Explorer JumpShip Profile"
- ↑ Objectives: Free Worlds League (Post #4) Errata v1.0
- ↑ MUL entry for the Explorer
- ↑ Combat Operations, p. 107
- ↑ House Marik (The Free Worlds League), p. 127: "Corporate Profiles - [Irian Technologies]"