Maruhanabachi

Maruhanabachi.png
Maruhanabachi Carrier Airship
Production information
Manufacturer Wakazashi Enterprises[1]
Production Year 3061[2]
Use VTOL Carrier
Tech Base Inner Sphere (Advanced)
Chassis Type (Size) Airship (Large, Template E)
Equipment Rating E/X-X-E-D
Introduced 3061
Technical specifications
Mass 1,000 tons
Structural Integrity 20
Safe Thrust 1g
Max Thrust 1.5g
Power Plant Hermes-Shinobi Cloudcrester XVIII (fusion)
Fuel (Type/Range) Unlimited
Communications System Unspecified
Targeting Tracking System Unspecified
Armament None
Heat Sinks None
Armor Chatham Tengu-no-Yoroi
Barrier Armor Rating (BAR) 8
Crew 6 (1 officer, 5 enlisted/non-rated)
BV (2.0) 634[1]

Description[edit]

The Maruhanabachi was designed to assist the Draconis Combine in salvage operations, built as a carrier for Tonbo VTOLs. Initially as much a secret and subject of rumors and speculation as its carried VTOLs, the Maruhanabachi came to wider attention during the Jihad, when it was used by Stone's Coalition.[1]

After the Jihad, the Republic of the Sphere became a major buyer. Republic Armed Forces Maruhanabachis were primarily found in the Materiel Oversight Division, which used them to salvage military equipment as part of the Military Materiel Redemption Program. As time went by, several of these were sold off to private salvage firms, particularly Belyakov-Ourobouros, itself a major purchaser of new Maruhanabachis.[1]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The Maruhanabachi, not built for direct combat, is unarmed. However, it has three 100-ton VTOL bays, as well as a 100-ton cargo hold.[3] Furthermore, the airship uses environmental sealing, which allows it to operate in hostile environments.[1]

Variants[edit]

  • Combat VTOL 
    The only official Wakazashi-offered refit option as of 3134, this variant, in line with the original 3059 specifications,[4] splits each carrier bay into two to carry several combat VTOLs.[1][5]
  • Vehicle Transport 
    This common unofficial modification refits the carrier bays and cargo hold to carry four heavy ground vehicles.[1][6]

Notable Pilots[edit]

See: Category:Notable Maruhanabachi Pilots

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Technical Readout: Irregulars, pp. 10–11: "Maruhanabachi Carrier Airship"
  2. MUL online date for the Maruhanabachi
  3. Technical Readout: Irregulars, p. 67: "Maruhanabachi Carrier Airship"
  4. MUL online date for the Maruhanabachi Carrier Airship (Combat VTOL)
  5. Technical Readout: Irregulars, p. 68: "Maruhanabachi (Combat VTOL)"
  6. Technical Readout: Irregulars, p. 69: "Maruhanabachi (Vehicle Transport)"

Bibliography[edit]