Difference between revisions of "Behemoth (DropShip class)"

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==Notes==
 
==Notes==
*The ''Behemoth'' originally required a second [[Docking collar]] on [[JumpShips]]. When the ''Behemoth'' was introduced into the [[BattleTech]] universe, the construction/space travel rules postulated that a DropShip required two docking hardpoints for every 60,000 tons (or fraction thereof) of mass to dock with a JumpShip. This has been abandoned and under current rules. The ''Behemoth'', like any other DropShip, requires only a single hardpoint.
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*The ''Behemoth'' originally required a second [[Docking collar]] on [[JumpShips]]. When the ''Behemoth'' was introduced into the [[BattleTech]] universe, the construction/space travel rules postulated that a DropShip required two docking hardpoints for every 60,000 tons (or fraction thereof) of mass to dock with a JumpShip. This has been abandoned and under current rules the ''Behemoth'', like any other DropShip, requires only a single hardpoint.
 
*Similarly, the structural weakness of the ''Behemoth'' is not reflected in any actual game rules and it is technically allowed to operate in atmosphere or planetary gravity just like any other DropShip, with the art of the design in ''DropShips and JumpShips'' even including landing legs.
 
*Similarly, the structural weakness of the ''Behemoth'' is not reflected in any actual game rules and it is technically allowed to operate in atmosphere or planetary gravity just like any other DropShip, with the art of the design in ''DropShips and JumpShips'' even including landing legs.
  

Revision as of 15:31, 11 March 2012

191px
Behemoth
Production information
Manufacturer Brigadier Corporation, Galileo Instruments, TAG [1]
Use Cargo Carrier
Type Civilian Spheroid
Tech Base Inner Sphere
Technical specifications
Mass 100,000 tons
Structural Integrity 30
Length 200 meters
Width 200 meters
Height 275 meters
Drive System Sunburst M-200L Megadrive
Safe Thrust 2
Max Thrust 3
Fuel (tons) 600 tons
Fuel (days) 68 days
Armament 4x Large Lasers
10x Medium Lasers
Armor 210 tons Standard
Fore: 5
Sides: 5
Aft: 6
Crew 50
Escape Pods/Life Boats 5/5
Heat Sinks 158
BV (1.0) 1,684
BV (2.0) 1,017



Description

The Behemoth is the largest DropShip ever constructed by the Star League or the Clans. Originally designed by Krester's Ship Construction, the Behemoth was sold to foreign customers and its construction continued on after the company's demise.[2] Due to its sheer size its structure is prone to stress damage, which is the reason why Behemoths rarely operate at more than half of their drive's thrust capacity. The hull cannot support planet-type gravity and the Behemoth therefore cannot land on planets and may not operate in atmosphere. Instead, they are typically serviced by shuttles and smaller DropShips, and operate in conjunction with cargo transfer space stations to conduct their cargo operations. While the requirement for small craft or smaller DropShips to move its cargo to planets adds an extra logistic and monetary cost compared to the 52,000-ton Mammoth class, the Behemoth's nearest rival and the largest DropShip capable of planetary operations, the sheer volume of cargo the Behemoth can carry far outweighs this. The high cost of running a Behemoth ensures that only the largest trading companies can afford to operate them and they ply only the busiest trade routes, usually far from any conflict.


Armament

As a civilian cargo carrier, the Behemoth's armament is pitiful at best, consisting of 4 Large Lasers backed up by 10 Medium Lasers. Intended as purely defensive, they are arrayed along the bottom/rear of the craft with the nose completely bare. The high cost of the craft keeping them far from any need to use these weapons has protected them far better.


Cargo

The Behemoth's cargo capacity of 75,121 tons, close to 3/4 of it's total weight, is split into 20 cargo decks linked by a central spire running the length of the vessel. Four heavy duty cargo lifts allow transit of cargo within the vessel. Due to the large degree of compartmentalization, the Behemoth can easily deal with both cargo that can and cannot be exposed to vacuum.

Owing to its heavy reliance on shuttles for cargo transfers, the Behemoth has 20 small craft bays.


Notes

  • The Behemoth originally required a second Docking collar on JumpShips. When the Behemoth was introduced into the BattleTech universe, the construction/space travel rules postulated that a DropShip required two docking hardpoints for every 60,000 tons (or fraction thereof) of mass to dock with a JumpShip. This has been abandoned and under current rules the Behemoth, like any other DropShip, requires only a single hardpoint.
  • Similarly, the structural weakness of the Behemoth is not reflected in any actual game rules and it is technically allowed to operate in atmosphere or planetary gravity just like any other DropShip, with the art of the design in DropShips and JumpShips even including landing legs.

Behemoth Ship Gallery

References

  1. Dropships and Jumpships, p. 17
  2. The Star League, p. 165

Bibliography