Difference between revisions of "Cobra (Combat Vehicle)"

m (→‎Description: Added a paragraph on the history of the Cobra.)
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The '''Cobra Transport VTOL''' was introduced by the [[Star League Defense Force]] in [[2582]] to assist the SLDF during the [[Reunification War]] and has seen constant action since that conflict. During the [[Succession Wars]], the Cobra fell out of production, but [[Word of Blake]] restarted the manufacturing line following their liberation of [[Terra]] in [[3058]].<ref name=TRO94>''Technical Readout: 3026, Revised Edition'', p. 94</ref><ref name=TRO170>''Technical Readout: 3075'', p. 170, "Cobra Transport VTOL"</ref>
 
The '''Cobra Transport VTOL''' was introduced by the [[Star League Defense Force]] in [[2582]] to assist the SLDF during the [[Reunification War]] and has seen constant action since that conflict. During the [[Succession Wars]], the Cobra fell out of production, but [[Word of Blake]] restarted the manufacturing line following their liberation of [[Terra]] in [[3058]].<ref name=TRO94>''Technical Readout: 3026, Revised Edition'', p. 94</ref><ref name=TRO170>''Technical Readout: 3075'', p. 170, "Cobra Transport VTOL"</ref>
  
The Cobra is a rear-echelon [[combat vehicle]] that was designed for support. It carries a scant three tons of armor, though it can maintain speeds up to 129 km/h. It also mounts two McArthur [[Anti-Missile System]]s that were specifically installed to shoot down man-portable missiles. As befits its status as a transport, the Cobra can carry up to ten tons of equipment or personnel; the cargo bay within the Cobra is extensively equipped with tie-down points and hook-up points for cooling, filtration and power, and this enables the Cobra to carry almost any cargo. The cargo bay can even be sealed, allowing the Cobra to transport liquids. Because of this flexibility, the Cobra still sees extensive use in peacetime; one of the tasks commonly associated with the Cobra is as a fire-fighting vehicle, as the cargo bay can be filled with water which can then be dumped onto forest fires.<ref name=TRO94 /><ref name=TRO170 />
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The ''Cobra'' is a rear-echelon [[combat vehicle]] that was designed for support missions. It carries a scant three tons of armor, though it can maintain speeds up to 129 km/h. It also mounts two McArthur [[Anti-Missile System]]s that were specifically installed to shoot down man-portable missiles. As befits its status as a transport, the ''Cobra'''s [[Cargo Bay]] has a capacity for ten tons of equipment or personnel, and is extensively equipped with tie-down and hook-up points for cooling, filtration and power systems for handling any cargo. The cargo bay can even be sealed, allowing the ''Cobra'' to transport liquids. Because of this flexibility, the VTOL still sees extensive use in peacetime; one of the tasks commonly associated with the ''Cobra'' is as a fire-fighting vehicle, the cargo bay filled with water which is then dumped onto forest fires.<ref name=TRO94 /><ref name=TRO170 />
  
The Cobra was initially deployed with the SLDF Striker-pattern regiments and proved successful enough that it became a standard transport vehicle for the SLDF; during the [[Amaris Civil War]] many Cobras became mobile bases for resistance fighters within the [[Terran Hegemony]]. [[ComStar]] inherited the Cobra along with many other Star League designs, although the Cobra wouldn't be put back into general production until the Word of Blake conquest of Terra; the Cobra also provided the basis for the [[Anhur]] transport vehicle developed by the [[Clans]].<ref name=TRO170 />
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The ''Cobra'' was initially deployed with the Striker-pattern regiments and proved successful enough that it became a standard transport vehicle for the entire SLDF.  During the [[Amaris Civil War]] many ''Cobras'' became mobile bases for resistance fighters within the [[Terran Hegemony]]. [[ComStar]] inherited the ''Cobra'' along with many other Star League designs, although it wouldn't be put back into general production until the Word of Blake conquest of Terra, and it provided the basis for the [[Anhur]] transport vehicle developed by the [[Clans]].<ref name=TRO170 />
  
 
==Armament==
 
==Armament==
The Cobra VTOL mounts only one offensive weapon, an Omnicron 950 [[Medium Laser]]. The laser is not truly meant to be used, however, as the Cobra is not supposed to be that close to combat.<ref name=TRO94 /><ref name=TRO170 />
+
The ''Cobra'' VTOL mounts only one offensive weapon, an Omnicron 950 [[Medium Laser]]. The laser is not truly meant to be used, however, as the Cobra is not supposed to be that close to combat.<ref name=TRO94 /><ref name=TRO170 />
  
 
==Variants==
 
==Variants==
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* MASH Cobra - This version is used to evacuate injured soldiers. The infantry bay has been converted to provide room for the wounded, and it carries a ton of paramedic equipment. The [[MASH]] name is something of a misnomer as those surgical suites cannot be used while the VTOL is in motion, but this Cobra would deliver the injured to a MASH facility. BV (2.0) = 367<ref>''Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged'', p. 140</ref>
 
* MASH Cobra - This version is used to evacuate injured soldiers. The infantry bay has been converted to provide room for the wounded, and it carries a ton of paramedic equipment. The [[MASH]] name is something of a misnomer as those surgical suites cannot be used while the VTOL is in motion, but this Cobra would deliver the injured to a MASH facility. BV (2.0) = 367<ref>''Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged'', p. 140</ref>
  
* Original specification - The first version of the Cobra to enter service lacked the two Anti-Missile Systems and was instead equipped with a fourteen ton cargo bay. Following losses to man-portable missile launchers in the Reunification War Aldis chose to reduce the cargo bay capacity of the original version to allow for Anti-Missile Systems to be embodied. The tactics commonly used by pilots to allow the AMS to engage incoming missiles added unanticipated levels of stress to the airframe, prompting Aldis to further redesign the Cobra, switching to a reinforced airframe in future production runs.<ref name=TRO170 />
+
* Original specification - The first version of the ''Cobra'' to enter service lacked the two Anti-Missile Systems and was instead equipped with a fourteen ton cargo bay. Following losses to man-portable missile launchers in the Reunification War Aldis chose to reduce the cargo bay capacity of the original version to allow for Anti-Missile Systems to be embodied. The tactics commonly used by pilots to allow the AMS to engage incoming missiles added unanticipated levels of stress to the airframe, prompting Aldis to further redesign the ''Cobra'', switching to a reinforced airframe in future production runs.<ref name=TRO170 />
  
 
==References==
 
==References==

Revision as of 13:49, 30 March 2013

Cobra VTOL 3075.jpg
Cobra Transport VTOL
Production information
Manufacturer Aldis Industries
Mission Transport
Type Light
Cost 1,282,000[1]
Technical specifications
Mass 30
Armor FiberTech Light
Engine Hermes 100 Fusion
Speed 129 km/h
Crew 2
Communications System Datacom 100
Armament

1x Medium Laser

BV (1.0) 257[2][1]
BV (2.0) 367[3]


Description

The Cobra Transport VTOL was introduced by the Star League Defense Force in 2582 to assist the SLDF during the Reunification War and has seen constant action since that conflict. During the Succession Wars, the Cobra fell out of production, but Word of Blake restarted the manufacturing line following their liberation of Terra in 3058.[4][5]

The Cobra is a rear-echelon combat vehicle that was designed for support missions. It carries a scant three tons of armor, though it can maintain speeds up to 129 km/h. It also mounts two McArthur Anti-Missile Systems that were specifically installed to shoot down man-portable missiles. As befits its status as a transport, the Cobra's Cargo Bay has a capacity for ten tons of equipment or personnel, and is extensively equipped with tie-down and hook-up points for cooling, filtration and power systems for handling any cargo. The cargo bay can even be sealed, allowing the Cobra to transport liquids. Because of this flexibility, the VTOL still sees extensive use in peacetime; one of the tasks commonly associated with the Cobra is as a fire-fighting vehicle, the cargo bay filled with water which is then dumped onto forest fires.[4][5]

The Cobra was initially deployed with the Striker-pattern regiments and proved successful enough that it became a standard transport vehicle for the entire SLDF. During the Amaris Civil War many Cobras became mobile bases for resistance fighters within the Terran Hegemony. ComStar inherited the Cobra along with many other Star League designs, although it wouldn't be put back into general production until the Word of Blake conquest of Terra, and it provided the basis for the Anhur transport vehicle developed by the Clans.[5]

Armament

The Cobra VTOL mounts only one offensive weapon, an Omnicron 950 Medium Laser. The laser is not truly meant to be used, however, as the Cobra is not supposed to be that close to combat.[4][5]

Variants

  • Command Cobra - This variant reduces the Infantry Bay to three tons and mounts seven tons of communications equipment. This allowed a commander to control his forces while on the move. BV (2.0) = 367[6]
  • MASH Cobra - This version is used to evacuate injured soldiers. The infantry bay has been converted to provide room for the wounded, and it carries a ton of paramedic equipment. The MASH name is something of a misnomer as those surgical suites cannot be used while the VTOL is in motion, but this Cobra would deliver the injured to a MASH facility. BV (2.0) = 367[7]
  • Original specification - The first version of the Cobra to enter service lacked the two Anti-Missile Systems and was instead equipped with a fourteen ton cargo bay. Following losses to man-portable missile launchers in the Reunification War Aldis chose to reduce the cargo bay capacity of the original version to allow for Anti-Missile Systems to be embodied. The tactics commonly used by pilots to allow the AMS to engage incoming missiles added unanticipated levels of stress to the airframe, prompting Aldis to further redesign the Cobra, switching to a reinforced airframe in future production runs.[5]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Combat Operations, p. 106
  2. Technical Readout: 3026, Revised Edition, p. 95
  3. Technical Readout: 3075, p. 171, "Cobra Transport VTOL"
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Technical Readout: 3026, Revised Edition, p. 94
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Technical Readout: 3075, p. 170, "Cobra Transport VTOL"
  6. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged, p. 139
  7. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged, p. 140

Bibliography