Editing DropShip

[[File:Union cutaway color TM.png|right|300px|thumb|''Union''-class DropShip cutaway]]

A '''DropShip''' is defined as a type of spaceship massing between 200 and 100,000 tons that is itself incapable of faster-than-light (FTL) travel. They essentially conduct all other aspects of space travel, including transit between planets and [[jump point]]s and planetary landings. For FTL interstellar movement, they dock with [[JumpShip]]s by means of a [[docking collar]].

DropShips are the workhorse of interplanetary space travel. It is the DropShips (and occasionally their smaller cousins, the [[Small Craft]]) that move cargo and passengers between planetary surfaces, orbits, space stations and jump points. While transport is their primary role, some have been built for special purposes and act as tugs, rescue ships, fighter carriers or even designated combat DropShips. Accordingly, a wide and diverse variety of DropShip types exist.

Even though many DropShips serve as military spaceships, naval terms such as "Corvette": "Destroyer": "Cruiser" etc. are never applied to them; these are exclusively used for true [[WarShip]]s, i.e. the huge Combat JumpShips that outclass DropShips by an order of magnitude (typically massing several hundred thousand or even millions of tons).

==History==
The term "DropShip" was first used in the [[22nd century]] to describe the cargo-carrying shuttles then in use to ferry cargo and passengers between the JumpShips of that era.  It was not until the [[25th century]] when "DropShip" became the official designation for a type of ship more sophisticated than the earlier [[DropShuttle|shuttles]].  Instead of being carried within the hull of a JumpShip, these vessels were now attached on the outside and would "drop" away once it had arrived.  By the [[31st century]], there were over 250 DropShip designs on record, though only approximately 100 were still in service, with twenty of those constituting the majority of DropShips in existence.<ref name=BSS20>''BattleSpace'' rulebook, pp. 18–20</ref><ref name=DJOM8>''DropShips and JumpShips - Operations Manual'', pp. 4–8</ref><ref name=AT69>''AeroTech 2'', pp. 66–69</ref>

==Construction==
While DropShips come in a variety of shapes and sizes, the heart of every DropShip is its engineering section, which is comprised of two systems: a power plant and an [[Interplanetary Drive - DropShips|
engine]].  The fusion engine works by expelling plasma through shielded exhaust nozzles to create thrust.  All DropShips have a main exhaust nozzle to propel the ship forward at a steady acceleration.  The most advanced also have numerous plasma exhaust nozzles dotting their hulls to control steering, but such devices are fragile and expensive, leaving many DropShips equipped with hardier but less efficient chemical rockets to fulfill this role.  The plasma exhaust is created as a by-product of nuclear fusion and requires a constant supply of fuel in the form of liquid H<sub>2</sub>, which is carried aboard in large storage tanks and fed to the drive by one of two systems.  The one found on all DropShips is a heat-expansion system where the H<sub>2</sub> is fed into a heated chamber; here the high temperature causes it to expand, with the resulting pressure forcing it into the engine core.  Military DropShips will also have a series of high-speed pumps which can supply a constant stream of fuel for the engine, allowing for rapid changes in thrust.  Unlike the engine core, the fusion plant which provides power for the DropShip is a closed system, reprocessing its own by-products and requiring little additional fuel.  It can however tap into the same H<sub>2</sub> storage tanks used by the engines when needed.<ref name=BSS20/><ref name=DJOM8/><ref name=AT69/>

Each DropShip also has a control room, typically known as the bridge, which vary in size in accordance with each design.  At minimum there will be stations for a pilot, navigator, communications officer, and weapons/computer officer.  Larger vessels will have more than one station for each position or additional stations for specialists such as docking officer, security officer and ship captain.  Their primary task is to monitor the main computer as it performs each task and provide manual backup in case the main computer fails; backup computers can allow each station to operate most of the ship's systems if necessary.  This includes controlling life support and hatch access in other areas of the ship, a necessary function in the event of accidental hull breach or enemy boarders.  As such the bridge is designed to be isolated from the rest of the vessel, and both military and even some civilian DropShips will take the extra precaution of positioning marines to guard the bridge and other sensitive areas of the DropShip.<ref name=BSS20/><ref name=DJOM8/><ref name=AT69/>

Most DropShips are equipped with weapons organized into weapon bays.  Each bay will any combination of missile, energy or projectile weaponry, along with the necessary ammunition feeds, cooling systems, and radar/laser targeting systems.  Aiming and firing each weapon bay is determined by the ship's fire-control computer, which is linked to the main computer and radar array, allowing the DropShip to engage targets hundreds of kilometers away while traveling at thousands of kilometers per hour.  In the event the main fire-control computer shuts down, each weapon bay is on a local circuit control with an adjacent gunnery station where human gunners can take control.<ref name=BSS20/><ref name=DJOM8/><ref name=AT69/>

The primary function for nearly all DropShips is to carry cargo of one sort or other.  These [[Cargo Bay]]s can occupy up to three-fourths of a DropShip's interior, and a DropShip may contain multiple different types of bays depending on its mission.<ref name=BSS20/><ref name=DJOM8/><ref name=AT69/>

===DropShip Category===
DropShips are based around two basic hull forms, aerodyne and spheroid. Depending on their intended role, DropShips can be constructed following either of these two alternative approaches.

Although all DropShips are either of the spheroid or the aerodyne subtype, there is arguably a third one: ships which are limited to operating in deep space for one reason or another and would be destroyed when attempting to enter an atmosphere or land on a planet, rendering the differences between aerodyne and spheroid designs irrelevant to them.  Examples include the superlarge ''[[Behemoth (DropShip)|Behemoth]]'' class cargo hauler, which is a spheroid design but has insufficient acceleration for planetary operations and is too large and fragile to operate in gravity, and the nominally aerodyne ''[[Achilles (DropShip)|Achilles]]'' and ''[[Vengeance]]'' class military DropShips which were never designed for atmospheric operations.

====Aerodyne DropShips====
Aerodyne DropShips are shaped roughly similar to conventional aircraft, using their aerodynamic hull shape to generate lift within an atmosphere.  This makes these DropShips ideally suited for atmospheric operations, at the expense of being more expensive and harder to produce than spheroid ships and with more restrictive size requirements.  Many aerodynes also require runways to land and take off, limiting where they can operate.  To facilitate atmospheric and deep space travel, most aerodynes are equipped with two sets of exhaust nozzles, one on the bottom and one on the rear.  Aerodynes will use their bottom thrusters and transit drive during space operations, then switch over to after thrusters and maneuver drive when in an atmosphere.  While taking up additional space, this alleviates the issue of internal orientation by allowing the vessel's nose and rear to remain "forward" and "aft" at all times.<ref name=BSS20/><ref name=DJOM8/><ref name=AT69/>

====Spheroid DropShips====
Spheroid DropShips are so named for their rounded hulls, making them easier and cheaper to construct.  Their simple design also makes them sturdier and allows them to be built much larger than aerodyne DropShips, with the largest spheroid outmassing the largest aerodyne many times over.  Spheroid DropShips have a single engine drive positioned on the ship's bottom which is used to vertically descend onto a planetary surface and take off in the same way.  This allows spheroid DropShips to operate independent from runways or even spaceports, making them ideal for exploring unknown planets and giving them a tactical advantage in military operations.  However, their simple and versatile landing and takeoff pattern requires more fuel and can cause significant damage to the ground.  They also cannot travel through the atmosphere as quickly as aerodyne vessels and their method of flight is more unstable, making them less practical for atmospheric combat.  A complex system of thrusters positioned around the hull and controlled by the main computer helps make atmospheric flight and landing possible, but if these systems are damaged a spheroid DropShip can easily lose control and crash.<ref name=BSS20/><ref name=DJOM8/><ref>''DropShips and JumpShips - Operations Manual'', pp. 20–22</ref><ref name=AT69/><ref>''AeroTech 2'', pp. 11, 37</ref>

===Classification of DropShips===
In addition to their type, the majority of DropShips can be classified into six main classifications based around the mission profiles for which they were originally designed: assault ships, BattleMech carriers, cargo carriers, fighter carriers, troop carriers, and passenger liners.<ref name=BSS20/><ref name=DJOM8/><ref name=AT69/>

* Assault - This primarily military DropShip is designed for maximum firepower. Typically used for anti-[[aerospace fighter]] and anti-DropShip operations, they can be used for ground assault purposes, though this is rare. Some models of assault ships carry anti-WarShip weaponry and are referred to as Pocket WarShips; this type of DropShip is also known to carry limited quantities of [[BattleMech|BattleMechs]], [[battle armor]], marines, and aerospace fighters, usually just enough to provide "point-blank" defense.
** <span id="Pocket WarShip">Pocket WarShip</span> - A military DropShip type based on the Assault DropShips. These ships are designed to carry [[Capital Missile|Capital Missiles]] and sometimes [[:Category:Sub-Capital Weapons|Sub-Capital Weaponry]]. Most are typically heavily armed with standard BattleMech-scale weaponry. Early versions of this ship type were known as '''Q-Ships'''. Following the [[Jihad]], with so many nations' shipyards damaged or destroyed, many factions turned to these as the backbone of their navies.
* Fighter Carrier or Aerospace Carrier - Designed for carrying/supporting aerospace fighter craft operations. Though other DropShips are referred to as 'Mech carriers, troop carriers, etc., a ship described as a "carrier" is understood to be a fighter carrier. These ships typically have '''CV''' (for '''C'''arrier '''V'''essel) appended to their name, as in ''[[Leopard CV]]''.
*Cargo Ship - Typically civilian model of ship, used for hauling bulk cargo.  Some ships are fitted to transport liquids and are usually referred to as Liquid Carriers.
*'Mech Carriers - Military type of DropShip, principally designed to carry [[BattleMechs]] into combat. They are generally modestly armed.
*Troop Transport - Typical infantry-carrying DropShip, which may have the capability of moving various-sized vehicles.  They are normally modestly armed craft.
*Q-Ship - Military conversion of a civilian vessel, typically cargo ships.  First introduced by the Star League Defense Forces prior to the [[Amaris-Kerensky Civil War|Star League Civil War]].
*Passenger Liner - Civilian DropShip design for passenger service. Normally, these ships are lightly or never armed.  Rarely these ships are used as Troop Transport for infantry.

In the [[Dark Age Era]], [[Clan Jade Falcon]] created [[VaultShips]], but technically that is arguably a role and not a distinct class.

==DropShip Operations==
Once a DropShip has arrived at a system's jump point and detached from its JumpShip, it can begin the long journey to its destination point within the system.  This depends on the star system in question, where the DropShip is trying to travel to, and how fast the ship accelerates during the course of its journey.  Thanks to their powerful fusion engines and fuel reserves, DropShips can travel interplanetary distances by constantly accelerating towards their destination then, at the midway point, flipping around and using their engines to decelerate at the same rate.  Assuming the distance between the start and end point are known, this can be calculated with T = 2√(D/A), where T equals time in hours, D is distance in kilometers from the starting point to midway point, and A is acceleration in kilometers per hour per hour. In most cases it would take several days or more for a DropShip to travel between a jump point and a planet in-system.  During this time the DropShip will be burning fuel to maintain its constant acceleration and deceleration and any maneuvering it must undertake.  The most common way of expressing this is by burn-day, which is the amount of fuel burned by accelerating at 1 G for one day.<ref>''BattleSpace'' rulebook, p. 52</ref>

When landing or lifting off from a planet, DropShips can do so vertically if spheroid or horizontally if aerodyne; aerodynes may also land horizontally if the planet lacks an atmosphere.  Vertical landings and takeoffs are more versatile as they require only as much space as to fit the DropShip, but are more difficult as a DropShip at low velocity is more unstable, burns more fuel and causes ground damage.  Horizontal landings and takeoffs require a runway of at least 600 meters, though experience pilots can land on shorter stretches using their bottom thrusters. Once grounded, cargo is typically offloaded or loaded by DropShip crew members, usually wearing [[Exoskeleton]]s to make the job go quicker, though some military units will use their 'Mechs to help speed up the process.<ref>''BattleSpace'' rulebook, pp. 53–57</ref>

During combat operations, military DropShips that land to disembark their cargo will typically do so well away from the front lines as a means of preserving them, both for their incredible expense and for their ability to withdraw troops from a losing engagement.  In instances where troops must be landed closer to an enemy force, or where a DropShip cannot land due to hazardous terrain, it may instead carry out a '''Combat Drop'''.  In a combat drop, BattleMechs and [[battle armor]]ed troopers will exit the DropShip while at high altitude or in orbit.  These units use their integral [[jump jets]] or disposable jet packs to control their descent and safely land, but even among well-trained forces a combat drop is a hazardous endeavor.  For orbital combat drops, a special [[Drop Cocoon]] is used which protects the unit during atmospheric reentry then falls away.<ref>''JumpShips and DropShips'', pp. 42–43</ref><ref>''BattleSpace'' rulebook, p. 37</ref>  A variation on this tactic is known as the [[Hover-Drop Maneuver]].

Maintaining a DropShip is a constant endeavor, not least because many will be decades if not centuries old.  Reducing wear and tear by avoiding atmospheric operations or active maneuvering can help, but nothing short of mothballing it will help preserve a DropShip that doesn't have a well-trained crew to look after it.  Even for the smaller DropShips, the weekly maintenance needed to keep the vessel running can cost hundreds of [[C-bill]]s, never mind repairing and replacing components or armor due to battle damage.  Having a well-oiled crew is also important for a DropShip, though on most civilian vessels only the senior crew will sign on with a permanent contract, with the rest signing on for a limited time span.  For security reasons, a military DropShip's crew will all be permanent members who have gone through extensive screening.  Crew wages vary by vessel and era, but in the middle of the 31st century the average DropShip pilot earned 550 C-bills a month at minimum, while an engineer earned 450 C-bills.<ref>''BattleSpace'' rulebook, pp. 57–62</ref>

==Manufacturing==
The smallest known spaceship to meet the DropShip criteria is arguably the 200-ton [[K-1|K-1 DropShuttle]], although it is generally classified as a [[Small Craft]] instead. The largest DropShip ever constructed is the 100,000-ton ''[[Behemoth (DropShip_class)|Behemoth]]'', which due to its sheer size is incapable of entering gravity wells stronger than 0.6 g. The biggest DropShip that can actually enter the atmosphere in standard gravity is the 52,000-ton ''[[Mammoth]]''.

The most common military [[BattleMech]] transport classes are the ''[[Leopard]]'' (one [[lance]]: 4 'Mechs, 2 fighters), the ''[[Union]]'' (one [[company]]: 12 'Mechs, 2 fighters), and the much rarer ''[[Overlord]]'' (one [[battalion]]: 36 'Mechs, 6 fighters); the most common aerospace fighter carrier is the ''[[Leopard CV]]'' class (one squadron: 6 fighters).

Known DropShip classes include (sorted alphabetically):

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Weight
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Usage
! scope="col" | Shape
! scope="col" | Notes
|-
|-
|''[[Achilles_(DropShip_class)|Achilles]]''
|4,500
|[[2582]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Aerodyne_DropShips|aerodyne]]
|Designated assault ship geared for space combat; incapable of atmospheric operations.
|-
|''[[Aqueduct|Aqueduct]]''
|45,000
|[[2638]]
|civilian
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|Liquid cargo transport; largest ever built until the Behemoth, subsequently surpassed again by the Mammoth.
|-
|''[[Argo_(DropShip_class)|Argo]]''
|97,000
|[[2762]]
|civilian
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|Peacetime exploration ship; cannot land.
|-
|''[[Arondight]]''
|12,000
|[[3075]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|Designed by the [[Federated Suns]] as low-cost mass production Pocket WarShip.
|-
|''[[Arcadia_(DropShip_class)|Arcadia]]''
|3,000
|[[3066]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Aerodyne_DropShips|aerodyne]]
|First exclusive ProtoMech carrier (15 ProtoMechs), small and agile.
|-
|''[[Assault Triumph]]''
|8,000
|[[3062]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Aerodyne_DropShips|aerodyne]]
|Assault transport (the original version was configured carry 6 'Mechs, 6 Fighters, 24 heavy vehicles, 6 battle armor squads) developed from the older Triumph class.
|-
|''[[Aurora]]''
|1,600
|[[3069]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Aerodyne_DropShips|aerodyne]]
|Typically a 'Mech carrier (4 'Mechs), but highly adaptable for a variety of roles.
|-
|''[[Avenger]]''
|1,400
|[[2816]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Aerodyne_DropShips|aerodyne]]
|Designated assault craft and heavy aerospace support.
|-
|''[[Behemoth_(DropShip_class)|Behemoth]]''
|100,000
|[[2782]]
|civilian
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|Cargo carrier. Bays for 20 [[Small Craft]].
|-
|''[[Buccaneer (DropShip_class)|Buccaneer]]''
|3,500
|[[2708]]
|civilian
|[[DropShip#Aerodyne_DropShips|aerodyne]]
|Conceived as a (failed) military transport, but proved successful as a civilian cargo carrier.
|-
|''[[Broadsword]]''
|1,850
|[[2979]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Aerodyne_DropShips|aerodyne]]
|BattleMech transport (5 'Mechs). Designed to replace the [[Leopard]] class among the Clans.
|-
|''[[Cargoking]]''
|12,500
|[[2789]]
|civilian
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|An advanced fully automated, self-loading civilian cargo carrier developed at the end of the Star League, almost identical to ''[[Cargomaster]]'' class. After a series of lost prototypes, the design was canceled.
|-
|''[[Cargomaster]]''
|12,500
|[[2790]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|An advanced fully automated, self-loading military cargo carrier developed at the end of the Star League, it had slightly better fuel reserves but was otherwise identical to the [[Cargoking]] class. However due to manufacturing cost, only one prototype was built and was later dismantled.<ref>''Technical Readout: 3026 Revised'', p. 116: Production of the ''Cargomaster'' was canceled in the midst of the First Succession War; no more than 1 prototype was constructed</ref>
|-
|''[[Carrier]]''
|5,000
|[[2882]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Aerodyne_DropShips|aerodyne]]
|Clan built heavily armed fighter carrier (10 Fighters).
|-
|''[[Claymore]]''
|1,400
|[[3054]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Aerodyne_DropShips|aerodyne]]
|Designated assault craft.
|-
|''[[Cockatrice]]''
|800
|[[3062]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|A [[Word_of_Blake|Word of Blake]] drone monitor platform based on the [[K-1]] DropShuttle.
|-
|''[[Colossus_(DropShip_class)|Colossus]]''
|20,000
|[[2718]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|Designed to move an entire combined arms regiment (36 'Mechs, 72 vehicles, 12 platoons).
|-
|''[[Condor_(DropShip_class)|Condor]]''
|4,500
|[[2801]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Aerodyne_DropShips|aerodyne]]
|Troop transport (20 light vehicles, 12 platoons).
|-
|''[[Confederate]]''
|1,860
|[[2602]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|Star League era 'Mech transport (4 'Mechs, 2 Fighters). Clans have refitted theirs to carry 5 'Mechs.
|-
|''[[Conquistador]]''
|17,400
|[[3063]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Aerodyne_DropShips|aerodyne]]
|Combined assault transport and command ship (24 'Mechs, 18 Fighters, 12 heavy vehicles, 16 platoons, 20 battle armor squads). Extensive command facilities. Highly automated, requires only skeleton crew. Bays and quarters can be converted into a field hospital when empty.
|-
|''[[Danais (DropShip class)|Danais]]''
|3,200
|[[2728]]
|civilian
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|Unarmed cargo ship based on the slightly larger [[Union]] class. A popular and numerous class, being one of the few DropShip types that the Star League allowed subjugated periphery states to build themselves. The armed and upgraded blockade runner version introduced by the [[Taurian Concordat]] is known as the [[Trojan]].
|-
|''[[Dictator]]''
|9,000
|[[2600]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|Star League era 'Mech carrier (36 'Mechs), eventually replaced by the superior [[Overlord]] class.
|-
|''[[Drost IIA|DroST IIa]]''
|5,300
|[[2445]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Aerodyne_DropShips|aerodyne]]
|Among the earliest purpose-built military designs. Used by the [[Terran Hegemony]], the design was used ferry infantry, vehicles and some variants as Fighter Carriers.
|-
|''[[Excalibur_(DropShip_class)|Excalibur]]''
|16,000
|[[2786]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|Combined arms transport (12 'Mechs, 90 heavy vehicles, 12 platoons).
|-
|''[[Fortress]]''
|6,000
|[[2613]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|Heavily armed combined arms transport (12 'Mechs, 12 heavy vehicles, 3 platoons). Noteworthy for mounting a Long Tom heavy artillery piece; capable of securing its landing zone by itself.
|-
|''[[Fury_(DropShip_class)|Fury]]''
|1,850
|[[2638]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Aerodyne_DropShips|aerodyne]]
|Common troop transport (8 light vehicles, 4 platoons).
|-
|''[[Gazelle]]''
|1,903
|[[2531]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Aerodyne_DropShips|aerodyne]]
|Common tank transport (15 heavy vehicles). An upgraded version was launched in [[3055]].
|-
|''[[Gorgon (DropShip class)|Gorgon]]''
|6,800
|[[3096]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Aerodyne_DropShips|aerodyne]]
|Free Worlds League build Fighter Carrier (18 Fighters)
|-
|''[[Hamilcar]]''
|3,575
|[[3054]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Aerodyne_DropShips|aerodyne]]
|Specialized space assault transport (8 'Mechs, 4 Fighters).
|-
|''[[Hannibal]]''
|4,850
|[[3055]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Aerodyne_DropShips|aerodyne]]
|Heavily armed troop/tank transport (12 heavy vehicles, 4 platoons).
|-
|''[[Hercules_(DropShip class)|Hercules]]''
|7,200
|[[3053]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|Troop/tank transport (36 heavy vehicles, 12 platoons). Shares many components with [[Overlord]] class, making production and maintenance easier.
|-
|''[[Interdictor]]''
|9,400
|[[3074]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Aerodyne_DropShips|aerodyne]]
|The ship was noted for its high speed and multiple anti-WarShip armaments.
|-
|''[[Intruder]]''
|3,000
|[[2656]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|Heavily armed assault transport (2 Fighters, 4 platoons).
|-
|''[[Jumbo]]''
|14,800
|[[2343]]
|civilian
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|Based on a [[Terran Hegemony]] design introduced in the early 25th century and the first bulk-cargo DropShips; eventually replaced as a class by the [[Mule]].
|-
|[[K-1 DropShuttle]]
|200
|[[2536]]
|civilian
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|Passenger/cargo shuttle. Usually classed as a [[Small Craft]], not a DropShip. Clan version known as [[K-1_DropShuttle#Variants|K1-C]] is identical except for better armor and upgraded (though similar) weaponry.
|-
|''[[Kuan Ti]]
|2,200
|[[3054]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Aerodyne_DropShips|aerodyne]]
|Designated patrol/assault craft.
|-
|''[[League_(DropShip_class)|League]]''
|
|
|military
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|Star League relic; no further details known.
|-
|''[[Lee_(DropShip_class)|Lee]]''
|17,000
|[[2756]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|[[Star_League_Defense_Force|SLDF]] BattleMech transport. Designed to carry a reinforced battalion (40 'Mechs, 6 Fighters).
|-
|''[[Leopard]]''
|1,720
|[[2537]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Aerodyne_DropShips|aerodyne]]
|Standard BattleMech transport (4 'Mechs, 2 Fighters) since Star League era. Affectionately referred to as the "Brick". 1,800 ton upgraded version launched in [[3056]].
|-
|''[[Leopard CV]]''
|1,720
|[[2581]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Aerodyne_DropShips|aerodyne]]
|Standard fighter carrier (6 Fighters) since Star League era. Looks decidedly different from the classic [[Leopard]], having a round fuselage. 1,800 ton upgraded version launched in [[3054]].
|-
|''[[Lion]]''
|7,215
|[[2595]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|Combined arms transport (8 'Mechs, a light vehicle company and possibly unspecified numbers of infantry). Predecessor of the [[Union]] class. Essentially extinct in the Inner Sphere; all Clan Lions were modified to carry 10 'Mechs and 10 regular infantry Stars.
|-
|''[[Lung Wang]]''
|2,550
|[[3055]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|Heavily armed raider/transport (4 'Mechs, 2 Fighters, 1 platoon).
|-
|''[[Mammoth]]''
|52,000
|[[2808]]
|civilian
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|Cargo carrier. Largest DropShip capable of planetary operations.
|-
|''[[Manatee]]''
|1,900
|[[2449]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|First 'Mech carrier ever (4 'Mechs), designed off a freighter design of the same name. Predecessor of the [[Confederate]] class. Flawed design, discontinued soon after introduction for inadequate armor and weapons.
|-
|''[[Mercer]]''
|4,500
|[[3065]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|Heavily armed and armored assault transport (10 'Mechs).
|-
|''[[Merlin_(DropShip class)|Merlin]]''
|2,500
|[[3063]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|Assault DropShip (2 Fighters).
|-
|''[[Miraborg]]''
|9,750
|[[3053]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|Fighter carrier (30 Fighters). Originally named "Charybdis" during its design phase, the class was renamed in memory of [[Tyra Miraborg]] shortly before the launch of the first ship.
|-
|[[Elephant|Model 96 ''Elephant'']]
|15,000
|[[2652]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|Star League predecessor to the [[Model 97]] tug which was described as a refit of the Model 96 class.
|-
|[[Octopus|Model 97 ''Octopus'']]
|15,000
|[[3051]]
|civilian
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|Designated tug/rescue ship.
|-
|''[[Monarch]]''
|5,000
|[[2759]]
|civilian
|[[DropShip#Aerodyne_DropShips|aerodyne]]
|Standard passenger liner.
|-
|''[[Mule]]''
|11,200
|[[2737]]
|civilian
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|Common cargo carrier.
|-
|''[[Nagumo]]''
|4,200
|[[3056]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Aerodyne_DropShips|aerodyne]]
|Heavily armed troop transport (12 platoons).
|-
|''[[Nekohono'o]]''
|16,000
|[[3065]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|Powerful assault DropShip (6 fighters, 9 [[small craft]], 27 battle armor squads), also provided to [[Clan Nova Cat]]. Ship carries a limited quantity of [[Teleoperated Capital Missile|teleoperated capital missiles]].
|-
|''[[Noruff]]''
|1,900
|[[3056]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Aerodyne_DropShips|aerodyne]]
|Designated assault craft. Only one prototype known to exist by [[3057]].
|-
|''[[Okinawa]]''
|4,500
|[[3055]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|Fighter carrier (18 Fighters).
|-
|''[[Outpost_(DropShip_class)|Outpost]]''
|7,000
|[[3063]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|Combined arms transport (5 'Mechs, 4 Fighters, 10 tanks, 1 elemental Star) developed from venerable Fortress class.
|-
|''[[Overlord]]''
|9,700
|[[2762]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|Common BattleMech transport (36 'Mechs, 6 Fighters).
|-
|''[[Overlord-C]]''
|11,550
|[[2818]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|Fighter transport (45 'Mechs). Clan redesign of the classic [[Overlord]] class.
|-
|''[[Pentagon]]''
|4,000
|[[2623]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|Star League era DropShip class designed as "little more than large gun platforms" for WarShip escort.
|-
|''[[Princess (DropShip Class)|Princess]]''
|11,800
|[[2657]]
|civilian
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|The design was known for its luxurious amenities.
|-
|''[[Rose]]''
|16,000
|[[3054]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|Heavily armed freighter with advanced avionics, designed to have an inconspicuous appearance. Can carry 1 platoon of infantry and 4 [[Small Craft]].
|-
|''[[Sassanid]]''
|3,000
|[[2875]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|Clan battle armor carrier (15 Elemental Points). Based off the ''[[Intruder]]'' design.
|-
|''[[Saturn_(DropShuttle_class)|Saturn]] ''
|1,200
|[[2243]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|Used by the Terran Alliance as colonial patrol ship. It is one oldest known DropShip designs used for military purposes.
|-
|''[[Seeker]]''
|6,700
|[[2815]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|Troop transport (64 light vehicles, 4 platoons).
|-
|''[[Seleucus]]''
|2,600
|[[3100]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Aerodyne_DropShips|aerodyne]]
|Early 32nd Century troop/tank transport (20 battle armor squads & 12 light vehicles) utilized by the Free Worlds League.
|-
|''[[Titan_(DropShip_class)|Titan]]''
|12,000
|[[2647]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Aerodyne_DropShips|aerodyne]]
|Heavily armed fighter carrier (18 Fighters). Extinct in the [[Inner Sphere]] powers, but still in use with the Clans.
|-
|''[[Triumph]]''
|8,600
|[[2593]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Aerodyne_DropShips|aerodyne]]
|Common troop/tank transport (45 heavy vehicles, 8 light vehicles, 4 platoons). Upgraded version launched in [[3057]].
|-
|''[[Trojan]]''
|3,200
|[[2720]]
|civilian
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|"Blockade runner" version of the ubiquitous unarmed [[Danais]] class merchant, introduced by the [[Taurian Concordat]]. Features 2 [[Small Craft]] bays and weapons which are typically concealed to appear like a common Danais class vessel.
|-
|''[[Trutzburg]]''
|6,000
|[[3112]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|A Combined Arms transport ship, one few made in Lyran Commonwealth in the 32nd Century. (6 fighters, 12 BattleMechs, 4 battle armor Squads)
|-
|''[[Union]]''
|3,500
|[[2708]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|Standard BattleMech transport (12 'Mechs, 2 Fighters). Iconic DropShip class.
|-
|''[[Union-C]]''
|4,700
|[[2829]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|'Mech transport (15 'Mechs). Clan redesign of the venerable [[Union]] class.
|-
|''[[Vampire]]''
|400
|[[2715]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Aerodyne_DropShips|aerodyne]]
|Tiny, superfast infantry transport from the Star League era. The design became extinct during the [[Succession Wars (History)|Succession Wars]].
|-
|''[[Vengeance]]''
|10,000
|[[2682]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Aerodyne_DropShips|aerodyne]]
|Fighter carrier (40 [[fighters]], 3 [[small craft]]).
|-
|''[[Vulture_(DropShip_class)|Vulture]]''
|3,500
|[[2312]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|These ships carried infantry and a limited number of light vehicles it main payload. They were known to be similar to what became the [[Seeker]] class that was based on the Vulture.
|-
|''[[Black Eagle (DropShip class)|Black Eagle]]''
|4,500
|[[2453]]
|military
|[[DropShip#Spheroid_DropShips|spheroid]]
|Originally an armored vehicle carrier from before the advent of [[K-F boom]]s, the design would eventually be refitted to carry 12 BattleMechs deployed through 2 doors, and a 520 ton cargo bay also accessible through 2 doors.
|}

==See also==
*[[:Category:DropShip classes|DropShip classes]]
*[[:Category:Individual DropShips|Known individual DropShips]]

==References==
<references />

==Bibliography==
<div class="desktop-3-col">
* ''[[AeroTech]]''
* ''[[AeroTech 2]]''
* ''[[AeroTech 2 Revised Edition|AeroTech 2 Revised]]''
* ''[[AeroTech 2 Record Sheets]]''
* ''[[BattleSpace]]''
* ''[[Strategic Operations]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3025]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3026 Revised]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3057]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3057 Revised]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3067]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3075]]''
* ''[[Total Warfare]]''
</div>


[[Category:Technology]]
[[Category:Spacecraft classes]]