Difference between revisions of "DropShip"

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==Construction and Subtypes==
 
==Construction and Subtypes==
While DropShips often are very large for their tonnage compared to ground- and water-based vehicles, they reserve most of their enormous volumes for cargo. As a result, crew facilities in DropShips are usually cramped inside, featuring relatively little in the way of creature-comforts or extra space. Every possible hole or space in a DropShip has some sort of system or mechanism important to the operation and maintenance of the vessel. Most crews live in small, spartan quarters bunking four crewman or more a piece, though [[Star League]]-era DropShips, as well as some newer ones as of the late 3060s, feature comparatively spacious twin cabins. Except for passenger liners, which afford their attendants a bit more privacy, DropShips are very public places. Most DropShips described talk of stale air and overly-cramped living conditions.
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While DropShips often are very large for their tonnage compared to ground- and water-based combat vehicles, they reserve most of their enormous volumes for cargo. As a result, crew facilities in DropShips are usually cramped inside, featuring relatively little in the way of creature-comforts or extra space. Every possible hole or space in a DropShip has some sort of system or mechanism important to the operation and maintenance of the vessel. Most crews live in small, spartan quarters bunking four crewman or more a piece, though [[Star League]]-era DropShips, as well as some newer ones as of the late 3060s, feature comparatively spacious twin cabins. Except for passenger liners, which afford their attendants a bit more privacy, DropShips are very public places. Most military DropShips described talk of stale air and overly-cramped living conditions.
  
 
They are based around two basic hullforms, aerodyne and spheroid (egg-shaped). Depending on their intended role, DropShips can be constructed following either of these two alternative approaches.
 
They are based around two basic hullforms, aerodyne and spheroid (egg-shaped). Depending on their intended role, DropShips can be constructed following either of these two alternative approaches.

Revision as of 20:05, 5 April 2009

Description

In the BattleTech universe a DropShip is defined as any 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 Points and planetary landings (hence their name). For FTL interstellar movement, they dock with JumpShips by means of a Docking collar.

The mass range is given in the construction rules and reflects the fact that it is more or less impossible to build DropShips which are smaller than 200 tons or larger than 100,000 tons. Since DropShips are meant to be carried by JumpShips, a Docking collar is an implied neccessity and is automatically included in the structure of any DropShip.

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 WarShips, i.e. the huge Combat JumpShips that outclass DropShips by an order of magnitude (typically massing several hundred thousands or even millions of tons).

Construction and Subtypes

While DropShips often are very large for their tonnage compared to ground- and water-based combat vehicles, they reserve most of their enormous volumes for cargo. As a result, crew facilities in DropShips are usually cramped inside, featuring relatively little in the way of creature-comforts or extra space. Every possible hole or space in a DropShip has some sort of system or mechanism important to the operation and maintenance of the vessel. Most crews live in small, spartan quarters bunking four crewman or more a piece, though Star League-era DropShips, as well as some newer ones as of the late 3060s, feature comparatively spacious twin cabins. Except for passenger liners, which afford their attendants a bit more privacy, DropShips are very public places. Most military DropShips described talk of stale air and overly-cramped living conditions.

They are based around two basic hullforms, aerodyne and spheroid (egg-shaped). Depending on their intended role, DropShips can be constructed following either of these two alternative approaches.

Spheroid DropShips

Spheroid (egg-shaped) DropShips use sheer thrust to vertically descend onto a planetary surface and take off in the same way. This allows them 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 taking off pattern comes at a great risk as there is no failsafe whatsoever. They are utterly dependent on the functionality of their powerful engines to generate lift, and a control computer to manage their unstable flight. These systems require more maintenance than on aerodyne ships, and their failure means a swift and deadly crashlanding that leaves few if any survivors or salvageable parts.

Aerodyne DropShips

Any DropShip that is not a spheroid design is considered "aerodyne" even if it is in fact incapable of atmospheric operations.

Truly aerodyne DropShips are shaped roughly similar to conventional aircraft. They are generally smaller than spheroid DropShips and cannot be bigger than 35,000 tons (the biggest known aerodyne class being the 17,400-ton Conquistador). Through their speed, they generate lift within an atmosphere which makes them easier to control. Even if the ship suffers damage or loses thrust it is often still possible to facilitate an emergency crashlanding so that crew and cargo might survive. Aerodyne DropShips usually require runways to land and take off, making them impractical wherever runways are not readily available. Some, however, such as the Leopard, can operate from very short and/or makeshift runways, making them almost as versatile as their spheroid cousins.

Deep space DropShips

Although all DropShips are either of the spheroid or the aerodyne subtype, there is arguably a third subtype: 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 super-large Behemoth class cargo hauler, which is a spheroid design but too large and fragile for planetary operations, and the nominally "aerodyne" (i.e. non-spheroid) Achilles and Vengeance class military DropShips which were never designed for atmospheric operations.

Manufacturing

Maintenance of a DropShip usually costs more in resources in a year than the average citizen in the BattleTech universe would ever earn in several lifetimes. The chassis itself costs a large fortune to make, let alone the weapons, armor, avionics, and the powerful engines required to even lift it off the ground.

The smallest known spaceship to meet the DropShip criteria is arguably the 200-ton K-1 DropShuttle, although it is generally classified as a Small Craft instead. The largest DropShip ever constructed is the 100,000-ton Behemoth, which due to its sheer size is incapable of operating in atmosphere or planetary gravity. The biggest DropShip that can actually land on a planet and take off again 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):

  • Achilles - 4,500 ton military aerodyne, introduced in 2582. Designated assault ship geared for space combat; incapable of atmospheric operations.
  • Arondight - 12,000 military spheriod Pocket Warship introduced in 3075. Designed by the Federated Suns as low-cost mass production vessel.
  • Arca dia - 3,000 ton military aerodyne, introduced in 3066 by Clan Blood Spirit. First exclusive ProtoMech carrier (15 ProtoMechs), small and agile.
  • Assault Triumph - 8,000 ton military aerodyne, introduced in 3062 by Word of Blake. Assault transport (6 'Mechs, 6 Fighters, 24 heavy vehicles, 6 Battle Armor squads) developed from the older Triumph class.
  • Aurora - 1,600 ton military aerodyne, introduced in 3069. Typically a 'Mech carrier (4 'Mechs), but highly adaptable for a variety of roles.
  • Avenger - 1,400 ton military aerodyne, introduced in 2816. Designated assault craft and heavy aerospace support.
  • Behemoth - 100,000 ton civilian spheroid; incapable of planetary operations, introduced in 2782. Cargo carrier. Bays for 20 Small Craft.
  • Buccaneer - 3,500 ton civilian aerodyne, introduced in 2708. Conceived as a (failed) military transport, but proved successful as a civilian cargo carrier.
  • Broadsword - 1,850 ton military aerodyne, introduced in 2979 by the Clans. BattleMech transport (5 'Mechs). Designed to replace the Leopard class among the Clans.
  • Cargoking - 12,500 ton civilian spheroid introduced in 2789. An advanced fully automated, self-loading civilian cargo carrier developed at the end of the Star League, almost identical to Cargomaster class.
  • Cargomaster - 12,500 ton military spheroid introduced in 2789. An advanced fully automated, self-loading military cargo carrier developed at the end of the Star League, had slightly better fuel reserves but otherwise identical to Cargoking class.
  • Carrier - 5,000 ton military aerodyne, introduced in 2882 by Clan Snow Raven. Heavily armed fighter carrier (10 Fighters).
  • Claymore - 1,400 ton military aerodyne, introduced in 3054 by Federated Suns at Skye. Designated assault craft.
  • Colossus - 20,000 ton military spheroid of Star League era. Designed to move an entire combined arms regiment (36 'Mechs, 72 vehicles, 12 platoons).
  • Condor - 4,500 ton military aerodyne, introduced in 2801. Troop transport (20 light vehicles, 12 platoons).
  • Confederate - 1,860 ton military spheroid, introduced in 2602. Star League era 'Mech transport (4 'Mechs, 2 Fighters). Clans have refitted theirs to carry 5 'Mechs.
  • Conquistador - 17,400 ton military aerodyne, introduced in 3063 by Federated Suns. 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 - 3,200 ton civilian spheroid, introduced in the late 2720s. Unarmed cargo ship based on the slightly larger Union class. Popular and numerous class, being one of the few DropShip types that the Star League allowed subjugated periphery states to build themselves. Armed and upgraded blockade runner version introduced by the Taurian Concordat is known as Trojan.
  • Dictator - 9,000 ton military spheroid, introduced in 2600. Star League era 'Mech carrier (36 'Mechs), eventually replaced by the superior Overlord class.
  • Excalibur - 16,000 ton military spheroid, introduced in 2786. Combined arms transport (12 'Mechs, 90 heavy vehicles, 12 platoons).
  • Fortress - 6,000 ton military spheroid, introduced in 2613. 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 - 1,850 ton military aerodyne, introduced in 2638. Common troop transport (8 light vehicles, 4 platoons).
  • Gazelle - 1,903 tons (obsolete)/2,400 tons (upgraded) military aerodyne, introduced in 2531. Common tank transport (15 heavy vehicles). Upgraded version launched in 3055.
  • Hamilcar - 3,575 ton military aerodyne, introduced in 3054 by Free Worlds League. Specialized space assault transport (8 'Mechs, 4 Fighters).
  • Hannibal - 4,850 ton military aerodyne, introduced in 3055 by Free Worlds League. Heavily armed troop/tank transport (12 heavy vehicles, 4 platoons).
  • Hercules - 7,200 ton military spheroid, introduced in 3053 by Lyran Commonwealth. Troop/tank transport (36 heavy vehicles, 12 platoons). Shares many components with Overlord class, making production and maintenance easier.
  • Interdictor - 9,400 ton military aerodyne Pocket Warship built by Word of Blake, introduced 3075. The ship noted for its high speed and multiple anti-warship armaments.
  • Intruder - 3,000 ton military spheroid, introduced in 2656. Heavily armed assault transport (2 Fighters, 4 platoons).
  • K-1 DropShuttle - 200 ton military spheroid, introduced in 2536. Passenger/cargo shuttle. Usually classed as a Small Craft, not a DropShip. Clan version known as K1-C is identical except for better armor and upgraded (though similar) weaponry.
  • Kuan Ti - 2,200 ton military aerodyne, introduced in 3054 by Capellan Confederation, blueprints made available to Free Worlds League. Designated patrol/assault craft.
  • League - One such ship still in use by Free Worlds League as a C3-/Relais ship for military operations around 3025. Star League relict; no further details known.
  • Leopard - 1,720 ton (obsolete)/1,800 ton (upgraded) military aerodyne, introduced in 2537. Standard BattleMech transport (4 'Mechs, 2 Fighters) since Star League era. Affectionally referred to as the "Brick". Upgraded version launched in 3056.
  • Leopard CV - 1,720 ton (obsolete)/1,800 ton (upgraded) military aerodyne, introduced in 2581. Standard fighter carrier (6 Fighters) since Star League era. Looks decidedly different from the classic Leopard, having a round fuselage. Upgraded version launched in 3054.
  • Lion - 7,215 ton military spheroid, introduced in 2595. 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 ton military spheroid, introduced in 3055 by Capellan Confederation. Heavily armed raider/transport (4 'Mechs, 2 Fighters, 1 platoon).
  • Mammoth - 52,000 ton civilian spheroid, introduced in 2808. Cargo carrier. Largest DropShip capable of planetary operations.
  • Manatee - 1,900 ton military spheroid, introduced in 2449 by Terran Hegemony. 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 ton military spheroid, introduced by Clan Steel Viper in 3065. Heavily armed and armored assault transport (10 'Mechs).
  • Merlin - 2,500 ton military spheroid, introduced in 3063 by Free Worlds League with help from Word of Blake. Assault DropShip (2 Fighters).
  • Miraborg - 9,750 ton military spheroid, introduced in 3053 by Clan Smoke Jaguar. 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.
  • Model 96 "Elephant" - Star League predecessor to the Model 97 tug which was described as a refit of the Model 96 class.
  • Model 97 "Octopus" - 15,000 ton civilian spheroid, introduced in 3051. Designated tug/rescue ship.
  • Monarch - 5,000 ton civilian aerodyne, introduced in 2759. Standard passenger liner.
  • Mule - 11,200 ton civilian spheroid, introduced in 2737. Common cargo carrier.
  • Nagumo - 4,200 ton military aerodyne, introduced in 3056 by Draconis Combine. Heavily armed troop transport (12 platoons).
  • Nekohono'o ("flaming cat") - 16,000 ton military spheroid, introduced in 3065 by Draconis Combine. Powerful assault DropShip (6 Fighters, 9 small craft, 27 Battle Armor squads), also provided to Clan Nova Cat.
  • Noruff - 1,900 ton military aerodyne, introduced in 3056 by Clan Steel Viper. Designated assault craft. Only one prototype known to exist by 3057.
  • Okinawa - 4,500 ton military spheroid, introduced in 3055 by Draconis Combine. Fighter carrier (18 Fighters).
  • Outpost - 7,000 ton military spheroid, introduced by Clan Hell's Horses in 3063. Combined arms transport (5 'Mechs, 4 Fighters, 10 tanks, 5 battle armor stars) developed from venerable Fortress class.
  • Overlord - 9,700 ton military spheroid, introduced in 2762. Common BattleMech transport (36 'Mechs, 6 Fighters).
  • Overlord-C - 11,550 ton military spheroid, introduced in 2818. Fighter transport (45 'Mechs). Clan re-design of the classic Overlord class.
  • Pentagon - Star League era DropShip class designed as "little more than large gun platforms" for WarShip escort.
  • Rose (aka "Bara no Ryu") - 16,000 ton military spheroid, introduced in 3054 by Draconis Combine. Heavily armed freighter with advanced avionics, designed to have an unconspicious appearance. Can carry 1 platoon of infantry and 4 Small Craft.
  • Sassanid - 3,000 ton military spheroid, introduced in 2875. Clan Battle Armor carrier (15 Elemental Points). Based off the Intruder design.
  • Seeker - 3,700 ton military spheroid, introduced in 2815. Troop transport (64 light vehicles, 4 platoons).
  • Titan - 12,000 ton military aerodyne, introduced in 2647. Heavily armed fighter carrier (18 Fighters). Extinct in the Inner Sphere, but still in use with the Clans.
  • Triumph - 5,600 ton (obsolete)/6000 ton (upgraded) military aerodyne, introduced in 2593. Common troop/tank transport (45 heavy vehicles, 8 light vehicles, 4 platoons). Upgraded version launched in 3057.
  • Trojan - 3,200 ton civilian 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.
  • Union - 3,500 ton military spheroid, introduced in 2708. Standard BattleMech transport (12 'Mechs, 2 Fighters). Iconic DropShip class.
  • Union-C - 4,700 ton military spheroid, introduced in 2829. 'Mech transport (15 'Mechs). Clan re-design of the venerable Union class.
  • Vampire - 400 ton military aerodyne. Tiny, super-fast troop transport from the Star League era. Extinct.
  • Vengeance - 10,000 ton military aerodyne; incapable of atmospheric operations, introduced in 2782. Fighter carrier (40 Fighters, 3 Small Craft).
  • Vulture - No details available; described as tank transporter similar to Seeker class that was developed from it.

(See also: Category: DropShips)