Difference between revisions of "Excalibur (DropShip class)"
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| image = Excalibur DropShip.jpg | | image = Excalibur DropShip.jpg | ||
| name = Excalibur | | name = Excalibur | ||
| − | | manufacturer = [[Aldis Industries]] | + | | manufacturer = [[Aldis Industries]]{{cn}}<br/>[[BBP Industries]]<ref name=DS&JSp15>''Dropships and Jumpships'', ''ComStar Intelligence Summary FB-60'', p.15 </ref><br/>[[Semier Data Tron]]<ref name=DS&JSp15/><br/>[[Rashpur-Owens Incorporated]]{{cn}}<br/>[[Andurien Industries]]<ref name=DS&JSp15/> |
| production year=2786 | | production year=2786 | ||
| year reference=<ref>''[http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/4141/ MUL online date for the ''{{PAGENAME}}'']''</ref> | | year reference=<ref>''[http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/4141/ MUL online date for the ''{{PAGENAME}}'']''</ref> | ||
| Line 20: | Line 20: | ||
| Armament = 2x [[PPC]]s <br> 1x [[AC/5]] <br> 5x [[LRM-10]]s <br> 3x [[Large Laser]]s <br> 10x [[Medium Laser]] | | Armament = 2x [[PPC]]s <br> 1x [[AC/5]] <br> 5x [[LRM-10]]s <br> 3x [[Large Laser]]s <br> 10x [[Medium Laser]] | ||
| Armor = 50 tons <br> '''Fore:''' 20 <br> '''Sides:''' 18 <br> '''Aft:''' 15 | | Armor = 50 tons <br> '''Fore:''' 20 <br> '''Sides:''' 18 <br> '''Aft:''' 15 | ||
| − | | Crew = 50 | + | | Crew = 50 + 1,080 bay personnel |
| + | *9 officers | ||
| + | *37 enlisted | ||
| + | *4 gunners | ||
| Escape Pods/Life Boats = 25/4 | | Escape Pods/Life Boats = 25/4 | ||
| Heat Sinks = 129 | | Heat Sinks = 129 | ||
| Line 28: | Line 31: | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | Entering service in [[2786]] just prior to the [[First Succession War]], the '''''Excalibur''''' | + | Entering service in [[2786]] just prior to the [[First Succession War]], the '''''Excalibur''''' was one of the largest military [[DropShip]]s in the [[Successor State]] militaries and can transport a complete combined-arms [[regiment]], comprising a full [[infantry]] [[battalion]], two [[Combat Vehicle|tank]] battalions and a [[BattleMech]] company.<ref name=DS&JSp36>''Dropships and Jumpships'', ''ComStar Intelligence Summary FB-60'', p.36-37</ref><ref name=TRO3057>''Technical Readout: 3057 Revised'', p. 60</ref> Due to immense losses suffered in the [[Amaris Civil War]] and because it was cheaper to produce, the ''Excalibur'' was chosen as a replacement for ''[[Colossus (DropShip)|Colossus]]'' by the [[Star League Defense Force]] before its dissolution.<ref>''Technical Readout: 3075'', p. 198</ref> Still, the costs associated with the ''Excalibur'' meant during the [[Succession Wars (History)|Succession Wars]] only the Great House militaries, certain [[mercenary]] units and large corporations could afford to operate them.<ref name=DS&JSp36/> |
| − | + | The command deck for the ''Excalibur'' was located towards the nose, isolated from the rest of the ship by a single access elevator protected by security codes. Below that was the main crew deck, with eight single-occupant rooms for the captain and senior officers and twenty-one double-occupant rooms for the rest of the crew. These rooms ran along the outside of the deck, while the center was given over to dedicated mess hall and recreational facilities for the crew. Below the crew deck were the troop decks, cargo bays, and the 3,150-ton GM 48000 fusion drive with four Risley F-10 thrusters. The fusion drive was noted for giving the DropShip a high mass-to-fuel consumption ratio, making it more efficient and cheaper to operate. Along the bottom of the outside hull were four box-like structures which both served as fixed landing pads and contained the rear-facing weapons.<ref name=DS&JSp36/><ref name=TRO3057/> | |
| − | + | While cheaper than comparable [[Star League era]] craft, the ''Excalibur'' was not above criticism. One of its biggest drawbacks was a lackluster weapons array, little better than for seeing off uncoordinated fighter attacks, as well as a slow and cumbersome unloading sequence. It could take anywhere from one half to three hours to completely unload the DropShip's cargo. For this reason the ''Excalibur'' was only used during major military operations as one of the last ships to enter the atmosphere during a planetary assault, after the way had been cleared by other craft, and only disembarking its cargo in a secure area. Once units carried by it had been deployed the ''Excalibur'' would continue to serve as a logistics transport to ferry supplies in support of combat operations.<ref name=DS&JSp36/><ref name=TRO3057/> | |
| + | |||
| + | The class seemed doomed when production of the GM 48000 fusion drive in ceased [[3022]] after their last manufacturer folded. Many ''Excaliburs'' began to suffer serious drive maintenance failures, and with no spare parts they were increasingly scrapped and salvaged for parts. However the [[Draconis Combine]] soon commissioned an engineering team to research an alternate to keep its sizable ''Excalibur'' fleet flying. The team's proposal of a modified version of the ''[[Mule]]'''s smaller GE 2080 drive system proved successful and most ''Excalibur''s produced since the [[3030]]'s operate this drive system.<ref name=DS&JSp36/><ref name=TRO3057/> | ||
==Armament== | ==Armament== | ||
| − | For such a large craft, the ''Excalibur'' | + | For such a large craft, the ''Excalibur'' carries a relatively tiny weapons array. Mounted in the nose is an [[Autocannon/5]], an [[LRM-10]] launcher and single [[Medium Laser]], with one ton of autocannon ammo and two tons of missiles. Facing the forward left and right firing arcs a [[PPC]], two LRM-10 launchers with two tons of missile leads and two medium lasers. The aft left and right firing arcs are covered by a single [[Large Laser]] and a pair of mediums, while directly aft is a single large laser and medium laser. This pathetic array is barely adequate to overcome a poorly organized [[Aerospace Fighter]] attack, and helps ensure that each ''Excalibur'' receives significant protection if it enters into unsecured combat zones.<ref name=DS&JSp36/><ref name=TRO3057/> |
==Cargo== | ==Cargo== | ||
| − | Five huge bays | + | Five huge bays made up the bulk of the ''Excalibur''s interior, with four fitted as [[Heavy Vehicle Bay]]s to carry a total of 90 heavy vehicles and the fifth as a [[Transport Bay#BattleMech/Fighter Bay|'Mech Bay]] able to carry a company of twelve 'Mechs. Each of the roomy vehicle bays was designed with a maximum capacity of 1,500 tons, but increasing structural stresses have led many ''Excaliburs'' to impose a 1,000 to 1,250-ton limit. While not posing much of a hardship on light cavalry units, for those which use primarily heavy and assault weight tanks have been forced to sacrifice as much as an entire company in order to be transported. Additionally the ''Excalibur'''s cramped 'Mech bay barely had enough room its twelve 'Mech cubicles, lacking any space for repair faciliites or [[Drop Pod]]s common to dedicated 'Mech carriers like the ''[[Leopard]]'', ''[[Union]]'' or ''[[Overlord]]''. The vehicle bay and 'Mech bay were each serviced by a single access door.<ref name=DS&JSp36/><ref name=TRO3057/> |
| + | |||
| + | Above the vehicle and 'Mech bays were six troop decks, each accommodating 100 troops in barrack style housing. These decks provided quarters for not only the embarked infantry battalion but also for the technical staff, vehicle crews and [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarriors]] of the other units. Each of the twelve infantry [[platoon]]s had their own dedicated living area, mess hall and recreation rooms, while each [[Inner Sphere Infantry Organization#Company|company]] had their own training and medical facilities. A single access door allowed the infantry battalion to deploy for combat. Finally the ''Excalibur'' could carry an additional 440 tons of general cargo.<ref name=DS&JSp36/><ref name=TRO3057/> | ||
==Variants== | ==Variants== | ||
| − | *;Upgrade : Attempting to combat the ''Excalibur'''s weak offensive abilities, [[Semier Data Tron]] of [[Tharkad]] introduced an upgraded version with advanced weaponry in [[3056]]. The modifications are relatively minor, however, adding [[Artemis IV FCS]] to the [[LRM]] launchers, replacing the Medium Lasers with [[Medium Pulse Laser|pulsed equivalents]], and switching the PPCs and Large Lasers with extended-ranged versions, but with no increase or modification of the original's coolant circuit. BV (1.0) = 3,393<ref>''AeroTech 2 Record Sheets'', p. 258</ref>, BV (2.0) = 3,024 | + | *;Upgrade : Attempting to combat the ''Excalibur'''s weak offensive abilities, [[Semier Data Tron]] of [[Tharkad]] introduced an upgraded version with advanced weaponry in [[3056]]. The modifications are relatively minor, however, adding [[Artemis IV FCS]] to the [[LRM]] launchers, replacing the Medium Lasers with [[Medium Pulse Laser|pulsed equivalents]], and switching the PPCs and Large Lasers with extended-ranged versions, but with no increase or modification of the original's coolant circuit. This newer ''Excalibur'' also exchanged combat transport capability with general cargo capacity, carrying 72 heavy vehicles, 12 'Mechs and 9 foot infantry platoons alongside 2,238 tons of general cargo.<ref name=TRO3057/> BV (1.0) = 3,393<ref>''AeroTech 2 Record Sheets'', p. 258</ref>, BV (2.0) = 3,024 |
*;Pocket Warship : The [[Pocket WarShip]] refit of the ''Excalibur'' has a convoluted genesis, with the project triggered by the [[DCMS]] who blackmailed the Steffelbus family's [[Interconnectedness Unlimited]] into "convincing" the [[Federated Suns]] premier shipbuilder [[Federated-Boeing Interstellar]] into doing the work. The refit guts the vessel's interior to mount eight [[AR-10]] Capital Missile Launchers and two [[Kraken-T]] launchers, fed by an impressive 6,000 tons of capital missiles. The lowest vehicle deck was converted into an [[Aerospace Fighter]] squadron bay, while the infantry deck was converted to a flag deck, allowing such craft to function as fleet flagships. The refit's main flaw is that it retains the original's internal structure and armor, inferior to the many other purpose-built assault ships and only partly augmented by an array of [[Anti-Missile System]]s and [[Screen Launcher]]s.<ref name=JHS3070-139>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3070'', pp. 139-141 "''Excalibur''-class "Pocket WarShip" Upgrade"</ref> BV (2.0) = 24,056<ref name=JHS3070-139/>, 30,106<ref>''Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge'', p. 228</ref> | *;Pocket Warship : The [[Pocket WarShip]] refit of the ''Excalibur'' has a convoluted genesis, with the project triggered by the [[DCMS]] who blackmailed the Steffelbus family's [[Interconnectedness Unlimited]] into "convincing" the [[Federated Suns]] premier shipbuilder [[Federated-Boeing Interstellar]] into doing the work. The refit guts the vessel's interior to mount eight [[AR-10]] Capital Missile Launchers and two [[Kraken-T]] launchers, fed by an impressive 6,000 tons of capital missiles. The lowest vehicle deck was converted into an [[Aerospace Fighter]] squadron bay, while the infantry deck was converted to a flag deck, allowing such craft to function as fleet flagships. The refit's main flaw is that it retains the original's internal structure and armor, inferior to the many other purpose-built assault ships and only partly augmented by an array of [[Anti-Missile System]]s and [[Screen Launcher]]s.<ref name=JHS3070-139>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3070'', pp. 139-141 "''Excalibur''-class "Pocket WarShip" Upgrade"</ref> BV (2.0) = 24,056<ref name=JHS3070-139/>, 30,106<ref>''Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge'', p. 228</ref> | ||
Revision as of 15:51, 25 April 2015
| 191px | |
| Excalibur | |
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Aldis Industries[citation needed] BBP Industries[1] Semier Data Tron[1] Rashpur-Owens Incorporated[citation needed] Andurien Industries[1] |
| Production Year | 2786[2] |
| Use | Troop Carrier |
| Type | Military Spheroid |
| Tech Base | Inner Sphere |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 16,000 tons |
| Structural Integrity | 9 |
| Length | 113 meters |
| Width | 113 meters |
| Height | 124.9 meters |
| Drive System | GM 48000 |
| Safe Thrust | 1.5 g |
| Max Thrust | 2.5 g |
| Fuel (tons) | 300 tons |
| Fuel (days) | 163 days |
| Armament | 2x PPCs 1x AC/5 5x LRM-10s 3x Large Lasers 10x Medium Laser |
| Armor | 50 tons Fore: 20 Sides: 18 Aft: 15 |
| Crew | 50 + 1,080 bay personnel
|
| Escape Pods/Life Boats | 25/4 |
| Heat Sinks | 129 |
| BV (1.0) | 3,101[3] |
| BV (2.0) | 2,820 |
Contents
Description
Entering service in 2786 just prior to the First Succession War, the Excalibur was one of the largest military DropShips in the Successor State militaries and can transport a complete combined-arms regiment, comprising a full infantry battalion, two tank battalions and a BattleMech company.[4][5] Due to immense losses suffered in the Amaris Civil War and because it was cheaper to produce, the Excalibur was chosen as a replacement for Colossus by the Star League Defense Force before its dissolution.[6] Still, the costs associated with the Excalibur meant during the Succession Wars only the Great House militaries, certain mercenary units and large corporations could afford to operate them.[4]
The command deck for the Excalibur was located towards the nose, isolated from the rest of the ship by a single access elevator protected by security codes. Below that was the main crew deck, with eight single-occupant rooms for the captain and senior officers and twenty-one double-occupant rooms for the rest of the crew. These rooms ran along the outside of the deck, while the center was given over to dedicated mess hall and recreational facilities for the crew. Below the crew deck were the troop decks, cargo bays, and the 3,150-ton GM 48000 fusion drive with four Risley F-10 thrusters. The fusion drive was noted for giving the DropShip a high mass-to-fuel consumption ratio, making it more efficient and cheaper to operate. Along the bottom of the outside hull were four box-like structures which both served as fixed landing pads and contained the rear-facing weapons.[4][5]
While cheaper than comparable Star League era craft, the Excalibur was not above criticism. One of its biggest drawbacks was a lackluster weapons array, little better than for seeing off uncoordinated fighter attacks, as well as a slow and cumbersome unloading sequence. It could take anywhere from one half to three hours to completely unload the DropShip's cargo. For this reason the Excalibur was only used during major military operations as one of the last ships to enter the atmosphere during a planetary assault, after the way had been cleared by other craft, and only disembarking its cargo in a secure area. Once units carried by it had been deployed the Excalibur would continue to serve as a logistics transport to ferry supplies in support of combat operations.[4][5]
The class seemed doomed when production of the GM 48000 fusion drive in ceased 3022 after their last manufacturer folded. Many Excaliburs began to suffer serious drive maintenance failures, and with no spare parts they were increasingly scrapped and salvaged for parts. However the Draconis Combine soon commissioned an engineering team to research an alternate to keep its sizable Excalibur fleet flying. The team's proposal of a modified version of the Mule's smaller GE 2080 drive system proved successful and most Excaliburs produced since the 3030's operate this drive system.[4][5]
Armament
For such a large craft, the Excalibur carries a relatively tiny weapons array. Mounted in the nose is an Autocannon/5, an LRM-10 launcher and single Medium Laser, with one ton of autocannon ammo and two tons of missiles. Facing the forward left and right firing arcs a PPC, two LRM-10 launchers with two tons of missile leads and two medium lasers. The aft left and right firing arcs are covered by a single Large Laser and a pair of mediums, while directly aft is a single large laser and medium laser. This pathetic array is barely adequate to overcome a poorly organized Aerospace Fighter attack, and helps ensure that each Excalibur receives significant protection if it enters into unsecured combat zones.[4][5]
Cargo
Five huge bays made up the bulk of the Excaliburs interior, with four fitted as Heavy Vehicle Bays to carry a total of 90 heavy vehicles and the fifth as a 'Mech Bay able to carry a company of twelve 'Mechs. Each of the roomy vehicle bays was designed with a maximum capacity of 1,500 tons, but increasing structural stresses have led many Excaliburs to impose a 1,000 to 1,250-ton limit. While not posing much of a hardship on light cavalry units, for those which use primarily heavy and assault weight tanks have been forced to sacrifice as much as an entire company in order to be transported. Additionally the Excalibur's cramped 'Mech bay barely had enough room its twelve 'Mech cubicles, lacking any space for repair faciliites or Drop Pods common to dedicated 'Mech carriers like the Leopard, Union or Overlord. The vehicle bay and 'Mech bay were each serviced by a single access door.[4][5]
Above the vehicle and 'Mech bays were six troop decks, each accommodating 100 troops in barrack style housing. These decks provided quarters for not only the embarked infantry battalion but also for the technical staff, vehicle crews and MechWarriors of the other units. Each of the twelve infantry platoons had their own dedicated living area, mess hall and recreation rooms, while each company had their own training and medical facilities. A single access door allowed the infantry battalion to deploy for combat. Finally the Excalibur could carry an additional 440 tons of general cargo.[4][5]
Variants
- Upgrade
- Attempting to combat the Excalibur's weak offensive abilities, Semier Data Tron of Tharkad introduced an upgraded version with advanced weaponry in 3056. The modifications are relatively minor, however, adding Artemis IV FCS to the LRM launchers, replacing the Medium Lasers with pulsed equivalents, and switching the PPCs and Large Lasers with extended-ranged versions, but with no increase or modification of the original's coolant circuit. This newer Excalibur also exchanged combat transport capability with general cargo capacity, carrying 72 heavy vehicles, 12 'Mechs and 9 foot infantry platoons alongside 2,238 tons of general cargo.[5] BV (1.0) = 3,393[7], BV (2.0) = 3,024
- Pocket Warship
- The Pocket WarShip refit of the Excalibur has a convoluted genesis, with the project triggered by the DCMS who blackmailed the Steffelbus family's Interconnectedness Unlimited into "convincing" the Federated Suns premier shipbuilder Federated-Boeing Interstellar into doing the work. The refit guts the vessel's interior to mount eight AR-10 Capital Missile Launchers and two Kraken-T launchers, fed by an impressive 6,000 tons of capital missiles. The lowest vehicle deck was converted into an Aerospace Fighter squadron bay, while the infantry deck was converted to a flag deck, allowing such craft to function as fleet flagships. The refit's main flaw is that it retains the original's internal structure and armor, inferior to the many other purpose-built assault ships and only partly augmented by an array of Anti-Missile Systems and Screen Launchers.[8] BV (2.0) = 24,056[8], 30,106[9]
Named Vessels
(See Category:Individual Excalibur-class DropShips)
Excalibur Ship Gallery
Excalibur-class DropShip
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Dropships and Jumpships, ComStar Intelligence Summary FB-60, p.15
- ↑ MUL online date for the Excalibur (DropShip class)
- ↑ AeroTech 2 Record Sheets, p. 257
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 Dropships and Jumpships, ComStar Intelligence Summary FB-60, p.36-37
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 Technical Readout: 3057 Revised, p. 60
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3075, p. 198
- ↑ AeroTech 2 Record Sheets, p. 258
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Jihad Hot Spots: 3070, pp. 139-141 "Excalibur-class "Pocket WarShip" Upgrade"
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge, p. 228