Leopard (DropShip class)
Sarna News
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| Leopard | |
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Irian Technologies Federated-Boeing Interstellar Majesty Metals and Manufacturing Taurus Territorial Industries Bowie Industries |
| Use | 'Mech Carrier |
| Type | Aerodyne |
| Tech Base | Inner Sphere |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 1,720 tons |
| Structural Integrity | |
| Length | 66 meters |
| Width | meters |
| Height | meters |
| Drive System | Star League V84 |
| Safe Thrust | 4 |
| Max Thrust | 6 |
| Fuel (tons) | |
| Fuel (days) | |
| Armament | 2 x PPCs 3 x LRM-20s 7 x Medium Lasers 5 x Large Lasers |
| Armor | Standard |
| Crew | 9 |
| Heat Sinks | 80 (single) |
| BV (1.0) | 2,579 |
| BV (2.0) | 2,854 |
Contents
Description
A simple and easy-to-maintain design, the Leopard quickly became the standard lance-sized 'Mech carrier for the original Star League and the Great Houses. Its relatively low operating costs and plethora of existing replacement parts (with the exception of the drive system) has allowed it to not only survive the Succession Wars as a ship class, but become the predominant entry vehicle for 'Mech recon, objective raid, and special operations missions. The two fighter bays allow for the lance's air support needs or act as enlarged cargo areas for booty.
In reference to its layout and allegedly also to its atmospheric handling, the Leopard is widely known by its nickname, "Brick".
Armament
The Leopard has an impressive weapons loadout for such a small DropShip, most useful for attacks from aerospace interceptors. It can be easily overwhelmed, however, if swarmed. While it does count on three long range missile racks for heavy hitting, two PPCs, five Large Lasers, and seven Medium Lasers give it more than enough combat capability when its munitions run out.
Cargo
The Leopard can accomodate its regular crew of 9, plus pilots and techs for the vehicles carried.
Variants
The venerable Leopard, like many Succession War survivors, has had numerous modifications made throughout the vessel's class, mostly minor differences owing to the numerous manufacturers throughout known space such as the version produced in the Magistracy of Canopus that mounts Parti-Kill PPCs instead of the large lasers. Typical refits or modifications include a tank carrier version capable of carrying 12 vehicles. It is also not unknown for Leopard owners to remove the 'Mech cubicles entirely (and often the AeroSpace fighter cubicles as well) and simply use the Leopard as a cargo ship.
Some of the more notable variants include:
- Upgrade - Introduced in 3056, Irian Technologies and Federated-Boeing Interstellar have both released almost identical updated versions of the Leopard, leading to accusations from Federated-Boeing of Irian engaging in industrial espionage. The modern version features improved, though still cramped, crew berths and a more powerful air circulation and filtration system. The Leopards weapon array has also been refitted, switching to ER and pulse energy weapon and adding adding Artemis IV FCS units to the LRM launchers, supported by switch to Double Heat Sinks. BV(1.0) = 3,211 BV (2.0) = 3,376
- Pocket WarShip - Developed by the Word of Blake at Irian Technologies' Clipperton yards, the Pocket WarShip refit features a larger more powerful drive system and fifty-four tons of Ferro-Aluminum armor. The standard weaponry of the upgraded Leopard is retained, but the 'Mech and fighter bays have been replaced an single Teleoperated Killer Whale Capital Missile Launcher and an eleven-missile magazine, making the venerable design a considerable threat during the Jihad. [1] BV (2.0) = 6,607
- Broadsword - With a large number of Leopards taken by the Exodus fleet, the Clans refitted them to carry 5 'Mechs as per Clan military structure, eventually resulting in 2829 in a 100 ton heavier design based on the venerable Leopard called the Broadsword.
References
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3075, pg 106