Leopard CV (DropShip class)

Leopard CV
Production information
Manufacturer	Irian Technologies, Bowie Industries, Federated-Boeing
Production Year	2581
Use	Aerospace fighter carrier
Type	Aerodyne
Tech Base	Inner Sphere
Technical specifications
Mass	1,720 tons
Structural Integrity	7
Length	70.2 meters
Width	53 meters
Height	19.8 meters
Safe Thrust	2 g
Max Thrust	3 g
Fuel (tons)	137 tons
Fuel (days)	74.5 days
Armament	2 x PPCs 3 x LRM-20s 5 x Large Lasers 7 x medium lasers
Armor	Standard Fore: 14 Sides: 13 Aft: 10
Crew	9
Escape Pods/Life Boats	2/0
Heat Sinks	80 (single)
BV (1.0)	2,579
BV (2.0)	2,854

Description

Cousin to the original Leopard class DropShip, the Leopard CV is the most common fighter carrier in the Inner Sphere. Carrying a standard squadron of aerospace fighters, the vessel is the means by which an assault (or raiding) force can transport the aerospace support to the scene of battle from the jump point, providing dedicated refueling, rearming and maintenance requirements. However, due to its lack of significant cargo space, the vessel is not intended for long-term habitation; instead, the transported crew would require continuous support from the mother JumpShip, until the time for system transit. Like its cousin, there are plenty of parts, both still in production or available as salvage and surplus, to keep the Leopard CV strongly active.

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. It has three long range missile racks for heavy hitting, two PPCs, five Large Lasers, and seven medium lasers, which give it more than enough combat capability when its munitions run out.

Cargo

Six aerospace fighters

Variants

Leopard (3054) 

In 3054, Irian Technologies began producing an upgraded Leopard CV. The PPCs and Large Lasers have both been replaced by extended-range models, while the medium lasers have been upgraded with pulse technology. BV (1.0) = 3,217 BV (2.0) = 3,376

Named Vessels

(See Category:Individual Leopard CV-class DropShips)

Notes

• In German products, the unit's proper name was translated to Leopard JT, where the abbreviation JT stands for Jägertender. The German nautical term tender is used for supply ships, while Jäger is a common short form for Jagdflugzeug (fighter aircraft).

Gallery

• 

  Original Leopard CV from TRO:3025

• 

  Leopard CV from TRO:3025 Revised

• 

  Illustration of Leopard CV from DropShips and JumpShips

• 

  Leopard CV (3054) from TRO:3057

Bibliography

• AeroTech 2 Revised Edition
• Combat Operations
• Technical Readout: 3025 Revised
• Technical Readout: 3057
• Technical Readout: 3057 Revised