Lion
Sarna News
| |
| Lion | |
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Star League |
| Use | Troop Carrier |
| Type | Spheroid |
| Tech Base | Clan |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 7,215 tons |
| Structural Integrity | 14 |
| Length | 92 meters |
| Width | 92 meters |
| Height | 95 meters |
| Safe Thrust | 2 g |
| Max Thrust | 3 g |
| Fuel (tons) | 210 Tons |
| Fuel (days) | 114.1 days |
| Armament | 8x ER Large Lasers 8x ER Medium Lasers 10x Large Pulse Lasers 10x Medium Pulse Lasers 12x Anti-Missile Systems 6x LRM-15s 6x LRM-20s 6x Streak SRM-6s |
| Armor | 51.5 tons Fore: 30 Sides: 20 Aft: 24 |
| Crew | 50 |
| Escape Pods/Life Boats | 10/0 |
| Heat Sinks | 110 (single) |
| BV (1.0) | 7,047[1] |
Description
An old Star League combined arms troop transport, the Lion-class DropShip is one of the oldest designs still in use. Introduced in 2595, the Lion would serve throughout the Inner Sphere up to the Amaris Civil War, when many left with the Exodus Fleet. Heavy fighting during the Succession Wars would reduce the number of Lions still in service in the Inner Sphere to a mere handful by the 31st Century.[2]
The Clans eventually refitted the Lion for their revised unit structure, though they could never manage a refit that could support Elementals. This relegated the ship for use by dezgra and freeborn units, who continued to use it in its combined-arms role. Likewise, all Lions in service with the Clans are from the original Exodus fleet, with no new ships having been built.[2]
When the Wolf's Dragoons returned to the the Inner Sphere in 3005, they brought with them Lion-class ships, stripped of most of their advanced Clan equipment. However, the sudden sight of so many rare DropShips immediately caused questions, though the Dragoons remained quiet about their origin. In an effort to allay any further suspicion, these ships were restricted to carrying two lances of BattleMechs, though they would switch to openly using the Clan organization after the Fourth Succession War.[2]
Armament
The Lion has an impressive array of weapons and armor, nearly as formidable as some assault DropShips. The long range firepower of the Lion is provided by eight ER Large Lasers, ten Large Pulse Lasers, six LRM-20s and six LRM-15s. In short range it adds ten Medium Pulse Lasers and six Streak SRM-6s. In addition, it carries a dozen Anti-Missile Systems to provide further protection. Fully laden it carries forty-eight tons of LRM missiles, twelve tons of Streak-SRM missiles, and forty-eight tons of AMS ammunition.[2]
Cargo
Outfitted with three Transport Bays, the Lion has a total cargo capacity of 2,631 tons. The first 'Mech bay was originally designed to carry eight 'Mechs, which could enter and exit through two access doors. The second bay was given over to a company of twelve light vehicles with a similar layout. The last bay was given over to general cargo, with a single door.[2]
Variants
- Clan - The Clans refitted the Lion to better meet their organizational needs. The 'Mech bay was expanded to two Stars of OmniMechs. Efforts to upgrade the vehicle bay to carry Battle Armor proved unsatisfactory, so it was instead converted to carry an infantry Cluster of ten Stars.
- Wolf's Dragoons - Some versions of the Lion in service with Wolf's Dragoons carried a company of heavy vehicles instead of the infantry, which greatly reduced the dropship's cargo capacity. BV (1.0)= 7,047[3]