Difference between revisions of "Thunderbird (Aerospace Fighter class)"
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| image = [[Image:Thunderbird.gif|191px]] | | image = [[Image:Thunderbird.gif|191px]] | ||
| name = Thunderbird | | name = Thunderbird | ||
| − | | manufacturer = [[Lockheed-CBM Corporation]]<ref>''Objective Raids'', p. 68</ref><br/>[[Wangker Aerospace]]<ref>''Handbook: House Davion'', p. 184 </ref> | + | | manufacturer = [[Lockheed-CBM Corporation]]<ref>''Objective Raids'', p. 68</ref><br/>[[Wangker Aerospace]]<ref>''Handbook: House Davion'', p. 184 </ref><br/>[[Pinard Protectorates Limited]]<ref>''Handbook: Major Periphery States'', p. 119</ref><br/>[[Alliance Aerospace Group]]<ref>''Handbook: Major Periphery States'', p. 92</ref><br/>[[Taurus Territorial Industries]]<ref>''Handbook: Major Periphery States'', p. 118</ref> |
| model = TRB-D36 | | model = TRB-D36 | ||
| Class = Heavy | | Class = Heavy | ||
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Created in [[2487]] as part of an alliance between the Lockheed Corporation of [[Gibbs]] and CBM Aerospace of [[Donegal]], the original ''Thunderbird'' was built for the [[LCAF]] as an assault fighter, well suited to air-to-ground attack and [[DropShip]] escort missions in the so-called [[Age of War]]. Despite its less than sleek look, the sturdy and dependable ''Thunderbird'' spread across the [[Star League]] as a number of other manufacturers were able to precisely duplicate the fighter, ensuring the design survived the centuries.<ref name=TRO:3075/> | Created in [[2487]] as part of an alliance between the Lockheed Corporation of [[Gibbs]] and CBM Aerospace of [[Donegal]], the original ''Thunderbird'' was built for the [[LCAF]] as an assault fighter, well suited to air-to-ground attack and [[DropShip]] escort missions in the so-called [[Age of War]]. Despite its less than sleek look, the sturdy and dependable ''Thunderbird'' spread across the [[Star League]] as a number of other manufacturers were able to precisely duplicate the fighter, ensuring the design survived the centuries.<ref name=TRO:3075/> | ||
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==Armament== | ==Armament== | ||
Revision as of 01:27, 10 December 2013
| 191px | |
| Thunderbird | |
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed-CBM Corporation[1] Wangker Aerospace[2] Pinard Protectorates Limited[3] Alliance Aerospace Group[4] Taurus Territorial Industries[5] |
| Production Year | 2480[6] |
| Model | TRB-D36 |
| Class | Heavy |
| Tech Base | Inner Sphere |
| Cost | 6,610,500[7] |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 100 tons |
| Structural Integrity | 10[8] |
| Frame | Lockheed/CBM 300-TRB |
| Power Plant | Vlar 300 |
| Fuel | |
| Armament |
3 x Large Lasers |
| Communications System | Neil 6000-a |
| Tracking & Targeting System | N&D Longreach |
| Heat Sinks | 25 |
| BV (1.0) | 1,525[7][9] |
| BV (2.0) | 1,876[10] 1,950[11] |
Description
While sporting a large and rather unconventional look, the Thunderbird is an old standby design, one of the most common if dated heavy AeroSpace Fighters in use across the Inner Sphere.[10]
Created in 2487 as part of an alliance between the Lockheed Corporation of Gibbs and CBM Aerospace of Donegal, the original Thunderbird was built for the LCAF as an assault fighter, well suited to air-to-ground attack and DropShip escort missions in the so-called Age of War. Despite its less than sleek look, the sturdy and dependable Thunderbird spread across the Star League as a number of other manufacturers were able to precisely duplicate the fighter, ensuring the design survived the centuries.[10]
Armament
Mounting a laser-intensive weapons load, the Thunderbird is well suited to both dogfighting and strafing runs. A FarFire Maxi-Rack LRM-20s in each wing is supplemented by a RAMTech 1200 Large and Maxwell Medium Laser, with further large and medium laser mounted in fighter's awkward nose. Four tons of missile reloads give the LRM launchers reasonable combat endurance, while two aft mounted medium lasers discourage pursuit.[10]
Variants
- TRB-D36b
- This version of the Thunderbird mounted an ER Large Laser, Gauss Rifle, and Medium Laser in each wing. The nose carried an ER Large Laser and a pair of medium lasers. The D36b carried two tons of Gauss Rifle ammunition and twenty four double heat sinks. BV (2.0) = 2,826[12]
- TRB-D46
- A Star League era variant originally used by the LCAF and SLDF that was reintroduced in 3055. It uses ER Large Lasers and Artemis IV FCS enhanced LRM-15s. Other improvements includes Double Heat Sinks, an extra ton of fuel and five more tons of armor. BV (2.0)= 2,320[13]
- TRB-D50
- A variant developed by Pinard Protectorates Limited, the D50 uses Ferro-Aluminum armor and lacks LRMs. A second medium laser is added to each wing. The medium laser from the nose is replaced with an AC/10 and two tons of ammunition. The rest of the saved weight is spent on nine more standard heat sinks and an increase in armor. BV (2.0)= 1,828[14]
- TRB-D56
- Developed by Lockheed/CBM in 3074 from the D46, the D56 is a heavy fighter/DropShip hunter which uses an XL Engine, seventeen tons of Ferro-Aluminum armor and twenty double heat sinks. The D56 is armed with a Heavy PPC and Ultra AC/10 in the nose and twin tail-mounted ER Small Lasers in its tail, backed up by Artemis enhanced LRM-20s and wing mounted ER Medium Lasers. BV (2.0)= 2,665[15]
- TRB-XTS
- This Thunderbird refit was developed by the Word of Blake through a shell company, Rim Salvage. The Thunderbird carried a Rotary AC/5 in each wing, along with a Large Pulse Laser equipped with a Laser Insulator. The main weapons, however, were the paired Centurion Weapon Systems in the nose. These could (in theory) shut down an enemy craft without inflicting damage on it. Nineteen double heat sinks and fifteen tons of Ferro-Aluminum armor protected the craft. BV (2.0) = 2,494[16]
Design Quirks
The TRB-XTS Thunderbird variant is subject to the following Design Quirks:[16]
Notes
The Thunderbird was introduced in the AeroTech as one of the six original designs, with no model number, release date, or 'fluff.' Randall Bills, the FanPro BattleTech Line Developer, provided a few more details (era, model number) in the official file released with HeavyMetal Aero. The Thunderbird was finally detailed at length in Technical Readout 3075, pp. 286-287.
References
- ↑ Objective Raids, p. 68
- ↑ Handbook: House Davion, p. 184
- ↑ Handbook: Major Periphery States, p. 119
- ↑ Handbook: Major Periphery States, p. 92
- ↑ Handbook: Major Periphery States, p. 118
- ↑ MUL online date for the Thunderbird (Aerospace Fighter class)
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Combat Operations, p. 138
- ↑ Record Sheets: Operation Klondike, p. 91
- ↑ AeroTech 2 Record Sheets, p. 187
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Technical Readout: 3075, pp. 286-287, "Thunderbird Profile"
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War, p. 208
- ↑ Record Sheets: Operation Klondike, p. 91
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War, p. 209
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War, p. 210
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War, p. 211
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Experimental Technical Readout: Periphery, p. 13
- Technical Readout: 3057, p. 189