Vulture (DropShip class)

VultureDropship.JPG
Vulture
Production information
Manufacturer Alliance of Galedon
Use Infantry Transport/Light Vehicle carrier
Type Military Spheroid
Tech Base Inner Sphere
Technical specifications
Mass 3,500 tons
Structural Integrity 9
Length 75.5 Meters meters
Width meters
Height meters
Drive System 4x V450 engines
Safe Thrust 4
Max Thrust 6
Fuel (tons)
Fuel (days)
Armament 5 x Class 5 Autocannons, 4 x LRM-15s, 3 x Medium Lasers
Armor 27.5 tons of Standard Armor
Crew 3 Officers, 11 enlisted/non-rated
Escape Pods/Life Boats 20/7
Heat Sinks 78
BV (1.0) 3,031[1]
BV (2.0) 2,941


Description

The ship was originally built for Warlord Urizen Kurita of the Alliance of Galedon in 2312. It was utilized for the Warlord's campaigns of conquest of the Ozawa Mercantile Association and the Principality of Rasalhague and other neighboring worlds.[2][1]

A dedicated troop carrier, the ship was noted for its high reliability and low maintenance. The ship's quarters are cramped due to it small size. The ship was originally designed to be carried by pre-external docking collar JumpShips.[2][1]

The ship fell out favor by later part Age of War Era, where high-capacity transports became available. Number of defeats were linked to the ship's limited carrying capacities. The design was decommissioned by DCMS and replaced by large capacity Seeker Class DropShips. Many of these ships were sold to various Mercenary Companies and Periphery powers.[2][1]

Armament

The ship has five Class 5 Autocannon, with majority of them concentrated on the nose, with single cannon each flank. The ship has four 15-Tube Long-Range missile Launchers, 2 in nose and mounted aft flanks. The ship also has four Medium lasers, one mounted front side, and pair mounted in aft. The autocannons were given 14 tons of ammunition, while the LRMs given 24 tons.[2][1]

Cargo

The ship is designed to carry 6 Foot Platoons and twelve Light Vehicles.[2]

Notable Ships of the Class

  • Samhain - The Ancient Vulture was service with the Devil's Brigade during the Jihad when it made a name for itself. When the Word of Blake assault Chandraeskar Kurita's allies were attacked on Arcturus in 3073, the Samhain's crew manage account for itself and destroy a Blakist Union Class DropShip.[2]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Technical Readout: 3026 Revised, pp. 110-111, "Vulture Ship Profile"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Technical Readout: 3075, pp. 214-215, "Vulture Profile"

Bibliography