M-5 "Caspar" Capital Drone

M5C Caspar Capital Drone Warship.png
M-5 "Caspar" Capital Drone
Production information
Manufacturer Terran Hegemony
Introduced 2710
Use Anti-WarShip Defense
SDS Drone
Tech Base Inner Sphere Experimental
Cost Unknown
Technical specifications
Mass 680,000
Length 628 meters
Sail Diameter 1,100 meters
Fuel 1,000
Burn Rate 39.52
Safe Thrust 4
Top Thrust 6
Sail Integrity 5
KF Drive Integrity 15
LF Battery None
Armament
Armor Ferro-Carbide
DropShip Capacity 0
Crew 0
Grav Decks 0
Escape Pods/Life Boats 0
Heat Sinks 1,250 (Double Heat Sinks)
Structural Integrity 50
BV (2.0) 95,051[1][2]



Description[edit]

Considered the pinnacle of the SDS network, the M-5 drones were named after an ancient Terran commander and would go on to become the thing of legends after the Star League fell and is still talked about in revered tones to this day.

The Caspar was the primary capital-class SDS drone. The M-5 was based upon the Lola block II hull, which was heavily modified to make it a nightmare for any opponent. The design of the M-5 allowed it to nearly mount the firepower of a battleship-class ship while maintaining the thrust of a destroyer-class ship. Most worlds of the Hegemony were protected by at least a handful of M-5 drones while key worlds had multiple squadrons. Terra itself was defended by two hundred and fifty of these drones and if not for Kerensky's technicians devising a jamming system against them, the Inner Sphere today might still have the Amaris Empire sitting at its center.[3]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

Equipment[edit]

Encasing the Caspar's hull was 322.5 tons worth of Ferro-Carbide armor.[4]

Weapons[edit]

The Caspar is armed with 4 Class-55 Naval Lasers, 2 Heavy NPPC's and 1 Killer Whale (20 missiles), giving it plenty of long range firepower and helped to make its slashing attacks so devastating. Two Class-55 Naval Lasers, Three NAC/20's (300 rounds) and one AR-10 Launcher (with 10 Killer Whale and 20 Barracuda missiles), mounted in the front quarters facing to give the maximum firing arc, can punch holes in just about every vessel of the day. The broadsides are where the real firepower lies, with 1 Class-55 Naval Laser, 4 Class-25 Naval Autocannons (200 rounds each pairing, split into groups of two to help concentrate firepower against enemies) and 2 AR-10 Launchers (with 20 Killer Whale, 20 Barracuda missiles) which allowed the Caspar to dive into enemy formations and rip them to shreds. The rear quarters mount 2 Class-55 Naval lasers and 3 Class-20 Naval Autocannons (330 rounds) and the aft weapons include 4 Class-55 Naval Lasers and 2 Barracuda Launchers (40 missiles) to round out its formidable weaponry. [5] Considered the perfect WarShip, its only flaw lay in the self-destruct system, built into the engine compartment. A lucky hit to the aft could trigger the system and destroy the WarShip drone.

Cargo[edit]

  • Bay 1: Cargo (1,840.5 tons) - 1 Door

Notes[edit]

The Caspar required no crew as it was completely autonomous. It was equipped with an SDS Self-Destruct System and SDS Drone Control System (Gunnery 3, Piloting 4). Automated defenses provide 110 Marine Points to fend off boarding actions. [6]

While many attribute the name Caspar to a corrupted spelling of a fictional ghost popular on twentieth century Terra, the name more likely derives from an early pioneer in space defense from the then-United States, Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger.[7]

References[edit]

  1. Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1, pp. 168 & 169 M-5 “CASPAR” CAPITAL DRONE - BV & Introduction Date.
  2. MUL Listing for the M5 Caspar Capital Drone WarShip with BV & Tonnage Listed
  3. Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1, p. 168 M-5 "Caspar" Capital Drone - Background.
  4. Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1, pp. 168 & 169 M-5 "Caspar" Capital Drone - Stats and capacities.
  5. Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1, pp. 168 & 169 M-5 "Caspar" Capital Drone - Weapons.
  6. Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1, pp. 168 & 169 M-5 "Caspar" Capital Drone - Other abilities and equipment.
  7. Caspar Weinberger Wikipedia page

Bibliography[edit]