Hercules (DropShip class)
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- This article is about the DropShip. For the BattleMech, see Hercules (BattleMech).
| |
| Hercules | |
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Bowie Industries[1] |
| Production Year | 3053[2] |
| Use | Troop carrier |
| Type | Military Spheroid |
| Tech Base | Star League |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 7,250 tons |
| Structural Integrity | 9 |
| Length | 87 meters |
| Width | 84 meters |
| Height | 120 meters |
| Drive System | Unknown |
| Safe Thrust | 1.5 g |
| Max Thrust | 2.5 g |
| Fuel (tons) | 145 tons |
| Fuel (days) | 78.8 days |
| Armament |
|
| Armor | 30 tons Standard Fore: 14 Sides: 12 Aft: 13 |
| Crew | 28[1]
Bay Personnel: 624 |
| Escape Pods/Life Boats | 2/2 |
| Heat Sinks | 101 double |
| BV (1.0) | 3,881[3] |
| BV (2.0) | 3,884 |
Description[edit]
Developed in 3053, the Hercules-class DropShip is an armor and infantry carrier based in part on the venerable Overlord. The Hercules uses many of the same components, which sped up both development and production. This commonality also gives the class a decent supply of viable spare parts -- handy given the Hercules’ relatively scant 30 tons of evenly distributed armor and light weapons array.
Originally designed and produced in the Lyran half of the Federated Commonwealth, the class has seen extensive action against the Clans and is becoming a common sight within the Lyran Alliance Armed Forces. The prototype Hercules destroyed a pair of aerospace fighters from the Gurbeng Garrison Cluster of Clan Jade Falcon while assisting in the successful La Grave raid by the 13th Donegal Guards.[1] This raid was the first successful attack on a Clan-held world post-Tukayyid,[4] leading to increased patrols by the Jade Falcons and worry about maintaining The Truce earned by ComStar.[5]
Notable for the class is the addition of a loading supervisor position on the deck nine bridge. In addition to the usual crew, this three-person station can assist in the embarking operations of an inexperienced unit.[1]
Armament[edit]
With the exception of its impressive nose bays, which carry a Gauss rifle, AC/5, an ER PPC, a Artemis enhanced LRM-20, twin ER large lasers and four medium lasers, the Hercules is lightly armed given its size and role. The remaining forward-facing firepower consists of twin medium lasers, an LRM-15, ER PPC, and an SRM-6 on each angle, with each aft angle protected by a single standard medium and large pulse laser. Directly aft features an AC/5 supported at long range by an LRM-15 and ER large laser, backed up by two medium lasers.
Cargo[edit]
Taking up a large portion of the Hercules's internal space, its two massive vehicle holds can transport, repair, and maintain a complete armor battalion with the lower hold able to carry 12 vehicles of any size, while the upper deck can carry 24 vehicles, though its loading ramps cannot support more than 75 tons. Directly above the vehicle bays are the accommodations for the vehicle crews and twelve platoons of infantry. An additional bay can accommodate 1,381 tons of supplies.
Variants[edit]
None known
Notes[edit]
- In German products, the unit's proper name was translated to Herkules.
Gallery[edit]
Original Hercules from TRO:3057
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Technical Readout: 3057 Revised, p. 50-51
- ↑ MUL online date for the Hercules (DropShip class)
- ↑ AeroTech 2 Record Sheets, p. 245
- ↑ Field Manual: Lyran Alliance, p. 71: "13th Donegal Guards Unit Profile"
- ↑ Jade Falcon Sourcebook, pp. 33