Leopard (DropShip class)
Sarna News
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| Leopard (obsolete) | |
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | various |
| Use | 'Mech Carrier |
| Type | Aerodyne |
| Tech Base | Inner Sphere |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 1,720 tons |
| Structural Integrity | |
| Length | 66 meters |
| Width | meters |
| Height | meters |
| Drive System | Star League V84 |
| Safe Thrust | |
| Max Thrust | |
| Fuel (tons) | |
| Fuel (days) | |
| Armament | * 2x PPCs
|
| Armor | Standard |
| Crew | 9 |
| Heat Sinks | 80 (single) |
| BV (1.0) | 2,579 |
Contents
Description
A simple and easy-to-maintain design, the Leopard quickly became the standard lance-sized 'Mech carrier for the original Star League and the Great Houses. Its relatively low operating costs and plethora of existing replacement parts (with the exception of the drive system) has allowed it to not only survive the Succession Wars as a ship class, but become the predominant entry vehicle for 'Mech recon, objective raid, and special operations missions. The two fighter bays allow for the lance's air support needs or act as enlarged cargo areas for booty.
In reference to its layout and alledgedly also to its atmospheric handling, the Leopard is widely known by its nickname, "Brick".
Armament
The Leopard has an impressive weapons loadout for such a small DropShip, most useful for attacks from aerospace interceptors. It can be easily overwhelmed, however, if swarmed. While it does count on three long range missile racks for heavy hitting, two PPCs, five Large Lasers, and seven Medium Lasers give it more than enough combat capability when its munitions run out.
Cargo
The Leopard can accomodate its regular crew of 9, plus pilots and techs for the vehicles carried.
Variants
The venerable Leopard, like many Succession War survivors, has had numerous modifications made throughout the vessel's class, mostly minor differences owing to the numerous manufacturers throughout known space such as the version produced in the Magistracy of Canopus that mounts Parti-Kill PPCs instead of the large lasers.
An upgraded 1,800-ton version of the Leopard was first launched in 3056. This version essentially only features an improved life support system and an upgraded, significantly more powerful weapons grid.
Typical refits or modifications include a tank carrier version capable of carrying 12 vehicles. It is also not unknown for Leopard owners to remove the 'Mech cubicles entirely (and often the AeroSpace fighter cubicles as well) and simply use the Leopard as a cargo ship.