Union (DropShip class)
Sarna News
| |
| Union | |
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | various |
| Use | 'Mech/ASF Carrier |
| Type | Spheroid |
| Tech Base | Inner Sphere |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 3,600 tons |
| Structural Integrity | |
| Length | 82 meters |
| Width | meters |
| Height | meters |
| Drive System | Star League V250 |
| Safe Thrust | |
| Max Thrust | |
| Fuel (tons) | |
| Fuel (days) | |
| Armament | 3 x PPCs 6 x AC/5s 6 x LRM-20s 12 x Medium Lasers 5 x Large Lasers |
| Armor | standard |
| Crew | 14 |
| Heat Sinks | 90 (single) |
| BV (1.0) | 3,259 |
Contents
Description
A stalwart of company-sized 'Mech combat transports, the Union class is a venerable and capable member of the DropShip unit type. Capable of carrying two ASFs, in addition to the twelve 'Mechs, the vessel's interior personnel spaces are so minuscule as to border on the insane. Even the DropShip captain cannot claim to enjoy comfortable personal space. The armament is sufficient for both independent raid missions and full-scale assault deliveries. A scarcity of replacement parts and a dwindling pool of knowledgeable engineers means these older ships may soon fade from their otherwise dominant role.
Armament
The command and control facilities onboard a typical Union are sufficient enough that it may operate as a coordination point for smaller lance-sized combat transports partaking in company or larger sized operations. Likewise, it operates well in larger operations, where it may conduct missions of a surprise, diversionary or raiding role. The semi-automated weaponry is significant enough to cause single and paired ASFs pause.
Cargo
Variants
A common design in use across the Inner Sphere, there are a large number of Union variants, the most notable include:
- Cargo Hauler - Due to the availability of the design and spare parts, the Union has proven a popular choice for merchants and traders, who strip out all twelve 'Mech cubicles to free up space for 1,500 tons of cargo.
- Combined-Arms - An uncommon variant which removes the two fighter cubicles and drastically upgrades the Union life support system to cope with a company of infantry.
- Upgrade - First launched in July 3055 by Federated-Boeing Interstellar, the upgraded modern Union boasts an return to Star League era facilities with luxurious double and single occupancy berths and an improved air-filtration unit. The weaponry is also upgraded, trading the six autocannons for three Gauss Rifles, switching to ER PPCs and ER Large Lasers and adding Artemis IV FCS to the LRM launchers.
- Union-X - Developed in 3065 as part of a diversification effort by Shipil Company of Skye, the 2,000 ton heavier "Extended" Union (abbreviated as Union-X) strips out four 'Mech cubicles in favor of two additional fighters and berths for five squads of Battle Armor troops, its revised weapon array consisting of six ER PPCs, two Gauss Rifles, six Artemis enhanced LRM-20's, ten ER Large Lasers, fourteen ER Medium Lasers, and four Ultra AC/5s.
- Pocket WarShip - A refit developed by the Word of Blake, the Pocket WarShip variant of the Union attracted infamy for its shock appearance during the Jihad. Based on the upgraded model, the Medium Lasers have been replaced by ER Medium Lasers and the armor switched to thirty-three tons of Ferro-Aluminum plating, but the design appears otherwise visually identical. It's only when the two bow-mounted AR-10 launchers fire that the differences become apparent, the 'Mech bays guttered to provide the space required for the Capital Missile Launchers and four Killer Whale, six White Shark and ten Barracuda missiles. The fighter bays are retained while two Small Craft bays have been added to carry four squads of battle armor troops for boarding operations. [1]
- Union-C - With a large number of Unions accompanying the Exodus fleet, the Clans refitted them to carry fifteen 'Mechs as per Clan military structure, eventually resulting in 2829 in a 4,000 ton heavier redesign designated the Union-C.
References
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3075, pg 108