Difference between revisions of "Vampire"

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{{Update Needed|[[Record Sheets: 3150]]}}
 
{{InfoBoxASF
 
{{InfoBoxASF
 
| image = [[Image:Vampire.jpg|191px]]
 
| image = [[Image:Vampire.jpg|191px]]
| name = Vampire
+
| name = ''Vampire''
| manufacturer = Markesan Astronautics
+
| manufacturer = [[Markesan Astronautics]]
 +
|production year = 2715
 +
|year reference = <ref>''[http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/5333/MUL online date for the ''{{PAGENAME}}'']''</ref>
 
| model = None
 
| model = None
 
| Class = Aerodyne DropShip
 
| Class = Aerodyne DropShip
 
| Tech Base = Inner Sphere (IS)
 
| Tech Base = Inner Sphere (IS)
| Introduced = [[2715]]
 
 
| mass = 400
 
| mass = 400
| frame = Standard, SI = 11
+
| structural integrity = 11
| power plant = Donovan XVIII (6/9)
+
| Length = 42
 +
| Width = 28
 +
| Height = 9.5
 +
| frame = Standard
 +
| power plant = Donovan XVIII  
 +
| Safe Thrust = 3 g
 +
| Maximum Thrust = 4.5 g
 +
| Fuel = 38 tons
 +
| Burn Rate = 20.7 days
 
| armament =  
 
| armament =  
*4x [[Medium Laser]]s
+
* 4x [[medium laser]]s
 
*1x [[SRM-6]]
 
*1x [[SRM-6]]
 
*2x [[LRM-20]]s
 
*2x [[LRM-20]]s
Line 18: Line 28:
 
| tracking & targeting system = ???
 
| tracking & targeting system = ???
 
| heat sinks = 34
 
| heat sinks = 34
 +
| Escape Pods/Life Boats = 0/0
 
| BV (1.0) = 1,827
 
| BV (1.0) = 1,827
 +
| BV (2.0) = 2,142<ref name=TRO:3075p232>''Technical Readout: 3075'', p. 232, "Vampire Profile"</ref> 2,113<ref>''Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War'', p. 135</ref>
 
}}
 
}}
  
 +
==Description==
 +
One of the smallest [[DropShip]]s ever to see combat, the '''''Vampire''''' could easily be mistaken for a heavy [[aerospace fighter]] based on its speed and weaponry, but in actual fact it was the fastest [[Infantry|Jump Infantry]] carrier in existence.<ref name=TRO:3075p232/>
 +
 +
Conceived to minimize the time [[Federated Suns]] jump troopers were exposed to enemy aerospace fighters, ''Markesan Astronautics'' simply made the ''Vampire'' the equal in performance of any fighter it would encounter. When over the target, the jump infantry would be released via specialized drop hatches on the craft's ventral surface, at long range this gave the ''Vampire'' look of being an aerospace Fighter on a bombing run. This misidentification would prove highly effective during the brief "[[Border War (28th c.)|Border War]]" between the Federated Suns and the [[Capellan Confederation]], with [[Liao]] troops thrown into total confusion when jump infantry began to rain down instead of bombs.<ref name=TRO:3075p232/>
  
==Description==
+
While highly effective in its role, the ''Vampire'''s high performance came at a cost; its engines. The powerful high-performance Donovan XVIII drive system had a relatively short lifespan and soaked considerable resources in maintenance compared to other propulsion units. Like many advanced designs that required a steady supply of spare parts to remain in operation, the destruction of the Markesan Astronautics manufacturing facilities during the [[Draconis Combine]]'s [[First Succession War]] thrust towards [[New Avalon]] effectively doomed the few ''Vampire'' that survived the fighting.<ref name=TRO:3075p232/>
The uninitiated could easily mistake the '''''Vampire''''' for a heavy [[aerospace fighter]], and performance and weaponry would appear to back up this assumption. In reality, however, the Vampire was the smallest [[DropShip]] ever to see combat. Developed by [[Markesan Aeronautics]], the Vampire was conceived to minimize the time jump troopers were exposed to enemy aerospace action.  Through the simple expedient of making the DropShip equal in performance to any fighter it could encounter, it was envisaged that the Vampire could keep one step ahead of all but the fastest interceptors.  When over the target, the jump infantry could drop from the ship using four special drop hatches in the ventral surface and the DropShip could continue on to safety.
 
  
To the relief of the three squads of jump infantry squeezed into the cramped infantry bay, the Vampire was never intended for long-range transport. Rather, the troops traveled to the target system (sometimes even into orbit around the target world), then transferred to the Vampire for the ground assault. The [[Armed Forces of the Federated Suns#The Avalon Hussars|Avalon Hussars]] used a number of Vampires during the brief "Border War" between the [[Federated Suns]] and the [[Capellan Confederation]].  In [[2762]], the Hussars dropped infantry onto key Capellan command posts on [[Redfield]].  Unable to tell the difference between the DropShips and their fighter escort, Liao troops were thrown into total confusion when elite jump infantry began to rain down on them instead of bombs.  With the Capellan command structure shattered, Redfield finally fell to the Federated Suns. The Vampire's high performance came at a high price, though.  The powerful Donovan XVIII engines had a relatively short lifespan and required much more maintenance than conventional propulsion units.  The destruction of the Markesan Astronautics manufacturing facilities during the Combine thrust towards [[New Avalon]] effectively doomed the few Vampire DropShips that survived the fighting.
+
Thanks to the recovery of the [[Hegemony Memory Core]] during the [[Jihad]], [[Jalastar Aerospace]] was able to revive the ''Vampire'' and produce it for the [[AFFS]]'s special forces.<ref name=TRO:3075p232/>
  
 
==Armament==
 
==Armament==
4 Medium Lasers
+
Focused towards its high-speed infantry carrier role, the ''Vampire'' carried a meager weapons array more akin to the aerospace fighters it superficially resembled. Two [[medium laser]]s and an [[SRM-6]] were carried in the nose, while a single [[Large Laser]] and [[LRM-20]] were mounted in each wing. As if to reinforce its fighter-like weaponry, a further pair of medium lasers were carried aft to fend off any pursuit. Two tons of SRM reloads and a shared three tons of long-range missile reloads gave the DropShip more than enough endurance for its high-speed, low-loiter role.<ref name=TRO:3075p232/>
 +
 
 +
==Cargo==
 +
The ''Vampire'' featured a single infantry bay capable of carrying three [[platoon]]s of jump infantry in highly cramped conditions. For this reason the troops assigned to a ''Vampire'' normally traveled on other ships, only transferring to the craft for the actual ground assault. The infantry bay was linked to four special drop hatches along the ''Vampire''s ventral surface, allowing the craft to continue on without stopping and often leading to misidentification as an aerospace fighter dropping bombs.<ref name=TRO:3075p232/>
  
1 SRM-6
+
==Variants==
 +
*; ''Vampire II'' : This version of the ''Vampire'' was created for the [[AFFS]] [[Rabid Foxes]] for battle armor infantry deployment. The design weighs half as much again as the standard ''Vampire'', and is equipped with four battle armor infantry bays. The weapons of the ''Vampire II'' are energy based. Four [[Heavy PPC]]s mounted in the nose are supplemented by a pair of [[Large X-Pulse Laser]]s in each wing. To provide protection from missiles, each wing mounts a pair of [[Laser AMS| Laser Anti-Missile systems]]. Another pair of Laser AMS and a pair of [[ER Large Laser]]s cover the aft arc. A small control center located beneath the cockpit is equipped with eight tons of communications equipment.<ref name=XTRO:Pp13>''Experimental Technical Readout: Phantoms'', p. 13</ref>
  
2 LRM-20s
+
*; ''Vampire III'' : This ''Vampire'' variant is protected by [[Heavy Ferro-Aluminum]] armor, has several battle armor bays, and uses more advanced missile and laser systems. Double heat sinks are also installed.<ref>''Technical Readout: 3150'', p. 224</ref>
  
2 Large Lasers
+
==Design Quirks==
 +
The ''Vampire II'' variant is subject to the following [[Design Quirks]]:<ref name=XTRO:Pp13/>
 +
* [[Difficult to Maintain]]
 +
* [[Improved Communications]]
 +
* [[Poor Performance]]
 +
* [[Weak Undercarriage]]
  
 +
==Gallery==
 +
<gallery>
 +
Image:Vampire.jpg|Original ''Vampire'' from ''[[Technical Readout: 3026 Revised|TRO:3026 Revised]]''
 +
</gallery>
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
*''House Davion'' Sourcebook
+
<references/>
*[http://www.chaosmarch.com/output2.cfm?ZVType=5&flag=0&ZFaction=1&XVid=146&XPrev=2&XNext=8&ZVotes=1484 ChaosMarch.com]
+
 
 +
==Bibliography==
 +
* ''[[Experimental Technical Readout: Phantoms]]''
 +
* ''[[Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War]]''
 +
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3026 Revised]]''
 +
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3075]]''
 +
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3150]]''
  
  
[[Category:DropShips]]
+
[[Category:DropShip classes]]
 +
[[Category:Aerodyne DropShip classes]]
 +
[[Category:Inner Sphere DropShip classes]]
 +
[[Category:Military DropShip classes]]
 +
[[Category:Transport DropShip classes]]
 +
[[Category:Troop Transport DropShip classes]]

Latest revision as of 22:08, 29 August 2023

Vampire.jpg
Vampire
Production information
Manufacturer Markesan Astronautics
Production Year 2715[1]
Model None
Class Aerodyne DropShip
Tech Base Inner Sphere (IS)
Technical specifications
Mass 400
Structural Integrity 11
Frame Standard
Power Plant Donovan XVIII
Fuel 38 tons
Armament
Communications System ???
Tracking & Targeting System ???
Heat Sinks 34
BV (1.0) 1,827
BV (2.0) 2,142[2] 2,113[3]

Description[edit]

One of the smallest DropShips ever to see combat, the Vampire could easily be mistaken for a heavy aerospace fighter based on its speed and weaponry, but in actual fact it was the fastest Jump Infantry carrier in existence.[2]

Conceived to minimize the time Federated Suns jump troopers were exposed to enemy aerospace fighters, Markesan Astronautics simply made the Vampire the equal in performance of any fighter it would encounter. When over the target, the jump infantry would be released via specialized drop hatches on the craft's ventral surface, at long range this gave the Vampire look of being an aerospace Fighter on a bombing run. This misidentification would prove highly effective during the brief "Border War" between the Federated Suns and the Capellan Confederation, with Liao troops thrown into total confusion when jump infantry began to rain down instead of bombs.[2]

While highly effective in its role, the Vampire's high performance came at a cost; its engines. The powerful high-performance Donovan XVIII drive system had a relatively short lifespan and soaked considerable resources in maintenance compared to other propulsion units. Like many advanced designs that required a steady supply of spare parts to remain in operation, the destruction of the Markesan Astronautics manufacturing facilities during the Draconis Combine's First Succession War thrust towards New Avalon effectively doomed the few Vampire that survived the fighting.[2]

Thanks to the recovery of the Hegemony Memory Core during the Jihad, Jalastar Aerospace was able to revive the Vampire and produce it for the AFFS's special forces.[2]

Armament[edit]

Focused towards its high-speed infantry carrier role, the Vampire carried a meager weapons array more akin to the aerospace fighters it superficially resembled. Two medium lasers and an SRM-6 were carried in the nose, while a single Large Laser and LRM-20 were mounted in each wing. As if to reinforce its fighter-like weaponry, a further pair of medium lasers were carried aft to fend off any pursuit. Two tons of SRM reloads and a shared three tons of long-range missile reloads gave the DropShip more than enough endurance for its high-speed, low-loiter role.[2]

Cargo[edit]

The Vampire featured a single infantry bay capable of carrying three platoons of jump infantry in highly cramped conditions. For this reason the troops assigned to a Vampire normally traveled on other ships, only transferring to the craft for the actual ground assault. The infantry bay was linked to four special drop hatches along the Vampires ventral surface, allowing the craft to continue on without stopping and often leading to misidentification as an aerospace fighter dropping bombs.[2]

Variants[edit]

  • Vampire II 
    This version of the Vampire was created for the AFFS Rabid Foxes for battle armor infantry deployment. The design weighs half as much again as the standard Vampire, and is equipped with four battle armor infantry bays. The weapons of the Vampire II are energy based. Four Heavy PPCs mounted in the nose are supplemented by a pair of Large X-Pulse Lasers in each wing. To provide protection from missiles, each wing mounts a pair of Laser Anti-Missile systems. Another pair of Laser AMS and a pair of ER Large Lasers cover the aft arc. A small control center located beneath the cockpit is equipped with eight tons of communications equipment.[4]
  • Vampire III 
    This Vampire variant is protected by Heavy Ferro-Aluminum armor, has several battle armor bays, and uses more advanced missile and laser systems. Double heat sinks are also installed.[5]

Design Quirks[edit]

The Vampire II variant is subject to the following Design Quirks:[4]

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. online date for the Vampire
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Technical Readout: 3075, p. 232, "Vampire Profile"
  3. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War, p. 135
  4. 4.0 4.1 Experimental Technical Readout: Phantoms, p. 13
  5. Technical Readout: 3150, p. 224

Bibliography[edit]