M-5 "Caspar" Capital Drone
Sarna News
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| M-5 "Caspar" Capital Drone | |
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Terran Hegemony |
| Introduced | 2710 |
| Production Year | 2710[1] |
| Use | Anti-WarShip Defense SDS Drone |
| Tech Base | Inner Sphere |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 680,000 tons |
| Length | 628 meters |
| Sail Diameter | 1,100 meters |
| Fuel | 1,000 tons |
| Burn Rate | 39.52 |
| Safe Thrust | 2 g |
| Top Thrust | 3 g |
| Sail Integrity | 5 |
| KF Drive Integrity | 15 |
| LF Battery | None |
| Armament |
|
| Armor | 322.5 tons Ferro-Carbide |
| DropShip Capacity | 0 |
| Crew | None |
| Grav Decks | 0 |
| Escape Pods/Life Boats | 0 |
| Heat Sinks | 1,250 double |
| Structural Integrity | 50 |
| BV (2.0) | 95,051[2][1] |
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 were talked about in revered tones since the Star League Civil War.
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 mount the firepower of a Texas battleship while maintaining the thrust profile of a destroyer. Most worlds of the Hegemony were protected by at least a handful of M-5 drones while key worlds had multiple squadrons and Terra itself was defended by at least two hundred and fifty of these drones. Thanks to SLDF tacticians and engineers, a jamming system was devised during Operation LIBERATION for use against the drones and allowed Commanding General Aleksandr Kerensky and the SLDF the opportunity to land on Terra, eventually ending the reign of Stefan Amaris.[2]
Armament[edit]
The Caspar is armed with 18 Class 55 Naval Lasers, spread among each firing arc. 2 nose-mounted Heavy Naval PPCs and a Killer Whale launcher give the uncrewed drone the ability to slash in from outside their target's effective range and escape before responded to. A large amount of double heat sinks allowed the M-5 to fire its broadside-mounted Class 25 and Class 20 Naval Autocannons without fear of overheating. Broadside AR-10 launchers give alternative missile sizes to maximize damage and aft-firing Baracuda missile launchers are used to keep smaller craft at bay.
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.[2]
Cargo[edit]
- Bay 1: Cargo (1,840.5 tons), 1 door
Variants[edit]
- M-5C "Caspar"
- The only variant of the Caspar carried the Automonous Tactical Analysis Computer, which coordinated the attack of up to 50 other SDS drones. This nerve center of the SDS allowed the efficiency and deadly attacks possible by the defensive system. The M-5C's own drone computer was downgraded to handle the network computer array, and two additional Naval PPCs were added to the bow to increase its firepower. BV (2.0) = 100,128[3]
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. Automated defenses effectively fended off any attempted boarding actions.[2]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 MUL entry for the M-5 "Caspar" Capital Drone
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1, pp. 168-169: M-5 “Caspar” Capital Drone
- ↑ MUL entry for the Capital Drone M-5C "Caspar"