Conquistador (DropShip class)

{InfoBoxDropShip | image = Conquistador.jpg|191px | name = Conquistador | manufacturer = Federated-Boeing | Use = Troop Carrier | Type = Military Aerodyne | Tech Base = Star League | Introduced = 3063 | Mass = 17,400 | Structural Integrity = 30 | Length = 182 | Width = 150 | Height = 42 | Drive System = | Safe Thrust = 3 | Maximum Thrust = 5 | Fuel (tons) = 500 | Fuel (days) = Burns 1.84 tons a day. | Armament = 16xGauss Rifle
10xRAC/5
8xLB 10-X AC
7xER PPC
12xLarge Pulse Lasers
27xMedium Pulse Lasers
8xLRM-20s w/Artemis IV FCS
28xAMS | Armor = 135 tons Ferro-Aluminum | Crew = 21 | Escape Pods/Life Boats = 12/12 | Passengers = 40 | Heat Sinks = 259 Double Heat Sinks | BV (1.0) = 22042 | BV (2.0) = ??? }}

Description

The Conquistador was Federated-Boeing's response to an AFFS requirement for a new command DropShip for their RCTs. While technology had brought many advances to ground-based combat units, commanders were still using Fortress and Overlord DropShips that had been converted on a case-by-case basis. In addition, these older ships weren't configured to carry newer combat units like Battle Armor. To remedy this lack of standardization, and provide transportation for the updated RCT command group, the Conquistador entered production.

The Conquistador's primary role is to transport a combined arms unit into battle. Currently this combined arms unit is the command group of an RCT. Once the Conquistador's cargo is on the ground, it doesn't just fly away. Federated Boeing made sure to include all the computing capability the task force commander could ever need. With these massive computer bays, the Conquistador can function as a command post for planet-wide operations.

Though the AFFS High Command has assigned most of these ships to RCT command elements, the variety of unit types it can carry and the massive computer support it contains has brought it to the attention of the DMI. They are likely to employ some of these vessels to support their Special Operations teams. Supporting this possibility is the small crew required to operate a Conquistador. The high level of automation in the ship's systems allows it to use a crew half the size of an Overlord or Fortress.

Armament

Unlike the Merlin-class WarShip escort, the Conquistador's armament is geared towards protecting the ship and its cargo from enemy AeroSpace Fighters during planetfall and combat drops. To this end, it employs eight LB 10-X ACs, ten Rotary Autocannon/5s, and 39 pulse lasers. To provide some long range punch, the Conquistador uses a combination of Gauss Rifles, ERPPCs, and LRM-20s with Artemis IV fire control systems. Augmenting the armor protection are twenty-eight Anti-Missile Systems split evenly to cover the fore and aft of the ship.

Cargo

The Conquistador has four cargo bays. The first bay contains 24 'Mech cubicles, while the second bay contains 18 AeroSpace Fighter cubicles. These fighters are very useful in protecting the ship during planetfall, and conduct ground support operations once the ship has landed. The third bay can carry a company of tanks, 16 platoons of infantry, and 20 squads of battle armored troops. The final bay contains seven hundred tons of cargo; Usually this is ammunition or spare parts, but medical supplies are also popular.

Variants

As the Conquistador is so new, there are no known variants.