Hercules (DropShip class)
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Hercules | |
Production information | |
Manufacturer | Bowie Industries |
Production Year | 3053[1] |
Use | Troop carrier |
Type | Military Spheroid |
Tech Base | Star League |
Technical specifications | |
Mass | 7,250 tons |
Structural Integrity | 9 |
Length | 87 meters |
Width | 84 meters |
Height | 120 meters |
Drive System | Unknown |
Safe Thrust | 1.5 g |
Max Thrust | 2.5 g |
Fuel (tons) | 145 tons |
Fuel (days) | 78.8 days |
Armament | 3x ER Large Lasers 3x ER PPCs 12x Medium Lasers 2x Large Pulse Lasers 2x AC/5s 1x Gauss Rifle 3x LRM-15s with Artemis IV FCS 1x LRM-20 with Artemis IV FCS 2x SRM-6s with Artemis IV FCS |
Armor | 30 tons Standard Fore: 14 Sides: 12 Aft: 13 |
Crew | 28 |
Escape Pods/Life Boats | 2/2 |
Heat Sinks | 101 (202) |
BV (1.0) | 3,881[2] |
BV (2.0) | 3,884 |
- This article is about the DropShip. For the Free Worlds League 'Mech, see Hercules (BattleMech).
Description
Developed in 3053, the Hercules-class DropShip is an armor and infantry carrier based in part on the venerable Overlord.
Originally designed and produced in the Lyran half of the Federated Commonwealth, the class has seen extensive action against the Clans and is becoming a common sight within the Lyran Alliance Armed Forces. A distant relative of the Overlord-class, the Hercules uses many of the same components, speeding up both development and production. This commonality also gives the class a decent supply of viable spare parts -- handy given the Hercules’ relatively scant 30 tons of evenly distributed armor and light weapons array.
Armament
With the exception of its impressive nose bays, which carry a Gauss Rifle, AC/5, an ER PPC, a Artemis enhanced LRM-20, twin ER Large Lasers and four Medium Lasers, the Hercules is lightly armed given its size and role. The remaining forward facing firepower consists of twin Medium Lasers, an LRM-15, ER PPC and an SRM-6 on each angle, with each aft angle protected by single standard medium and Large Pulse Laser. Directly aft features an AC/5 supported at long range by an LRM-15 and ER Large laser, backed up by two medium lasers.
Cargo
Taking up a large portion of the Hercules's internal space, its two massive vehicle holds can transport, repair and maintain a complete armor battalion with the lower hold able to carry 12 vehicles of any size, while the upper deck can carry 24 vehicles, though its off-loading ramps cannot support more than 75 tons. Directly above the vehicle bays are the accommodations for the vehicle crews and twelve platoons of infantry. An additional bay can accommodate 1,381 tons of supplies.
Variants
None known
Notes
In German products the unit's proper name was perfectly translated to Herkules.
References
- ↑ MUL online date for the Hercules (DropShip class)
- ↑ AeroTech 2 Record Sheets, p. 245
Bibliography
- AeroTech 2 Record Sheets
- Technical Readout: 3057, pp 52-53
- Technical Readout: 3057 Revised, pp 50-51