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	==Description==		==Description==
−	The ubiquitous '''''Mule''''' class [[DropShip]] is one of the most commonly encountered merchant craft plying the shipping routes of the [[Inner Sphere]]. Developed during the height of the [[Star League]], the ''Mule'' has survived due to the combination of its practical and uncomplicated design, affordability, ease of maintenance, and spacious crew accommodations. This makes the ''Mule'' highly attractive for independent traders.	+	The ubiquitous '''''Mule''''' class [[DropShip]] is the most commonly encountered merchant craft plying the shipping routes of the [[Inner Sphere]]. Developed during the height of the [[Star League]], the ''Mule'' has survived due to the combination of its practical and uncomplicated design, affordability, ease of maintenance, and spacious crew accommodations. This makes the ''Mule'' highly attractive for independent traders.
	The landing gear, cargo ramps, and engine drive exhaust setup are the major problems with the class. Upon liftoff, the engine drive blast scorches the interior of the landing gear wells, requiring cable assembly replacement every 20 lift-offs. Failure to do so can result in the landing gear locking in an inopportune position. The large cargo ramps also lock or extend only with careful oversight, and with an active engine drive, the bottom of the vessel is bathed in the fusion engine's output. This can lead to major damage to the vessel if proper procedures are not followed.<ref name=DS&JSp58>''DropShips and JumpShips: ComStar Intelligence Summary'', p. 58</ref> The ''Mule'' is so ubiquitous that its GE 2080 [[Interplanetary Drive System|drive system]] (along with its Lyran-made [[GE 2080-II]] cousin)<ref name=OR83>''Objective Raids'', p. 83: "Produced Semier Data Tron Components"</ref> were used by [[BBP Industries]] and [[Semier Data Tron]] on the ''[[Excalibur (DropShip class)|Excalibur]]''-class when the original drive supply dwindled during the [[Succession Wars]], keeping the military DropShip in use.<ref name=OR83/><ref name=DS&JSp36>''DropShips and JumpShips: ComStar Intelligence Summary'', pp. 36–37</ref>		The landing gear, cargo ramps, and engine drive exhaust setup are the major problems with the class. Upon liftoff, the engine drive blast scorches the interior of the landing gear wells, requiring cable assembly replacement every 20 lift-offs. Failure to do so can result in the landing gear locking in an inopportune position. The large cargo ramps also lock or extend only with careful oversight, and with an active engine drive, the bottom of the vessel is bathed in the fusion engine's output. This can lead to major damage to the vessel if proper procedures are not followed.<ref name=DS&JSp58>''DropShips and JumpShips: ComStar Intelligence Summary'', p. 58</ref> The ''Mule'' is so ubiquitous that its GE 2080 [[Interplanetary Drive System|drive system]] (along with its Lyran-made [[GE 2080-II]] cousin)<ref name=OR83>''Objective Raids'', p. 83: "Produced Semier Data Tron Components"</ref> were used by [[BBP Industries]] and [[Semier Data Tron]] on the ''[[Excalibur (DropShip class)|Excalibur]]''-class when the original drive supply dwindled during the [[Succession Wars]], keeping the military DropShip in use.<ref name=OR83/><ref name=DS&JSp36>''DropShips and JumpShips: ComStar Intelligence Summary'', pp. 36–37</ref>

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{{InfoBoxDropShip | image = Mule TRO3057r.png | name = ''Mule'' | manufacturer = [[Federated-Boeing Interstellar]]<ref>''Handbook: House Davion'', p. 181 </ref> ---- [[Kathil Shipworks]]<ref>''Handbook: House Davion'', p. 182 </ref> ---- [[Tengo Aerospace]]<ref name=DS&JSp15>''DropShips and JumpShips: ComStar Intelligence Summary'', p. 15 </ref> ---- [[Tharkad Aerospace Group]]<ref name=DS&JSp15/> | production year = 2737 | year reference = <ref>''[http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/4684/MUL online date for the ''{{PAGENAME}}'']''</ref> | Use = Cargo Carrier | Type = Civilian Spheroid | Tech Base = [[Inner Sphere]] | Mass = 11,200 | Structural Integrity = 20 | Length = 158 | Width = 158 | Height =100.4 | Drive System = GE 2080 | Safe Thrust = 1.5 g | Maximum Thrust = 2.5 g | Fuel (tons) = 319 tons | Fuel (days) = 75.6 days | Armament = <span></span> * 1x [[AC/5]] * 2x [[SRM-6]] * 3x [[large laser]] * 8x [[medium laser]] * 2x [[small laser]] | Armor = 16 tons [[Armor (Capital)|standard]] | Crew = 20<ref name=TRO3057r>''Technical Readout: 3057 Revised'', p. 56</ref> *4 Officers *13 Enlisted *3 Gunners ---- (Crew Types)<ref name="BSr63">''BattleSpace'' rulebook, p. 63</ref><br/> *2 Pilots <br /> *4 Engineers <br /> *12 Secondary Engineers | Escape Pods/Life Boats = 2/2 | Heat Sinks = 58 | BV (1.0) = 1,664<ref>''AeroTech 2 Record Sheets'', p. 253</ref> | BV (2.0) = 1,282 }} ==Description== The ubiquitous '''''Mule''''' class [[DropShip]] is the most commonly encountered merchant craft plying the shipping routes of the [[Inner Sphere]]. Developed during the height of the [[Star League]], the ''Mule'' has survived due to the combination of its practical and uncomplicated design, affordability, ease of maintenance, and spacious crew accommodations. This makes the ''Mule'' highly attractive for independent traders. The landing gear, cargo ramps, and engine drive exhaust setup are the major problems with the class. Upon liftoff, the engine drive blast scorches the interior of the landing gear wells, requiring cable assembly replacement every 20 lift-offs. Failure to do so can result in the landing gear locking in an inopportune position. The large cargo ramps also lock or extend only with careful oversight, and with an active engine drive, the bottom of the vessel is bathed in the fusion engine's output. This can lead to major damage to the vessel if proper procedures are not followed.<ref name=DS&JSp58>''DropShips and JumpShips: ComStar Intelligence Summary'', p. 58</ref> The ''Mule'' is so ubiquitous that its GE 2080 [[Interplanetary Drive System|drive system]] (along with its Lyran-made [[GE 2080-II]] cousin)<ref name=OR83>''Objective Raids'', p. 83: "Produced Semier Data Tron Components"</ref> were used by [[BBP Industries]] and [[Semier Data Tron]] on the ''[[Excalibur (DropShip class)|Excalibur]]''-class when the original drive supply dwindled during the [[Succession Wars]], keeping the military DropShip in use.<ref name=OR83/><ref name=DS&JSp36>''DropShips and JumpShips: ComStar Intelligence Summary'', pp. 36–37</ref> The command section of the ''Mule'' contains rooms for three uniquely ''Mule'' specific activities: the first overlooks the upper cargo deck, giving a view of the large open area. This can be used for supervision or impressing a customer but is usually used as a lounge. The second is a market viewing room, tied to the vessel's communications system, and broadcasts specific market values of interest to the ship. Exchange rates and prices are tracked by the captain, who often takes this room as their own. The third allows the crew to keep in touch with agents for their cargo goods and is full of communications coordinating equipment for across the current system.<ref name=DS&JSp58/> ==Armament== Because the ''Mule'' operates in the "wilds" more so than other civilian cargo carriers, it is moderately armored and carries a small array of defensive weaponry: a nose-mounted [[AC/5]], two [[SRM-6]] launchers on the sides with a smattering of [[Large Laser|Large]], [[medium laser|medium]], and [[Small Lasers]] bolstering the other weapon bays as well as covering the other angles. ==Cargo== The ''Mule'' is capable of carrying close to 8,500 tons of cargo, split between a single large 3,000-ton capacity bay in the lower portion of the ship, from which four large cargo elevators lead to the upper decks which can handle the remaining 5,000 or so tons. Four cargo ramps are situated next to these lifts to provide easy access and are indicative of the problem of the ramps and drive location for the class. If the ramps are not properly secured prior to liftoff, which can occur if takeoff procedures are rushed because the ship is under fire on the ground, the initial engine thrust can tear them free and vent directly into the lower cargo bay, damaging if not destroying the ship if the cargo is volatile enough.<ref name=DS&JSp58/> ==Variants== *;Pocket WarShip (Star League) : Introduced during the [[Star League]] era, this ''Mule'' variant is armed and armored similar to the the [[Word of Blake]]'s Pocket WarShip. The only difference is the lack of AR-10 launchers. Instead, this version carries three White Shark and three Barracuda launchers. These launchers have thirty-nine reloads. It also has space for six aerospace fighters. BV (2.0) = 10,330<ref>''Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge'', p. 451</ref> *;Pocket Warship : While minor variations exist, the most notable major modification is the so-called Q-Ship version of the craft, not seen since the era of the [[Star League]] but making a return during the [[Word of Blake]]'s [[Jihad]]. Relying upon the stealth provided by its civilian form, this hides double the amount of armor and four [[AR-10]] capital missile launchers in the upper cargo bays. The lower cargo bay has been converted to store a score each of [[Killer Whale]], [[White Shark]], and [[Barracuda]] missiles for the AR-10's, and a fighter bay capable of carrying a complete [[aerospace fighter]] [[Level II]].<ref name=TRO:3075p110>''Technical Readout: 3075'', p. 110</ref> BV (2.0) = 21,307<ref>''Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge'', p. 450</ref> *;Q-Ship : This ''Mule'' variant carries four AR-10 launchers equipped with twenty Killer Whale, White Shark, and Barracuda missiles. It also has provisions for six aerospace fighters. Unlike the Pocket WarShip versions, however, it retains the same armor protection as the civilian ''Mule''. BV (2.0) = 20,492<ref>''Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge'', p. 449</ref> ===''Mule-II''=== As of [[3136]], the ''[[Black Gold]]'' was mentioned as a renovated ''Mule-II'' class ore carrier DropShip,<ref>''Dark Age: LinkNet Articles (3136)'', p. 119, "Major Clash Reported in Augustine System!"</ref> but its stats are unknown at this time and it remains unclear if this is a variant of the venerable ''Mule'' or an entirely new class. The [[Master Unit List]] does not (yet) list the ''Mule-II'' class. Given that the vessel was explicitly "renovated", and going by the precedent of the ''[[Magellan MkII]]'' class, it can be assumed that the ''Mule-II'' should be considered a variant of the ''Mule'' instead of a new class unto its own, the result of an unspecified but presumably standardized upgrade done during renovation. It may or may not be connected to the role of ore carrier. ==See Also== * [[:Category:Individual Mule-class DropShips|Individual ''Mule''-class DropShips]] * [[:Category:Individual Mule II-class DropShips|Individual ''Mule II''-class DropShips]] ==Notes== * In German products, the unit's proper name was translated to '''Maultier'''. This creates a potential mix-up with the later introduced [[Maultier]] Hover APC. ==Gallery== <gallery> Mule.png|Original ''Mule'' from ''[[DropShips and JumpShips|DropShips and JumpShips: Comstar Intelligence Summary]]'' Mule TRO3057r.png|''Mule'' from ''[[Technical Readout: 3057|TRO:3057]]'' Mule_Q-Ship_JHS3070.jpg|''Mule'' Q-Ship from ''[[Jihad Hot Spots: 3070|JHS:3070]]'' Mule TRO3075.png|Pocket WarShip variant from ''[[Technical Readout: 3075|TRO:3075]]'' </gallery> ==References== <references /> ==Bibliography== * ''[[AeroTech 2 Record Sheets]]'' * ''[[BattleSpace]]'' * ''[[Dark Age: LinkNet Articles (3136)]]'' * ''[[DropShips and JumpShips|DropShips and JumpShips: ComStar Intelligence Summary]]'' * ''[[DropShips and JumpShips|DropShips and JumpShips: Operations Manual]]'' * ''[[Handbook: House Davion]]'' * ''[[Objective Raids]]'' * ''[[Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge]]'' * ''[[Technical Readout: 3057]]'' * ''[[Technical Readout: 3057 Revised]]'' * ''[[Technical Readout: 3075]]'' [[Category:DropShip classes]] [[Category:Cargo DropShip classes]] [[Category:Civilian DropShip classes]] [[Category:Inner Sphere DropShip classes]] [[Category:Pocket WarShip classes]] [[Category:Spheroid DropShip classes]] [[Category:Transport DropShip classes]] [[Category:German renamed units]]

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