Difference between revisions of "Support Vehicle"
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| − | + | Despite their non-combatant nature, '''Support Vehicles''' are undoubtedly the backbone of every military force.<ref name=TW>''Total Warfare'', p. 25</ref> Though [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarriors]] might get the glory, it is these humble machines which provide the necessary materials in order for their [[BattleMechs]] to even function, much less fight. Not intended for combat use, the nature of their job means support vehicles often end up in the middle of a firefight anyways, with many carrying a limited amount of armor and weaponry.<ref name=TW/> | |
| − | + | ==Definition== | |
| + | What constitutes a support vehicle covers a very wide spectrum of machines. Anything from cargo trucks to communication satellites, [[exoskeleton]]s to [[IndustrialMech]]s, even civilian vehicles conscripted into the military, may be considered a support vehicle.<ref name=TW/> | ||
| + | ==Classification== | ||
| + | Support Vehicles are classified depending on their chassis type, and come in small, medium and large sizes.<ref name=TW/> | ||
| − | == | + | ===Airships=== |
| − | + | Airships are aerostatic constructions, using lighter-than-air gasses (such as inert helium) for lift. Though capable of weighing as much as 1,000 tons, the vast majority weigh less than 300. They use both rigid and non-rigid frames, and are typically maneuvered by propellers. Civilian airships are particularly popular as low-tech cargo transports, especially in areas without rail or sea transportation. Military airships are also used primarily for transportation, although recently they have been used for surveillance as well. Too fragile for combat, many are nevertheless armed for self-protection, including anti-'Mech weapons.<ref name=TW/><ref name=TM>''TechManual'', p. 111-117</ref> | |
| + | ===Fixed-Wing Aircraft=== | ||
| + | Fixed-Wing support vehicles operate on a similar principle to [[conventional fighter]]s, though the category includes turbo-prop as well as jet-propelled craft. Typically weighing less than 200 tons, these craft are less flexible than VTOLs because of the need for runways in order to operate. However, they can operate at higher altitudes, with sturdier and larger airframes. Both civilian and military aircraft are commonly used for mid-air refueling, transportation, evacuation and similar roles, along with surveillance and search and rescue. Those craft which are armed tend to mount only anti-personnel weaponry.<ref name=TW/><ref name=TM/> | ||
| − | == | + | ===Hover Vehicles=== |
| − | + | Weighing less than 100 tons, Hover Support Vehicles ride on a cushion of air, generated by lift fans concealed beneath the vehicle's polymer skirt. Also known as "skimmers", hovercraft can cross land and water with equal ease, and are greatly employed on watery planets. Civilian models general serve in a number of transportation roles, as well as firefighting or [[DropShip]] crash rescue operations. Military hovercraft, due to their unique abilities, are commonly used for mine-sweeping, amphibious assaults and medivac missions, and are often armed with anti-personnel or missile weapons.<ref name=TW/><ref name=TM/> | |
| − | == | + | ===Naval Vessels=== |
| − | + | Naval Support Vessels are a cost-effective means of transporting cargo on worlds with large bodies of water. Weighing as much as 100,000 tons, the size, shape, method of propulsion and construction of these ships varies greatly throughout the Inner Sphere, though displacement hulls are the most common, followed by hydrofoil and submarine designs. Smaller ships are often vacu-formed in one piece, while larger vessels consist of an alloy frame wrapped in composite materials. Military vessels are often used to patrol shipping lanes and provide coastal security and can carry a variety of equipment.<ref name=TW/><ref name=TM/> | |
| + | ===Satellites=== | ||
| + | Satellite Support Vehicles are non-manned space vehicles placed in permanent orbit around a planetary body, detailed to perform tasks that are either time consuming or cost ineffective for a human-controlled spacecraft. These spacecraft are principally as communication relays, science vehicles, and can conduct surveillance during combat, providing essential information for forces on planets & in space.<ref>''Tactical Operations'' p. 10 - Support Vehicles - Basic description of a Satellite.</ref> | ||
| − | == | + | ===Tracked Vehicles=== |
| − | + | Tracked Support Vehicles are equipped with tracks that allow for an easier operation over difficult terrain, though they are limited by their expense, maintenance requirements, and damage done to paved surfaces. Weighing less than 200 tons, the number of roles fulfilled by tracked vehicles runs the gamut from combat engineering, arctic exploration and riot control to battlefield recovery, farming and construction.<ref name=TW/><ref name=TM/> | |
| + | ===VTOL=== | ||
| + | VTOL Support Vehicles utilize rotary-wing or vectored-thrust propulsion methods, allowing for a superior level of maneuverability and speed compared to most other vehicles. However, their high thrust-to-weight ratio limits their weight to less than 60 tons. Civilian VTOLs are often used to transport VIPs, provide news coverage and for search and resuce. Military VTOLs are often used to ferry supplies to the front line, though they may also be used for [[combat vehicle]] and 'Mech transportation.<ref name=TW/><ref name=TM/> | ||
| − | == | + | ===Wheeled Vehicles=== |
| − | + | Wheeled Support Vehicles typically can weigh up to 160 tons, though most are typically 80 or less. Such vehicles are prized for their simplicity and inexpensive nature, operating most efficiently on established road networks, though some models possess off-road capabilities. They are the most common support vehicle, performing a number of jobs such as fuel or troop transportation. Military vehicles are typically armored to a limited extent and carry anti-personnel weapons, though some do mount anti-vehicle and anti-'Mech weapons.<ref name=TW/><ref name=TM/> | |
| + | ===WiGE Craft=== | ||
| + | "WiGE Support Vehicles take advantage of the Wing in Ground Effect in order to achieve limited flight. Part hovercraft and part aircraft, WiGE Support Vehicles are uncommon, though they are typically much larger than the combat variety. Requiring an initial burst of speed, WiGE craft can weigh as much as 240 tons, though the most common are less than 80. Normally they are used for fast transportation across long distances.<ref name=TW/><ref name=TM/> | ||
| − | == | + | ==See Also== |
| − | + | *[[:Category:Support Vehicles|Support Vehicles by Type]] | |
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==References== | ==References== | ||
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<references/> | <references/> | ||
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| + | ==Sources== | ||
| + | *''[[Total Warfare]]'' | ||
| + | *''[[TechManual]]'' | ||
| + | *''[[Tactical Operations]]'' | ||
[[Category:Technology]][[Category:Support Vehicles]] | [[Category:Technology]][[Category:Support Vehicles]] | ||
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Revision as of 16:04, 13 August 2011
Despite their non-combatant nature, Support Vehicles are undoubtedly the backbone of every military force.[1] Though MechWarriors might get the glory, it is these humble machines which provide the necessary materials in order for their BattleMechs to even function, much less fight. Not intended for combat use, the nature of their job means support vehicles often end up in the middle of a firefight anyways, with many carrying a limited amount of armor and weaponry.[1]
Contents
Definition
What constitutes a support vehicle covers a very wide spectrum of machines. Anything from cargo trucks to communication satellites, exoskeletons to IndustrialMechs, even civilian vehicles conscripted into the military, may be considered a support vehicle.[1]
Classification
Support Vehicles are classified depending on their chassis type, and come in small, medium and large sizes.[1]
Airships
Airships are aerostatic constructions, using lighter-than-air gasses (such as inert helium) for lift. Though capable of weighing as much as 1,000 tons, the vast majority weigh less than 300. They use both rigid and non-rigid frames, and are typically maneuvered by propellers. Civilian airships are particularly popular as low-tech cargo transports, especially in areas without rail or sea transportation. Military airships are also used primarily for transportation, although recently they have been used for surveillance as well. Too fragile for combat, many are nevertheless armed for self-protection, including anti-'Mech weapons.[1][2]
Fixed-Wing Aircraft
Fixed-Wing support vehicles operate on a similar principle to conventional fighters, though the category includes turbo-prop as well as jet-propelled craft. Typically weighing less than 200 tons, these craft are less flexible than VTOLs because of the need for runways in order to operate. However, they can operate at higher altitudes, with sturdier and larger airframes. Both civilian and military aircraft are commonly used for mid-air refueling, transportation, evacuation and similar roles, along with surveillance and search and rescue. Those craft which are armed tend to mount only anti-personnel weaponry.[1][2]
Hover Vehicles
Weighing less than 100 tons, Hover Support Vehicles ride on a cushion of air, generated by lift fans concealed beneath the vehicle's polymer skirt. Also known as "skimmers", hovercraft can cross land and water with equal ease, and are greatly employed on watery planets. Civilian models general serve in a number of transportation roles, as well as firefighting or DropShip crash rescue operations. Military hovercraft, due to their unique abilities, are commonly used for mine-sweeping, amphibious assaults and medivac missions, and are often armed with anti-personnel or missile weapons.[1][2]
Naval Support Vessels are a cost-effective means of transporting cargo on worlds with large bodies of water. Weighing as much as 100,000 tons, the size, shape, method of propulsion and construction of these ships varies greatly throughout the Inner Sphere, though displacement hulls are the most common, followed by hydrofoil and submarine designs. Smaller ships are often vacu-formed in one piece, while larger vessels consist of an alloy frame wrapped in composite materials. Military vessels are often used to patrol shipping lanes and provide coastal security and can carry a variety of equipment.[1][2]
Satellites
Satellite Support Vehicles are non-manned space vehicles placed in permanent orbit around a planetary body, detailed to perform tasks that are either time consuming or cost ineffective for a human-controlled spacecraft. These spacecraft are principally as communication relays, science vehicles, and can conduct surveillance during combat, providing essential information for forces on planets & in space.[3]
Tracked Vehicles
Tracked Support Vehicles are equipped with tracks that allow for an easier operation over difficult terrain, though they are limited by their expense, maintenance requirements, and damage done to paved surfaces. Weighing less than 200 tons, the number of roles fulfilled by tracked vehicles runs the gamut from combat engineering, arctic exploration and riot control to battlefield recovery, farming and construction.[1][2]
VTOL
VTOL Support Vehicles utilize rotary-wing or vectored-thrust propulsion methods, allowing for a superior level of maneuverability and speed compared to most other vehicles. However, their high thrust-to-weight ratio limits their weight to less than 60 tons. Civilian VTOLs are often used to transport VIPs, provide news coverage and for search and resuce. Military VTOLs are often used to ferry supplies to the front line, though they may also be used for combat vehicle and 'Mech transportation.[1][2]
Wheeled Vehicles
Wheeled Support Vehicles typically can weigh up to 160 tons, though most are typically 80 or less. Such vehicles are prized for their simplicity and inexpensive nature, operating most efficiently on established road networks, though some models possess off-road capabilities. They are the most common support vehicle, performing a number of jobs such as fuel or troop transportation. Military vehicles are typically armored to a limited extent and carry anti-personnel weapons, though some do mount anti-vehicle and anti-'Mech weapons.[1][2]
WiGE Craft
"WiGE Support Vehicles take advantage of the Wing in Ground Effect in order to achieve limited flight. Part hovercraft and part aircraft, WiGE Support Vehicles are uncommon, though they are typically much larger than the combat variety. Requiring an initial burst of speed, WiGE craft can weigh as much as 240 tons, though the most common are less than 80. Normally they are used for fast transportation across long distances.[1][2]