Approved Starship Aether HC-15

[Amelia von Sorenn]

Aether HC-15
​

OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION

Intent

A Heavy variant of the Aether CM-03 utilized for cargo manipulation and space construction by the Taris Trading Company

Image Source	[HERE]
Permission(s)	Not Applicable
Canon Link(s)	KE-8 Enforcer
	Orb-wing
	GS-100 Salvage Ship
Primary Link(s)	Aether CM-03
	Canadarm

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

Manufacturer	Aether Systems
Affiliation	Taris Trading Company
Model	HC-15
Market-Status	Open-Market
Production	Mass Produced

Materials

Hull Plating	Internal Structure	Additional
Quadanium Steel	Titanium	Transparisteel
Alusteel	Duraplast	Starship Components

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Classification	Transport
	Construction Craft
Length	15 meters
Width	15 meters
Height	15 meters

Rating Specifications

Armaments	None
Defenses	Very High
Maneuverability	Very High
Speed	Low
Squadron Size	Low - (8) per Squadron
Hyperdrive Rating	None

Armaments and Defenses

Reinforced Carbon-Durasteel Armor

AR-0B Damage Reduction Component

Additional Information and Logistics

Crew Compliment	1 Pilot
	1 Astromech
Passenger Capacity	None
Cargo Capacity	180 Kilograms
Consumables	4 Galactic Standard Days

STANDARD FEATURES

General Systems Acceleration Compensator Anti-Shock Fields Code Breaker Containment Shield DPU7 Heat Sink Damage Control System Sensor and Communication Systems Com-Scan 5-Node Sensor ANs-9.5 Sensor ANq-51 Sensor Array Telesponder Life Support Systems Atmospheric Processor Enviro Filter Climate Control Unit Shielding and Hull Plating Systems Ion Shield Generators Deflector Shield Generators Navigational Deflector System Deflector Plates Heat Dispersion Vents De-icing System Engineering & Hyperdrive Systems P-sw9.7 Twin Ion Engines P-w401 Maneuvering Jets AUG-4c Reactor Unit Landing Jets

ADVANCED FEATURES

AR-0B Damage Reduction Component Carbon-Durasteel Armor Galaxy Guard MKVII Radiation Negator R-PB6 Repair Unit Manipulator Arms Heavy Lifting Arm F-187 Fusion Cutter Welding Torch

STRENGTHS

Manipulator Arms - Carrying over the design of its sibling vessel, the Aether HC-15 is equipped with a series of manipulator arms that are utilized in accomplishing its task of maneuvering cargo pods or construction equipment and materials in space. Located on either side of the main spherical body of the craft, each manipulator arm consists of two parts - a set of smaller manipulators for use in delicate operations and tasks and a larger set that rest below the primary smaller set for use in tasks that do not require as much dexterity. A third heavy-lifting arm is located at the top of the spherical body of the craft which is used to provide additional carrying and gripping capabilities for heavier loads.

Hardpoints - Each Aether HC-15 has a set of additional hardpoints located on both the port and starboard sections of the craft. These hard points can be utilized to equip the Aether HC-15 with additional manipulator arms, heavy-lifting arms, or any additional industrial tools and equipment utilized in construction.

R-PB6 Repair Unit - Due to the nature of work and the locals in which the Aether HC-15 is expected to be deployed, each craft is equipped with a sophisticated repair unit to assist in minor repairs. The R-PB6 Unit launches short-range probe droids that can be utilized to repair the craft or repair nearby vessels and structures in the vicinity of the launching craft.

High Maneuverability - Much like its sibling vessel, the Aether HC-15 is a highly maneuverable vessel due to a series of additional thrusts and microjets located along the spherical body of the craft. These thrusters and jets assist in moving the craft easily either through micro adjustments or skillful maneuvers that similar craft would have difficulty accomplishing.

WEAKNESSES

Unarmed - The Aether HC-15 is designated as a Civilian Craft and is intended to be utilized in such a manner. To this end, the craft itself is not equipped with any form of armament and is otherwise incapable of being equipped with such weaponry as laser cannons, ion cannons, or launchers without heavy modification of the craft.

Low Speed - Though highly maneuverable, the Aether HC-15 is a slow vessel due in part to its heavier reinforced armor plating. While precision movements and maneuvers remained in mind with the design of the craft, it was not intended to be a fast-moving vessel and is otherwise incapable of outrunning or running down dedicated Starfighters or similar vessels.

Low Squadron Count - Due to the increased size of the Aether HC-15 compared to its smaller sibling the Aether CM-03, fewer of these craft can be easily carried in a vessel's hangar bay. This increased size requires additional room to carry multiple squadrons of these support craft in any capacity.

Off Balance - While the Aether HC-15 comes with a series of additional hard points which can be utilized in adding additional equipment to the exterior of the vessel, it should be noted that too many additions in total or located to a singular side can throw the craft off-balance. This could result in a drop in maneuverability, limitation to transport the craft via a vessel's hangar bay, or otherwise limit its operational capabilities in confined spaces.

DESCRIPTION

The Aether HC-15 is a natural progression of the Aether CM-03 and is intended to handle heavier cargo whilst also providing the means to handle the construction or deconstruction of stations or vessels in space that the smaller Aether CM-03 is ill-equipped to handle. Each Aether HC-15 retains the spherical design of the Aether CM-03 which was heavily inspired by the designs of the GS-100 Salvage Ship and the Kaminoan KE-8 Enforcer as seen via the equipped manipulator arms. Where the Aether HC-15 differs from its smaller sibling is the addition of a heavy lifting arm located at the top of the craft that hangs down just above the main manipulator arms. The Aether HC-15 also provides additional room within the craft in which an astromech droid can be slotted to assist with the handling and operation of both the craft itself as well as its additional manipulator limbs. Likewise, the Aether HC-15 comes equipped with a set of hard points on both the port and starboard side of the craft which can be utilized to equip the craft with additional tools and equipment as needed for the task at hand. However, it should be noted that caution should be erred in the addition and use of these hard points as too much additional equipment and tools can render the vessel off balance, making it more difficult to accomplish tasks, operate in confined spaces, or result in lower maneuverability. Its larger size, though much more heavily defended due to additionally reinforced armor plating, also has the drawback of resulting in a smaller squadron complement due to the need for additional space in which to house the craft. This larger size and heavier armor have also resulted in a reduced speed of the vessel compared to similarly sized craft and starfighters. This additional defensive capability is also a result of the Aether HC-15's status as a civilian craft, with the vessel itself lacking any form of offensive armaments or capabilities, with such armaments only being available via heavy modification of the vessel. As additional trade routes are opened and additional stations are required to store trade goods, the Aether HC-15 comes unto the scene to fill the need for a capable construction craft that can also be utilized in assisting with the on-loading and off-loading of heavier cargos that the smaller Aether CM-03 would struggle with. The addition of a heavy lifting arm as well as a fusion cutter and welding torch ensures that the Aether HC-15 has a long operational life ahead of itself if not in the Core Worlds than in the Outer Rim Territories which craft of this kind often find the oddest of homes.

 

[Listib Hibin]

APPROVED!
Amelia von Sorenn