M E A T B A G
Intent: To create a dropship for the Thyrsian Auxilia.
Image Source: Star Citizen "Valkyrie" | Cloud Imperium Games - Artstation Link [x.]
Canon Link: Not Applicable.
Primary Source: Repurposed Canon Articles, Particle Beam.
Manufacturer: Republic Engineering Corporation - Starships Division, The Golden Company, The Thyrsian Hierarchy (Select and Contracted Foundries.)
Affiliation: The Golden Company, The Thyrsian Hierarchy, Closed-Market.
Model: TTH/CCS-003 "Minos" - Class Dropship.
Modularity: External Aesthetics, such as Colour Schemes and External Coating(s.)
Production: Mass-Production.
Material: Durasteel, Flexisteel, Armourplast, Reinforced Duraplast, Manganese Brass, Glasteel, Turadium, Dallorian Alloy, Agrinium, Various Starship Components (Internal and External.)
Classification: Combat Dropship.
Role: Aerial Assault Platform, Dropship, Dedicated Troop Transport, Boarding Craft, Etc.
Length: 36 Metres.
Width: 28 Metres.
Height: 10 Metres.
Armament: Average Rating.
- [2] Beam Cannon Bubble Turrets (Dorsal and Chin-Mounted) [Fast-Track Mountings, Fire-Linked.]
- [1] Dual Repeating Particle Blaster Cannon Turret (Chin-Mounted) [Fast-Track Mountings, Fire-Linked.]
- [2] Repeating Particle Blaster Cannon Turrets (Wing-Mounted) [Fast-Track Mountings, Fire-Linked.]
- Standard [Dropship-Class, Military-Grade] Deflector Shielding (Particle, Ray and Concussion; Overlaid.)
- Standard [Dropship-Class, Military-Grade] Armour and Hull Plating.
- Standard [Dropship-Class, Military-Grade] ECM, Electronic Countermeasures (Including Chaff, Flares, and Etc.)
- Standard [Dropship-Class, Military-Grade] Maneuvering Thrusters.
Maneuverability Rating: 85 DPF - Moderate Rating.
Speed Rating: Average Rating.
MGLT: 80 MGLT
Maximum Atmospheric Speed: 950 Km/H
Primary Hyperdrive Rating: Class 1.0
Secondary Hyperdrive Rating: Class 8.0
Engine Unit(s): Dropship - Class Ion Engines - Four Drive Units.
Secondary Propulsion: None.
Primary Power Plant: Compact Fusion Reactor.
Secondary Power Plant: Solar Ionization Conversion Module(s) with Retractable Agrinium Collection Arrays.
Passengers:
- Fourty Shocktroopers, or Auxilia Personnel.
- Twenty Shocktroopers, and Four Speeder Bikes.
- Twenty Shocktroopers, and One Speeder or Light Vehicle (No Medium Repulsortansk or Vehicles.)
Crew Complement (Skeletal): One Pilot with Integrated Droid Brain.
Escape Craft: Eject-able Cockpit Module.
Cargo Capacity: 10 Metric Tonnes.
Consumables: Six Months - Galactic Standard.
STANDARD FEATURES
- Standard [Dropship-Class, Military-Grade] Damage Control and Hazard Systems.
- Standard [Dropship-Class, Military-Grade] Life Support Systems.
- Standard [Dropship-Class, Military-Grade] Navigational and Avionics Systems.
- Standard [Dropship-Class, Military-Grade] Sensors and Targeting Systems.
- Standard [Dropship-Class, Military-Grade] Communications Systems, Holonet Transceiver and Encryption/Decryption Networks with Thyrsian Military Keys.
- Standard [Dropship-Class, Military-Grade] Environmental Control Systems.
- Standard [Dropship-Class, Military-Grade] Tractor and Pressor Beams.
- Standard [Dropship-Class, Military-Grade] Emergency Maneuvering Thrusters.
- Standard [Dropship-Class, Military-Grade] Anti-Ion Emission Tracer (Anti-Hyperspace Tracking.)
- Standard [Dropship-Class, Military-Grade] Relativistic and Shift Shielding.
- Standard [Dropship-Class, Military-Grade.] Inertial Compensators.
- Standard [Dropship-Class, Military-Grade.] VTOL Repulsorlift Antigravity System.
- Standard [Dropship-Class, Military-Grade.] Retractable Blast Shields.
- Central Computer Core (Integrated Droid Brains.)
- Anti-Ordnance EM Probes (Long-Range.)
- Aural-Biological-Chemical Scrambler Probes (Long-Range.)
- Missile Deactivation Transmitter (Short Range.).
- Internal and Automated Arming Racks.
- Internal and Retractable Barracks.
- Automated Landing Struts and Maneuverable Wing Armatures.
- Rapid-Action Rear Assault Ramp and Deployment Shutters.
- Versatile Countermeasure Suite.
- Slim Horizontal Profile.
- Repeating Particle Beam Weaponry.
- Wide Dorsal and Ventral Profile(s.)
- No Missile or Warhead-based Weaponry.
- Exposed Armoured Cockpit Module.
- Exposed Propulsion Engine Mounts.
- Limited Ionic and EMP Resistance - Proximity Dependant.
- Limited Rear and Ventral Firing Arc’s.
The TTH/DDS-003 “Minos” - Class Dropship was the newest combat troop shuttle to enter into the service of the Golden Company, and their subordinate forces. While the previous dropship designs were serviceable enough to meet the needs of the Sun Guards, there was a significant lack of dedicated transports for their Auxilia to utilize during the myriad of combat scenarios they undertook. Thus, the technical architects at the Republic Engineering Corporation were once again contracted to put their brilliance to the test. From their musings, and lengthy conceptional process came a vessel that was - in their mind - considered to be worthy of the ancient legacy left behind by the LAAT/i “Larty” Gunship used by the Grand Army of the Republic during the Clone Wars.
With thick armour plating and a dedicated deflector shield generator, the “Minos” was built around the foundation of protecting its precious cargo as the vessel soared towards its designated landing zone. In addition to the various defensive measures integrated into the vessel’s spaceframe, the dropship was equipped with an array of weapons that would see to the protection of their passengers - even after they disembarked. While the “Minos” lacked the proverbial fangs of the gunship they sought to emulate, it was through their selection of particle beam-based weaponry that put them in similar standings.
Although such armament was made famous by their artillery variants, Particle beam weaponry was very similar to their Blaster and Laser-based kindred in the respects of coming in all shapes and sizes. Therefore, the “Minos” found itself blessed with three repeating turrets located at critical hardpoints across the breadth of the ship, which drive off all but the most foolhardy and heavily-armed opponents. While it would’ve been more prudent to utilize missiles to deal with the targets as mentioned earlier, the technical architects elected to use a pair of beam cannon bubble turrets instead. Their reasoning behind that choice was that both turrets would ideally never run out of ammunition, should the dropships reactor have enough power. It was, in a way, their response to keeping the Thyrsians in the fight - rather than being forced to withdraw to rearm and resupply.
With the “Minos” newly inducted into their armoury, the Golden Company’s Auxilia Forces would find themselves more deadly, and versatile than ever before.
