Transport Plane

(Version 1.01 - Last Modified: 06/30/2004)

With the development of the needlejet, the next stage of air superiority was developed: a transport plane. With both commercial and military potential, the transport plane is capable of transporting troops, vehicles, cargo, and even passengers in a civilian designed model. Much larger then the needlejet, the transport plane is harder to produce for the Human factions, so there are less of them then would be expected, and there is little private infrastructure for a commercial airline industry in any of the factions, with the exception of colonies controlled by Morgan Industries.

There are two main variants of the transport plane. The first variant is designed to carry troops or cargo and is designed for military use, although several transport planes have been sold to private cargo companies. The second variant is a commercial passenger plane designed for passenger comfort. Both versions are armed, in case of attacks from Mind Worm Locusts, but the military version has more armor and can carry more cargo or troops.

Vehicle Information:

• Vehicle Type: Combat Aircraft
• Crew: Eight, a pilot, a co-pilot, two load masters, two flight engineers, and two gunners.
• Troops: The troop transport model can carry up to 250 soldiers in full combat gear and enough equipment and supplies to sustain those troops for combat operations for several days.
• Passengers: The passenger model can carry up to 100 passengers in relative comfort and can carry all of their luggage.

S.D.C. by location:

Ceramic Armor

• Defense Turrets (2) - 50 each
• Rear Hatch Entrance - 80
• Small Tail Fins (2) - 40 each *
• Main Wings (2) - 150 each **
• Main Body - 200 ***

Plasma Steel Armor

• Defense Turrets (2) - 75 each
• Rear Hatch Entrance - 120
• Small Tail Fins (2) - 60 each *
• Main Wings (2) - 250 each **
• Main Body - 300 ***

Silksteel Armor

• Defense Turrets (2) - 100 each
• Rear Hatch Entrance - 150
• Small Tail Fins (2) - 80 each *
• Main Wings (2) - 350 each **
• Main Body - 450 ***

Armor Rating: 9
Notes:

*	Destroying one of the small, tail fins reduces maximum speed by 5% and piloting skills receive a penalty of -10% on all maneuvers. Destroying both small fins reduces maximum speed by 25% and the penalty to piloting skill is -20%.
**	Destroying one of the large, main wings, and the VTOL engine in that wing, will send the aircraft into a spin to the ground. The jet will crash and the pilot and passengers will be killed unless the eject before the plane hits the ground.
***	Depleting the S.D.C. of the main body will shut down the vehicle, including life support, communications, weapons, and engine, causing it to plummet out of the sky and crash.

Speed:

• Flying: The jet propulsion system enables the aircraft to reach a maximum speed of Mach 1 (745 mph / 1200 km/h) and climb to an altitude of 60,000' (18,288 m). The aircraft has a minimum gliding speed of 60 mph (96.6 km/h); if it goes any slower, it may stall and crash, unless engaged in VTOL. Cruising speed tends to be between 250 mph (402.3 km/h) and 600 mph (965.6 km/h).
• Maximum Range: Effectively unlimited by drive system, but the engines generally overheat after 18 hours of continual use.

Statistical Data:

• Height: 39' (11.9 m)
• Width: Wingspan of 160' (48.8 m)
• Length: 168' (51.2 m)
• Weight: 126.5 tons (114.8 metric tons) not loaded
• Reactor System: Micro-Fusion Reactor with a life span of 10 years.
• Cargo: The cargo variant of the transport plane can carry up to 45 tons (40.8 metric tons.
• Market Cost: 10.5 million for an unarmed transport plane in cargo variant, 11.2 million for an unarmed transport plane in troop transport variant, and 13 million for an unarmed transport plane in passenger variant.

Weapon Systems:

1. Defense Turrets (2)
   To provide minimal defenses in case of attacks by mind worm creatures, almost all versions of the the transport plane are equipped with two defensive turrets. One turret is located on the top of the plane and the other turret is located on the bottom of the plane. Both turrets can rotate 360 degrees and have an arc of fire of 180 degrees.
   • Rate of Fire: The turrets can fire four times per melee.
   • Payload: Effectively unlimited
   • Bonuses: +1 to strike
   
   
   Laser Cannon
   The laser cannon consist of a long range laser cannon and is deployed by Independents, the Free Drones faction, and the Cult of Planet faction.
   • Range: 3000' (930 m)
   • Damage: 4D6 per shot
   • Cost: 11,000 credits
   
   
   Impact Beam Cannon
   The impact beam cannon is based off of the widespread Impact Beam technology. Powerful and with a longer range then laser cannons, this cannon is used by all of the factions except those that use the laser cannons, gatling cannons, and the powerful chaos laser cannons.
   • Range: 4000' (1220 m)
   • Damage: 5D6 per shot
   • Cost: 14,000 credits
   
   
   Gatling Beam Cannon
   The gatling beam cannon is a specially modified version of the impact beam turret that has been developed by the Spartan Federation.
   • Range: 4500' (1372 m)
   • Damage: 3D6 per shot or 1D4x10 per volley of three shots.
   • Rate of Fire: The turret can fire twelve single blasts or four volleys per melee.
   • Cost: 18,000 credits
   
   
   Chaos Laser Cannon
   The chaos laser cannon consists of the powerful Chaos Laser recently developed by the University of Planet and is used by that faction and the Cybernetic Consciousness.
   • Range: 5000' (1524 m)
   • Damage: 1D6x10 per shot
   • Cost: 20,000 credits

Standard Systems:

1. Long Range Radar
   The vehicle is equipped with a short range radar. Radar system has a range of 250 miles (402.3 km) and can identify and track up to 24 targets.
2. Combat / Targeting Computer
   System calculates, stores, and transmits data onto view screens in the vehicle's cockpit. The computer assists in the tracking of targets. The system also has a data base of targets and has the ability to identify most common targets. Vehicles operated by the same faction are designed to share data automatically and act as fire control for other vehicles as well. As a final feature, the computer creates a map of the area based on sensor data.
3. Laser Targeting System
   The system is designed to assist in the selection and focusing on a specific target. The system gives a bonus of +1 to strike using long range weapons but must have line of sight. As well, most mini-missiles are designed to follow the laser beam to the target.
4. Visual Magnification
   This system allows magnification of x2 to x16 and it displays on a view screen in the cockpit. The vehicle also has data recording equipment for 12 hours at the highest resolution and 36 hours at lowest resolution.
5. Thermo-Imager
   Range: 4 miles (6.4 km). Finds the infrared radiations of things that are warm. Also enables the pilot to see in smoke, shadows and darkness. System has the disadvantage of being able to be detected.
6. Nightvision Optics
   Range: 50 miles (80.5 km). Uses light amplification to make a picture. Emits no light but will not work in absolute darkness. System can be dazzled by sudden bright lights but does not physically blind the pilot.
7. Infra-Red / Laser Detector
   The system is designed to detect any infrared or laser beams which paint or target the vehicle. The vehicle has special sensors built into the exterior every few inches. Sensors gives the strength of the signal and the computer can often determine if they have been detected from the signal strength.
8. Radar Detector
   System is designed to passively detect other radars being operated. System give information such as relative strength and number of signals. Sensors gives strength of the signal and the computer can often determine if the vehicle has been detected from the strength of the signal.
9. Compass and Clock Calendar
   In addition to other features, the vehicles is fitted with a compass, high quality digital maps, and a clock calendar. The vehicles has an inertial navigation system where the computer plots the location of the vehicle based on last recorded location and speed and course of travel. The computer will attempt to use recorded data from other sensors to refine the location. The computer also can use star positions for navigation purposes. location.
10. Radio Communication
    The vehicle is equipped with a long range directional communication system. The system has an effective range of 500 miles (804.7 km). The Vehicles is also fitted with a radio scrambler to prevent others from easily listening in on communications.
11. Advanced Life Support
    The crew compartments in the vehicle is reinforced to protected the crew from attacks. The compartment is air tight and is suitable for use in most hostile environments including underwater, with a maximum depth of 500' (152.4 m). The vehicle has a computer controlled life support system with artificial air circulation, gas filtration, and humidifier. The system is designed to be able to recycle the air to keep a breathable atmosphere for up to four weeks. The vehicle also has an independent oxygen supply which automatically engages and purges the interior in conditions of contaminated air environment inside of vehicle. The vehicle carries a twelve hour emergency oxygen supply. The vehicle displays present atmospheric conditions including toxins in the air and amount of oxygen back to wearer. The vehicle has an internal cooling system and temperature control and it can be set for wearer preferences. The system displays temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure.
12. High Temperature Insulation
    The vehicles is made from high temperature materials that are designed to resist temperatures up to 400 degrees centigrade. Normal fires inflict no damage but extremely high temperature fire, such as plasma and magic fire, inflict full damage.
13. Radiation Shielding
    The vehicles has radiation shielding which is far more effective than what is found on body armor. As well, the vehicle's armor is equipped with sensors to monitor the amount of radiation that the vehicle is exposed to. This is displayed to the pilot of the vehicle.
14. Protective Optics
    The vehicle is designed with optics which are designed to protect the crew against blinding. All pilot compartment windows are polarized to quickly darken and the crew can also look through video displays.

Faction Modifiers:

1. Spartan Federation
   Although not the most technologically advanced faction on Chiron, the Spartan Federation is in the unique position of having access to most of the leading edge technologies and having the natural ingenuity to apply those technologies to their war machines. Increase the speed of the fighter to Mach 1.2 (894 mph / 1440 km/h), increase the life span of the reactor to 12 years, and the plane gains a bonus of +1 to dodge due to its increased maneuverability. In addition, it possess a more powerful radar system that has a range of 300 miles (482.8 km) and can track up to 48 targets.