Steadfast DropShip: The basket for all your eggs

[Lanceman]

Steadfast Dropship
Type: Military Spheriod
Mass: 9,800 tons
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Advanced)
Introduced: 3150
Mass: 9,800
Battle Value: 8,836
Tech Rating/Availability: F/X-X-X-E
Cost: 504,240,800 C-bills

Fuel: 400 tons (12,000)
Safe Thrust: 4
Maximum Thrust: 6
Heat Sinks: 229 (458)
Structural Integrity: 20

Armor
    Nose: 408
    Sides: 342/342
    Aft: 278

Cargo
    Bay 1:  Mech (12)               2 Doors   
    Bay 2:  Heavy Vehicle (12)      1 Door   
    Bay 3:  BattleArmor (IS) (12)   2 Doors   
    Bay 4:  Fighter (6)             2 Doors   
    Bay 5:  Cargo (1123.5 tons)     1 Door   

Ammunition:
    50 rounds of Light SCC ammunition (25 tons),
    50 rounds of Arrow IV ammunition (10 tons),
    96 rounds of LRM 15 Artemis-capable ammunition (12 tons)

Escape Pods: 6
Life Boats: 4
Crew:  10 officers, 29 enlisted/non-rated, 7 gunners, 204 bay personnel      

Notes: Mounts 72 tons of ferro-aluminum armor.

Weapons:                                    Capital Attack Values (Standard)
Arc (Heat)                              Heat  SRV     MRV     LRV     ERV   Class       
Nose (92 Heat)
4 Arrow IV                              40    0(0)    0(0)    0(0)    0(0)  Artillery   
    Arrow IV Ammo (50 shots)
1 Heavy PPC                             15   2(15)   2(15)    0(0)    0(0)  PPC         
2 Medium Pulse Laser                     8   1(12)    0(0)    0(0)    0(0)  Pulse Laser
1 LRM 15+Artemis IV                      5    1(9)    1(9)    1(9)    0(0)  LRM         
    LRM 15 Artemis-capable Ammo (16 shots)
2 Sub-Capital Cannon (Light)            24   4(40)   4(40)   4(40)    0(0)  Sub-Capital Cannon
    Light SCC Ammo (50 shots)
RS/LS Fwd (28 Heat)
1 Heavy PPC                             15   2(15)   2(15)    0(0)    0(0)  PPC         
2 Medium Pulse Laser                     8   1(12)    0(0)    0(0)    0(0)  Pulse Laser
1 LRM 15+Artemis IV                      5    1(9)    1(9)    1(9)    0(0)  LRM         
    LRM 15 Artemis-capable Ammo (16 shots)
RS/LS Aft (28 Heat)
1 Heavy PPC                             15   2(15)   2(15)    0(0)    0(0)  PPC         
2 Medium Pulse Laser                     8   1(12)    0(0)    0(0)    0(0)  Pulse Laser
1 LRM 15+Artemis IV                      5    1(9)    1(9)    1(9)    0(0)  LRM         
    LRM 15 Artemis-capable Ammo (16 shots)
Aft (28 Heat)
1 Heavy PPC                             15   2(15)   2(15)    0(0)    0(0)  PPC         
2 Medium Pulse Laser                     8   1(12)    0(0)    0(0)    0(0)  Pulse Laser
1 LRM 15+Artemis IV                      5    1(9)    1(9)    1(9)    0(0)  LRM         
    LRM 15 Artemis-capable Ammo (16 shots)

The Steadfast-class DropShip is a transport ship designed to carry a combined arms battalion of BattleMechs, heavy vehicles, and battle armor along with their aerospace support, marketed towards modern mercenary commanders looking for a single transport solution. Taking cues from similar designs such as the Fortress and the recently developed Trutzburg, the Steadfast becomes the unit’s headquarters once grounded: providing fire support, surgical theaters to tend to casualties, a field kitchen, and an expansive array of communications equipment to coordinate efforts along with an ample cargo bay for supplies.

Unlike the Fortress and Trutzburg, the Steadfast’s artillery support is built around four Arrow IV missile launchers. While not as long range as the Long Tom cannons on the other designs, the missiles are tactically flexible and deep ammo bins allow the battalion commander a wide range of options in terms of specialty munitions. 

Anti-aerospace firepower is somewhat limited, consisting of heavy particle cannons and fifteen-tube long range missile launchers spread evenly throughout the ship’s firing arcs. An array of medium pulse lasers back up these systems, providing point defense. The most unusual aspect of the design is the inclusion of a pair of small sub-capital cannons in the ship’s nose. While not intending to turn the transport into a pocket-WarShip, the addition of the cannons allows the Steadfast to threaten more conventional assault DropShips such as the common Avenger-class from a distance.
   

[Iron Grenadier]

I really like this. Nice work!

[Daryk]

Interesting design for the national markets, but a couple of things:

1) Medium Pulse Lasers don't provide Point Defense.  Small Pulse Lasers do.

2) I think it needs some conventional infantry quarters too, at least for all the AsTechs.  Fortunately, this is VERY light, though expensive for the Life Support.

[Lanceman]

Interesting design for the national markets, but a couple of things:

1) Medium Pulse Lasers don't provide Point Defense.  Small Pulse Lasers do.

2) I think it needs some conventional infantry quarters too, at least for all the AsTechs.  Fortunately, this is VERY light, though expensive for the Life Support.

Yeah to point one, I meant that more in a general sense than in a purely game sense. Perhaps I should have said something more like "close in" instead.

[Daryk]

That makes more sense, but I'd still invest in Point Defenses.  They're really the only defense against nukes... 

[DOC_Agren]

Also unless for fluff reason would not ER PPC be better for the extra range?

And if the Arrow IV are going to be useful, this drop ship has to be too close battlefield. 

[Daryk]

And that's why the Fortress has a Long Tom... 

[PuppyLikesLaserPointers]

I'd thumb up for Arrow IV. Arrow IV able to attack the ground while on air but Long Toms cannot. On the initial drop having Arrow Iv would be far better than Long Toms that cannot be used. If you really need for Long Toms you can have the artillery vehicle instead.

The only problem for this is you cannot bombard the ground targets by subcapital cannon, but you can't really get everything.