Design Challenge: Assault Gunship VTOL.

[FastConcentrate8]

So another design challenge for our AU and again for House Hydros as seen over in Aerospace. This one is for their roots in Eastern Europe.

Specifically, this is a challenge to build a VTOL with a similar role to the Hind. That being a dual purpose Gunship/Transport. This VTOL is ordered as a Heavy VTOL designed to be relatively well armored, very well armed, and be able to carry a squad of infantry and provide them all the fire support they could ever need. This is the base variant built during the Succession War for the Eiconian Conglomerate Security Forces.

In the late 3050s, the ESF requested an upgraded variant built with modern technology and designed to carry a unit of Battle Armored Infantry into combat and again provide them with close Air Support.

[wolfgar]

i've done this with the Warrior H-7 in another thread here, i'll link it here in a minute once i find it. did the UH-1, slick and gunship, along with the Hind and Apache. most people didn't think much of them

edit: link here
https://bg.battletech.com/forums/combat-vehicles/warrior-h-7-refits/

[FastConcentrate8]

i've done this with the Warrior H-7 in another thread here, i'll link it here in a minute once i find it. did the UH-1, slick and gunship, along with the Hind and Apache. most people didn't think much of them

I've noticed that VTOLs are a little overlooked here. Personally, I've always found them fun and they're super useful on any game with no/minimal BattleMechs. They're great tank hunters and infantry support.

[wolfgar]

agreed, and what i did with that page was set up a group of H-7's to be used at various stages during the 3054-3078 timeframe as gunships, urban tank/mech hunters and infantry/BA taxis

[FastConcentrate8]

agreed, and what i did with that page was set up a group of H-7's to be used at various stages during the 3054-3078 timeframe as gunships, urban tank/mech hunters and infantry/BA taxis

Sounds great. Link it when you can.

[Daryk]

I'll see what I can do this weekend, at least with the 3025 version... 

[PuppyLikesLaserPointers]

Code: [Select]

White Eagle Heavy Transport (Standard)

Mass: 60 tons
Movement Type: VTOL
Power Plant: 190 Fuel Cell
Cruising Speed: 75.6 kph
Maximum Speed: 151.2 kph
Armor: Standard
Armament:
     4 Machine Gun
     6 SRM 2
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3025
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-X-F-E
Cost: 9,573,000 C-bills

Type: White Eagle Heavy Transport
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Experimental)
Movement Type: VTOL
Tonnage: 60
Battle Value: 1,018

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                   12
Engine                        190 Fuel Cell           9
Cruising MP: 7
Flank MP: 11(14)
Heat Sinks:                   1                       0
Control Equipment:                                  3.0
Lift Equipment:                                     6.0
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Turret:                                             1.0
Armor Factor                  216                  13.5

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   6         44   
     R/L Side               6/6      43/43   
     Rear                    6         40   
     Turret                  6         44   
     Rotor                   6         2     


Weapons
and Ammo                        Location    Tonnage   
SRM 2 Tandem-Charge Ammo (25)     Body        1.0     
VTOL Jet Booster                  Body        1.0     
SRM 2 Inferno Ammo (50)           Body        1.0     
Half Machine Gun Ammo (100)       Body        0.5     
4 Machine Gun                    Turret       2.0     
6 SRM 2                          Turret       6.0     
Infantry                          Body        4.0     

What about a superheavy one? If you want good armor then you should consider this, although it costs the speed.

Code: [Select]

White Eagle Heavy Transport (Fusion)

Mass: 60 tons
Movement Type: VTOL
Power Plant: 190 XL
Cruising Speed: 75.6 kph
Maximum Speed: 151.2 kph
Armor: Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
     2 ER Medium Laser
     4 Machine Gun
     2 SRM 6
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3058
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-X-F-E
Cost: 18,342,000 C-bills

Type: White Eagle Heavy Transport
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Experimental)
Movement Type: VTOL
Tonnage: 60
Battle Value: 1,283

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                   12
Engine                        190 XL                  6
Cruising MP: 7
Flank MP: 11(14)
Heat Sinks:                   10                      0
Control Equipment:                                  3.0
Lift Equipment:                                     6.0
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Turret:                                             1.0
Armor Factor (Ferro)          215                    12

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   6         45   
     R/L Side               6/6      42/42   
     Rear                    6         40   
     Turret                  6         44   
     Rotor                   6         2     


Weapons
and Ammo                       Location    Tonnage   
CASE                             Body        0.5     
VTOL Jet Booster                 Body        1.0     
SRM 6 Tandem-Charge Ammo (7)     Body        1.0     
SRM 6 Inferno Ammo (15)          Body        1.0     
Half Machine Gun Ammo (100)      Body        0.5     
2 SRM 6                         Turret       6.0     
4 Machine Gun                   Turret       2.0     
2 ER Medium Laser               Turret       2.0     
Infantry                         Body        6.0     


An upgraded battle armor transport, with two lasers.

Code: [Select]

White Eagle Heavy Transport (Pulse)

Mass: 60 tons
Movement Type: VTOL
Power Plant: 190 XL
Cruising Speed: 75.6 kph
Maximum Speed: 151.2 kph
Armor: Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
     2 Small Laser
     4 SRM 2
     2 Medium Pulse Laser
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3058
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-X-F-D
Cost: 17,553,000 C-bills

Type: White Eagle Heavy Transport
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Advanced)
Movement Type: VTOL
Tonnage: 60
Battle Value: 1,205

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                   12
Engine                        190 XL                  6
Cruising MP: 7
Flank MP: 11(14)
Heat Sinks:                   10                      0
Control Equipment:                                  3.0
Lift Equipment:                                     6.0
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Turret:                                             1.0
Armor Factor (Ferro)          224                  12.5

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   6         46   
     R/L Side               6/6      45/45   
     Rear                    6         40   
     Turret                  6         46   
     Rotor                   6         2     


Weapons
and Ammo                  Location    Tonnage   
CASE                        Body        0.5     
VTOL Jet Booster            Body        1.0     
SRM 2 Inferno Ammo (50)     Body        1.0     
Targeting Computer           BD         2.0     
2 Medium Pulse Laser       Turret       4.0     
4 SRM 2                    Turret       4.0     
2 Small Laser              Turret       1.0     
Infantry                    Body        6.0     


An alternative version that replaces most weapons by adding pulse lasers.

Code: [Select]

White Eagle Heavy Transport (Stealth)

Mass: 60 tons
Movement Type: VTOL
Power Plant: 190 XL
Cruising Speed: 75.6 kph
Maximum Speed: 118.8 kph
Armor: Vehicular Stealth
Armament:
     4 Light Machine Gun
     4 MML 3
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3073
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-X-F-E
Cost: 13,991,250 C-bills

Type: White Eagle Heavy Transport
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Advanced)
Movement Type: VTOL
Tonnage: 60
Battle Value: 1,087

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                   12
Engine                        190 XL                  6
Cruising MP: 7
Flank MP: 11
Heat Sinks:                   10                      0
Control Equipment:                                  3.0
Lift Equipment:                                     6.0
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Turret:                                             1.0
Armor Factor (Vehicular Stealth)216                  13.5

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   6         44   
     R/L Side               6/6      43/43   
     Rear                    6         40   
     Turret                  6         44   
     Rotor                   6         2     


Weapons
and Ammo                          Location    Tonnage   
4 MML 3                            Turret       6.0     
4 Light Machine Gun                Turret       2.0     
Light Machine Gun Ammo (100)        Body        0.5     
CASE                                Body        0.5     
MML 3 SRM Inferno Ammo (33)         Body        1.0     
MML 3 LRM Semi-guided Ammo (40)     Body        1.0     
ECM Suite                           Body        1.5     
Infantry                            Body        6.0     


A stealth variant, based on standard(without a laser since stealth armor needs the heat sinks)with replace the missile tubes by MMLs.

[FastConcentrate8]

Ooh, that last one would make a great transport for Special Operations and Stealth Battle Armor. I love it.

[Atarlost]

Speed and armament of the premier Battletech VTOL Gunship?  Check.  Carries a jump infantry company?  Check.  Assuming I'm remembering my infantry weights right. 

Code: [Select]

Hind H-24D

Mass: 29 tons
Movement Type: VTOL
Power Plant: 125 Fuel Cell
Cruising Speed: 97.2 kph
Maximum Speed: 151.2 kph
Armor: Standard
Armament:
     1 SRM 4
     1 AC/2
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 2950
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-D-D-D
Cost: 1,026,928 C-bills

Type: Hind
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Movement Type: VTOL
Tonnage: 29
Battle Value: 346

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                    3
Engine                        125 Fuel Cell           5
Cruising MP: 9
Flank MP: 14
Heat Sinks:                   1                       0
Control Equipment:                                  1.5
Lift Equipment:                                     3.0
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Armor Factor                  40                    2.5

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   3         13   
     R/L Side               3/3       9/9   
     Rear                    3         7     
     Rotor                   3         2     


Weapons
and Ammo              Location    Tonnage   
SRM 4                  Front        2.0     
AC/2                   Front        6.0     
AC/2 Ammo (45)          Body        1.0     
SRM 4 Ammo (25)         Body        1.0     
Infantry                Body        4.0     


And that means it already has room for an Inner Sphere BA squad.  Those are 1 ton per suit up to mediums IIRC.  You could go fusion and switch the SRM-4 for a pair of medium lasers or even ERMLs.  You could also slap on ferro to make the side armor PPC-proof and the rear armor LL-proof.  If you want more than 4 suits to a squad you kind of have to go to an XLFE which lets you have a 6 ton infantry compartment and three medium lasers instead of the SRM-4. 

[FastConcentrate8]

Speed and armament of the premier Battletech VTOL Gunship?  Check.  Carries a jump infantry company?  Check.  Assuming I'm remembering my infantry weights right. 

Code: [Select]

Hind H-24D

Mass: 29 tons
Movement Type: VTOL
Power Plant: 125 Fuel Cell
Cruising Speed: 97.2 kph
Maximum Speed: 151.2 kph
Armor: Standard
Armament:
     1 SRM 4
     1 AC/2
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 2950
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-D-D-D
Cost: 1,026,928 C-bills

Type: Hind
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Movement Type: VTOL
Tonnage: 29
Battle Value: 346

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                    3
Engine                        125 Fuel Cell           5
Cruising MP: 9
Flank MP: 14
Heat Sinks:                   1                       0
Control Equipment:                                  1.5
Lift Equipment:                                     3.0
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Armor Factor                  40                    2.5

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   3         13   
     R/L Side               3/3       9/9   
     Rear                    3         7     
     Rotor                   3         2     


Weapons
and Ammo              Location    Tonnage   
SRM 4                  Front        2.0     
AC/2                   Front        6.0     
AC/2 Ammo (45)          Body        1.0     
SRM 4 Ammo (25)         Body        1.0     
Infantry                Body        4.0     


And that means it already has room for an Inner Sphere BA squad.  Those are 1 ton per suit up to mediums IIRC.  You could go fusion and switch the SRM-4 for a pair of medium lasers or even ERMLs.  You could also slap on ferro to make the side armor PPC-proof and the rear armor LL-proof.  If you want more than 4 suits to a squad you kind of have to go to an XLFE which lets you have a 6 ton infantry compartment and three medium lasers instead of the SRM-4.

Ok, so I checked and it appears that you're remembering the rules for Infantry Bay (DropShips) rather than Infantry Compartments (Combat Vehicles). For an Infantry Compartment, you get 1 Infantryman per ton.

https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Transport_Bay

[Daryk]

Uh... no.  A 1-ton Infantry Compartment holds a SQUAD of foot troopers (10 troops if they're Taurians or otherwise that friendly), or up to one 1-ton Battle Armor trooper (two if they're PA(L)).

[wolfgar]

Sounds great. Link it when you can.

did, 3 posts above the one i just quoted

[FastConcentrate8]

Uh... no.  A 1-ton Infantry Compartment holds a SQUAD of foot troopers (10 troops if they're Taurians or otherwise that friendly), or up to one 1-ton Battle Armor trooper (two if they're PA(L)).

Sorry, Didn't understand the way Sarna worded it.

[Atarlost]

Uh... no.  A 1-ton Infantry Compartment holds a SQUAD of foot troopers (10 troops if they're Taurians or otherwise that friendly), or up to one 1-ton Battle Armor trooper (two if they're PA(L)).

I was sure it was a number of troopers irrespective of squad structure.  Otherwise a Taurian 30 man platoon would take less space than the default 28 man platoon that's laid out 4x7. 

[Daryk]

Foot platoons are 3 tons.  If you transport them as squads (across multiple vehicles), it can take more space.  Bottom line is that a lance of 10-ton APCs can carry a platoon with a little bit of extra room for recovered mechwarriors/vehicle crew.