Orol Scout VTOL
Mass: 10 tons
Movement Type: VTOL
Power Plant: BAS FlexFuel
Cruising Speed: 97.2 kph
Maximum Speed: 151.2 kph
Armor: BAS AirArmor
Armament:
2 Rocket Launcher 10
Communication System: Irian E.A.R.
Targeting & Tracking System: Basic Fire Control
Introduction Year: 3064
Tech Rating/Availability: D/X-X-D-D
Cost: 111,917 C-bills
Overview
The Orol scout VTOL was a modification of a light civilian VTOL used by militia forces in the New Colony Region in their struggle for independence prior to the founding of the Fronc Reaches. The New Colony region had very little available manufacturing capability outside of Detroit, and so local militias often turned to modifying existing civilian vehicles to meet their defense needs. Following the withdrawal of Magistracy forces from the region that would become the Fronc Reaches, the new state found itself with major defensive challenges. The nascent state often found itself the target of the most vicious and desperate pirates. Vehicles like the Orol were key in helping the Colonial Marshals defend the Reaches while it built up its industrial base to manufacture more conventional military vehicles.
Capabilities
The Orol began its live as a Bermuda Aviation Systems VV73 light transport VTOL. This vehicle had been become near ubiquitous throughout the New Colony Region because of is FlexFuel turbine engine, which is capable of using easily produced industrial alcohol for fuel. Normally a transport capable of transporting up to 6 passengers and up to two metric tons of cargo, the Orol modification turned into a surprisingly capable scout. This modification was quite simple. A short pylon was mounted to either side of the fuselage. Each was used to mount a Death Blossom 10-tube rocket launcher. This gave the fragile Orol enough firepower against enemy armored vehicles to be useful without giving it the combat endurance to loiter on the battlefield. The most extensive modification was to replace the passenger area. In its place is a high resolution camera that was used by the Colonial Marshals to keep an eye on pirate forces following landfall. During combat it would also allow the Orol to function as a spotter. Supporting this was a communications suite allowing the crew to share the images with local commanders in real time.
Deployment
Nearly every planetary militia operated Orols during the decade following the foundation of the Fronc Reaches. It proved itself to be a versatile, useful platform. Unfortunately its limitations in endurance and durability meant that air frames wore out quickly, and the vast majority were retired by the end of the Jihad. Interestingly, the Orol modification to the VV73 proved to be an inspiration to Bermuda Aviation, who re-branded themselves as Bermuda Combat Systems in 3077. They would introduce the Hummingbird Scout VTOL that year, which became popular in the region for both civil and military uses.
Type: Orol
Chassis Type: VTOL (Medium)
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Mass: 10 tons
Battle Value: 111
Equipment Mass (tons)
Chassis/Controls 3
Engine/Trans. ICE 3.5
Cruise MP: 9
Flank MP: 14
Heat Sinks: 0 0
Fuel: 0.5
Armor Factor (BAR 5): 11 0.5
Internal
Structure Armor
Value
Front 2 2
R/L Side 2/2 3/3
Rear 2 1
Rotor 2 2
Weapons
and Ammo Location Critical Mass (tons)
2 Rocket Launcher 10 Front 2 1
Cargo
None
Notes: Features Communications Equipment (1 ton)(1 ton), Recon Camera(0.5 tons), Basic Fire Control(0.5 tons)
