HBS' Argo Dropship (Totally Illegal)

[Sharpnel]

Here's my take on the Argo. I've used a towing adapter so that it can be carried by a jumper. While it has decent thrust, it cannot enter the atmosphere. I'm blaming this on the huge grav deck. The folding habitat pods can hold up to a 100 people each with one of the pods dedicated to the Argo's crew, while the other two are for transients. It is well armed and armored and is protected by a total of 18 fighters. There are three dropship collars attached, but they cannot dock any vessel larger than 5,000 tons due to the stresses on the structure of the Argo.

Enjoy!

Code: [Select]

                    AeroTech 2 Vessel Technical Readout
                                  VALIDATED

Class/Model/Name:  Argo
Tech:              Inner Sphere / 3067
Vessel Type:       Aerodyne DropShip
Rules:             Level 3, Custom design
Rules Set:         AeroTech2

Mass:              100,000 tons
Length:            350 meters
Power Plant:       Standard
Safe Thrust:       3
Maximum Thrust:    5
Armor Type:        Standard
Armament:         
   12 Large Laser
   24 Medium Laser
   20 Autocannon/5
   24 LRM 15
   36 Small Laser
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class/Model/Name:  Argo
Mass:              100,000 tons

Equipment:                                                            Mass 
Mass:              100,000 tons

Equipment:                                                            Mass 
Power Plant, Drive & Control:                                       19,500.00
Thrust:  Safe Thrust: 3
      Maximum Thrust: 5
Structural Integrity: 35                                            17,000.00
Total Heat Sinks:    364 Single                                           .00
Towing Adapter:                                                        100.00
Fuel & Fuel Pumps:                                                   1,020.00
Bridge, Controls, Radar, Computer & Attitude Thrusters:                750.00
Fire Control Computers:                                                 45.00
Food & Water:  (216 days supply)                                       385.00
Armor Type:  Standard  (740 total armor pts)                           100.00

                           Standard Scale Armor Pts
   Location:                            L / R
   Fore:                                200
   Left/Right Sides:                 180/180
   Aft:                                 180

Cargo:
   Bay 1:  Fighters (18) with 6 doors                                2,700.00
   Bay 2:  Small Craft (6) with 2 doors                              1,200.00
   Bay 3:  Habitat Pods (3)                                          7,500.00
   Bay 4:  BattleMechs (36) with 4 doors                             5,400.00
           Cargo (1)                                                35,838.00
   

DropShip Capacity:  3 Docking Hardpoints                             3,000.00
Grav Deck #1:  (175-meter diameter)                                    100.00
Life Boats:  30 (7 tons each)                                          210.00
Escape Pods:  30 (7 tons each)                                         210.00

Crew and Passengers:
     20 Officers (16 minimum)                                          200.00
     55 Crew (45 minimum)                                              385.00
     25 Gunners (20 minimum)                                           175.00
     20 1st Class Passengers                                           200.00
     20 2nd Class Passengers                                           140.00
    160 Steerage Passengers                                            800.00
    128 Bay Personnel                                                     .00

Weapons and Equipment      Loc        SRV    MRV    LRV    ERV  Heat    Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Large Laser              Nose     2(18)   1(8)     --     --    8      5.00
  2 Medium Laser                                                  6      2.00
1 Large Laser              Nose     2(18)   1(8)     --     --    8      5.00
  2 Medium Laser                                                  6      2.00
2 Autocannon/5(80 rounds)  Nose     1(10)  1(10)     --     --    2     20.00
2 Autocannon/5(80 rounds)  Nose     1(10)  1(10)     --     --    2     20.00
2 LRM 15(48 rounds)        Nose     2(18)  2(18)  2(18)     --   10     20.00
2 LRM 15(48 rounds)        Nose     2(18)  2(18)  2(18)     --   10     20.00
3 Small Laser              Nose      1(9)     --     --     --    3      1.50
3 Small Laser              Nose      1(9)     --     --     --    3      1.50
1 Large Laser              FL/R     2(18)   1(8)     --     --   16     10.00
  2 Medium Laser                                                 12      4.00
1 Large Laser              FL/R     2(18)   1(8)     --     --   16     10.00
  2 Medium Laser                                                 12      4.00
2 Autocannon/5(80 rounds)  FL/R     1(10)  1(10)     --     --    4     40.00
2 Autocannon/5(80 rounds)  FL/R     1(10)  1(10)     --     --    4     40.00
2 LRM 15(48 rounds)        FL/R     2(18)  2(18)  2(18)     --   20     40.00
2 LRM 15(48 rounds)        FL/R     2(18)  2(18)  2(18)     --   20     40.00
3 Small Laser              FL/R      1(9)     --     --     --    6      3.00
3 Small Laser              FL/R      1(9)     --     --     --    6      3.00
1 Large Laser              AL/R     2(18)   1(8)     --     --   16     10.00
  2 Medium Laser                                                 12      4.00
1 Large Laser              AL/R     2(18)   1(8)     --     --   16     10.00
  2 Medium Laser                                                 12      4.00
2 Autocannon/5(80 rounds)  AL/R     1(10)  1(10)     --     --    4     40.00
2 Autocannon/5(80 rounds)  AL/R     1(10)  1(10)     --     --    4     40.00
2 LRM 15(48 rounds)        AL/R     2(18)  2(18)  2(18)     --   20     40.00
2 LRM 15(48 rounds)        AL/R     2(18)  2(18)  2(18)     --   20     40.00
3 Small Laser              AL/R      1(9)     --     --     --    6      3.00
3 Small Laser              AL/R      1(9)     --     --     --    6      3.00
1 Large Laser              Aft      2(18)   1(8)     --     --    8      5.00
  2 Medium Laser                                                  6      2.00
1 Large Laser              Aft      2(18)   1(8)     --     --    8      5.00
  2 Medium Laser                                                  6      2.00
2 LRM 15(48 rounds)        Aft      2(18)  2(18)  2(18)     --   10     20.00
2 LRM 15(48 rounds)        Aft      2(18)  2(18)  2(18)     --   10     20.00
3 Small Laser              Aft       1(9)     --     --     --    3      1.50
3 Small Laser              Aft       1(9)     --     --     --    3      1.50
1 Lot Spare Parts (2.50%)                                            2,500.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS:                                              Heat: 344     100,000.00
Tons Left:                                                                .00



[Daryk]

Nicely done, thanks!  O0

[beachhead1985]

I actually thought of building it as a 100KT monitor with otherwise intro tech.

[Sharpnel]

I actually thought of building it as a 100KT monitor with otherwise intro tech.

That would have been another, possibly better way to do it.

[Korzon77]

In truth, the only good in universe setting for grav decks being illegal would be that they'd had to spin fast enough to cause major problems for people if you keep them in the body o the dropship. If you fluff it that they're expandable, and say the dropship can't enter atmosphere when they're active, you solve that problem.

[beachhead1985]

We're missing a lot of the TRO details we'd need to truly reproduce the Argo in any form, IMO.

[Sharpnel]

Truth. I made the habitat pods based on pure conjecture with their mass not including the personal spaces. The mass is the internals (plumbing, electrical, life support, swing arm architecture, framing et al). My guess is probably on the low side.

[beachhead1985]

Well, looking at HMA, at least; we *can* build the Argo as a monitor and have grav decks, ect. I'm shakey on how big a monitor can be befor it's no-longer jump-transportable...aaaaand I think Herb knocked monitors out of the current rules...but we can do most of it that way;

grav decks, docking collars, can't land on planet, ect. but I think the only hard number we have is lots of passenger space, 57,000t cargo, some mech bays(?) and light armour. We would still needs weapons and especially the thrust profile. I'd figure 1/2 or 2/3, but that's my guess.

[HobbesHurlbut]

Well, looking at HMA, at least; we *can* build the Argo as a monitor and have grav decks, ect. I'm shakey on how big a monitor can be befor it's no-longer jump-transportable...aaaaand I think Herb knocked monitors out of the current rules...but we can do most of it that way;

grav decks, docking collars, can't land on planet, ect. but I think the only hard number we have is lots of passenger space, 57,000t cargo, some mech bays(?) and light armour. We would still needs weapons and especially the thrust profile. I'd figure 1/2 or 2/3, but that's my guess.

The blurb said she's as massive as Behemoth though.

[Akjosch]

I'd go with 2/3 thrust. Enough to generate 1g while in transit, not enough to be more than a mobile base.

Otherwise, looks nice.

[Sharpnel]

Here's a revision of the Argo as a Monitor. The fourth docking collar is so that it can dock with a JumpShip. Armor is done at Capital scale.

Code: [Select]

                    AeroTech 2 Vessel Technical Readout
                                  VALIDATED

Class/Model/Name:  Argo II
Tech:              Inner Sphere / 2762
Vessel Type:       Monitor (JumpShip Transportable)
Rules:             Level 3, Custom design
Rules Set:         AeroTech2

Mass:              100,000 tons
Length:            275 meters
Power Plant:       Standard
Safe Thrust:       2
Maximum Thrust:    3
Armor Type:        Standard
Armament:         
   16 Large Laser
   24 Autocannon/5
   24 LRM 15
   40 Small Laser
   16 Medium Laser
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class/Model/Name:  Argo II
Mass:              100,000 tons

Equipment:                                                            Mass 
Power Plant, Drive & Control:                                       12,000.00
Thrust:  Safe Thrust: 2
      Maximum Thrust: 3
Structural Integrity: 50                                             5,000.00
Total Heat Sinks:    360 Single                                        161.00
Fuel & Fuel Pumps:                                                   3,570.00
Bridge, Controls, Radar, Computer & Attitude Thrusters:                250.00
Fire Control Computers:                                                   .00
Food & Water:  (183 days supply)                                       400.00
Armor Type:  Standard  (100 total armor pts)                            87.00
                           Capital Scale Armor Pts
   Location:                            L / R
   Fore:                                 18
   Fore-Left/Right:                   16/16
   Aft-Left/Right:                    16/16
   Aft:                                  18

Cargo:
   Bay 1:  Fighters (18) with 6 doors                                2,700.00
   Bay 2:  Small Craft (6) with 2 doors                              1,200.00
   Bay 3:  BattleMechs (36) with 4 doors                             5,400.00
           Cargo (1)                                                35,000.00
   Bay 4:  Habitat Pods (3) with 1 door                             10,500.00
   Bay 5:  Cargo (1) with 1 door                                    13,992.00

DropShip Capacity:  4 Docking Hardpoints                             4,000.00
Grav Deck #1:  (160-meter diameter)                                    100.00
Life Boats:  36 (7 tons each)                                          252.00
Escape Pods:  36 (7 tons each)                                         252.00

Crew and Passengers:
     20 Officers (16 minimum)                                          200.00
     55 Crew (45 minimum)                                              385.00
     25 Gunners (20 minimum)                                           175.00
     40 1st Class Passengers                                           400.00
     40 2nd Class Passengers                                           280.00
    120 Steerage Passengers                                            600.00
    138 Bay Personnel                                                     .00

Weapons and Equipment      Loc        SRV    MRV    LRV    ERV  Heat    Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Large Laser              Nose     2(16)  2(16)     --     --   16     10.00
2 Large Laser              Nose     2(16)  2(16)     --     --   16     10.00
2 Autocannon/5(80 rounds)  Nose     1(10)  1(10)     --     --    2     20.00
2 Autocannon/5(80 rounds)  Nose     1(10)  1(10)     --     --    2     20.00
2 LRM 15(48 rounds)        Nose     2(18)  2(18)  2(18)     --   10     20.00
2 LRM 15(48 rounds)        Nose     2(18)  2(18)  2(18)     --   10     20.00
4 Small Laser              Nose     1(12)     --     --     --    4      2.00
4 Small Laser              Nose     1(12)     --     --     --    4      2.00
1 Large Laser              FL/R     2(18)   1(8)     --     --   16     10.00
  2 Medium Laser                                                 12      4.00
1 Large Laser              FL/R     2(18)   1(8)     --     --   16     10.00
  2 Medium Laser                                                 12      4.00
2 Autocannon/5(80 rounds)  FL/R     1(10)  1(10)     --     --    4     40.00
2 Autocannon/5(80 rounds)  FL/R     1(10)  1(10)     --     --    4     40.00
2 LRM 15(48 rounds)        FL/R     2(18)  2(18)  2(18)     --   20     40.00
2 LRM 15(48 rounds)        FL/R     2(18)  2(18)  2(18)     --   20     40.00
3 Small Laser              FL/R      1(9)     --     --     --    6      3.00
3 Small Laser              FL/R      1(9)     --     --     --    6      3.00
1 Large Laser              AL/R     2(18)   1(8)     --     --   16     10.00
  2 Medium Laser                                                 12      4.00
1 Large Laser              AL/R     2(18)   1(8)     --     --   16     10.00
  2 Medium Laser                                                 12      4.00
2 Autocannon/5(80 rounds)  AL/R     1(10)  1(10)     --     --    4     40.00
2 Autocannon/5(80 rounds)  AL/R     1(10)  1(10)     --     --    4     40.00
2 LRM 15(48 rounds)        AL/R     2(18)  2(18)  2(18)     --   20     40.00
2 LRM 15(48 rounds)        AL/R     2(18)  2(18)  2(18)     --   20     40.00
3 Small Laser              AL/R      1(9)     --     --     --    6      3.00
3 Small Laser              AL/R      1(9)     --     --     --    6      3.00
2 Large Laser              Aft      2(16)  2(16)     --     --   16     10.00
2 Large Laser              Aft      2(16)  2(16)     --     --   16     10.00
2 Autocannon/5(80 rounds)  Aft      1(10)  1(10)     --     --    2     20.00
2 Autocannon/5(80 rounds)  Aft      1(10)  1(10)     --     --    2     20.00
2 LRM 15(48 rounds)        Aft      2(18)  2(18)  2(18)     --   10     20.00
2 LRM 15(48 rounds)        Aft      2(18)  2(18)  2(18)     --   10     20.00
4 Small Laser              Aft      1(12)     --     --     --    4      2.00
4 Small Laser              Aft      1(12)     --     --     --    4      2.00
1 Lot Spare Parts (2.50%)                                            2,500.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS:                                              Heat: 360      98,000.00
Tons Left:                                                              0.00

Calculated Factors:
Total Cost:        96,800,000 C-Bills
Battle Value:      12,387
Cost per BV:       7,782.35
Weapon Value:      9,301 (Ratio = .75)
Damage Factors:    SRV = 609;  MRV = 335;  LRV = 60;  ERV = 0
Maintenance:       Maintenance Point Value (MPV) = 106,091
                   (51,327 Structure, 45,900 Life Support, 8,864 Weapons)
                   Support Points (SP) = 121,540  (115% of MPV)
BattleForce2:      Not applicable



[gomiville]

Do you really need to have all that extra mass in the "Habitat Pods?"

In the animations and description, they're basically just grav decks with living quarters inside, which is already in the rules.  The only special part is the "folding" part.  But, how does a warship move under thrust, with grav decks?  Presumably, they also fold, or have some other, similar method of changing orientation to gravity for the quarters inside.

Once you change it to a monitor, legally allowing grav decks (as much as monitors are outside the current rules anyway), you don't really need extra mass.  You could maybe double the grav deck mass or something, and fluff it as "folding mechanism."

But I think over 10ktons is maybe excessive, compared to canon technology.

[Sharpnel]

I used it to justify their existence from the art. The Pods are just infrastructure for quarters as explained. I made them bigger as there is still a huge amount of cargo space still available.

[gomiville]

These were designed to stay onsite for years, right?  Supporting and resupplying survey, terraform and mining teams.  It should probably have gigantic cargo bays (and a massive fuel bunker).  Dumping tons of mass into cargo is probably justified.

[HobbesHurlbut]

  But, how does a warship move under thrust, with grav decks?  Presumably, they also fold, or have some other, similar method of changing orientation to gravity for the quarters inside.

They lock down their grav decks when under thrust. When they're not thrusting for any long period of time (just staying in one spot or coasting on built up velocity) that's when they can use the grav deck.

[gomiville]

They lock down their grav decks when under thrust. When they're not thrusting for any long period of time (just staying in one spot or coasting on built up velocity) that's when they can use the grav deck.

Yes, but when under thrust, what had been the wall is now the floor, and vice versa when the grav deck starts spinning.

So, unless the facilities in the grav decks are all like the Leopard's old fluff (needing to unbolt and rebolt tables and chairs from wall to floor when shifting from belly drive to tail drive), there must be some kind of re-orienting system.  The Argo in the animation solves that problem by folding the pods back towards the tail.

But whether warships fold, are gimbal mounted or have some other mechanism, the mass of that mechanism must therefore be included in the regular mass of the grav decks.  So, to represent the Argo's folding habitat pods, you don't necessarily need more mass.

That's what I'm referring to.

[beachhead1985]

Here's a revision of the Argo as a Monitor. The fourth docking collar is so that it can dock with a JumpShip. Armor is done at Capital scale.

Code: [Select]

                    AeroTech 2 Vessel Technical Readout
                                  VALIDATED

Class/Model/Name:  Argo II
Tech:              Inner Sphere / 2762
Vessel Type:       Monitor (JumpShip Transportable)
Rules:             Level 3, Custom design
Rules Set:         AeroTech2

Mass:              100,000 tons
Length:            275 meters
Power Plant:       Standard
Safe Thrust:       2
Maximum Thrust:    3
Armor Type:        Standard
Armament:         
   16 Large Laser
   24 Autocannon/5
   24 LRM 15
   40 Small Laser
   16 Medium Laser
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class/Model/Name:  Argo II
Mass:              100,000 tons

Equipment:                                                            Mass 
Power Plant, Drive & Control:                                       12,000.00
Thrust:  Safe Thrust: 2
      Maximum Thrust: 3
Structural Integrity: 50                                             5,000.00
Total Heat Sinks:    360 Single                                        161.00
Fuel & Fuel Pumps:                                                   3,570.00
Bridge, Controls, Radar, Computer & Attitude Thrusters:                250.00
Fire Control Computers:                                                   .00
Food & Water:  (183 days supply)                                       400.00
Armor Type:  Standard  (100 total armor pts)                            87.00
                           Capital Scale Armor Pts
   Location:                            L / R
   Fore:                                 18
   Fore-Left/Right:                   16/16
   Aft-Left/Right:                    16/16
   Aft:                                  18

Cargo:
   Bay 1:  Fighters (18) with 6 doors                                2,700.00
   Bay 2:  Small Craft (6) with 2 doors                              1,200.00
   Bay 3:  BattleMechs (36) with 4 doors                             5,400.00
           Cargo (1)                                                35,000.00
   Bay 4:  Habitat Pods (3) with 1 door                             10,500.00
   Bay 5:  Cargo (1) with 1 door                                    13,992.00

DropShip Capacity:  4 Docking Hardpoints                             4,000.00
Grav Deck #1:  (160-meter diameter)                                    100.00
Life Boats:  36 (7 tons each)                                          252.00
Escape Pods:  36 (7 tons each)                                         252.00

Crew and Passengers:
     20 Officers (16 minimum)                                          200.00
     55 Crew (45 minimum)                                              385.00
     25 Gunners (20 minimum)                                           175.00
     40 1st Class Passengers                                           400.00
     40 2nd Class Passengers                                           280.00
    120 Steerage Passengers                                            600.00
    138 Bay Personnel                                                     .00

Weapons and Equipment      Loc        SRV    MRV    LRV    ERV  Heat    Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Large Laser              Nose     2(16)  2(16)     --     --   16     10.00
2 Large Laser              Nose     2(16)  2(16)     --     --   16     10.00
2 Autocannon/5(80 rounds)  Nose     1(10)  1(10)     --     --    2     20.00
2 Autocannon/5(80 rounds)  Nose     1(10)  1(10)     --     --    2     20.00
2 LRM 15(48 rounds)        Nose     2(18)  2(18)  2(18)     --   10     20.00
2 LRM 15(48 rounds)        Nose     2(18)  2(18)  2(18)     --   10     20.00
4 Small Laser              Nose     1(12)     --     --     --    4      2.00
4 Small Laser              Nose     1(12)     --     --     --    4      2.00
1 Large Laser              FL/R     2(18)   1(8)     --     --   16     10.00
  2 Medium Laser                                                 12      4.00
1 Large Laser              FL/R     2(18)   1(8)     --     --   16     10.00
  2 Medium Laser                                                 12      4.00
2 Autocannon/5(80 rounds)  FL/R     1(10)  1(10)     --     --    4     40.00
2 Autocannon/5(80 rounds)  FL/R     1(10)  1(10)     --     --    4     40.00
2 LRM 15(48 rounds)        FL/R     2(18)  2(18)  2(18)     --   20     40.00
2 LRM 15(48 rounds)        FL/R     2(18)  2(18)  2(18)     --   20     40.00
3 Small Laser              FL/R      1(9)     --     --     --    6      3.00
3 Small Laser              FL/R      1(9)     --     --     --    6      3.00
1 Large Laser              AL/R     2(18)   1(8)     --     --   16     10.00
  2 Medium Laser                                                 12      4.00
1 Large Laser              AL/R     2(18)   1(8)     --     --   16     10.00
  2 Medium Laser                                                 12      4.00
2 Autocannon/5(80 rounds)  AL/R     1(10)  1(10)     --     --    4     40.00
2 Autocannon/5(80 rounds)  AL/R     1(10)  1(10)     --     --    4     40.00
2 LRM 15(48 rounds)        AL/R     2(18)  2(18)  2(18)     --   20     40.00
2 LRM 15(48 rounds)        AL/R     2(18)  2(18)  2(18)     --   20     40.00
3 Small Laser              AL/R      1(9)     --     --     --    6      3.00
3 Small Laser              AL/R      1(9)     --     --     --    6      3.00
2 Large Laser              Aft      2(16)  2(16)     --     --   16     10.00
2 Large Laser              Aft      2(16)  2(16)     --     --   16     10.00
2 Autocannon/5(80 rounds)  Aft      1(10)  1(10)     --     --    2     20.00
2 Autocannon/5(80 rounds)  Aft      1(10)  1(10)     --     --    2     20.00
2 LRM 15(48 rounds)        Aft      2(18)  2(18)  2(18)     --   10     20.00
2 LRM 15(48 rounds)        Aft      2(18)  2(18)  2(18)     --   10     20.00
4 Small Laser              Aft      1(12)     --     --     --    4      2.00
4 Small Laser              Aft      1(12)     --     --     --    4      2.00
1 Lot Spare Parts (2.50%)                                            2,500.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS:                                              Heat: 360      98,000.00
Tons Left:                                                              0.00

Calculated Factors:
Total Cost:        96,800,000 C-Bills
Battle Value:      12,387
Cost per BV:       7,782.35
Weapon Value:      9,301 (Ratio = .75)
Damage Factors:    SRV = 609;  MRV = 335;  LRV = 60;  ERV = 0
Maintenance:       Maintenance Point Value (MPV) = 106,091
                   (51,327 Structure, 45,900 Life Support, 8,864 Weapons)
                   Support Points (SP) = 121,540  (115% of MPV)
BattleForce2:      Not applicable



HMA wouldn't let me do more than two docking collars. I figured; bay doors?

[Maingunnery]

I have tried to keep it as close as possible to canon Tech and HBS's description, I only forced 3 Grav Decks on the design.

Code: [Select]

                    AeroTech 2 Vessel Technical Readout
                                  VALIDATED

Class/Model/Name:  Argo Explorer
Tech:              Inner Sphere / 2762
Vessel Type:       Spheroid DropShip
Rules:             Level 1, Standard design
Rules Set:         AeroTech2

Mass:              100.000 tons
Length:            239 meters
Power Plant:       Standard
Safe Thrust:       3
Maximum Thrust:    5
Armor Type:        Standard
Armament:         
   18 LRM 20
   54 Small Laser
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class/Model/Name:  Argo Explorer
Mass:              100.000 tons

Equipment:                                                            Mass 
Power Plant, Drive & Control:                                       19.500,00
Thrust:  Safe Thrust: 3
      Maximum Thrust: 5
Structural Integrity: 23                                             4.600,00
Total Heat Sinks:    366 Single                                          2,00
Fuel & Fuel Pumps:                                                  11.220,00
Bridge, Controls, Radar, Computer & Attitude Thrusters:                750,00
Fire Control Computers:                                                   ,00
Armor Type:  Standard  (584 total armor pts)                            82,00
                           Standard Scale Armor Pts
   Location:                            L / R
   Fore:                                150
   Left/Right Sides:                 150/150
   Aft:                                 134

Cargo:
   Bay 1:  BattleMechs (12)                                          1.800,00
           Cargo (1) with 3 doors                                   57.000,00
   Bay 2:  Fighters (18) with 6 doors                                2.700,00
           Small Craft (2) with 1 door                                 400,00

Grav Decks #1 - 3:  (0-meter diameter)                                 150,00
Escape Pods:  33 (7 tons each)                                         231,00

Crew and Passengers:
     12 Officers (9 minimum)                                           120,00
     36 Crew (12 minimum)                                              360,00
     12 Gunners (12 minimum)                                           120,00
     65 1st Class Passengers                                           650,00
     70 Bay Personnel                                                     ,00
Weapons and Equipment      Loc        SRV    MRV    LRV    ERV  Heat    Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 LRM 20(108 rounds)       Nose     4(36)  4(36)  4(36)     --   18     48,00
9 Small Laser              Nose     3(27)     --     --     --    9      4,50
3 LRM 20(108 rounds)       FL/R     4(36)  4(36)  4(36)     --   36     96,00
9 Small Laser              FL/R     3(27)     --     --     --   18      9,00
3 LRM 20(108 rounds)       AL/R     4(36)  4(36)  4(36)     --   36     96,00
9 Small Laser              AL/R     3(27)     --     --     --   18      9,00
3 LRM 20(108 rounds)       Aft      4(36)  4(36)  4(36)     --   18     48,00
9 Small Laser              Aft      3(27)     --     --     --    9      4,50
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS:                                              Heat: 162     100.000,00
Tons Left:                                                                ,00

Calculated Factors:
Total Cost:        1.537.466.000 C-Bills
Battle Value:      16.714
Cost per BV:       91.986,72
Weapon Value:      5.528 (Ratio = ,33)
Damage Factors:    SRV = 347;  MRV = 156;  LRV = 60;  ERV = 0
Maintenance:       Maintenance Point Value (MPV) = 437.392
                   (382.552 Structure, 48.750 Life Support, 6.090 Weapons)
                   Support Points (SP) = 72.924  (17% of MPV)
BattleForce2:      MP: 3,  Armor/Structure: 10 / 9
                   Damage PB/M/L: 13/7/7,  Overheat: 0
                   Class: DL;  Point Value: 167
                   Specials: sph, if


[Sharpnel]

HMA wouldn't let me do more than two docking collars. I figured; bay doors?

I cheated. I editted the extra drop collars afterwards and adjusted the cost accordingly.

[Dragon Cat]

I have tried to keep it as close as possible to canon Tech and HBS's description, I only forced 3 Grav Decks on the design.

Code: [Select]

                    AeroTech 2 Vessel Technical Readout
                                  VALIDATED

Class/Model/Name:  Argo Explorer
Tech:              Inner Sphere / 2762
Vessel Type:       Spheroid DropShip
Rules:             Level 1, Standard design
Rules Set:         AeroTech2

Mass:              100.000 tons
Length:            239 meters
Power Plant:       Standard
Safe Thrust:       3
Maximum Thrust:    5
Armor Type:        Standard
Armament:         
   18 LRM 20
   54 Small Laser
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class/Model/Name:  Argo Explorer
Mass:              100.000 tons

Equipment:                                                            Mass 
Power Plant, Drive & Control:                                       19.500,00
Thrust:  Safe Thrust: 3
      Maximum Thrust: 5
Structural Integrity: 23                                             4.600,00
Total Heat Sinks:    366 Single                                          2,00
Fuel & Fuel Pumps:                                                  11.220,00
Bridge, Controls, Radar, Computer & Attitude Thrusters:                750,00
Fire Control Computers:                                                   ,00
Armor Type:  Standard  (584 total armor pts)                            82,00
                           Standard Scale Armor Pts
   Location:                            L / R
   Fore:                                150
   Left/Right Sides:                 150/150
   Aft:                                 134

Cargo:
   Bay 1:  BattleMechs (12)                                          1.800,00
           Cargo (1) with 3 doors                                   57.000,00
   Bay 2:  Fighters (18) with 6 doors                                2.700,00
           Small Craft (2) with 1 door                                 400,00

Grav Decks #1 - 3:  (0-meter diameter)                                 150,00
Escape Pods:  33 (7 tons each)                                         231,00

Crew and Passengers:
     12 Officers (9 minimum)                                           120,00
     36 Crew (12 minimum)                                              360,00
     12 Gunners (12 minimum)                                           120,00
     65 1st Class Passengers                                           650,00
     70 Bay Personnel                                                     ,00
Weapons and Equipment      Loc        SRV    MRV    LRV    ERV  Heat    Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 LRM 20(108 rounds)       Nose     4(36)  4(36)  4(36)     --   18     48,00
9 Small Laser              Nose     3(27)     --     --     --    9      4,50
3 LRM 20(108 rounds)       FL/R     4(36)  4(36)  4(36)     --   36     96,00
9 Small Laser              FL/R     3(27)     --     --     --   18      9,00
3 LRM 20(108 rounds)       AL/R     4(36)  4(36)  4(36)     --   36     96,00
9 Small Laser              AL/R     3(27)     --     --     --   18      9,00
3 LRM 20(108 rounds)       Aft      4(36)  4(36)  4(36)     --   18     48,00
9 Small Laser              Aft      3(27)     --     --     --    9      4,50
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS:                                              Heat: 162     100.000,00
Tons Left:                                                                ,00

Calculated Factors:
Total Cost:        1.537.466.000 C-Bills
Battle Value:      16.714
Cost per BV:       91.986,72
Weapon Value:      5.528 (Ratio = ,33)
Damage Factors:    SRV = 347;  MRV = 156;  LRV = 60;  ERV = 0
Maintenance:       Maintenance Point Value (MPV) = 437.392
                   (382.552 Structure, 48.750 Life Support, 6.090 Weapons)
                   Support Points (SP) = 72.924  (17% of MPV)
BattleForce2:      MP: 3,  Armor/Structure: 10 / 9
                   Damage PB/M/L: 13/7/7,  Overheat: 0
                   Class: DL;  Point Value: 167
                   Specials: sph, if


I like this one only 2 things I'd maybe do is

add 100-200 additional quarters of this thing is designed to be in space a long time it's possible you might have a lot of additional personnel (dependants)

And drop speed to 2/3

[idea weenie]

Yes, but when under thrust, what had been the wall is now the floor, and vice versa when the grav deck starts spinning.

So, unless the facilities in the grav decks are all like the Leopard's old fluff (needing to unbolt and rebolt tables and chairs from wall to floor when shifting from belly drive to tail drive), there must be some kind of re-orienting system.  The Argo in the animation solves that problem by folding the pods back towards the tail.

But whether warships fold, are gimbal mounted or have some other mechanism, the mass of that mechanism must therefore be included in the regular mass of the grav decks.  So, to represent the Argo's folding habitat pods, you don't necessarily need more mass.

So appearance wise, it might resemble the Gimbaled Centrifuge?  Extend the living quarters when at zero thrust, and retract when accelerating?

Of course, the other idea for ships in orbit would be a long piece of rope, so two Unions can pair up, extend a line to each other, and get 1G from spinning around a barycenter.  If you pair up lopsided ships (a Behemoth and a Leopard), the Barycenter will be much closer to the larger one.

[Dragon Cat]

The Sea Foxes tried that in the DA era IIRC it didn't end well

As for WarShip gravity decks I've always thought when the WarShip is under thrust the gravity deck just isn't used no one goes into it.  I've always thought gravity decks were meeting rooms, gyms etc non critical not always needed places while things like the mess or quarters are on proper decks

[gomiville]

As for WarShip gravity decks I've always thought when the WarShip is under thrust the gravity deck just isn't used no one goes into it.  I've always thought gravity decks were meeting rooms, gyms etc non critical not always needed places while things like the mess or quarters are on proper decks

The point of creating artificial gravity in space is for living, though.  Having a meeting doesn't really need gravity.  Whether you're held in your seat by a belt or gravity, you're still just sitting around a table.

A gym is a perfect item for a grav deck, for exactly the reasons you want gravity.  But, by the same token, the mess and quarters are also great grav deck items.  If you can serve coffee in a mug, rather than some fancy valved pouch, it's a lot simpler for the cooks and the crew (and likely cheaper).  Better for morale too.

Space crew will always have to deal with low gravity, so the facilities will exist onboard.  Vacuum toilets, wall-mounted sleeping bags, etc.  Those fancy coffee pouches will be packed.

But if you can provide some semblance of gravity for crew when not working or in battle, that would go a long way towards their health and morale.  So, gym, mess and bunks in the grav deck.

(Not to mention any ground troops you might be transporting, who aren't specifically trained for zero-g and need to transition (semi-)smoothly from space travel to ground combat.)

[gomiville]

So appearance wise, it might resemble the Gimbaled Centrifuge?  Extend the living quarters when at zero thrust, and retract when accelerating?

Or the other designs on Atomic Rockets to solve the same problem, sure.

Space stations and other static facilities, would likely have "traditional" spinning grav decks, like the torus designs we've all seen in movies and the covers of 60s pulp scifi.

But a warship, or specialist designs like the Argo, would need something to handle both rotational gravity and thrust gravity.  I'm sure Star League and House engineers would come up with many different solutions, but from our perspective, the mass needed to implement those solutions all falls under "Grav Deck (100-250m): 100 tons."

[Sigil]

Here's pretty much what we came up with over on the HBS forums.  We also ran into a continuity issue with the HBS Kickstarter announcement inferring the Argo-Class was built on Galax by Boeing Interstellar and launched 2672.  A number of canon sources, notably House Davion and Handbook: House Davion, don't report Boeing Interstellar on Galax until after 2762.

Anyway, comments are welcome and a shoutout to Nathan Foxbane who did the vast majority of the reverse engineering :)  And, yes, it's an illegal design but I will be including it in the next update of the TRO: 3028 anyway.

Mass:  100,000 tons
Type:  Civilian Spheroid
Dimensions:
   Length:  300 m
   Width:175 m
   Height:  175 m   
Drive System:  SL-BI-1500 Novadrive
   Safe Thrust:  1.5 G
   Maximum Thrust:  2.5 G
Fuel:  3,532 tons (400 Days @ 8.84 tons/day)
Crew:  20 Officers, 78 Enlisted/Non-rated, 2 Gunners, 
   6 Aerospace Fighter Pilots, 4 Small Craft Pilots, 
   12 Small Craft Crew, 12 Mechwarriors, 22 Technicians
Passengers:  40 1st Class Passengers, 
   130 2nd Class Passengers
Cargo:
   Bays 1-20:  Cargo (57,000 tons)
   Bays 21-23:  12 BattleMech Cubicles 
   Bay 24:  6 Aerospace Fighter Cubicles (1 Door)
   Bay 25:  4 Small Craft Cubicles (1 Door)
Armor:  55 tons   
Armament:
   12 Medium Lasers
Escape Pods:  25
Life Boats:  25
Manufacturer:  Boeing Interstellar (2762)
Cost:  37,000,000,000 C-Bills   

Type:  Argo-class Dropship        Tons
Tonnage:    100,000 tons        
Engine:                            19,500
   Type:    Fusion        
   Safe Thrust:    3        
   Maximum Thrust:    5        
Structural Integrity    30         6,000
Bridge                                750
Heat Sinks:    176                        0
Fuel:                             3,532
Fuel Pumps:                          71
Auxiliary Docking Collars    2      2,000
Officer Quarters:    20             200
Crew Quarters:    80                     560
First Class Quarters    40             400
Second Class Quarters    130         910
Bay 1 -20:    Cargo        57,000
Bay 21 – 23 :    12 x BattleMechs  1,800
Bay 24:     6 x Aerospace             900
Bay 25:    4 x Small Craft             800
Escape Pods:    25                     175
Life Boats:    25                     175
Armor Factor:    880                       55
    Structure    Armor    
   Nose:    30    180    
   Rt./Lt. Front Sides    30    150    
   Rt./Lt. Rear Sides    30    140    
   Aft:    30    120    
Equipment:            
Type    Loc.        Tons
Naval-Comm Scanner Suite    Fuselage            500
Communications Equipment    Fuselage              12
Infrared Imager    Nose                                        5
Look-Down Radar    Nose                                5
Mobile HPG    Fuselage                                      50
Gravity Deck    Habitat                                     500
 3 x Hydroponics Garden    Habitat                  2,000
MASH (3 Theatres + Paramedic Equipment)    Habitat     7
3 x Field Kitchen    Habitat                                9
Recreational and Fitness facilities    Habitat     2,072
3 x Medium Laser    Nose                               3
2 x Medium Laser    Rt. Front Side                       2
2 x Medium Laser    Lt. Front Side                       2
2 x Medium Laser    Rt. Rear Side                       2
2 x Medium Laser    Lt. Rear Side                       2
Medium Laser    Aft                                               1

[David CGB]

Great idea, so sorry only one left

[idea weenie]

I tried designing the Argo as a Space station instead.  Essentially it takes up to two Leopards and stores them in a single cargo bay for when it is Jumped, and during normal operations the Dropships dock externally.  The bay can only handle up to 2 Leopards due to shape, it will require a refit if you want the bay to handle a single Union instead.

The primary usage of this station is keeping it on-site for multiple missions, instead of quick raids.  It is best used when dealing with guerrilla rebellions, disaster assistance, pinpoint strikes during a large attack (as long as it is protected), planetary uplift (change the cargo bay to industrial equipment), etc.

The basic design below allows lots of areas for it to expand.  Several customers have often taken one look at the components, and made changes before ordering.

Code: [Select]

Type:  Argo-class Space Station        Tons
Tonnage:    99,500 tons       
Engine:                               1,194
   Type:    Fusion       
   Safe Thrust:    Station-Keeping (.2)       
Structural Integrity    1               995
Bridge                                  750
Heat Sinks:    93 Free                    0
Fuel:                                 3,500
Fuel Pumps:                              70
Auxiliary Docking Collars*2           2,000
Officer Quarters:    19                 190
Crew Quarters:      113                 791
Bay 1:    Cargo                      57,000
Bay 2:    12 x Mobile Field Bases    16,440
- 137 tons per, enough room for up to a 100 ton Mech, a 20 ton Mobile Field Base, 1 2nd Class Quarter, and 1 1st Class Quarter.
- This was chosen instead of Mech Bays because the Leopards are for delivering Mechs, not the Space Station.
Bay 3:     6 x Aerospace                900
- Due to Bay door limits, only 3 of them can launch per turn
Bay 4:    4 x Small Craft               800
Bay 5: 'Dropship' Bay                 4,000
Bay 6: Supplies                       1,000
- Has two attachments inside to hold a Leopard each.  Can be refit to handle 1 large aerodyne or spheroid Dropship
Escape Pods:      46                    322
Armor Factor:    132                    165
                    Structure    Armor   
   Nose:                0          12
   Rt./Lt. Fore Sides   0          12
   Rt./Lt. Rear Sides   0          12
   Aft:                 0          12
Equipment:           
Type                            Loc.   Tons
Naval-Comm Scanner Suite (Sm)   Main    100
Communications Equipment        Main      5
Infrared Imager                 Main      5
Satellite Imager                Main      2.5
2 Paramedic Equipment           Main       .5
Radar                           Main      5
Gravity Deck                    Main    100
MASH                            Main      9
- (1 Main, 5 Theatres, + 2*Paramedic Equipment)
2 x Field Kitchen               Main      6
2 x Medium Laser                Nose      2
2 x Medium Laser             Rt. Front    2
2 x Medium Laser             Lt. Front    2
2 x Medium Laser             Rt. Rear     2
2 x Medium Laser             Lt. Rear     2
2 x Medium Laser                 Aft      2
- Each arc has its own Gunner

Remaining Mass:     9,790 tons

Various comments/ideas concerning it:
The mass was dropped from 100 ktons to 99.5, to take advantage of the smaller hull's halved usage of fuel per burn-day.  Building in a bigger engine and adding better structure will add extra tonnage (net 489 tons added, after adding 6 tons for the engine and 5 tons for structure), but you will use twice as much fuel in transit.

Transit is normally done at half station-keeping thrust, allowing for the Station to transit at ~3* the time needed as the Dropships.  Depending on security, one of the Leopards is sent ahead, and the second stays with the station to keep it relatively safe.

The Bay #1 capacity represents the maximum tonnage that can be placed in that one bay.  Adding components to the rest of the hull beyond the remaining mass means this amount will decrease.

The Mobile Field bases save 13 tons per compared to a full Mech Bay.  However, Mechs must be transferred via cargo if they are to be deployed on the exterior of the Argo.  Upgrading the Field Bases to full Mech Bays turns a multi-minute operation into a quick deployment.  Adding extra MFBs allows storing extra Mechs in combat-ready mode, compared to keeping a Mech in cargo storage.  Normal operations are to keep the primary Mechs in the Leopards, and stand-by mechs in the MFBs.

Adding tonnage to the Dropship Bay allows carrying larger Dropships internally when the station is jumped.  However since the Dropships are moved in/out as cargo, this is a long process.

It has twice as many escape pods as onbord crew requires, meaning that the crew can always get away in case of trouble.  This is great for crew morale, and slightly annoying for the owner's morale (hey, where'd the crew go!).

Armor is only at 50% maximum, and is the basic armor, nothing fancier.

The Naval Comm-scanner allows for monitoring the local area, but upgrading it from Small to Large allows better performance.

Communications equipment can always be added.

Hyperspectral Imager has not been included, but can be added later.

Paramedic equipment has essentially been tossed in small spaces to fit around equipment, but more can always be added.

The Grav Deck is a small one, meaning it is unable to simulate decent gravity.  Paying 400 tons will upgrade this to a 500 ton Gravity Deck, allowing decent amounts of gravity for the crew to use.

MASH can always have more Operating Theaters and Paramedic equipment added.

No internal HPG, as Comstar (or its predecessor) can be used for that instead.  If you want your own HPG, you have to pay for it.  (No internal HPG cuts 5 Billion C-B off the price after SS multiplier, which is enough to buy a Jumpship or two in case you need to call for help.)

Two Field Kitchens are needed for the crew, but if you don't have any Mechs (and tech) in the MFB, and only a few ASF or Small Craft, you might be able to get away with one.  The standard method is to have one Field Kitchen preparing the meals for the enlisted, and the other for the officers.  A third option is adding extra crew Quarters/Bays for guests, to put the second kitchen to proper use.

Normally 12 weapons means it only needs 2 gunners, but instead one was put in for each arc to avoid them getting distracted.  Additional weapons can be added, but since it can only have a max of 24 pts of armor per facing means that keeping fights away is a much better idea.

[I am Belch II]

Where was this idea from?

[Dragon Cat]

Where was this idea from?

The unit itself?  It comes from the upcoming computer game which features a DropShip that features a gravity deck.  it serves as your base of operations during the game allowing smaller DropShips to dock with it and supply.