Author Topic: "Slingshot" Aerial Drone  (Read 928 times)

Cavgunner

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"Slingshot" Aerial Drone
« on: 04 February 2024, 18:59:51 »
"Slingshot" Aerial Drone

Mass: 2.37 tons
Frame: Cal-Boeing Ultralight
Power Plant:  Fusion
Armor: BAR 2
Armament:
Manufacturer: Cal-Boeing of Dorwinion
     Primary Factory: Various
Communication System: Various
Targeting & Tracking System: Various
Introduction Year: 3025
Tech Rating/Availability: D/E-D-D-C
Cost: 83,338 C-bills

Overview
The Slingshot is a diminutive prop-driven aerial scout that uses a small fusion plant and drone control system to achieve virtually unlimited range.

Capabilities
With a maximum takeoff weight of only 2370 kg, the Slingshot performs the same role as the Boomerang but is considerably smaller. Despite its size the Slingshot's equipment package is arguably superior. Like the Boomerang it boasts a recon camera array, but also features a remote sensor dispenser.

Unsurprisingly, the Slingshot's "armor" consists of light commercial-grade material. This is just enough to protect the craft from a rough landing or the occasional bird strike, but little more.

The Slingshot's main advantage is the use of a miniaturized fusion plant. This marvel of technology powers a rear-mounted turboprop. The efficiency of this arrangement is so high that a few kilograms of hydrogen could theoretically apply continuous power for months. In practice, while Slingshots have been known to remain airborne for days at a time such continuous operation is not recommended due to maintenance requirements. The semi-articulated propeller allows the drone to take off and land from virtually any suitable area. The aircraft also features a cargo pod capable of holding up to 77kg of supplies, critical materials, or mission equipment.

While the drone control feed is vulnerable to electronic jamming, this is hardly a concern in an age where such capability is rarely used, much less available.

Deployment
The Slingshot excels in environments where aerial opposition is not an issue. While the aircraft's small size makes it extremely hard to detect, it is virtually defenseless if intercepted. It is also highly vulnerable to ground fire, but this is not usually an issue given the altitude at which the craft is designed to operate.

Standard practice for a Slingshot is to drop remote sensors along expected lines of contact, and then move in for direct observation when a sensor report is made. In this way a single Slingshot can perform reconnaissance over a large area of the battlespace. The Slingshot is thus ideal for use as a forward observer for artillery and LRM units.

Code: [Select]
Type: Slingshot
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Advanced)
Tonnage: 2.37
Battle Value: 10

Equipment                                          Mass
Engine                         Fusion               0.5
Safe Thrust: 4
Max Thrust:  6
Structural Integrity:         4                       
Heat Sinks:                   0                       0
Fuel:                         0                     0.0
Cockpit                                               0
Armor Factor (BAR 2)          6                   0.091

                           Armor   
                           Value   
     Nose                    2     
     Wings                  1/1   
     Aft                     2     


Weapons
and Ammo                   Location   Tonnage  Heat   SRV  MRV  LRV  ERV
Recon Camera                 NOS       0.5      -      -    -    -    - 
Drone Operating System       BOD      0.737     -      -    -    -    - 
Remote Sensors/Dispenser     BOD       0.5      -      -    -    -    - 
SV Chassis Mod [VSTOL]       BOD       0.0      -      -    -    -    - 
Advanced Fire Control        BOD       0.0      -      -    -    -    - 
SV Chassis Mod [Prop-Driven] BOD       0.0      -      -    -    -    - 
SV Chassis Mod [Ultra-Light] BOD       0.0      -      -    -    -    - 


Daryk

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Re: "Slingshot" Aerial Drone
« Reply #1 on: 04 February 2024, 21:01:59 »
Hmmm... how much cheaper would it be with a Fuel Cell?

Cavgunner

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Re: "Slingshot" Aerial Drone
« Reply #2 on: 05 February 2024, 00:10:40 »
Price wouldn't be the issue. You'd have no room for fuel, and this aircraft is built around the idea of not needing any to begin with, while also being as small as possible.

Edit: The Megamek summary above lists the engine weight at .5 tons but that's not entirely accurate, the powerplant is only 250 kilograms. Everything else is aircraft and electronics.
« Last Edit: 05 February 2024, 00:18:49 by Cavgunner »

Daryk

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Re: "Slingshot" Aerial Drone
« Reply #3 on: 05 February 2024, 04:17:18 »
So it's actually 2 tons (or so)?

Cavgunner

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Re: "Slingshot" Aerial Drone
« Reply #4 on: 05 February 2024, 09:49:38 »
The exact weight of the drone is 2370kg (2.37 metric tons). This makes it about half the size of a real-life MQ-9 Reaper.

Daryk

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Re: "Slingshot" Aerial Drone
« Reply #5 on: 05 February 2024, 19:17:40 »
The trick is pretty much everything involving Support Vehicles is a multiplier, most of which are based on mass.  That's why I asked.

Cavgunner

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Re: "Slingshot" Aerial Drone
« Reply #6 on: 05 February 2024, 20:07:42 »
Oh no doubt. I appreciate the feedback!

Daryk

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Re: "Slingshot" Aerial Drone
« Reply #7 on: 05 February 2024, 20:58:06 »
Just glad to have helped! :)