Type: Dauber cargo VTOL
Technology Base: Inner Sphere / 3075
Ruleset: Standard (5th edition)
Movement Type: VTOL
Tonnage: 30
Cost: 644,575 C-bills
Battle Value: 158
Equipment Mass
Internal Structure: 6.0
Engine: 70 4.0
Type: ICE
Cruise MP: 7
Flank MP: 11
Heat Sinks: 0 0.0
Control Equipment: 1.5
Lift Equipment: 3.0
Power Amplifier: 0.0
Rotor: 0.0
Armor Factor: 34 2.5
Armor
Value
Front 10
L/R Side 8/8
Rear 6
Turret
Weapons and Ammo Location Tons
Machine Gun Front 0.5
Ammo (MG) 100 Body 0.5
Crew: 2
Cargo: 15.0 tons
BattleForce 2
MP Damage PB/M/L Overheat Class
7v 0/-/- - L
Armor/Structure Point Value Specials
-/1 2 -
Dauber cargo VTOL
Mass: 30 tons
Movement Type: VTOL
Power Plant: Omni 70 ICE
Cruising Speed: 76 kph
Flank Speed: 119 kph
Armor: Standard
Armament:
Machine Gun
Manufacturer: Inner Sphere
Communications System: Standard
Targeting & Tracking System: Standard
Overview
The Dauber cargo VTOL was introduced in 3031 as a dedicated transport for ultralight vehicles. It was created by the Taurian Concordat for use with the Eland rapid response vehicle. The low cost, reasonable speed, modular design, and simple construction has led to it being popular with both civil and military organizations throughout the Rimward periphery and Inner Sphere well into the 3050s.
Capabilities
The VTOL is officially designated the Dauber but colloquially known as the Bumblebee due to its rotund shape. The hull is an unusual ovoid shape designed to maximize internal volume. The rear hull of the Dauber features a clamshell door design that allows easy access to the cavernous cargo bay. A Magna turbine gives the Dauber 15 tons of internal lift capacity, plus a top speed of over 100 Km/H.
Armament is nearly nonexistent. A single SperryBrowning machine gun in a chin mount is the only armament carried. It is intended solely for cleaning infantry off a landing zone. Armor is light, at 2.5 tons. However, given the mostly noncombat nature of the Dauber this is considered sufficient.
Deployment
The Dauber's military and civilian history is extensive. It has been used to transport armored vehicles, field guns, and ammunition. It has carried relief supplies, merchant goods, and passengers. Daubers can be found doing all sort of jobs all over the Rimward part of the Periphery, and in a fair number of roles in the Inner Sphere as well.
Of particular note, the Sterope PDM still maintains a pair of Dauber squadrons to transport its rapid response team. While those teams where originally composed entirely of Eland RRVs, as of 3062 they have been replaced with more modern vehicles.
Variants
The simple construction and modular design of the Dauber has meant that cataloguing a list of variants is nearly impossible. Nearly every customer that purchases a Dauber is likely to modify it in some way to meet its individual need.
Some of the more common modifications are to replace the cargo area with a personnel transport space. Some turn it into a transport capable of moving multiple platoons of conventional infantry. Some have been modified into mobile headquarters units, allowing a commander to more readily move to advantageous points on the battlefield. Some are used for civilian passengers. At least one is used as an airborne mobile home for a wealthy minor lord who uses his Dauber as an opulently appointed flying apartment.
Some of the most notable variants are the gunships. The Dauber's odd shape makes it generally a poor choice for a traditional attack role, as it provides an unusually large target for its mass. However, creative owners have used the lift capacity to increase armor and mount additional weapons and equipment These range from short and long ranged missiles, to advanced electronics, to even heavy auto-cannon. None of these variants are provided by the factory, but engineers are always made available to a potential customer to help them fit the Dauber to their needs.
