The thread on Hesperus II and heat got my mind thinking about the logistics of mining and exploiting mineral reserves on inhospitable planets. Thus I have three additions, the first is a large Harvester that is going to be doing the actual mining, followed by a robotic truck that will transport that mined material to a central hub for processing, and finally the transfer vehicle that will be operated when the Harvester needs to transfer its cargo to the transport.
Hesperus Surface Harvester Drone
Mass: 75 tons
Movement Type: Tracked
Power Plant: 150 Fission
Cruising Speed: 21.6 kph
Maximum Speed: 32.4 kph
Armor: Standard
Armament:
Manufacturer: Defiance Industries
Primary Factory: Hesperus II
Cost: 3,395,000 C-bills
Background - Based on a heavy tank chassis the surface harvesting drone is sealed against hostile environments and powered by a small fission reactor. It utilizes the rock cutter, mining drill, and bulldozer to break apart ores and pile them up for the transfer unit to load into its internal cargo bay or any trailers it is carrying.
Type: Hesperus Surface Harvester
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Movement Type: Tracked
Tonnage: 75
Battle Value: 388
Equipment Mass
Internal Structure 7.5
Engine 150 Fission 15
Cruising MP: 2
Flank MP: 3
Heat Sinks: 5 0
Control Equipment: 4.0
Power Amplifier: 0.0
Turret: 1.0
Armor Factor 104 6.5
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Front 8 28
R/L Side 8/8 20/20
Rear 8 16
Turret 8 20
Weapons
and Ammo Location Tonnage
Trailer Hitch Rear 0.0
Bulldozer Front 2.0
Searchlight Front 0.5
Drone Operating System Body 8.0
Environmental Sealing BD 7.5
Rock Cutter Turret 5.0
Mining Drill Turret 3.0
Cargo Body 15.0
Hesperus II Transfer Unit Drone
Mass: 30 tons
Movement Type: Tracked
Power Plant: 120 Fission
Cruising Speed: 43.2 kph
Maximum Speed: 64.8 kph
Armor: Standard
Armament:
Manufacturer: Defiance Industries
Primary Factory: Hesperus II
Cost: 893,750 C-bills
Background - The HTU is another drone vehicle used for mineral exploitation, its backhoe gives it the ability to load loose ore into the 15 ton internal cargo bay of the HSH and remove the container so that it can be transloaded onto the robotic transporter then replace it. Typically this is done by the same operator of the HSH unit although with its slightly faster speed an HTU can service several HSH units and one is typically dedicated to loading the transport units.
Type: Hesperus II Transfer Unit
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Experimental)
Movement Type: Tracked
Tonnage: 30
Battle Value: 68
Equipment Mass
Internal Structure 3
Engine 120 Fission 10.5
Cruising MP: 4
Flank MP: 6
Heat Sinks: 5 0
Control Equipment: 1.5
Power Amplifier: 0.0
Armor Factor 8 0.5
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Front 3 3
R/L Side 3/3 2/2
Rear 3 1
Weapons
and Ammo Location Tonnage
Backhoe Rear 5.0
Lift Hoist/Arresting Hoist Front 3.0
Drone Operating System Body 3.5
Environmental Sealing BD 3.0
Hesperus Robotic Surface Carrier
Mass: 45 tons
Movement Type: Tracked
Power Plant: 135 Fission
Cruising Speed: 32.4 kph
Maximum Speed: 54 kph
Armor: Standard
Armament:
Manufacturer: Defiance Industries
Primary Factory: Hesperus II
Cost: 1,349,406 C-bills
Background - Hesperus Robotic Surface Carriers help alleviate the need for human drivers or drone consoles on the often long drives to remote bases or transport nodes. Since there is no need for speed or concern for fuel these robots typically haul a trailer with two more 15 ton bulk containers that halve its base speed when full.
Type: Hesperus Surface Carrier
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Advanced)
Movement Type: Tracked
Tonnage: 45
Battle Value: 227
Equipment Mass
Internal Structure 4.5
Engine 135 Fission 12
Cruising MP: 3
Flank MP: 5
Heat Sinks: 5 0
Control Equipment: 2.5
Power Amplifier: 0.0
Armor Factor 56 3.5
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Front 5 17
R/L Side 5/5 14/14
Rear 5 11
Weapons
and Ammo Location Tonnage
Trailer Hitch Rear 0.0
Searchlight Front 0.5
Environmental Sealing BD 4.5
Smart Robotic Control System Body 2.5
Cargo Body 15.0