08 February 2013

GSbAG U-41 Maori Light Utility Shuttle (TL10^)

The GSbAG U-41 Maori is a military light utility shuttle manufactured by Geschichtkreis Sternschiffbau AG. Its main user, the Imperial Navy, is gradually replacing the system by the newer GSbAG U-81 Luriani. However, countless variants, upgrades, modernisations, monkey models, licence builds and second hand U-41 remain in service in official and private hands, at the imperial and at the local levels, both inside and outside the Empire. This small but versatile reactionless-drive craft is designed as both a ship’s boat and a shuttle.
 
Front Hull
[1] Metallic Laminate (dDr 1)
[2] Cockpit (1 control station, C6 computer, comms/sensor 3)
[3-6] Passenger Seating (4 seats)
 
Central Hull
[1] Metallic Laminate (dDr 1)
[2-6] Passenger Seating (5 seats)
[Core] Fusion Reactor (2 power points)
 
Rear Hull
[1] Metallic Laminate (dDr 1)
[2] Passenger Seating (1 seat)
[!3-6] Standard Reactionless Engine (2g)
[Core] Fusion Reactor (2 power points)
 
It is Streamlined, has Artificial Gravity and Gravitic Compensators.

One single cockpit crew (pilot) can operate the Maori using Piloting/TL10 (High-Performance Spacecraft).
dST/HP 15
Hnd/SR 0/4
HT 12
Move 2g/c
LWt 10
Load 1,1 (5,2 with only one passenger, see design note)
SM +4
Occ 1+10SV (see design note)
dDR 1
Range 24h (life support)
Cost Cr340K

The U-41 can be equipped with ballistic protection (in effect making the armour systems hardened, at a supplementary cost of Cr30K) and with door guns (by removing one passenger seat). The Imperial Navy and Marines usually mount either two Gauss HMG or Gaus Miniguns (GURPS High-Tech - Fourth Edition, p. 141) equiped with Laser Sights, HUD Links, Recognition Grips, Diagnostic Computers, IFF Interogators and Enhanced Targeting Scopes (idem, pp. 149-151) that cost Cr53K each (without ammunition).

Like all Imperial Navy small crafts, individual U-41 are not individually named and are usually referred to by their call sign i.e. a word specific the squadron or ship their assigned to, followed by the last digits of their serial numbers, as many of them as required to avoid any confusion in between spacecrafts in the squadron, ranging from none for a ship operating a single shuttle to three for the large carriers with hundreds of fighters. Technical and logistic personnel are know to prefer full serial numbers... E.g. the two U-41 currently operated by INS Okha uses Cherry 0 and Cherry 4 as call signs. All small crafts permanently detached to Okha will adopt Cherry as call sign with digits depending on their serial numbers. Should only one craft be assigned to the ship, it might be called just Cherry, although Cherry and a single digit is just as likely, out of habit. Should the crafts assigned to Okha have the same last digit to their tail numbers, the use of two digits might be required, an occurrence dreaded by all non carrier Shuttle Deck Officers! In routine communications with their small crafts, ships use a specific call sign, usually thematically matched to their craft's, e.g. INS Okha uses Blossom.

- Cherry 4 this is Paddles, you are clear for launch.
- Paddles, this is Cherry 4, roger green... Blossom this is Cherry 4, spaceborne, 10 POB, endurance 24, ops normal.
- This is Blossom, roger ops normal. Broadcast control.
- Roger broadcast control. Proceeding towards Mille Falcs Down and off the net during re-entry. Cherry 4 out.
Design notes:
U-41: inspired by the 1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system, with "U" for "Basic Mission: Utility" and no Vehicle Type Designator, reactionless spacecraft having replaced, IMTU, fixed-wing aircraft has the default craft type; 41 chosen as an homage to Genet Models excellent (but unrelated: way bigger and lower tech) paper model
. Variants will be designated by adding a letter at the end of the designation and, if required, by adapting the Mission Designator to the variant's mission, e.g. U-41A, the initial production model or H-41F, a MedEvac/SAR variant.
Maori & Luriani:
chosen to keep in line with the "tribal" theme of US military helicopters, but to give it a more international flavour in a first time and a more Traveller flavor in a second time.
SM+4:
see GURPS Spaceships 4: Fighters, Carriers, and Mecha, pp. 38-39; note than SM+4 spacecrafts have no airlock nor compartmentalisation, so opening a hatch de-pressurize the entire craft.

Occupancy & Load: one seat in the front hull is side-by-side with the pilot station and is "fitted for no with" an extra control station; all the other seats can be removed allowing half a ton (per seat removed) of cargo to be loaded.

2 comments:

  1. I've just seen your article on Dropship Horizon- very helpful, thanks for posting. You also have a new follower!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great, expect a huge navy procurement contract soon !

    ReplyDelete