11 replies to this topic

[InnerSphereNews]

Mon. July 9, 3049: Earthwerks announced full re-design of Kuan Ti DropShip engine; already 15 years in development, a huge embarrassment.

[DarkTreader]

Description
Originally conceived just prior to the Fourth Succession War, the Kuan Ti-class DropShip that saw production is a design heavily armed with advanced weaponry, but intended only for in-system defensive roles.
A research project begun by Earthwerk's Ares facility in 3027, the design was one of many things halted by the near collapse of House Liao. By the time the Confederation was in a position to restart the project in 3039, rediscovered technology resulted in a new design that bore little resemblance to the original. Despite the scarcity of new-tech, the tacit support of the Chancellor led to construction of a prototype in 3054, followed by full production in 3055. As an example of the detente at the time, the Free Worlds League was presented with the design specifications for the vessel, with the first League Kuan Tis being completed at Kallon's Loyalty yards in 3057.
While packing a large amount of advanced weapons and extensive armor, Kuan Ti is hampered by a relatively tiny forty-five tons of fuel, sufficient for in-system patrol and defense but a distinct limitation for extended offensive operations. This curious flaw has led many observers to posit that that design exists purely to delay the speed of any Fourth Succession War style mass invasion of the Confederation.

Armament
The Kuan Ti features a devastating array of forward-firing weaponry, including twin Gauss Rifles, a ER Large Laser and two Medium Lasers along side a similar trio of a Large Pulse Laser and two Medium Pulse Lasers, LRM-20 and SRM-6 racks in its nose bays, backed up by wing mounted AC/10, ER large laser and medium laser, large pulse laser paired with two mediums, a LRM-20 and SRM-6 on each side. The rear facing weaponry suffers because of the forward facing focus, limited to one medium laser, a large and two medium pulse lasers, one LRM-10 and one SRM-6 rack mounted aft, backed up by twin rear facing medium pulse lasers in the wings. On the defensive side, the Kuan Ti features four Anti-Missile Systems in twin mounts front and rear, but unlike the offensive weaponry they suffer from relatively limited ammunition stores reducing their utility in lengthy actions.

Cargo
With its focus on firepower, the Kuan Ti features a relatively small cargo capacity of 271 tons, split between two Small Craft bays and standard two door cargo bay.


Source: Sarna.net - http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Kuan_Ti

[Trailer6]

word

[BladedDragon]

reminds me of other things in development for over a decade

[Schtirlitz]

15 years more to develop

[Morang]

Typical Capellan R&D?

[EvangelionUnit]

nicknamed "duke nuke'em engine" ?

[Iron Horse]

The term "flying pig" comes to mind. That is one ugly bird!

[Valine]

Seriously Ugliest bird in the sky.

[Sept Wolfke]

at least the inner sphere can still produce SOME types of spaceships. *sighs at the jumpship/warship(really, lack thereof) situation*

[Manthony Higgs]

Morang, on 09 July 2012 - 08:23 AM, said:

Typical Capellan R&D?

Ooooh, harsh.

[Bushmaster]

Some how there had to be government funding here and a "consultant" who said current design was "Inefficient" and fired half or all of the lead design team.

I.S. get your finger out of the pie... you mooks

Edited by Bushmaster, 09 July 2012 - 02:37 PM.