SpecForce Support Detachment

[CRMcNeill]

So, this is something I've been thinking about for a while. I want to design a pair of freighters for the Alliance that are designed to support critical Alliance SpecForce operations, offering transportation, fire support and real-time communication. I want to make two separate ships, based on three different real-life models from the US Air Force: the MC-130 Combat Talon, the AC-130 Specter Gunship, and the MH-53 Pave Low Special Operations helicopter.

The MC-130 Combat Talon SW equivalent is already figured out. I want to use a converted YT-1300 that is equipped to provide in-flight replenishment and communications support for the other ship. The main feature will be a combined subspace / hypercomm array, modified with a variety of LPI (Low Probability of Intercept) features, including frequency agility and tight-beam transmission. The ship will park somewhere outside of the target solar system and keep in contact with the ground team and combat transport via the subspace radio. It will also keep Alliance Command in the loop in real time via the hypercomm, and can also be used for supply and personnel transport.

The second ship will be a combination of the AC-130 and the MH-53, and I'm drawing a blank on what ship to use. I'm looking for something with enough cargo space (and a big enough door) to transport 1-2 Speeder-scale light combat vehicles or around 20-30 SpecForce troopers (or a mix of the two) and be able to mount enough weaponry to offer credible fire support to the SpecForce team at critical moments. I can't think of a vessel in the current SWU roster that would be a good fit. Thoughts?
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"No set of rules can cover every situation. It's expected that you will make up new rules to suit the needs of your game." - The Star Wars Roleplaying Game, 2R&E, pg. 69, WEG, 1996.

The CRMcNeill Stat/Rule Index

[Fallon Kell]

You might consider a modified Incom Y-4 Raptor transport. Wookieepedia reports:

[garhkal]

What about the HT-2200..
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[Yasriia]

HT-2200 came to my mind first too. And you could use the ghtroc 720 for smaller specforce teams. It has 2 cargoholds: one for the weapons and one for the speeders. And it can carry 10 passengers. Just take 2 ghtroc and 2 ships offer some redundancy.

[Rerun941]

The Mobquet Medium Cargo Hauler would be a good choice, as well. Lots of cargo space, sturdy hull (so it can take a beating in a combat zone).

It's a little slow, but can be easily modified.

Just like the AC-130, I could totally see the ship with a mix of weapons mounted on the side.

Heavy Repeating Blaster (20mm Cannon)
Speeder Scale Vehicle Blasters (40mm Cannon)
Walker Scale Blaster (105mm Howitzer)
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[CRMcNeill]

An important thing to remember about the AC-130 is that they mounted the weapons on the side because the ship can't hover. For something that combines the heavy weaponry of the AC-130 with the hovering ability of the MH-54 Pave Low, weapons could easily be turret mounted and angled to fire in whatever direction needed, especially while the transport is on the ground loading or unloading its passengers.
_________________
"No set of rules can cover every situation. It's expected that you will make up new rules to suit the needs of your game." - The Star Wars Roleplaying Game, 2R&E, pg. 69, WEG, 1996.

The CRMcNeill Stat/Rule Index

[garhkal]

True, but the side firing also allowed it to 'rotate around' a point to continue to pound the area while itself avoiding fire.
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[ZzaphodD]

[CRMcNeill]

The other aspect to consider is that, when combining the traits of the AC-130 and the MH-53, you need to have weapons that provide all around coverage, like the mini-guns on the MH-53. The best combination for that would be turreted weapons that can swivel to either side and fire at a fixed point while the transport is in a pylon turn around the target, and can also rotate for point targeting while the vessel is hovering or landing for insertions and extractions.
_________________
"No set of rules can cover every situation. It's expected that you will make up new rules to suit the needs of your game." - The Star Wars Roleplaying Game, 2R&E, pg. 69, WEG, 1996.

The CRMcNeill Stat/Rule Index

[Hellcat]

How about the Kappa-class Troop Shuttle, can carry 40 troops and 50 meteric tons of cargo. It's able to carry up to 80 troopers if cargo space is sacrificed or a 100 meteric tons if passnger seats are removed.

Or maybe the Aegis-class combat shuttle. It normally can carry only six passengers and 120 meteric tons of cargo, but it can be configured for up to 40 troops.

Maybe the BR-23 Courier personnel transport. Room for 40 troops and 40 meteric tons of cargo.

The Kleeque-class transport might work for you. It's rather massive though, 1,000 passengers and 5,000 meteric tons of cargo.
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[Raven Redstar]

They could have a claimed a Sienar Fleet Systems IF-120 Landing Craft. It's in the Galaxy at war conversion page 15.

[Fallon Kell]

[CRMcNeill]

I think a key issue for an Alliance ship is that modifications need to be kept to a minimum for economic reasons. A ship with turreted weapons or multi-arc weapons stock would be preferable to a ship which has to be custom modified for them.
_________________
"No set of rules can cover every situation. It's expected that you will make up new rules to suit the needs of your game." - The Star Wars Roleplaying Game, 2R&E, pg. 69, WEG, 1996.

The CRMcNeill Stat/Rule Index

[Hellcat]

Uh, the ones I mentioned are all used by Alliance SpecForce troopers.
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[garhkal]

With all these mods, what would the 'availability' code be? X
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