Vector II [Transport] VCT-II-T
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Vector II [Transport] VCT-II-T
Mass: 25 tons
Movement Type: VTOL
Power Plant: GM135 XL
Cruising Speed: 118.8 kph
Maximum Speed: 183.6 kph
Armor: StarSlab-7 Heavy Ferro-Fibrous
Armament: 1 Small X-Pulse Laser
Communication System: IrComm ICM-3200b
Targeting & Tracking System: Garret A99
Introduction Year: 3100
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-X-F-D
Cost: 2,495,167 C-bills
Type: Vector 3100
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Experimental)
Tonnage: 25
Battle Value: 360
Equipment Mass
Internal Structure 2.5
Engine 135 XL 4
Cruising MP: 11
Flanking MP: 17
Heat Sinks 10: 0
Control Equipment: 1.5
Lift Equipment: 2.5
Power Amplifier: 0.5
Turret: 0.5
Armor Factor
(Heavy Ferro): 69 3.5
Internal Structure Armor Value
Front 3 20
R/L Side 3/3 13/13
Rear 3 10
Rotor 3 2
Turret 3 11
Weapons and Ammo Location Critical Tonnage
ECM Suite Body 2 1.5
Small X-Pulse Laser Turret 1 1
Infantry Body 1 8
Quirks
Improved Communication
Easy to Maintain
Cost: 2,495,167 C-Bills
Lore
Development of what would become the Vector II began two decades ago, in the chaos of the Second Star League’s war against Clan Star Adder and simultaneous tensions between the Star League and Draconis Combine.
It was in this environment that General Motors searched for a product that would appeal to the SLDF. Rigorous analysis by observers and battlefield salvage revealed a role left unfulfilled by modern VTOL transports. as a flexible and capable VTOL with enough carrying capacity for Assault-class battle armour infantry.
Though a seemingly simple concept for the likes of GM. Design teams immediately began to run into problems with capacity, dimensions and structural strength of existing air frames simply not being able to meet requirements. Those that could meet performance requirements could not do so in a reasonably sized package at a cost that even the Second Star League would consider for a transport VTOL.
Unable to find a solution, GM shelved the project until a chance discovery by an archivist that had been sorting through GM’s Outreach facility records in 3083. When she stumbled across the blueprints for an ancient SLDF VTOL.
As was the usual style for the last century the answer lay in rediscovery of an ancient design of theirs dating back to a procurement from the First Star League, the Vector.
Many in GM doubted the ancient transport could carry and deploy Battle Armour effectively given the rarity of such infantry in those times. But further examination revealed the robust limited-tiltrotor system was massively overbuilt for the task it was initially designed for and was able to handle weight significantly greater than the original Vector.
Unfortunately another problem persisted. The Original LTV 125 Fusion Engine was simply too heavy for the proposed Vector II and it looked like the project would languish on a shelf again when help came from an unexpected source. Clan Diamond Shark extended an offer to sell a salvaged Balac Strike VTOL built in the Ghost Bear Dominion’s New York Y2 Facility on Trondheim, where the Sharks had a trade outpost and somehow acquired one. The Balac was readily traded, oddly enough, for shipments of Timbiqui Dark. Perhaps to use in dealings in the Dominion. Regardless, the study of the Clan VTOL’s engine allowed GM to build a copy in the form of the General Motors XL 135, though reducing speed, the change is deemed acceptable.
Finally the project completed with an impressive end result… but too given the collapse of their intended buyer. Unwilling to let two decades of development time go to waste, GM decided to put the new Vector II on the open market and wait until the sales on the first limited production run comes in.
Capabilities
A three ton increase in mass over the original design and retention of the limited tiltrotor framework allows for a respectable speed. The StarSlab-7 Heavy Ferro-Fibrous armour production formula and rights was bought from Majesty Metals and Manufacturing in a technology exchange. It ensures the Vector II can survive an AC-20 directly to the nose, a feat not many VTOLs can boast.
Though unable to find any reference to the Garret D6a II targeting system, Garret SatComm was willing to offer a package license deal for their Garret-Guardian Interface 2B ECM and Garret A99 Targeting system. Thankfully the schematics of the excellent IrComm ICM-3200b were found together with the original Vector and was able to be retained.
All this effort paid off in transport capabilities. With eight tons of transport capacity. Enough for a squad of Assault-class Battle Armour, Two standard squads of battle armour and two whole platoons of troops.