Petrae Shuttle

Vehicle Name: Petrae Shuttle

Faction: Patrian Military.

Height: 7.5m /  25'

Length: 32m / 105'

Physical Appearance: 


Weight: 110,000kg / 242,500 lbs

Power Systems: Type 3 Fusion Drive, Negotis Heavy Industries (NHI)

Type: Military shuttle, atmosphere and space capable.

Abilities: 

Speed: 
Space:  Approx. 8,000kph / 4,900mph
Atmosphere:  Approx. 2,000kph / 1,200mph (close to Mach 3)

Defensive Systems: 
Modular heat-absorbing panels.  Meant to protect against the extreme heat of orbital entry, these panels also lend themselves quite well against thermal and energy weapons, however they are very brittle and easily broken by kinetic attacks.  The modular design, however, allows for easy repairs upon return to their carrier in orbit.

Point Defense Laser: Small, auto-targeting weapon systems meant to intercept and defeat inbound kinetic attacks (such as rockets or missiles).  Two are mounted at the fore of the craft, one above and below the cockpit.  Two more are located at the aft of the shuttle, in a similar arrangement.

Redundant and Secondary Systems:  In case of damage to ship systems, backup functions allow for navigation and maneuvering, as well as secondary life support systems and the like.  These systems do not function as efficiently as the primaries, but do allow some chance of recovery in case of damage or malfunction.

Crew: 1 Pilot, 1 Navigator, 1 Weapons Officer, 1 Technician.

Levels: 
Cargo Hold:  Located at the aft of the shuttle.
Passenger Compartment:  Capable of housing upwards of 50 armoured infantry in crash-harness seats.  Usually only carries 32.  A dual level, low-roofed area, very cramped and uncomfortable if at full passenger capacity.
Crew Compartent: Consols and controls for most of the crew, located at the front view ports.
Technician's Loft:  Located above and behind the crew compartment, and ahead of the top level of the passenger compartment.

Equipment: 
Maneuvering thrusters allow for evasive maneuvering.
Radar, LIDAR, Active ECM, Passive ECM, laser comms system, broad-band radio comms, Multi-spectrum imaging suite.  Capable of VTOL landing/take off.

Cargo Hold: Capable of housing 4 RS3.Rs, two on hydraulic lifts, two on the main floor.

Weapon Systems: Two linked 300kw laser cannons, mounted on the inside of either forward facing struts.

Maximum Effective Range:
Space:  Approx. 800km / 490 miles
Atmopshere: Approx. 10km / 6 miles 
Extreme difference in range is partly due to energy bleed off due to the laser's interaction with the atmosphere, and an intentional reduction in range to prevent stray shots from striking targets outside the combat area. 

Rate Of Fire: Each linked-laser array fires seperately, allowing for a continuous rate of fire of one shot every 2 seconds, alternating from the left and right weapon systems.

Payload: Easily sustainable as long as the shuttle's main power system is functional.

History: The Petrae Shuttle was designed in the later years of the war, to allow for rapid insertion or extraction of teams or civilians on the ground.  Thanks to the advanced materials used in the heat-absorbing panels, the Petrae can enter orbit at an extremely steep angle, greatly reducing the ability for hostile forces to intercept. 

Approved.