T.N.F. Planetary Dropship 'Ghost' Mk.IV (M)

"Glancing out the rear hatch window slit, he could see the three other Ghosts in the formation, their sunlit armor bright against the blackness of space. Armed with rotary autocannons and clad in sloped, gray-painted steel, the dropships of the strike carrier Carnage were closing in fast on their planned line of departure." -From The Fleet Beyond Neptune

When the T.N.F. Strike Infantry conduct planetary assaults from orbit, especially when doing so with limited fighter support, they favor the multi-mission variant of the Ghost as a way to get in and out again. Designed to carry assault teams of four or six heavily equipped infantrymen to their target, it is also equipped with enough firepower to take on the role of a support gunship after the drop. When the ground operation is over, the dropship will pick up and return the assault team to space.

During transport to and from a target, the passengers can monitor the Ghost’s structural status and weapons systems, or use the external cameras to orient themselves. The passenger seats have a supply of oxygen and hydrogen, and will automatically replenish the passengers’ suits and jetpacks during transport. As it has no hydrogen propulsion system, it does not need to refuel between planet-to-space transitions, which gives it a high operational endurance.

Atmospheric entry: ▪ When entering a planet’s gravity pull from space, level the Ghost with the planet’s gravity, shut down its inertia dampeners, and let it free fall to the surface. ▪ When below 1000 m, engage the inertia dampeners and the ship will quickly slow down, and stop completely after around 150-300 m, depending on the planet’s size and gravity. Alternatively, the dropship’s parachute can be used.

Atmospheric launch: ▪ Turn on ion thrusters, level the dropship with the planet’s gravity, and engage full upward thrust. ▪ The Ghost will enter a transition phase in the planet’s upper atmosphere, where it will temporarily lose speed. Keep the thrusters at full burn, and the dropship will begin to accelerate again after it reaches around 50 m/s, depending on the planet’s size and gravity. ▪ At this point the ion thrusters deliver enough thrust, and the dropship can continue to maneuver in orbit, or continue into space.

General characteristics: ▪ Crew: 1x Pilot (+2x weapons controllers) ▪ Length: 13 m ▪ Width: 10,5 m ▪ Height: 4,5 m

Armaments: ▪ 2x Autocannon Turrets ▪ 6x Fixed Gatling Guns ▪ 8x Rocket Launchers

Troop carrying capacity: ▪ 6x Heavily equipped personnel

Features: ▪ Capable of atmospheric entry and launch. ▪ Radar panel which marks friendly units running the same script, and enemy/neutral ships targeted by the dropship’s turrets. ▪ Internal and external information screens showing the dropship’s heading, position relative to an horizon, ammunition and fuel storage, and damage diagnostics. ▪ T.N.F. markings, using the Fleet’s logo converted to monospace by Whiplash141. ▪ Spare hydrogen and oxygen bottles, tools, weapons and ammo in cockpit. ▪ Air vent with depressurize on, which renews the cockpits oxygen supply when in atmosphere, or in a hangar. ▪ An internal projector to aid in repairing the ship. ▪ Contains fuel and components – tested in survival.

Known issues: ▪ None at the moment.

Acknowledgements: ▪ The radar panel uses Whip’s Turret Based Radar script by Whiplash141. ▪ The information screens use MMaster's LCD 2 script. ▪ The screen showing the planet's horizon and the dropship's heading is using Whip's Artificial Horizon Redux script by Whiplash141. ▪ Diagnostics screens are using the SIMPL|Ship Integrity Monitoring Program Lite script by Whiplash141. ▪ The rocket launchers fires salvos thanks to the Whip's Weapon Salvo Code, made by Whiplash141.

For those who like the setting and lore surrounding the Fleet: consider reading The Fleet Beyond Neptune, my book about the conflict between the Fleet and the Alliance.