Utility Assault Dropship

Utility Dropship:
Several attempts at heavily armed and armored compact multi role Trans-atmospheric craft have been attempted. The mass of quantum resonance reactors of sufficient power to operate a lift system capable of orbit to surface and return flight has made previous vehicles largely unacceptable to military planners.
Recently introduced the latest generation Dropship is a flexible agile craft capable at delivering a single combat vehicle or platoon transport directly to a small landing zone. high subsonic speeds. Aerodynamic assisted flight controls, a self contained Quantum resonance power core and Gravitic assisted plasma scram jets give the craft amazing agility in atmosphere.
This vehicle fills the role of medium transport in most units. and replaces atmospheric only transports in most forces at this time. it's heavy armor, and fearsome firepower limit it's cargo capacity but allow the craft to self support it's troops, and serve as a capable combat assault transport.
All Dropships mount laser designators, all weather flight optics and collision avoidance radar, as well as helmet mounted targeting and tracking systems.
Several variants have been added to the standard utility assault version, including a dedicated gun ship, bomber, and heavy fire support model have been introduced. The Colonial Marine corp, and TAE marines have began to rapidly develop tactics and formations relying on the small crafts abilities.

All versions feature high altitude hover, high speed lateral maneuvering systems, and vertical take off and landing capabilities(while fully loaded).

Range: Limited by crew endurance
Speed: High subsonic in all modes

Crew:
Pilot
Weapons Operator
Crew Chief

Capacity
1 armored fighting vehicle
1 Armor Platoon transport +20 infantry
50-75 equipped infantry
4 Combat Infantry Armor Suits
12 tons cargo slung under craft ( without weapons, or carried cargo)

Armor: equivalent to M-1 Abrams tank

Weapons:
16 Anti tank guided missiles
4 24 round 3.75 inch rocket pods.
1 35mm chain gun
4 short range air to air guided missiles

Gunship variant
removes cargo and transport capacity increasing speed to transonic. and adding enhanced targeting target designation capabilities,enhanced optics, and wide area ground scanning imaging radar.

Weapons:
24 Anti tank guided missiles
6 24 round 3.75 inch rocket pods.
1 35mm chain gun
1 Fixed forward firing 75mm low velocity mass cannon
4 short range air to air guided missiles


Ground Attack: replaces cargo pod with internal stores pod. Capable of carrying 14,000 pounds of ordnance, in addition to the normal weapons load.

Heavy Fire Support variant: removes the cargo bay instead mounting heavy stores, including heavy Stand off attack missiles. guided and free flight rockets, and a fast firing high velocity mass cannon which can penetrate the armor of most conventional main battle tanks.

Transport variant: removes weapons, fire control systems, and armor allowing greater carrying capacity and lower cost per unit. (this unit is widely available for commercial and civilian sales.)