OVERVIEWIn 2994, the leadership of Clan Goliath Scorpion began a program designed to streamline their logistical burdens. As part of that program, the Khans called upon the Scientist caste to design a prototype for a new Troop Carrier DropShip. Designated as the
Scorpion-class, this new design was intended from the beginning to serve as the base chassis for a number of various troop modules. This would allow the Scorpions to replace their current collection of
Union-C,
Broadsword,
Sassanid, and
Carrier class vessels with one ship design able to perform the functions of any lighter weight Troop Carrier DropShip.
Difficulties arose during the design process, however, as the concept of a modular DropShip did not prove completely viable in reality. Furthermore, the lack of experience on the part of the Scorpion scientists in creating design schematics for such a complicated vessel delayed the project again and again.
In 2996, the frustrated Scorpions turned to the naval experts of Clan Snow Raven for assistance. The Ravens were intrigued by the design concept and agreed to help design the new vessels . . . in return for the rights to produce the design for themselves. But even these veteran engineers and shipwrights cautioned that the final design would not be truly modular in nature. However, they did assure the Scorpions that the final vessels would share a commonality of parts and systems that would achieve much of the Scorpion's goals.
The Scorpion leadership agreed and by early 2997, the design had been finalized and the first five prototypes were under construction.
CAPABILITIESBased upon the antiquated SLDF
Fortress-class, the
Scorpion was a 6,000 ton displacement spherical design. Thrust was set at 2-G's safe acceleration and a maximum thrust of 3-G's, matching that of the
Union-C. However, the
Scorpion featured far heavier armor protection than the older 'Mech-carrier, as well as greater firepower.
The bulk of the weapons carried are in the nose and forward-side arcs. Each of these arcs mounts an identical battery consisting of three ER Large Lasers, two ER PPCs, two Gauss Rifles (60 dual bursts), one Ultra AC-20 (with 60 double taps), and four ER Medium Lasers.
The aft-side and stern weapon locations carry a slightly smaller battery that omits the Gauss Rifles and UAC-20 but retains all other weapon systems.
In a significant change from older DropShips, the
Scorpion features 282 double-strength heat sinks for its cooling system, allowing the crew to fire all weapon systems simultaneously without suffering from overheat. The power system on the DropShip is ample as well, providing enough power for all weapons and other systems even at maximum thrust generation.
332 tons of fuel are stored, providing the
Scorpion with enough tankage to constantly accelerate at 1-G for up to 180 standard days. Combat operations, of course, will reduce the amount of time that the
Scorpion can remain in action without being refueled as evasive and high-G maneuvers burn through the fuel far faster.
The vessel's crew consists of eleven gunners, three officers, and three technical support crewmen. However, sufficient life support, provisions, and water are included on all
Scorpions to support up to 60 personnel for 180 days. Ten escape pods are fitted to the design as well.
This left the Scorpion and Raven designers with 3,394 excess tons. The Scorpions initially required four configurations of the
Scorpion-class DropShip, but over the next decade, the Ravens would add (and make available to other Clans) another four. While this action by the Ravens infuriated the Scorpions, there was little they could do . . . and the Ravens
had provided the technical and engineering expertise to actually draw the schematics and then build the design.
The
Scorpion Mark I was the first design to emerge. Built to carry a Scorpion Command Trinary, this design embarked a dozen OmniMechs, ten Elementals, and a pair of OmniFighters, plus technical support personnel. In a noted departure from Clan (or SLDF, or Inner Sphere for that matter!) norms, the Scorpions insisted on providing each Warrior and Technician of the Trinary with their own set dedicated quarters. This decision consumed 200 tons of valuable internal space, but did have the effect of ensuring that Warriors travelling long distances arrived on the battlefield in fighting trim.
The Mark I also included a Cluster Command Headquarters with a staff of 25 personnel. These (former) Warriors, Scientists, Technicians, and Merchants provide all of the staff support that a military unit requires, ranging from intelligence to logistics to combat operations coordination to meteorological forecasts to medical services. A fifty-ton Command HQ module was installed to support these personnel. Room was available for an additional 38 passengers, which can house replacement Warriors as needed, and the consumables doubled in volume to support 120 personnel. Ten additional escape pods were also installed.
This left 585 tons remaining for cargo, spare parts, munitions, Omni-pods, and general supplies.
The
Scorpion Mark II is designed to accommodate a Clan Goliath Scorpion Assault Trinary of 10 OmniMechs and 25 Elemental Warriors, plus accommodations for 53 passengers. Maximum personnel is also 120 (with 20 escape pods total) and supplies for 180 standard days. Cargo capacity is a staggering 1,205 tons.
Intended to transport a Battle Trinary, the
Scorpion Mark III has bays for 5 OmniMechs, 25 Elementals, and 10 OmniFighters, plus up to 43 passengers. Once again, maximum personnel load is 120 while cargo capacity is 455 tons.
The
Scorpion Mark IV houses a Striker Trinary of 10 OmniMechs and 10 OmniFighters, along with three passenger compartments. Maximum personnel load is 60 with a meager 179 tons of cargo space available.
Knowing that no other Clan (other than Wolf command stars) used the unique Goliath Scorpion Trinary organizations, Clan Snow Raven introduced a number of their own variants for sell to interested buyers. The first of these was the
Scorpion Mark V. Able to deploy a full Trinary of Omnimechs (15) and housing up to 13 passengers, the Mark V has a maximum personnel load of 60 with 929 tons of cargo space.
The
Scorpion Mark VI was built for Clan Hell's Horses. That Clan required a Troop Carrier designed to deploy with a Binary Supernova of 10 OmniMechs and 50 Elemental Warriors. The semi-modular nature of the
Scorpion-class made it ideal for that purpose. Up to 23 passengers can be embarked, with a maximum personnel load of 120. Cargo space is an ample 1,155 tons.
The
Scorpion Mark VII is an aerospace fighter carrier. And like most such carriers, cargo space is very limited . . . just 179 tons. But the design embarks two full Stars of OmniFighters or Aerospace Fighters (20 total), along with up to three passengers. Maximum personnel load is 60.
Finally, the
Scorpion Mark VIII is another design built for Clan Hell's Horses. This unit is able to transport a Supernova built around two Stars of light vehicles (20 total), plus another
four Stars of Elementals (100 total)! Often used by the Horse's for their
Epona Hover Pursuit Tanks, this style of Supernova is fast and deadly . . . and at long last, the Horses would now have the ability to transport such a unit intact. Although just three passenger compartments are available, maximum personnel load is 240, with a total of 40 escape pods. Cargo space is 707 tons.
DEPLOYMENTPrimarily in use by Clans Cloud Cobra, Goliath Scorpion, Hell's Horses, Snow Raven, and Wolf, the
Scorpion does manage to see use in nearly every Clan . . . at least in limited numbers. The firepower and armor protection of the design makes it highly sought after, but the "luxury" accommodations for Warriors (and Technicians!) causes many Clan leaders to reject these DropShips outright. Only Clans Smoke Jaguar and Blood Spirit refuse to field this design, even in limited numbers.
