Restricted Ship Hardcell-class Armed Transport

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HARDCELL-CLASS ARMED TRANSPORT

AFFILIATION
Open market.

MANUFACTURER
Techno Union.

CLASS
Bulk cruiser.

ROLE
Capital ship.

COMPOSITION
Titanium and transparisteel.

DIMENSIONS
Height - 220 meters.CREW
20-200.

PASSENGER CAPACITY
500-1,000.

CARGO CAPACITY
12.5 kilotons.

HANGAR CAPACITY
N/A.

CONSUMABLES
6 standard months.

SPEED/MANEUVERABILITY
The Hardcell-class armed transport has a top speed of 40 MGLT and has sluggish maneuvering characteristics.

ARMAMENT

• 3x fixed medium turbolaser cannon.
• 6x dual light laser turret.

EQUIPMENT

• 2x hyperdrive, 1x class 1 primary, 1x class 8 backup.
• 1x navicomputer.
• 1x heavy deflector screen generator.
• 1x long-range sensor suite.
• 1x long-range communication suite.
• 3x docking ring with integrated docking tube.
• Many x escape pod.

DESCRIPTION​

The Hardcell-class armed transport is a heavy bulk cruiser which was manufactured by shipyards belonging directly to the Techno Union in the years prior to the Clone Wars, and which entered the service of the Confederacy of Independent Systems after the Techno Union put itself at their disposal. Archaic in some ways but useful and solidly built, Hardcells were an important component of Separatist naval logistics throughout the war, and were the landing craft of choice for IG-LN lancer droids, among other applications.

The Hardcell-class armed transport is 220 meters in length, or rather in height, as unlike many modern spacecraft, the Hardcell is vertically rather than horizontally oriented. For landing and takeoff, the ship sits on its engines, loading and unloading cargo and personnel either via cranes or an elevator system located between its massive drive units. In this, and in the orientation of its main armament - 3 fixed turbolasers firing "upward" from the bow - the Hardcell is extremely reminiscent of ancient spacecraft from the pre-Republic era. In most other respects, however, the Hardcell is quite contemporary; it has a crew of 200, and can carry either 500 organic passengers or up to 1,000 droids. Cargo capacity is some 12,500 tons, stored in cavernous multi-level cargo holds. The ship's top speed is a crawling 40 MGLT, however it does boast a class 1 hyperdrive, allowing it to traverse interstellar distances quite quickly.

Hardcell transports were used extensively by the CIS, and despite their nominal status as heavily armed freighters, were seen fighting on the front lines of Separatist fleet actions, alongside larger, more powerful ships. They were considered a match for lighter Republic frigates and corvettes, and were used to bull through blockades of less powerful ships, often en masse. A number of Republic sieges were broken by Hardcells delivering arms and other supplies to beleaguered CIS ground forces.

After the end of the war, the Techno Union was dissolved by the Empire, and its assets were liquidated, including large numbers of surviving Hardcells. These were purchased primarily by large shipping corporations, and by a number of independent navies, surviving as armed merchant cruisers into the present day.

LEGALITY​

Restricted. Hardcell-class armed transports, though they are technically freighters, possess heavy weapons and a general military pedigree. As such, civilian owners will require extra licensing to operate one legally, and will receive increased scrutiny by authorities.

INTENT​

To bring a vessel from canon into our site's fanon.

RESTRICTIONS​

Hardcell-class armed transports are reasonably common and quite old, but are not easy or cheap to obtain. They are typically faction assets, although they could also serve as the focal point of a player-run business venture.