Tragun Corporation T-550 Medium Grav Transport:

While one might think that most cargo mich be transported by shuttle, much of the cargo transported around a planet is carried by other types of vehicles. Cargo shuttles are expensive compared to other designs. Common transports include both wheeled and gravity based hover designs. Many planets have a lack of roads which prevent wheeled transports as being useful however. Air cushion designs, while reasonably common, are less common than grav and wheeled designs.

Grav Transports come in a variety of different sizes. The best known is the Hover Mule which is basically the equivalent of a pickup truck. Other common sizes include five tonne, eight tonne, ten ton, and twelve ton models. As one might expect, there are tens of thousands of companies within the Three Galaxies which manufacture hover transport designs.

At one time, the Tragun Corporation was one of the largest manufacturer of these larger transport vehicles within the Three Galaxies. While the company still manufactures larger grav transports, their production is a fraction of what it once was with other companies taking the slack. Even so, there are millions if not billions of hover transports manufactured by Tragun. Even if the company was to fold, one could expect these transports to remain in service.

Manufactured for many years, the T-550 was the companies main medium transport designs. It has since been replaced by newer models although still extremely similar. The T-550 is designed around having a useful cargo load of five tonnes. There are a numerous “knock-off” designs manufactured around the Three Galaxies, many in places where the Tragun Corporation lacks the ability to enforce their patents. This has been given as a reason for the company having economic problems however most economists argue that it is mismanagement by the corporate executives.

In a similar fashion to the Tragun Hover Mule, the T-550 is an extremely robust design which requires minimal maintenance. Many operators have complained when their companies have switched to new models which simply are not as reliable. Military members with both the Consortium and Human Alliance armed forces have expressed similar concerns and many have fought hard to hold onto their old vehicles. At one time, the Consortium and the Human Alliance were among the largest operators of these vehicles.

Standard models of the T-550 are conventional electric and are powered by high capacity batteries which gives a range of twenty five hundred kilometers. Speed is rather sedate with a normal top speed of one hundred and sixty kilometers per hour while at low altitudes. It has the ability to hover up to two hundred meters and can operate up to two hundred kilometers per hour at higher altitudes. Newer hover designs tend to improve both on range and speed.

A common upgrade is to replace the conventional high capacity batteries with a lightweight fusion reactor. Originally this was only an after market upgrade but later the company added fusion powered models to their standard lineup of models which they sold. While the fusion reactor requires refueling every five years, it gives effectively unlimited range.

As built, these medium hover transports were fitted with an atmospheric filtration and temperature controls to maintain a comfortable compartment but is not fitted with full life support. This means that the vehicle could not be operating under vacuum conditions unless the crew are wearing protective suits. Upgraded models add full life support.

These vehicles have an automatic flight control system which on most advanced planets allows the vehicle to operate virtually independently. In addition, the system is designed to prevents collisions and other accidents. Otherwise, systems include a simple navigation radar system and light amplification gear.

As with the hover mule, some owners have converted these vehicles into various military roles. When they are expected to operate as armored vehicles, they are at an extremely disadvantage compared to true military vehicles. More useful however is that these vehicles have been modified to act as missile vehicles, armed with either long range or medium range missiles. Even so, the vehicles lack the sensor array system of purpose built missile vehicles and depend on other vehicles to act as fire control.

Model Type: T.C. T-550.

Vehicle Type: Contra-Grav Hover Craft (Cargo).

Crew: One (and one passenger) for standard model or one (and four passengers) for extended model (does not include cargo bay / twelve to sixteen can ride in the cargo bay comfortably).

M.D.C. By Location:

	[1] Hover Unit:	120.
	[2] Main Body:	380.
	Cockpit:	80.
	Cargo Bay:	100.

Notes:

[1] Destruction of the hover unit will cause the vehicle to be no longer under the pilot’s control.

[2] Destruction of the main body will cause the vehicle to crash.

Speed:

Driving on the Ground: 99.4 mph (160 kph) maximum. The hover craft can make sharp turns and float over any obstacle. Note: The maximum top speed can be actually higher than this, but that is under ideal conditions, like straight roads and flat terrain. The low level terrain avoidance systems cannot operate properly at speeds faster than this.

Atmospheric Propulsion: Maximum cruise speed is 124.3 mph (200 kph), due to being a low powered Contra-Grav system, altitude is limited to 656.2 feet (200 meters.)

Maximum Range: With electric power system has a 1,553.4 miles (2,500 km) range and with fusion (after market upgrade) has effectively unlimited range.

Statistical Data:

Length: Standard Cab: 24.61 feet (7.5 meters) Extended Cab: 27.23 feet (8.3 meters).

Height: All Models: 27.23 feet (2.80 meters).

Width: All Models: 8.20 feet (2.5 meters).

Mass/Weight: Standard Cab: 18,739.3 lbs (8,500 kilograms) empty. Extended Cab: 20,282.5 lbs (9,200 kilograms) empty.

Power System: Electrical with High Capacity Battery (Advanced Fusion Conversion with a 5 year micro-fusion reactor available.)

Cargo: Minimal Storage Space in crew compartment (Extended versions have additional space behind driver seat) Cargo bay /bed can carry a maximum of 11,023.1 lbs (5,000 kilograms).

Market Cost: 80,000 credits for a new model and 25,000 to 40,000 for an older model with an electrical power plant. The micro fusion conversion costs 200,000 credits.

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

None standard but some have weapon systems added. Missile vehicles are described separately.

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Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

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