Tragun Corporation T-850 Heavy Grav Transport:

While cargos carried between planetary surface and orbit are carried usually by shuttle, cargos carried between points on a planet are more often carried by more conventional transports especially relatively short distances. Most commonly these are contra-grav hover transports or wheeled designs. Due to the existence of contra-grav, some planets do not have much of a road infrastructure which limits wheeled transports. Such places, wheeled designs are far less common. While air cushion hover designs are reasonably common, the numbers are a fraction of those of contra-grav and wheeled vehicles.

Virtually everybody has heard of the hover mule. It is a light contra-grav hover transport which can carry approximately two tonnes of cargo and fills much the same role as the Twenty-First Century pickup truck. There are also smaller designs known as mini hover mules. In addition, there are a number of common larger designs which go anywhere from five tons to twelve tons. There are tens of thousands of manufacturers of such transports within the Three Galaxies which produce a bewildering number of different models of these trucks.

One of the best known manufacturers of contra-grav hover vehicles in a company known as Tragun Corporation. One might compare the company to the Twentieth Century companies of Ford and General Motors. It dominated the manufacture of these vehicles for centuries and is one of the oldest still existing companies within the Three Galaxies even though many believe the company’s glory days are behind it. While the company no longer holds the market with regards to current production, Tragun Corporation manufactured vehicles still account for a significant number of vehicles operating within the Three Galaxies.

While the T-250 and T-550 were produced in larger numbers, the T-850 was also produced in huge numbers as well. Able to carry eight tonnes of cargo, it is considered to be on the small size for a “heavy” transport. As with the T-250 and the T-550, production ended several decades ago although untold numbers of the T-850 are still operation. The company continues to manufacture a similar design but simply does not have the popularity of the older hover design.

Interestingly, several companies produce a “knock off” design of the T-850. In most cases these vehicles are produced on frontier worlds outside of the major powers such as the Consortium. These copies remain extremely popular. In fact, several Tragun Corporation executives blame their flagging sales numbers on knock off designs although most economists believe that it is due to the mismanagement of those very same company executives.

All of the older Tragun Corporation transport vehicles were extremely robust and the T-850 is no exception. While not built to military standards, these vehicles are considered extremely tough. In addition, there require minimal maintenance. A large number of operators have refused to switch to newer vehicles, preferring the reliable nature of these older vehicles. As a result, it is unlikely that third party support services for these vehicles will end anytime in the near future. One expects these contra-grav hover designs continue to be operated for the next several centuries.

Part of what makes the vehicles so reliable is the fact that the designs might be considered “over-engineered” with the grav system and other components never strained unlike many newer designs. That makes the vehicles a bit on the slow side with the T-850 transport having a normal top speed of one hundred and sixty kilometers per hour at low altitude. I can also operate at two hundred kilometers per hour at higher altitudes with a maximum altitude of only two hundred meters. Initially, the vehicle was designed with a conventional electrical propulsion system with a range of around twenty-five hundred kilometers. A number of after market companies soon began offering an upgrade to a micro fusion reactor with the company eventually following suit.

As designed, these vehicles were not fitted with full life support and were fitted only with a filtration system and temperature controls. Even though the flight system still operates in an airless or toxic environment, crews would be required to wear environmental suits. Later models added full life support as an option and a number of companies offer upgrades to existing vehicles.

Standard sensor systems are similarly limited with standard models only carrying a short range radar and light amplification gear. Flight systems are more complete however with the ability of the vehicle to operate autonomously on many settled worlds. Even on planets without advanced navigational aids, the hover vehicle has an advanced collision and terrain avoidance system.

Similar to other designs, large numbers of these vehicles are in the hands of various military and mercenary forces within the Three Galaxies. While the Consortium and Human Alliance militaries have switched to newer vehicles, many in service have bitterly opposed the switch to the more modern designs. At one time, those two militaries were among the largest operators of the contra-grav transports.

While neither the Consortium or Human Alliance operated these vehicles in anything other than support roles, a number of other military forces have converted them to perform other services. In general, as combat vehicles, the various contra-grav transports perform poorly. They simply do not have the armor and systems which would make them effective. As a result, a hover tank could take on a half dozen of so converted contra-grav transport vehicles with an extremely high chance of victory.

The only real exception is as missile vehicles. In such a role, the vehicle can mount an advanced sensor system along with four long range missiles or eight medium range missiles. Compared to purpose built missile vehicles, they are far less expensive although have far lower payloads. Even purpose built missile vehicles rely far more on their mobility as protection than their armor however.

Model Type: T.C. T-850.

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 / sixteen to twenty-four can ride in the cargo bay comfortably).

M.D.C. By Location:

	[1] Hover Unit:	125.
	[2] Main Body:	400.
	Cockpit:	80.
	Cargo Bay:	110.

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: 28.87 feet (8.8 meters) Extended Cab: 31.49 feet (9.6 meters).

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

Width: All Models: 8.37 feet (2.55 meters).

Mass/Weight: Standard Cab: 27,116.9 lbs (12,300 kilograms) empty. Extended Cab: 28,219.2 lbs (12,800 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 17,637.0 lbs (8,000 kilograms).

Market Cost: 120,000 credits for a new model and 35,000 to 50,000 for an older model with an electrical power plant. The micro fusion conversion costs 400,000 credits.

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

None standard but some have weapon systems added.

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Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

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