TME-13 Vespa Aerospace Transport

STATISTICS

OVERVIEW

    The TME-13 Vespa is a well protected, fast and heavily armed assault shuttle, capable of carrying cargo and paradropping infantry into combat zones.  Initially designed as an assault fighter similar to the Nazgul, the Vespa filled its tonnage maximum yet did not fill its volume (it was mostly empty space).   The decision was then made to upgrade the Vespa's engine to an extra-light engine, providing more tonnage for equipment.  As the Vespa already met its capability goals, the "brains" in Marketing at TME thought that:
    "Well, like, some flying jet fighter that could, like, carry things would be cool."
    The engineers responded:  "That isn't what a fighter is for."
    "But, like, everyone else has, like, jet planes that shoot stuff.   We could sell ours as the only one that could, like, carry stuff too."
    The tacticians jumped in:  "Yes.  A craft that could secure the area and then physically take it by landing infantry would be novel.  I suggest we do it.  How many troops can we fit in there?"
    Engineering responded:  "About twenty-eight."

CAPABILITIES

    So, the Vespa can carry six and a half tons of cargo or a platoon of foot or jumppack infantry.  In addition to its heavy armor, average speed, and heavy weaponry the Vespa can easily conquer most foes, providing air support for its crack troops.  Two extended range large lasers and a long range missile twenty-rack provide ranged firepower while two particle projector cannons provide a killing punch.  An array of three medium lasers provides close support.  The infantry can either unload from the front ramp once the Vespa lands or jump out of two rear doors in flight.

DEPLOYMENT

    The TME-13 is surprisingly popular, especially for special forces like MIIO, DEST, ComStar and Death Commandos.  It is also popular with bandit kings and Periphery lords who use it for lightning raids for supplies.

VARIANTS

    The TME-13-A, also popular, comes with a 1.5 ton docking clamp and inflatable airlock skirt which allows it to participate in space boarding actions.  As the standard TME-13 needs a prepared runway, the TME-13-B sheds the extended range lasers and twelve heat sinks to carry two additional jump infantry platoons and add VTOL capability.  Another variant, the TME-13-C bomber, is identical to the TME-13-B except no VTOL capability and it carries internal bomb racks instead of infantry or cargo.