Levian-class Dropship: Difference between revisions
Created page with "{{Infobox ship |name=Levian-class Dropship |image=Levian.png |caption=A Levian-class Dropship. |manufacturer=Raiden Assault Craft |classification=Heavy dropship |role=Troop transport, vehicle transport, battlefield insertion, atmospheric assault |length=68 meters |acceleration_g=900 G |acceleration_mglt=4.5 MGLT/s |max_atmospheric_speed=650 km/h<span class="rpgc-infobox-note">(Higher speeds possible with deflector shields enabled)</span> |engines=Rotating high-output..." |
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|name=Levian-class Dropship | |name=Levian-class Dropship | ||
|image=Levian.png | |image=Levian.png | ||
|manufacturer=[[Raiden Assault Craft]] | |manufacturer=[[Raiden Assault Craft]] | ||
|classification=Heavy dropship | |classification=Heavy dropship | ||
Latest revision as of 23:04, 4 October 2026
Heavy dropship
Troop transport, vehicle transport, battlefield insertion, atmospheric assault
68 meters
• 900 G
• 4.5 MGLT/s
650 km/h(Higher speeds possible with deflector shields enabled)
Rotating high-output plasma engine pods (2)
• Class 3.0
200 SBD
Medium hull armor (110 RU)
- Retractable rapid-fire heavy laser turrets (2)
20
Large troop complement
or several light vehicles
Mission-dependent
Short-duration
- Rotating vectored-thrust engine pods
- Repulsorlift-independent VTOL capability
- Auxiliary maneuvering thrusters
The Levian-class Dropship is a large Olarian military transport manufactured by Raiden Assault Craft. Designed primarily for battlefield insertion and atmospheric operations, the Levian combines substantial troop or vehicle capacity with unusually high maneuverability for a craft of its size.
Unlike more conventional modern transports, the Levian does not depend upon repulsorlifts for vertical flight. Its defining feature is a pair of large rotating engine pods capable of redirecting thrust between rearward and downward orientations, allowing the craft to perform true vertical takeoff and landing, hover, and low-speed maneuvering through engine thrust alone.
Design and development
The Levian was designed around the requirements of rapid battlefield insertion rather than efficient routine transport. Its broad central hull contains the troop and vehicle compartments, while the two large propulsion pods are mounted outboard on reinforced rotating assemblies.
During normal forward flight, the engine pods face aft and function as conventional main propulsion units. For takeoff, landing, and hover operations, the pods rotate downward, directing their thrust beneath the craft. Intermediate angles are used during transition between vertical and forward flight.
Auxiliary maneuvering thrusters distributed around the hull provide additional pitch, yaw, and lateral control while hovering. This allows the Levian to sidestep, pivot, and reposition at low speed with a degree of precision unusual for a vessel nearly seventy meters long.
The design predates the widespread assumption that repulsorlifts would be available aboard every military transport. Although later examples may carry limited repulsorlift assistance, the class retains full VTOL capability without them and can operate from primitive landing zones, damaged facilities, or environments where repulsorlift systems are undesirable or unavailable.
Performance and systems
The Levian is capable of approximately 900 G of acceleration, or 4.5 MGLT/s, and a maximum atmospheric speed of roughly 650 kilometers per hour under normal conditions.
Its straight-line performance is modest, particularly compared with transports such as the Arcturus-class Transport, but this is offset by excellent low-speed atmospheric control. The rotating engine pods allow the Levian to make steep approaches, hover behind terrain, reverse out of confined landing zones, and change direction without first building significant forward speed.
The system is mechanically complex. Large rotating engine assemblies require extensive maintenance and create vulnerable moving structures that must remain aligned under enormous thrust loads. Raiden Assault Craft accepted these disadvantages in exchange for the ability to maneuver a heavily loaded transport with unusual precision during the most dangerous portion of its mission.
A Class 3.0 hyperdrive allows the Levian to operate independently between nearby systems, though its relatively slow drive reflects its primary role as a battlefield transport rather than a strategic courier.
The class carries approximately 200 SBD of shielding and medium hull armor. This provides reasonable protection against ground fire and limited fighter attack, but the Levian is not intended to remain under sustained weapons fire and normally operates with escort when penetrating heavily defended airspace.
Armament and operational use
The Levian carries two retractable rapid-fire heavy laser turrets. These provide defensive coverage against pursuing fighters and can also be used to suppress ground positions during landing and departure.
Armament is deliberately limited compared with the Raider-class Heavy Gunship. The Levian's internal volume and mass are primarily devoted to troops, vehicles, propulsion, and landing systems rather than weapons.
The craft is used for rapid delivery of infantry, light vehicles, equipment, and support personnel directly into combat zones. Its VTOL capability is particularly valuable in terrain where conventional runways or landing pads are unavailable.
Levian crews commonly exploit the ship's low-speed maneuverability to approach behind terrain, descend into confined landing zones, unload quickly, and withdraw before hostile forces can concentrate fire. The design is especially effective during planetary assaults, dispersed operations, and missions requiring repeated movement between forward positions.
Although capable of spaceflight and hyperspace travel, the Levian is fundamentally optimized for atmospheric work. In fleet service it is usually carried for planetary operations rather than used as a general-purpose ship-to-ship shuttle.