Drakkar-Class Transport

Due to Varangian Guard’s focus as a mercenary corporation being on garrison operations more than offensive fleet ops, one of the more common vessels seen in their fleet is the Drakkar-class transport. More than a mere troop carrier, a pair of these vessels can deploy an entire FOB (Forward Operating Base), including structures, perimeter towers, shield generators, barracks, DFac (dining facility), and the thousands of mercenaries and vehicles to man it in under four hours.
This phenomenal capability to jump in, hit dirtside and secure an operating base and LZ in just a few hours is what has led to Varangian Guard’s popularity. As such, these vessels are in high demand by other clients, and Varangian has made more money selling the Drakkar than any other vessel in their fleet.
Named after one of the largest classes of Viking longships, the Drakkar looks completely different unloaded than when carrying her cargo. The Drakkar is a scrawny waif of a ship without the modules maglocked to her hull, giving an indication of just how much she can carry
The Drakkar shown is carrying one half of a FOB. From bow to stern it is carrying the following on each side- one quarter of the circular command-and-control center that will be the base’s operating hub, one of four perimeter towers with integral shield generators, heavy and point-defense cannons, and missile batteries (shown here configured to defend the vessel on approach), three cargo modules containing troops, battlewalkers, vehicles, supplies, and general cargo, one of four fortified 2,500-man habitat module under the wing, and one of two dining facility modules in the rear. The companion ship will be carrying admin buildings and motor pool facilities in their place.
The Drakkar is neither weak nor frail. Eight heavy APPC turrets- four dorsal and four ventral- give it firepower rivaling a conventional destroyer-class vessel. Due to the modules attached to it, however, the Drakkar has very few point-defense turrets and no intermediate firepower, merely the big guns. This may seem like a design flaw or contradiction, but it was actually intentional. Carrying such heavy firepower means that the Drakkar does not require a destroyer escort, as it can dish out continent-busting abuse all on its own. It is vulnerable to fighters and smaller vessels, however, which alters the nature of the required escort.
Rather than deploying a handful of expensive destroyers to protect these transports, a squadron of four to six Valkyrie corvettes is sent to provide anti-fighter and close-quarters defense. As the Valkyrie is the mainstay of the Varangian Guard fleet, this gives them an edge over conventional ops planners.



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