MV-T-63 Chariot

The MV-T-63 Chariot is a Heavy, Single-Stage Multi-Environmental Transport/Gunship (also referred to as a "Dropship", a catch-all term for heavily armed and armored transports.) in use with the Atreus Aerospace Command, and the Confederacy of Veiid.

MV-T-63 Chariot MV-T-63 Chariot Multi-Environmental Heavy Transport
Multi-Environmental Heavy Transport
A MV-T-63 Chariot on a evaluation flight in low Duna orbit c.2198
National Origin		Confederacy of Atreus
Production History
Designed
2193 - 2195
Produced
2197 - N/A
Designer		Odyssey Aerospace Astronautical Design Office
Unit Cost		65,304(√)
Number Built		16+
Service History
In Service
2197 - N/A
Used By		Confederacy of Atreus Confederacy of Veiid
Spacecraft Characteristics
Launch Mass		47,489 kg
Dry Mass		32,100 kg
Length		12.5 m
Width		10.9 m
Height		3.3 m
Propulsion		2 J-606 "Jaguar" Afterburning Turbofans 2 J-X4 "Whiplash" Turbo Ramjet Engines 1 S3 KS-25 "Vector" Chemical Rocket
Maximum Thrust		1000kn kN
Specific Impulse		4871 (Air-Breathing) 295 (Exo-Atmospheric) seconds (17788 (Air-Breathing) 506 (Exo-Atmospheric) m/s)
Complement		4 total, 2 Officers, 2 Enlisted
Armament		3 M230 Aircraft Chainguns

Design

Designed to fill the lack of a heavy-lift, carrier based transports for the Atreus Aerospace Command (AASC). The MV-T-63 Chariot features a variety of both air-breathing, and liquid fuel rockets to achieve a large payload capacity, albeit a very limited range outside of atmosphere. The air-breathing engines are mounted on nacelles mounted in a "high-wing" configuration giving clearance for drop tanks and ordinance under the wings and engines without increasing the dimensions of the Chariot. With a mix of air-breathing engines, the J-X4 "Whiplash" engines are mounted on the front two nacelles and the J-606 Jaguar engines mounted slightly higher, and on the rear two nacelles, giving the Chariot it's iconic appearance and bulky style.

The cockpit of the Chariot is unique compared to other craft of a similar role, with a slim, inline cockpit with the pilot sat above and behind the Co-Pilot/Gunner, similar to an Attack Helicopter. Furthermore, the Chariot's cockpit is covered in 15mm of Bulletproof and tinted glass with additional 25mm of bulletproof glass in front of each of the crew-member's positions, with more armor surrounding the positions. Notably, the Chariot does not feature Heads Up Displays (HUDs). Instead, the Chariot provides information through the Pilots' Helmet Display System to prevent any damage to the cockpit removing any situational awareness from the pilots.

Development

Similar to the other equipment in use of the AASC, the MV-T-63 Chariot was designed after a contract for a SSTO transport aircraft for use in "Ship-to-Shore" operations (trips from a orbiting vessel to a body's surface and back). Facing very little competition, the contract went to the Odyssey Aerospace Astronautical Design Office. With the contract handily secured, Odyssey was able to submit multiple proposals to the AASC, mainly focusing on different engine configurations and minor systems changes.

However, the overall design remained the same throughout the different proposals, with a internal cargo bay serviced by the Crew Chief and Loadmaster containing 16 other passengers and their equipment, and the external cargo mount for heavier vehicles such as the M88 Aegis Main Battle Tank, or other light vehicles/cargo without restricting the internal compliment.

Service History

Entering into service with the AASC in late 2197, the MV-T-63 was very well received initially. Beloved by her crews for her maneuverability and surprising ease of use, the Chariot was quickly assigned to supporting Atreus' Royal Hussars and Expeditionary groups, lifting all the heavy cargo they require.

Squadrons Equipped With MV-T-63s

Air Group III, 3rd Operations Support Wing

• Void Heavy Lift Squadron 31 (VHMH-31) "Heavy Lifters", ESB-1
• Void Heavy Lift Squadron 32 (VHMH-32) "Hefty Haulers", ESB-2

Navy Training Command (NAVTRACOM)

• Naval Training and Evaluations Squadron 1 (NTES-1), HAS New Corvus, Mun

Spacecraft of a Comparable Role and Era

• OS-57 Valk