M2 Hercules

M2 Hercules
M2 Hercules
Manufacturer	Crusader Industries (CRUS)
Role	Heavy Military Lifting
Size	Large
Crew	1 – 3
Series	Hercules
Cargo capacity	468 SCU
Production state	In production;
Loaner vehicle	Mercury Star Runner, Caterpillar
Pledge
Standalone	US$480
Original	US$480
Warbond	US$400
Original	US$400
Availability	Time-limited sales
Specifications
Length	94 m
Beam	70 m
Height	23 m
Combat speed	130 m/s
Discover more Official sites Pledge store; Presentation; Brochure; Community sites StarShip 42; FleetYards;

The Crusader M2 Hercules (nickname: "Mama Bird")^[1] is a military protean vehicle transport that supports strategic lift and landing operations (i.e. Sword of Hope).^[2] It is the UEE's premier tactical starlifter. The ship's potent combination of capacity, maneuverability, and durability make it the obvious choice in large-scale transport, and a robust weapons package assures your cargo, and crew, gets to where they're going in one piece.^[3]

Brochure Description

For years the M2 has been the gold standard in strategic and tactical starlifts throughout the UEE.

Specifications

Avionics
Component	Manufacturer	Model	Size (Max)	# per mount x total
Radars	TBD	Radar	Medium (Medium)	1 x 1
Computers	TBD	Computer	Medium (Medium)	1 x 1

Systems
Component	Manufacturer	Model	Size (Max)	# per mount x total
Power Plants	TBD	Power Plant	Large (Large)	1 x 1
Coolers	TBD	Cooler	Large (Large)	1 x 1
Shield Generators	TBD	Shield Generator	Large (Large)	1 x 2

Propulsion
Component	Manufacturer	Model	Size (Max)	# per mount x Total
Fuel Intakes	TBD	Fuel Intake	Medium (Medium)	1 x 2
Fuel Tanks	TBD	Fuel Tank	Medium (Medium)	1 x 2
Quantum Drives	TBD	Quantum Drive	Large (Large)	1 x 1
Jump Modules	TBD	Jump Module	Large (Large)	1 x 1
Quantum Fuel Tanks	TBD	Quantum Fuel Tank	Medium (Medium)	1 x 2

Thrusters
Component	Manufacturer	Model	Type	# per mount x Total
Main Thrusters	TBD	Main Thrusters	Main	1 x 4
	TBD	Retro Thrusters	Retro	1 x 2
	TBD	VTOL Thrusters	VTOL	1 x 4
Maneuvering Thrusters	TBD	Fixed Maneuvering Thruster	Fixed	1 x 12

Weaponry
Component	Manufacturer	Model	Size (Max)	# per mount x Total
Weapons	TBC	TBC Ballistic Cannon	4 (4)	1 x 2
Turrets	TBD	TBD	3 (3)	2 x 3
Utility Items	TBD	TBC Countermeasures	TBD (TBD)	1 x 6

Model

Series variants

Image	Name	Description
	A2 Hercules	Focused as a military heavy gunship & bomber.
	C2 Hercules	A civilian heavy transport.

Development

The Hercules was introduced in 2018-05-03 in the Around the Verse episode.^[4] The ship concept is designed by Michael Oberschneider (Senior Concept Artist) in Foundry 42 UK with contributions from Sarah McCulloch (Concept Artist), Paul Jones (Art Director), Corentin Billemont (Systems Designer), John Crewe (Lead Technical Designer).^[5]

Trivia

The term Starlifter was originally referred to Genesis Starlifter, a variant of the Genesis Starliner. According to the 2018-05-04 episode of Reverse the Verse, the Genesis Starlifter has been superseded by the Hercules Starlifter.^[6]