View source for Prowler

{{Vehicle
| uuid                            = 087b2253-2fc7-4fae-9f9d-97f64b7c43db
| name                            = Prowler
| image                           = Prowler - Hovering over landscape.jpg
| manufacturer                    = ESPR
| series                          = 
| role                            = Dropship
| size                            = medium
| hangar                          = S3/S
| productionstate                 = Flight ready
| productionstatedesc             = Since [[Star Citizen Alpha 3.9.0|Alpha 3.9.0]]
| mincrew                         = 1
| maxcrew                         = 2
| length                          = 34
| width                           = 32
| height                          = 15
| retractedlength                 = 
| retractedwidth                  = 
| retractedheight                 = 
| mass                            = 148900
| cargocapacity                   = 0
| stowage                         = 
| pledgecost                      = 440
| originalpledgecost              = 425
| warbondcost                     = 410
| originalwarbondcost             = 380
| pledgeavailability              = Time-limited sales
| rsistoreurl                     = https://robertsspaceindustries.com/pledge/ships/prowler/Prowler
| presentationurl1                = https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/transmission/17520-Esperia-Prowler
| trailerurl                      = https://youtu.be/Op0YkiMm8TQ
| brochureurl                     = https://robertsspaceindustries.com/media/dy3ea8fjrv3imr/source/Prowler-Manual-1980x1020v2.pdf
| qandaurl1                       = https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/engineering/15613-Q-A-Esperia-Prowler-Part-I
| qandaurl2                       = https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/engineering/15614-Q-A-Esperia-Prowler-Part-II
| galactapediaurl                 = https://robertsspaceindustries.com/galactapedia/article/02BQOJQQP7-prowler
| releasedate                     = 2946
| conceptdate                     = 2016-11-18
| saledate                        = 2016-11-08
| queryimage                      =
| developedfrom                   = [[Prowler-A]]
}}

The '''Prowler''' is an armored personnel carrier created by [[Esperia|Esperia Incorporation]]. This vehicle represents a modern recreation of the [[Tevarin]] design that gained notoriety during the [[First_Tevarin_War|First]] and [[Second Tevarin War|Second]] Tevarin Wars against the [[United Planets of Earth|UPE]]. Esperia's astroengineers were granted unrestricted access to examine original models of the vehicle, which were recently uncovered in the [[Kabal system]], facilitating a detailed reconstruction process. As a result, the Prowler embodies an ideal blend of two distinct cultures: the sophistication and efficiency of the Tevarin military apparatus merged with the dependability of modern [[human]] technology.<ref name="ProwlerFlyable">{{Cite RSI|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/transmission/17520-Esperia-Prowler|text=Esperia Prowler}}</ref><ref name="ProwlerStore">{{Cite RSI|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/pledge/ships/prowler/Prowler|text=Esperia Prowler Store}}</ref><ref name="Prowlerbrochure">{{Cite RSI|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/media/dy3ea8fjrv3imr/source/Prowler-Manual-1980x1020v2.pdf|text=Esperia Prowler brochure}}</ref>

==Features==

{{List item
|Jump seats
|The Prowler has the capacity to transport up to sixteen personnel, with each individual equipped with a safety harness to ensure secure positioning during transit, in addition to a designated gun rack.<ref name="ProwlerFlyable"/>
}}
{{List item
|Deployment
|The vessel features four hatches on each side of the hull, specifically engineered for swift deployment. Furthermore, it features a single rear door that includes a deployable ramp, along with a front port-side hatch that is fitted with a deployable ladder. Each of these openings is fitted with an [[airshield]], which is designed to remain open while maintaining internal pressure during flight, whether in the atmosphere or in deep space.<ref name="ProwlerFlyable"/>
}}
{{List item
|Defense
|The wings of the ship retract to function as its landing gear. When the vessel is on the ground, wing quills extend to enhance physical protection, especially against ballistic threats and small-arms fire. Positioned to shield each set of drop doors, they provide added security during deployment, regrouping, and extraction operations.<ref name="ProwlerFlyable"/>
}}
{{List item
|Cockpit
|In addition to the cockpit, which can be isolated from the remainder of the vessel, the cockpit shields for both the pilot and co-pilot are made from [[kelsun]] composite, employing traditional Tevarin engineering methods. This technique produced the most durable transparent shielding of its time, and a byproduct of this process results in an opaque exterior coating that permits visibility for the operator.<ref name="Prowlerbrochure"/>
}}
{{List item
|Low Signature & Agility
|The Prowler's low energy signature reduces the chances of detection by enemy radar, improving operational safety for ground troops and crew. Its excellent low-altitude maneuverability, along with potential future grav-lev integration, enables pilots to land and descend with high precision.<ref name="ProwlerFlyable"/>
}}
{{List item
|Weapons
|The vessel is equipped with two Size 5 gun hardpoints located beneath its wings, in addition to a rear-facing remote turret positioned on the upper section, which can accommodate two Size 3 guns. This configuration allows for comprehensive coverage of the ship's surroundings, controlled by either the pilot or co-pilot.<ref name="ProwlerFlyable"/>
}}

==Specifications==
{{Vehicle hardpoints}}

==Model==

===Ship profile===
====Exterior====
<tabber>
 In space=
{| class="wikitable"
!Isometric
!Above
!Port-side
!Front
!Rear
!Below
|-
|[[File:Prowler_in_space_-_Isometric.jpg|center|frameless|128x72px]]
|[[File:Prowler_in_space_-_Above.jpg|center|frameless|128x72px]]
|[[File:Prowler_in_space_-_Port.jpg|center|frameless|128x72px]]
|[[File:Prowler_in_space_-_Front.jpg|center|frameless|128x72px]]
|[[File:Prowler_in_space_-_Rear.jpg|center|frameless|128x72px]]
|[[File:Prowler_in_space_-_Below.jpg|center|frameless|128x72px]]
|}
|-|
 Landed=
{| class="wikitable"
!Isometric
!Above
!Port-side
!Front
!Rear
|-
|[[File:placeholderv2.png|center|frameless|128x72px|link=|class=noviewer]]
|[[File:placeholderv2.png|center|frameless|128x72px|link=|class=noviewer]]
|[[File:placeholderv2.png|center|frameless|128x72px|link=|class=noviewer]]
|[[File:placeholderv2.png|center|frameless|128x72px|link=|class=noviewer]]
|[[File:placeholderv2.png|center|frameless|128x72px|link=|class=noviewer]]
|}
</tabber>

====Interior====
{| class="wikitable"
!Lower deck
!Upper deck
|-
|[[File:Prowler - Interior Map - Lower Deck.png|center|frameless|128x72px]]
|[[File:Prowler - Interior Map - Upper Deck.png|center|frameless|128x72px]]
|}

=== Paints ===
{{for|more information|:Prowler series/Paints}}

{| class="wikitable"
![[Prowler series/Paints#"Harmony"|"Harmony"]]
![[Prowler series/Paints#"Ocellus"|"Ocellus"]]
![[Prowler series/Paints#"Polar"|"Polar"]]
![[Prowler series/Paints#"Stormbringer"|"Stormbringer"]]
![[Prowler series/Paints#"Wanderer"|"Wanderer"]]
|-
|[[File:Prowler Harmon in space - Isometric.jpg|center|frameless|128x72px]]
|[[File:Prowler Ocellus in space - Isometric.jpg|center|frameless|128x72px]]
|[[File:Prowler_Polar_in_space_-_Isometric.jpg|center|frameless|128x727px]]
|[[File:Prowler_Stormbringer_in_space_-_Isometric.jpg|center|frameless|128x72px]]
|[[File:Prowler Wanderer in space - Isometric.jpg|center|frameless|128x72px]]
|}

==Acquisition==
{{Vehicle availability}}

==Pledge price history==
{| class="wikitable"
!Date
!Pledge cost (USD)
!Insurance
!Availability
!Sale
|-
|2016-11-18
|425
|LTI
|Time-limited
|2016 anniversary sale <ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20161121212706/https://robertsspaceindustries.com/pledge/Standalone-Ships/Esperia-Prowler-LTI RSI Pledge - Esperia Prowler - LTI] Archived 2016-11-21.</ref>
|-
|2020-05-01
|440
|6 months
|Time-limited + [[Warbond]]
|[[Star Citizen Alpha 3.9.0|Alpha 3.9.0]] flight-ready promotion sale <ref name="presentation390">{{Cite RSI|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/transmission/17528-Alpha-39-Flyable-Ships|text=Alpha 3.9.0 Flyable Ships|accessdate=2020-05-06}}</ref>
|}

==Lore==
<tabber>
 Discovery of new Tevarin settlements=
In [[2941]], the [[Imperial pathfinder]]s entered the newly discovered [[Kabal system]] and located a series of abandoned Tevarin settlements on [[Kabal III]]. The [[UEE Navy]] insisted that Esperia be included in the group of analysts brought to Kabal to study potentially lost Tevarin technologies at two aerospace bases identified by the initial surveyors.

While much of what was discovered in the Kabal system remains classified today, what is known is that the researchers discovered nine fully equipped squadrons of Prowler-A's safely stored in bunkers. The investigation revealed that none of the Prowlers had flown for almost five centuries and that they had been properly mothballed rather than abandoned at the site.

Esperia's initial survey team reviewed the available spacecraft. In the culmination of the initial study, a single vintage Prowler tested in a 45-minute atmospheric flight that confirm that the spacecraft were as fully functional. The remote stage of the project took 18 months and at its conclusion, the government opted to ferry six of the Prowlers back to Esperia's clean lab at [[Kutaram]] rather than retain the Esperia team on Kabal.<ref name="jpwg">{{Cite Jump Point|title=Whitley's Guide: Esperia Prowler|volume=8|month=4|startpage=25|endpage=28|accessdate=2020-04-25}}</ref>
|-|
 Modernizing the Prowler=
As the team from Esperia completed their work on the ancient spacecraft, management began recreating the ship with [[Human]] control surfaces and updated modern components. A formal pitch was made to the UEE for access and legal rights to recreate the ship, with the goal of selling it to the military as well as others who might be interested in the historical spacecraft. Much to the surprise of all involved, the government approved the idea almost immediately and formally declassified the recovered Prowlers for Esperia's benefit.

One of the first issues facing the recreation team was that the models found on Kabal predated the wars and thus lacked the dorsal turret. Astroengineers also had trouble recreating the 'plate cockpit', requiring several months to perfect the once-commonplace Tevarin technologies that gave the ship its distinct forward structure. 

The company was able to trace every subsystem and component of the original spacecraft and either re-synthesize it using present-day technology or substitute it for an existing modular system. Computer systems in particular were completely reworked, with the original Tevarin software either completely lost to data rot or deemed incompatible with present-day systems.<ref name="jpwg" />
|-|
 First public debut=
The new Prowler debuted in 2946 at the annual [[Intergalactic Aerospace Expo]] event. The intent to sell to the UEEN largely fell through, ultimately purchasing only a limited run of the craft for study and potential special operations assignments. However, the design did immediately attract the attention of the civilian sector. Preorders for Prowlers were taken not from historians and preservation groups but instead from mercenary forces and wildcatters seeing a durable, high-tech ship for operations. Generations removed from the stigma of the war, the Prowler had found an unlikely second life serving the descendants of the Humans it had once fought so fiercely against.<ref name="jpwg" />
</tabber>

==Gallery==
{{for|a full gallery|:Category:Prowler images}}

<tabber>
 Official=
{{gallery
|Prowler Gallery Front 032020-Min.jpg
|Prowler Landed with Squad Concept.png
|Prowler Gallery TroopSeats 032020-Min.jpg
|Prowler KeyFeatures Ramp 032020-Min.jpg
|Prowler Gallery TopSeat 032020-Min.jpg
|Prowler Gallery Cockpit 032020-Min.jpg
|Prowler Gallery Back 032020-Min.jpg
|Prowler Discovery 032020-Min.jpg
|Prowler KeyFeatures Interior 032020-Min.jpg
|Prowler KeyFeatures GravThrusters 032020-Min.jpg
|Prowler KeyFeatures Defense 032020-Min.jpg
|Prowler KeyFeatures Turret 032020-Min.jpg
|Prowler-stage1.png
|Prowler-stage-2.png
|Prowler-stage-3.png
|Ship prowler front.jpg
|ship_prowler_boarding.jpg
|Ship_prowler_flying.jpg
|Ship_prowler_interior.jpg
|Ship_prowler_cockpit.jpg
|Branaugh-System-JP.jpg
|Ship prowler landed.png
|KabalIII.png
}}
|-|
 In-game=
{{gallery
|IAE2954-day4-prowler.jpg
|Prowler-in-hangar-3.9.png
}}
</tabber>

==Development==
{{Timeline styles}}
{| class="timeline"
|-
|2014-11-06
|Won the poll for the $61 million [[Stretch Goals|crowdfunding goal]] as an unnamed boarding/assault ship in the fourth wave ships.<ref name="cl14248">{{Cite RSI|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/transmission/14248-Letter-From-The-Chairman|text=Letter from the Chairman - $60 Million|accessdate=2020-04-07}}</ref>
|-
|2016-11-18
|Concept sale during the 2016 [[Intergalactic Aerospace Expo|Anniversary Sale/Intergalactic Aerospace Expo]], roughly two years after the first reveal.<ref name="cl15601">{{Cite RSI|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/transmission/15601-Intergalactic-Aerospace-Expo-Day-One-The-Prowler|text=Intergalactic Aerospace Expo, Day One: The Prowler|accessdate=2020-04-07}}</ref>
|-
|2019-11-22
|Delayed from [[Star Citizen Alpha 3.8.0|Alpha 3.8.0]] to Alpha 3.8.X patch in later half of March 2020 because of additional polishing needed.<ref>{{Cite RSI|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/spectrum/community/SC/forum/3/thread/star-citizen-alpha-3-8-ship|text=Star Citizen Alpha 3.8.0 Ship Updates|accessdate=2020-04-07}}</ref>
|-
|2020-01-24
|Delayed from Alpha 3.8.X to [[Star Citizen Alpha 3.9.0|Alpha 3.9.0]].<ref name="cl17437">{{Cite RSI|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/spectrum-dispatch/17437-Roadmap-Roundup-January-24th-2020|text=Roadmap Roundup - January 24th, 2020|accessdate=2020-04-07}}</ref>
|-
|2020-03
|Prowler was the first Tevarin ship introduced. It was introduced as a Tevarin ship as the developer wanted the Tevarin to be masters of shield tech, so one of the early ideas was that the ship could incorporate air shields to allow the boarding party to quickly exit the ship. The idea of being a Human reproduction of an older Tevarin warship came from the lore that the Tevarin were no longer producing ships themselves.<ref name="jp0803">{{Cite Jump Point|title=Developer Interview: Esperia Prowler|volume=8|month=3|startpage=3|endpage=10|accessdate=2020-04-07}}</ref>
|-
|2020-04-29
|Flight ready in Alpha 3.9. Along with it's release, the ship was put on temporary promotion sale for $440 USD, with an additional [[Warbond]] discount available. Along with the ship, the [[Aves]] helmet was added as an extra, but the helmet was also sold separately for $4 USD.<ref name="presentation390"/>
|-
|<!--DATE-->
|<!--INFO-->
|-
|}

===Credits & Design brief===
<tabber>
 Credits=
{| class="wikitable"
!Role
!Contributors
|-
|Original concept
|[[Jan Urschel]] (first round), [[Gary Sanchez]] (second round), [[Gavin Rothery]] (third round), [[Sarah McCulloch]], [[Stuart Jennett]] (cockpit interior and interior lighting), [[Furio Tedeschi]]<ref name="jp0412">{{Cite Jump Point|title=Work in Progress: Prowler|volume=4|month=12|startpage=3|endpage=40|accessdate=2020-04-07}}</ref>
|-
|Art
|[[Paul Jones]],<ref name="jp0412"/> [[Byungjin Hyun]], [[Daniel Kamentsky]], [[Arthur Guillot]], [[Elwin Bachiller Jr.]]<ref name="jp0803"/>
|-
|Engineering
|[[Mark Abent]]<ref name="jp0803"/>
|-
|System design
|[[Calix Reneau]], [[Stephen Hosmer]]<ref name="jp0803"/>
|-
|Technical art
|[[Matthew Intrieri]], [[Patrick Salerno]], [[Brian Chen]]<ref name="jp0803"/>
|-
|Technical design
|[[John Crewe]]<ref name="jp0412"/>
|-
|Narrative
|[[Dave Haddock]], [[Adam Wieser]], [[Cherie Heiberg]], [[Mike Kinshella]]<ref name="jp0803"/>
|}
|-|
 Design brief=
{{Note|'''Note''': The following design brief is extracted from [[Jump Point (magazine)|Jump Point]] issue 04.12.<ref name="jp0412"/>}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|+Aims & Aesthetic
!Aims
|
*Alien dropship to form the second wave of battle
*Showcase alien tech focus and offer unique ship roles
|-
!Aesthetic
|
*No airlocks — the Tevarin invented atmosphere shields — infantry have direct access to space
*Highly focused on troop deployment
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|+Statistics
|-
|Length
|35m
|
|-
|Width
|22.5m
|
|-
|Height
|8.5m
|(approximately two Freelancers side-by-side sans wings)
|-
|Mass
|60,000&nbsp;kg
|One medium engine which powers four main nozzles, using [[Xi'an]] engine technology.
|-
|Health
|Low
|The Prowler generally depends on its usage of shielding and armor to protect itself and its troops from harm
|-
|Crew
|2
|Pilot, Co-Pilot (can carry 8 troops)
|-
|Engines
|2 x Medium
|The low emissions of the engines help get the Prowler in, and the high durability help get it out again, focusing on personnel safety
|-
|Thrusters
|20 x Fixed
|
|-
|Power Plants
|2 x Medium
|Somewhat underpowered for all the shields and energy weapons, but this is a ship of singular focus, so it isn't as affected by the low power as other ships might be
|-
|colspan="3"|'''Weapon hardpoints'''
|-
|1 x S6 Gimbal
|S5 Tevarin Ballistic Cannon
|Main tanklike front-facing weapon
|-
|2 x S3 Gimbal
|S2 Tevarin Laser Cannons
|Support fire to protect deploying personnel
|-
|8 x Tevarin Deployment Ordinance
|DESIGN TBD
|Rockets with handles designed to move troops right into battle – the paratroopers of space.
|-
|colspan="3"|'''Defense hardpoints'''
|-
|Shield
|1x Large
|Can be disabled during approach for even stealthier deployment
|-
|Phalanx Shield
|1 x Medium
|Features the Tevarin Phalanx Shield Emitter, which includes a mode that sacrifices wrap-around defence of the Prowler in favour of a large wall of shield that blocks all projectiles (even from the Prowler itself), allowing groups of Prowlers to protect each other and the fleet
|-
|Armour
|Heavy
|Heavy armor protection to absorb direct fire
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|+Metric & Templates
|-
|Interior
|
* Interior consists of cockpit and troop bay with armory
|-
|Animation Templates
|
* Main seat enter/exit
* Troop seat enter/exit
* Cockpit entry (side entry similar to the Freelancer)
* Troop entry (directly through the side Atmosphere Shields)
|-
|Items
|
* Medium Powerplant x2 – 1.0m x 1.5m x 1.0m
* Large Shield Generator – 1.0m x 3.0m x 1.0m
* Small Avionics x2 – 0.5m x 0.75m x 0.25m
* Medium Cooler – 1.0m x 1.5m x 0.5m
* Small Gravity Generator – 0.5m x 0.5m x 0.5m
* Small Jump Drive – 0.5m x 0.75m x 0.5m 4
* Medium Life Support – 1.0m x 1.0m x 0.5m
* Small Radar – 0.5m x 0.5m x 0.5m
* Small Scanner – 0.5m x 0.5m x 0.25m
* Large Fuel Tank – TBD
* Small Battery x2 – TBD
* Small Ammo – 0.5m x 1.0m x 0.5m
|-
|New — Atmosphere Shields
|
* The Tevarin invented the Atmosphere Shields, and so had no need for airlocks in their ship designs
* Each door has a connected battery pack so that power interruptions don't result in instantly venting the ship
|-
|New – Phalanx Shield
|
* Activate Phalanx Shield, which disables normal shields, sacrificing full shield coverage of the ship for a large flat wall of shield that friendly ships can hide behind.
Approved design needed.
|-
|New – Deployment Ordinance
|
* Airborne Paratroopers in space – After firing and hitting targets with a tracker, troops hang on to guided rockets that home in on the tracker. The tracker may optionally be detonated as an EMP remotely.
Approved design needed.
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Additional references
|* The Prowler is very much built around agile use, with players moving easily from inside to outside, walking on the surface of the ship – should feel like an infantry-centric action platform
|}
</tabber>

==Trivia==
[[File:Final Fantasy The Spirits Within - Copperhead landing.jpg|thumb|Copperhead landing]]  
*The ship is very similar to the [https://finalfantasy.fandom.com/wiki/Copperhead_(The_Spirits_Within) Copperhead], a dropship used by the [https://finalfantasy.fandom.com/wiki/Deep_Eyes_(The_Spirits_Within) Deep Eyes] soldier squadron in the movie [[wikipedia:Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within|Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within]]. Its possible the Prowler was inspired by it, but this has never been officially confirmed.
*''Prowler'' is also the name of a cancelled Gundam style mech game by [[Origin Systems]] at the time [[Chris Roberts]] and others were working there.<ref>[https://www.wcnews.com/articles/prowler.shtml Prowler], Sean Murphy, wcnews.com/</ref>

==See also==
*"Developer Interview: Esperia Prowler". ''[[Jump Point (magazine)|Jump Point]]''. Vol. 8 no. 3. pp.&nbsp;3–10.
*"Work in Progress: Prowler". ''[[Jump Point (magazine)|Jump Point]]''. Vol. 4 no. 12. pp.&nbsp;3–40
*[https://youtu.be/7eVf4bzL82Y?t=241 Inside Star Citizen: Dropship Delight] on YouTube
*[https://youtu.be/293kvgEkKb4 Inside Star Citizen: On The Prowl] on YouTube

==References==
<references />

{{Navplate manufacturers|ESPR}}
{{Navplate vehicles}}

{{Short description|Reproduced Tevarin military drop ship by Esperia}}

[[Category:Dropships]]
Description	What you type	What you get
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Bold & italic	'''''Bold & italic text'''''	*Bold & italic text*