Infantry Orbital deployment and lander

[Blue Ghost]

On page 128 of the GURPS Traveller Ground Forces book there's a kind of "lander" depicted with a tri-parachute configuration, and apparent ablative heat-shield (like the old Mercury and Gemini capsules). I take it this is an assault transport of somekind, but I can't find any stats for it in the book.

Do marines usually deploy like this? I'm a little unclear on Imperial assault tactics; i.e. do they go down on one of those Keith class landers, some other lander, "jet down" via grav belt, ride through re-entry like this pic on 128 goes, or do I, as GM and author of my own Traveller universe, simply make something up?

Any input is appreciated.

 

[mbrinkhues]

Two variants exist:

a) Individual reentry capsules

They are either depicted as cigar-shaped (TNE) or shaped similar to the civilian reentry-kit(MT). If you take the civie (heat shield/rest with a frame on top for the "engine") and give it a complete hull you get the form depicted in Ground Forces. One person per capsule (They DO look to large for that)

b) Squad reentry capsules

Somewhere in MT was a mention of squad capsules. There are IIRC no stats for them but they would IMHO make more sense than the individual units since they won't scatter the troops all over the place Normandy style and could also deliver supplies in larger amounts. Might even use them to drop light vehicles (Faster than using the vehicles own Gravplates/Easier with open topped vehicles)

 

[jec10]

Only specialist 'jump' troops (either Marine or Army) use the individual re-entry capsules. Most troops in the OTU would arrive by assault landers of some form which might carry a platoon, company or more. IIRC there is an assault transport in CT/LBB: 'Fighting Ships' that carries a platoon, and there is the 'Keith' class in GT/Ground Forces.

 

[Blue Ghost]

mbrinkhues;

a) I figured that to be the jump capsule depicted in Quake II.

b) Interesting. I seem to recall what you're referring to.

jec10; that's interesting, but do you know the picture I'm referring to?

 

[aramis]

Depends upon whom one asks.

TD15 gives us the individual model for MT.

Some units would deploy from shuttle-landers, others from gravitic landers, others still from Grav APC's, and some from dropships that land (ala Battletech).

Drop Troops, however, are defined in Striker as going down in individual tubes, as they are in TD15.