Jump tug and lighters

[Brandon C]

(thanks to Onno Meyer for bringing the idea up on the GURPS mailing list)

This is a variant on the LASH concept. The lighters are basically starships without jump drives and fuel tanks. Once in a system, they conduct operations much like their jump capable equivalents do. The one major difference is that they must hire (rent) a jump tug to move to another system. The lighter (often two, if 200 tons) pay for the jump tug's expenses for one week, plus 20%, as well as all fuel costs (normally unrefined fuel, as the tug has fuel processors).

The jump tug has only minimal M-drives; once attached, the lighter uses it's M-drive to move the ship between orbit and the jump limit.

The jump tug and common commercial lighters follow.

 

[Brandon C]

Jump tug

Jump range: J6 empty cradles, J3 1-100 dtons carried, J2 101-200 dtons, J1 201-400 dtons

Crew: Pilot, navigator, sensor/comm operator, engineer

Design: 100 ton USL hull, DR 100; Basic bridge (compact), Utility, Engineering, 1 Maneuver, 10 Jump, 60 Fuel tanks, 2 Staterooms, 3 Fuel processors (2.5 hours), 13 External cradles (1,625 stons capacity), 0.5 Cargo.

Statistics: Emass 378.6, LMass 381.1 (w/empty cradles), Cost 53.23 MCr, 15,000 hp, Size Modifier +8

Performance: 0.10G, Jump 6 (empty cradles)

 

[Brandon C]

200 ton multi-purpose lighter

The 200 ton lighter normally carries 18 middle passengers and 24 low berth passengers. The captain/pilot and chief engineer have single cabins, the rest of the crew double bunks.

Crew: Captain/Pilot, navigator, sensor/comm operator, 2 engineers, steward/medic.

Design: 200 ton SL hull, DR 100, 2 turrets; Basic bridge, Utility, Engineering, 17 Maneuver, 13 Staterooms, 6 Low Berths (24 passengers), Emergency aid station, 3 Escape capsules, 0.25 Spacedock (one air/raft), 79 Cargo

Statistics: EMass 238.8, LMass 633.8, Cost 12.44 MCr, 22,500 hp, Size Modifier +8

Performance: 1.07G (0.67G w/jump tug), 1,750 mph
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200 ton cargo lighter

The 200 ton cargo lighter normally carries 8 low berth passengers. The captain/pilot and senior engineer have single cabins, the rest of the crew double bunks.

Crew: Captain/Pilot, navigator, sensor/comm operator, 2 engineers, cargomaster/medic.

Design: 200 ton SL hull, DR 100, 2 turrets; Basic bridge, Utility, Engineering, 21 Maneuver, 4 Staterooms, 2 Low Berths (8 passengers), Emergency aid station, Escape capsule, 0.25 Spacedock (air/raft), 114 Cargo

Statistics: EMass 217.8, LMass 787.8, Cost 11.83 MCr, 22,500 hp, Size Modifier +8

Performance: 1.07G (0.72G w/jump tug), 1,950 mph
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200 ton passenger lighter

The 200 ton passenger lighter normally carries 44 middle passengers and 24 low berth passengers. All crew members single bunk.

Crew: Captain/Pilot, navigator, sensor/comm operator, 2 engineers, doctor, 2 steward/medic.

Design: 200 ton SL hull, DR 100, 2 turrets; Basic bridge, Utility, Engineering, 12 Maneuver, 30 Staterooms, 6 Low Berths (24 passengers), Sickbay, 6 Escape capsules, 0.25 Spacedock (air/raft), 14 Cargo

Statistics: EMass 287.2, LMass 357.2, Cost 13.9 MCr, 22,500 hp, Size Modifier +8

Performance: 1.34G (0.65G w/jump tug), 1,530 mph

 

[Brandon C]

400 ton multi-purpose lighter

The 400 ton multi-purpose lighter carries 16 middle and 16 low passengers. The crew single bunks.

Crew: Captain, pilot, navigator, sensor operator, comm operator, 2 engineers, medic.

Design: 400 ton SL hull, DR 100, 4 turrets; Basic bridge, Utility, Engineering, 38 Maneuver, 16 Staterooms, 4 Low Berths, 0.25 Spacedock (air/raft), Vehicle bay (10-dton launch), 195 Cargo

Statistics: EMass 375.9, LMass 1,390.9, Cost Mcr 17.3, 37,500 hp, Size Modifier +9

Performance: 1.09 G (0.86G w/jump tug), 2,010 mph

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400 ton passenger lighter

The 400 ton passenger lighter normally carries 12 high passengers, 82 middle passengers and 20 low berth passengers. The crew single bunks.

Crew: Captain, pilot, navigator, sensor operator, comm operator, 2 engineers, steward, 2 medics.

Design: 400 ton SL hull, DR 100, 4 turrets; Basic bridge, Utility, Engineering, 15 Maneuver, 65 Staterooms, 5 Low Berths (20 passengers), Sickbay, 0.25 Spacedock (air/raft), Vehicle bay (10-dton launch), 22 Cargo

Statistics: EMass 440.8, LMass 1,455.8, Cost 18.3 MCr, 37,500 hp, Size Modifier +9

Performance: 1.04 G (0.83G w/jump tug), 2,010 mph
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400 ton cargo lighter

The 400 ton cargo lighter carries no passengers. The crew single bunks.

Crew: Captain, pilot, navigator, sensor operator, comm operator, 2 engineers, medic.

Design: 400 ton SL hull, DR 100, 4 turrets; Basic bridge, Utility, Engineering, 39 Maneuver, 8 Staterooms, 0.25 Spacedock (air/raft), Vehicle bay (10-dton launch), 228 Cargo

Statistics: EMass 352.1, LMass 1,532.1, Cost Mcr 16.48, 37,500 hp, Size Modifier +9

Performance: 1.02 G (0.82G w/jump tug), 2,035 mph
---

 

[Brandon C]

200 ton mercenary lighter

The mercenary lighter is used to transport an support platoon-sized ground forces. It carries a launch for general use and an insertion gig to directly support ground operations and an auxiliary fighter. The lighter carries enough supplies for initial operations, but extended actions require much more supplies (either provided locally or brought in by a cargo ship); note that the gig and launch carry an additional 3 dtons of cargo each.

The captain and doctor have their own staterooms. The rest of the lighter crew double bunks. The small-craft crew and troops occupy the bunkrooms at 4 per room.

Crew: Captain, Pilot, navigator/co-pilot, sensor/comm operator, 2 engineers, 2 gunners, doctor, 6 mall craft crew, up to 34 troops.

Design: 200 ton SL hull, DR 200, 2 turrets (two 250-MJ lasers and one sandcaster each); Basic bridge, Utility, Engineering, 35 Maneuver, 6 Staterooms, 10 Bunkrooms, 2 Low Berths, Sickbay, Gym, 2 Armoury, Escape capsule, Vehicle bay (20-dton insertion gig), Vehicle bay (10-dton launch), 16 Cargo

Statistics: EMass 483.7, LMass 697.5, Cost 1MCr 18.67, 22,500 hp, Size Modifier +8

Performance: 2.01G (1.3G w/jump tug), 2,500 mph
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200 ton mercenary support lighter

The mercenary support lighter fills three roles. First, it serves as a fuel skimmer for the jump tug. Secondly, it acts as the prime mover for the tug in normal space. Finally, it carries two fighters which can be used to support the mercenary lighter operations, to escort the mercenary support lighter during refueling operations or protect the jump tug in orbit.

The Captain/pilot has a single stateroom, while the rest of the crew double-bunks.

With fighters launched, the support lighter can make 4.57Gs (faster than the fighters).

Crew: Captain/Pilot, navigator/co-pilot, sensor/comm operator, 2 engineers, 2 gunners, 2 small craft crew.

Design: 200 ton SL hull, DR 200, 2 turrets (3 250-MJ lasers each); Basic bridge (compact), Utility, Engineering, 50 Maneuver, 60 Fuel tanks, 5 Staterooms, Emergency aid station, Escape capsule, Vehicle bays (two 10-dton fighters), 3 Fuel processors (2.5 hours), 0 Cargo

Statistics: EMass 437.9, LMass 551.9, Cost Mcr 32.9, 22,500 hp, Size Modifier +8

Performance: 3.62G (2.14G w/jump tug), 3,000 mph
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20 ton insertion gig

The insertion gig can land up to a platoon of meen and provide fire support for them. They can also serve as escort fighters (with no cargo, they can achieve 3.74G).

Crew: Pilot, Co-pilot, engineer, gunner.

Design: 20 ton SL hull, DR 100, Basic stealth, basic EM cloaking, Turret (two 250-MJ lasers); Cockpit, 8 Maneuver, 3 Passenger couches (36 passengers), 3 Cargo

Statistics: EMass 85.6, LMass 100.6, Cost Mcr 6.94, 4,500 hp, Size Modifier +6

Performance: 3.18G, 2,800 mph

 

[aramis]

One minor quibble... the cost for the jump tug must needs be higher than one week's worth. The Tug will be spending at least a significant part of a day in system, so it averages an 8 day cycle. Plus, it will require a profit margin of its own. So, probably pay 9 days worth of expenses (rather than 7) plus fuel-share, and get 3.5 jumps per month...

 

[Brandon C]

One minor quibble... the cost for the jump tug must needs be higher than one week's worth. The Tug will be spending at least a significant part of a day in system, so it averages an 8 day cycle. Plus, it will require a profit margin of its own. So, probably pay 9 days worth of expenses (rather than 7) plus fuel-share, and get 3.5 jumps per month...

The lighter(s) pay an extra 20% of non-fuel expenses. That may need to be a bit higher, but not greatly so -- the 200 ton lighters, operating at 85% capacity, just barely make a profit.

EDIT: 30% rather than 20% seems to work, although it's harder for the 200 ton cargo lighter to be profitable compared to the other lighters.

 

[Brandon C]

400 ton mercenary lighter

The mercenary lighter is used to transport an support platoon-sized ground forces. It carries a launch for general use and an insertion gig to directly support ground operations and an auxiliary fighter. It additionally carries two fighters for assorted attack and escort uses and a fuel skimmer to refuel the tug. The lighter carries enough supplies for initial operations, but extended actions require much more supplies (either provided locally or brought in by a cargo ship); note that the gig and launch carry an additional 3 dtons of cargo each.

The captain, pilot, chief engineer, chief gunner, troop commander and both doctors have their own staterooms. The rest of the lighter crew double bunks. The small-craft crew and troops occupy the bunkrooms at 4 per room.

Crew: Captain, Pilot, Navigator/co-pilot, Sensor/comm operator, 4 engineers, 4 gunners, 2 doctors, 12 mall craft crew, up to 32 troops.

Design: 400 ton SL hull, DR 200, 4 turrets (two 250-MJ lasers and one sandcaster each); Basic bridge, Utility, Engineering, 64 Maneuver, 11 Staterooms, 11 Bunkrooms, 2 Low Berths, 2 Sickbays, Gym, 2 Armouries, Conference hall, Escape capsule, Vehicle bays (two 10-dton fighters, 20-dton insertion gig, 40-dton fuel skimmer), Spacedock (10-dton launch, three enclosed air/rafts), 16 Cargo
Statistics: EMass 786.6, LMass 1,311.5, Cost MCr 30.63, 22,500 hp, Size Modifier +8

Performance: 1.95G (1.51G w/jump tug), 2,600 mph
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40 ton fuel skimmer

This is a variation on the standard 40-ton fuel skimmer, carrying slightly more fuel. It can completely refuel the jump tug in three wilderness refueling trips.

Crew: Pilot, Engineer

Design: 40 ton SL hull, DR 100; Cockpit bridge, 11 Maneuver, 20 Fuel tanks, 0 Cargo
Statistics: EMass 92.3, LMass 92.3, Cost MCr 8.22, 6,000 hp, Size Modifier +7

Performance: 4.77G, 2,870 mph