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IMDC D-13a Albatross

Update February 22, 2025: MAJOR overhaul. Prototech jumpdrive and a majorly upgraded interior. Virtually every aspect of the ship has been upgraded since the last update, including survivability and thrust updates.

Based on the IMDC D-13 Albatross, originally by JD Horx. Posted with JD Horx's permission.

Original here: https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2237621810&searchtext=imdc+d-13+albatross

The D-13 Albatross, while a newer design, nevertheless found itself lagging behind in firepower after the introduction of new weaponry. The IMDC thus introduced an upgrade kit that could be used to upgrade these versatile ships with improved firepower that could be installed by basic facilities.

The upgraded D-13a Albatross is the IMDC's primary heavy assault shuttle / dropship. With a devastating six fixed assault cannons replacing the original six non-reloadable rocket launchers, four fixed Autocannon, four Autocannon turrets, and a single dorsal-mounted assault cannon turret, this ship is the worst nightmare of any infantry or light vehicles and a major threat to fixed installations as well.

The Albatross's vertical thrust was determined to be insufficient for escape from certain planets, and thus some of its original atmospheric thrust was upgraded to hydrogen. The interior also received a major upgrade, its passenger capacity increased to 8 fully-equipped troopers, with additional amenities for longer journeys. Lastly, a Prototech jumpdrive makes it capable of independent operation.

Armament:
6x fixed Assault Cannons
4x fixed Autocannon
4x Autocannon turret
1x Assault Cannon turret

Out-of-character:

Huge upgrade over the previous version. Better armament, better thrust, modernized interior, and more. And a Prototech jumpdrive. New Modular Cargo Container. All this, and. . .it doesn't lose any cargo space over the original design; meaning there are ZERO disadvantages to this latest refit!

Obviously, small-grid jumpdrives aren't great. It'll get you between a planet and its moon or similar, so very economical for this type of travel. Hydrogen stable on a 1.16 thrust planet; didn't test it on Pertam. A lot more scripts and automation. If you open the rear door when the ramp is closed, it will open the ramp. If you close the ramp, it will close the rear door. Just a little timesaver. She's not particularly maneuverable, but 4 autocannon and an assault cannon turret should make that not a problem. Imagine a handful of these attacking planetary forces or assaulting a station. Stuff's going to come apart pretty quickly. Think of it as the bigger nastier cousin of the Osprey.

The Assault Cannon are set up with the Salvo script. They will fire two at a time, matching guns on each side, to eliminate the recoil. They will fire a fast burst if you hold down the trigger, but you can choose to fire them just two with a quick trigger pull. There's still a very slight downward recoil, so ideally line up your crosshairs on the pip with them vertical relative to you, and let the length of the vessel keep you hitting as you quick-fire.

I had to add more thrust with this one, but not because of any weight increase. While the previous version had no issues escaping the alien planet or Pertam, one thing to consider is that, while they have a low-oxygen environment, they actually have a thicker atmosphere. I tested this on a modded planet (Caldera) with 1.16 gravity, that nevertheless had a very thin atmosphere. This meant that, while it could fly, it couldn't get high enough to get over the "hump" before ion thrusters became effective.