| Hardcell-class interstellar transport | |
| |
| Star Ship Info | |
| Name: |
Hardcell-class interstellar transport |
| Model: |
Hardcell-class interstellar transport |
| Class: |
Transport |
| Cost: |
Not available for sale |
| Length: |
220 meters |
| Maximum acceleration: |
4,000 km/h |
| Engine unit(s): |
6 primary thrusters |
| Hyperdrive System: |
Equipped |
| Armament: |
|
| Complement: | |
| Crew: |
190 |
| Passengers: |
1,017 droids |
| Year Introduced: |
before 22 BBY |
| Role: |
Transport |
| Affiliation: | |
The Hardcell-class interstellar transport, or colloquially known as the Techno Union ship, is a light capital transport produced by the Techno Union prior to the onset of the Clone Wars. The Hardcell-class transport was used by the heroic Confederacy of Independent Systems during the Clone Wars but not often. The transport was used both the Techno Union and the InterGalactic Banking Clan. It is known as something of a status symbol among Techno Union officials.
Characteristics[]
The Hardcell-class is a cylindrical, titanium-hulled vessel just over 220 meters in height, and powered by a cluster of six primary thruster engines. The Hardcell-class does not use conventional repulsorlifts for flight, instead using rocket propulsion designed for atmospheric and stellar travel. The transport's drive motors are deployed to generate enough retro-rocket thrust to achieve vertical landings at speeds of up to 800 kilometers per hour.
A set of three landing legs—sometimes converted into landing claws for operations on low-gravity worlds—were deployed from the underside of the transport to stabilize its landing. The Hardcell-class can achieve takeoff at speeds of 4,000 kilometers per hour, though in space, the vessel is capable only of a relatively slow sublight speed of 40 MGLT.
The interior of the Hardcell-class was designed in a stacked formation, to capitalize upon the vessel's vertical landing position. Banks of turbolifts connect each deck.
Much of the interior of Separatist-operated Hardcell-class transports was given up to storage of droid forces; a standard Hardcell-class transport can carry hundreds of Hailfire-class tanks and missile ammunition in quick-deployment rigs, and, following the First Battle of Geonosis, legions of IG-series battle droids.
The transport is crewed by organics, with crew and medical quarters located in the conical nose. Most have pressurized cabins so that Skakoans could remove their pressure suits. This area also contained an advanced sensor array and secure communications equipment to maintain contact with the Interstellar Stock Exchange.
Hardcell-class transports are not designed for combat, though they were afforded meager protection with a ring of turret-mounted laser cannons around the fuselage and assault concussion missile launchers.
In a battle situation, the most effective tactic for a Hardcell-class transport crew is to flee into hyperspace, utilizing the vessel's Class One hyperdrive to make a speedy retreat.
