{"data":{"id":19081,"title":"Whitley's Guide - Terrapin","rsi_url":"https:\/\/robertsspaceindustries.com\/comm-link\/spectrum-dispatch\/19081-Whitleys-Guide-Terrapin","api_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-links\/19081","api_public_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/comm-links\/19081","channel":"Undefined","category":"Undefined","series":"News Update","images":[{"id":26463,"name":"source.jpg","rsi_url":"https:\/\/media.robertsspaceindustries.com\/weozjmuuh3hwh\/source.jpg","alt":"","size":843046,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","last_modified":"2019-09-19T15:49:32+00:00","api_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/26463","similar_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/26463\/similar"},{"id":27892,"name":"source.jpg","rsi_url":"https:\/\/media.robertsspaceindustries.com\/w3o9r4zgppm77\/source.jpg","alt":"","size":900916,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","last_modified":"2021-09-06T14:48:40+00:00","api_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/27892","similar_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/27892\/similar"},{"id":29763,"name":"Anvil-Terrapin-Piece-03-Surveilance-Small-V3-Cropped.jpg","rsi_url":"https:\/\/robertsspaceindustries.com\/media\/a1m4pcp30litzr\/source\/Anvil-Terrapin-Piece-03-Surveilance-Small-V3-Cropped.jpg","alt":"","size":667572,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","last_modified":"2018-04-24T13:27:19+00:00","api_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/29763","similar_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/29763\/similar"}],"images_count":8,"translations":{"en_EN":"This article originally appeared in Jump Point 6.02.\nAnvil Aerospace Terrapin-class Pathfinder\nINITIAL ORDER\nInitial deliveries of production model U4A-3 Block I Terrapin-class ships began on September 19, 2796, with the first units forming the core of the newly-established 198th Utility and Support Wing (motto: \u201cwe\u2019ve got u covered\u201d) in a formal handover at MacArthur. As part of the United Empire of Earth\u2019s intended phased military reorganization, elements of the 198th Wing were detached to active fleets as they became available, ensuring that the newly minted Terrapins saw action quickly. Indeed, the design\u2019s first blooding occurred only two months after its introduction, when a single Terrapin downed a mercenary fighter as part of a combined forces narcotics interdiction operation off Castra. The Terrapin very easily settled into its fleet operations role, proving itself an effective support craft, armored personnel carrier and, when called, fighting platform. Military planners were extremely pleased with the ease of adoption and frequently cited the Terrapin as proof of the success behind the \u2018new model Navy\u2019 initiative of the immediate post-Messer era.\n\nMARINE ADOPTION\nThe original Naval order for Terrapins was quickly followed by a second, similarly-sized request from the UEE Marines. Although the Terrapin lacks the heavy guns used by dedicated dropships, its protective armor and enhanced scanning capabilities mean that it is ideal as an armored personnel carrier. Terrapin APCs quickly became a frequent sight on convoy duty and in smaller-scale interdiction missions; it was a UEEM Terrapin which located and then boarded the liner Astoria during the 2820 hijacking disaster. (The boarding Terrapin itself was destroyed during the ensuing explosion, but its crew survived, along with the crew and passengers they helped lead to safety.) Marines are said to prefer travel aboard the smaller Terrapins when possible, their more advanced systems offering a far smoother (if more cramped) ride than traditional troopships. Terrapins have also become popular for \u2018safe\u2019 landing operations: generally, any landing where it will face no more than small arms fire. A rumor persists that the UEEM operates an advanced technology \u2018improved stealth\u2019 Terrapin for covert boarding operations; there has been no proper sighting of this spacecraft and its existence has been roundly denied by both Anvil and the military.\n\nSUBSEQUENT VERSIONS\nReconnaissance and scouting units began transitioning to the Terrapin five years after its introduction as an armored utility ship, though this adoption was rockier than the initial launch. Recon pilots, used to incredibly fast, light spacecraft that rely on speed over armor to escape trouble, were turned off by the Terrapin\u2019s opposite nature. This changed in a single incident: the ship was said to have \u201cpaid for itself\u201d in 2814 when a reconnaissance ship flown by Commander Bruce Dunbar successfully tracked a Vanduul raiding party across four systems without being identified. The tactical information gathered from the mission helped form important elements of the modern strategic understanding of the Vanduul; the ensuing interdiction and destruction of the raiding party by elements of the Ninth Fleet was also a major public relations victory for the UEE. In the three years following the incident, every single front line reconnaissance unit received at least one Terrapin (and crew assignment).\n\nThe largest downside to the early Terrapin was the difficulty of power management, which required that a pilot become particularly familiar with the design in order to use it most effectively. With multiple flight configurations, some of which significantly alter the design\u2019s on-orbit geometry, the difficulty in \u2018mastering\u2019 the Terrapin became apparent. Later models would ease this, adapting from the tricks developed by the early pilots for managing such an unusual set of abilities. Anvil Aerospace began rolling out the modified U4A-3 Block II version in July 2845, with battlefield upgrade kits converting extant Block I models to parity over the course of the following 24 months. The U4A-3 Block II transition was the result of a massive review of pilot experiences from the previous half-century; thousands of current and former Terrapin-drivers were interviewed and countless hours of combat and flight footage were reviewed as part of the improvement process. The biggest takeaway from the process was that the ship\u2019s durability would make it ideal for exploratory roles it had not yet filled. As a result, Block I models dropped a largely unused remote chin turret and were given extended batteries, improved shielding and a sensor suite capable of gathering and storing more data than would ordinarily be required for a fire support spacecraft. Though the changes were not the result of a formal request for proposal, the Navy quickly saw the value and began purchasing Terrapins specifically for exploratory services assignments.\n\nVERSATILITY IN ACTION\nAlthough the Terrapin\u2019s active service includes lengthy periods of peacetime, it is a design that is considered in-demand under any circumstances; Admiral Vos Kant famously claimed that the Terrapin\u2019s multirole capabilities meant that there was no single spacecraft he would rather have in ready five position. Indeed, Terrapin pilots quickly adapted to keeping track of more than a \u2018kill score\u2019: auxiliary and support squadrons typically treat with equal importance the number of missions flown, the number of rescues performed, or the number of boarding operations conducted. Exploratory squadrons compete in terms of raw data uploaded. In all these areas, the Terrapin has become a recordsetter; a Terrapin currently holds the record for \u2018live rescues\u2019; pickups of humans who have been exposed to pure vacuum.\n\nTerrapin were among the first spacecraft dispatched as part of the Synthworld project. The massive construction project was such a drain on Navy resources that by the early 30th century it was estimated that three in five Terrapin had been assigned to the effort at some point in their service. In addition to APC and S&R duties, multiple attempts were made to modify them for small-scale ore transport and mineral analysis. These modification efforts were not notably successful, although a well known Synthworld project patch displays an anthropomorphic Terrapin toting a shovel and bucket. Construction-oriented Terrapins received a distinct yellow-and-black paint scheme during this era, which is still commonly associated with the effort.\n\nIn 2910, the Terrapin became an unexpected household name following a \u201cstarring\u201d role in a popular vid. To the Stars, partially financed by the Empire\u2019s office of civilian outreach, featured a ragtag band of Humans aboard a garishly painted purple-and-orange Terrapin affectionately named Maxwell. The Terrapin was \u2018played\u2019 by an active duty U4A-3 Block II model on loan from the Navy, nominally assigned to the UEEN Declan Smith. Referred to early on as an \u201cugly lump,\u201d the spacecraft ultimately saves the day and becomes a home for its crew of explorers. The ubiquity of the film and the popularity of the personified spacecraft led to a brief craze, with a number of companies producing Terrapin-themed merchandise for an eager civilian population. Maxwell itself returned to active duty after filming, but was ultimately donated to the Garber Aerospace Museum where it was restored to its on-camera appearance and is now on permanent display.\n\nU4A-3 BLOCK III & CURRENT DEPLOYMENT\nThe \u201cmodern\u201d U4A-3 Block III model premiered in 2899, featuring (among other things) upgrades to weapons hardpoints and a number of control surfaces. The Block III model also formalizes a longtime \u2018trick\u2019 used by Terrapin pilots, the ability to release energy by toggling flight modes. While no battlefield upgrade option was created, Block III spaceframes have now fully replaced the Block II model. Recent years have seen the Terrapin fill out its combat history, as battles with the Vanduul have become larger and more commonplace. In a noteworthy 2944 engagement, a flight of six Scythe fighters happened into a quartet of Terrapins operating with systems low in stealth mode as part of a training observation. With their emissions low, the Terrapin crews spent a terrifying eight minutes avoiding detection before ultimately being in a position to turn the table and get the jump on the Vanduul. The UEEN flight suffered damage but lost no spacecraft, while five of the six Scythes were destroyed. Gun camera footage was not able to determine the fate of the sixth, but it is considered to be a probable kill.\n\nIt was also around the turn of the century that civilians began more widespread operation of Terrapins; the Navy surplused thousands of Block IIs as part of the transition and then began rotating out Block IIIs on a fifteen year cycle. The civilian refurbishment program, operated by Anvil out of a dedicated decommissioning facility at Nova Kyiv, makes veteran Terrapins available to corporations and individual users. ArkJen was the first large corporation to adopt Terrapins en masse, adapting the ships\u2019 reconnaissance capabilities for their traditional survey work. Noteworthy civilian operators today include Meridian Transport, where Terrapins are used for higher security planetary hops, and GRUT, where they have become instrumental in search and rescue missions.\n\nIndividual Terrapin owners have also become extremely common in recent years, with thousands of the ships on the official registry. Owner\/operators consider them to be a sound investment, even used: a solid spacecraft capable of meeting many essential, common roles while still being rough-and-tumble enough to adapt to a constantly changing galaxy.\n\nThis extract is from the 2947 Whitley\u2019s Guide to Spacecraft\u2019s U4A Terrapin Service History. Reprinted with permission. Whitley\u2019s Guide is the property of Gallivan Publishing, 2860-2948, all rights reserved.","de_DE":"Dieser Artikel erschien urspr\u00fcnglich in Jump Point 6.02.\nAnvil Aerospace Terrapin-Klasse Pathfinder\nERSTE BESTELLUNG\nDie ersten Lieferungen von Schiffen der Terrapin-Klasse des Produktionsmodells U4A-3 Block I begannen am 19. September 2796. Die ersten Einheiten bildeten den Kern des neu gegr\u00fcndeten 198th Utility and Support Wing (Motto: \"we've got u covered\") und wurden bei einer formellen \u00dcbergabe in MacArthur \u00fcbergeben. Im Rahmen der vom Vereinigten Imperium der Erde geplanten schrittweisen Umstrukturierung des Milit\u00e4rs wurden Elemente des 198. Geschwaders zu aktiven Flotten abkommandiert, sobald sie verf\u00fcgbar waren, um sicherzustellen, dass die neu gepr\u00e4gten Terrapins schnell zum Einsatz kamen. In der Tat kam das Design nur zwei Monate nach seiner Einf\u00fchrung zum ersten Mal zum Einsatz, als ein einziger Terrapin einen S\u00f6ldnerj\u00e4ger im Rahmen einer Drogenbek\u00e4mpfungsoperation vor Castra abschie\u00dft. Der Terrapin lebte sich sehr schnell in seine Rolle bei Flottenoperationen ein und erwies sich als effektives Unterst\u00fctzungsfahrzeug, gepanzerter Mannschaftstransporter und, wenn n\u00f6tig, als Kampfplattform. Die milit\u00e4rischen Planer waren \u00e4u\u00dferst zufrieden mit der problemlosen Einf\u00fchrung und f\u00fchrten die Terrapin h\u00e4ufig als Beweis f\u00fcr den Erfolg der Initiative 'New Model Navy' der unmittelbaren Nach-Messer-\u00c4ra an.\n\n\u00dcBERNAHME DURCH DIE MARINE\nAuf die urspr\u00fcngliche Bestellung der Marine f\u00fcr Terrapins folgte schnell eine zweite, \u00e4hnlich gro\u00dfe Anfrage der UEE Marines. Obwohl der Terrapin nicht \u00fcber die schweren Gesch\u00fctze verf\u00fcgt, die von speziellen Transportschiffen verwendet werden, eignet er sich dank seiner Schutzpanzerung und seiner verbesserten Scanning-F\u00e4higkeiten ideal als gepanzerter Mannschaftstransporter. Terrapin APCs wurden schnell zu einem h\u00e4ufigen Anblick im Konvoi und bei kleineren Abwehreins\u00e4tzen; es war ein UEEM Terrapin, der den Liner Astoria w\u00e4hrend der Entf\u00fchrungskatastrophe von 2820 aufsp\u00fcrte und dann an Bord ging. (Der an Bord gehende Terrapin selbst wurde bei der anschlie\u00dfenden Explosion zerst\u00f6rt, aber seine Besatzung \u00fcberlebte zusammen mit der Crew und den Passagieren, die sie in Sicherheit brachten). Es hei\u00dft, dass Marines, wenn m\u00f6glich, lieber an Bord der kleineren Terrapins reisen, da ihre fortschrittlicheren Systeme eine weitaus angenehmere (wenn auch beengtere) Fahrt bieten als herk\u00f6mmliche Truppentransporter. Terrapins sind auch f\u00fcr 'sichere' Landungen beliebt geworden: im Allgemeinen jede Landung, bei der sie nur mit Handfeuerwaffen beschossen werden. Es h\u00e4lt sich hartn\u00e4ckig das Ger\u00fccht, dass die UEEM einen hochmodernen 'verbesserten Tarnkappen'-Terrapin f\u00fcr verdeckte Enteroperationen einsetzt. Dieses Raumschiff wurde nie richtig gesichtet und seine Existenz wurde sowohl von Anvil als auch vom Milit\u00e4r rundweg dementiert.\n\nNACHFOLGEVERSIONEN\nF\u00fcnf Jahre nach der Einf\u00fchrung des Terrapin als gepanzertes Versorgungsschiff begannen Aufkl\u00e4rungs- und Sp\u00e4heinheiten mit der Umstellung auf den Terrapin, auch wenn die Akzeptanz schwieriger war als bei der ersten Einf\u00fchrung. Aufkl\u00e4rungspiloten, die an unglaublich schnelle, leichte Raumschiffe gew\u00f6hnt waren, bei denen Geschwindigkeit wichtiger ist als Panzerung, waren von der entgegengesetzten Natur der Terrapin abgeschreckt. Das \u00e4nderte sich mit einem einzigen Vorfall: Das Schiff soll sich 2814 \"bezahlt gemacht\" haben, als ein Aufkl\u00e4rungsschiff unter Commander Bruce Dunbar einen Vanduul-Angriffstrupp erfolgreich durch vier Systeme verfolgte, ohne identifiziert zu werden. Die taktischen Informationen, die bei dieser Mission gesammelt wurden, trugen dazu bei, wichtige Elemente des modernen strategischen Verst\u00e4ndnisses der Vanduul zu formen. Die anschlie\u00dfende Unterbindung und Zerst\u00f6rung des \u00dcberfallkommandos durch Elemente der Neunten Flotte war auch ein gro\u00dfer Sieg f\u00fcr die \u00d6ffentlichkeitsarbeit der UEE. In den drei Jahren nach dem Vorfall erhielt jede einzelne Aufkl\u00e4rungseinheit an der Front mindestens einen Terrapin (und eine entsprechende Besatzung).\n\nDer gr\u00f6\u00dfte Nachteil der fr\u00fchen Terrapin war die schwierige Energieverwaltung, die es einem Piloten abverlangte, sich besonders gut mit der Konstruktion vertraut zu machen, um sie m\u00f6glichst effektiv nutzen zu k\u00f6nnen. Da es mehrere Flugkonfigurationen gab, von denen einige die Geometrie der Konstruktion im Orbit erheblich ver\u00e4nderten, wurde die Schwierigkeit, die Terrapin zu \"beherrschen\", deutlich. Sp\u00e4tere Modelle sollten dies erleichtern, indem sie die von den fr\u00fchen Piloten entwickelten Tricks zur Beherrschung dieser ungew\u00f6hnlichen F\u00e4higkeiten adaptierten. Anvil Aerospace begann im Juli 2845 mit der Markteinf\u00fchrung der modifizierten U4A-3 Block II-Version. Im Laufe der folgenden 24 Monate wurden die vorhandenen Block I-Modelle mit Aufr\u00fcstungskits f\u00fcr den Einsatz auf dem Schlachtfeld auf den gleichen Stand gebracht. Die Umstellung auf den U4A-3 Block II war das Ergebnis einer umfassenden Auswertung der Erfahrungen von Piloten aus dem letzten halben Jahrhundert. Tausende von aktuellen und ehemaligen Terrapin-Piloten wurden befragt und unz\u00e4hlige Stunden an Kampf- und Flugmaterial wurden im Rahmen des Verbesserungsprozesses ausgewertet. Die wichtigste Erkenntnis aus diesem Prozess war, dass das Schiff aufgrund seiner Langlebigkeit ideal f\u00fcr Erkundungsaufgaben geeignet war, die es bisher noch nicht erf\u00fcllt hatte. Infolgedessen entfiel bei den Block I-Modellen ein weitgehend ungenutzter ferngesteuerter Kinnturm und sie erhielten erweiterte Batterien, eine verbesserte Abschirmung und eine Sensorensuite, die mehr Daten erfassen und speichern konnte, als f\u00fcr ein feuerunterst\u00fctzendes Raumschiff normalerweise erforderlich w\u00e4re. Obwohl die \u00c4nderungen nicht das Ergebnis einer formellen Ausschreibung waren, erkannte die Marine schnell den Wert und begann, Terrapins speziell f\u00fcr Erkundungseins\u00e4tze zu kaufen.\n\nVIELSEITIGKEIT IM EINSATZ\nObwohl der Terrapin auch in Friedenszeiten eingesetzt wird, ist er ein Design, das unter allen Umst\u00e4nden gefragt ist. Admiral Vos Kant behauptete bekannterma\u00dfen, dass es aufgrund der Mehrzweckf\u00e4higkeiten des Terrapin kein einziges Raumschiff gibt, das er lieber in Bereitschaftsstellung h\u00e4tte. In der Tat gew\u00f6hnten sich die Terrapin-Piloten schnell daran, mehr als nur eine 'Abschussquote' im Auge zu behalten: Hilfs- und Unterst\u00fctzungsgeschwader behandeln die Anzahl der geflogenen Missionen, die Anzahl der durchgef\u00fchrten Rettungsaktionen oder die Anzahl der durchgef\u00fchrten Enterman\u00f6ver in der Regel mit gleicher Wichtigkeit. Erkundungsgeschwader wetteifern in Bezug auf die hochgeladenen Rohdaten. In all diesen Bereichen hat sich der Terrapin zu einem Rekordhalter entwickelt. Ein Terrapin h\u00e4lt derzeit den Rekord f\u00fcr 'Live-Rescues', also das Aufnehmen von Menschen, die einem reinen Vakuum ausgesetzt waren.\n\nDie Terrapin geh\u00f6rten zu den ersten Raumschiffen, die im Rahmen des Synthworld-Projekts entsandt wurden. Das gewaltige Bauprojekt beanspruchte die Ressourcen der Navy so sehr, dass zu Beginn des 30. Jahrhunderts sch\u00e4tzungsweise drei von f\u00fcnf Terrapin zu irgendeinem Zeitpunkt ihrer Dienstzeit f\u00fcr das Projekt eingesetzt wurden. Zus\u00e4tzlich zu den APC- und S&R-Aufgaben wurden mehrere Versuche unternommen, sie f\u00fcr den Transport kleinerer Mengen von Erzen und die Analyse von Mineralien zu modifizieren. Diese Modifizierungsversuche waren nicht sonderlich erfolgreich, obwohl ein bekannter Synthworld-Projektaufn\u00e4her einen anthropomorphen Terrapin zeigt, der eine Schaufel und einen Eimer tr\u00e4gt. Konstruktionsorientierte Terrapins erhielten in dieser \u00c4ra ein ausgepr\u00e4gtes gelb-schwarzes Farbschema, das immer noch h\u00e4ufig mit diesen Bem\u00fchungen in Verbindung gebracht wird.\n\nIm Jahr 2910 wurde der Terrapin unerwartet bekannt, nachdem er die Hauptrolle in einem beliebten Videofilm gespielt hatte. In dem Film To the Stars, der teilweise vom Imperium finanziert wurde, war eine bunt zusammengew\u00fcrfelte Gruppe von Menschen an Bord eines schrill lackierten lila-orangefarbenen Terrapins zu sehen, der liebevoll Maxwell genannt wurde. Der Terrapin wurde von einem U4A-3 Block II Modell im aktiven Dienst gespielt, das von der Navy ausgeliehen und nominell der UEEN Declan Smith zugeteilt war. Das Raumschiff, das schon fr\u00fch als \"h\u00e4sslicher Klotz\" bezeichnet wird, rettet schlie\u00dflich den Tag und wird zur Heimat f\u00fcr seine Crew von Forschern. Die Allgegenw\u00e4rtigkeit des Films und die Beliebtheit des personifizierten Raumschiffs f\u00fchrten zu einem kurzen Hype, bei dem eine Reihe von Unternehmen Terrapin-Artikel f\u00fcr die begeisterte Zivilbev\u00f6lkerung herstellten. Maxwell selbst kehrte nach den Dreharbeiten in den aktiven Dienst zur\u00fcck, wurde aber schlie\u00dflich dem Garber Aerospace Museum gespendet, wo es so restauriert wurde, wie es im Film aussah, und nun dauerhaft ausgestellt ist.\n\nU4A-3 BLOCK III & AKTUELLER EINSATZ\nDas \"moderne\" Modell U4A-3 Block III wurde erstmals 2899 vorgestellt und bietet (unter anderem) Verbesserungen an den Waffenst\u00fctzpunkten und einer Reihe von Steuerfl\u00e4chen. Das Block III Modell formalisiert auch einen langj\u00e4hrigen \"Trick\" der Terrapin-Piloten, n\u00e4mlich die F\u00e4higkeit, Energie durch Umschalten des Flugmodus freizusetzen. Es wurde zwar keine Upgrade-Option f\u00fcr das Schlachtfeld geschaffen, aber die Block III-Raumschiffe haben das Block II-Modell nun vollst\u00e4ndig ersetzt. In den letzten Jahren hat der Terrapin seine Kampfgeschichte vervollst\u00e4ndigt, da die Schlachten mit den Vanduul gr\u00f6\u00dfer und allt\u00e4glicher wurden. In einem bemerkenswerten Gefecht im Jahr 2944 traf ein Flug von sechs Scythe-J\u00e4gern im Rahmen einer Trainingsbeobachtung auf ein Quartett von Terrapins, die mit niedrigen Systemen im Tarnmodus operierten. Mit niedrigen Emissionen verbrachten die Terrapin-Besatzungen erschreckende acht Minuten damit, der Entdeckung zu entgehen, bevor sie schlie\u00dflich in der Lage waren, den Spie\u00df umzudrehen und die Vanduul zu besiegen. Der UEEN-Flug erlitt Sch\u00e4den, verlor aber kein Raumschiff, w\u00e4hrend f\u00fcnf der sechs Scythes zerst\u00f6rt wurden. Die Aufnahmen der Waffenkamera konnten das Schicksal der sechsten Scythes nicht kl\u00e4ren, aber es gilt als wahrscheinlich, dass sie get\u00f6tet wurde.\n\nUm die Jahrhundertwende begann auch die zivile Nutzung der Terrapins. Die Marine gab im Rahmen der Umstellung Tausende von Block IIs ab und begann dann, die Block IIIs in einem f\u00fcnfzehnj\u00e4hrigen Zyklus auszutauschen. Das zivile \u00dcberholungsprogramm, das von Anvil in einer speziellen Ausmusterungsanlage in Nova Kiev betrieben wird, macht alte Terrapins f\u00fcr Unternehmen und Einzelpersonen verf\u00fcgbar. ArkJen war das erste gro\u00dfe Unternehmen, das Terrapins in gro\u00dfem Umfang einsetzte und die Aufkl\u00e4rungsf\u00e4higkeiten der Schiffe f\u00fcr seine traditionellen Vermessungsaufgaben nutzte. Zu den bemerkenswerten zivilen Betreibern geh\u00f6ren heute Meridian Transport, wo Terrapins f\u00fcr Planetenh\u00fcpfer mit h\u00f6herer Sicherheit eingesetzt werden, und GRUT, wo sie bei Such- und Rettungsmissionen zum Einsatz kommen.\n\nEinzelne Terrapin-Besitzer sind in den letzten Jahren ebenfalls sehr h\u00e4ufig geworden, und Tausende von Schiffen sind offiziell registriert. Die Besitzer\/Betreiber halten sie f\u00fcr eine solide Investition, selbst wenn sie gebraucht werden: ein solides Raumschiff, das viele wichtige, allt\u00e4gliche Aufgaben erf\u00fcllen kann und dennoch robust genug ist, um sich an eine sich st\u00e4ndig ver\u00e4ndernde Galaxie anzupassen.\n\nDieser Auszug stammt aus dem 2947 Whitley's Guide to Spacecraft's U4A Terrapin Service History. Nachdruck mit Genehmigung. Whitley's Guide ist das Eigentum von Gallivan Publishing, 2860-2948, alle Rechte vorbehalten.","zh_CN":"This article originally appeared in Jump Point 6.02.\nAnvil Aerospace Terrapin-class Pathfinder\nINITIAL ORDER\nInitial deliveries of production model U4A-3 Block I Terrapin-class ships began on September 19, 2796, with the first units forming the core of the newly-established 198th Utility and Support Wing (motto: \u201cwe\u2019ve got u covered\u201d) in a formal handover at MacArthur. As part of the United Empire of Earth\u2019s intended phased military reorganization, elements of the 198th Wing were detached to active fleets as they became available, ensuring that the newly minted Terrapins saw action quickly. Indeed, the design\u2019s first blooding occurred only two months after its introduction, when a single Terrapin downed a mercenary fighter as part of a combined forces narcotics interdiction operation off Castra. The Terrapin very easily settled into its fleet operations role, proving itself an effective support craft, armored personnel carrier and, when called, fighting platform. Military planners were extremely pleased with the ease of adoption and frequently cited the Terrapin as proof of the success behind the \u2018new model Navy\u2019 initiative of the immediate post-Messer era.\n\nMARINE ADOPTION\nThe original Naval order for Terrapins was quickly followed by a second, similarly-sized request from the UEE Marines. Although the Terrapin lacks the heavy guns used by dedicated dropships, its protective armor and enhanced scanning capabilities mean that it is ideal as an armored personnel carrier. Terrapin APCs quickly became a frequent sight on convoy duty and in smaller-scale interdiction missions; it was a UEEM Terrapin which located and then boarded the liner Astoria during the 2820 hijacking disaster. (The boarding Terrapin itself was destroyed during the ensuing explosion, but its crew survived, along with the crew and passengers they helped lead to safety.) Marines are said to prefer travel aboard the smaller Terrapins when possible, their more advanced systems offering a far smoother (if more cramped) ride than traditional troopships. Terrapins have also become popular for \u2018safe\u2019 landing operations: generally, any landing where it will face no more than small arms fire. A rumor persists that the UEEM operates an advanced technology \u2018improved stealth\u2019 Terrapin for covert boarding operations; there has been no proper sighting of this spacecraft and its existence has been roundly denied by both Anvil and the military.\n\nSUBSEQUENT VERSIONS\nReconnaissance and scouting units began transitioning to the Terrapin five years after its introduction as an armored utility ship, though this adoption was rockier than the initial launch. Recon pilots, used to incredibly fast, light spacecraft that rely on speed over armor to escape trouble, were turned off by the Terrapin\u2019s opposite nature. This changed in a single incident: the ship was said to have \u201cpaid for itself\u201d in 2814 when a reconnaissance ship flown by Commander Bruce Dunbar successfully tracked a Vanduul raiding party across four systems without being identified. The tactical information gathered from the mission helped form important elements of the modern strategic understanding of the Vanduul; the ensuing interdiction and destruction of the raiding party by elements of the Ninth Fleet was also a major public relations victory for the UEE. In the three years following the incident, every single front line reconnaissance unit received at least one Terrapin (and crew assignment).\n\nThe largest downside to the early Terrapin was the difficulty of power management, which required that a pilot become particularly familiar with the design in order to use it most effectively. With multiple flight configurations, some of which significantly alter the design\u2019s on-orbit geometry, the difficulty in \u2018mastering\u2019 the Terrapin became apparent. Later models would ease this, adapting from the tricks developed by the early pilots for managing such an unusual set of abilities. Anvil Aerospace began rolling out the modified U4A-3 Block II version in July 2845, with battlefield upgrade kits converting extant Block I models to parity over the course of the following 24 months. The U4A-3 Block II transition was the result of a massive review of pilot experiences from the previous half-century; thousands of current and former Terrapin-drivers were interviewed and countless hours of combat and flight footage were reviewed as part of the improvement process. The biggest takeaway from the process was that the ship\u2019s durability would make it ideal for exploratory roles it had not yet filled. As a result, Block I models dropped a largely unused remote chin turret and were given extended batteries, improved shielding and a sensor suite capable of gathering and storing more data than would ordinarily be required for a fire support spacecraft. Though the changes were not the result of a formal request for proposal, the Navy quickly saw the value and began purchasing Terrapins specifically for exploratory services assignments.\n\nVERSATILITY IN ACTION\nAlthough the Terrapin\u2019s active service includes lengthy periods of peacetime, it is a design that is considered in-demand under any circumstances; Admiral Vos Kant famously claimed that the Terrapin\u2019s multirole capabilities meant that there was no single spacecraft he would rather have in ready five position. Indeed, Terrapin pilots quickly adapted to keeping track of more than a \u2018kill score\u2019: auxiliary and support squadrons typically treat with equal importance the number of missions flown, the number of rescues performed, or the number of boarding operations conducted. Exploratory squadrons compete in terms of raw data uploaded. In all these areas, the Terrapin has become a recordsetter; a Terrapin currently holds the record for \u2018live rescues\u2019; pickups of humans who have been exposed to pure vacuum.\n\nTerrapin were among the first spacecraft dispatched as part of the Synthworld project. The massive construction project was such a drain on Navy resources that by the early 30th century it was estimated that three in five Terrapin had been assigned to the effort at some point in their service. In addition to APC and S&R duties, multiple attempts were made to modify them for small-scale ore transport and mineral analysis. These modification efforts were not notably successful, although a well known Synthworld project patch displays an anthropomorphic Terrapin toting a shovel and bucket. Construction-oriented Terrapins received a distinct yellow-and-black paint scheme during this era, which is still commonly associated with the effort.\n\nIn 2910, the Terrapin became an unexpected household name following a \u201cstarring\u201d role in a popular vid. To the Stars, partially financed by the Empire\u2019s office of civilian outreach, featured a ragtag band of Humans aboard a garishly painted purple-and-orange Terrapin affectionately named Maxwell. The Terrapin was \u2018played\u2019 by an active duty U4A-3 Block II model on loan from the Navy, nominally assigned to the UEEN Declan Smith. Referred to early on as an \u201cugly lump,\u201d the spacecraft ultimately saves the day and becomes a home for its crew of explorers. The ubiquity of the film and the popularity of the personified spacecraft led to a brief craze, with a number of companies producing Terrapin-themed merchandise for an eager civilian population. Maxwell itself returned to active duty after filming, but was ultimately donated to the Garber Aerospace Museum where it was restored to its on-camera appearance and is now on permanent display.\n\nU4A-3 BLOCK III & CURRENT DEPLOYMENT\nThe \u201cmodern\u201d U4A-3 Block III model premiered in 2899, featuring (among other things) upgrades to weapons hardpoints and a number of control surfaces. The Block III model also formalizes a longtime \u2018trick\u2019 used by Terrapin pilots, the ability to release energy by toggling flight modes. While no battlefield upgrade option was created, Block III spaceframes have now fully replaced the Block II model. Recent years have seen the Terrapin fill out its combat history, as battles with the Vanduul have become larger and more commonplace. In a noteworthy 2944 engagement, a flight of six Scythe fighters happened into a quartet of Terrapins operating with systems low in stealth mode as part of a training observation. With their emissions low, the Terrapin crews spent a terrifying eight minutes avoiding detection before ultimately being in a position to turn the table and get the jump on the Vanduul. The UEEN flight suffered damage but lost no spacecraft, while five of the six Scythes were destroyed. Gun camera footage was not able to determine the fate of the sixth, but it is considered to be a probable kill.\n\nIt was also around the turn of the century that civilians began more widespread operation of Terrapins; the Navy surplused thousands of Block IIs as part of the transition and then began rotating out Block IIIs on a fifteen year cycle. The civilian refurbishment program, operated by Anvil out of a dedicated decommissioning facility at Nova Kyiv, makes veteran Terrapins available to corporations and individual users. ArkJen was the first large corporation to adopt Terrapins en masse, adapting the ships\u2019 reconnaissance capabilities for their traditional survey work. Noteworthy civilian operators today include Meridian Transport, where Terrapins are used for higher security planetary hops, and GRUT, where they have become instrumental in search and rescue missions.\n\nIndividual Terrapin owners have also become extremely common in recent years, with thousands of the ships on the official registry. Owner\/operators consider them to be a sound investment, even used: a solid spacecraft capable of meeting many essential, common roles while still being rough-and-tumble enough to adapt to a constantly changing galaxy.\n\nThis extract is from the 2947 Whitley\u2019s Guide to Spacecraft\u2019s U4A Terrapin Service History. Reprinted with permission. Whitley\u2019s Guide is the property of Gallivan Publishing, 2860-2948, all rights reserved."},"links_count":0,"comment_count":78,"created_at":"2023-01-10T22:00:00+00:00","created_at_human":"3 years ago"},"meta":{"processed_at":"2026-05-07 19:14:21","valid_relations":["images","links"],"prev_id":19080,"next_id":19082}}