M2 Hercules

The M2 Hercules Starlifter, affectionately known as "Mama Bird" among its crews and ground forces, is a heavy-duty military starlifter developed by Crusader Industries. Designed to serve as the backbone of the UFN’s strategic lift and tactical deployment capabilities, the M2 Hercules is built with an unrelenting focus on versatility, survivability, and mission endurance. It plays a vital role in battlefield logistics, troop transport, and heavy vehicle delivery across planetary surfaces and into contested operational zones. It stands as the UFN’s premier tactical starlifter, regularly seen on the frontlines of expeditionary campaigns, forward operating base resupply missions, and orbital insertion operations. Its ability to land in hostile environments, deploy mechanized assets, and extract personnel under fire makes it one of the most important logistical aircraft in the Federation's aerospace inventory.

Cargo Capacity and Transport Utility

At the heart of the M2 Hercules’s mission profile is its immense cargo capacity. The internal bay is capable of transporting up to 552 Standard Cargo Units (SCU), offering significant room for supply pallets, ammunition crates, field gear, and modular base components. Even more critically, the cargo hold is designed to accommodate heavy ground vehicles, including the Nova tank, Mamluk APC, and Ballista anti-aircraft platform.
With both a forward-loading ramp and a rear exit ramp, the Hercules can rapidly load or unload even the heaviest combat vehicles in austere or contested landing zones. The symmetrical dual-ramp system also enables daisy-chain deployment—rolling vehicles through the ship without reversing or rotating them within the cargo bay, a feature highly valued in battlefield conditions where every second counts.

Equipment Storage and Loadout Management

Beyond its large-scale cargo hold, the M2 Hercules provides comprehensive internal storage for mission-specific gear. Within the ship, there is 3,430 KμSCU of integrated internal storage, allowing for secure transport of critical components, engineering supplies, and long-duration support equipment.
This is supplemented by nine dedicated 1,500K μSCU storage units—six located in the engineering bay and three within the armory. Additionally, EVA suit lockers and personal equipment stowage compartments are positioned along the bridge hallway, ensuring rapid access to vacuum-rated suits and emergency kits. The bridge’s center console also includes a concealed compartment for storing compact weapons or multitools, reinforcing the ship’s emphasis on modular preparedness.

Armory and Crew Readiness

As a frontline military vessel, the M2 Hercules incorporates a fully operational armory designed to support embarked personnel during boarding actions, planetary insertions, and defensive engagements. This dedicated compartment houses a variety of weapons racks for standard-issue pistols, carbines, and rifles, as well as heavy ordnance options including the Scourge Railgun.
The armory also includes EVA suit lockers and the three storage units mentioned earlier, mounted in the ceiling for vertical access. Whether the Hercules is serving as a mobile operations hub or a forward logistics drop point, the onboard armory ensures that its crew and accompanying forces are prepared for any escalation in combat conditions.

Maintenance and Accessibility

A hallmark of the M2 Hercules's design philosophy is self-sufficiency. Its internal layout prioritizes rapid access to all key ship components, allowing technicians or engineers to perform field maintenance or system diagnostics without the need to exit the ship. In environments where exposure to vacuum or hostile elements could be fatal, this feature is a critical life-saving measure.
The layout enables direct access to power conduits, shield capacitors, avionics nodes, and propulsion interfaces. Combined with its robust onboard diagnostic systems, the Hercules can remain operational far from supply depots or repair stations, making it ideal for long-duration deployments or frontier operations.

Weapons and Defensive Armament

Though it is primarily a transport platform, the M2 Hercules is far from defenseless. It is equipped with a pair of concealed, forward-facing Size 5 hardpoints controlled directly by the co-pilot. These weapons can be hidden within retractable ports to maintain a low profile until needed, giving the Hercules the element of surprise when entering contested airspace.
At the rear, a remotely operated turret mounts a pair of Size 4 guns, providing overlapping coverage during extraction or retreat. This rear coverage is particularly valuable during deployment operations where the ship is vulnerable while on the ground. The weapon suite is designed not for sustained dogfighting, but for forceful deterrence and protection during its vulnerable operational phases.
In concert with its reinforced armor plating and durable shielding system, the M2 Hercules can survive hostile engagements long enough to complete its primary mission and retreat to safety.
The M2 Hercules Starlifter is the lifeline of the UFN Armed Forces. Built to bridge the gap between orbital superiority and battlefield dominance, the Hercules is a symbol of Federation resilience, tactical precision, and expeditionary reach. Its nickname, “Mama Bird,” is well-earned—not only does it carry its precious cargo and crew across the stars, but it protects them fiercely on the way.
Whether delivering tanks to the front line, retrieving wounded from collapsing warzones, or operating deep behind enemy lines, the M2 Hercules remains the unshakable backbone of UFN ground operations. In every campaign, every landing, and every lift-off, “Mama Bird” soars above the rest.

Nickname

Mama Bird

Creation Date

2707

Width

70 meters

Length

94 meters

Height

23 meters

Speed

950 m/s

Complement / Crew

1-4

Cargo & Passenger Capacity

Cargo 552 SCU Stowage 3,430 KµSCU