Terrapin

The Anvil U4A-3 Terrapin deep-space armored scout ship utilized by the United Empire of Earth Navy (UEEN). Outfitted with sensitive long-range scanners, it is used for long duration reconnaissance and leg patrol missions where crewmembers might need to be separated from support facilities for weeks at a time. The spacecraft is encased with heavy armor and an oversized shield generator that allows it to survive skirmishes with lighter raiding craft and extreme environment.^[1]^[2]

Features

Reconnaissance

The Terrapin is used by the UEEN for overwatch, long-endurance picketing, and to add reconnaissance capabilities to the fleet, as well as extending the Navy's ability to provide a patrol presence to border systems that couldn't be allocated capital ships or large fighter garrisons for defence.^[2]^[3]

Explorer

It is a favored explorer ship among UEE military veterans who opt to continue flying after their service, many of them having already come to know its reliability, ease of repair and never-say-die attitude.^[4] As secondary roles, it is said that the Terrapin can be used for both Search and Rescue and as Troop Transport.^[5]

Cooling Mechanism

Due to the Terrapin's thick armor, the ship has insufficient capacity to vent its heat. To vent this excess heat, the armor panels can be retracted, a mechanic that has been described as 'coming up for air'.^[6]

Specifications

Model

Ship profile

Isometric	Above	Port-side	Front	Rear	Below

Isometric	Above	Port-side	Front	Rear

Paints

Acquisition

Lore

Development: The Terrapin was developed in 2796 to serve as the first ship in the Empire's defensive restructuring of the Navy. It was also the first full production ship that Anvil Aerospace had fabricated under direct Naval contract. It was developed in an Anvil plant located in Nova Kiev, Terra under lead designer J.Harris Arnold and lead engineer Allegra Wilsing.^[5]
Naval Assessment: In 2796, the UEE ship assessment review team led by Vice Admiral Galen Whishaw was commanded by the High Command to assess if the Terrapin should be included in the UEE military.