Republic Gunship Question

Are those things capable of flight in space? And if so, do they have hyperdrives?

Any help here would be hot.

 

Although there hasn't been clarification as to whether all versions can, there are at least some Republic gunships that are capable of exoatmospheric maneuvering based on various post-AotC EU sources:

-Galactic Battlegrounds: Clone Campaigns
-Boba Fett: Crossfire
-The Clone Wars

None to date have shown any indication of being capable of utilizing a hyperdrive however.

 

According to the 'AOTC: Incredible Cross-Sections' book the Gunshp does not have hyperdrive. It has a max airspeed of 620 kph (384 mph). The book does not mention if it can or cannot fly in space.

 

Is there anything that closes the doors on them? Having a void into space could pose a problem with space flight.

 

I think, like snowspeeders, that the Gunship is a clearly atmospheric craft. However, since Storm/Clone trooper armor is usually described as seald against the enviroment, so upper atmosphere flights should be possible. And also, does anyone know where the engines on this thing are? Theres nothing on the back that really looks like an engine.

 

I think the engines are in the same place as the missle launchers are, just in the back part of them.

I think if sealed properly, they could be space worthy. Not sure about hyperdrive worthy.

 

All of the following is from the 'AOTC:Incredible Cross-Sections' writeup on the Gunship:
1)Clonetrooper's suit: 'The airtight and thermally regulated body glove is impervious to germ and chemical agents, and provides protection in space and hostile atmospheres'.

2)One of the gunships pictured is shown as having a damaged starboard engine. The engine is behind the exhaust slats at the rear between the missile launchers. There seem to be two engines - port and starboard, right next to each other, though I am going by the picture on this.

3) The cockpit seems to be atmospherically sealed, but not the hold area. The same picture as in answer 2 mentions an airtight hatch to the front compartments and a light that indicates the atmospheric integrity of those compartments.

Other facts & figures:
Made by Rothana Heavy Engineering (KDY subsidiary)
Dimensions: length - 17.4m (57 ft), wingspan 17m (55.7 ft), depth 6.1m (20ft)
Crew: Pilot, gunner, 2 auxiliary turret gunners
Passengers: 30 clone troopers, 1 IM-6 Medical droid (stowed in emergency locker)
Armament: 3 anti-personnel turrets, 2 mass-driver missile launchers, 4 laser turrets, 8 light air-to-air rockets

 

They seem to be strictly low-altitude atmospheric assault vehicles, not even really stratospheric-class. But they sure pack some varied and whopping arsenal!

 

Hmmm. I guess I was wrong (I don't read PT stuff beyond novels and comics, so I never saw Gunship diagrams or anything) but I was under the impression that they were the dropships from the orbiting starships. Kinda makes them seem a little less useful, since you'd need another transport to get them to the surface. Its not like you can just land one of those huge ships from the end of AOTC on every mission.

 

Gunships are more the advance flight of an invasion force, they come in and clear a landing zone with their own artillery, dropping off squads of elite troops also, before the Acclamators come in and land a full invasion force. I can't see Gunships holding enough people to be considered the sole ship to be used for an invasion force, though.

 

The writeup in 'Cross-sections' on the Republic Assault Ship says that it has capacity for 80 cargo and infantry gunships.
It also carries up to 16,000 clone troops and support personnel.
And the Gunship writeup states 'A military transport ship's entire gunship complement can deliver more than 2,000 soldiers in each of several repeated waves'.