XM004 Kalu Assault Shuttle

Description

Xygritt Matriarchy

Scale: Fleet (very nominally 1:1500th (strictly 1:3600th after smallcraft sliding scale adjustement))

Four squadrons (24 smallcraft) supplied.

Size (Bounding Box, Sprue/Base): 29.16mm x 39.0mm x 8.0mm (13.56mm x 12.2mm x 4.1mm individually)

The Kalu Assault Shuttle performs the dual role of boarding vessel and landing craft. The bulk of its internal structure is taken up by the troop transport bays and it capable of carrying a considerable load.

Its role as landing craft meant that the thermal vanes could not be placed in their typical dorsal position, so the Kalu splits the vane it two halves and they jut out horizontally like wings, which has a distinct look likened to early industry fighter aircraft.

The Kalu is only armed with a few point-defence turrets that grant it a rating 60 on the Xygritts scale. But it has considerable shielding, which means it is more likely to survive anti-orbital fire to reach the ground.

The Kalu is optimised for ground invasions, and it less adept at ship-based boarding operations. With its minimal armament, it requires the enemy vessel to be disabled via leech cannons to stand a realistic chance, as without such help it is incapable of dealing with anything larger than light civilian transports without help.