Cortez Series N

Description
The Cortez Series N was the last in a long line of civilian Tracked Support Vehicles produced till end of the Star League Era. The design first was created in 2116, when it was originally designed to help ground-based Exploration of new worlds to help establish colonies. The N series was the most popular of the series, with it flexibility to allow the switching in and out equipment easily.

The Croyle Systems produced the Cortez at four of its factories on Daniels, Demeter, Muphrid and Capolla until they were destroyed by war. Within centuries the design became extinct, until an example was discovered in a uninhabited Star system just out side the Free Worlds League during 3040s. The recovered vehicle would eventually be reverse-engineered and become the basis for the Magellan Series Four and Shackleton AESV series exploration vehicles.

Equipment and Capabilities
Although not a fast vehicle, the Cortez N was fitted with a fusion engine which allowed it longevity on deep space missions where refueling would be infrequent at best. Built on an Amphibious and Environmentally-Sealed Chassis, it can operate in most hazardous environments its crews may choose to exolore.

For its primary mission in exploration, the vehicle has two manipulator arms mounted in the front of the vehicle. Vehicle sensors are further enhanced by presence of a Beagle Active Probe which helps with detection of threats or objects of interest. The Cortez N also carries a remote sensor dispenser. The remote sensors give the vehicle the ability to monitor large areas as the crew explores planets. The vehicle also features four vehicle mounted Searchlights mounted in the turret, along with its only self-defense weapon, a Medium Laser. In addition to the mounted lights, the vehicle has 12 hand-held search lights for crew members disembarking from the vehicle's Infantry Bay.

Cargo
Series N was unique among the series of Cortez; Croyle System engineers would devise a modular cargo bay which was known as named Slide-In/Slide-Out (SISO) system. Contained in a 10-ton Container, the system allowed the switching-out of equipment and other tools needed for terraforming and colonization efforts. Along with 10-ton container, it also had 8.9 tons worth of standard carrying capacities for supplies. The container itself would be accessible from a rear of the vehicle.

Related Vehicles

 * Cortez (original) - The original Cortez prototype was introduced in 2116, which would spur the development and production of the series.


 * Magellan Series - A smaller and less capable ground-based exploration vehicle. The Magellan series was reverse-engineered from a salvaged Cortez. It lacks the modular capabilities of the Cortez.


 * Shackleton AESV - A modular successor to the Magellan series, which was more spiritual successor to the Cortez.

Design Quirks
The Cortez Series N is subject to the following Design Quirk:
 * Obsolete (2787)