DS-14 Stormrider

The DS-14 Stormrider is a Dropship developed by the United Earth Federation as its primary utility transport spacecraft. Developed from the prototypes DS-1 and DS-2 which were originally developed by the United States, the DS-14 is far superior to its predecessors and was designed from the get go to be capable of both in-atmospheric and space operations

The DS-14 Stormrider saw wide success within the Federation military and remained in service from the late 21st century all the way to the 24th-25th centuries before being retired from both active and reserve service by the new and superior DS-22.

Variants

 * DS-14A - Initial production. Designed directly off the DS-1 and DS-2 Dropships it was slightly larger than its predecessors. It lacked any offensive armament except for its side-mounted turrets. All DS-14As were eventually superseded and upgraded to the B model.
 * DS-14B - Upgraded model. This model enlarged the troop compartment slighty thus increasing capacity from 16 personnel to 18, increased armor plating and replaced all engines with the following newer engines; Orchen OR64 Wing-rotational engines and Orchen TR90 Plasma turbine engines. All were upgraded to C standard.
 * DS-14C - Upgraded B model with improved avionics, improved pilot-control, improved and vacumm sealed gun turrets allowing for in-orbit/space use. Officially named 'Stormrider II' before the D model which changed it to 'Stormrider IIA'.


 * DS-14D - Upgraded C model using new PNR182 Wing-rotational engines and PNR202 'Bull' Plasma turbine engine as well as several other improvements. Resolved several issues with the side-mounted gun turrets, further increased armor plating as well as introducing a backup flight control system. Officially named 'Stormrider IIB'
 * DS-14D1 - Enhanced model developed from experimental models which introduced a forward mounted 27mm revolver autocannon, mounted to the side of the cockpit.