View source for Cloud Nine

{{InfoBoxSupportVehicle
| image = [[Image:Cloud Nine.jpg|191px]]
| Name = Cloud Nine Carrier Airship
| Manufacturer = [[Cal-Boeing of Dorwinion]]<ref name="TRO:VAp100">''Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex'', p. 100: "Cloud Nine Carrier Airship"</ref><ref name="TRO:VArp102">''Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex Revised'', p. 102: "Cloud Nine Carrier Airship"</ref>
| Production Year = 3065
| Year Reference = <ref>''[http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/3968/cloud-nine-carrier-airship-standard MUL online date for the ''{{PAGENAME}}'']''</ref>
| Use = Mobile Air Field
| Tech Base = [[Inner Sphere]] (Advanced)<ref name="TRO:VAp100"/><ref name="TRO:VArp102"/>
| Chassis Type (Size) = Airship (Large, Template E)<ref name="TRO:VAp100"/><ref name="TRO:VArp102"/>
| Equipment Rating = E/X-X-F<ref name="TRO:VArp102"/>
| Cost = 
| Introduced = [[3065]]
| Mass = 1,000 tons<ref name="TRO:VAp100"/><ref name="TRO:VArp102"/>
| Structural Integrity = 20<ref name="TRO:VAp100"/><ref name="TRO:VArp102"/>
| Safe Thrust = 0.5g<ref name="TRO:VAp100"/><ref name="TRO:VArp102"/>
| Max Thrust = 1g<ref name="TRO:VAp100"/><ref name="TRO:VArp102"/>
| Power Plant = [[Fusion engine|fusion]]<ref name="TRO:VAp100"/><ref name="TRO:VArp102"/>
| Fuel (Type/Range) = Unlimited<ref name="TRO:VAp100"/><ref name="TRO:VArp102"/>
| Armament = None<ref name="TRO:VAp100"/><ref name="TRO:VArp102"/>
| Heat Sinks = None<ref name="TRO:VAp100"/><ref name="TRO:VArp102"/>
| comsys = Unspecified
| T&T = Unspecified
| Armor = [[Commercial Armor|Commercial]]<ref name="TRO:VAp100"/><ref name="TRO:VArp102"/>
| BAR = [[BAR|2]]<ref name="TRO:VAp100"/><ref name="TRO:VArp102"/>
| Crew = 20 (3 officers, 17 enlisted/non-rated)<ref name="TRO:VArp102"/>
| BV (1.0) = 
| BV (2.0) = 
}}

== Description ==
The '''Cloud Nine''' was an experimental airship designed to be a mobile airborne airfield.  It was the brainchild of [[Donald Hoeck]], who was assigned by [[Cal-Boeing]] owner [[Count]] [[Douglas Fassei]] to this project. Donald Hoeck, also nicknamed "Macon", had convinced Count Fassei that his Cloud Nine Project would bolster the company's sagging profits.<ref name="TRO:VAp100"/><ref name="TRO:VArp102"/>

The Cloud Nine was designed to carry a single squadron of ''[[Corsair (Aerospace Fighter class)|Corsair]]'' [[aerospace fighter]]s, launched from its belly hangar bay.  The airship was also designed to be a mobile headquarters.  Being a mobile flying airfield gave it and the aircraft aboard a unique safeguard against terrorism or espionage.<ref name="TRO:VAp100"/><ref name="TRO:VArp102"/>

The Count brought in [[Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth]] officers to review his potential airship for military service.  However, the few officers that did come laughed at the concept and needed to be escorted from Count Fassei's office.<ref name="TRO:VAp100"/><ref name="TRO:VArp102"/>

Ultimately, Count Fassei convinced the military to give Cloud Nine a chance by allowing it make a trial run. Six ''Corsair'' aerospace fighters from the local March Militia were used to test the Cloud Nine. The ship was able to launch its fighters, and they successfully struck the target.  However, when the last of the ''Corsair'' squadron was being reeled in, the fifth fighter missed the arresting hook. The ''Corsair'' crashed through the Cloud Nine's thinly armored hull, bringing the ship down in flames over the Great Dorwinion Sea.<ref name="TRO:VAp100"/><ref name="TRO:VArp102"/>

Donald Hoeck left the planet soon after the crash.

== Weapons and Equipment ==
The ship featured a single aerospace fighter bay, allowing six fighters to be stored. The ship's hangar had a 400 ton capacity and was located at the bottom of the ship. A pair of [[Lift Hoist|lift hoists]] acted as arrester cables for retrieving fighters. The ship carried 7 tons of [[communication equipment]] to allow Cloud Nine to act as a Command HQ. Four [[searchlight]]s were mounted singly on the front, rear, and sides. The ship had a [[mobile field base]] integrated into the hull as well.<ref name="TRO:VAp100"/><ref name="TRO:VArp102"/>

== Variants ==
There are no known variants of the Cloud Nine.

== Related Vehicles ==
* The ''[[Cloud Ten]]'' airship is based upon the Cloud Nine.

== Notes ==
* As of this article's original writing, Cloud Nine had no record sheet available.

* The ship is considered unique, never mass produced, and is not listed with the Federated Suns Support Vehicle categories.

== References ==
<references />

== Bibliography ==
* ''[[Master Unit List]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex Revised]]''


[[Category:Support Vehicles]]
[[Category:Airship Support Vehicles|Cloud Nine]]