Manta - Transport Operations: The Manta Missile Destroyer is one of the largest aircraft that can be fielded within a planet's atmosphere in a frontline role, and is the largest dropship of its kind. Indeed, the Manta is so large that it is actually classified as a small voidcraft, and lies on the borderline of classification between an attack craft and a full starship.A Manta is several times larger than the Space Marine Thunderhawk and has a limited T'au Ether Drive capacity. However, due to its size, a Manta can only make very short Warp jumps, restricting its use in interstellar transportation. For longer trips, a Manta must be transported inside far larger T'au carriers.The Manta is also capable of a hover mode for deployment of troops. However the considerable energy requirements of operations close to a planet's surface using anti-gravitic engines means that the craft loses the capability for fast maneuvering during ground combat. Mantas are armoured with an extremely thick layer of the same nano-crystalline armour called fio'tak used in many other T'au vehicles and aircraft, giving it a measure of protection unlike any other within the T'au forces.The bulk of the interior space of the Manta is utilised for the transportation of T'au troops. Normally, a Manta can transport a whole Hunter Cadre's worth of troops as well as the cadre's equipment, supplies and support assets. The hold of the Manta is divided into an upper and lower deck where the upper deck is designed to transport troops while the lower deck is designed to transport larger T'au units such as battlesuits and vehicles.The upper deck has seats for up to 48 T'au Fire Warriors and racks to store all of their weapons and equipment, such as Pulse Rifles and Pulse Carbines. Fire Warriors are held in place with restraint harnesses to prevent harm to the occupants in the event of a rough landing, crash landing, or general turbulence. The upper deck also contains six specially designed T'au Drone recesses along the centre line, as well as a single seat towards the "head" of the Manta that can carry an important T'au Commander or other official such as an Ethereal.Troops on the upper deck disembark from a ramp that extends from the rear access bay doors to the ground when the Manta lands. The front of the upper deck contains an access way and a ladder to the Manta's own sophisticated command bridge. From there, a T'au commander or Ethereal can oversee battlefield operations while being relatively close to the site of conflict. In this way, a Manta also serves as a mobile forward command post and can act as a fire control and communications hub.The lower deck is a cavernous hold that can serve as a large elevator which is able to be lowered. The lower deck can house up to four T'au vehicles based off the Devilfish chassis and up to 8 battlesuits, whether they be XV8 Crisis Battlesuits or XV88 Broadside Battlesuits. Devilfish transports within a Manta hold may also be fully loaded with Fire Warriors and Pathfinders. However, the lower deck can be configured to carry a variety of T'au units such as Piranhas, Tetras, Kroot and their accompanying beasts, and XV15 and XV25 Stealthsuits as well as any necessary supplies and/or equipment.Units can disembark from the rear access bay doors from which a short ramp can extend. Alternatively, the whole lower deck can be lowered, which allows for all units within the lower deck to disembark at once. As a third alternative, T'au skimmercraft and units equipped with a Jetpack can descend from the Manta at high altitudes and drop directly into the midst of fighting. It is of note that a standard Manta cannot feasibly carry a Sky Ray due to the height of the Sky Ray's Seeker Missile rack. However, variations of hold design may allow some Mantas to accommodate the transportation of Sky Rays.As the Manta is a true voidcraft, it is crewed entirely by members of the Air Caste. Two Air Caste members sit within the main cockpit, from which one member pilots the Manta whilst the other operates the Manta's weaponry. Four other Air Caste operators sit further back.The cockpit is also a large escape pod which can eject from the Manta in the event of an emergency where the aircraft sustains serious damage. When this happens, the entire cockpit capsule disconnects and utilises its limited anti-gravitic mobility to return the pilots safely to the ground. Once on the ground however, the pilots have to make good their own escape. In special circumstances, it can be surmised that the cockpit may also be used to save the lives of important individuals such as T'au commanders and Ethereals, if the need arises.