Used for moving large teams of Marines, the Vesta is a large dropship capable of deploying forces en masse into combat theaters. They are deployed from orbiting assault ships to planetary surfaces, unleashing the initial waves in Triumvirate attacks.
The Vestus is much larger than most dropships, nearly 50 meters in length. It can carry up to 80 infantry in its cargo bay, along with three to four light vehicles. In addition, it can hold up to two tanks below the fuselage via magnetic clamps.
Though its armor isn’t very thick for an aircraft of its size, the Vesta has energy shielding that can protect it from heavy ground fire for a short time, giving it the time it needs to drop off its cargo and leave. It is slower than smaller dropships, of course, only capable of hitting 97 G’s. It carries a chin-mounted medium proton bolt cannon to provide cover for its ground forces, and a dorsal ion beam turret for fending off aircraft.
If ground forces are the hammer of the Triumvirate’s military forces, then the Vesta Heavy Transport is the arm that swings it. The Vesta plays a critical role in all military operations, used to bring the bulk of their forces into play.