| |
| name | |
|---|---|
| General Plans and Schematics | |
| Type |
Transport |
| Statistics | |
| Price |
35,820 credits (Military); 9,000 credits (Civilian) |
| Maintenance costs |
1,500 credits (Military); 600 credits (Civilian) |
| Maximum weight |
750 tons |
| Cargo capacity |
250 tons |
| Fuel capacity |
15 tons (600 hours) |
| Crew capacity |
6 |
| Passenger capacity |
None |
| Armament |
|
| Carried vessels |
|
The Alliance Landing Ship for Tanks (ALST) was an Alliance military starship class. Due to their high rate of attrition ALSTs were built with minimal complexity and were lightly armed, making them easy pickings without support. This slow low-cost vehicle was primarily used during the Unification War, where it earned the nickname "A Large Slow Target."[1]
Overview
Besides carrying mechanized forces ALSTs are also commonly converted into medical evacuation vessels, with weaponry removed and the aft cargo hold converted into an operating theater for up to twenty-four patients and twelve medical personnel.[1]
ALSTs became famous for a number of beachhead landings, including the Battle of Serenity Valley where about a hundred landed simultaneously. At the conclusion of the war, the surviving 2,000 ALSTs of the original 8,000 produced were stripped of their advanced military equipment and auctioned off to civilian buyers.[1]
Alliance ALSTs hovering over Serenity Valley
Trivia
- The Landing Ship, Tank was used to transport troops and vehicles directly onto a shore. After World War 2 ended they were sold for scrap or converted into other ship types.
Behind the scenes
A cut scene from the episode "Serenity" also shows drop ships being used to rescue the survivors of Serenity Valley.
Author of Six-Shooters & Spaceships, Lynn Blackson, attributed the role of 'Landing Ship for Tanks' to this landing vessel after visiting the actual LST-325, a WWII class transport, moored in Evansville, Indiana, which were used both as tank transports and med-evac vessels.
