Caravan/Danube-class

"The Danube/Caravan Class is an ingenious creation by the PLANT Shipyards. Basically its a combined Orbital Dropship, and a Combat Support Ship. Just different latches on the buttom of the ship telling the difference between the two. It allowed ZAFT to use a single craft for multiple purposes."

- Rear Admiral Lewis Halberton, to a class of Cadets in later CE70 right after his promotion



General and Technical Data

 * Class: Danube Class/Caravan Class
 * Ships of the line: Danube, Nile, Rio Grande, Rubicon, Mississippi, Santee, Glacier, Colombia, Amazon, Arnold, Alsek, Flint, Kettle, Canoe, Dean, Sunset, Vermilion, Fraser, Mackenzie, Sacramento, Yukon, Mindoro, Escondido, Han, Hai, Jordan, Krishna, Kolyma, Lena, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Volga, Ural, Pechora, Rhine, Elbe, Vistula, Tagus, Loire, Ebro, Douro, Rhone, Seine, Onega, Shannon, Severn, Loire, Vienne, Volga, Samara, Seine, Marne, Ebro, Rhone, Gardon, Tiber (Danube Class) Caravan, Voyager, Explorer, Pioneer, Wanderer, Nomad, Adventurer, Ranger, Venturer, Pilgrim, Runner, Courier, Daredevil, Vagabond, Traveler, Wayfarer, Carriage, Coach, Caisson, Chariot, Schooner, Gilly, Camion, Lorry, Enterprise, Sojourn (Caravan Class)
 * Unit type: Multi-Purpose Transport 
 * Classification: MPT
 * Manufacturer: Martius Shipwrights
 * Operator(s): ZAFT, Junk Guild, PLANT, Pirates, Various Others
 * First deployment: CE68
 * Dimensions: 225 meters long
 * Wingspan: unknown
 * Equipment and design features: Drop Pods Latches (Caravan Class), Modular Pod Latches (Danube Class)
 * Optional Equipment and design features: Type-I Cargo Pod, Type-II Logistical Supply Pod, Type-III Drop-Cargo Pod, Type-IV Support Pod (Danube Class Only) Type-V Combat Drop-Pod, carries four mobile suits; Type-VI Light Cargo Pods; Type-VII Glider Drop-Pods (Caravan Class Only)
 * Fixed armaments: 4 x 75mm CIWS Turrets (Both Variants)

Technical and Historical Notes
The Caravan/Danube Class ships are the ZAFT Auxiliary Force primary unit, and is used to support deployed ZAFT Forces. The reasoning behind the two class names, is that the entire class has two main variants. The only difference between the two are the modular connections along the bottom of the ship, the Caravan Class has the connections for twelve drop-pods making it an orbital drop ship, while the Danube Class have modular pod latches giving it the ability to carry various types of cargo pods or cargo containers.

The Caravan Class becomes ZAFT primary Orbital Dropship able to drop numerous drop-pods onto the planet or target very easily. The only problem with this is that a series of support ships must accompany the dropships for the Caravan and its drop-pods are not equipped to carry the mobile suits from the PLANTs to their target. These ships would carry the Mobile Suits and their pilots easily while the Caravan Class ships will just simply carry the drop-pods. Often these support ships are specially modified Babylon Class carriers, while other times it is simply normal Laurasia or Nazca Class ships who carry the needed Mobile Suits. This however is usually only during small operations, while the Babylon Class ships are for much larger drop operations. It is thanks to Caravan Class ships that make a Mobile Suit Drop such a fearsome weapon in ZAFT’s aresenal.

The Danube Class ships are the primary support and replenishment vessel for ZAFT often operating alongside a larger Support Tender equipped Babylon Class ship or even in small groups with a Luna Class Destroyer Escort or two escorting them. Most often though they operate and support a Diligence Class Fleet Repair Ship if a Babylon Class is not available. Even then it is these ships that tirelessly keep the ZAFT ships up and running with the needed supplies they need to continue the fight against the vastly numerically superior Alliance Forces. Many ZAFT Commanders call these small ships the lifeblood of ZAFT and without their support could not really stand up against the Alliance. One interesting feature of the Danube Class is when they are equipped with a Type-III Cargo-Pod they can drop the pod down onto Earth-Bound bases if needed. This is really useful when a ZAFT Base or units needs supplies but can't get them elsewhere on the planet for whatever reason. A very interesting feature that allows Danube Class ship to not only resupply ZAFT ships in Space but ZAFT units or bases on the planet as well. This feature proves helpful during the Aftermath of the Junius Seven Colony Drop onto the Planet, helping many to get back onto their feet.

Both Variants are equipped with four 75mm CIWS Cannons to help protect it, but it has no heavier weapons to use against enemy ships unlike Babylon and Diligence Class ships, and are often seen escorted by Luna Class Destroyer Escorts thanks to these light defenses. Also neither Variant have the ability to carry mobile suits and need to rely on escorting ships for mobile suits to defend them against enemy attacks. Though the Type-II Cargo Pod for the Danube Class can carry two Mobile Suits if needed, but often these mobile suits are actually Work GINNs to help load and unload supplies from the ship. Sometimes though they carry defensive mobile suits if needed, but not often.

These two Variants would continue to serve ZAFT and the PLANTs for many years before being replaced in late CE78 far longer then any of the other support ships for ZAFT, though a few Danube Class ships would continue to serve in other hands for many more years. Most of them in the Junk Guild who just love these ships for some reason.

Notable Ships and Crew
ZAS Flint (Captain Lee Mallard)

The Flint is a ship that often transports supplies between the Sun-Earth L2 Point and the Augustus PLANTs located there, and the Homeland. It is usually seen equipped with a normal Type-I Cargo Pod, but sometimes has the larger Type-IV Pod if needed. It is normally operated under the PLANT Auxiliary Force but is crewed by the larger ZAFT Auxiliary Force.

ZAS Columbus ( Captain Lucius Gadem)

The Columbus is a ship operated by the ZAFT Auxiliary Force and is used to resupply distant patrol ships or other deployed ships. Its captain Lucius Gadem is an old war-horse type of man who had once fought against numerous Pirates with only a Marseille III Class ship at his disposal and took part in the L4 Crisis. While he is a native of Altair he is dedicated to his adopted homeland, and is the one who had almost single-handedly put together the ZAFT Auxiliary Force.

The Columbus and Captain Gadem would respond to Commander Le Creuset’s call for help after the Battle of Heliopolis and would resupply his ships before the ZAFT Commander sprung his trap onto the Alliance's new battleship the Archangel and its G-Weapons. However Gadem insisted on taking part in the operation saying they Columbus could transport whatever the Le Creuset Team captured back to the Homeland. This would see Gadem and his ship destroyed when the Hunter Special Operations G-Weapon destroyed it along with Captain Gadem.

Pirate Ship Pandora (formerly Kettle) (Captain Nathan Zachary)

Formerly the ZAFT Auxiliary Ship Kettle it is captured by Pirate Nathan Zachary and his own band of pirates before being renamed Pandora. It is then heavily modified after this with an extra CIWS Turret and three external missile pods, and with a Hanger Pod from a Laurasia Class Frigate giving the new Pirate Ship the ability to carry mobile suits. Captain Zachary and his Pirates use this ship to pirate Alliance, PLANTs, Altairan, and Lunar ships carrying supplies wherever. However Zachary and his men are quite different from other pirates, and do not really kill anyone, they mainly just take what they want and allow their prey to leave.

Miscellaneous Information

 * Variants: 2
 * Brigand Class, a variant of the main Danube class that is entirely used by Pirates and other such groups. Basically sports a Laurasia Class Hanger Pod attached to the underside of a Danube Class. Basically is a Pirate Groups primary carrier ship outside of captured military vessels. The Pirate Ship Pandora is of this class.
 * Grunt Class, a variant of the Danube Class that it created for the use of the Junk Guild. Basically adds the enlarged Type-IV Pod permanently attached and two pairs of crane arms.
 * Notes: Got the idea for the duel-variant class from several sources, mainly saw the image of the ZAFT Dropship and thought yeah what if you add a Hanger Pod or something like there which created this ship.