Predator spacecraft can travel in any environment,
including flying to almost to the chronosphere of the sun. The ships
have radar shielding, invisibility cloaking, and are able to scan
enemy craft and planet locations in extreme detail including
weapon systems and lifeform readings.
The ships are autopilot-programmable for use
in atmosphere and in orbit, as well as between planets. They
cannot discharge weaponry automatically, but have a proximity
alert dodging system. They can drop a hunter on a planet then
return to orbit and await a pick-up signal.
Like the personal self-destruct device, a
hunter can activate a reactor overload (by remote or directly
on the ship) to destroy the craft with a thermonuclear explosion.
An alternative destruction system can be set, which causes the
ship to completely disintegrate - a form of chemical reaction
occurs which eats away all components. The ship does not explode,
but simply decomposes without trace.
The standard Predator shuttle is a dropship
craft designed for a quick atmospheric insertion of a single
hunter. They are short range and cannot travel outside
of their target system, with very little maneuverability.
For the most part, they are a simple high-speed craft with no manual controls. Basically a spearhead, they are launched from the main ship to punch through a planet's atmosphere. At a certain altitude, it fires reverse thrusters to slow the descent and partially embeds itself into the surface, upright. This type of craft cannot be used for takeoff - it's either a one-way trip, or the Hunter can await pickup by a mother craft.
What the Comics and Books tell us:
The standard Ner'uda shuttle is compact, with supplies for a single hunter and storage capacity for his trophies. It has only limited maneuverability, with basic piloting controls and navigational visibility. Once entering the atmosphere it can then bury itself in the ground or re-launch into orbit, awaiting remote orders from its pilot. After a completed mission, the craft can launch out of a planet's atmosphere in less than two minutes.
Entire hunter clans move around the systems in these ships of
varying design. Each clan customises their own craft to some
degree, and with each generation the ship becomes more unique
than the last.
Hunters inhabit these vessels, but they don't
often land in hunting areas unless they are picking up a successful hunting party. These vessels are equipped with not only shuttle craft,
but they can also contain subdued Xenomorph queens as a source of eggs for the Blooding Trial.
What the Comics and Books tell us:
Members from all classes reside in the Man'daca migratory craft, from weapon-smiths
to young-rearing females, in obvious segregation - lower decks
are squalid, with open fires for food preparation and no bedding.
The upper classes have separate quarters with comfortable provisions.
Conflict rages amongst classes in an attempt to advance in ranks,
with those who have earned respect rising to the upper levels.
The most honoured warriors command the vessels to the new hunt.
The Man'daca migratory craft can also command numerous Xenomorph egg-dropping drone machinery. These egg-stocked
drones travel to, and enter, a planet's atmosphere where they
search for populated areas. They then soft land to reveal anywhere
from 6 to 12 xenomorph eggs, and after the inevitable gestation
process, aliens spread and create their hives. The drones follow
the progress of this infestation, and transmit a homing beacon
to the ship when a sizeable population has been created. The
vessel can now arrive for the hunt.
The hulking Jag'd'ja atoll motherships are mobile
bases which have been rumored to exist. They are totally independent
craft where a number of smaller ships can dock. These ships rarely
enter conflict with another force, and are mainly used as a township
where hunters can dock for supplies and share hunting stories.
Like other Yautja craft, they are sensor-invisible,
making them virtually impossible to find. Pilots of other Yautja
vessels, however, can use their vessel's standard beacons to
locate a nearby Mothership. Like the Migratory Craft, the Motherships
have slums and upper classes separated via decks, but in larger
numbers. Here, warriors can seek mates, battle for respect, and
acquire new weapons and devices.
Motherships don't often move, but drift, when
necessary. They rarely enter populated systems for fear of being
discovered, and never initiate hunts - leaving that operation
for the smaller vessels. Motherships house very few craft and
crew, but it is common to have around 500 Yautja coming and going
at any one time. Many have large numbers of vagrants or dishonoured
hunters with nowhere to go. They wait to regain strength to
return to the hunt - or for their death.
The Predator - All about the Hunters that either inhabit or pilot these vessels Movies - If you haven't seen the movies, you should see where Predators originated Dark Horse Comics, Inc. (External link) - Visit the company whose talented teams expanded the Yautja universe
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Last modified 20th February 2011. Best viewed at a screen resolution 1024x768 or higher.
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General
What the Comics and Books tell us:
Migratory Craft
The Man'daca migratory craft can also command numerous Xenomorph egg-dropping drone machinery. These egg-stocked
drones travel to, and enter, a planet's atmosphere where they
search for populated areas. They then soft land to reveal anywhere
from 6 to 12 xenomorph eggs, and after the inevitable gestation
process, aliens spread and create their hives. The drones follow
the progress of this infestation, and transmit a homing beacon
to the ship when a sizeable population has been created. The
vessel can now arrive for the hunt.
The Mothership
Motherships don't often move, but drift, when
necessary. They rarely enter populated systems for fear of being
discovered, and never initiate hunts - leaving that operation
for the smaller vessels. Motherships house very few craft and
crew, but it is common to have around 500 Yautja coming and going
at any one time. Many have large numbers of vagrants or dishonoured
hunters with nowhere to go. They wait to regain strength to
return to the hunt - or for their death.