First conceived of as an inexpensive civilian transport, the Aurora -class DropShip began as a joint project between Dynamico, Ltd.of Delavan and Shipil Company of Skye in 3056. The secession of the Lyran half of the Federated   Commonwealth brought progress to an abrupt halt, and the   Aurora looked doomed never to fly. However, Lyran and Federated Commonwealth after-action troop reports from Operation Bulldog showed that the venerable Leopard lacked the flexibility needed in a modern light military transport, and both the LAAF and AFFC called for new DropShip designs. Dusting off the Aurora's blueprints, Dynamico and Shipil modified the design to meet the requirements of the military.
         The initial orders for a handful of prototypes were placed by both militaries in 3061. Dynamico delivered the first vessels just before the outbreak of the FedCom Civil War-a conflict in which the Aurora proved its worth during the fighting on Kentares and New Avalon. The launch of Shipil Yards prototypes was delayed repeatedly-first by a host of minor technical problems, then by the Civil War-until late 3067. During the Jihad, the Aurora took on two distinct variants. Dynamico was forced to being building their Aurora's without the Star League technologies, while Skye continued to build the original version. Both companies also began to build heavy Gunship pods that their prospect governments have made great use of in the last thirty years.
         Although smaller than a Leopard, the Aurora's larger cargo capacity allows it to operate independently for far longer (one of the old DropShip's greatest failings). Fore and aft lasers are augmented by gauss rifles or rapid fire autocannons to provide respectable long range firepower, something of a necessity as the standard Aurora lacks organic fighter support.
         The Aurora's flexibility comes from a feature that is actually a holdover from the craft's genesis as a civilian transport. Four modular bays are attached to the vesselís spine, two on each side. Although the necessities of structural integrity do not allow these bays to be quickly attached or released, an Aurora can be reconfigured for specific roles in a matter of days with only limited ground support.
         Each module can mount up to one hundred and fifty tons of equipment. Standard modules for transporting a BattleMech, an aerospace fighter, three light vehicles, cargo, or fuel are available. Additional custom modules can be produced on demand-versions with the capacity to transport an infantry company and supplies are quite common. The most common configuration is that of a BattleMech Lance transport, but versions capable of transporting a light vehicle or combined arms company are also quite common. Dedicated tankers, armored merchants, fighter carriers, and Gunships are also seen in large numbers, especially by the FSMC and Skye Federation military.
         It is this extraordinary flexibility that has made the Aurora a success in both military and civilian service, even if its boxy silhouette has been derided by the critics. Since the vessel entered full production in 3069, Dynamico and Shipil have been inundated with orders. In the Aurora many small mercenary commands have also found the perfect transport and many planets in the Federation Expanse and Skye territories actually maintain a stockpile of Aurora pods that allow an Aurora to transport units to the planet, and then be modified to perform other duties, such as planetary defense, while on station.