Alien Transporter (Apocalypse)
Alien Transporter (UFO Type 3) is probably the most important Alien ship in the game. Without capturing one of these, you will not be able to research alien propulsion, energy, or control systems, preventing you from gaining access to interdimensional travel.
The Transporter itself is lightly armed and does not present significant danger to X-COM. The problems come from its escorts – fast and dangerous Fast Attack Ships. The Transporter will ignore your vehicles, as its only purpose is to give you a headache by sending a large infiltration force into a building. Its slow speed is compensated by heavy armor, so it might take some time to bring it down. It is also the first manned Alien ship that you will meet.
Tactical combat is fairly easy, since there are only two entrances – facing north and south – and neither of them is cloaked in smoke from the crash. A single Megapol AP Grenade thrown to the door should lure the most of the aliens out.
Note that some of the crew can perish in the crash. The infiltration force always dies completely if the ship is shot down before it could beam the force into a building.
Stats:
Top Speed: 8
Health: 400
Armor: 36
Score: 150
Equipment: Light Disruptor Beam
+ Small Disruption Shield (Late in game)
Crew: 2 Alien Eggs, 4 Anthropods, 2 Hyperworms, 2 Chrysalises, 1 Popper, 4 Spitters
Infiltration force: 5 Anthropods, 5 Alien Eggs, 3 Brainsuckers, 3 Multiworms, 1 Popper, 3 Spitters
Research components: (aside from the ship itself): Alien Propulsion System, Alien Energy Source,
Alien Control System, Light Disruptor Beam, Small Disruption Shield