View source for M5-U48 Mining Drone

{{Ship Infobox
| name = M5-U48 Mining Drone
| image = drone_miner.png
| nickname = drone_miner
| shipclass = FREIGHTER
| shipowner = [[Civilian]]
| guns = 0
| turrets = 0
| torpedoes = 
| mines = 
| CM = 
| hull = 4000
| cargo = 50
| maxregens = 20
| optwepclass = 0
| maxwepclass = 0
| maxshieldclass = 1
| maxspeed = 80
| maxthrust = 200
| maxpower = 5000
| maxcruise = 425
| recharge = 1500
| hullcost = 50250
| fullcost = 172485
}}

Originally developed and manufactured for sample collection and research purposes, the M5 series drones were soon adapted by various mining corporations as a cheap and disposable alternative for their training programs. Remote control capabilities of these drones allowing new trainees to take part in regular mining operations has made them favored over the more standard VR training courses.
 
When not in active use, these drones are often set on preprogrammed paths to sample and mark higher yield asteroids for future extraction.


==Handling==

* Max Turn Rate: 89.38°
* Time to Max Turn: 1.77s
* Time to turn 180°: 2.27s
* Maximum Strafe Speed: 25m/s
* Distance Strafed in 0.5s: 8.56m
==Hardpoints==
* [[Light Fighter Shield]]
* [[Thruster]]

==Purchase Includes==
{{Spoiler|
* [[XV-330 Engine Mk I]] ($25)
* [[Corsair Very Heavy Fighter Powerplant]] ($0)
* [[Scanner]] ($500)
* [[Shields|Adv. Protector L. F. Shield]] ($109,610)
* [[Armor_Upgrades|Universal Ship Armor]] ($2,500)
* [[Light Mining Array]] ($9,600)

}}

==Availability==
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed"
!Spoiler: Buying Locations
|-
|
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Base!!Owner!!System!!Location
|-
|[[Detroit Munitions]]||[[Ageira Technologies]]||[[New York]]||[[Liberty]]
|-
|[[Beaumont Base]]||[[Junkers]]||[[Texas]]||[[Liberty]]

|}
|}