Mandalay

Zorgon Peterson has created a new breed of exploration vessel, designed to better handle planetary flight through the use of advanced micro thrusters to compensate for varied gravitational forces. The Mandalay offers pilots both an incredible jump range and a superior planetary exploration experience. With state-of-the-art drive stabilisers and an integrated polymer weave hull, the Mandalay’s design also allows superior management of overcharged Frame Shift Drives.

— In-Game Description

The Mandalay is a medium explorer ship produced by Zorgon Peterson. It is touted as the next-generation of exploration ships with FSD (SCO) optimization. Early access for ARX started on 31 Oct 2024. It became available for purchase using in-game credits on 26 Feb 2025 for Odyssey owners.

Overview

According to Frontier, the Mandalay outperforms the Anaconda in terms of jump range. The ship is optimized for SCO-capable frame shift drives—however, it has a lower overall top speed in SCO than the Python Mk II and Type-8, but far better fuel economy and ease of control. Its maneuverability is comparable to the Diamondback Explorer. The Mandalay comes with a 32 t fuel tank and can equip a size 6 fuel scoop, much like other popular explorer ships such as the Asp Explorer and Krait Phantom.

The boarding ramp is under the cockpit which makes it easier to line up the landing for exobiological scanning. The cockpit design is based on the Mamba, but the floor is transparent for a clear view of planetary terrain.

The two small hardpoints are located on the dorsal fore of the ship, on either side of the cockpit canopy, while the four medium hardpoints are similarly close to the centerline toward the aft, around the base of the wings, with two on the underside and two mounted dorsally.

Outfitting

Main article: Outfitting

All ships are highly customisable through the Outfitting menu of Station Services. Listed below is the default loadout for the Mandalay.

Category	Default System	Default Rating	Default Class	Max Class
Small Hardpoint	Pulse Laser	F	1	1
	Pulse Laser	F	1	1
Medium Hardpoint	Empty	--	--	2
	Empty	--	--	2
	Empty	--	--	2
	Empty	--	--	2
Utility Mount	Empty	--	--	0
	Empty	--	--	0
	Empty	--	--	0
	Empty	--	--	0
Bulkheads	Lightweight Alloys	C	1	1
Reactor Bay	Power Plant	E	5	5
Thrusters Mounting	Thrusters	E	5	5
Frame Shift Drive Housing	Frame Shift Drive (SCO)	E	5	5
Environment Control	Life Support	E	4	4
Power Coupling	Power Distributor	E	5	5
Sensor Suite	Sensors	E	5	5
Fuel Store	Fuel Tank [x32]	C	5	5
Internal Compartments	Cargo Rack [x32]	E	5	6
	Shield Generator	E	5	5
	Cargo Rack [x8]	E	3	4
	--	--	--	4
	--	--	--	3
	--	--	--	3
	--	--	--	2
	--	--	--	1
	--	--	--	1
	Supercruise Assist	E	1	1
	(PAS)	I	1	1

* (L) = Loaned Module

• [x#] = Capacity
• (PAS) = Reserved solely for the Planetary Approach Suite or Advanced Planetary Approach Suite

Development

A concept artwork of this ship was first shown on X (Twitter) on 10 August 2024. The design is influenced by the English Electric Lightning interceptor aircraft from 1960 which has stacked engines. The Mandalay became available in early access with the Ascendancy update on 31 October 2024.

Trivia

The Mandalay is named after a species of spitting cobra native to the country of Myanmar.

Videos

• File:Elite Dangerous - Mandalay - Release Trailer
• File:Elite- Dangerous - Eternal
• File:Elite Dangerous Ascendancy - The Mandalay
• File:Elite Dangerous - Frontier Unlocked Highlight - Mandalay Reveal
• File:Elite Dangerous - Frontier Unlocked Highlight - Mandalay Gameplay
• File:POV- You went AFK on Elite Dangerous (Mandalay)
• File:Elite Dangerous - Mandalay- combat build. Comparison to engineered FDL-Python MkII. Missions check
• File:Elite Dangerous - Mandalay- first fly, comparison to Phantom, SCO check

Gallery

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  Mandalay artwork
• 
  Mandalay in space
• 
  Mandalay ship
• 
  Mandalay ship, angle 2
• 
  Mandalay ship, angle 3
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  Mandalay ship, angle 4
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  Mandalay ship, angle 5
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  Mandalay ship, angle 6
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  Mandalay ship, angle 7
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  Mandalay ship, angle 8
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  Mandalay top front
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  Mandalay and Ocellus
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  Mandalay with ship kit and paint job.
• 
  Mandalay and a Black Hole
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  Mandalay and galactic plane
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  Mandalay and ELW in galactic center