The video announces the upcoming release of the large, cargo-focused Panther Clipper in Elite Dangerous, expected to arrive in the summer alongside the Vanguards update. Although still a work in progress, the ship showcases a massive scale, unique design features, and will initially be available through the Frontier store before becoming accessible in-game.
The video announces the arrival of the Panther Clipper in Elite Dangerous, highlighting it as one of the most anticipated ships in the game’s history. Although the ship is still a work in progress, viewers get a glimpse of its design and scale through concept images and videos. The release is expected to happen in the summer, with no specific date confirmed yet, but the ship is nearing completion and looks very close to its final form.
The Panther Clipper is a large ship, comparable in size to the Anaconda, and will require large landing pads and docking hatches. The video showcases various images emphasizing its massive scale, including details like four pivoting engine blocks, extensive panel lines on the hull to convey size, and a large bridge that, while called a bridge, may not indicate interior ship access. The ship’s design features a cluster of smaller engines rather than a few large ones, further emphasizing its enormous size and cargo capacity.
The ship shown is the Panther Clipper M2, a version different from the original in previous Elite games like Frontier Elite 2. Frontier has been developing the design for a long time, with early concept images sharing similarities with the current model. The video notes that this ship has been held up for various reasons but has been in development for quite some time, with a clear evolution from older concepts. Technical details such as cargo capacity and other stats are still unknown, but it is expected to be a highly cargo-focused vessel, likely the largest in the game.
Frontier has confirmed that the Panther Clipper will be a slow, heavily cargo-oriented ship, making it feel like a true freight vessel. The development of this ship follows recent releases like the Cobra Mark 5 and the Type 8, marking a trend of reimagining existing ships and introducing new ones. The video suggests that the ship will be available initially through the Frontier store for real money, likely for a limited time before becoming available for purchase in-game, following the pattern of previous ship releases.
The upcoming release is tied to the summer update called Vanguards, which promises a significant new content drop alongside the ship. While an exact release date is not yet known, the ship’s arrival is expected to coincide with this update, which will bring a large amount of new content to Elite Dangerous. The video concludes with excitement for the future, encouraging viewers to look forward to more information and the eventual release of the Panther Clipper, emphasizing its importance as a major addition to the game.