Sulaco (fictional spacecraft) akin to the hardened Marines the "Sulaco" already carries. The opening shot of the ship travelling through space has also been called "fetishistic" and "shark-like", "an image of brutal strength and ingenious efficiency"—while the rigid, mechanic, militarized interior of the "Sulaco" (designed by Ron Cobb) is contrasted to the somewhat more organic and friendly interior of the "Nostromo" in the first movie (also designed by Ron Cobb). Other sources have also noted the homage the initial scenes pay to the opening tour through the "Nostromo" in "Alien". Mead has denied rumors in the fan community that actual scientific research had
Sulaco (fictional spacecraft) of antennae enter[ing] the frame, followed by the enormous bulk of the SULACO". While some claim that the basic shape was based on a submarine, the design has most often been described as a "gun in space" due to the elongated form resembling the pulse rifles used in the movie—with Syd Mead agreeing that (in addition to Cameron's preferences) this was one of the reasons for the switch from the spherical form. Other film analysts have remarked on how the opening shot of the ship as something sinister and weaponlike presages Ripley's transformation during the movie into a warrior figure,