I'm 20 years into a big Conventional start campaign. I've been making notes as I go and I'll be pasting it all into the fiction section eventually, but I wanted to go ahead and post here about an interesting ship design exercise Fleet Command is experimenting with right now - small, slow "freighter escorts" that can be produced at fighter factories but that can follow freighters and colony ships through multiple systems on extended trade runs and protect them somewhat from assailants while costing only minimal amounts of fuel and logistical effort.
Let me know what you think of the idea or individual designs.
August 21st, 2046As Fleet Command predicted and feared, the success of the fleet corvette escort program for Gemini class freighters has brought on high accolades and a new round of complaints from commercial freighter corporations and other state-owned fleets about insufficient close-in protection and escort for their own ships.
But its simply not possible to afford, construct, and maintain a fleet of even corvettes to take on such a task - and Fleet Command is not generally in the mood to humor these merchants either, even though civilian leaders are increasingly calling for a reasonable compromise.
Vice Admiral Sophie Roberts comes up with an ingenious plan that has some promise.
If Fleet Command constructed a set of small 500-ton escort ships with efficient, low-power engines that could match the speed of slow-moving freighters like the Apollo and Hermes class, at least enough fuel to have the same range as the freighters, enough engineering space for a long maintenance life, and mission packages similar to those carried by fighters, then they might have the makings of a fleet of cheap, flexible escorts that can be built easily, have low fuel requirements, and no need for shipyards because 500 tons is below the maximum safety limit for building ships at the bottom of Earth's gravity well.
Called "pocket corvettes" by some in the admiralty, these boxy, slow, unglamorous craft could provide scanning, point defense, and offensive missile fire to transport convoys - enough to destroy enemy attackers or at least identify them early and fend them off until a more capable relief fleet can arrive.
The designs don't quite merit true class names, and are instead known by letter - from A-Class Freighter Escort to J-Class Freighter Escort.
The A-Class is an adaptation of the Y-Wing Fighter-Bomber concept and mounts 40 Sparrow missiles in box launchers. It has a moderate range and could overcome substantial point defense and seriously damage a small capital ship. Like most ships in the Freighter-Escort series, it has lightly reinforced armor, a long intended deployment time of 3 years, and durable construction that gives it an extreme maintenance life.
A-Class class Freighter Escort 500 tons 5 Crew 72.6 BP TCS 10 TH 18 EM 0
1800 km/s Armour 2-5 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 0 PPV 6
Maint Life 39.02 Years MSP 45 AFR 4% IFR 0.1% 1YR 0 5YR 1 Max Repair 15 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 36 months Spare Berths 1
Magazine 40
18 EP Internal Fusion Drive (1) Power 18 Fuel Use 30.43% Signature 18 Exp 9%
Fuel Capacity 50,000 Litres Range 59.2 billion km (380 days at full power)
Size 1 Box Launcher (40) Missile Size 1 Hangar Reload 7.5 minutes MF Reload 1.2 hours
Missile Fire Control FC57-R150 (1) Range 57.6m km Resolution 150
Sparrow (40) Speed: 30,000 km/s End: 32.1m Range: 57.7m km WH: 3 Size: 1 TH: 180/108/54
Missile to hit chances are vs targets moving at 3000 km/s, 5000 km/s and 10,000 km/s
This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and maintenance purposes
The B-Class is an anti-missile missile platform with 36 box launchers able to tear apart an incoming salvo of missiles with the Meteor-II standard close-range anti-missile.
B-Class class Freighter Escort 500 tons 6 Crew 84.2 BP TCS 10 TH 18 EM 0
1800 km/s Armour 2-5 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 0 PPV 5.4
Maint Life 38.2 Years MSP 53 AFR 4% IFR 0.1% 1YR 0 5YR 1 Max Repair 22 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 36 months Spare Berths 0
Magazine 36
18 EP Internal Fusion Drive (1) Power 18 Fuel Use 30.43% Signature 18 Exp 9%
Fuel Capacity 60,000 Litres Range 71.0 billion km (456 days at full power)
Size 1 Box Launcher (36) Missile Size 1 Hangar Reload 7.5 minutes MF Reload 1.2 hours
Missile Fire Control FC9-R1 (1) Range 9.4m km Resolution 1
Meteor II (36) Speed: 60,000 km/s End: 1.3m Range: 4.6m km WH: 1 Size: 1 TH: 720/432/216
Missile to hit chances are vs targets moving at 3000 km/s, 5000 km/s and 10,000 km/s
This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and maintenance purposes
The C-Class is a sensor ship, with the ability to find destroyer-sized ships and above at 240m km. It and the D-Class are some of the most expensive of the freighter escort series, so only one of each will be assigned to a convoy.
C-Class class Freighter Escort 500 tons 17 Crew 192.6 BP TCS 10 TH 18 EM 0
1800 km/s Armour 2-5 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
Maint Life 19.59 Years MSP 241 AFR 2% IFR 0% 1YR 1 5YR 18 Max Repair 140 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 36 months Spare Berths 1
18 EP Internal Fusion Drive (1) Power 18 Fuel Use 30.43% Signature 18 Exp 9%
Fuel Capacity 55,000 Litres Range 65.1 billion km (418 days at full power)
Active Search Sensor MR240-R150 (1) GPS 21000 Range 240.0m km Resolution 150
This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and maintenance purposes
The D-Class is a missile sensor ship, identifying incoming salvos so the C, E, or G class escorts can destroy them. It and the C-Class are some of the most expensive of the freighter escort series, so only one of each will be assigned to a convoy.
D-Class class Freighter Escort 500 tons 17 Crew 192.6 BP TCS 10 TH 18 EM 0
1800 km/s Armour 2-5 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
Maint Life 19.59 Years MSP 241 AFR 2% IFR 0% 1YR 1 5YR 18 Max Repair 140 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 36 months Spare Berths 1
18 EP Internal Fusion Drive (1) Power 18 Fuel Use 30.43% Signature 18 Exp 9%
Fuel Capacity 55,000 Litres Range 65.1 billion km (418 days at full power)
Active Search Sensor MR19-R1 (1) GPS 140 Range 19.6m km Resolution 1
This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and maintenance purposes
The E-Class is an odd design, a tiny box-like ship with two Gauss turrets and another cannon fixed forwards. The ship isn't fast, but the tracking systems are respectable enough. If the anti-missiles are unable to hold enemy salvos at bay, the E-class is a good final chance to destroy enemy missiles. It also has the large benefit of never running out of ammunition during an engagement or needing an up-font investment of ordinance.
E-Class class Freighter Escort 500 tons 13 Crew 110.6 BP TCS 10 TH 18 EM 0
1800 km/s Armour 2-5 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 0 PPV 4.5
Maint Life 17.21 Years MSP 69 AFR 4% IFR 0.1% 1YR 0 5YR 7 Max Repair 30 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 36 months Spare Berths 2
18 EP Internal Fusion Drive (1) Power 18 Fuel Use 30.43% Signature 18 Exp 9%
Fuel Capacity 65,000 Litres Range 76.9 billion km (494 days at full power)
Gauss Cannon R3-8 (1x4) Range 30,000km TS: 5000 km/s Accuracy Modifier 8% RM 3 ROF 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Single Gauss Cannon R3-25 Turret (2x4) Range 30,000km TS: 20000 km/s Power 0-0 RM 3 ROF 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Fire Control S01 40-5000 (FTR) (1) Max Range: 80,000 km TS: 20000 km/s 88 75 62
50 38 25 12 0 0 0
This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and maintenance purposes
The F-Class mounts a fire control more like a real warship and carries 8 Avalanche missiles. Able to engage enemy assailants at an extreme range, this little pocket corvette or a small team of them could cripple an enemy pirate fleet or make them second-guess their target enough to disengage on the outset of a battle.
F-Class class Freighter Escort 500 tons 7 Crew 98.8 BP TCS 10 TH 18 EM 0
1800 km/s Armour 2-5 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 0 PPV 4.8
Maint Life 21.62 Years MSP 62 AFR 4% IFR 0.1% 1YR 0 5YR 4 Max Repair 39 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 36 months Spare Berths 0 Magazine 32
18 EP Internal Fusion Drive (1) Power 18 Fuel Use 30.43% Signature 18 Exp 9%
Fuel Capacity 55,000 Litres Range 65.1 billion km (418 days at full power)
Size 4 Box Launcher ( 8 ) Missile Size 4 Hangar Reload 30 minutes MF Reload 5 hours
Missile Fire Control FC201-R150 (1) Range 201.6m km Resolution 150
Avalanche ( 8 ) Speed: 40,000 km/s End: 73.2m Range: 175.7m km WH: 9 Size: 4
TH: 213/128/64
Missile to hit chances are vs targets moving at 3000 km/s, 5000 km/s and 10,000 km/s
This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and maintenance purposes
The G-class is another anti-missile design. It only has 1/18th the salvo strength of the B-class, but has a far expanded magazine with more than twice the capacity. Because the ship itself is unlikely to be targeted amongst a convoy of other ships, this design maximizes magazine size so that it can engage up to 77 incoming missiles over 38.5 minutes.
G-Class class Freighter Escort 500 tons 10 Crew 96.6 BP TCS 10 TH 18 EM 0
1800 km/s Armour 2-5 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 0 PPV 1
Maint Life 22.99 Years MSP 60 AFR 4% IFR 0.1% 1YR 0 5YR 3 Max Repair 22 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 36 months Spare Berths 0
Magazine 77
18 EP Internal Fusion Drive (1) Power 18 Fuel Use 30.43% Signature 18 Exp 9%
Fuel Capacity 65,000 Litres Range 76.9 billion km (494 days at full power)
Size 1 Missile Launcher (50% Reduction) (2) Missile Size 1 Rate of Fire 30
Missile Fire Control FC9-R1 (1) Range 9.4m km Resolution 1
Meteor II (77) Speed: 60,000 km/s End: 1.3m Range: 4.6m km WH: 1 Size: 1
TH: 720/432/216
Missile to hit chances are vs targets moving at 3000 km/s, 5000 km/s and 10,000 km/s
This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and maintenance purposes
The H-Class is the first carrier-based Freighter Escort. A traditional fighter doesn't have the fuel or deployment time to perform escort duties, but these carriers have the ability to bring incredibly fast combatants into convoy defense roles. It carries the new Y-Wing Fighter-Bomber and enough Sparrow missiles to allow it to re-arm once. Although the Y-Wing is built for a strike carrier doctrine focused on engaging an enemy at extreme range - something clearly not possible when defending a freighter convoy - the Y-Wing gives the convoy defense the ability to pursue and destroy dangerous enemy ships that may have broken off from an attack. Still, many Vice-Admirals have doubts about using the Y-wing in this way. The H-class has thinner armor and lower expected maintenance life than most of the escort designs.
H-Class class Freighter Escort 500 tons 9 Crew 68.1 BP TCS 10 TH 18 EM 0
1800 km/s Armour 1-5 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 0 PPV 0
Maint Life 9.22 Years MSP 17 AFR 10% IFR 0.1% 1YR 0 5YR 5 Max Repair 15 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 36 months Flight Crew Berths 3
Hangar Deck Capacity 250 tons Magazine 18
18 EP Internal Fusion Drive (1) Power 18 Fuel Use 30.43% Signature 18 Exp 9%
Fuel Capacity 30,000 Litres Range 35.5 billion km (228 days at full power)
Sparrow (18) Speed: 30,000 km/s End: 32.1m Range: 57.7m km WH: 3 Size: 1 TH: 180/108/54
Strike Group
1x Y-wing Fighter-Bomber Speed: 11111 km/s Size: 4.5
Missile to hit chances are vs targets moving at 3000 km/s, 5000 km/s and 10,000 km/s
This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and maintenance purposes
The I-class is another freighter escort pocket carrier design - this one carrying the specially built Warthog class Armored Gunfighter. Similar to the Y-Wing Protector, the Warthog is armed with several Gauss cannons and is fairly fast. But the Warthog is also well-armored - an unusual trait for fighters. It's hoped that it can survive to get to close enough to an enemy to do real damage with its guns.
I-Class class Freighter Escort 500 tons 9 Crew 72.6 BP TCS 10 TH 18 EM 0
1800 km/s Armour 2-5 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 0 PPV 0
Maint Life 14.08 Years MSP 27 AFR 6% IFR 0.1% 1YR 0 5YR 4 Max Repair 15 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 40 months Flight Crew Berths 4
Hangar Deck Capacity 250 tons
18 EP Internal Fusion Drive (1) Power 18 Fuel Use 30.43% Signature 18 Exp 9%
Fuel Capacity 55,000 Litres Range 65.1 billion km (418 days at full power)
Strike Group
1x Warthog Armored Gunfighter Speed: 10204 km/s Size: 4.9
This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and maintenance purposes
Warthog class Armored Gunfighter 245 tons 4 Crew 71 BP TCS 4.9 TH 50 EM 0
10204 km/s Armour 6-3 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 0 PPV 2
Maint Life 0 Years MSP 0 AFR 49% IFR 0.7% 1YR 3 5YR 43 Max Repair 25 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 0.5 months Spare Berths 2
50 EP Internal Fusion Drive (1) Power 50 Fuel Use 391.33% Signature 50 Exp 25%
Fuel Capacity 5,000 Litres Range 0.9 billion km (25 hours at full power)
Gauss Cannon R3-8 (4x4) Range 27,200km TS: 10204 km/s Accuracy Modifier 8% RM 3 ROF 5 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Fire Control S00.3 13.6-3000 (FTR) (1) Max Range: 27,200 km TS: 12000 km/s 63 26 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and maintenance purposes
The J-class is another freighter escort pocket carrier design - this one designed to carry two tiny Wasp class Interceptors. These fighters are the very fastest ships used by Fleet Command. It is hoped that their great speed, maneuverability, and small size will make them incredibly hard for an alien threat to eliminate.
J-Class class Freighter Escort 500 tons 9 Crew 72.6 BP TCS 10 TH 18 EM 0
1800 km/s Armour 2-5 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 0 PPV 0
Maint Life 14.08 Years MSP 27 AFR 6% IFR 0.1% 1YR 0 5YR 4 Max Repair 15 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 40 months Flight Crew Berths 4
Hangar Deck Capacity 250 tons
18 EP Internal Fusion Drive (1) Power 18 Fuel Use 30.43% Signature 18 Exp 9%
Fuel Capacity 55,000 Litres Range 65.1 billion km (418 days at full power)
Strike Group
2x Wasp Interceptor Speed: 20000 km/s Size: 2.5
This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and maintenance purposes
Wasp class Interceptor 125 tons 2 Crew 45.5 BP TCS 2.5 TH 50 EM 0
20000 km/s Armour 1-2 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 0 PPV 1
Maint Life 0 Years MSP 0 AFR 25% IFR 0.3% 1YR 2 5YR 31 Max Repair 25 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 0.5 months Spare Berths 4
50 EP Internal Fusion Drive (1) Power 50 Fuel Use 391.33% Signature 50 Exp 25%
Fuel Capacity 5,000 Litres Range 1.8 billion km (25 hours at full power)
Gauss Cannon R3-17 (1x4) Range 20,000km TS: 20000 km/s Accuracy Modifier 17% RM 3 ROF 5 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Fire Control S00.2 10-5000 (FTR) (1) Max Range: 20,000 km TS: 20000 km/s 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and maintenance purposes
Although a lot of thoughtful design effort went into these classes and they're quite effective for their size and cost, they have a limited utility in guarding the Apollo and Hermes classes of freighter that are still in operation. The escorts won't be able to keep up with more modern transport ships and will all be built in very limited numbers.
Much of their combat effectiveness is actually likely to stem from the fact that the large freighters they guard will attract much of the enemy's fire.
But as with the fleet corvette escort program, these small ships will make major shipping lanes safer.
In the event of continuous alien attacks on shipping fleets, they will also keep the enemy guessing. With so many different convoy defense ships and approaches, it will be difficult to be able to anticipate and counter them.
However, Fleet Command still doggedly adheres to a doctrine of confronting the enemy with massed strength whenever possible - committing overwhelming forces against a fraction of alien strength whenever possible to isolate and destroy them with local superiority. These freighter-escorts are only a small nod to a broader defense of commercial shipping - a political necessity to show corporations and capitalists that they can count on the Navy to protect their investments off-world.
Fighter factories on Earth are still available before they begin building the first strike wing based on the Y-Wing design next year. Creation of the freighter escorts can therefore begin immediately.
