Ships of the Terran Confederation

[Arwyn (OP)]

This is the latest generation of ships in my current game. Currently Ion tech, with Fusion reactors researched, MPD drives are a couple of years out.

Design notes:
1) I use shields a lot. I find them cheaper than sending ships back for armor repair all the time. I also find them useful since the bring a damaged ships defense back up rather quickly if the ship needs to stick with the fleet. Since microwaves are rare, and mesons ignore shields AND armor, I find this an acceptable trade off.

2) Sensors are overbuilt on most ships to "power through" enemy ECM, which is quite common at this time.

3) I build for speed. I have found that I prefer having the means to dictate an engagement over "turtling" and outlasting an opponent. Subsequently, there is a much larger ratio of engines to everything else.

4) Ships built for independent action carry a full set of sensors, even if they are in a fleet. Dedicated escorts lack them, but other ships tend to carry them as a result. I try and build fewer classes, or design classes that can be built in the same shipyards wherever possible.

5) I have learned the hard way to mix beam and missile armed ships in the same fleet, all the time.

Ships of the Terran Confederation 6th January, 2117:

Cruisers

Every Cruiser Squadron (CruRon) is lead by an Ironside class command cruiser. The captain is the usually the senior officer of the squadron, but the flag bridge is set aside for fleet commander (when present).

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Ironsides Mk III class Heavy Cruiser    20,650 tons     1877 Crew     4038.65 BP      TCS 413  TH 735  EM 1200
5084 km/s     Armour 4-67     Shields 40-300     Sensors 110/110/0/0     Damage Control Rating 18     PPV 70.91
Maint Life 2.3 Years     MSP 978    AFR 426%    IFR 5.9%    1YR 251    5YR 3772    Max Repair 179 MSP
Flag Bridge    Magazine 760   

Applied Dynamics E850 Ion Engine (35)    Power 60    Fuel Use 60%    Signature 21    Armour 0    Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 550,000 Litres    Range 79.9 billion km   (181 days at full power)
Gamma R300/14 Shields (20)   Total Fuel Cost  280 Litres per day

Phalanx Quad Gauss Turret (1x12)    Range 30,000km     TS: 20000 km/s     Power 0-0     RM 3    ROF 5        1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
CIWS-200 (1x6)    Range 1000 km     TS: 20000 km/s     ROF 5       Base 50% To Hit
Teksystems Defender Turret Fire Control (1)    Max Range: 96,000 km   TS: 20000 km/s     90 79 69 58 48 38 27 17 6 0

Grumman Gato SM-4 Mk2 Launcher (10)    Missile Size 4    Rate of Fire 30
Elgin M91/50 Missile Fire Control (2)     Range 91.5m km    Resolution 50
SS-N-4-C Gato III ASM (190)  Speed: 30,000 km/s   End: 29.2m    Range: 52.5m km   WH: 4    Size: 4    TH: 150 / 90 / 45

Teksystems Skyband 108/50 Search Sensor (1)     GPS 7000     Range 108.9m km    Resolution 50
Thermal Sensor TH10-110 (1)     Sensitivity 110     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  110m km
EM Detection Sensor EM10-110 (1)     Sensitivity 110     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  110m km

ECM 10
The Falcon class is the standard missile cruiser for the Confederation Navy. Two are usually assigned to each CruRon.

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Falcon Mk III class Cruiser    13,800 tons     1292 Crew     2522.65 BP      TCS 276  TH 483  EM 840
5000 km/s     Armour 4-51     Shields 28-300     Sensors 44/44/0/0     Damage Control Rating 14     PPV 40
Maint Life 1.99 Years     MSP 457    AFR 380%    IFR 5.3%    1YR 154    5YR 2306    Max Repair 84 MSP
Magazine 760   

Applied Dynamics E850 Ion Engine (23)    Power 60    Fuel Use 60%    Signature 21    Armour 0    Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 350,000 Litres    Range 76.1 billion km   (176 days at full power)
Gamma R300/14 Shields (14)   Total Fuel Cost  196 Litres per day

CIWS-200 (1x6)    Range 1000 km     TS: 20000 km/s     ROF 5       Base 50% To Hit
Grumman Gato SM-4 Mk2 Launcher (10)    Missile Size 4    Rate of Fire 30
Elgin M91/50 Missile Fire Control (2)     Range 91.5m km    Resolution 50
SS-N-4-C Gato III ASM (190)  Speed: 30,000 km/s   End: 29.2m    Range: 52.5m km   WH: 4    Size: 4    TH: 150 / 90 / 45

Teksystems Skyband 65/50 Search Sensor (1)     GPS 4200     Range 65.3m km    Resolution 50
Thermal Sensor TH4-44 (1)     Sensitivity 44     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  44m km
EM Detection Sensor EM4-44 (1)     Sensitivity 44     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  44m km

ECM 10
The Aegis is the standard AMM escort cruiser for the CruRon's. Usually two are assigned to each squadron.

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Aegis Mk III class Escort Cruiser    12,000 tons     966 Crew     2545 BP      TCS 240  TH 420  EM 1200
5000 km/s     Armour 5-46     Shields 40-300     Sensors 22/22/0/0     Damage Control Rating 14     PPV 9
Maint Life 2.04 Years     MSP 530    AFR 288%    IFR 4%    1YR 169    5YR 2538    Max Repair 336 MSP
Magazine 729   

Applied Dynamics E850 Ion Engine (20)    Power 60    Fuel Use 60%    Signature 21    Armour 0    Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 300,000 Litres    Range 75.0 billion km   (173 days at full power)
Gamma R300/14 Shields (20)   Total Fuel Cost  280 Litres per day

Grumman Guardian SM1 Launcher (9)    Missile Size 1    Rate of Fire 10
Elgin Hawk AMM-22 Fire Control (3)     Range 30.0m km    Resolution 1
AA-4 Guardian AAM (729)  Speed: 42,000 km/s   End: 1.2m    Range: 3m km   WH: 1    Size: 1    TH: 224 / 134 / 67

Defense Systems Airguard-2 Missile Detection System (1)     GPS 336     Range 37.0m km    Resolution 1
Thermal Sensor TH2-22 (1)     Sensitivity 22     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  22m km
EM Detection Sensor EM2-22 (1)     Sensitivity 22     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  22m km

ECM 10
The Transgressor class cruiser is the primary beam armed cruiser for the Confederation. They are assigned 1 per CruRon for beam fire support and close action.

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Transgressor Mk III class Cruiser    13,800 tons     1371 Crew     3114 BP      TCS 276  TH 483  EM 1200
5000 km/s     Armour 6-51     Shields 40-300     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 15     PPV 65.33
Maint Life 2.34 Years     MSP 705    AFR 304%    IFR 4.2%    1YR 176    5YR 2638    Max Repair 144 MSP

Applied Dynamics E850 Ion Engine (23)    Power 60    Fuel Use 60%    Signature 21    Armour 0    Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 350,000 Litres    Range 76.1 billion km   (176 days at full power)
Gamma R300/14 Shields (20)   Total Fuel Cost  280 Litres per day

Phalanx Triple Gauss Turret (1x9)    Range 30,000km     TS: 20000 km/s     Power 0-0     RM 3    ROF 5        1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
20cm Railgun V4/C6 (2x4)    Range 160,000km     TS: 5000 km/s     Power 12-6     RM 4    ROF 10        4 4 4 4 3 2 2 2 1 1
12cm Railgun V4/C6 (2x4)    Range 80,000km     TS: 5000 km/s     Power 6-6     RM 4    ROF 5        2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 0 0
15cm Railgun V4/C6 (3x4)    Range 120,000km     TS: 5000 km/s     Power 9-6     RM 4    ROF 10        3 3 3 3 2 2 1 1 1 1
Navis M144 DF Fire Control (1)    Max Range: 288,000 km   TS: 5000 km/s     97 93 90 86 83 79 76 72 69 65
Navis M96 DF Fire Control (1)    Max Range: 192,000 km   TS: 5000 km/s     95 90 84 79 74 69 64 58 53 48
Teksystems Defender Turret Fire Control (1)    Max Range: 96,000 km   TS: 20000 km/s     90 79 69 58 48 38 27 17 6 0
Powertek Fusion Reactor S-2 (1)     Total Power Output 12    Armour 0    Exp 5%
Powertek Fusion Reactor S-4 (1)     Total Power Output 24    Armour 0    Exp 5%
Powertek Fusion Reactor S-1 (1)     Total Power Output 6    Armour 0    Exp 5%

Defense Tech Bulwark Mk2 AMM Sensor (1)     GPS 56     Range 6.2m km    Resolution 1
Teksystems Skyband 43/50 Search Sensor (1)     GPS 2800     Range 43.6m km    Resolution 50

ECM 10
The primary destroyer component of the Navy is the Fury class missile destroyer. Two are usually assigned to each CruRon, and they also are commonly assigned to independent roles, or as escorts to survey vessels.

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Fury Mk III class Destroyer    8,100 tons     712 Crew     1549 BP      TCS 162  TH 294  EM 600
5185 km/s     Armour 6-35     Shields 20-300     Sensors 16/16/0/0     Damage Control Rating 2     PPV 20
Maint Life 2.17 Years     MSP 299    AFR 209%    IFR 2.9%    1YR 85    5YR 1276    Max Repair 84 MSP
Magazine 380   

Applied Dynamics E850 Ion Engine (14)    Power 60    Fuel Use 60%    Signature 21    Armour 0    Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 250,000 Litres    Range 92.6 billion km   (206 days at full power)
Gamma R300/14 Shields (10)   Total Fuel Cost  140 Litres per day

Grumman Gato SM-4 Mk2 Launcher (5)    Missile Size 4    Rate of Fire 30
Elgin M91/50 Missile Fire Control (1)     Range 91.5m km    Resolution 50
SS-N-4-C Gato III ASM (95)  Speed: 30,000 km/s   End: 29.2m    Range: 52.5m km   WH: 4    Size: 4    TH: 150 / 90 / 45

Teksystems Skyband 65/50 Search Sensor (1)     GPS 4200     Range 65.3m km    Resolution 50
Thermal Sensor TH2-16 (1)     Sensitivity 16     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  16m km
EM Detection Sensor EM2-16 (1)     Sensitivity 16     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  16m km
The Griffin is the primary close escort for the Navy. They only operate in fleet roles, as they lack sensor capability for independent action.

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Griffin Mk III class Escort    10,700 tons     847 Crew     2128 BP      TCS 214  TH 378  EM 1200
5046 km/s     Armour 3-43     Shields 40-300     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 15     PPV 61.82
Maint Life 2.32 Years     MSP 621    AFR 183%    IFR 2.5%    1YR 157    5YR 2350    Max Repair 179 MSP

Applied Dynamics E850 Ion Engine (18)    Power 60    Fuel Use 60%    Signature 21    Armour 0    Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 300,000 Litres    Range 84.1 billion km   (192 days at full power)
Gamma R300/14 Shields (20)   Total Fuel Cost  280 Litres per day

Phalanx Quad Gauss Turret (2x12)    Range 30,000km     TS: 20000 km/s     Power 0-0     RM 3    ROF 5        1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Teksystems Defender Turret Fire Control (2)    Max Range: 96,000 km   TS: 20000 km/s     90 79 69 58 48 38 27 17 6 0

Defense Tech Bulwark Mk2 AMM Sensor (1)     GPS 56     Range 6.2m km    Resolution 1
Each CruRon is also assigned a dedicated fleet train of two support vessels. One Collier and one fuel tanker.

The Collier/supply ship:

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Shieldbearer Mk II class Collier    13,000 tons     825 Crew     2110 BP      TCS 260  TH 462  EM 480
5076 km/s     Armour 4-49     Shields 16-300     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 5     PPV 0
Maint Life 4.43 Years     MSP 1507    AFR 270%    IFR 3.8%    1YR 124    5YR 1863    Max Repair 52 MSP
Magazine 1600   

Applied Dynamics E850 Ion Engine (22)    Power 60    Fuel Use 60%    Signature 21    Armour 0    Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 350,000 Litres    Range 80.8 billion km   (184 days at full power)
Gamma R300/14 Shields (8)   Total Fuel Cost  112 Litres per day

AA-3 Guardian (400)  Speed: 38,400 km/s   End: 1.3m    Range: 3m km   WH: 1    Size: 1    TH: 256 / 153 / 76
SS-N-4-C Gato III ASM (300)  Speed: 30,000 km/s   End: 29.2m    Range: 52.5m km   WH: 4    Size: 4    TH: 150 / 90 / 45

Missile to hit chances are vs targets moving at 3000 km/s, 5000 km/s and 10,000 km/s
The dedicated tanker:

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Camel Mk II class Tanker    4,150 tons     298 Crew     795 BP      TCS 83  TH 147  EM 480
5060 km/s     Armour 4-23     Shields 16-300     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 2     PPV 0
Maint Life 11.26 Years     MSP 1239    AFR 68%    IFR 1%    1YR 18    5YR 269    Max Repair 52 MSP

Applied Dynamics E850 Ion Engine (7)    Power 60    Fuel Use 60%    Signature 21    Armour 0    Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 1,050,000 Litres    Range 759.0 billion km   (1736 days at full power)
Gamma R300/14 Shields (8)   Total Fuel Cost  112 Litres per day
System defense ships:
Primarily fast attack craft, there are three classes fielded right now.

The Snakemaster is the CnC vessel for a standard FAC Squadron;

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Snakemaster Mk II class Fast Attack Craft    600 tons     48 Crew     161.2 BP      TCS 12  TH 42  EM 0
10000 km/s     Armour 1-6     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 0     PPV 1.8
Maint Life 10.36 Years     MSP 84    AFR 5%    IFR 0.1%    1YR 1    5YR 21    Max Repair 56 MSP
Magazine 12   

Rolls Royce E85b FAC Ion Engine (1)    Power 120    Fuel Use 600%    Signature 42    Armour 0    Exp 15%
Fuel Capacity 50,000 Litres    Range 25.0 billion km   (28 days at full power)

Vought SM-2 Rail (6)    Missile Size 2    Hangar Reload 15 minutes    MF Reload 2.5 hours
Elgin M45/50 Missile Fire Control (1)     Range 45.7m km    Resolution 50
SS-N-2-C Nail III ASM (6)  Speed: 30,000 km/s   End: 16.7m    Range: 30m km   WH: 3    Size: 2    TH: 160 / 96 / 48

Teksystems Skyband 43/50 Search Sensor (1)     GPS 2800     Range 43.6m km    Resolution 50
The Snakemaster is usually grouped with 9 or 10 of the Snake class FAC;

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Snake Mk II class Fast Attack Craft    600 tons     39 Crew     117.4 BP      TCS 12  TH 42  EM 0
10000 km/s     Armour 1-6     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 0     PPV 3.6
Maint Life 11.65 Years     MSP 61    AFR 5%    IFR 0.1%    1YR 1    5YR 12    Max Repair 52 MSP
Magazine 24   

Rolls Royce E85b FAC Ion Engine (1)    Power 120    Fuel Use 600%    Signature 42    Armour 0    Exp 15%
Fuel Capacity 50,000 Litres    Range 25.0 billion km   (28 days at full power)

Vought SM-2 Rail (12)    Missile Size 2    Hangar Reload 15 minutes    MF Reload 2.5 hours
Elgin M45/50 Missile Fire Control (1)     Range 45.7m km    Resolution 50
SS-N-2-C Nail III ASM (12)  Speed: 30,000 km/s   End: 16.7m    Range: 30m km   WH: 3    Size: 2    TH: 160 / 96 / 48
The newest FAC class, the Z-class is a new design, build around the SS-N-12 series of multi-warhead missiles.

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Z-Class class Fast Attack Craft    650 tons     44 Crew     149.4 BP      TCS 13  TH 42  EM 0
9230 km/s     Armour 1-6     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 0     PPV 3.6
Maint Life 8.13 Years     MSP 72    AFR 6%    IFR 0.1%    1YR 2    5YR 29    Max Repair 56 MSP
Magazine 24   

Rolls Royce E85b FAC Ion Engine (1)    Power 120    Fuel Use 600%    Signature 42    Armour 0    Exp 15%
Fuel Capacity 50,000 Litres    Range 23.1 billion km   (28 days at full power)

Krupp SM-12 Box Launcher (2)    Missile Size 12    Hangar Reload 90 minutes    MF Reload 15 hours
Elgin M130/50 Missile Fire Control (1)     Range 130.7m km    Resolution 50
SS-N-12-Km Kingfisher III ASM (2)  Speed: 12,500 km/s   End: 116.7m    Range: 91.5m km   WH: 0    Size: 12    TH: 41 / 25 / 12

Finally, there are the specialist ships of the Navy;

The Wolverine is a Bombardment Cruiser, designed around the SS-N-12 series multi-warhead missiles, its express purpose is target saturation. They are usually assigned in pairs.

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Wolverine class Bombardment Cruiser    15,950 tons     964 Crew     2952 BP      TCS 319  TH 567  EM 1200
5078 km/s     Armour 9-56     Shields 40-300     Sensors 44/33/0/0     Damage Control Rating 15     PPV 72
Maint Life 2.3 Years     MSP 578    AFR 407%    IFR 5.7%    1YR 148    5YR 2221    Max Repair 224 MSP
Magazine 480   

Applied Dynamics E850 Ion Engine (27)    Power 60    Fuel Use 60%    Signature 21    Armour 0    Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 400,000 Litres    Range 75.2 billion km   (171 days at full power)
Gamma R300/14 Shields (20)   Total Fuel Cost  280 Litres per day

Krupp SM-12 Box Launcher (40)    Missile Size 12    Hangar Reload 90 minutes    MF Reload 15 hours
Intek Harpoon A Missile Fire Control (1)     Range 184.8m km    Resolution 100
SS-N-12-Km Kingfisher III ASM (20)  Speed: 12,500 km/s   End: 116.7m    Range: 91.5m km   WH: 0    Size: 12    TH: 41 / 25 / 12
SS-N-12-C Haifisch III ASM (20)  Speed: 30,000 km/s   End: 43m    Range: 77.5m km   WH: 8    Size: 12    TH: 150 / 90 / 45

Teksystems Skyband 126/50 Search Sensor (1)     GPS 11200     Range 126.7m km    Resolution 50
Thermal Sensor TH4-44 (1)     Sensitivity 44     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  44m km
EM Detection Sensor EM3-33 (1)     Sensitivity 33     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  33m km

ECM 10
Finally, there are the Po class minelayers. Usually assigned to system defense roles, they can often be seen operating independantly in second line systems deploying sensor buoys.

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Po class Minelayer    6,350 tons     503 Crew     1013 BP      TCS 127  TH 168  EM 0
3779 km/s     Armour 4-30     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 2     PPV 45
Maint Life 1.77 Years     MSP 199    AFR 161%    IFR 2.2%    1YR 78    5YR 1176    Max Repair 54 MSP
Magazine 450   

Applied Dynamics E850 Ion Engine (8)    Power 60    Fuel Use 60%    Signature 21    Armour 0    Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 200,000 Litres    Range 94.5 billion km   (289 days at full power)

M18 Minelaying System (5)    Missile Size 18    Rate of Fire 900
Sensor Mine (Active) (5)  Speed: 0 km/s   End: 1620d    Range: 0m km   WH: 0    Size: 18    TH: 0 / 0 / 0
Sensor Mine (Thermal) (4)  Speed: 0 km/s   End: 1620d    Range: 0m km   WH: 0    Size: 18    TH: 0 / 0 / 0
M18 Caltrop ASM Mine Mk III (16)  Speed: 0 km/s   End: 1026d    Range: 0.4m km   WH: 0    Size: 18    TH: 0 / 0 / 0

[Thiosk]

Those are huge ships for the ion era.  My fleets generally consist of sub 5000 ton vessels back in those days-- but the move to mag conf and beyond is actually pretty quick, provided I have any researchers, so I never bother to design large ion vessels.  I suppose things are different if you start conventional, for instance!

I've never once been able to field a navy at such tonnage without first developing into those levels.  Hats off.

[Arwyn (OP)]

The Fury class destroyers have been with me since the start. I just upgrade them. The bigger cruisers came in later. The trick is getting the shipyard efficiency and production techs down pretty early. It helps a TON with getting the bigger ships into play.

The other trick is to have your yards doing Continuous Capacity expansion, if you have the techs in play, that expansion pays off after a few years. I dont run the yards non-stop buiding ships, since it kills the economy. But I can run expansion pretty much non-stop, and that equals some big ships fairly quickly.

The flip side is that I dont have a lot of tech that other folks field at this level. I just got done researching fighter engines, for example, but dont have hangers yet. I probably would also be into MPD by now, but my power and propulsion scientists are kind of dodgy. Best guy I have has a 30% rating, but can only handle 10 labs at a time. It takes a LONG time to research new drive techs with him.....

[Thiosk]

Haha!  No kidding.  This game I had a 60-60-- 60% bonus running 60 labs.

Oh I wept when he passed.

Antimatter drives went from 3 years out to ~8.

[Theokrat]

Whats the intended role for the transgressor class? There seem to be 4 different calibers of various beam weapons on board (Gauss, 12 cm rail, 15 rail 20 cm rail). How are these design to be employed, and would it not be somewhat better to consolidate into 2 calibers at maximum (say Gauss and 20cm rail)? This is further emphasized by the fact that there are only 3 different BFCs. One undoubtedly for the Gauss, but at least two different railguns would need to share the same BFC, meaning that either one of them is out of range, or the other could have been replaced by the cheaper, smaller and more rapidly firing version.

[Arwyn (OP)]

Whats the intended role for the transgressor class? There seem to be 4 different calibers of various beam weapons on board (Gauss, 12 cm rail, 15 rail 20 cm rail). How are these design to be employed, and would it not be somewhat better to consolidate into 2 calibers at maximum (say Gauss and 20cm rail)? This is further emphasized by the fact that there are only 3 different BFCs. One undoubtedly for the Gauss, but at least two different railguns would need to share the same BFC, meaning that either one of them is out of range, or the other could have been replaced by the cheaper, smaller and more rapidly firing version.

The original Transgressor mounted all railguns, down to the 10cm. Those were used as an anti-missile defense. It also mounted different types due to the rate of fire. The 20cm weapons were slow to fire, so having slightly faster 15cm weapons was helpful.

In the current version, the bulk of the 10cm weapons were eliminated and replaced with the Gauss turret. It just does a much better job of anti-missile defense. The rest of the 10cm were upgraded to 12cm weapons. They have better range, but still fire at 5sec impulses. For jump point assaults/defenses, that makes for a fair amount of damage being pumped out.

The 15cm and 20cm weapons now both fire at 10sec intervals, so they could have been consolidated. I chose to hold onto the 15cm's for weight of fire. Power is and issue, and you can cram in slightly more 15cm than 20cm for the same power. The range offset is 40,000 km, but again at the range they are designed to operate at, the weight of fire is the key.