Aurora 4x
VB6 Aurora => Bureau of Ship Design => Topic started by: xenoscepter on April 11, 2019, 02:19:01 AM
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So, to preface; this idea of mine was to make a lightweight, cost-effective, extremely mobile, mass-production "ship of the line". To that end, I succeeded... just not in this form. My post on the X-Type [pronounced Cross Type], will (eventually) have that within. Now, as to the Recon-Class I had a lot of success with a modified version of the Waylander-Class in my early game when paired with a Rider-Class Jump Ship. My new X-Type hull will utilize something very similar, and this incarnation of the Recon-Class does too. In this fleet is the Recon-Class Scout Frigate, the Rider-Class Jump Frigate (Not the same ship as the Jump Ship of the same name), the Raider-Class Carrier, and the Phalanx-Class Marine Frigate. A single Rider can transport one Recon-Class and up to three Raider or Phalanx ships with a single jump. Three Riders can thus carry a battle group of six Raider-Class Carriers, three Phalanx-Class Marine Frigates and three Recon-Class Scout Frigates.
Each of these ships weighs no more than 10,000 Tonnes; with the Recon-Class weighing in at 5,000 Tonnes. The Thunderbolt-Class Fighter/Bomber weighs in at 500 Tonnes, and uses a Size-2 Missile for it's Box Launchers. The fleet travels at 5,000 km/s with the exception of the Phalanx and the Rider. The Phalanx-Class is faster at 6,250 km/s; aiding it in chasing down it's prey while the Rider-Class can only muster up a max speed of 1,250 km/s... although the Rider is NOT meant to enter combat so it's speed is less of an issue.
Ok, so now I'm going to breakdown the roles each of these ships play, starting with the Recon-Class.
The Recon-Class is an advanced, high-tech Scout Frigate which serves the role of "Recon in Force" Armed well enough to engage light or isolated enemy combat elements on it's own, the Recon-Class typically relies on a combined approach to both combat and scout. It's Thermal and EM passives afford it some degree of stealth detection while it's Cloaking Device, ECM systems and relatively high speed offer it the ability to pick and choose it's engagements. 50% Thermal Reduction further it's concealment while a pair of Beam FCS mated to an set of Compact-ECCM modules affords it some degree of protection against enemy missiles. It's 15cm Railgun is paired with a 15cm Ultraviolet Laser in an Advanced Spinal Mount and together they are mated to their own FCS. Advanced Damage Control, dedicated stowage for additional Maintenance Supplies ensure that the Recon-Class is as robust as possible when faced with return fire, while 3 layers of armouring and a 9 layer thick shield afford it decent protection from enemy fire.
The Recon-Class boasts a 150-Ton Resolution 50 Active Sensor with which to fulfill it's primary mission as a Scout. This sensor is effectively a compromise between Resolution 1 and Resolution 100 sensors, offering a capable medium range search sensor. While far from a comprehensive array, the Recon-Class focuses on stealth, and trades scouting ability for sneakiness and enough firepower to look out for itself. It should always be paired with a Rider-Class Jump Frigate for out of system missions, as it's measly Fuel allotment and meager allotment of Life Support will only provision it for 90 days. Within system it makes a great interceptor and rapid response vessel.
Now, onto the Phalanx-Class:
The Phalanx-Class is a large, fast Marine Frigate. It fulfills the role of attacker, using it's Mesons and Microwaves alongside of it's complement of four Marine Companies to bring down the enemy. Adequately armored with 4 layers of slabbing, it's the Phalanx's hefty 24 layer shielding that allows it to close the distance... and survive. A cloaking device helps it to employ ambush tactics, while a suite of passive and active sensors let it hunt independently. A Grav-Assisted Cargo Handling System greatly aids in recovery after the battle. By removing this system and replacing the Cryo Combat Drop modules with Small Cryogenic Berths, the Phalanx-Class can also double as a hospital ship. Not much else to say about it really...
So, the Raider-Class:
A 10,000 Tonne Carrier, the Raider-Class carries four Thunderbolt-Class Fighter/Bombers. A lean ship... to say the least; the Raider also doubles as a Point Defense platform with it's two Triple Gauss Turrets and the pair of FCS that they are mated to. The ship fulfills the role of a Raider, as the name would imply, but blended with that of an Escort Carrier. The Raider is built with an aggressive bent, and while not to terribly well-armed herself, her Thunderbolt Fighter/Bombers are a force to be reckoned with. The Raider is meant to be deployed both within system as well as outside of it, and is an all around fine (if frail) strike platform equally at home conducting lightning raids or in-system intercepts.
The Raider carries enough fuel and magazine capacity to sortie it's craft three times, four if the craft are already fueled and loaded. Likewise the Raider is fast, which is good... because it only has a single layer of armour and exactly zero shielding to cover it's hide. It also lacks a cloaking device, or any form of stealth or ECM / ECCM. However, the Raider is a lightweight carrier, offering excellent force projection, Point Defense, and rapid-response. Six months worth of station keeping and it's own Resolution 1 Active Sensor allow the Raider-Class to function somewhat independently. It's Thunderbolt-Class Fighter/Bombers pack three layers of shielding, a complement of six Size-2 Box Launchers mated to three Resolution 1 Missile FCS and three Resolution 100 Missile FCS; themselves mated to a pair of Small Craft ECCMs. The Thunderbolt itself is provisioned for a two-week deployment and carries an allocation of 5,000 litres of fuel for it's shield system. Likewise it mounts a Small Craft ECM system to help prolong it's lifespan, a matter aided in no small part by it's 10,000 km/s top speed.
And Finally, the Rider-Class:
I saved this one for last, because it isn't really that interesting, really... Some might notice the CIWS which is mounted in lieu of turreted Gauss, this is on account of tonnage restrictions. Effectively the Rider-Class is a pack-mule for the Recon-Class and the other ships presented here which would compose the strike fleet. The Rider-Class can also ferry logistics vessels, if ever I design some, as 10,000 Tonnes and 5,000 Tonnes is perfectly fine for Tankers, Colliers, and Supply Ships. It's quite slow and effectively un-armoured, but makes up for it with a Res-1 Active Sensor and good shields. The CIWS let's it pull some of it's own weight in the Point Defense role. Otherwise an unremarkable ship, generally good doctrine to jump in with it, and jump out once everyone else has deployed. Jump in to service the Recon-Class ships after three months, then jump out again. Mundane.
Recon-Class:
Recon class Scout Frigate 5,000 tons 159 Crew 2798 BP TCS 25 TH 250 EM 270
5000 km/s Armour 3-26 Shields 9-150 Sensors 18/18/0/0 Damage Control Rating 32 PPV 9
Maint Life 3.81 Years MSP 1700 AFR 100% IFR 1.4% 1YR 184 5YR 2761 Max Repair 562 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months Spare Berths 21
500 EP Magnetic Fusion Drive (1) Power 500 Fuel Use 40% Signature 250 Exp 10%
Fuel Capacity 530,000 Litres Range 47.7 billion km (110 days at full power)
Epsilon R150/360 Shields (3) Total Fuel Cost 45 Litres per hour (1,080 per day)
15cm C3 Ultraviolet Laser (1) Range 240,000km TS: 25000 km/s Power 6-3 RM 4 ROF 10 6 6 6 6 4 4 3 3 2 2
15cm Railgun V8/C10 (1x4) Range 240,000km TS: 25000 km/s Power 9-10 RM 8 ROF 5 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2
Fire Control S02 500-5000 H50 (2) Max Range: 1,000,000 km TS: 5000 km/s 99 98 97 96 95 94 93 92 91 90
Magnetic Confinement Fusion Reactor Technology PB-1 (1) Total Power Output 20 Armour 0 Exp 5%
Active Search Sensor MR49-R50 (50%) (1) GPS 3150 Range 49.0m km Resolution 50
Thermal Sensor TH1-18 (50%) (1) Sensitivity 18 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 18m km
EM Detection Sensor EM1-18 (50%) (1) Sensitivity 18 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 18m km
Cloaking Device: Class cross-section reduced to 25% of normal
Compact ECCM-3 (2) ECM 60
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
Phalanx-Class:
Phalanx class Marine Frigate 10,000 tons 292 Crew 3399.5 BP TCS 50 TH 625 EM 720
6250 km/s Armour 4-41 Shields 24-300 Sensors 18/18/0/0 Damage Control Rating 35 PPV 24
Maint Life 2.9 Years MSP 3062 AFR 160% IFR 2.2% 1YR 536 5YR 8042 Max Repair 937.5 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 6 months Spare Berths 10
Cryo Drop Capacity: 4 Companies Cargo Handling Multiplier 40
1250 EP Magnetic Fusion Drive (1) Power 1250 Fuel Use 25% Signature 625 Exp 10%
Fuel Capacity 1,450,000 Litres Range 104.4 billion km (193 days at full power)
Omicron R300/720 Shields (4) Total Fuel Cost 120 Litres per hour (2,880 per day)
R20/C10 Meson Cannon (2) Range 200,000km TS: 25000 km/s Power 10-10 RM 20 ROF 5 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
R20/C10 High Power Microwave (2) Range 200,000km TS: 25000 km/s Power 10-10 RM 20 ROF 5 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Fire Control S03 200-6000 H50 (2) Max Range: 400,000 km TS: 6000 km/s 98 95 92 90 88 85 82 80 78 75
Magnetic Confinement Fusion Reactor Technology PB-1 (2) Total Power Output 40 Armour 0 Exp 5%
Active Search Sensor MR64-R100 (50%) (1) GPS 3600 Range 64.8m km Resolution 100
Active Search Sensor MR6-R1 (50%) (1) GPS 36 Range 6.5m km MCR 706k km Resolution 1
Thermal Sensor TH1-18 (50%) (1) Sensitivity 18 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 18m km
EM Detection Sensor EM1-18 (50%) (1) Sensitivity 18 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 18m km
Cloaking Device: Class cross-section reduced to 25% of normal
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
Rider-Class:
Rider class Jump Frigate 10,000 tons 205 Crew 1435.75 BP TCS 200 TH 125 EM 540
1250 km/s JR 3-50 Armour 1-41 Shields 18-300 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 38 PPV 0
Maint Life 7.09 Years MSP 1745 AFR 96% IFR 1.3% 1YR 61 5YR 910 Max Repair 270 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 6 months Flight Crew Berths 26
Hangar Deck Capacity 5000 tons
J10000(3-50) Military Jump Drive Max Ship Size 10000 tons Distance 50k km Squadron Size 3
250 EP Magnetic Fusion Drive (1) Power 250 Fuel Use 7.07% Signature 125 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 620,000 Litres Range 157.9 billion km (1461 days at full power)
Omicron R300/720 Shields (3) Total Fuel Cost 90 Litres per hour (2,160 per day)
CIWS-200 (1x8) Range 1000 km TS: 20000 km/s ROF 5 Base 50% To Hit
Active Search Sensor MR32-R1 (50%) (1) GPS 180 Range 32.4m km MCR 3.5m km Resolution 1
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
Raider-Class:
Raider class Carrier 10,000 tons 149 Crew 3898 BP TCS 200 TH 500 EM 0
5000 km/s Armour 1-41 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 4 PPV 16.44
Maint Life 2.56 Years MSP 1096 AFR 177% IFR 2.5% 1YR 235 5YR 3520 Max Repair 1350 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 6 months Flight Crew Berths 16
Hangar Deck Capacity 2000 tons Magazine 72
500 EP Commercial Magnetic Fusion Drive (2) Power 500 Fuel Use 5.3% Signature 250 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 1,750,000 Litres Range 594.3 billion km (1375 days at full power)
Triple Gauss Cannon R3-33 Turret (2x9) Range 30,000km TS: 100000 km/s Power 0-0 RM 3 ROF 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Fire Control S02 60-100000 H50 (2) Max Range: 120,000 km TS: 100000 km/s 92 83 75 67 58 50 42 33 25 17
Active Search Sensor MR19-R1 (50%) (1) GPS 108 Range 19.4m km MCR 2.1m km Resolution 1
Strike Group
4x Thunderbolt Fighter-bomber Speed: 10000 km/s Size: 10
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
Thunderbolt-Class:
Thunderbolt class Fighter-bomber 500 tons 5 Crew 362.2 BP TCS 10 TH 50 EM 90
10000 km/s Armour 1-5 Shields 3-150 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 0 PPV 1.8
Maint Life 4.76 Years MSP 45 AFR 20% IFR 0.3% 1YR 3 5YR 49 Max Repair 60 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 0.5 months Spare Berths 1
Magazine 12
50 EP Magnetic Fusion Drive (2) Power 50 Fuel Use 280.02% Signature 25 Exp 20%
Fuel Capacity 105,000 Litres Range 13.5 billion km (15 days at full power)
Epsilon R150/360 Shields (1) Total Fuel Cost 15 Litres per hour (360 per day)
Size 2 Box Launcher (6) Missile Size 2 Hangar Reload 15 minutes MF Reload 2.5 hours
Missile Fire Control FC1-R1 (50%) (3) Range 1.9m km Resolution 1
Missile Fire Control FC19-R100 (50%) (3) Range 19.4m km Resolution 100
Active Search Sensor MR12-R100 (50%) (1) GPS 720 Range 13.0m km Resolution 100
Active Search Sensor MR1-R1 (50%) (1) GPS 8 Range 1.3m km MCR 141k km Resolution 1
Small Craft ECCM-3 (2) ECM 30
This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and maintenance purposes
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I wouldn't have expected shields to be a good fit with anything that attempts stealth. How did they work out?
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Have yet to test them, will let you know. :)