VRDF – The Moment of Realization

TO: Precentor ROM.
FROM: Demi-Precentor Tobias Frews.
SUBJECT: Veiled Republic Naval Development
CODES: EYES ONLY - URGENT

Precentor -

Forgive my lack of formality in transmitting this message, Brother, but it will probably be my last, and I have precious little time.

After a battle, which story is best left untold, my troops and I were able to interdict one of the VRDF's HPG relay stations. There, we intercepted some important new information regarding the
Veiled Republic's naval situation.

Points follow.

- The VRDF is reportedly giving serious consideration to finally retiring the mighty Freedom's Ring. In reaction to this, and in light of my present situation, I can only express mixed feelings. Were you here, Brother, to see this symbol of a better age bearing out of the sun like the Sacred Sword itself, as I myself see it now, you perhaps would understand.

- To replace the Freedom's Ring, the power behind the VRDF's fleet, the VRDF is proposing to build new, larger warships. We intercepted what is apparently a design proposal for the first of these vessels, and I must say, it is formidable indeed. The design specs are attached to this message; I pray you will receive them.

- Finally, Brother, let me warn you that the VRDF has advanced control over its HPG network. Our interference was detected somehow, and the station was shut down remotely. Now the Republic's defenders are closing in, and there is no escape; my jumpship's KF drive is not yet recharged.

Perhaps I was foolish to strike at a station so close to New Normandy. But then, what thing is foolish in the light of Blake's Wisdom? I now face the ultimate expression of His power, as the Freedom's Ring turns its broad side to my vessel...

The Peace of Blake be with you, Brother.

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{TRANSMISSION INTERRUPTED}

Code:

AeroTech 2 Vessel Technical Readout
                                  VALIDATED

Class/Model/Name:  DDX-1 Destroyer
Tech:              Inner Sphere / 3067
Vessel Type:       WarShip
Rules:             Level 2, Custom design
Rules Set:         AeroTech2

Mass:              600,000 tons
K-F Drive System:  (Unknown)
Power Plant:       Standard
Safe Thrust:       3
Maximum Thrust:    5
Armor Type:        Lamellor Ferro-carbide
Armament:         
    8 Medium NPPC
    4 Screen Launcher
   64 ER PPC
    8 NAC/30
   64 Small Pulse Laser
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
==Overview:==
The DDX-1 class destroyer is the first known proposal to produce a true capital ship for the VRDF. This design is still very much in the planning stages, and nothing should be taken for granted regarding possible changes to the design.

==Capabilities:==
The DDX-1 is a destroyer-carrier hybrid, similar is concept to the old
York class. It is not a fast ship, but is very well armored for its size, and is clearly intended to serve as the hard core of a task force.

The DDX-1's weaponry represents a new direction in design for the VRDF. Careful attention has been given to this ship's intended style of combat and arcs of fire, resulting in a very efficient weapons layout. Twin medium NPPC's in each of the primary arcs, combined with twin NAC/30's on the corners, give the DDX-1 a powerful broadside punch and make it dangerous in all directions. Its huge batteries of ERPPC's and point-defense lasers are death to smaller foes, while four screen launchers provide all-around defense.

For all this firepower, the carrier side of the DDX-1's nature is not neglected. A full aerospace regiment, a squadron of small craft, and two companies of marines give the DDX-1 a good number of options to support its weapons.

Other features of the DDX-1 are similar to most other VRDF warships: HPG and LFB, detachable sail, 110% crew, 100% escape pods, plenty of cargo space and a set endurance.

Interestingly, the DDX-1 is fitted with a set of repair shops and tender facilities, to support other ships in its fleet. The support offered by the DDX-1 is no substitute for a good drydock or a specialized repair vessel, certainly, but it does help add to a fleet's endurance.

Perhaps the most disturbing thing about this design is how little it costs for a ship of this capability: less than 50% more than the cost of a Revenant corvette. This being the case, it can only be a matter of time before the VRDF begins building this or some similar destroyer design in numbers.

==Deployment==
Construction of the first destroyer-sized hull has begun at Bocage shipyard. How it will eventually be fitted out, remains to be seen. The DDX-1 is probably just one idea of several for a ship this size.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class/Model/Name:  DDX-1 Destroyer
Mass:              600,000 tons

Equipment:                                                            Mass 
Power Plant, Drive & Control:                                      108,000.00
Thrust:  Safe Thrust: 3
      Maximum Thrust: 5
Kearny-Fuchida Hyperdrive:  Compact (Integrity = 13)               271,500.00
Lithium Fusion Battery                                               6,000.00
Jump Sail (Detachable): (Integrity = 4)                                 60.00
Structural Integrity: 150                                           90,000.00
Total Heat Sinks:    1,504 Double                                      995.00
Fuel & Fuel Pumps:                                                   8,063.00
Bridge, Controls, Radar, Computer & Attitude Thrusters:              1,500.00
Fire Control Computers:                                                   .00
Food & Water:  (200 days supply)                                       457.00
Hyperpulse Generator:                                                   50.00
Armor Type:  Lamellor Ferro-carbide  (1,890 total armor pts)         1,800.00
                           Capital Scale Armor Pts
   Location:                            L / R
   Fore:                                315
   Fore-Left/Right:                  315/315
   Aft-Left/Right:                   315/315
   Aft:                                 315

Cargo:
   Bay 1:  Fighters (54) with 7 doors                                8,100.00
   Bay 2:  Small Craft (6) with 1 door                               1,200.00
   Bay 3:  Cargo (1) with 4 doors                                   49,787.00

Grav Deck #1:  (100-meter diameter)                                    100.00
Escape Pods:  77 (7 tons each)                                         539.00

Crew and Passengers:
     40 Officers (36 minimum)                                          400.00
    137 Crew (125 minimum)                                             959.00
     46 Gunners (42 minimum)                                           322.00
     84 Marines                                                        420.00
     12 Marine Battle Armor Troopers/Elementals                         84.00
    138 Bay Personnel                                                     .00
Weapons and Equipment      Loc        SRV    MRV    LRV    ERV  Heat    Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Medium NPPC              Nose        18     18     18     18  270  3,600.00
1 Screen Launcher(10 scrns)Nose        --     --     --     --   10    140.00
16 ER PPC                  Nose   16(160)16(160)16(160)     --  240    112.00
2 NAC/30(60 rounds)        FL/R        60     60     60     --  400 14,096.00
16 Small Pulse Laser       FL/R     5(48)     --     --     --   64     32.00
2 Medium NPPC              L/RBS       18     18     18     18  540  7,200.00
1 Screen Launcher(10 scrns)L/RBS       --     --     --     --   20    280.00
16 ER PPC                  L/RBS  16(160)16(160)16(160)     --  480    224.00
2 NAC/30(60 rounds)        AL/R        60     60     60     --  400 14,096.00
16 Small Pulse Laser       AL/R     5(48)     --     --     --   64     32.00
2 Medium NPPC              Aft         18     18     18     18  270  3,600.00
1 Screen Launcher(10 scrns)Aft         --     --     --     --   10    140.00
16 ER PPC                  Aft    16(160)16(160)16(160)     --  240    112.00
1 Lot Spare Parts (1.00%)                                            6,000.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS:                                            Heat: 3,008     600,000.00
Tons Left:                                                                .00

Calculated Factors:
Total Cost:        7,158,716,832 C-Bills
Battle Value:      126,396
Cost per BV:       56,637.21
Weapon Value:      85,114 (Ratio = .67)
Damage Factors:    SRV = 3,639;  MRV = 3,322;  LRV = 2,431;  ERV = 875
Maintenance:       Maintenance Point Value (MPV) = 358,834
                   (104,698 Structure, 158,000 Life Support, 96,136 Weapons)
                   Support Points (SP) = 478,575  (133% of MPV)
BattleForce2:      Not applicable