DESPERADO-CLASS ASSAULT FRIGATE

Version 1.12 - Friday, March 5, 2004

Based on an original starship design by Derran Tyler and Marty Bowles
RPG Stats by Derran Tyler (cameron_blackblade@hotmail.com

BACKGROUND

The Desperado is one of the few post-Second Draconian War designs to stand up to the test of time in the new era of space warfare as the war with the Jaaq'tah Alliance rages on throughout the Draconian Sector. The Desperado design proved its worth by crippling massive capital ships with its awesome spinal-mount stellar converter cannon and laying waste to warships easily three times its size with its impressive array of beam weaponry. It quickly became evident that alongside the Otomo Escort Destroyer, the Desperado would begin to fill the void left by the decommissioning of the Lightning, Prometheus, and Kirishima cruisers.

RPG STATS

Government: Nerimian Galactic Confederation
Ship Type: Long-range Assault Gun Frigate
Class: Desperado Class
Manufacturer: Tienshinhan Orbital Shipyards

Ship's Compliment:

• Ship's Crew: 220 men
• Air Group: 120
• Troops: 112 Marines
• Life support limits are for a full combat complement and about 800 supernumeraries.

SPEEDS:

Speed(sublight): 0.99c (Can accelerate from motionlessness to this speed in less than fifteen seconds).
Speed (hyperpulse): ~96,554c (highest tested speed for the Hyperpulse drive, though maximum speeds may exceed 120,000c)
Speed(Auxiliary Drives): 0.46c
Space Fold: Range Unlimited - Instantaneous travel between two points via wormhole.
Planet bound:

Cannot land.

Maximum Range: Unlimited (Completely self-sufficient)

Structure

90,530 metric tons Xentronium Double Hull

Total Compartmentalization

68 Turrets

16,750 metric tons Xintium-B Armor

19,450 metric tons Stealth Armor

CCCI

Command Bridge with Triple-Redundancy Hardened Controls

Secondary Command Bridge with Triple-Redundancy Hardened Controls

Weapon Systems Control Center

Propulsion/Power Systems Control Center

Force Field Systems Control Center

Electronic Warfare Systems Control Center

Weaponry

1 Stellar Converter

8 Energy Wave Projection Cannons

18 Tri-Focus Plasma Cannons

42 Gatling Phasor Cannons

TRC-1000 Pulse Cannons

Ordnance

None

Auxillaries

2 Ballisk Assault Gunboats

24 XF-14E Aerospace Superiority Fighters

Barracks

3 Marine staterooms

24 Marine bunkrooms

2 briefing rooms

6 battledress racks

15 weapons lockers

3 gyms

2 shooting range

Modules

2 Quick-Launch Bays (fore & aft)

2 Hangars

1 bay for Ballisk Gunboats

20 crew staterooms

40 crew bunkrooms

5 sick bays

2 surgical theatres

8 cargo holds

6 ready magazines

Propulsion systems

• Main power system: Argus Macrotechnologies Orlando Series ZPF Hyperspace Tap. The power plants of the escort can deliver a near infinite source of energy.
• Secondary power system: Argus Macrotechnologies Reno Series Quantum Singularity Generators (2).
• Primary Thrusters (6): Genesis Propulsion Systems Nehron-G Series Gravimetric Drives.
• Maneuvering (Secondary) Thrusters (90): Genesis Propulsion Systems Eteria Series ion impulse engines.
• Hyperpulse Drive: Genesis Propulsion Systems/Argus Millitech Kalmedia Type A Hyperpulse Drive.
• Anti-gravity System (1): Cyclops anti-gravity pods.
• Space Fold (2): Genesis Propulsion Systems Nishida Type D Inter-Phased Hyperspace Drive

STATISTICAL DATA:

• Length: 250 meters
• Width: 55 meters
• Height: 50 meters

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

1. STELLAR CONVERTER (1): The main weapon of the Desperado frigates, the weapon converts energy present in space and compresses them into a plasma beam of almost unprecedented power. Generated by a near-perfect energy-to-matter conversion system, the weapon is widely known for its ability to destroy entire worlds with a single blast. The absolute minimum energy requirement for destroying an Earth-like planet is roughly 5E16 megatons and this does not even begin to describe the awesome power of a stellar converter blast. The lower limit for this weapon is 1E22 megatons (at least 100 trillion times the K-T extinction asteroid impact, or as much energy as our Sun has generated since the time of Moses). The upper limit for this weapon approaches many orders of magnitude above this, somewhere in the neighborhood of 1E38 megatons.
• Primary Purpose: Anti-Warship/Anti-Planet
• Range: 1 AU (93,000,000 miles)
• Damage: Will destroy virtually anything in its path.
• Rate of Fire: It takes the Desperado's reactors approximately 2 minutes to raise the weapon to full power. Full power is rarely utilized unless an orbital bombardment is authorized. Charge times can range anywhere from 30 seconds (minimal satisfactory output) to 2 minutes (full operational capacity). In any case, the immense heat generated by the weapon causes ship commanders to allow the weapon to cool down considerably to prevent a megafluxxer overload.
• Payload: Effectively Unlimited. Will function so long as main engines are intact
2. TYPE 20 ENERGY WAVE PROJECTION CANNON (8): The Energy Wave Projection Cannon is the premier anti-warship weapon of the Nerimian Defense Initiative and Hushain Empires. Based loosely off hyperspace tap technology, the weapon is capable of generating incredible amounts of destructive energy and releasing it as a destructive blast that has been known to completely vaporize enemy vessels. The low-end of the weapon's power is measured in the mid-gigaton ranges (50-75 gigatons of destructive power) and it's high-end output generates in excess of 525 gigatons of power at peak levels.
• PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-Warship
• SECONDARY PURPOSE: Orbital Bombardment
• RANGE: 1 AU+
• RATE OF FIRE: One full-power blast every five seconds. Output can be decreased for commensurate increases in fire.
3. TRI-FOCUS PLASMA CANNONS (18): The tri-focus plasma cannon is a secondary anti-warship beam weapon that combines the power of three standard plasma cannons into one devastating bolt of plasma energy that is completely devastating to enemy warships. Being composed of supercharged ions heated to extreme temperatures, the plasma blast is naturally shield-piercing, allowing it to perform admirably against a myriad of enemy deflector shield systems. The low-end estimate of the tri-focus plasma cannon's destructive power has been measured as the equivalent of a 25 gigaton fusion weapon. High-end estimates have been placed in the 55-60 gigaton range.
• PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
• SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Warship
• RANGE: 1 AU+
• RATE OF FIRE: 1 shot per second.
4. GATLING PHASOR (42): The Gatling phasor is the latest development of the NDI's patented phasor technology. A phasor is essentially a powerful beam cannon that utilizes a flux capacitor that not only can change the frequency of the energy blast, but can also phase the energy so it can exist in multiple dimensions simultaneously -- which makes it capable of totally bypassing enemy shielding systems and applying their damage immediately to the enemy hull. The low-end estimate of the gatling phasor's destructive power has been measured as the equivalent of a 535 megaton fusion weapon. High-end estimates have been placed in the 744-780 megaton range.
• PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
• SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Warship
• RANGE: 1 AU+
• RATE OF FIRE: 60 shots/second
5. PHOENIX ARMS TRC-1000 PULSE CANNONS (30): For last-ditch point defense, the destroyer mounts fast tracking pulse cannon turrets that fire phased energy blasts at an extremely high rate of fire that are effective against all manners of mecha, missile, and other assorted targets. These weapons, however, are not effective against larger targets as they simply lack the sufficient power to deal damage. The cannons have the capacity to release in excess of 25,000 TW of destructive power per blast.

Mecha Bay: XF-14E Tempest
Primary Purpose: Aerospace Superiority
Secondary Purpose: Naval Strike
Range: 140 LY
Speed: 1,750c (hyperpulse); Mach 5.5 (atmosphere). Transatmospheric.
Load Capacity: Not designed to carry cargo.
Weapons: Type 12 Energy Wave Projection Cannon (1), TRC-20 Pulse Cannons (4), Wing-Sheath Missiles (8), MM-120 Missiles (72)

Shuttle Bay: A-8 Ballisk Assault Shuttle
Primary Purpose: Interstellar Transport
Secondary Purpose: Planetary Landings
Range: 550 LY
Speed: 2,200c (hyperpulse); Mach 4.2 (atmosphere). Transatmospheric.
Load Capacity: 48 personnel and 2 LGEV-PCs
Weapons: Gatling Phasor Cannons (4), Nightflower Missile Launchers (2)

SYSTEMS OF NOTE:

• ADVANCED DAMAGE CONTROL: As ships of war, the NDI Spacy's warships are designed to maximize their offensive capability while using their defenses to defeat enemy offensive power. However, damage is inevitable, and the only way to prevent massive ship losses to consecutive enemy attacks is to have adequate damage control systems. Unlike previous versions of damage control, where men and women had to go to the site to repair critical damage, Adv. Damage Control systems use automated nanolathing units to patch up holes in the hull and repair vital systems during the heat of battle.
• ANTIGRAVITY PROPULSION SYSTEM: The escorts are equipped with an anti-gravity propulsion system used for planetary landings and liftoffs. The system is good for vertical ascent/descent only and can lift the ship at speeds of up to 1,320 feet (400 m) per minute. The system will function so long as the main engines can supply energy to it.
• ARMOR: The armor of NDI Spacy vessels is standard Xintium/Crystalline armor mesh, capable of deflecting/reflecting over 80% of all energy directed at the ship's hull. For added protection, this armor is placed in multiple layers to defend against extreme kinetic impacts. The undermost layer of armor is several inches of enriched neutronium interweaved with mercurite fibers to provide a solid foundation. Over this layer of armor is a layer of xentronium that is extremely adept at cushioning concussive impacts. The outermost layer of armor is the Xintium/Crystalline armor mesh, which is applied in a honeycombed fashion to further deflect energy away from the hull. Xintium's unique molecular properties allow it to regenerate its molecular bonds over time, which makes the Xintium extremely durable.
• AUTO-MODULATING SHIELD GRID: The Auto-Modulating Shield Grid is actually a built-in function of the ship's battle computer. As combat goes on, the battle computer is capable of calculating the exact frequencies of enemy beam weapons and adapts the Zyro shields against them within a matter of seconds. The ability to adapt to changes in enemy weapons systems increases the overall survivability of the warship.
• DAMPER FIELD GENERATOR: A by-product of antigravity (repulsor) technology, the damper field has been heralded as the best defense against scalar electrogravitational pulse weaponry, which are notorious for their ability to destroy ammunition, electronics, and organic life forms. While scalar EM waves penetrate conventional shielding because they can travel wherever gravity can go, the damper field uses a low-power antigravity field that negates the force of gravity and consequently provides an effective shielding system against scalar EM weapons systems.
• ELECTRONIC COUNTERMEASURES (ECM) "STEALTH" SYSTEMS: The escorts utilize the Oracle Interface's high-end electronic countermeasure capability. Most types of enemy radar and sensors cannot detect the destroyer while its ECM systems are in operations; however, such systems are relatively useless once it has engaged a target.
• HARD SHIELDS: Hard Shields are reinforced against the ravages of many forms of incidental radiation. Hard shields are distortion shields that warp and bend enemy attacks away from the vessel. The distortion field also prevents teleportation across the barrier it creates, so when the shield is in operation, transphased and other similar weapons are rendered inert. The hard shields when coupled with the zyro shields are often layered together in an array that dissipates and distorts enemy beam weapon attacks to the point that only minute levels radiation will ever reach the outermost layer of armor.
• HIGH ENERGY FOCUS: The High Energy Focus is an Argus Millitech development that increases the effective bandwidth of energy the ship's weapons can draw from the main hyperspace tap generators. With this modification, the standard output of all the ship's energy weapons is effectively doubled because more energy can be directed from the reactor to the weapons system.
• HYPERDRIVE SYSTEM: For FTL propulsion, the escort is equipped with two Genesis Propulsion Systems Nishida Inter-Phased Hyperspace Drives capable of propelling the escort through hyperspace at speeds up to 50 million times c. However, unlike larger capital ships the escort CANNOT transport other ships with it when it folds. The range of the fold drive is theoretically unlimited except by the life expectancy of the spacecraft.
• HYPERPULSE DRIVE: Genesis Propulsion Systems/Argus Millitech's Kalmedia Type A Hyperpulse Drive is a relatively new addition to the Draconian Alliance's warships. Using layered asymmetrical warp fields that can envelop the entire vessel, the ship can move at superluminal velocities during combat. While nowhere near as fast as the interphased drives that allows ships to move from planet to planet, it allows for extremely rapid travel during combat.
• HYPERSPACE COMMUNICATIONS: Based on the same technology as the space fold system, the hyperspace communications relay allows near real-time communication between NDI Spacy starships and other vessels or planetary bases. As with all NDI communications, the hyperspace communications array utilizes a proprietary set of signals that changes periodically, allowing secure communications between NDI warships without the fear of enemy interception.
• LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS: The escorts have sufficient life support to provide breathable air and comfortable temperatures for 1,190 people for up to 20 years (air is recycled). In an emergency the life support system can support up to 2,000 people at one time, though living conditions onboard will get extremely cramped at that point. The destroyer also holds sufficient food and water to support 1,190 people for up to 6 months.
• LIGHTNING SHIELD: The Lightning Shield was a powerful ionized energy field that is useful against any penetrating target. The intense plasma heating will fuse and even vaporize metallic bodies. In addition, any missile encountering the shell is subjected to an extremely intense EMP arising everywhere inside its circuitry. EM shielding is of no use against the creation of energy throughout the space time of the circuits; such shielding only helps against energy flow through space in the conventional sense. Thus, the electronics of any mecha or missile encountering the shield are instantly dudded, whether or not they are shielded against ordinary electromagnetic interference (EMI). Furthermore, explosive materials are exploded when such interference is encountered, and combustible materials are fiercely consumed or set afire. Ablative shielding suffers an interesting catastrophe: since energy does not try to flow into the shielding, but instead arises everywhere in it simultaneously, 'ablation' occurs everywhere throughout the ablative material, simply exploding it instantly. The first layer of defense can be relied upon to take out nearly 100% of all enemy missiles that have not been modified in someway to 'penetrate the envelope' (energy sheathing, phase-shifting methods seem to be most effective).
• ORACLE INTERFACE XS-7: The XS-7 Combat Computer System is a grand improvement to the standard GS6 combat computers that is the standard NDI system. With upgraded capabilities and increased range, the XS-7 makes NDI escort vessels integral to the overall fleet composition. In addition to its powerful ECM (Electronic Countermeasures) and ECCM (Electronic Counter-Countermeasures) abilities, the XS-7 combat computer coordinates all activities of the warship, allowing it to take on several different opponents at once. The main advantage of the XS-7's design is its increased radar range, which allows it to see up to 5 parsecs away using its powerful sensors.
• SUBLIGHT ENGINES: The ship is equipped with multiple gravimetric drives that manipulate superstrings and the zero-point field to maneuver and accelerate to a far higher degree than other ships. By manipulating and "bending" superstrings, Draconian Alliance ships are able to create distortions in space/time that can be used to push and pull a ship in any given direction. An important byproduct of this means of propulsion is that the effect of inertia is also negated, allowing ships to accelerate, stop and maneuver at velocities that would crush a person using conventional ion propulsion.
• TIME/SPACE ANCHOR: The Time/Space Anchor is a device constructed from psychoactive that firmly anchors whatever it is attached to firmly in the time/space continuum, rendering attacks that use dimensional and planar warping capability to deal their damage ineffective. The anchor must be turned off before a warship can execute a hyperspace fold, however.
• ZYRO SHIELDS: The Zyro Shield is a energy/ray shielding system that generates incredible amounts of energy to generate a force field system that can absorb and disperse the tremendous impacts from enemy beam weapons. To better defend against enemy attacks, the shields can be fluxed in such a way that they can regulate what wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation reach the hull. Zyro shields are very effective against conventional beam weaponry and can be relied upon to resist the equivalent of roughly 50 teratons per square centimeter.

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