Difference between revisions of "Defender (WarShip class)"

 
(26 intermediate revisions by 12 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Update Needed|[[First Succession War (Source Book)]]}}
+
{{otheruses|the battlecruiser design|other uses|Defender}}
{{cleanup|October 2015}}
 
 
{{InfoBoxWarShip
 
{{InfoBoxWarShip
 
| image = [[Image:Defender (WarShip).jpg|191px]]
 
| image = [[Image:Defender (WarShip).jpg|191px]]
| name = Defender
+
| name = ''Defender''
 
| manufacturer = [[Federated Suns]]
 
| manufacturer = [[Federated Suns]]
 
| Use = General Combat <br/> Command Vessel
 
| Use = General Combat <br/> Command Vessel
Line 9: Line 8:
 
| Cost =
 
| Cost =
 
| Introduced = [[2360]]
 
| Introduced = [[2360]]
| Mass = 960,000
+
| production year = 2360
| Length = 870
+
| Mass = 960,000 tons
 +
| Length = 870 meters
 
| Sail Diameter = 1,300 Meters
 
| Sail Diameter = 1,300 Meters
 
| Fuel = 3,000 tons (7,500)
 
| Fuel = 3,000 tons (7,500)
 
| Burn Rate = 39.52
 
| Burn Rate = 39.52
| Safe Thrust = 3
+
| Safe Thrust = 2.5 g
| Top Thrust = 5
+
| Top Thrust = 4 g
 
| Sail Integrity = 5
 
| Sail Integrity = 5
 
| KF Drive Integrity = 20
 
| KF Drive Integrity = 20
 
| LF Battery = None
 
| LF Battery = None
| Armament = 5 x [[NAC/35]]s <br> 21 x [[NAC/25]] <br> 82 x [[AC/5|AC/5s]] <br> 47 x [[Machine Guns]]
+
| Armament = <span></span>
| Armor = Standard Armor
+
* 5x [[NAC/35]]
 +
* 21x [[NAC/25]]
 +
* 82x [[AC/5]]
 +
* 47x [[Machine Gun]]
 +
| Armor = [[Armor (Capital)|standard]]
 
| DropShip Capacity = None
 
| DropShip Capacity = None
| Crew = Listings
+
| Crew = 330
*60 Officers
+
*60 Officers
*200 Enlisted/Non-Rates
+
*200 Enlisted
*70 Gunners
+
*70 Gunners
*100 Bay personnel
+
----
| Grav Decks = 2 (120-meters diameter each)
+
*Bay Personnel: 100
 +
| Grav Decks = 2 x 120 meters diameter
 
| Escape Pods/Life Boats = 35/35
 
| Escape Pods/Life Boats = 35/35
| Heat Sinks = 900
+
| Heat Sinks = 900 [[heat sink|single]]
| Structural Integrity = 40  
+
| Structural Integrity = 40
| BV (1.0) = N/A
+
| BV (1.0) =
| BV (2.0) = 173,687<ref>''Field Report 2765: AFFS'', p. 26 & 30 Defender-Class Battlecruiser - BV2 listed.</ref>  
+
| BV (2.0) = 173,687<ref name=FR2765:AFFSp26-30>''Field Report 2765: AFFS'', pp. 26, 30: Defender-Class Battlecruiser</ref>
 
}}
 
}}
 
  
 
==Description==
 
==Description==
The '''''Defender''''' Class Battlecruiser was the [[Federated Suns|Federated Sun's]] first [[WarShip]] design to enter service in its armed forces.<ref>''Strategic Operations'', p. 15 - House Davion/Federation Suns - List of First includes First Warship - the Defender.</ref> Designed to counter the newly formed [[Terran Hegemony]]'s ''[[Dreadnought (WarShip)|Dreadnought]]''-Class Battleships, the ''Defender'' was built to have superior speed and firepower. Production of the Class proved to be slow, with its massive engines costly to produce. The second ship of the class would not be built until a decade had passed. By this time, the Hegemony began producing its superior ''[[Monsoon]]'' Class-Battleships which would eclipse the ''Defenders'' in armor protection and firepower. These ships would be rendered outclassed by the 2380s, when by this time the Davion Shipyards only be able to produce a total six of the ships before Davion authorities ordered the cancellation of its production.
+
The '''''Defender''''' Class Battlecruiser was the [[Federated Suns]]' first operational [[WarShip]] design.<ref>''Strategic Operations'', p. 15: House Davion/Federated Suns - List of First includes First WarShip - the Defender.</ref> Designed to counter the newly-formed [[Terran Hegemony|Terran Hegemony's]] ''[[Dreadnought (WarShip class)|Dreadnought]]''-Class Battleships, the ''Defender'' was built to have superior speed and firepower. Deliveries of the class proved to be slow, in no small part due to the costly difficulties involved in the production of the massive engines required. A full decade passed before the appearance of the second example of the class. By this time, the Hegemony began producing its superior ''[[Monsoon]]'' Class-Battleships which eclipsed the ''Defenders'' in armor protection and firepower. These ships would be outclassed by the 2380s when Davion authorities ceased production. A total of six vessels were produced.
  
The ships would serve in active service periodically, being reactivated several times during their service lives. By [[2765]], only a few of the Class would survive to be reactivated and serve again in the Federated Sun's fleets. Two ships would be active near the end of the Star League Era, whom would part of the Crucis Fleet of the House Davion's navy. One of these two vessels, [[Golden Lion|FSS ''Golden Lion'']], saw service as the flagship of the entire FedSuns Navy, under the command of [[Fleet Admiral]] Alexi Viscoff.
+
The ships saw active service irregularly, being reactivated several times after their initial service period. By [[2765]], a few surviving members of the class were reactivated and served in the fleets of the Federated Suns. Two ships were active near the end of the Star League Era and formed part of the Crucis Fleet of House Davion's navy. One of the two, [[Golden Lion|FSS ''Golden Lion'']], served as the flagship of the entire FedSuns Navy, under the command of [[Fleet Admiral]] Alexi Viscoff.
  
The ''Defenders'' would be immortalized by the ''Golden Lion's'' actions at the [[Battle of Cholame]], where the battlecruiser's efforts in the massive battle would aid in brunt Draconis Combine's fleet and cripple the faction's efforts during the early years of the [[First Succession War]].<ref>''Field Report 2765: AFFS'', p. 6, 25 Naval Defense Doctrine & Defender-Class Battlecruiser - Defender Class's background and its history up to 2787.</ref>
+
The ''Defenders'' would be immortalized by the ''Golden Lion''&#39;s actions at the [[Battle of Cholame (2788)|Battle of Cholame]], where the battlecruiser's efforts in the massive battle blunted the Draconis Combine fleet's attack, severely hampering that faction's efforts during the early years of the [[First Succession War]].<ref>''Field Report 2765: AFFS'', pp. 6, 25: Naval Defense Doctrine & Defender-Class Battlecruiser - Defender Class's background and its history up to 2787.</ref>
  
 
==Weapons and Capacities==
 
==Weapons and Capacities==
Designed for speed, the ''Defenders'' are noted for their high rate of acceleration for their day. These ships could out run and maneuver both the Terran Hegemony's ''Dreadnoughts'' and early [[Black Lion I|''Black Lion'' Battlecruisers]]. The ship's 765 tons of Standard Armor is focused in front bow and forward-sides, while its aft section only have slightly less armor protection protecting its massive engines.
+
The ''Defenders'' were designed for speed, and boasted a high rate of acceleration for their day. These ships could outrun and outmaneuver the Terran Hegemony's ''Dreadnoughts'' and the early [[Black Lion I|''Black Lion'' Battlecruisers]]. The ship carried 765 tons of Standard Armor concentrated in the bow, forward-sides, and in the aft section protecting the massive engines.
  
The ''Defender's'' main armaments are their large array of Class 35 and 20 Naval Autocannons, which were focused in ship's forward sections and its broadsides. One of the Defender's noted weaknesses is the lack of capital weaponry in its aft-facing sides and aft section. Due to this vulnerability, a ship's crew would need to utilize the ship's speed and maneuverability in order to keep ship's capital weaponry bearing on a would be targeted vessel.
+
The ''Defender''&#39;s main armament consisted of an array of Class 35 and 20 Naval Autocannons, which were sited in the ship's forward sections and broadsides. One of the ''Defender''&#39;s noted weaknesses was the lack of capital weaponry covering the aft-facing sides and aft section. Due to this limitation, a ship's crew needed to use speed and agility to bring the heavy weapons to bear.
   
+
 
Its conventional weaponry includes a large array of Class-5 Autocannons mounted in weapons bays throughout the entire ship. The autocannons notably clustering  in the ship's aft sections of the ships to possibly help ward off small craft and fighters from attacking the ship's more vulnerable aft. Additionally, the designers would also include a large number of Machine Guns. These weapons were mounted throughout the ship and served as the design's point defense.<ref>''Field Report 2765: AFFS'', p. 26 & 30 Defender-Class Battlecruiser - BV2 listed.</ref>
+
The ship's lighter weaponry included a large array of Class-5 Autocannons mounted in weapons bays throughout the entire ship. The autocannons clustered most heavily around the ship's aft, to counter the threat of small craft and fighters attacking this more vulnerable section. The design also included a large number of Machine Guns, mounted throughout the ship and serving in the point defense role.<ref name=FR2765:AFFSp26-30/>
  
 
==Cargo==
 
==Cargo==
Due to its age, the design predates the usage of DropShips. In their place, the ship has four large [[DropShuttle Bay|DropShuttle Bays]] and large number of Small Craft hangars able to house upwards to 20 small craft.
+
This design predated the use of [[DropShips]] and included no bays for their handling. In their place, the ship had four large [[DropShuttle Bay|DropShuttle Bays]]. It also housed a Small Craft hangar able to house as many as 20 small craft, as well as a large general-use cargo bay.
  
*Bay 1: Small Craft (20) - 10 Doors
+
*Bay 1: Small Craft (20), 10 Doors
*Bay 2: Cargo (105,890 tons) - 2 Doors
+
*Bay 2: Cargo (105,890 tons), 2 Doors
*Bay 3: DropShuttle Bay (20,000 tons capacity) - 1 Door
+
*Bay 3: DropShuttle Bay (20,000 tons capacity), 1 Door
*Bay 4: DropShuttle Bay (20,000 tons capacity) - 1 Door
+
*Bay 4: DropShuttle Bay (20,000 tons capacity), 1 Door
*Bay 5: DropShuttle Bay (20,000 tons capacity) - 1 Door
+
*Bay 5: DropShuttle Bay (20,000 tons capacity), 1 Door
*Bay 6: DropShuttle Bay (20,000 tons capacity) - 1 Door
+
*Bay 6: DropShuttle Bay (20,000 tons capacity), 1 Door
  
==Named Vessels==
+
==See Also==
* FSS ''[[Golden Lion]]'' - Arguably the most famous of the class, the ship served as the flagship of the entire Federated Suns Fleet in later Star League Era.
+
* [[:Category:Individual Defender-class WarShips]]
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==
The ''Golden Lion'' originally appeared in [[House Davion (The Federated Suns)]] sourcebook published in 1988. The ship became the basis for the ''Defender'' Class, which would appear in name for the first time decades later in the [[Strategic Operations]] rule book as part of a list of first WarShips entering service for various factions.
+
* The ''Golden Lion'' originally appeared in ''[[House Davion (The Federated Suns)]]'' published in 1988. The ship became the basis for the ''Defender'' Class, which would appear in name for the first time decades later in the ''[[Strategic Operations]]'' rulebook as part of a list of first WarShips entering service for various factions.
  
It also should be noted, that the ''Defender'' aside from being oldest original Federated Suns WarShip to be produced, was also the largest.
+
* It also should be noted that the ''Defender''—aside from being the oldest original Federated Suns WarShip to be produced—was also the largest.
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
Line 72: Line 76:
  
 
==Bibliography==
 
==Bibliography==
*''[[Field Report 2765: AFFS]]''
+
* ''[[Field Report 2765: AFFS]]''
 
* ''[[Strategic Operations]]''
 
* ''[[Strategic Operations]]''
 +
  
 
[[Category:Battlecruiser classes]]
 
[[Category:Battlecruiser classes]]

Latest revision as of 12:10, 25 April 2024

This article is about the battlecruiser design. For other uses, see Defender.
Defender (WarShip).jpg
Defender
Production information
Manufacturer Federated Suns
Introduced 2360
Production Year 2360
Use General Combat
Command Vessel
Tech Base Inner Sphere
Technical specifications
Mass 960,000 tons
Length 870 meters
Sail Diameter 1,300 Meters
Fuel 3,000 tons (7,500)
Burn Rate 39.52
Safe Thrust 2.5 g
Top Thrust 4 g
Sail Integrity 5
KF Drive Integrity 20
LF Battery None
Armament
Armor standard
DropShip Capacity None
Crew 330
  • 60 Officers
  • 200 Enlisted
  • 70 Gunners

  • Bay Personnel: 100
Grav Decks 2 x 120 meters diameter
Escape Pods/Life Boats 35/35
Heat Sinks 900 single
Structural Integrity 40
BV (2.0) 173,687[1]

Description[edit]

The Defender Class Battlecruiser was the Federated Suns' first operational WarShip design.[2] Designed to counter the newly-formed Terran Hegemony's Dreadnought-Class Battleships, the Defender was built to have superior speed and firepower. Deliveries of the class proved to be slow, in no small part due to the costly difficulties involved in the production of the massive engines required. A full decade passed before the appearance of the second example of the class. By this time, the Hegemony began producing its superior Monsoon Class-Battleships which eclipsed the Defenders in armor protection and firepower. These ships would be outclassed by the 2380s when Davion authorities ceased production. A total of six vessels were produced.

The ships saw active service irregularly, being reactivated several times after their initial service period. By 2765, a few surviving members of the class were reactivated and served in the fleets of the Federated Suns. Two ships were active near the end of the Star League Era and formed part of the Crucis Fleet of House Davion's navy. One of the two, FSS Golden Lion, served as the flagship of the entire FedSuns Navy, under the command of Fleet Admiral Alexi Viscoff.

The Defenders would be immortalized by the Golden Lion's actions at the Battle of Cholame, where the battlecruiser's efforts in the massive battle blunted the Draconis Combine fleet's attack, severely hampering that faction's efforts during the early years of the First Succession War.[3]

Weapons and Capacities[edit]

The Defenders were designed for speed, and boasted a high rate of acceleration for their day. These ships could outrun and outmaneuver the Terran Hegemony's Dreadnoughts and the early Black Lion Battlecruisers. The ship carried 765 tons of Standard Armor concentrated in the bow, forward-sides, and in the aft section protecting the massive engines.

The Defender's main armament consisted of an array of Class 35 and 20 Naval Autocannons, which were sited in the ship's forward sections and broadsides. One of the Defender's noted weaknesses was the lack of capital weaponry covering the aft-facing sides and aft section. Due to this limitation, a ship's crew needed to use speed and agility to bring the heavy weapons to bear.

The ship's lighter weaponry included a large array of Class-5 Autocannons mounted in weapons bays throughout the entire ship. The autocannons clustered most heavily around the ship's aft, to counter the threat of small craft and fighters attacking this more vulnerable section. The design also included a large number of Machine Guns, mounted throughout the ship and serving in the point defense role.[1]

Cargo[edit]

This design predated the use of DropShips and included no bays for their handling. In their place, the ship had four large DropShuttle Bays. It also housed a Small Craft hangar able to house as many as 20 small craft, as well as a large general-use cargo bay.

  • Bay 1: Small Craft (20), 10 Doors
  • Bay 2: Cargo (105,890 tons), 2 Doors
  • Bay 3: DropShuttle Bay (20,000 tons capacity), 1 Door
  • Bay 4: DropShuttle Bay (20,000 tons capacity), 1 Door
  • Bay 5: DropShuttle Bay (20,000 tons capacity), 1 Door
  • Bay 6: DropShuttle Bay (20,000 tons capacity), 1 Door

See Also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  • The Golden Lion originally appeared in House Davion (The Federated Suns) published in 1988. The ship became the basis for the Defender Class, which would appear in name for the first time decades later in the Strategic Operations rulebook as part of a list of first WarShips entering service for various factions.
  • It also should be noted that the Defender—aside from being the oldest original Federated Suns WarShip to be produced—was also the largest.

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Field Report 2765: AFFS, pp. 26, 30: Defender-Class Battlecruiser
  2. Strategic Operations, p. 15: House Davion/Federated Suns - List of First includes First WarShip - the Defender.
  3. Field Report 2765: AFFS, pp. 6, 25: Naval Defense Doctrine & Defender-Class Battlecruiser - Defender Class's background and its history up to 2787.

Bibliography[edit]