Avalon
Sarna News
- This article is about the WarShip class. For other uses, see Avalon (disambiguation).
| |
| Avalon | |
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Yare Shipbuilders[1] with Kathil Shipworks[2] |
| Production Year | 3061[3] |
| Use | Missile Cruiser |
| Tech Base | Inner Sphere |
| Cost | 25,270,952,000 C-Bills[3] |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 770,000 tons |
| Length | 812 meters |
| Sail Diameter | 1,375 meters |
| Fuel | 10,000 tons |
| Burn Rate | |
| Safe Thrust | 2 g |
| Top Thrust | 3 g |
| Sail Integrity | 4 |
| KF Drive Integrity | 16 |
| LF Battery | Yes |
| Armament |
|
| Armor | 1,801 tons Lamellor Ferro-Carbide |
| DropShip Capacity | 6 |
| Crew | 198[4]
Bay Personnel: 12 |
| Grav Decks | 2 x 145 meters diameter |
| Escape Pods/Life Boats | 35/15 |
| Heat Sinks | 937 double |
| Structural Integrity | 120 |
| BV (1.0) | 174,829[5] |
| BV (2.0) | 156,931[4] |
Description[edit]
Although initial designs were laid out in the early 3050s, production on the Avalon class WarShip did not begin until much later due to the financial cost of recovering from the Clan Invasion. Given the issues of sourcing the interplanetary drive for the first six examples of the Fox, this decision proved to be fortuitous.[1] In the meantime, the shipyards at Galax, Kathil, and New Syrtis were heavily upgraded in anticipation, resulting in some of the most modern shipyards in the Inner Sphere capable of independent production, again a boon as the Terran system was shorty thereafter taken by the Word of Blake. Ultimately, the honor of building the Avalon went to a joint operation between Kathil Shipworks and Yare Shipbuilders above Kathil in the massive James McKenna Shipyards, with the first keel laid in early 3057.[1][4] K-F Drive manufacturing was handled by Universal Air, one of the Kathil Shipworks partners.[2]
AFFC Admiralty and the Department of the Quartermaster requested the class's reclassification as a missile cruiser, following years of changes as naval technology was refined and rediscovered throughout the Clan Invasion. Weighing in at 770,000 tons, the class originally had far more laser-based weapons. The Avalon was then fitted with fourteen AR-10 missile tubes, and carried enough direct-fire weaponry to keep opponents from getting too close, though the ship was unable to use more than half of its weaponry effectively in combat.[1] The ship was quite heavily armored, carrying over 1,801 tons of Lamellor Ferro-Carbide armor, better protection than even the vaunted McKenna.[4]
Massive Goliath LV9 engines can propel the Avalon at speeds uncommon for a cruiser, giving the ship unparalleled maneuverability and the edge against ships of similar size.[citation needed]
Only three Avalons survived the internecine FedCom Civil War.[6] One was shortly thereafter destroyed by a daring Death Commando raid on the Kathil Ship works in 3070,[7] while another was suborned by the Word of Blake and ultimately destroyed in their final stand at Circinus in 3081.[8]
The last Avalon was lost in the Palmyra Disaster of 3144.[9][10] Thus ended the class and the last testament of the union that created the Federated Commonwealth.
Armament[edit]
The Avalon's fourteen AR-10 missile tubes are capable of launching any capital missile available, though the ship typically carries Killer Whale and Barracuda missiles. Because of their concentrated punch and extended range these missiles can spell disaster for those on the receiving end, the shaped charge penetrating even the heaviest of armor. Screen Launchers on the bow and broadsides help prevent this tactic from being used against the Avalon as well. For support, the Avalon carries a variety of medium grade naval weaponry including NL45 and 55s, NAC/20 and 40s, and several Medium Naval Gauss cannons. Together, these weapons make the Avalon a dangerous foe.[4] As the Avalon was designed to be escorted by at least a dozen DropShips, point-defense weaponry is kept at a minimum to focus on the ship-killing abilities of the missile launchers.[1]
Cargo[edit]
The Avalon is also designed as the center of a task force with fleet tactics and deployments in mind and carries a staggering amount of fuel and cargo to support its attendants. Six DropShips, twelve aerospace fighters, and a number of conventional weapons protect the Avalon from enemy fighter squadrons and DropShips and add to the vessel's already heavy firepower.[1][4]
- Bay 1: Aerospace Fighters / Small Craft (6), 2 doors
- Bay 2: Aerospace Fighters / Small Craft (6), 2 doors
- Bay 3: Cargo (14,200 tons), 4 doors
See Also[edit]
Notes[edit]
Twelve "fighter/shuttle pilots" are noted in TRO:3067 and FM:FS. To keep to the standard categories found in other and later publications, those positions are designated as "Bay Personnel." The listing does leave the fighters without explicit maintenance support and the "gunners" listing is ommited despite being found in previous and subsequent listings for other classes.
Gallery[edit]
Two Avalon-class Cruisers docked from Operation: Flashpoint
Avalon-class WarShip from TRO:3067
An Avalon-class WarShip in orbit from TRO:3067
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Field Manual: Federated Suns, p. 162: "Avalon-class Cruiser"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Handbook: House Davion, pp. 166–167: "Kathil Shipworks (Not Traded)"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "MUL online entry for the Avalon". Master Unit List. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Technical Readout: 3067, p. 206: "Avalon (Cruiser)"
- ↑ AeroTech 2 Record Sheets, p. 296
- ↑ Field Manual: Updates, p. 124
- ↑ Blake Ascending, p. 203: "Kathil Attacked!"
- ↑ Jihad: Final Reckoning, p. 128
- ↑ Field Manual: 3145, p. 21: "Palmyra Disaster"
- ↑ Era Report: 3145, p. 34