Samarkand Block II (WarShip class)
Sarna News
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| Samarkand Block II | |
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Draconis Combine |
| Introduced | 2668 |
| Production Year | 2668[1] |
| Use | Aerospace Carrier Troop Transport Orbit-to-Surface Fire Support Escort Ship |
| Tech Base | Inner Sphere Advanced |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 350,000 tons |
| Length | 501 meters |
| Sail Diameter | 967 meters |
| Fuel | 2,678 tons (6,562 points) |
| Burn Rate | 66.42 (maximum days) |
| Safe Thrust | 2 g |
| Top Thrust | 3 g |
| Sail Integrity | 3 |
| KF Drive Integrity | 8 |
| LF Battery | no |
| Armament |
|
| Armor | Ferro-Carbide Armor |
| DropShip Capacity | 4 |
| Crew | 35 Officers, 110 Enlisted/non-rated, 100 Marines, 204 Bay personnel |
| Grav Decks | 150 meter 60 meter |
| Escape Pods/Life Boats | 30/0 |
| Heat Sinks | 1,700 |
| Structural Integrity | 73 |
| BV (2.0) | 35,258 |
Contents
Description[edit]
The Samarkand-class Block II is a second-generation Draconis Combine WarShip sized aerospace fighter carrier. They were considered good escort vessels, but they are noted for not being able to handle vessels larger than itself due to its light complement of capital weaponry in addition to its thin rear facing armor and weapons. In desperate situations, when fighter availability was low, the Samarkand was utilized as a last-ditch decoy to buy time for embattled ground forces.
The class was originally introduced in 2579 and served in the Reunification War. In 2668, 89 years later, Coordinator Urizen Kurita authorized the construction of a new improved version of the venerable class. The Block II was infused with new technologies that improved the ship's weaponry and armor over the original design. A large quantity of the class was produced which was utilized by the Star League Defense Force as escorts.
These ships were used as part of the liberation of Terra from the tyrant Stefan Amaris and his Rim Worlds Republican Army. Most of these ships were destroyed during Operation LIBERATION. At least one Samarkand - the SLS Beijing - joined Aleksandr Kerensky's Exodus Fleet.[2]
The surviving units in the Combine's naval service were stationed on the border with the Lyran Commonwealth and the Federated Suns. Nearly all these survivors were destroyed in the First and Second Succession Wars.
Only a single survivor of the class exists in the Inner Sphere as of 3075, the DCS Togura which has been converted into an orbiting museum.[3]
Armaments & Capabilities[edit]
Weaponry[edit]
The principal capital weaponry includes, in its front arc, a pair of Medium Naval PPCs & a pair of Class 35 Naval Lasers. On its front sides it has single Class 20 Naval Autocannon complement per front-side arcs. Its capital broadsides feature only a single Heavy Naval PPC per arc, while its aft sides carry a pair of Class 35 Naval Lasers. Protecting its aft quarter is a pair of Class 45 Naval Lasers.
Its conventional weaponry includes, in the nose, five LRM-20 launchers backed up four medium lasers. On the ship's front sides, it has four LRM-10 launchers and three SRM 4 launchers providing close up protection. On its broadsides, it has ten Machine Guns each, providing last-ditch defense with 100 rounds per side.
In each of its aft sides it mounts; A pair of Large Lasers and a pair of medium lasers together in a weapons, Five LRM-20 launchers, and six Machine guns per side with 100 rounds of ammo.
In the aft, the Samarkand has a single Large Laser with a pair of medium lasers and six Machine Guns providing protection against conventional threats.[4]
Protection[edit]
The Samarkand has 511 tons of Ferro-Carbide Armor protecting its side and aft nearly evenly with 21 more tons mounted in the bow. Its structural integrity is 74, 3 points more than the Block I ships.[5]
Cargo[edit]
The ship's payload includes:
- Bay 1: Fighters (36) - 4 Doors
- Bay 2: Small Craft (12) - 1 Door
- Bay 3: Fighters (36) - 4 Doors
- Bay 4: Cargo (36,029 tons) - 6 Doors
See Also[edit]
Related Ships[edit]
Notes[edit]
- No canon record sheet has been produced for the Samarkand Block II, at the time of this writing.
References[edit]
- ↑ MUL online date for the Samarkand Block II (WarShip class)
- ↑ The Wars of Reaving, p. 162: "WarShips"
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3075, p. 216: Samarkand (Carrier) - Background
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3075, pp. 216–217: Samarkand (Carrier) - Stats
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3075, p. 216: "Samarkand (Carrier)"
Bibliography[edit]
- Tactics of Desperation (BattleCorps Scenario)
- Technical Readout: 3075
- The Wars of Reaving