Dart (WarShip class)
Sarna News
- This article is about the WarShip class. For the light BattleMech, see Dart (BattleMech).
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| |
| Dart | |
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Di Tron Heavy Industries |
| Introduced | 2305[1] |
| Production Year | 2305[2] |
| Use | Light Cruiser |
| Tech Base | Star League |
| Cost | 6,817,133,800 |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 680,000 tons |
| Length | 703 m |
| Sail Diameter | 1,135 m |
| Fuel | 8,975 tons |
| Burn Rate | 39.52 |
| Safe Thrust | 1 g |
| Top Thrust | 1.5 g |
| Sail Integrity | 4 |
| KF Drive Integrity | 14 |
| LF Battery | No |
| Armament |
|
| Armor | 1,194 tons of Standard |
| DropShip Capacity | 6 |
| Crew | 45 officers, 136 enlisted/non-rated, 36 gunners, 120 marines and 30 bay
personnel |
| Grav Decks | 2 x 145 meter diameter |
| Escape Pods/Life Boats | 29/35 |
| Heat Sinks | 2,358 Heat Sinks |
| Structural Integrity | 90 |
| BV (1.0) | 114,986[3] |
| BV (2.0) | ??? |
Description
In the early years of the Terran Alliance, the naval command identified a need for a WarShip that could operate independently not only as a combat vessel, but also as an exploration ship and cargo carrier when required. They needed it to be able to function competently even in the furthest reaches of the Alliance, or beyond the other realms of the Inner Sphere. The ship also had to be heavy enough to withstand some of the arduous demands placed on ships in the harshness of space during exploration or combat. Di Tron Heavy Industries supplied the Terran Navy the answer: the Dart-class light cruiser.[3]
The Dart-class was a ship designed specifically for independent duty. The construction of the ship included very large fuel storage tanks and a cargo bay massing over 15% of the ship's mass. Built into the hull were six-drop collars to handle the large military and civilian class DropShips. While not the largest of WarShips, it was large enough to have a reinforced structural integrity not commonly found on WarShips of the same size.[3]
One unique aspect of the Dart was its maneuver drives: the new Century 4000. Though massive, the Century 4000 was robust and very dependable. Most engineers joked that they were required only to change the oil and filter during scheduled maintenance periods for the drives. 1,200 tons of standard armor protected the ship's hull. The weapons were a mixture of heavy energy weapons and naval autocannons.[3]
The Dart-class served for nearly 200 years before they were retired in favor of the new Avatar-cruiser. Many of the Periphery nations purchased the ships, however with their weapons removed, and saw service into the Reunification War. The SLS Gettysburg destroyed the last known Dart in the New Vandenberg revolt in 2722. The Dart cruiser was a shell of its former self when fanatical Periphery separatists attempted to destroy the newer Essex-class destroyer.[3]
In 2766, the Rim Worlds Republic WarShip fleet deployed an unknown Dart-Class Cruiser in an effort to secure the shipyards above Mars.[4]
Armament
The armament of the Dart-class is focused on larger naval adversaries. The Dart mounts several medium-grade naval autocannons, and supplements this payload with naval lasers, naval PPCs, and naval missile systems. This choice in ammunition-dependent weaponry seems curious, given the Dart's intended role as an independent vessel. The Dart is also quite defenseless against aerospace fighters on its own - the ship only has 4 Killer Whale missile systems and no fighter screen.[3]
Cargo
The Dart has a 140,060 tons cargo capacity, can ferry 6 small craft, and translate with an impressive 6 DropShips.[3]
See Also
Gallery
Original Dart from TRO:3057 Revised
References
- ↑ MUL online date for Dart
- ↑ MUL online date for the Dart (WarShip class)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Technical Readout: 3057 Revised, p. 212, "Dart WarShip Profile"
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3026 Revised, p. 120, "Model 96 "Elephant DropShip profile". - Two squadrons of Elephants destroyed RWR Dart