Kephan Unity - KV-43 Class VIII Battlecruiser

[rarcher]

So as hinted at last night, here is the last Outcast ship rebuild for use by the KUSN. This time I took a different approach, instead of keeping the RPL system I gutted it, and then overhauled everything from top to bottom with the intent of using a combination of the lightest, cheapest, but also most bang for your buck systems that the Unity could have access too reliably. This of course meant that the original weight came WAY under the normal Class VIII ship allowance, so after settling on the systems to use I then made up the difference to just barely go over the minimum weight for a Class VIII ship and then used the arguement of its lighter nature to allow a better movement point ratio. The result is a battlecruiser design I felt is quite unique in the playstyle to use in that the heavy hitting weapons are focused to port/starboard in a more older sailing type 'cannon' setup for broadsides. I'm interested to try this out sometime in a future simulation for the Unity! Anyhow enjoy!

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With 2265 bringing in a wealth of Romulan outcasts, and ships. Most of these outcasts took the ships given and had them turned into use for their own use into the soon to be famed 'Green Squadron'. However, one of the last ships to arrive was the V-43 Class VIII cruiser. It was also the only other one with an operational RPL-1 system. Unlike the other designs the outcasts decided upon stripping out the core Romulan systems and kept them for their own future use. They then provided the gutted hull to the KUSN to do with as they please. The KV-43 project came to a head in a heated bidding war between the Knip Shipyards and the Anchor Cooperative. For almost a week the back and forth bidding went unsolved. Finally when both sides seem hell bent on dueling to the death to solve the issue. Fleet Admiral R'Archer happened to be passing by the room when he heard the growing commotion. Firing off a phaser into the ceiling twice to finally calm down and get everyone to shut up, R'Archer demanded to know what the noise and commotion was all about. After another phaser shot into the ceiling to quiet the storm of replies, R'Archer got both sides to individually say what had been going on. R'Archer proposed a compromise, the gutted hull would be copied by both firms for use, the original would put into reserve scrapyards for later use. Then both firms would go their own ways and design the best ship they felt met the battlecruiser contract. He then inquired what the details were that the KUSN had put forth.

Looking them over, R'Archer decided to but both firms to tighter standards. The original contract called for a class VII-IX battle cruiser weight vessel, the budget was simply listed as 'within reason', and the armament listed as 'big punch, mid-long range'. All in all the andorian Fleet Admiral felt it was far too vague, not to mention it gave too much control to the firms to possibly abuse the tight budgets of the Unity. So after a brief series of calls, he returned setting the standards for the new contract. The vessel would be a battle cruiser still, but it would be of a class VIII weight. All the systems were to mix the value of easy to purchase, while maximizing the 'bang for the buck'. The vessel equally had to be fast and costs kept as low a possible for future construction plans. With this in mind both firms set to work.

The designing between both firms again became heated over the next year and a half. But this time R'Archer kept out of it, as did many others within the KUSN. Finally, by the middle of 2267 the final designs of both firms came to R'Archer's desk for approval. Looking between both, R'Archer laid both sheets of paper down, and simply said, 'combine the best of both'. Shocked both firms representatives protested this turn of events! But after laying out the benefits to both firms they grudgingly agreed and got to work. But the end of 2268 four of the KV-43 battlecruisers had been built, with plans laid to further construction by 2 per year as needs and shipyards came open.

The final design was interesting. This is due to the style of placement of weapons used by both firms. Because of the back and forth corporate espionage by both parties the weapon arcs took up an old sailing ship style 'broadside' approach to the torpedoes systems. As well as a fairly similar approach to the disruptors used. This in turn meant tactics for these battlecruisers use would have to be adapted beyond the traditional attack patterns used by many known powers and the KUSN. The ships were in appearance retained the V-43 hulls they were based on. However, they had expanded cargo bays, accompaniments for marines, and moderately roomy passenger accompandations. Scientific facilities were limited in scope but considered acceptable, as were the training and recreation rooms. The class used dual Orion built Mark-III computer systems. For primary warp power, the Klingon designed KWC-3 drive system was used giving a wealth of power and speed. The impulse motors were built by a variant of the OID-3 system into the KUID-3 with built in survivability for combat. Standard OD-9 disruptors rounded out the energy weapon systems to cover all arcs. The Federation FP-6 system made up the bulk of the port and starboard fire of the class in a broadside manner. For defense light armor plating and structural reinforcement coupled with a Unity variant of the Klingon KSH shield system was put in place. The final design was barely a Class VIII vessel and so with refinements gained further maneuverability after trial testing to other vessels of its type. For now all four ships are berthed around Kepha used by the KUSN as training vessels by those who attend the Kepha Planetary Training Command Post, there the KUSN studies how to best use this class of ships in fleet actions for future engagements.

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Model Number: Mk I
Date Entering Service: 2268
Number constructed: 4

Superstructure: 30
Damage Chart: C

Length: 183.4 meters
Width: 338.1 meters
Height: 60.4 meters
Weight: 100,055 mt

Total SCU: 300
Cargo Capacity: 15,000 mt

Computer Type: Mark-III x2

Transporter Systems:
6-person Transporters: 3
Combat: 2
Emergency: 1
Cargo: 2

Crew: 200
Troops: 40
Passengers: 10
Shuttlecraft: 2x Type-1

Total Power Units: 66
Movement point ratio: 2/1
Warp Engine Type: KWC-3
Number: 2
Power Units: 23 each
Stress Charts: L/O
Cruising Speed: Warp 8
Emergency Speed: Warp 9

Impulse Engine Type: KUID-3
Number: 2
Power Units: 10 each
Game Note: When an impulse system is hit directly only subtract power every other hit due to its redundant nature

Beam Weapon: OD-9
Number: 8 in 4 banks, 1 in a single emitter
Firing Arcs: 1f 2fp 2fs 2ap 2as
Firing Chart: N
Max Power: 5
Damage Mod:
+1: (1-13)

Torpedo Type: FP-6
Number: 6
Firing Arcs: 3p 3s
Firing Chart: O
Power to arm: 1
Damage: 12

Shield Type: KUKSH
Shield Point Ratio: 1/3
Max Shield: 12
Game Note: When the shield array system is hit directly only subtract damage every other hit due to its rundant nature

D: 201.9
WDF: 63.3
Combat Efficiency: 127.9

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brickwall thoughts?

[brickwall]

Please permit me to expand the backstory on this new addition. And a zillion thank-yous for creating it in the first place.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

The year 2265 brought in a wealth of Romulan outcasts and their ships. Most of them took these vessels and modified them into the steel fist of the future famous 'Green Squadron'. One of the last ships to arrive was the V-43 Skylord cruiser.

It was also the only other one with an operational RPL-1 system. Unlike the other designs, the outcasts decided upon stripping out the core systems and kept them for their own future use. They provided the gutted hull to the Star Navy to do with as they please.

The KV-43 project came to a head in a heated bidding war between the K'nip Shun Scrapyards and the Anchor Cooperative. For almost a week in the Main Conference Room of the Congressional Palace, the back and forth bidding went unsolved. Both sides even seemed hell bent on dueling to the death to solve the issue. Fleet Admiral Ektat R'Archer happened to be passing by when he heard the growing commotion. Bursting into the room, he fired two phaser shots into the ceiling. Calming down the would-be combatants, he demanded to know what the noise was all about. A storm of replies battered his ears, earning the civilians another phaser shot into the ceiling.

After this, according to them, the Fleet Admiral then chuckled and smiled. “Gentlemen,” he said, “I guess this means I am now a true Kephan. Why? It's said we do most everything in threes.” He pointed to the ceiling. “Even in shutting up the lot of you. Up there is your proof. Now, one at a time, explain yourselves.”

Both sides made their case before the Andorian. He dressed them down, reminding them of their joining forces to build the Chesterton-class battleships. Many heads bowed in shame.

R'Archer proposed a compromise. Both firms would copy the Skylord's gutted hull, while the former outcasts would keep it for later use. Then each company would go their own ways and design the best ship they felt met the requirements. Next day, he asked Tri-Planetary Command (TPC) what they looked for in the proposed battlecruiser. What they presented him gave him a headache.

The original contract called for a class VII-IX battle cruiser weight vessel. The budget was simply listed as 'within reason', the armament listed as 'big punch, mid-long range'. All in all, the Fleet Admiral felt it was far too vague. Furthermore, it gave too much control to both firms, tempting them to go over budget. R'Archer decided to hold both companies to tighter standards.

So after two days of heated calls, he summoned each firm to the Main Conference Room. He presented the standards for the new contract. The vessel would still be a battle cruiser, but it would be of a class VIII weight. It had to be fast and economical for possible plans for future construction. All the systems must “maximize the best bang for the buck without cutting corners” as he demanded. “I'll be watching you both – closely.” Thus warned, both firms set to work.

Over the next year and a half, Anchor and K'nip Shun kept their open hostilities under wraps while working on their designs. They knew better to keep R'Archer out of it. By the middle of 2267, the final designs of both firms came to his desk for approval. After perusing both proposals, a smiling R'Archer said, "Keep it simple, gentlemen. Combine them both!". Shocked, both firms' representatives protested this turn of events. The Andorian reminded them again of their combined work on the Chestertons, as well as laying out the benefits to both firms. They grudgingly agreed and got to work. By the end of 2268, four of the KV-43 battlecruisers had been built.

The final design was eye-catching thanks to the style of weapons placement both firms used. Due to their mutual corporate espionage, the weapon arcs took up an old-style sailing ship 'broadside' approach to the torpedoes. The disruptors used a fairly similar approach. This meant tactics for these vessels were modified beyond commonly accepted attack patterns.

The ships retained the V-43's appearance. However, they expanded cargo bays, marine barracks and passenger quarters. Science labs were small but acceptable, as were the training and recreation rooms. The class used dual Orion built Mark-III computer systems. For primary warp power, the Klingon designed KWC-3 drive system was used, giving a wealth of power and speed. The KUID-3 impulse engines - - a variant of the OID-3 system - - was built with combat survivability in mind. Standard OD-9 disruptors rounded out the energy weapon systems to cover all arcs. Federation FP-6 systems made up the bulk of the port and starboard fire of the class. For defense, light armor plating and structural reinforcement coupled with a Unity variant of the Klingon KSH shield system was put in place.

The final design barely made Class VIII status. With refinements, it gained further maneuverability after trial testing to other vessels of its type. For now, all four ships are berthed above Kepha. The Star Navy uses them as training vessels by attendees of the Kepha Planetary Training Command Post. There the KUSN studies how to best use this class of ships in fleet actions for future engagements. Plans are to make 2 per year as needs and shipyards came open.

[rarcher]

Much better brickwall thank you!