Traveller, The Rise of Empire: A Naval Design, Procurement and Command Quest

PLAN - Fast as F**k boi and Assault Carrier

---

Instant Messaging
Clarity of intelligence is going to be vital going forwards, if the incidents in Cassalon have taught us anything. The senior members of the fleet have decided that what is needed is a small, cheap message carrier that is capable of delivering priority cargo and messages at very long ranges without refuelling. Thus the Corvette, Fast Courier is born, a 100-dton ship with a crew of just five and a range of 4 parsecs without ever seeing a drop tank.

It does not, unfortunately, meet the requirements for a fast passenger transport as designed, but it is broadly understood that in the event of requiring just such a transport the gunner will give up their bunk and re-unite with their ship at a later date. Is the CFC going to be a comfortable ship for its crew? No. However, this is a vessel that can cross four parsecs in a months without ever seeing a refuelling station and thus can make a journey from the furthest known points of space all the way to Home without stopping. All of this capability will cost the HSWS barely more than 40 million credits per ship, as well.

How many should be built?
[ ] Three, used sparingly and deployed when necessary.
[ ] Six, one for each potential posting.
[ ] Nine, one each plus spares.

The FLF carrier is going to be almost the exact opposite of the sleek corvette. While the former is trimmed as much as possible, the latter will be a fat, bloated whale of a ship that can carry and deploy some 800 people to the surface of the world from their deep hangers. The carrier - likely to receive the designation 'Military Assault Transport' - will require the following components:
- Quarters for 33 officers and 748 enlisted soldiers, requiring a tonnage of at least 1,628 devoted solely to this. It is expected that common areas and other requirements will raise this to 1,700 tons. This will allow the carriage and deployment of three rifle companies, a fires company and the ranger company, as well as the HQ&S unit that organises the battalion. See the following chart for force org:
- Hanger space, launch and landing facilities for a total of 20 shuttles. This will allow the 17 landing craft the battalion requires, plus three spares for emergencies, low intensity operations or supply deliveries. Current plans are for the FLF to use the 'standard' 50-ton prototype boarding shuttle once that reaches mass production. This will require 2,300 tons devoted solely to carrier operations.
- Drives will require 6.5% of the ships hull, the power plant around 14%, fuel for two jumps will need 20% and plant fuel another 2.8%, a moderate armour scheme suggests 10% of volume as plating. Based solely on the above additional equipment and given this 53.3% devoted to vital equipment, it is expected that the ship must be 8,000 tons or even larger in total volume.

If we are to fit the additional requirements into the ship, as well as arming it, fulfilling crew requirements and more, we will need to make some compromises in order to bring it to the requested 6,000 tons.
What elements would the HSWS be willing to compromise on?
[ ] Carry only one jump, relying on a tanker for range.
[ ] Reduce the in-system speed, lowering both drive and plant requirements.
[ ] Slim down the armour scheme.
[ ] Slow launch - save 500 tons by skipping the launch tubes
[ ] Slow landing - save 500 tons by skipping the recovery deck
[ ] Other - write-in

---

The Coming of the Lion
The first Aslan ship to ever be allowed into the Home system identifies itself over communications as the Halaheike-class pocket warship Perumai. Escorted by a pair of Interstellar Cruisers, this rotund little ship slides into Home's orbit with all the skill of an experienced pilot. Its fighters dance around orbital traffic, demonstrating performance flying for the entertainment of HSWS sailors. Eventually they form up on the wing of their carrier, drifting closer and closer until one by one they slide back into snug hangars.

Over the next weeks the Perumai operates alongside the Ninurta and the Tlaloc, conducting a series of mock-engagements with the larger, but less heavily armed ship. The high firepower quotient of the Interstellar Cruisers proves decisive in several engagements, though strafing runs by the Aslan fighters are particularly effective at picking off turrets and beam cannons.

The Aslan also see the first flight tests of the XF-40 multi-role attack craft. The tiny ship with its crew of two conducts numerous demonstration flights and attack runs with both anti-ship missiles in space and air-to-ground missiles deployed from its ordnance bays. The HSWS is very happy with it and the Aslan males roar their approval with every accurate pass made with bombs or missiles.

When the Aslan leave, they depart in company with a single Interstellar Cruiser and the HSLS Bá Kim, the diplomatic ship designed to be a travelling embassy. They will hopefully return in several months with news of successful diplomacy and a more detailed agreement reached between the two peoples - ours and theirs.

What would the HSWS hope to achieve from this diplomacy?
[ ] Transit rights, to extend the range of our scouts.
[ ] Technological exchange, to improve our ship building.
[ ] Trade, to increase the wealth of Home.
[ ] Something else - write in

Please present any votes as a plan. Voting opens at Aug 20, 2024 at 10:00 AM
I'm leaving the patches competition open for another day, so be sure to get your designs in!