[X] 0: Upgrade the Stingray-class engines. (Warp 5 Engine, Impulse Thrusters) (30 Industry) (+3 Industry Cost)
[X] 1: Do not upgrade the Stingray-class weapons.
[X] 2: Upgun the Stingray-class. (+3 Phase Cannons) (30 Industry) (+6 Industry Cost)
Scoot and shoot. Make her fast, make her hit in any direction, and get her out. She's a calvary charger, and the phase cannons are there to create an opening to exploit for the torpedoes, assuming they don't take care of the problem on their own. If the torpedoes were stronger than atomics I'd consider switching, but there's more use in the system that's not ammunition based.
I hope we do 1 upgrade per year as doing that will give us a greater amount if industry at the end with an increase of I think if my math is correct of about 10 (rounded) more than the increase if all are done in 1 year
So since it's clear whats going to win lets look at what were probably going to be retrofitting next.
Upgrading our Zheng Hes with the new warp engines comes out to 18 industry total? (If I'm right the engine upgrade is 3 each)
Thats pretty good value, two more than a new Zheng He for what I think is probably far better than doubling our over all rate of shipping that isn't carried by the Boomers.
I think we'll want to replace the boomers as much as possible before the war, they're going to be way too vulnerable to Romulan attacks.
I think what we might need that we don't have is a refit/yardship. There are going to be damaged ships that we need to tow back and I don't think anything we have can do that.
By my understanding we have 5 ships with 2 torpedo tubes each, for 10 in total. Since the tubes don't need replacement we only have to pay the upgrade cost from spatial (1 cost) -> atomics (2 cost), which is a difference of 1 Industry per torpedo system, which would be 2 Industry per ship. However, that should be a total cost of 10 Industry, not 5.
By my understanding we have 5 ships with 2 torpedo tubes each, for 10 in total. Since the tubes don't need replacement we only have to pay the upgrade cost from spatial (1 cost) -> atomics (2 cost), which is a difference of 1 Industry per torpedo system, which would be 2 Industry per ship. However, that should be a total cost of 10 Industry, not 5.
[X] 0: Upgrade the Stingray-class engines. (Warp 5 Engine, Impulse Thrusters) (30 Industry) (+3 Industry Cost)
[X] 1: Upgrade the Stingray-class weapons. (Atomic Torpedoes) (5 Industry) (+2 Industry Cost)
[X] 2: Do not upgun the Stingray-class.
The overhaul of the Stingray-class takes up most of your industrial capacity over the next year, with focus given to the production of Warp 5 engines and impulse assemblies. All told the increase in capability is most welcome - although you can't upgrade the nacelles themselves, the new warp engine produces significant increases nonetheless. Previously the Stingray was limited to Warp 3.4 at full sprint, but now she can comfortably cruise at the same speed. Serendipitously the racing configuration of her nacelles have allowed even that outdated design to eke out Warp 4.9, equalling the NX class in top speed.
In addition to the warp drive upgrade she has also been equipped with the new atomic torpedoes. But the most significant increase to her lethality has been the addition of the Type-1 impulse thrusters rather than her reactant nozzles, which has seen the Stingray demonstrate a massive leap in manoeuvrability. Her newfound agility means that she can keep hostiles in her forward weapons arc much more reliably, increasing time and damage on target. Combined with her newfound increases to operational range, which even with her lone antimatter pod can see her making the journey from Earth to the Proxima Centauri colony nine times over before a refuel is required, the Stingray represents a real possibility for an anti-piracy patrol cruiser.
This is precisely why Starfleet Command wants your feedback on the future of the class. It is open to commissioning another run of the Stingray, but is aware that there may be newer and better things coming down the pipeline which would make a purpose-built design more attractive. As it stands the NX-class production run is due to finish at the start of 2155 with the launch of Discovery, so you would need two yards working simultaneously for a larger order, which would in turn reduce spare capacity for expansion. But it might be worth it.
[ ] Recommend a six-ship run of the Stingray. (-30 Industry) (+1.3 Industry/Year) [Ends 2155]
[ ] Recommend a more conservative run of three ships. (-15 Industry) (+4.4 Industry/Year) [Ends 2155]
[X] Recommend a more conservative run of three ships. (-15 Industry) (+4.4 Industry/Year) [Ends 2155]
I'm more interested in keeping our options open for whatever comes next.
[X] Recommend a more conservative run of three ships. (-15 Industry) (+4.4 Industry/Year) [Ends 2155]
Having all of our industry free up at the same time will be nice for any additional refit/design plans (plus this nets us a bit more industry to build with). Also that refit did work
[] Recommend another five-ship run of the Stingray. (-25 Industry) (+2.4 Industry/Year) [Ends 2157]
We need to bulk up our numbers so time to bite the bullet and make a full run of them.
Edited: to new vote.
[X] Recommend a six-ship run of the Stingray. (-30 Industry) (+1.3 Industry/Year) [Ends 2155]
I would like to do another run of the NX as well, so let's go with this.
[X] Recommend another five-ship run of the Stingray. (-25 Industry) (+2.4 Industry/Year) [Ends 2157]
We need to bulk up our numbers so time to bite the bullet and make a full run of them.
[X] Recommend a more conservative run of three ships. (-15 Industry) (+4.4 Industry/Year) [Ends 2155]
While I like a tranche of five more Stingrays, I want my industries open for any project that will pop up, especially ones that will be decided once the Earth-Romulan war erupts.
[X] Recommend a more conservative run of three ships. (-15 Industry) (+4.4 Industry/Year) [Ends 2155]
While I would like to do a run of five since there is a war on the way. I feel that ending production at the same time as the NX will allow for greater flexibility in what we produce next. If the war isn't over by then we could produce a true torpedo ship, and if the war is over, then we can move onto a dedicated science platform with all of our industrial capacity available for use.
