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

[X] Ensign 3

[X] Combine operations, with IS ships jumping into light grey sectors and DSS ships jumping into dark grey systems to cover ground quickly.

A possible solution to the "what if we have another Heimdall incident" could be jump drones - we outfit a probe with a jump drive, it jumps into a system, jumps back, and relays the info. The cost of each probe is low enough that if a probe gets destroyed, we're not particularly worried?
 
[X] Ensign 3

[X] Combine operations, with IS ships jumping into light grey sectors and DSS ships jumping into dark grey systems to cover ground quickly.
 
jump drones - we outfit a probe with a jump drive, it jumps into a system, jumps back, and relays the info. The cost of each probe is low enough that if a probe gets destroyed, we're not particularly worried?,
We haven't designed the Deep Space Surveyors with that it mind so we've got no room to put it in. Plus, what if the ship has no time to launch it? That said, I'd be interested to know whether unmanned jumps are possible and what's the smallest jump-capable ship feasible to build.
 
We haven't designed the Deep Space Surveyors with that it mind so we've got no room to put it in. Plus, what if the ship has no time to launch it? That said, I'd be interested to know whether unmanned jumps are possible and what's the smallest jump-capable ship feasible to build.
After inquiring, not with our tech, and 1350 cubic metres, sadly.
 
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The SDB/DSS is an absolutely gorgeous hull. I can't decide if it looks more like something you'd fly in Elite, or a death trap for a troop of soldiers in X-COM.

Anyway, I'm gonna continue to advocate keeping it chill:

[X] Ensign 3
[X] Conduct short ranged scouting and long-duration missions in the light grey sectors to assess details about the more distant sectors.
 
[X] Ensign 3

[X] Combine operations, with IS ships jumping into light grey sectors and DSS ships jumping into dark grey systems to cover ground quickly.

This is an excellent plan; I just hope we build the monitors fast so we can pump out Lancer-classes to back the DSS missions up if they need it. Then again, @4WheelSword, could we, if the stars align, be thinking about a Destroyer Escort built off the DSS hull, maybe a revival of the Crossbow proposal?

Either way, here's my vote:

-[X] Ensign 3
-[X] Combine operations, with IS ships jumping into light grey sectors and DSS ships jumping into dark grey systems to cover ground quickly.
 
This is an excellent plan; I just hope we build the monitors fast so we can pump out Lancer-classes to back the DSS missions up if they need it. Then again, @4WheelSword, could we, if the stars align, be thinking about a Destroyer Escort built off the DSS hull, maybe a revival of the Crossbow proposal?
As designed, the Lancer-class is flawed. With drop-tanks it's going to be obsolete soon after coming into service. IMHO, we ought to build two or three Monitors and the jump straight to long-range multi-role capital ships at around 5K tonnes.

@ @4WheelSword I wonder, would it be possible to design a ship that docks into our Flotilla Logistics Ship, jumps both ship at once using the fuel stored in the Flotilla Support Ship and then continues alone?
 
The one thing I'm wondering about is how swiftly we'll advance TLs, J-2 drives will instantly obsolete our entire fleet.
 
Then again, @4WheelSword, could we, if the stars align, be thinking about a Destroyer Escort built off the DSS hull, maybe a revival of the Crossbow proposal?
Absolutely, I think there's a lot of utility to a small platform with one really good gun.

@ @4WheelSword I wonder, would it be possible to design a ship that docks into our Flotilla Logistics Ship, jumps both ship at once using the fuel stored in the Flotilla Support Ship and then continues alone?
So... yes, in theory. It depends what you means by 'docks in' because that's a big ass jump drive it would need (something like 4% of the tonnage of both ships) but if you're planning to use the flotilla ship as a drop tank, I imagine you're thinking big.

The one thing I'm wondering about is how swiftly we'll advance TLs, J-2 drives will instantly obsolete our entire fleet.
J-2 isn't for at least a couple of tech levels. Enjoy crawling around! :p
 
[X] Conduct short ranged scouting and long-duration missions in the light grey sectors to assess details about the more distant sectors.

I'd urge building the multi-role once we finish the monitor; we have no need for multiple monitors at this point and cranking out more of them is going to eat yard space (and time) for a long while.
 
[x] Ensign 3
I like this orbital loop design, works the best on the flag in my opinion.
[x] Combine operations, with IS ships jumping into light grey sectors and DSS ships jumping into dark grey systems to cover ground quickly.
I want to know where the nearest planets are first, then we can follow up with more detailed surveys.
 
Here's the redesigns from Ensign 3 that don't have color stacking. I think the first variant with emblem on white looks nicer:





I'd urge building the multi-role once we finish the monitor; we have no need for multiple monitors at this point and cranking out more of them is going to eat yard space (and time) for a long while.
At the moment building Monitors doesn't compete with long-range needs. It's the best moment to build up some of our defenses, since we've got no pressing needs elsewhere.
 
[X] Ensign 3
[X] Conduct short ranged scouting and long-duration missions in the light grey sectors to assess details about the more distant sectors.

This plan is sound, so this gets my vote, not to mention I dig the third ensign for our navy.
 
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As designed, the Lancer-class is flawed. With drop-tanks it's going to be obsolete soon after coming into service. IMHO, we ought to build two or three Monitors and the jump straight to long-range multi-role capital ships at around 5K tonnes.

The Lancer-class' current design could use a little sprucing up, but I will remind all present that it's a compromise version of multiple preceding designs intended to be buildable alongside the Monitor.

Absolutely, I think there's a lot of utility to a small platform with one really good gun.

In this case, the "one good gun" I'm imagining is a rotary launcher full of Type 20 torps. Hell, I think I could just take the Crossbow-class out of the freezer and see how well its original 800-ton design maps to the DSS.
 
In this case, the "one good gun" I'm imagining is a rotary launcher full of Type 20 torps. Hell, I think I could just take the Crossbow-class out of the freezer and see how well its original 800-ton design maps to the DSS.
One issue you might run into is the sheer size of the torpedoes themselves. They're 2.5 tons each, which limits just how much combat endurance a small ship can get out of the torps. Like, replacing the 100 ton observatory with a 50 ton bay and 50 tons of ammunition would give you... 6.6 rounds of shooting.
 
One issue you might run into is the sheer size of the torpedoes themselves. They're 2.5 tons each, which limits just how much combat endurance a small ship can get out of the torps. Like, replacing the 100 ton observatory with a 50 ton bay and 50 tons of ammunition would give you... 6.6 rounds of shooting.

That's a lot of torp, but I get your meaning. Maybe nukes then??? I just don't want to lose my shot at getting a multi-role built. :V
 
Particle beams are fine and dandy, but they don't uncork the sun onto somebody's frontal plate.
Now that I think about it... How come we managed to engage surface targets despite particle beams not being ortillery? It's either superior engineering by Steenbeck Security Industries or we had maluses to hit but still rolled high?

This post is sponsored by the Steenbeck Security Industries, your trusted weapons procurement partner.
 
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