Thr35Fingers
Kingfisher-Class Light Guided Missile Cruiser
After the devastating Breakaway wars of the early 24th century, the Government of the Sol System Union was left in a very fractured state. The core worlds of the Sol system and a few other planets in nearby systems were burdened with the safety and reconstruction efforts of their scattered colonies and outposts as well as their own considerable costs. By the mid 2320s, the Congress of Sol had agreed to renewed funding for the Sol Union Navy, under the premise that a strong navy would secure trade routes and hubs, thereby allowing for renewed economic activity which would in turn stimulate reconstruction and economic stability.
By 2331, the Naval Procurement Board was tasked with supplying specifications for a new class of vessel which would be both cost-efficient and effective in a multitude of scenarios. Due to recent developments in both Skipspace and shielding technology which rendered previous ships all but obsolete, and with the near annihilation of the Union Navy during the Breakaway, this essentially amounted to rebuilding the Navy from the ground up.
Taking advantage of these new technologies, the Board decided on a radical shift in policy. Instead of a Navy whose backbone was centered on massive capital ships supported by small numbers of light vessels, it was decided to rely instead upon a fleet comprised of mostly smaller ships with greater flexibility and responsiveness. By 2334, bidding started for the new design which would become the standard fleet unit, while older ships were retrofitted and upgraded to modern standards. Eventually, by 2339, after five years of submissions which were deemed for one reason or another unsatisfactory, and with the Congress threatening to scrap the rebuilding program, Alabaster Industries submitted the design that was to eventually be accepted.
Although only slightly smaller than most heavy cruisers, the Kingfisher class is less well armoured than most contemporaries, earning it a designation as a light cruiser. However, there is good reason for its light armour. Most of its internal space is occupied by weapons magazines or fuel cells, giving it extended operations abilities. Additionally, to compensate for its lack or physical armour, the Kingfisher has extremely strong shielding, allowing it to soak up a respectable amount of punishment.
As with most Union ships, the Kingfisher has very few energy weapons, relying mostly instead on simple ballistic weaponry as well as a fantastic array of torpedoes and missiles, giving it the ability to tackle a wide variety of threats, from enemy capital ships to swarms of light fighters and bombers. The majority of the energy produced by its generators can therefore be directed to shields and engines, allowing it both excellent acceleration and speed as well as fast shield recycle rates.
Although the type only saw limited action during the pirate raids of 46-51, it served with distinction during the Periphery War as well as the relief action of Navarro 3. It has also seen use in many other conflicts and continues to be the main naval striking arm of the Sol Union Navy.
*definitely not inspired by any particular other spaceship*
Kingfisher-Class Light Guided Missile Cruiser
After the devastating Breakaway wars of the early 24th century, the Government of the Sol System Union was left in a very fractured state. The core worlds of the Sol system and a few other planets in nearby systems were burdened with the safety and reconstruction efforts of their scattered colonies and outposts as well as their own considerable costs. By the mid 2320s, the Congress of Sol had agreed to renewed funding for the Sol Union Navy, under the premise that a strong navy would secure trade routes and hubs, thereby allowing for renewed economic activity which would in turn stimulate reconstruction and economic stability.
By 2331, the Naval Procurement Board was tasked with supplying specifications for a new class of vessel which would be both cost-efficient and effective in a multitude of scenarios. Due to recent developments in both Skipspace and shielding technology which rendered previous ships all but obsolete, and with the near annihilation of the Union Navy during the Breakaway, this essentially amounted to rebuilding the Navy from the ground up.
Taking advantage of these new technologies, the Board decided on a radical shift in policy. Instead of a Navy whose backbone was centered on massive capital ships supported by small numbers of light vessels, it was decided to rely instead upon a fleet comprised of mostly smaller ships with greater flexibility and responsiveness. By 2334, bidding started for the new design which would become the standard fleet unit, while older ships were retrofitted and upgraded to modern standards. Eventually, by 2339, after five years of submissions which were deemed for one reason or another unsatisfactory, and with the Congress threatening to scrap the rebuilding program, Alabaster Industries submitted the design that was to eventually be accepted.
Although only slightly smaller than most heavy cruisers, the Kingfisher class is less well armoured than most contemporaries, earning it a designation as a light cruiser. However, there is good reason for its light armour. Most of its internal space is occupied by weapons magazines or fuel cells, giving it extended operations abilities. Additionally, to compensate for its lack or physical armour, the Kingfisher has extremely strong shielding, allowing it to soak up a respectable amount of punishment.
As with most Union ships, the Kingfisher has very few energy weapons, relying mostly instead on simple ballistic weaponry as well as a fantastic array of torpedoes and missiles, giving it the ability to tackle a wide variety of threats, from enemy capital ships to swarms of light fighters and bombers. The majority of the energy produced by its generators can therefore be directed to shields and engines, allowing it both excellent acceleration and speed as well as fast shield recycle rates.
Although the type only saw limited action during the pirate raids of 46-51, it served with distinction during the Periphery War as well as the relief action of Navarro 3. It has also seen use in many other conflicts and continues to be the main naval striking arm of the Sol Union Navy.
*definitely not inspired by any particular other spaceship*