-Bretonia-
06-01-2005, 18:15
(( Click here for Bretonian raw material/production output figures (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=7985763&postcount=12) ))
Map of Current Bretonian Territory:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/MattLever/Bretonia/map.jpg
Key:
Coloured dots are representations of stars. Sizes and colours accurate to each star type. All named stars are currently occupied by Bretonia.
Multi-coloured lines between each system represents jump gate routes. Note: The jump gate from Manchester to Beta-Epsilon is only half-finished, hence the incomplete line.
The blue cloud surrounding most of Bretonian holdings is the Great Barrier.
The Great Barrier is a blue ice nebula which is totally deadly to any ships trying to pass through it due to very densely packed subspace anomalies, micro-black holes, gravitational anomalies, subspace tears, temporal anomalies and significantly devastating waves of raw energy from an unknown source. It also acts as an FTLi to most forms of FTL travel. Also note that the Great Barrier is a sphere shape, thus surrounds the Bretonian core systems completely. Consider this a cut-away diagram. Also note that the number of stars contained within the confines of the Great Barrier are accurate; there are only nine stars inside, and three of those have not been colonised due to the fact that they are flare stars.
Bretonian Royal Armed Forces
The Bretonian Royal Armed Forces is the primary defensive organisation of the Constitutional Monarchy of Bretonia. The BRAF is responsible for both the navy and the army, as well as operating and defending various space stations throughout Bretonian Space.
The most important, and continuous, duty of the BRAF is operating the Border Stations. These stations stand vigil over the jump gates, repelling attempts by terrorists and pirates to use the network to get around.
The BRAF primarily contracts Bretonia Mining and Manufacturing to construct its ships, with Aegira Technologies being contracted to design the small arms and vehicles of the infantry. BMM is the most prominent ship building company in Bretonia, as well as operating extensive uranium, gold, copper, beryllium and boron mining operations. Aegira Technologies work closely with Cambridge University to produce high-tech equipment for various uses.
The BRAF's primary line of defence is the navy. They operate a large force of various classes of ships for various uses, the most prominent of which is defence. Lacking any enemies elsewhere in the galaxy, BRAF's usual targets are terrorists, with large pirate organisations also featuring.
All Bretonian vessels are capable of 'cruise mode', which involves overcharging ion drive to achieve near-light speeds.
Some vessels have also been fitted with the revolutionary 'advanced cruise engines', however. An energy field envelops the hull creating a 'slipstream' effect, phasing the ship slightly out of normal space. Using standard cruise engines, the ship is technically travelling no faster than usual; but this slipstream effect shortens the distance and allows the ship to actually reach speeds far in excess of light when compared to normal space. In addition, the fact that the ship is not entirely in normal space means that small debris and particulate mater do not cause damage to the vessel; however, larger asteroids, planets and other stellar bodies will cause harm.
This effect is similar to that used by trade lanes.
The names of the vessels equipped with advanced cruise engines are classified, but the HMS Victoria, HMS Norfolk and the HMS Ulysses are known to have them.
Current BRAF Fleet Strength
This list keeps track of all ships currently commissioned in the Bretonian Royal Armed Forces. Ships that are damaged beyond repair, decommissioned and mothballed, or not yet completed will not appear in this list. Ships undergoing practical repairs or maintenance are still accounted for here, however, as they are still considered to be in active duty.
Current ships registered to the Bretonian Royal Armed Forces:
1x Carina-class Battleship
159x Victoria-class Battleships
32x Dunkirk-class Battleships
728x Coventry-class Cruisers
321x Warwick-class Frigates
7900x Mark 7 Bretonian Gunboats
40,000x Cavalier-class Light Fighters
32,000x Crusader-class Heavy Fighters
3,000x Clydesdale-B class Heavy Troop Carriers
3,500x Stafford-class Mobile Torpedo Bombers
(Additionally, 43,000x modified Cavalier-class LFs in service with Bretonia Police Authority; Emergency Conscription Act of 624 A.S. allows for use of these fighters by BRAF in times of emergency)
Current Ship Repair/Refit Schedule
Ships take damage, and ships need upgrading when newer technologies are developed. Whilst this is happening, a ship must be docked somewhere like Southhampton Shipyard, thus putting them temporarily out of action. Any ships listed below can be deducted from the total fleet strength above to gain an idea of ships currently combat-ready, but this is not done automatically -- ships below are still considered part of the overall ship 'pool' as listed above.
Current ships undergoing repairs/refit programs:
16x Victoria-class Battleships -- 25 year refit
21x Coventry-class Cruisers -- 15 year refit
3,100x Cavalier-class Light Fighters -- 5 year refit
2,000x Crusader-class Heavy Fighters -- 5 year refit
600x Mark 7 Bretonian Gunboats -- 10 year refit
Current Ship Production Schedule
The principle manufacturer of Bretonian Naval Ships are BMM. Nearly all BRAF ships were built in Southampton Shipyards in New London. As these ships are not yet completed or commissioned, they do not appear in the total fleet strength list. Once they are completed and commissioned, they will be removed from this list and transferred to the total fleet strength list. Current ships in production at Southampton Shipyards:
9x Victoria-class Battleships
21x Coventry-class Cruisers
100x Mark 7 Bretonian Gunboats
Bretonian Battleships
- Victoria-class Bretonian Battleship
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/MattLever/Bretonia/hms_victoria.jpg
[The HMS Victoria on patrol in the Cambridge System]
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/MattLever/Bretonia/hms_victoria2.jpg
[The HMS Victoria on her initial posting in the Dublin System]
The second- most powerful and largest vessel serving in the Bretonian Armed Forces, the Victoria-class Battleship represents the pinnacle of Bretonian technological achievement and military design. The HMS Victoria, flagship of her class and flagship of Bretonia, was launched in 802 A.S., closely followed by her sister ship the HMS Norfolk.
Armed with extensive anti-capital ship weaponry, the Victoria-class was designed to be capable of engaging and destroying any known capital ship, as well as projecting her might through fighter power. Unfortunately, discovery of more powerful alien vessels has spurred the design of a new vessel only a few years into the Victoria's life.
The Victoria-class is the first Bretonian vessel to be equipped with an energy sheath; a series of generators which shield the hull of a vessel in a graviton field specially tuned to deflect most of the power of energy weapons, and to absorb most of the power of explosive weapons. This energy sheath, as well as innovative Southampton hull armour, allowed the HMS Victoria to be the first Bretonian ship to breach the Great Barrier, putting the class in history as one of the most successful ships ever constructed.
159 Victoria-class Battleships have been constructed so far, with 9 more planned within the next twenty years.
Length: 1,360 metres.
Torpedoes: 12x Daranium-enhanced nuclear torpedo tubes (4x starboard, 4x port, 2x fore, 2x aft).
Flak turrets: 2x DU/plasma slug anti-cap ship flak turrets.
Secondary: 6x particle turrets, 8x tachyon turrets.
Additional: 1x experimental meson blaster gun (forward turret, classified). Rumoured to have experimental zero-point energy explosive missiles, launched from the standard ports.
Propulsion: Ion glide drive (Mark 6) (4x emitter plates).
Sheath: Mark 1 energy sheath, 250 external microemitters.
Construction: Standard capital ship superalloy endo-exo structure with 160mm Southampton-class adaptive hull armour plating.
Fighter compliment: 50x Fighters (up to level 8 class), 10x Clydesdale-B troop deployment vessels.
Estimated crew requirement: 200 officer grade, 1400 enlisted crew.
Power: Class 70 MOX-based nuclear reactor core.
Computer: Mark 10 primary core, mark 1 redundant core, A13 AI compatible, holo-interface available, Class B internal ecology support.
Estimated Refit Interval: 25 years.
Estimated Hull Lifespan: 100 years.
Planned Production Run: 159 currently in service, 9x planned in 20 years.
Misc.: 140x emergency lifepods (mark 3), active protection system (700x emergency forcefield generators, structural support bulkheads, emergency decompression protocol), Class 55 Power Distribution Network.
- Dunkirk-class Bretonian Battleship
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/MattLever/Bretonia/hms_dunkirk.jpg
[The HMS Dunkirk on manoeuvres at the edge of the Great Barrier]
The previous heavyweight of the Bretonian Royal Armed Forces, the Dunkirk-class is still considered to be a formidable class in its own right, fully capable of engaging all but the latest capital ships and emerging victorious. Their fighters may not equal the numbers of a Victoria-class, but their pilots are typically more experienced.
The Dunkirk-class lacks the advantage of an energy sheath, though it has heavier conventional armour plating. Its weapons are lacking in comparison, however, and its power distribution system is of ancient design and prone to failure.
Regardless of their age, 32 Dunkirk-class Battleships remain in service and they have a distinguished military record. No more Dunkirk-class Battleships are planned in the future.
Length: 1,240 metres.
Torpedoes: 8x Daranium-enhanced nuclear torpedo tubes (3x starboard, 3x port, 1x fore, 1x aft).
Flak turrets: 2x DU/plasma slug anti-cap ship flak turrets.
Secondary: 6x particle turrets, 8x tachyon turrets.
Propulsion: Ion glide drive (Mark 2) (4x emitter plates).
Construction: Standard capital ship superalloy endo-exo structure with 200mm Devonshire-class adaptive hull armour plating.
Fighter compliment: 30x Fighters (up to level 6 class), 10x Clydesdale-B troop deployment vessels.
Crew Compliment: 200 officer grade, 1400 enlisted crew.
Power: Class 45 MOX-based nuclear reactor core.
Computer: Mark 5 primary core, mark 1 redundant core, A7 AI compatible, holo-interface available, Class B internal ecology support.
Estimated Refit Interval: 10 years
Estimated Hull Lifespan: 80 years
Planned Production Run: 91x originally contsructed, 32x remain in service. Production ended.
Misc.: 140x emergency lifepods (mark 3), active protection system (650x emergency forcefield generators, structural support bulkheads, emergency decompression protocol), Class 4 Power Distribution Network.
- Carina-class Bretonian Battleship
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/MattLever/Bretonia/hms_carina.jpg
[The HMS Carina, on display for the first time near the Leeds star]
Commissioned to celebrate the birth of the one billionth Bretonian citizen, the HMS Carina is the largest vessel ever to have been built by Bretonian shipyard engineers, and is a one-off vessel in what is to be dubbed the 'Carina-class Battleship' line. Heavily armed with vast quantities of torpedo launchers, four flak turrets and nearly three dozen heavy weapons turrets, the HMS Carina is also the most heavily armed vessel in the fleet.
The Carina-class is a formidable offensive weapon, but its goal is totally defensive -- it serves as a mobile refuge for the Queen and Parliament during times of crisis, and as such is permanently stationed in orbit of Planet New London until such a crisis arises. It utilises a lot of advanced technologies first pioneered by the Victoria-class line, and also incorporates some advances of its own, such as the ion pulse drive sub light engines, and the Class 55b Power Distribution. In line with its defensive mission, the Carina has the heaviest armour ever installed on a Bretonian vessel.
There is one Carina-class Battleship in service, and no more will be constructed in the foreseeable future.
Length: 1,732 metres.
Torpedoes: 20x Daranium-enhanced nuclear torpedo tubes (6x starboard, 6x port, 6x fore, 2x aft).
Flak turrets: 4x DU/plasma slug anti-cap ship flak turrets.
Secondary: 15x particle turrets, 18x tachyon turrets.
Additional: 1x experimental meson blaster gun (forward turret, classified). Rumoured to have experimental zero-point energy explosive missiles, launched from the standard ports.
Propulsion: Ion pulse drive (Mark 1) (8x emitter plates).
Sheath: Mark 1 energy sheath, 600 external microemitters.
Construction: Standard capital ship superalloy endo-exo structure with 300mm Southampton-class adaptive hull armour plating.
Fighter compliment: 80x Fighters (up to level 10 class), 15x Clydesdale-B troop deployment vessels.
Estimated crew requirement: 160 officer grade, 1,600 enlisted crew.
Power: 2x Class 70 MOX-based nuclear reactor cores.
Computer: Mark 10 primary core, mark 1 redundant core, A13 AI compatible, holo-interface available, Class B internal ecology support.
Estimated Refit Interval: 30 years.
Estimated Hull Lifespan: 110 years.
Planned Production Run: 1 currently in service, no further construction planned.
Misc.: 160x emergency lifepods (mark 3), active protection system (1000x emergency forcefield generators, structural support bulkheads, emergency decompression protocol), Class 55b Power Distribution Network.
Bretonian Cruisers
- Warwick-class Bretonian Battlecruiser
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/MattLever/Bretonia/hms_warwick.jpg
[The HMS Warwick, in orbit of Planet Gaia with a civilian ship]
A tried and trusted design, the Warwick-class Bretonian Battlecruiser is a reliable, moderately armed and moderately sized vessel, originally designed to compliment the Dunkirk-class Battleship. Like the Dunkirk-class, it is no longer produced but 8 ships are still in service.
The Coventry-class Cruiser was originally intended to replace the Warwick, however changes in its design brief meant that there is still no replacement for the ageing Warwick-class, and it will probably continue to serve the Armed Forces for the foreseeable future.
Like the relationship between the Coventry-class and the Victoria-class, the Warwick-class shares a lot of similar components with the Dunkirk-class. This is both an advantage and a disadvantage; spare parts are easily available, however, any inherent faults will be shared by both ships (such as the power distribution system).
There are currently 321 Warwick-class Frigates in service. Production on the class has ended, so no future ships are planned.
Length: 880 metres.
Torpedoes: 8x Daranium-enhanced nuclear torpedo tubes (4x starboard, 4x port).
Flak turrets: 1x DU/plasma slug anti-cap ship flak turrets.
Secondary: 20x laser gattling turrets.
Propulsion: Ion glide drive (Mark 2) (2x emitter plates).
Construction: Standard capital ship superalloy endo-exo structure with 160mm Devonshire-class adaptive hull armour plating.
Fighter compliment: 30x Fighters (up to level 6 class), 10x Clydesdale-B troop deployment vessels.
Crew Compliment: 70 officer grade, 730 enlisted crew.
Power: Class 45 MOX-based nuclear reactor core.
Computer: Mark 4 primary core, mark 1 redundant core, A6 AI compatible, Class B internal ecology support.
Estimated Refit Interval: 10 years
Estimated Hull Lifespan: 80 years
Planned Production Run: 462x originally constructed, 321x remain in service.
Misc.: 70x emergency lifepods (mark 3), active protection system (350x emergency forcefield generators, structural support bulkheads, emergency decompression protocol), Class 4 Power Distribution Network.
- Coventry-class Bretonian Cruiser
The production brief presented to BMM workers at Southampton Shipyards called for a 'fast attack capital ship, easily produced in large numbers yet powerful enough to deal with large and small threats, and be deployed in numerous locations to protect Bretonian interests'. The Coventry-class is result of that brief; the most recent addition to the Bretonian fleet is designed to fill a vacuum between the Victoria-class Battleship and the Mark 7 Gunboat.
The HMS Coventry, launched in 804 A.S., borrows heavily from the design and technology of the Victoria-class Battleship. Most obvious traits carried over include the revolutionary energy sheath and the Southampton-class adaptive hull armour plating. It barely qualifies as a large vessel, with an overall length of 230 metres, but its weapons more than make up for this size deficiency. In addition, it is also highly manoeuvrable for a vessel of this class.
There are currently 728 Coventry-class Cruisers in service, with an extra 21 planned within the next twenty years.
Length: 460 metres.
Torpedoes: 6x Daranium-enhanced nuclear torpedo tubes (2x starboard, 2x port, 1x fore, 1x aft).
Flak turrets: 1x DU/plasma slug anti-cap ship flak turret.
Secondary: 6x particle turrets.
Additional: 1x experimental meson blaster gun (forward turret, classified).
Propulsion: Ion glide drive (Mark 4) (2x emitter plates).
Sheath: Mark 1 energy sheath, 120 external microemitters.
Construction: Standard capital ship superalloy endo-exo structure with 100mm Southampton-class adaptive hull armour plating.
Fighter compliment: 10x Fighters (up to level 8 class), 2x Clydesdale-B troop deployment vessels.
Estimated crew requirement: 30 officer grade, 310 enlisted crew.
Power: 2x Class 55 MOX-based nuclear reactor cores.
Computer: Mark 7 primary core, mark 1 redundant core, A13 AI compatible, holo-interface available, Class B internal ecology support.
Estimated Refit Interval: 15 years.
Estimated Hull Lifespan: 90 years.
Planned Production Run: 728x currently in service, 21x planned in 20 years.
Misc.: 90 emergency lifepods (mark 3), active protection system (450 emergency forcefield generators, structural support bulkheads, emergency decompression protocol), Class 22 Power Distribution Network.
Bretonian Support Craft
- Mark 7 Bretonian Gunboat
Designed to provide capital ship capabilities on a small, cheap platform, the Mark 7 is the latest in a long line of gunboats. This small vessel can be produced in large numbers, but it is fully capable of dealing with the sorts of threats it will likely encounter on its usual patrol routes through Bretonia.
Due to its surprisingly powerful weaponry, the Gunboat is frequently used when larger ships are not available or needed. Its torpedoes and energy weapons allow it to successfully destroy a typical pirate base, though sometimes fighter escort and bomber support may be needed.
Length: 130 metres.
Torpedoes: 1x Daranium-enhanced nuclear torpedo launcher (1x turret).
Secondary: 5x particle turrets, 5x laser gattling turrets, 1x auto-locking missile turret.
Propulsion: Ion glide drive (Mark 1) (1x emitter plate).
Construction: Standard ship superalloy endo-exo structure with 80mm Staffordshire-class adaptive hull armour plating.
Crew Compliment: 5 officer grade, 35 enlisted crew.
Power: 1x Class 2 H-fuel based nuclear reactor micro-core.
Computer: Mark 2 primary core, Class B internal ecology support.
Estimated Refit Interval: 10 years
Estimated Hull Lifespan: 50 years
Planned Production Run: 7,900x, currently in service, 100x more planned.
Misc.: 3x emergency lifepods (mark 3), active protection system (50x emergency forcefield generators, emergency decompression protocol), Class 10 Power Distribution Network.
- Cavalier-class Bretonian Light Fighter
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/MattLever/Bretonia/cavalier.jpg
[A Cavalier-class fighter in battle-drills]
Only moderately armed, but highly manoeuvrable, the Cavalier is based on a much older design, but has been totally refit with modern technologies.
The Cavalier lacks weaponry, but makes significant gains in agility. The Cavalier is used by both the Armed Forces and the Police as a space-superiority dogfighter.
Length: 15 metres.
Missile Hardpoints: 2x class 4 hardpoints.
Secondary: 2x 'Ripper' forward tachyon guns, 2x forward particle guns.
Propulsion: Ion pulse drive (Mark 2) (1x emitter plate).
Construction: Standard ship superalloy endo-exo structure with 20mm fighter-grade hull armour plating.
Crew Compliment: 1 pilot, 1 co-pilot (optional).
Power: 1x Class 1 H-fuel based nuclear reactor micro-core.
Computer: Mark 1 primary core.
Estimated Refit Interval: 5 years
Estimated Hull Lifespan: 30 years
Misc.: 2x emergency ejection mechanisms, active protection system, Class 2 Power Distribution Network, Mark 7 ECM system, Mark 2 ESS.
- Crusader-class Bretonian Heavy Fighter
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/MattLever/Bretonia/crusader.jpg
[A Crusader-class fighter, docking for repairs]
A much larger, less agile, but more heavily armed fighter, exclusively used by the Armed Forces, the Crusader dominates small ships and fighters in head-on contact with its significant forward firepower, and rotary ventral missile turret.
The Crusader also utilises the 'Wasp' Cruise Disrupter; this missile travels faster than all cruise engines, and on impact it immediately dissipates the charge of the ion engine's emitter plate, disabling it for a short period of time.
Length: 15 metres.
Missile Hardpoints: 2x class 4 hardpoints.
Secondary: 4x 'Ripper' forward tachyon guns, 6x forward particle guns, 1x rotary missile turret, 1x Wasp Cruise Disrupter.
Propulsion: Ion pulse drive (Mark 2) (1x emitter plate).
Construction: Standard ship superalloy endo-exo structure with 22mm fighter-grade hull armour plating.
Crew Compliment: 1 pilot, 2 co-pilots (optional).
Power: 1x Class 1 H-fuel based nuclear reactor micro-core.
Computer: Mark 1 primary core.
Estimated Refit Interval: 5 years
Estimated Hull Lifespan: 30 years
Misc.: 3x emergency ejection mechanisms, active protection system, Class 2 Power Distribution Network, Mark 8 ECM, Mark 3 ESS.
- Clydesdale-B class Heavy Troop Carrier
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/MattLever/Bretonia/clydesdale.jpg
[A Clydesdale-B landing troops on a pirate base in Manchester]
The Clydesdale-B Heavy Troop Carrier is a fully independent, cruise-capable vessel capable of holding nearly 150 troops inside its relatively small hull.
A peculiar goldfish shape, the Clydesdale-B is only three times as large as a standard fighter. This makes it excellent for deploying troops from a capital ship, only without revealing the capital ship's presence.
Lightly armed and possessing no substancial armour of its own, the Clydesdale must either approach a disarmed enemy or be escorted by fighters.
Length: 50 metres.
Secondary: 2x tachyon turrets.
Propulsion: Ion pulse drive (Mark 2) (1x emitter plate).
Construction: Standard ship superalloy endo-exo structure with 10mm fighter-grade hull armour plating.
Crew Compliment: 2 pilots, 2 techs (optional).
Power: 1x Class 1 H-fuel based nuclear reactor micro-core.
Computer: Mark 1 primary core.
Estimated Refit Interval: 5 years
Estimated Hull Lifespan: 30 years
Misc.: Detachable rear section for escape, active protection system, Class 2 Power Distribution Network, Mark 8 ECM, Mark 3 ESS.
- Stafford-class Mobile Torpedo Bombers
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/MattLever/Bretonia/stafford.jpg
[Image of the Stafford-class, taken from BRAF archives]
The Stafford-class Torp Bomber is designed for covert missions against large targets, or for simply projecting the destructive force of a battleship without the cost.
The Stafford-class has four torpedo hardpoints mounted around its hull on the port and starboard sides. Although it can only hold four daranium-enhanced nuclear torpedoes, these torpedoes are battleship-grade and capable of inflicting massive damage on a stationary target. Once the Stafford-class has delivered its payload, it must return to a base or ship for a re-supply.
Due to its lack of close-range weapons and relative vulnerability whilst firing, the Stafford-class must be escorted by fighters to be effective. Standard offensive procedure involves the fighters flying ahead and softening the enemy's defences (destroying weapons turrets, occupying/destroying nearby enemy fighters or gunships). Once the fighter squadron reports the defences have been sufficiently weakened, the bombers cruise in and launch their torpedoes at their targets. Typically, a single squadron of torp bombers will be present on all capital ships, fondly referred to as 'Gamma squad' by their fighter pilot colleagues.
Length: 30 metres.
Missile Hardpoints: 4x Daranium-enhanced nuclear torpedo hardpoints.
Propulsion: Ion pulse drive (Mark 2) (1x emitter plate).
Construction: Standard ship superalloy endo-exo structure with 100mm fighter-grade hull armour plating.
Crew Compliment: 2 pilots, 1 tech (optional).
Power: 1x Class 1 H-fuel based nuclear reactor micro-core.
Computer: Mark 1 primary core.
Estimated Refit Interval: 5 years
Estimated Hull Lifespan: 30 years
Misc.: 1x emergency ejection mechanism, active protection system, Class 2 Power Distribution Network, Mark 8 ECM, Mark 3 ESS.
Map of Current Bretonian Territory:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/MattLever/Bretonia/map.jpg
Key:
Coloured dots are representations of stars. Sizes and colours accurate to each star type. All named stars are currently occupied by Bretonia.
Multi-coloured lines between each system represents jump gate routes. Note: The jump gate from Manchester to Beta-Epsilon is only half-finished, hence the incomplete line.
The blue cloud surrounding most of Bretonian holdings is the Great Barrier.
The Great Barrier is a blue ice nebula which is totally deadly to any ships trying to pass through it due to very densely packed subspace anomalies, micro-black holes, gravitational anomalies, subspace tears, temporal anomalies and significantly devastating waves of raw energy from an unknown source. It also acts as an FTLi to most forms of FTL travel. Also note that the Great Barrier is a sphere shape, thus surrounds the Bretonian core systems completely. Consider this a cut-away diagram. Also note that the number of stars contained within the confines of the Great Barrier are accurate; there are only nine stars inside, and three of those have not been colonised due to the fact that they are flare stars.
Bretonian Royal Armed Forces
The Bretonian Royal Armed Forces is the primary defensive organisation of the Constitutional Monarchy of Bretonia. The BRAF is responsible for both the navy and the army, as well as operating and defending various space stations throughout Bretonian Space.
The most important, and continuous, duty of the BRAF is operating the Border Stations. These stations stand vigil over the jump gates, repelling attempts by terrorists and pirates to use the network to get around.
The BRAF primarily contracts Bretonia Mining and Manufacturing to construct its ships, with Aegira Technologies being contracted to design the small arms and vehicles of the infantry. BMM is the most prominent ship building company in Bretonia, as well as operating extensive uranium, gold, copper, beryllium and boron mining operations. Aegira Technologies work closely with Cambridge University to produce high-tech equipment for various uses.
The BRAF's primary line of defence is the navy. They operate a large force of various classes of ships for various uses, the most prominent of which is defence. Lacking any enemies elsewhere in the galaxy, BRAF's usual targets are terrorists, with large pirate organisations also featuring.
All Bretonian vessels are capable of 'cruise mode', which involves overcharging ion drive to achieve near-light speeds.
Some vessels have also been fitted with the revolutionary 'advanced cruise engines', however. An energy field envelops the hull creating a 'slipstream' effect, phasing the ship slightly out of normal space. Using standard cruise engines, the ship is technically travelling no faster than usual; but this slipstream effect shortens the distance and allows the ship to actually reach speeds far in excess of light when compared to normal space. In addition, the fact that the ship is not entirely in normal space means that small debris and particulate mater do not cause damage to the vessel; however, larger asteroids, planets and other stellar bodies will cause harm.
This effect is similar to that used by trade lanes.
The names of the vessels equipped with advanced cruise engines are classified, but the HMS Victoria, HMS Norfolk and the HMS Ulysses are known to have them.
Current BRAF Fleet Strength
This list keeps track of all ships currently commissioned in the Bretonian Royal Armed Forces. Ships that are damaged beyond repair, decommissioned and mothballed, or not yet completed will not appear in this list. Ships undergoing practical repairs or maintenance are still accounted for here, however, as they are still considered to be in active duty.
Current ships registered to the Bretonian Royal Armed Forces:
1x Carina-class Battleship
159x Victoria-class Battleships
32x Dunkirk-class Battleships
728x Coventry-class Cruisers
321x Warwick-class Frigates
7900x Mark 7 Bretonian Gunboats
40,000x Cavalier-class Light Fighters
32,000x Crusader-class Heavy Fighters
3,000x Clydesdale-B class Heavy Troop Carriers
3,500x Stafford-class Mobile Torpedo Bombers
(Additionally, 43,000x modified Cavalier-class LFs in service with Bretonia Police Authority; Emergency Conscription Act of 624 A.S. allows for use of these fighters by BRAF in times of emergency)
Current Ship Repair/Refit Schedule
Ships take damage, and ships need upgrading when newer technologies are developed. Whilst this is happening, a ship must be docked somewhere like Southhampton Shipyard, thus putting them temporarily out of action. Any ships listed below can be deducted from the total fleet strength above to gain an idea of ships currently combat-ready, but this is not done automatically -- ships below are still considered part of the overall ship 'pool' as listed above.
Current ships undergoing repairs/refit programs:
16x Victoria-class Battleships -- 25 year refit
21x Coventry-class Cruisers -- 15 year refit
3,100x Cavalier-class Light Fighters -- 5 year refit
2,000x Crusader-class Heavy Fighters -- 5 year refit
600x Mark 7 Bretonian Gunboats -- 10 year refit
Current Ship Production Schedule
The principle manufacturer of Bretonian Naval Ships are BMM. Nearly all BRAF ships were built in Southampton Shipyards in New London. As these ships are not yet completed or commissioned, they do not appear in the total fleet strength list. Once they are completed and commissioned, they will be removed from this list and transferred to the total fleet strength list. Current ships in production at Southampton Shipyards:
9x Victoria-class Battleships
21x Coventry-class Cruisers
100x Mark 7 Bretonian Gunboats
Bretonian Battleships
- Victoria-class Bretonian Battleship
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/MattLever/Bretonia/hms_victoria.jpg
[The HMS Victoria on patrol in the Cambridge System]
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/MattLever/Bretonia/hms_victoria2.jpg
[The HMS Victoria on her initial posting in the Dublin System]
The second- most powerful and largest vessel serving in the Bretonian Armed Forces, the Victoria-class Battleship represents the pinnacle of Bretonian technological achievement and military design. The HMS Victoria, flagship of her class and flagship of Bretonia, was launched in 802 A.S., closely followed by her sister ship the HMS Norfolk.
Armed with extensive anti-capital ship weaponry, the Victoria-class was designed to be capable of engaging and destroying any known capital ship, as well as projecting her might through fighter power. Unfortunately, discovery of more powerful alien vessels has spurred the design of a new vessel only a few years into the Victoria's life.
The Victoria-class is the first Bretonian vessel to be equipped with an energy sheath; a series of generators which shield the hull of a vessel in a graviton field specially tuned to deflect most of the power of energy weapons, and to absorb most of the power of explosive weapons. This energy sheath, as well as innovative Southampton hull armour, allowed the HMS Victoria to be the first Bretonian ship to breach the Great Barrier, putting the class in history as one of the most successful ships ever constructed.
159 Victoria-class Battleships have been constructed so far, with 9 more planned within the next twenty years.
Length: 1,360 metres.
Torpedoes: 12x Daranium-enhanced nuclear torpedo tubes (4x starboard, 4x port, 2x fore, 2x aft).
Flak turrets: 2x DU/plasma slug anti-cap ship flak turrets.
Secondary: 6x particle turrets, 8x tachyon turrets.
Additional: 1x experimental meson blaster gun (forward turret, classified). Rumoured to have experimental zero-point energy explosive missiles, launched from the standard ports.
Propulsion: Ion glide drive (Mark 6) (4x emitter plates).
Sheath: Mark 1 energy sheath, 250 external microemitters.
Construction: Standard capital ship superalloy endo-exo structure with 160mm Southampton-class adaptive hull armour plating.
Fighter compliment: 50x Fighters (up to level 8 class), 10x Clydesdale-B troop deployment vessels.
Estimated crew requirement: 200 officer grade, 1400 enlisted crew.
Power: Class 70 MOX-based nuclear reactor core.
Computer: Mark 10 primary core, mark 1 redundant core, A13 AI compatible, holo-interface available, Class B internal ecology support.
Estimated Refit Interval: 25 years.
Estimated Hull Lifespan: 100 years.
Planned Production Run: 159 currently in service, 9x planned in 20 years.
Misc.: 140x emergency lifepods (mark 3), active protection system (700x emergency forcefield generators, structural support bulkheads, emergency decompression protocol), Class 55 Power Distribution Network.
- Dunkirk-class Bretonian Battleship
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/MattLever/Bretonia/hms_dunkirk.jpg
[The HMS Dunkirk on manoeuvres at the edge of the Great Barrier]
The previous heavyweight of the Bretonian Royal Armed Forces, the Dunkirk-class is still considered to be a formidable class in its own right, fully capable of engaging all but the latest capital ships and emerging victorious. Their fighters may not equal the numbers of a Victoria-class, but their pilots are typically more experienced.
The Dunkirk-class lacks the advantage of an energy sheath, though it has heavier conventional armour plating. Its weapons are lacking in comparison, however, and its power distribution system is of ancient design and prone to failure.
Regardless of their age, 32 Dunkirk-class Battleships remain in service and they have a distinguished military record. No more Dunkirk-class Battleships are planned in the future.
Length: 1,240 metres.
Torpedoes: 8x Daranium-enhanced nuclear torpedo tubes (3x starboard, 3x port, 1x fore, 1x aft).
Flak turrets: 2x DU/plasma slug anti-cap ship flak turrets.
Secondary: 6x particle turrets, 8x tachyon turrets.
Propulsion: Ion glide drive (Mark 2) (4x emitter plates).
Construction: Standard capital ship superalloy endo-exo structure with 200mm Devonshire-class adaptive hull armour plating.
Fighter compliment: 30x Fighters (up to level 6 class), 10x Clydesdale-B troop deployment vessels.
Crew Compliment: 200 officer grade, 1400 enlisted crew.
Power: Class 45 MOX-based nuclear reactor core.
Computer: Mark 5 primary core, mark 1 redundant core, A7 AI compatible, holo-interface available, Class B internal ecology support.
Estimated Refit Interval: 10 years
Estimated Hull Lifespan: 80 years
Planned Production Run: 91x originally contsructed, 32x remain in service. Production ended.
Misc.: 140x emergency lifepods (mark 3), active protection system (650x emergency forcefield generators, structural support bulkheads, emergency decompression protocol), Class 4 Power Distribution Network.
- Carina-class Bretonian Battleship
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/MattLever/Bretonia/hms_carina.jpg
[The HMS Carina, on display for the first time near the Leeds star]
Commissioned to celebrate the birth of the one billionth Bretonian citizen, the HMS Carina is the largest vessel ever to have been built by Bretonian shipyard engineers, and is a one-off vessel in what is to be dubbed the 'Carina-class Battleship' line. Heavily armed with vast quantities of torpedo launchers, four flak turrets and nearly three dozen heavy weapons turrets, the HMS Carina is also the most heavily armed vessel in the fleet.
The Carina-class is a formidable offensive weapon, but its goal is totally defensive -- it serves as a mobile refuge for the Queen and Parliament during times of crisis, and as such is permanently stationed in orbit of Planet New London until such a crisis arises. It utilises a lot of advanced technologies first pioneered by the Victoria-class line, and also incorporates some advances of its own, such as the ion pulse drive sub light engines, and the Class 55b Power Distribution. In line with its defensive mission, the Carina has the heaviest armour ever installed on a Bretonian vessel.
There is one Carina-class Battleship in service, and no more will be constructed in the foreseeable future.
Length: 1,732 metres.
Torpedoes: 20x Daranium-enhanced nuclear torpedo tubes (6x starboard, 6x port, 6x fore, 2x aft).
Flak turrets: 4x DU/plasma slug anti-cap ship flak turrets.
Secondary: 15x particle turrets, 18x tachyon turrets.
Additional: 1x experimental meson blaster gun (forward turret, classified). Rumoured to have experimental zero-point energy explosive missiles, launched from the standard ports.
Propulsion: Ion pulse drive (Mark 1) (8x emitter plates).
Sheath: Mark 1 energy sheath, 600 external microemitters.
Construction: Standard capital ship superalloy endo-exo structure with 300mm Southampton-class adaptive hull armour plating.
Fighter compliment: 80x Fighters (up to level 10 class), 15x Clydesdale-B troop deployment vessels.
Estimated crew requirement: 160 officer grade, 1,600 enlisted crew.
Power: 2x Class 70 MOX-based nuclear reactor cores.
Computer: Mark 10 primary core, mark 1 redundant core, A13 AI compatible, holo-interface available, Class B internal ecology support.
Estimated Refit Interval: 30 years.
Estimated Hull Lifespan: 110 years.
Planned Production Run: 1 currently in service, no further construction planned.
Misc.: 160x emergency lifepods (mark 3), active protection system (1000x emergency forcefield generators, structural support bulkheads, emergency decompression protocol), Class 55b Power Distribution Network.
Bretonian Cruisers
- Warwick-class Bretonian Battlecruiser
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/MattLever/Bretonia/hms_warwick.jpg
[The HMS Warwick, in orbit of Planet Gaia with a civilian ship]
A tried and trusted design, the Warwick-class Bretonian Battlecruiser is a reliable, moderately armed and moderately sized vessel, originally designed to compliment the Dunkirk-class Battleship. Like the Dunkirk-class, it is no longer produced but 8 ships are still in service.
The Coventry-class Cruiser was originally intended to replace the Warwick, however changes in its design brief meant that there is still no replacement for the ageing Warwick-class, and it will probably continue to serve the Armed Forces for the foreseeable future.
Like the relationship between the Coventry-class and the Victoria-class, the Warwick-class shares a lot of similar components with the Dunkirk-class. This is both an advantage and a disadvantage; spare parts are easily available, however, any inherent faults will be shared by both ships (such as the power distribution system).
There are currently 321 Warwick-class Frigates in service. Production on the class has ended, so no future ships are planned.
Length: 880 metres.
Torpedoes: 8x Daranium-enhanced nuclear torpedo tubes (4x starboard, 4x port).
Flak turrets: 1x DU/plasma slug anti-cap ship flak turrets.
Secondary: 20x laser gattling turrets.
Propulsion: Ion glide drive (Mark 2) (2x emitter plates).
Construction: Standard capital ship superalloy endo-exo structure with 160mm Devonshire-class adaptive hull armour plating.
Fighter compliment: 30x Fighters (up to level 6 class), 10x Clydesdale-B troop deployment vessels.
Crew Compliment: 70 officer grade, 730 enlisted crew.
Power: Class 45 MOX-based nuclear reactor core.
Computer: Mark 4 primary core, mark 1 redundant core, A6 AI compatible, Class B internal ecology support.
Estimated Refit Interval: 10 years
Estimated Hull Lifespan: 80 years
Planned Production Run: 462x originally constructed, 321x remain in service.
Misc.: 70x emergency lifepods (mark 3), active protection system (350x emergency forcefield generators, structural support bulkheads, emergency decompression protocol), Class 4 Power Distribution Network.
- Coventry-class Bretonian Cruiser
The production brief presented to BMM workers at Southampton Shipyards called for a 'fast attack capital ship, easily produced in large numbers yet powerful enough to deal with large and small threats, and be deployed in numerous locations to protect Bretonian interests'. The Coventry-class is result of that brief; the most recent addition to the Bretonian fleet is designed to fill a vacuum between the Victoria-class Battleship and the Mark 7 Gunboat.
The HMS Coventry, launched in 804 A.S., borrows heavily from the design and technology of the Victoria-class Battleship. Most obvious traits carried over include the revolutionary energy sheath and the Southampton-class adaptive hull armour plating. It barely qualifies as a large vessel, with an overall length of 230 metres, but its weapons more than make up for this size deficiency. In addition, it is also highly manoeuvrable for a vessel of this class.
There are currently 728 Coventry-class Cruisers in service, with an extra 21 planned within the next twenty years.
Length: 460 metres.
Torpedoes: 6x Daranium-enhanced nuclear torpedo tubes (2x starboard, 2x port, 1x fore, 1x aft).
Flak turrets: 1x DU/plasma slug anti-cap ship flak turret.
Secondary: 6x particle turrets.
Additional: 1x experimental meson blaster gun (forward turret, classified).
Propulsion: Ion glide drive (Mark 4) (2x emitter plates).
Sheath: Mark 1 energy sheath, 120 external microemitters.
Construction: Standard capital ship superalloy endo-exo structure with 100mm Southampton-class adaptive hull armour plating.
Fighter compliment: 10x Fighters (up to level 8 class), 2x Clydesdale-B troop deployment vessels.
Estimated crew requirement: 30 officer grade, 310 enlisted crew.
Power: 2x Class 55 MOX-based nuclear reactor cores.
Computer: Mark 7 primary core, mark 1 redundant core, A13 AI compatible, holo-interface available, Class B internal ecology support.
Estimated Refit Interval: 15 years.
Estimated Hull Lifespan: 90 years.
Planned Production Run: 728x currently in service, 21x planned in 20 years.
Misc.: 90 emergency lifepods (mark 3), active protection system (450 emergency forcefield generators, structural support bulkheads, emergency decompression protocol), Class 22 Power Distribution Network.
Bretonian Support Craft
- Mark 7 Bretonian Gunboat
Designed to provide capital ship capabilities on a small, cheap platform, the Mark 7 is the latest in a long line of gunboats. This small vessel can be produced in large numbers, but it is fully capable of dealing with the sorts of threats it will likely encounter on its usual patrol routes through Bretonia.
Due to its surprisingly powerful weaponry, the Gunboat is frequently used when larger ships are not available or needed. Its torpedoes and energy weapons allow it to successfully destroy a typical pirate base, though sometimes fighter escort and bomber support may be needed.
Length: 130 metres.
Torpedoes: 1x Daranium-enhanced nuclear torpedo launcher (1x turret).
Secondary: 5x particle turrets, 5x laser gattling turrets, 1x auto-locking missile turret.
Propulsion: Ion glide drive (Mark 1) (1x emitter plate).
Construction: Standard ship superalloy endo-exo structure with 80mm Staffordshire-class adaptive hull armour plating.
Crew Compliment: 5 officer grade, 35 enlisted crew.
Power: 1x Class 2 H-fuel based nuclear reactor micro-core.
Computer: Mark 2 primary core, Class B internal ecology support.
Estimated Refit Interval: 10 years
Estimated Hull Lifespan: 50 years
Planned Production Run: 7,900x, currently in service, 100x more planned.
Misc.: 3x emergency lifepods (mark 3), active protection system (50x emergency forcefield generators, emergency decompression protocol), Class 10 Power Distribution Network.
- Cavalier-class Bretonian Light Fighter
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/MattLever/Bretonia/cavalier.jpg
[A Cavalier-class fighter in battle-drills]
Only moderately armed, but highly manoeuvrable, the Cavalier is based on a much older design, but has been totally refit with modern technologies.
The Cavalier lacks weaponry, but makes significant gains in agility. The Cavalier is used by both the Armed Forces and the Police as a space-superiority dogfighter.
Length: 15 metres.
Missile Hardpoints: 2x class 4 hardpoints.
Secondary: 2x 'Ripper' forward tachyon guns, 2x forward particle guns.
Propulsion: Ion pulse drive (Mark 2) (1x emitter plate).
Construction: Standard ship superalloy endo-exo structure with 20mm fighter-grade hull armour plating.
Crew Compliment: 1 pilot, 1 co-pilot (optional).
Power: 1x Class 1 H-fuel based nuclear reactor micro-core.
Computer: Mark 1 primary core.
Estimated Refit Interval: 5 years
Estimated Hull Lifespan: 30 years
Misc.: 2x emergency ejection mechanisms, active protection system, Class 2 Power Distribution Network, Mark 7 ECM system, Mark 2 ESS.
- Crusader-class Bretonian Heavy Fighter
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/MattLever/Bretonia/crusader.jpg
[A Crusader-class fighter, docking for repairs]
A much larger, less agile, but more heavily armed fighter, exclusively used by the Armed Forces, the Crusader dominates small ships and fighters in head-on contact with its significant forward firepower, and rotary ventral missile turret.
The Crusader also utilises the 'Wasp' Cruise Disrupter; this missile travels faster than all cruise engines, and on impact it immediately dissipates the charge of the ion engine's emitter plate, disabling it for a short period of time.
Length: 15 metres.
Missile Hardpoints: 2x class 4 hardpoints.
Secondary: 4x 'Ripper' forward tachyon guns, 6x forward particle guns, 1x rotary missile turret, 1x Wasp Cruise Disrupter.
Propulsion: Ion pulse drive (Mark 2) (1x emitter plate).
Construction: Standard ship superalloy endo-exo structure with 22mm fighter-grade hull armour plating.
Crew Compliment: 1 pilot, 2 co-pilots (optional).
Power: 1x Class 1 H-fuel based nuclear reactor micro-core.
Computer: Mark 1 primary core.
Estimated Refit Interval: 5 years
Estimated Hull Lifespan: 30 years
Misc.: 3x emergency ejection mechanisms, active protection system, Class 2 Power Distribution Network, Mark 8 ECM, Mark 3 ESS.
- Clydesdale-B class Heavy Troop Carrier
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/MattLever/Bretonia/clydesdale.jpg
[A Clydesdale-B landing troops on a pirate base in Manchester]
The Clydesdale-B Heavy Troop Carrier is a fully independent, cruise-capable vessel capable of holding nearly 150 troops inside its relatively small hull.
A peculiar goldfish shape, the Clydesdale-B is only three times as large as a standard fighter. This makes it excellent for deploying troops from a capital ship, only without revealing the capital ship's presence.
Lightly armed and possessing no substancial armour of its own, the Clydesdale must either approach a disarmed enemy or be escorted by fighters.
Length: 50 metres.
Secondary: 2x tachyon turrets.
Propulsion: Ion pulse drive (Mark 2) (1x emitter plate).
Construction: Standard ship superalloy endo-exo structure with 10mm fighter-grade hull armour plating.
Crew Compliment: 2 pilots, 2 techs (optional).
Power: 1x Class 1 H-fuel based nuclear reactor micro-core.
Computer: Mark 1 primary core.
Estimated Refit Interval: 5 years
Estimated Hull Lifespan: 30 years
Misc.: Detachable rear section for escape, active protection system, Class 2 Power Distribution Network, Mark 8 ECM, Mark 3 ESS.
- Stafford-class Mobile Torpedo Bombers
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/MattLever/Bretonia/stafford.jpg
[Image of the Stafford-class, taken from BRAF archives]
The Stafford-class Torp Bomber is designed for covert missions against large targets, or for simply projecting the destructive force of a battleship without the cost.
The Stafford-class has four torpedo hardpoints mounted around its hull on the port and starboard sides. Although it can only hold four daranium-enhanced nuclear torpedoes, these torpedoes are battleship-grade and capable of inflicting massive damage on a stationary target. Once the Stafford-class has delivered its payload, it must return to a base or ship for a re-supply.
Due to its lack of close-range weapons and relative vulnerability whilst firing, the Stafford-class must be escorted by fighters to be effective. Standard offensive procedure involves the fighters flying ahead and softening the enemy's defences (destroying weapons turrets, occupying/destroying nearby enemy fighters or gunships). Once the fighter squadron reports the defences have been sufficiently weakened, the bombers cruise in and launch their torpedoes at their targets. Typically, a single squadron of torp bombers will be present on all capital ships, fondly referred to as 'Gamma squad' by their fighter pilot colleagues.
Length: 30 metres.
Missile Hardpoints: 4x Daranium-enhanced nuclear torpedo hardpoints.
Propulsion: Ion pulse drive (Mark 2) (1x emitter plate).
Construction: Standard ship superalloy endo-exo structure with 100mm fighter-grade hull armour plating.
Crew Compliment: 2 pilots, 1 tech (optional).
Power: 1x Class 1 H-fuel based nuclear reactor micro-core.
Computer: Mark 1 primary core.
Estimated Refit Interval: 5 years
Estimated Hull Lifespan: 30 years
Misc.: 1x emergency ejection mechanism, active protection system, Class 2 Power Distribution Network, Mark 8 ECM, Mark 3 ESS.