NationStates Jolt Archive

In an ongoing effort to keep our fleets up-to-date, the Skeelzanian High Command recently authorized the release of several new contracts. These were duly given to various local shipyards, who immediately set to work. The first of these contracts was for a new fighter, Skeelzania's third. Unlike the "cheap and weak" fighters of earlier design, this new craft was intended to act as a powerful interceptor and escort for the Fleet's capital ships.

http://img29.photobucket.com/albums/v87/Bad_Skeelz/Snakmes.jpg

In a surprise move, the relatively young contractor of Nidrah Inc. snatched the contract away from veteran Solomon Shipyards. Nidrah's fighter, the Snakmes, is much larger than previous models, almost as big as a bomber. It fills this extra space with a powerful engine and several directional thrusters, giving the Snakmes unparalled manueverability. Although mounting two gauss gun's on its belly, the primary armament will be guided and "scatter" missiles, something previous not seen on Skeelzanian fighters. A revolutionary 3-D sphere cockpit gives the pilot unprecedented visibility, although there is a risk of the numerous cameras being knocked out by an EMP. It's large size will limit the Snakmes' deployment however, as it cannot fit into many of the smaller ships.

Preliminary stats:

Name: Snakmes
Role: Interceptor/Escort
Length: 34 meters
Beam: 14.8 meters
Draft: 9 meters
Weight: 52 metric tons
Propulsion: 2 Ion Pulse drives, numerous manuevering thrusters
Powerplant: Micro-fusion reactor
Armament: Gauss Gun x2; Missile launcher x2 (8 shots each)
Armor: 10cm of standard armor
Crew: Pilot in spherical cockpit, mounted in main body
Acceleration: 2400 m/s^2
Max Velocity: 3000 m/s
Shielding: No
Hyperdrive: No
Special Features: Neural interface, flare launcher

The fighter is expected to enter production in two years, and cost around 50 million USD.

Coming soon: the Cerebrus corvette

*looks at fleet*

*looks at trout*

*sings*

Another contract called for a "strike-corvette", that packed the power of a capital ship into a lighter hull. This would be used against enemy capital ships, acting as a skirmisher along the flanks, dealing some casualties but generally distracting the enemy from the heavier attack that would fall on the center.

http://img29.photobucket.com/albums/v87/Bad_Skeelz/Cereberus.jpg
The winner of the contract was Solomon Shipyards' Cerebrus class, so-named for its three powerful main guns. Like the Garm gunships, this class carries a heavy energy-weapon armament mounted forward and powerful engines allowing the Cerebrus to keep its sights on the target. The three energy cannons provide good coverage to the front of the ship, but their limited-traverse leaves the Cerebrus open to attack from the rear. Several dorsal-mounted missile launchers provide all-around fire, although damage is limited.

Name: Cerebrus
Role: Strike Corvette
Length: 325 meters
Beam: 80 meters
Draft: 130 meters
Weight: 35000
Propulsion: 2 Ion Emission Drives
Powerplant: 1 Fusion Reactor
Armament: energy cannon x3; missile tube x12
Armor: 3 meters of Chobham ship armor
Crew: 80
Marine Contingement: N/A
Acceleration: 500m/s^2
Max Velocity: 2300m/s
Shielding: Yes
Hyperdrive: Yes

The Cerebrus should enter full-scale production within 4 years, gradually replacing the Draco, Wyrm, and Garm classes of corvettes and gunship.

*looks at fleet*

*looks at trout*

*sings*

OCC: Well thats...odd. I suppose its mocking in one way or another.

I was so impressed by your fleet, that I dropped my trout.

Right...well back to making final-production stats.