NationStates Jolt Archive

In deep space, there looms a gigantic artificial moon, orbiting around a distant star at a leisurely period of several billion years. Like a massive disco ball, the head offices of Lunkwill & Fook loom ominously over an underpopulated and rarely visited sector of the galaxy, and houses upwards of five hundred million employees.

The vast majority of these employees are employed in the recordkeeping department, where they are tasked with sorting through mountains-literally-of paperwork, some of it millennia old, and then filing it in alphabetical and chronological order.

One of the most important categories of data deals with the company's vast collection of ships, the great portion of which are inherited from the now-defunct Robotic Galactic Flotilla. Drives performance charts, raw sensors data, crews' logs, irrelevant scribblings, are all tagged and filed away in the archives for safekeeping.

Any successful merchant association needs plenty of ships, and L&F certainly has a fair few hulls. Small Dhows and Junks, often less than one hundred meters in length, make up the bulk of the fleet, running shorter routes around more populated areas. The bigger freighters make the longer trips, carrying bulk cargoes and outfitted to undertake long voyages out into the middle of nowhere. And there is also still a naval element, for protecting trade routes and fighting piracy.

For the first time in decades, L&F looks ready to release a report, albeit highly censored, about its ship holdings to the outside world, pending a vote.

OCC: Just to clarify, this is more or less a glorified 'dis mem fleet' type of thread. As many of you have noticed, I am not very good at writing RPs myself. They never seem to go anywhere...but that's a different story.

What I hope to do here is inform you of LRR's present condition and, more specifically, ship holdings.

IC:

The Robotic Nation has more or less ceased to exist as a single, united entity. LRR now functions as a loose association of outposts and ships, operating on a highly decentralized, semi-communistic type of government.

Therefore, Robotic ships do not really operate under a codified chain of command (barring the Grand Fleet, or the remnants thereof). Most Robotic ships are freighters and science vessels, although they are all either fast enough or armed enough to give a good account of themselves if attacked. Neutrality and humanitarianism are the order of the day among Robotic crews. Keep in mind, the freighters are essentially free ships, equivalent to a standard civilian merchant fleet, albeit with science and exploratory tasks along with trade.

Now, to the ships:

Freighters

Dhows & Junks

Overview

Junks and Dhows are small ships, built to be highly efficient in use of interior space as well as fast, both FTL and sublight. Renowned for their reliability and friendliness to maintainance and innovation, they are not terribly advanced ships. They do get the job done, however, and are highly profitable along shorter routes. Relatively small cargo capacity makes them less profitable on long range trading. Dhows and Junks are based on the standard linear configration.

Length: 75-150m (typical)
Crew: 10-20 (typical)
In Service: N/A

Survey Ships

Overview

Freighter-Destroyers are midsize vessels, built for longer-range trade routes and high endurance. Like Junks and Dhows, they are reliable and modular, but are far more expensive, even as similar-sized vessels go. Freighter-Destroyers are also heavily armed in general, and quite capable of filling the station of a picket vessel if need be. Their armament consists mostly of point defense lasers, but capable secondary cannon are included. Support vessels like heavy tugs and proving ships are generally built on Freighter-Destroyer hulls. Freighter-Destroyers are based on the standard linear configuration, with extensive rounding and capacity for numerous modules. Current operating class is the Zanzibar Class.

[Edit: Jul. 19]As Robotic shipyards begin to run closer to regular production rates and turn out more freighters, of wider variety and larger size, the Zanzibar class ships have been converted into survey and patrol vessels.

Length: 260m (Zanzibar Class)
Crew: 35-50 (Zanzibar Class)
In Service:RSV Endurance
RSV Echo
RSV Roebuck
RSV Gleaner
RSV Bulldog
RSV Herald
RSV Fearless
RSV Intrepid
RSV Murphy
RSV Bulwark
RSV Togo
RSV Somaliland
RSV East Timor
RSV Sulawesi
RSV Java
RSV Sumatra
RSV Zanzibar
RSV New Guinea
RSV Suriname
RSV Mali
RSV Bangladesh
RSV Senegal
RSV Namibia
RSV Mozambique
RSV Malawi
RSV Donald Livingstone
RSV Lesotho
RSV Eritrea
RSV Lake Volta
RSV Lake Niassa
RSV Sounder
RSV Borneo
RSV Abu Dhabi
RSV Belize
RSV Gannet
RSV Boston
RSV Stanley
RSV Guinea-Bissau
RSV Hong Kong
RSV Mauritania
RSV Western Sahara

Heavy Freighters

Overview

Defined as freighters larger than 300 meters, there are hundreds of heavy freighters in Robotic service, all quite capable ships built to exacting specification and to the highest standards of construction, to last for as long as the crew. Heavy Freighters are the backbone of the Robotic Cooperative and Lunkwill & Fook, and travel in large convoys between major commercial hubs. Most carry something in the way of offensive weaponry, and all are superbely armored and protected by shielding. It is difficult to pin down exact numbers of examples built, and class designation is not relevant given that even two heavy freighters are rarely built to identical standards.

Bulk Freighters/Salvage Freighters

Overview

The pride and joy of Robotic shipping, Bulk Freighters, also known as Salvage Freighters, are truly massive ships. Purpose-built to carry gigantic cargoes, often multiple large ships, internally and externally, such vessels are obcenely expensive and at the same time major sources of income. Surprisingly modular in construction, they can be converted to perform a wide range of roles and carry a wide range of goods.

Length: 9,500m (with standard module)
Crew: 80-100 (typical)
In Service: 2
RSV Jimi Hendrix
RSV Charlie Christian

Warships

Monitors

Overview

Monitors are relatively small, single-purpose warships equipped with oversized armament and heavy armor, at the expense of agility. They are generally used alone on lower-intensity missions, where the multipurpose ability of larger ships is not required.

Length: 300m (Gorgon Class), 250m (M15 Class), 275m (M29 Class), 304m (Erebus Class), 296m (Humber Class)
Crew: 75-120
In Service: Gorgon Class
RSV Gorgon
RSV Glatton
M15 Class
RSV M15-M28
M29 Class
RSV M29-M33
Erebus Class
RSV Erebus
RSV Terror
Humber Class
RNS Severn
RNS Humber
RNS Mersey

Sloops & Corvettes

Overview

Corvettes and Sloops are designed to be light escorts with good sensors and a quick acceleration. They are not terribly poorly armed for their size, and generally carry, in addition to point defense systems, a number of secondary guns. They are primarily used for customs patrols, where their manouverability and speed are major assets.

Length: 131m (Flower Class), 164m (Black Swan Class)
Crew: 60-70
In Service: Flower Class
172 ships
Black Swan Class
29 Ships

Minesweepers

Overview

Minesweepers are generally slightly larger than corvettes and charged with obstacle clearance tasks. They are used, first and foremost, to detect and destroy anti-ship mines, both cloaked and visible, and to plot the locations of dangerous minefields. They can also be used as tugs, medical and technical support vessels, and survey vessels. Minesweepers are usually equipped with two railguns for actively destroying mines, as well as an HEPD self-defense system and a very good sensors array. Countermeasures drones and powerful jamming equipment are also carried. Minesweepers are very heavily armored and extremely robust due to their highly explosive and hazardous line of work.

Length: 201m (Pangbourne Class), 203m (Halcyon Class)
Crew: 56 (Pangbourne Class), 61 (Halcyon Class)
In Service: Pangbourne Class
RSV Aberdare
RSV Abingdon
RSV Bagshot
RSV Derby
RSV Dundalk
RSV Dunoon
RSV Elgin
RSV Fermoy
RSV Fitzroy
RSV Huntley
RSV Kellett
RSV Lydd
RSV Pangbourne
RSV Ross
RSV Selkirk
RSV Stoke
RSV Sutton
RSV Widnes
Halcyon Class
RSV Bramble
RSV Britomart
RSV Gossamer
RSV Halcyon
RSV Harrier
RSV Hazard
RSV Hussar
RSV Salamander
RSV Seagull
RSV Sharpshooter
RSV Skipjack
RSV Speedwell
RSV Speedy

Destroyers & Frigates

Overview

Destroyers and Frigates are generally used as picket ships, with armaments concentrated heavily in anti-fighter and anti-missile function. They have very good sensors (although without the same range and multipurpose ability as freighter sensors), capable of tracking and engaging very many targets, and are also very agile.

Length: 150m (Havock Class), 182m (Beagle Class), 210m (W and Z Class), 196m (Laforey Class), 243m (Daring Class), 210m (O Class), 212m (L and M Class), 212m (Battle Class)
Crew: 80-130
In Service: Havock Class
RSV Havock
RSV Hornet
Beagle Class
RSV Basilisk
RSV Beagle
RSV Bulldog
RSV Foxhound
RSV Grampus
RSV Grasshopper
RSV Harpy
RSV Mosquito
RSV Pincher
RSV Racoon
RSV Scorpion
RSV Wolverine
Laforey Class
RSV Laertes
RSV Laforey
RSV Lance
RSV Landrail
RSV Lark
RSV Lassoo
RSV Laurel
RSV Laverock
RSV Lawford
RSV Legion
RSV Lennox
RSV Leonidas
RSV Liberty
RSV Linnet
RSV Llewellyn
RSV Lochinvar
RSV Lookout
RSV Louis
RSV Loyal
RSV Lysander
W Class
RSV Kempenfelt
RSV Wager
RSV Wakeful
RSV Wessex
RSV Whelp
RSV Whirlwind
RSV Wizard
RSV Wrangler
Z Class
RSV Myngs
RSV Zambesi
RSV Zealous
RSV Zebra
RSV Zentih
RSV Zephyr
RSV Zest
RSV Zodiac
Daring Class
RSV Daring
RSV Decoy
RSV Defender
RSV Delight
RSV Diamond
RSV Diana
RSV Dutchess
RSV Vampire
RSV Viscount
Clyde Class
RSV Clyde
RSV Devon
RSV Tyne
RSV Tweed
RSV Wye
RSV Offa's Dike
RSV Usk
RSV Taff
RSV Trent
RSV Stour
O Class Destroyer
RNS Obdurate
RNS Offa
RNS Onslaught
RNS Onslow
RNS Opportune
RNS Oribi
RNS Orwell
L And M Class
RNS Matchless
RNS Meteor
RNS Milne
RNS Monmouth
RNS Myrmidon
RNS Lightning
RNS Limbang
RNS Liberia
RNS Lambert
Battle Class
RNS Agincourt
RNS Asine
RNS Armada
RNS Barfleur
RNS Barrosa
RNS Cadiz
RNS Camperdown
RNS Corunna
RNS Finsterre
RNS Gabbard
RNS Gravelines
RNS Kingston
RNS Julian's Field
RNS St. Kitts
RNS Dennis

Light Cruisers

Overview

Light Cruisers are designed as relatively fast, multirole ships, capable of operating both as part of a squadron and independently. They have considerable endurance and good-quality engineering facilities. Light Cruisers are not terribly heavily armed or armored, but can give a good account of themselves in battle under capable command.

Length: 292m (Town Class), 311m (Dido Class), 305m (Fiji Class), 301m (Cressy Class), 362m (Cambrian Class)
Crew: 100-130
In Service: Town Class
RSV Birmingham
RSV Birkenhead
RSV Bristol
RSV Chatham
RSV Chester
RSV Dartmouth
RSV Dublin
RSV Glasgow
RSV Liverpool
RSV Weymouth
RNS Falmouth
RNS Nottingham
RNS Yarmouth
RNS Lowestoft
RNS Southampton
RNS Newcastle
Dido Class
RSV Argonaut
RSV Bellona
RSV Bonaventure
RSV Sirius
RSV Dabur
RSV Falkland
RSV Coronel
Fiji Class
RSV Jamaica
RSV Bahama
RSV Fiji
RSV Afghanistan
RSV Sri Lanka
RSV Gambia
RSV Kenya
RSV Mauritius
RSV Newfoundland
RSV Trinidad
Cressy Class
RSV Cressy
RSV Sutlej
RSV Aboukir
RSV Hogue
RSV Bacchante
RSV Euralyus
Cambrian Class
RNS Cambrian
RNS Calcutta
RNS Canterbury
RNS Cardiff
RNS Carlisle
RNS Caroline
RNS Carysfort
RNS Champion
RNS Colombo
RNS Constance
RNS Concordat
RNS Coventry


Heavy Cruisers

Overview

Heavy cruisers are large, heavily armed and armored vessels designed to operate either independently or at the head of a squadron or division. They are rather expensive ships, furnished with capable engineering spaces (although not as all-purpose as those on freighters) and with numerous self-sufficient characteristics.

Length: 469m (County Class), 502m (Hawkins Class), 561m (Tiger Class), 419m (Edgar Class)
Complement: 120
Crew: 140-180
In Service: County Class
RSV Cumberland
RSV Cornwall
RSV Devonshire
RSV Exeter
RSV Kent
RSV Suffolk
Hawkins Class
RSV Hawkins
RSV Vindicative
RSV Primorye
RSV Frobisher
RSV Effingham
Tiger Class
RSV Tiger
RSV Lion
RSV Blake
Edgar Class
RNS Edgar
RNS Royal Arthur
RNS Grafton
RNS Crescent

Battleships

Overview

Battleships are designed as heavy ships of the line, with considerable independent capability and multirole equipment. They are equipped with engineering facilities comparable to those found on freighters and are highly self-sufficient.

Length: 540m (Bellrophon Class), 550m (Nelson Class), 604m (RSV Vanguard), 599m (Cannabis Class), 612m (Royal Soveriegn Class), 614m (Royal Edward Class)
Crew: 200-260
In Service: Bellrophon Class
RSV Bellrophon
RSV Superb
Nelson Class
RSV Nelson
RSV Rodney
Vanguard Class
RSV Vanguard
Cannabis Class
RSV Cannabis
RSV Albion
RSV Ocean
RSV Glory
RSV Malaysia
King Roddy XXVIII (Royal Soveriegn) Class
RNS Royal Soveriegn
RNS King Ahmed II
RNS King Marley VIII
RNS Ramilies
RNS Resolution
RNS Royal Grog
Royal Edward Class
RNS Royal Edward
RNS Commonwealth
RNS Dominion
RNS Hindustan
RNS New Zealand
RNS Lesotho
RNS Orkney
RNS Lord Ix


Dreadnoughts

The pride and center of the fleet, Dreadnaughts anchor any battle force and are the most powerful warships in the Robotic inventory. With heavy armor, firepower, and self-sufficiency, Dreadnaughts are fitted to perform major repairs aboard ship and to act as heavy towships.

Length: 1,204m (Orion Class), 2,029m (RSV Magnificent), 2,300m (RSV Dreadnought)
Crew: 600 (Orion class), 1,000 (RSV Magnificent), 1,500 (RSV Dreadnought)

Orion Class
RSV Orion
RSV Conqueror
RSV Thunderer
DR01 Class
RSV Dreadnought
DR02 Class
RSV Magnificent

Carriers

The carrier is a vital element of the modern battlegroup, providing a base from which fighter craft can operate in support of the larger ships and also carrying a compliment of marines capable of responding to a wide range of situations. The carrier gives a battlegroup the flexibility to respond effectively to near anything and also provides extra maintainance support. Robotic carriers are built off Light Cruiser hulls and generally carry wings of around 100 light craft.

Length: 540m (Lusaka Class), 538m (Courageous Class)
Crew: ~350 plus 120 pilots plus 150 marines (up to 700 marines in overload conditions)
In Service: Lusaka Class
RSV Derek Igomo
RSV Ngolo Marshall
RSV Livingstone Miyanda
RSV Derek Morgan
RSV Colin Olongwe
Courageous Class
RSV Courageous
RSV Battleaxe

Fighters & Corvettes

The role of support fighter is vital to the Robotic Navy. A number of advanced types are operated, both manned and unmanned, and based off the various carrier classes. Fighters are usually armed with four plasma cannons fixed and foreward-firing and another ten or so missile hardpoints.

Length: 14m (Audax), 17m (Osprey), 22m (Skua)
Crew: 0-1
In Service: Skua
52 squadrons
Osprey
46 squadrons
Audax
55 squadrons

Torpedo Boats

Torpedo boats are the RFS's primary method of anti-ship defense for fixed facilities and are als extremely useful for raiding operations. They are fast, manouverable, and effective if not terribly heavily armored. See appendices for more details.

Length: 97m (E Class), 92m (C Class), 80m (T Class), 87m (S Class)
Crew: 15-60
In Service: E Class
RNS E1-E56
C Class
RNS C1-C38
T Class
RNS T1-T17
S Class
RNS S1-S63

bump for critique

Xtesee regards this report as a potential goldmine.

i found it interresting LRR, though id like to see more stats like cargo capacity, weapon emplacments, yadda yadda yadda.

i found it interresting LRR, though id like to see more stats like cargo capacity, weapon emplacments, yadda yadda yadda.

Well, I don't, erm...have any.

I've never been good at writing up the specifications, and have been more or less obliged to go with 'practical and believable amounts.'

I will, however, write up some notes on systems in a little bit.

Technical Notes

Junks & Dhows

Due to the very wide variety of ships in this category operated by associates and subsidiaries of Lunkwill & Fook, a clear set of specifications is just not available. It is not uncommon for individual crews to make modifications to their ship drastic enough to totally alter its appearance and often its size. But as a general rule, such vessels conform broadly to the size listed above, and often carry a smaller compliment.

Such vessels are also often used as passenger ferries and heavy-duty yard tugs. When outfitted as a tug, a Dhow is generally equipped with a monstrous set of magnetic grippers, many layers of padding, and a considerable amount of manouvering thrusters.

Propulsion systems also vary greatly, with some crews opting for the fusion reactor while yet others prefer the ion drive, a smaller, more compact device that yields a lower acceleration yet is considerably cheaper and can match fusion in terms of safe velocity.

Armament is light if it exists at all, consisting perhaps of two or three point defense lasers in addition to shields and limited HEPD systems. Some Junks have been sighted with missile magazines in more heavily pirated areas, but this modification is uncommon as the thrust of the missiles, when fired in volley, can sometimes cancel out the ship's foreward movement.

Freighter-Destroyers

Thanks to a fairly rigid classification system amongst Freighter-Destroyers, detailed specifications are somewhat easier to come by. Like most Robotic freighters and tradeships, extensive and form-altering modifications are quite common. However, there is only one major class of Freighter-Destroyers, the LF-260 Zanzibar (LF designating Lunkwill & Fook Bureau and 260 standing for 260m, the ship's overall length).

The Zanzibar class freighter-destroyers are, as stated, 260 meters long and 52 meters in diameter. They are shaped like a cylinder, flattened towards the bow, and engine farings distort the cylinder shape at the stern. Cargo capacity is somewhere in the region of 130,000 square meters, and can be increased with the addition of overflow modules. Armor is fairly heavy to begin with, and can be enhanced with applique if need be. The engineering compartment, workshops, sensors stations and auxiliary bays are located towards the rear, while the bridge and ion turret control station are located on the bow.

Propulsion systems are generally centered around Fusion nuclear reactors, which supply power to four Magneto-Plasmadynamic main thruster units and numerous smaller manouvering thrusters. The engineering compartment is very well laid-out and friendly to maintainance, and the entire drives assembly is quite popular due to its reliability. The four Magneto-Plasmadynamic thrusters provide enough thrust to move the ship at a respectable pace. The ship's crew is also equipped with extensive workshops and science equipment, historically some of the most heavily used systems aboard Robotic ships.

Sensors are based on the LF-A55 primary detection array, which incorperates radio, infra-red, LIDAR, and optical sensors equipment. Resolution and range are adjustable and the array, in fully operative state, provides full 360-degree coverage.

Armament is relatively heavy on freighter-destroyers, with capable HEPD systems complimented by laser antimissile/antifighter cannons. Secondary batteries are also mounted, with six quadruple 10cm ion cannon turrets. Some ships have been sighted with missile batteries, but this is relatively uncommon as it interrupts the cannons' detection and tracking systems.

Modules can be fitted quickly and easily, allowing for the transportation of many different types of cargo internally and externally. In addition to the ship's already good-quality medical bay, hospital and medevac modules can be fitted into the main hold.

Due to this wide range of equipment and extreme versatility, Zanzibar class ships are rather expensive. They are used extensively and are generally regarded as worth the price, though.

Heavy Freighters

As is the case with the Dhows and Junks, Heavy Freighters are varied in type and design, and therefore defy a single set of specifications. As a rule, they are not purpose-built freighters and therefore disproportionally heavily armed and large, and used to move very large quantities of goods.

The majority of the Heavy Freighters are spherical cruisers, and are thus furnished with cavernous internal spaces. Extensive refits are generally needed to convert them into cargo carriers, and they retain military propulsion and armor. While most primary cannon are removed to make space, most, if not all, secondary and point defense armament is left in operative condition. Heavy Freighters ply the longest and most arduous routes, employing their self-sufficiency and multipurpose ability to maximum effect. It is not unknown for Heavy Freighters to transport multiple small ships internally in order to aid in docking manouvers or cargo transfer.

16cm ion cannons are generally fitted in between 18 and 25 quadruple mounts, and missile magazines are common.

A general rule, as far as size goes, is between 900 and 1000 meters in diameter.

(Use the formula for a volume of the sphere to determine total internal space, and multiply by .75 for approximate cargo spaces. Adjust if necessary to compensate for impracticalities.)

Bulk Freighters

Bulk Freighters, also known as salvage freighters, are the icons of Robotic shipping. They are simply massive ships, dwarfing almost all other freighters in size and cost. Because of their prohibitive cost, only two have been constructed to date, and both are heavily armed and armored. A foreward module, a sizable ship in its own right, houses crew areas, primary Magneto-Plasmadynamic thrusters (of which there are no fewer than ten), auxiliary bays, and engineering compartments, as well as bridge and fire control.

The ships are surprisingly modular, and can be fitted with several different rear sections. Heavy-duty magnetic grippers and tow ropes can be fitted, enabling the foreward module to be employed as a gigantic tug for moving other ships and sections of orbital stations. A workshop module can be fitted as well, facilitating the construction of ship or station components on site. More common modules are the standard bulk cargo hold, which can be configured to accept a multitude of cargo types including fairly large warships, and tanker modules, used to transport ores and gasses.

The ship is protected by no fewer than 50 quad 18cm ion cannon turrets, as well as ten dual mount railguns and a multitude of laser point defense cannon. A heavy-duty HEPD system is included as well, complimented by heavy armor, which can in turn be enhanced by adding applique.

Monitors

Monitors are designed to be relatively squat, spartan ships that provide a very stable and accurate gunnery platform. The Gorgon class is a textbook monitor, heavily armed and armored, but slow, underpowered, and uncomfortable. Armed with two quad 20cm ion cannon turrets, the Gorgon, and its fellow the Glatton, are capable of doing heavy damage to ships much larger than themselves in a close-in engagement. 12cm and 10cm secondaries are also in abundance, but the class is considered somewhat lacking in point defense equipment.

The M15 class remedied the Gorgon's uncomfortable conditions and inadequate propulsion systems to an extent, but brought along an uncommon level of mechanical unreliability. This is most likely due to the abundance of new and advanced systems stuck in their hulls. M15 class ships mount smaller, but faster-training, 17cm primaries, and fewer secondaries.

The M29 class is regarded as a fairly competent design. While not as heavily armed as either the Gorgon or M15 classes, the M29 is a reliable and maintainance-friendly class, equipped with a more capable motor arrangement and familiar systems. The M29 retains the M15's primary armament, but does not carry as many secondaries.

The Erebus class is probably the most capable Robotic monitor, retaining the Gorgon's heavy firepower and complimenting it with improved point defense systems and propulsion. The Erebus represents a noticable step down in terms of comfort from the M15 and M29, and human crewmembers are obliged to sleep in hammocks slung anywhere convenient. Still, the Erebus and Terror are effective and useful warships, heavily armed and armored, and without the problems faced by earlier types.

Corvettes & Sloops

Corvettes and sloops are intended primarily as light, cheap, relatively single-purpose escort ships. Emphasis is placed on simplicity of design and manouverability, so therefore such ships are not very heavily armored.

The Flower class corvette is equipped primarily as a picket ship. It houses a capable sensors suite and anti-torpedo missiles, along with point defense lasers. A pair of quad mount 6cm ion cannons give the ship some close-range firepower, although the ships are by no means built for it. Service aboard a Flower isn't terribly desirable. The ships are cramped and dingy, usually uncomfortably cold, and constantly hum and rattle. The Flower class is still a capable ship, powered by a pair of oversized Magneto-Plasmadynamic thruster units which supply high manouverability and quick acceleration. If used properly, the class can be a nice tool in battle.

The Black Swan class is a more multipurpose ship, incorperating a larger and more accomodating hull as well as more refined systems. Although the ships' mass is considerably greater than that of the Flower corvettes, they employ the same thruster type and configuration, yielding a somewhat lessened degree of manouverability and slower acceleration. More of a patrol and customs ship than a picket, the Black Swan is capable of undertaking relatively long voyages, due to its increased area for provisions and more comfortable crew spaces. As opposed to the standard hammock arrangement, crews aboard the Black Swan ships can expect bunks in dedicated rest areas, not stuck in whatever free space that can be found. Armament overall is similar, although the Black Swan is slightly more heavily armored.

Destroyers

Destroyers are a diverse selection of vessels, with multiple different classes, all with their own purpose and equipment loadout. They are generally shaped like flattened cylinders, with the bow being broadest. Propulsion systems are fairly uniform on all destroyer classes, with three magneto-plasmadynamic thruster units are mounted at the rear, protected by heavily armored fairings.

The Havock class is generally not regarded as the most successful of designs, criticized for being overly beweaponed. The class has no less than four foreward heavy torpedo tubes, as well as three quadruple-mount 10cm ion cannons. This level of armament, packed into a ship smaller than the Black Swan class corvettes, makes for a cramped vessel, ready to blow to pieces if hit in the right spot. Most of the vessel's internal spaces are used to fit torpedo ammunition and cannon systems, leaving little room for a good sensors suite and any sort of multipurpose functions. In practice, Havock-class ships have relied upon other pickets to guide torpedos towards distant targets, on-board sensors lacking the proper resolution and track-while-scan capability. Applique armor is generally fitted to the Havock and Hornet when out of port, an attempt to increase their shield-breech survivability. After all, the ships' thin armor, coupled with their vast stores of ammunition, make them quite ready to explode within the first few hull hits.

So, how do you like that? Better? Same? Worse?

Bump

I promise you, this will be finished...soon.

Special Variants

Due to Lunkwill & Fook's wide range of commitments and services, an equally wide range of special variants have been developed to fulfill the company's requirements.

Junks & Dhows and Zanzibar class freighters are the usual candidates for modification and adaptation, being far more numerous and far less expensive than other types. Some common applications for Junk and Dhow hulls include:

Escape Systems testbed, with a modified aft section containing an escape module bay. Powerplant is generally ho-hum, although modular engines can be added when acceleration is being tested.
Shipyard Survey Ship, with a sizable observation compartment and holographic displays, used to monitor the progress of a shipbuilding or other construction job and make on-site modifications.
Heavy Tug, equipped with heavy-capacity electromagnetic grippers and remote arms, as well as oversized powerplant and plenty of padding. Used to move shipyard components and other bits and pieces of this and that. Due to the cramped quarters, the crew of such a vessel rarely exceeds five, and a small passenger bay is often included to accomodate an observer or adviser.
Miner Survey Ship, equipped with advanced primary array, used for prospecting.
Heavy Fighter, with oversized ion cannon and numerous smaller armaments, analogous to the Beaufighter or B-25H.

Zanzibar-class variants include:

Superheavy Tug, with very large electromagnetic grippers and no fewer than six magneto-plasmadynamic thrusters, designed for moving the heavy and bulk freighters as well as station components.
Technology Testbed, with auxiliary powerplant mountings and ship performance sensors. Test monitoring room replaces cargo bay.
Salvage Tug, with considerable armaments as well as very large magnetic grippers and extra magneto-plasmadynamic thrusters. Designed to salvage damaged vessels, as well as perform repairs on-site. Furnished with excellent workshop facilities.
Hospital Ship, equipped with a large medical bay in place of the cargo compartment.
Escort Carrier, with capacity for numerous small fighters in place of the cargo compartment. This duty has been largely taken over by light cruiser hulls.

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Spherical Battleships; Rise and Fall

Born from a specification for a new generation of large ships-of-the-line, the first of what would later be known as spherical cruisers were built during the early years of Robotic soveriegnty over the one-time Robotic Cluster at Nathanielstan Shipbuilders. Type XI heavy line cruisers, or alternatively Clyde class pocket battleships, were approximately 400 meters in diameter and had a slightly flattened, teardrop-shaped hull with a large battery of MPD units providing the thrust necessary to move the class. A total of six Clyde class vessels were built, including Shannon, Tyne, Clyde, Tweed, Lorne, and Humber. These vessels were very much a multipurpose design, intended to serve as armed merchantmen and survey ships as well as warships of the line. The Clyde, Tyne, and Humber are still in service, refitted as freighters.

The success of the Clyde class lead to the design of an even larger class of line warship, the Hyderabad-series line dreadnaughts, a whopping 1,055 meters in diameter. Four vessels were planned, although the fourth, Ambikapur, was never completed and broken up on the slipway. Major difficulties were encountered in the construction of the Hyderabad class, not the least of which was the unorthodox spherical design. While the Clyde class was small enough to be built in existing slipways, the Hyderabad class needed its own special annex. Furthermore, the massive scale of the class yielded a final bill far over budget. The Clyde class had been expensive, but the Hyderabad cost as much as a ship several times its size to build, all told. One major factor of this cost was the need to shape the hull plates, and the very large surface area of the hull.

But nonetheless, the Hyderabad class could be considered an effective and worthwhile design from a purely military point of view. Heavily armored and well-armed, it took the firepower from several Aumanii battlegroups to destroy the Hyderabad and Madras over Nathanielstan. Therefore, it was decided to press on with the spherical design.

The next class was the Aden heavy line cruisers, 688 meters in diameter and fully spherical. A total of 10 Adens were built over a number of years, and took into account the lessons learned from the Hyderabad's construction. The class attempted to fit considerable firepower and armor into a smaller and, relatively, more affordable package at the expense of multirole capability. Again, the Adens proved quite tough when finally tested in battle, acquitting themselves admirably against a force many times the size of the one they belonged to. Only two Aden cruisers, the Oman and Kuwait, continue in service, refitted as freighters. The Adens proved very expensive to operate, however, and quite demanding on their crews.

The last class of the line was the Derek Igomo heavy line cruiser, of which five were constructed. While smaller than the Aden, the Derek Igomo, Kenya, Botswana, Lusaka, and Uganda were still a good 543 meters in diameter. The Derek Igomo class was designed to be much closer to a more standard Robotic warship. Fast, self-sufficient, and flexible, if not exactly formidably armed. Therefore, they found themselves quite at home in the merchant scout and survey ship role, and for this reason none were present during the battle of Nathanielstan. The Derek Igomo class could probably be considered the pinnacle of the spherical ships-of-the-line, or at least that which was closest to what their designers wanted them to be. All remain in service, refitted to serve more effectively in the freighter and survey ship capacity. It would not at all be incorrect to assume that, had the Nathanielstan Shipyards not been lost during the expulsion from the Robotic Cluster, Derek Igomo class ships would now form the backbone of Robotic battle squadrons.

However, due to the pressing need for large and robust freighters, all the spherical ships that survived were quickly refitted to serve as freighters and survey ships. Their primary and many of their secondary batteries were removed to make room for bulky cargoes and their on-board workshops were expanded greatly, to the point that a Derek Igomo class freighter can replace entire hull sections while underway.

Lunkwill & Fook no longer operates any yards fitted for spherical warship construction, and has also lost its main source of metals. Importing them is costly, and this has forced L&F to design the new fleet in a greatly reduced scale and in linear configuration, only really meant to stand and fight against pirates or criminals and built to run from larger and more powerful ships.

(OOC: Wow. Just, wow. There's just so much, stuff...)

bump for updates

But, its so small. I mean numbers not amount of info, you've got so few ships. As a May 2003 nation you should have either tech that p4wns all comers or massive ships and lots of them. I mean now Nov 2004 nations have tens of thousands of 1600m ships, you should have millions of them. Unless of course you're no releasing the heavy or new ships, and then I wish that you would a secret IC that lists them.

But, its so small. I mean numbers not amount of info, you've got so few ships. As a May 2003 nation you should have either tech that p4wns all comers or massive ships and lots of them. I mean now Nov 2004 nations have tens of thousands of 1600m ships, you should have millions of them. Unless of course you're no releasing the heavy or new ships, and then I wish that you would a secret IC that lists them.

Oh, I should? They are? Erm...oh...

My favorite example to use right now is Huntaer, one post listed forces at around 20k star Destroyers plus 17+ km command ships. With tech and numbers getting larger and larger in FT these days you either need a smal number of incredibly powerful ships, i.e. tera-peta or sometimes even exa ton weapon yields. You can play with a much smaller fleet then most people use, and then do something like building a ton of ships right before a war due to your massive industry. It just wouldn't put right for a nation of your size and experience to be outnumbered by nations not even a year old.

tag

My favorite example to use right now is Huntaer, one post listed forces at around 20k star Destroyers plus 17+ km command ships. With tech and numbers getting larger and larger in FT these days you either need a smal number of incredibly powerful ships, i.e. tera-peta or sometimes even exa ton weapon yields. You can play with a much smaller fleet then most people use, and then do something like building a ton of ships right before a war due to your massive industry. It just wouldn't put right for a nation of your size and experience to be outnumbered by nations not even a year old.

And that doesn't strike you as being at all wanky?


Anyway Mjor kudos LRR, its been a while since read this thread and it is simply awesome, probabaly some of the best realised and characterful ships on II. This a perfect example of "good" FT RP, it doesn't all have to be Uber 20mile long Sw deathstar criusers of ST doom with jedi sith warriors destroying everything in sight.

Hehe i just had a random thought about FT AMW with "realistic" FT stuff, if only any of us could find the time...

Official ANAGONIA STAMP OF APPROVAL

Yea, I love this! Very descriptive and shows good imagination per topic. I enjoyed reading the battleship part, admittedly I only skimmed over most of it. But I read enough to properly conclude that a lot of effort through detail was put into this, for for that I approve this thread personally, because I can and it means absolutley nothing!

Anywho, nice job! VERY NICE JOB. Never thought I'd see you around anytime soon LRR, but you know.

"...the Derek Igomo heavy line cruiser"

Oh! Mr.Derek in space? His ego(mo) does not need this :)

"...the Derek Igomo heavy line cruiser"

Oh! Mr.Derek in space? His ego(mo) does not need this :)

Well I was short on names, so NS Africa was the logical next stop...

And old Derek deserves it, eh?

But I must say, I'm flattered! :) Can anyone guess what I named my ships after?

(Hint hint: England expects...)

Robotic Flotilla Service; Order Of Battle, Lords Of The Admiralty, and Misc. Information

The Flotilla Service In Popular Culture

The Robotic Flotilla Service (RFS) has always played a significant part in Robotic society and culture, sustaining the Robots' trade lifeline and acting as, in one way or another, the Robotic Cooperative's largest single employer. Members of the RFS are usually known as 'Tins,' or 'Toasters,' the latter accredited to members of the Liberated New Hope navy. 'Toasters' is usually derogatory, akin to 'skate,' although without the sexual connotations. RFS members are also known as 'Jerry's Boys,' a reference to the RFS's founding Admiral, and possibly to his alledged relationships with a number of sailors in the predominately male (not counting the majority Robots and other inorganics) RFS.

Order Of Battle, Robotic Flotilla Service

Note: RFS OrBat excludes combat vessels smaller than destroyers.

1st Battle Squadron
Comm. Adm. Horatio Tindouf (RNS Magnificent)
RNS Bellrophon
RNS Superb
RNS Vindicative
RNS Frobisher
RNS Effingham
RNS Dublin
RNS Chester
RNS Glasgow
RNS Dabur
RNS Hogue
RNS Coronel
RNS Sri Lanka
RNS Courageous
RNS Glatton
RNS M15
RNS M22
RNS Basilisk
RNS Grampus
RNS Wager
RNS Wakeful
RNS Wessex
RNS Whelp
RNS Whirlwind
RNS Wizard
RNS Wrangler
RNS Offa's Dike
RNS Usk
RNS Taff
RNS Trent
RNS Stour
RNS Daring

2nd Battle Squadron
Comm. Adm. Lem Ystad (RNS Kent)
RNS Gambia
RNS Cressy
RNS Aboukir
RNS Lochinvar
RNS Llewellyn
RNS Kempenfeldt
RNS Mosquito
RNS Lysander
RNS Zambezi
RNS Decoy
RNS Defender
RNS Delight
RNS Diamond
RNS Diana
RNS Dutchess
RNS Livingstone Miyanda

3rd Battle Squadron
Comm. Adm. Zimbra Byrne (RNS Dreadnought)
RNS Conqueror
RNS Thunderer
RNS Devonshire
RNS Primorye
RNS Lion
RNS Cornwall
RNS Gloucester
RNS Liverpool
RNS Bellona
RNS Kenya
RNS Clyde
RNS Devon
RNS Tyne
RNS Tweed
RNS Wye
RNS Diamond
RNS Diana
RNS Dutchess
RNS Vampire
RNS Viscount
RNS Zealous
RNS Zebra
RNS Zentih
RNS Zephyr
RNS Zest
RNS Zodiac
RNS Laforey
RNS Lance
RNS Landrail
RNS Lark
RNS Lassoo
RNS Laurel
RNS Laverock
RNS Lawford
RNS Derek Igomo

Cruiser Squadron A
Comm. V.Adm. Eli Reba (RNS Exeter)
RNS Hawkins
RNS Euralyus
RNS Falkland
RNS Dartmouth
RNS Southampton
RNS Sutlej

Cruiser Squadron B
Comm. V.Adm. Yaounde Fedorovich (RNS Blake)
RNS Mauritius
RNS Jamaica
RNS Sirius
RNS Yarmouth

Cruiser Squadron C
Comm. S.Adm. Ulyanov Zambezi (RNS Cumberland)
RNS Bonaventure
RNS Afghanistan
RNS Bacchante
RNS Trinidad

Cruiser Squadron D
Comm. S. Adm. Simon Mallor (RNS Albion)
RNS Newfoundland
RNS Argonaut
RNS Falmouth
RNS Nottingham

Other Vessels, Unmentioned In Main Ship List

(As I can't access the forums as LRR, I am unable to access the main ship list and therefore can't edit the classes there, so I'll put vessels unmentioned there in this post.)

Other Town Class Light Cruisers
RNS Falmouth
RNS Nottingham
RNS Yarmouth
RNS Lowestoft
RNS Southampton
RNS Newcastle

Edgar Class Heavy Cruiser
Length: 419m
Complement: 120
RNS Edgar
RNS Royal Arthur
RNS Grafton
RNS Crescent

Humber Class Monitor
Length: 296m
Complement: 112
RNS Severn
RNS Humber
RNS Mersey

O Class Destroyer
Length: 210m
Complement: 125
RNS Obdurate
RNS Offa
RNS Onslaught
RNS Onslow
RNS Opportune
RNS Oribi
RNS Orwell

King Roddy XXVIII (Royal Soveriegn) Class Battleship
Length: 612m
Complement: 244
RNS Royal Soveriegn
RNS King Ahmed II
RNS King Marley VIII
RNS Ramilies
RNS Resolution
RNS Royal Grog

E Class Torpedo Boat
Length: 97m
Complement: 31
RNS E1-E56

C Class Torpedo Boat
Length: 92m
Complement: 18
RNS C1-C38

Foreward Repair Ships, Various

RNS Sandown
RNS Penzance
RNS Pembroke
RNS Walney
RNS Ramsey
RNS Blyth
RNS Shoreham
RNS Ledbury
RNS Cattistock
RNS Brocklesby
RNS Middleton
RNS Abdul V. Rahman
RNS John Allistar
RNS Diligence
RNS Pondicherry
RNS Gabrone
RNS Zambia
RNS Namibia
RNS Walvis Bay

Ship Notes Cont.

Destroyers Cont.

Following the relatively unsuccessful Havock vessels, the Beagle class destroyers faced opposition from a Robotic Admiralty that was becoming averse to the whole idea of the destroyer. However, the Beagle class was very different from the half-baked Havocks. The most obvious differance was in size, with RNS Beagle measuring over 30 meters larger than the Havock. This increase in size accounted for a significant improvement in armor and internal crew safeties. The torpedo magazine was sectioned by large armored walls and could be vented in quite short order, and no crew station was anywhere close to the now fully automated magazine. And while the Beagle class carried significantly fewer torpedoes than the Havock, it made up for this in the form of two quadruple 5cm ion cannon mounts.

Eventually, the even larger Laforey class destroyers were built, essentially Beagle class vessels but with a 12m hull extension that provided the space for an additional pair of torpedo tubes, bringing the total to six.

The desire for ever larger and more heavily armed and armored destroyers lead to the construction of the O, W, and Z class destroyers. They utilised as many common components with the Laforeys and Beagles as possible, but were significantly larger than each and managed to squeeze in, besides an additional two quadruple 5cm ion cannon mounts, a greatly more capable sensors array and a small accomodation for marines, affording them some measure of utility in customs roles. Equipped with the much more powerful LF3 MPD thruster unit, the O, W, and Z-class vessels could attain much better accelerations and could manouver much more quickly than the other destroyer classes, powered by the LF1 and LF2.

The final group of destroyer classes, the Daring and Clyde classes, have a distinctly different character than any other Robotic destroyer. It is true that the very purpose of the destroyer, in the Robotic Navy, is to engage and destroy torpedoes, missiles, strike craft, and small vessels threatening the larger fleet assets, but the Daring and Clyde vessels can do that as well as provide a platform for engaging hostile capital ships. In addition to much heavier armor, more powerful MPD thrusters, long-range sensors, and even a twin 8cm ion cannon mount, the Darings and Clydes trade three of their foreword 53cm torpedo tubes for two 100cm cruiser tubes.

Torpedo Boats

No doubt the most under-reported branch of the RFS is the Torpedo-Carrier or Torpedo Strike flotilla. Ever since the emergence of the ancient dreadnoughts, the big ships have always been forced to contend with small, fast, and heavily armed purpose-built counters, and the modern fleet experience is no different.

The Robotic Flotilla Service operates two major classes of torpedo boats; the C class and the E class. Where the C class is essentially torpedo tubes and stowed torpedoes, the E class is more of a multipurpose vessel which can, if with limited success, engage strike craft and missiles with weaponry including a pair of 2.5cm ion cannon mounts.

The C class torpedo boats were the first vessels of the modern torpedo boat type to be built by the Robotic Flotilla Service and are therefore very much by-the-book ships. Designed around a powerful LF1 MPD thruster, the C class is very fast and very agile, moreso than its size might otherwise suggest. Two 100cm torpedo tubes cover the foreward arc of fire, each one with six stowed and one ready-to-fire missile, and two 42cm anti-fighter and anti-missile torpedo tubes are mounted facing rearward. The 18-person crew is housed in a detachable bridge section, protected from the magazines by a thick armored retaining wall, and a small airlock is situated directly below the bridge to facilitate the retrieval of fighter pilots in distress.

E class torpedo boats, on the other hand, are designed as rather more survivable and robust versions of the C class. The extra 5 meters of length partially accounts for a much greater armor thickness along the outside of the vessel and a still strengthened bridge wall, as well as improved electronic countermeasures. The E class keeps the twin 100cm arrangement present on the C class, but drops the 42cm rearward-firing tubes for a single 53cm tube and two twin 2.5cm ion cannons providing nearly full field of fire coverage.

Light Cruisers

The very backbone of the RFS is the light cruiser, or scout cruiser, and a number of highly capable and advanced classes are in service.

The most important and best-liked of all the Light Cruiser classes is the Town class. With 16 in service and plans for up to 30 additional, it is the most numerous light cruiser in the RFS and for good reason. While rather small, the Towns are very fast and quite agile. While their armament takes a back seat to armor and shielding, and they are no better decked-out than a Daring or Clyde class destroyer, they have a reputation for survivability and can stand up to punishment that would perhaps cripple a larger vessel. Much of this is due to the design's extreme redundancy and the fact that all major systems are protected by heavy internal armor. Two 100cm cruiser tubes fire over the foreword arc, fed from jettisonable, automatic-feed magazines, and another two 53cm tubes cover the rear arc. Two twin 8cm ion cannon mounts are complemented by a total of six quadruple 5cm mounts, giving complete coverage against guided ordnance, strike craft, and other ships.

Broadly similar to but larger than the Town class cruisers are the Dido class torpedo cruisers. While essentially the same vessel for the first 292 meters, another 19 meters worth of hulls space was added to accomodate an additional pair of 100cm cruiser tubes.

The Fiji class cruisers are entirely different from any other RFS cruisers, having been designed to carry ion cannons as primary armament as opposed to torpedoes. Fiji class vessels are quite heavily armored and shielded, but aren't nearly as capable in terms of electronics systems as other cruisers. Besides the cannon-laying systems and anti-missile warning gear, only a very primitive sensors suite is fitted and the class therefore relies heavily on scout craft. A total of four twin 12cm ion cannon mounts are carried on the cruisers, as well as eight quadruple 5cms. A total of four 53cm torpedo tubes cover both the foreward and rearward arcs against fighters and enemy torpedoes.

The last light cruiser in RFS service is the old Cressy class, built far too long ago to really be effective in modern warfare. Although they are fairly heavily armored and comfortable, they don't carry anything in the way of torpedo armaments. Six single 10cm ion cannons are mounted, along with six octuple 2.5cm cannons which provide some measure of defense against hostile strike craft and missiles. While the volume of fire put out by these 48 2.5cm cannons is impressive, the fact remains that such low-power ion cannons are ineffective against modern strike craft and only partially effective against modern torpedoes.

Emergency Fleet Programme

In response to the declaration of war against the nation of New Ortaga, in accordance with supporting the nations of The WIck, Liberated New Hope, and Vernii, all friendly to Robotstan and important trading partners, Parliament has approved the Admiralty's Emergency Fleet Programme No.8-C. Noting the RFS's limited numbers of ships in comparison to the fleets of other involved powers, the Admiralty's plan calls for the fast construction of one new battleship class of eight vessels, one new 'intermediate' or 'protected' cruiser class of 12 vessels, new destroyer classes amounting to 24 vessels, and two new torpedo boat classes of 80 vessels total.

To be built at Hammersmith Palais shipyard, the new vessels include:

L And M Class Destroyer(planned)
Length: 212 Meters
Complement: 125
RNS Matchless
RNS Meteor
RNS Milne
RNS Monmouth
RNS Myrmidon
RNS Lightning
RNS Limbang
RNS Liberia
RNS Lambert

Battle Class Destroyer(planned)
Length: 212 Meters
Complement: 138
RNS Agincourt
RNS Asine
RNS Armada
RNS Barfleur
RNS Barrosa
RNS Cadiz
RNS Camperdown
RNS Corunna
RNS Finsterre
RNS Gabbard
RNS Gravelines
RNS Kingston
RNS Julian's Field
RNS St. Kitts
RNS Dennis

Cambrian Class Protected Cruiser(planned)
Length: 362 meters
Complement: 128
RNS Cambrian
RNS Calcutta
RNS Canterbury
RNS Cardiff
RNS Carlisle
RNS Caroline
RNS Carysfort
RNS Champion
RNS Colombo
RNS Constance
RNS Concordat
RNS Coventry

Royal Edward Class Battleship(planned)
Length: 614 meters
Complement: 259
RNS Royal Edward
RNS Commonwealth
RNS Dominion
RNS Hindustan
RNS New Zealand
RNS Lesotho
RNS Orkney
RNS Lord Ix

S Class Torpedo Boat(planned)
Length: 87 meters
Complement: 55
RNS S1-S63

T Class Torpedo Boat, Series One(planned)
Length: 80 meters
Complement: 34
RNS T1-T17

OCC: I can finally log in with LRR!

With that taken care of, I suppose the first order of business is a definitive ship list, eh?

Impessive as ever m8, maybe a strathdonia in space mgiht be worth looking into, some random out of the way planet or with a navy of 1 criuser, 2-3 destroyers, 4-5 patrol firgates and a bunch of trop/missile vessels...

Actually that sort of fleet would be more required for a chain of small scattered settlements esspecially when the "patrol" firgates in envisiage aren't amillion miles away from the USS-Sulaco from aleins (ie, just enough guns/missiles to kill other frigates, but able to carry a sizable (platoon to company) marine froce and landing craft...


You know i really shoudls top cluttering up your threads with random wibblings

Oh no not at all, Strath! They're here for social purposes as much as anything.

As for Strathdonia in Space, I'd be quite happy to have you. The RFS could easily be motivated to supply your humble planet with relatively high-end hardware to the effect of several Edgar class cruisers and other stuff like that.

You could even play a minor part in the Great March War! Although by the looks of things it might cost the entire RFS...