NationStates Jolt Archive

Basically, I'm looking for opinions on my stuff. Any and all opinions are welcome.

Basic breakdown of the military.
Navy:
PATROLLER class corvette
http://www.mangalocity.com/panther_op_800x600.jpg
The corvettes in the Dominion’s fleet are some of the fastest capital ships in the known universe. With few weapons and next to nothing in the way of armor, it relies on this unnatural speed for survival. It is mainly used to escort convoys or sent on patrol in groups of three or more.
Corvettes in the First Fleet:
Draken
Anfar
Reaper
Phoenix
Othelon
Lodaka
Hammer
Anvil
CROSUS class destroyer
http://www.3dshop.com/Gallery/SCI-FI/122S.jpg
The Dominion’s destroyers are small, fast, highly maneuverable warships, smaller than a frigate and are used to escort convoys and other support roles. Lightly armed and armored, it boasts a mere five las-cannons and one heavy las-cannon. It has next to nothing in the way of point defenses and relies on its maneuverability for protection.
Destroyers in the First Fleet:
Fenris
Herne
Korin
Nuwolf
Mesophan
Scythe
Alma
Zerker
DELPHINUS class frigate
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/be/Delphinus_%28Skies_of_Arcadia
A medium sized warship, it is larger than a destroyer but smaller than a cruiser, and used mainly for escort duty and other support roles. More heavily armed and armored than the destroyer, the Dominion’s frigate has a thicker hull and larger weapons than most other nation’s ships of the same class. As an additional oddity, the bow can open and a long probe is extended. This probe is a powerful passive sensor array that allows the ship to fulfill a variety of roles. It is armed with two las-cannon batteries (double-barreled), two heavy las-cannon batteries (also double-barreled), and six missile launchers.
Frigates in the First Fleet:
Delphinus
Leit
Kilbas
Zakarn
Seizure
Thiassi
Thaisch
Blade
Knight
Christoph
Nickolai
SABER class cruiser
http://www.zaon.org/public/Bribo_UEN_Atlas_Pre01.jpg
The Dominion’s cruiser is a small warship, fast, easily maneuverable, smaller and less heavily armed and armored than a battleship. The cruiser is the smallest class of warship to field any snub fighter other than the compact TA-5J “Thumper” fighter bomber. It is armed with five double-barreled las-cannon batteries, one double-barreled heavy las-cannon battery, and ten quad-barreled point defense weapon systems as well as several missile launchers.
Cruisers in the First Fleet:
Raven
Espardo
Drandon
Cainon
Geofon
Kolga
Lazuli
Hunter
Mauler
POUNDER class battle cruiser
http://www.zaon.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=58&d=1082816909
A fast-disappearing class, it was meant to bridge the gap between cruiser and battleship. As it was woefully insufficient in this capacity, the class was discontinued and now the only one remaining in service belongs to the first fleet. Armed with ten double-barreled las-cannons, five double-barreled heavy las-cannons, missile launchers, and twenty quad-barreled point defense weapons.
Battle cruisers in the First Fleet:
Wardog
ENFORCER class battleship
http://www.colonialfleets.com/gallery/data/media/1/guardian_patrol_ig193.jpg
The backbone of the Dominion’s space forces, the battle ship is one of the most heavily armed and armored classes. With a massive engine section and a truly staggering number of weapons emplacements, this is truly a ship to step carefully around.
Battleships in the First Fleet:
Tanager
Expeditious
Righteous
Virtuous
Mobius
Valheru
Aegis
Indomitable
DEMON class dreadnought
http://www.colonialfleets.com/gallery/data/media/1/cruiser_circe_cl_sag_8-6-05_i1a.jpg
Few in number, the dreadnought has a far superior weapons load than the battleship. With the drastic increase in weapons and armor, there is a drastic decrease in speed and acceleration.
Dreadnoughts in the First Fleet:
Raz
Griz
ISLAND class command ship
http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/10/8564/8564_1130312786_large.jpg
Overly large and inordinately expensive, there is only one command ship per fleet. Slower than even the dreadnought, the command ship has easily three or four times the firepower and armor.
Command ships in the First Fleet:
Novindus
NORSE class carrier
http://www.cashow-adsl.demon.co.uk/amarcarrier.jpg
As the name states, the carrier obviously carries something: snub fighters. Its only weapons are point defense systems. Each carrier can easily hold eighteen squadrons with room to spare.
Carriers in the First Fleet:
Thor
Odin
Skadi
Loki
Hel
PACIFIER class medical cruiser
http://www.zaon.org/public/Bribo_UEN_Carrier_1.jpg
Totally undefended, it relies on location and the rest of the fleet to protect it.
Medical cruisers in the First Fleet:
Purity
LEGIONNAIRE class transport ship
http://bandai.namco.com/eis_viewer/images/fed/ship_columbus.jpg
Armed with only a few sporadic point defense weapons, these retro-fitted cargo ships carry ground forces and assault troops.
Transport ships in the First Fleet:
Principe
Hastate
Praetorian
Legio
FARSIGHT class reconnaissance/intelligence vessel
http://www.mangalocity.com/dreadnought_op_800x600.jpg
With a vast array of sensors and other instruments, this rather ungainly looking ship provides all sorts of electronic help to the navy. It can intercept and decrypt most transmissions as well as intelligence gathering missions. With all this sophisticated equipment, it often plays the role of command and control, much like a modern AWACS. Totally unarmed, it relies on its relatively small sensor profile and other craft for protection.
Intel/recon ships in the First Fleet:
Cyclopes

Aerospace forces:
BLADEHAWK fighter
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:ADFX-01_screenshot.jpg
The mainstay of the fighter corps is the Bladehawk. Twin engine and sporting forward swept wings that extend from the rear of the fuselage; the Bladehawk is a dedicated ship-based fighter. While it excels at what it does, it lacks the means for faster than light travel because it was felt the added mass and strain would be more hindrance than help. Four under wing pylons hold various ordnance and it has one pulse lasgun mounted on one side of the cockpit.

DRAGOON bomber
http://freespace.volitionwatch.com/techfs/shots/art/dark/dark04.jpg
A rather ungainly-looking craft, the Dragoon is a ship-based bombing craft. Like the Bladehawk, it must be ferried to and from the engagement because it lacks faster than light travel. Four engines provide it with enough thrust to almost keep pace with the Bladehawks. Lacking pylons, all ordnance is kept in an internal bay.

THUMPER fighter-bomber
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Workshop/2778/images/thumper4.jpg
The smallest snub fighter in use by the Dominion, it is also the longest serving. Now in its tenth model, the Thumper is immensely popular with the fighter corps. Engine power and weapons load in a compact frame; the Thumper is carried by nearly every vessel in the navy, and is well suited to both vacuum and atmospheric operations.

ARCHER long-range bomber
http://yamatomechanics.org/illust/pages/img/mecha/ct22_28.jpg
Once the need for a way to get snub fighters to a location without ferrying them was realized, command began to formulate strategies based on these new frames. The Archer was a long-range bomber capable of faster than light travel and designed for strike missions deep behind enemy lines. However, it was a flawed design that was not really capable of defending itself.

ARCHER II long-range bomber
http://www.1999.co.jp/dbimages/user/hobby/itbig/10045086.jpg
Replacing the Archer throughout most of the Dominion, the Archer two in addition to carrying a heavier payload, is able to defend itself by adding a second person, a gunner in a ball turret towards the rear of the fuselage on top.

PERSEUS heavy bomber
www.artin.ch/.../media/art_space_bomber_g.jpg
With only two engines, it is much slower than a Dragoon, but it can carry a massive payload.

ROC bomber
http://www.3dmodelworks.com/models/thumb/GMS/SpaceCruiser/b3a_pict.jpg
This bomber is really quite basic and rather limited. It is strictly atmospheric and command never saw much point for atmospheric bombing when you can bombard a target from orbit for much less money.

BLADE atmospheric fighter
http://www.reactorinteractive.net/drew/bladepose.jpg
An air superiority fighter of the first order. While not as fast or maneuverable as some, it is extremely heavily armed.

CORSAIR long-range fighter
http://www.reactorinteractive.net/drew/corsairpose.jpg
Originally intended to escort Archers, the Corsair is also capable of faster than light travel. Four engines are necessary to propel it along because the designers were perhaps a tad overzealous and gave it a far larger weapons load than was needed. Now that the Archer II is in service, the need for the corsair is not as great. Command still keeps it around because they are unwilling to let it go. So it now fills in a variety of odd jobs, such as scouting.

ZEPHYR experimental fighter
http://www.sheriftariq.org/images/markers/fighter.jpg
Still in the testing stage, this fighter has no ordnance and packs two newly designed high-powered pulse lasgun. It is lightweight and is propelled by two large engines; it is intended to be interceptor.

Army:
THUNDER attack craft
http://www.3drt.com/3dm/gunships/gs-02_04.jpg
The main gunship of the army, it is lightly armored and armed with dual rotating pulse-lasguns and carries ordnance on six under wing pylons.

STORM gunship
http://www.3drt.com/3dm/gunships/gs-06_02.jpg
This gunship is typically used for assaults using conventional infantry. Armed with two double-barreled pulse-lasguns, two rocket pod launchers, and two conventional miniguns in the side doors, it can carry twenty troops in addition to the crew.

BOLT tank-killer
http://www.sheriftariq.org/images/markers/tank_killer.jpg
The tank-killer is an integral part of the army. It carries six anti-armor missiles and the main gun fires a high-powered laser beam that can ruin a tanker’s day.

MINARET anti-air gun
http://bigs.the-junkyard.net/images/bigslegos/Hovertank_1.jpg
This mobile hovering AAA boasts eight barrels of hot death towards aircraft.

TEMPLAR main battle tank
http://www.fistfulofstamps.com/modelbase/images/front.jpg
This hover tank is the main conventional armor the Dominion has, bears a stripped down capital ship las-cannon as its main gun, and a pulse-lasgun up top.

PALADIN light tank
http://www.sheriftariq.org/images/markers/hovertank.jpg
This light hover tank is not very common because of its weapon. It has essentially the same cannon as the Templar, except the barrel was shortened and the beam is compressed and funneled through a much smaller aperture. The result is a thinner, more concentrated beam that can go through heavier armor.

Mobile suits:
PANTHERA Mk VII mobile suit
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:OZ-06MS_Leo_Early_Type.gif http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:OZ-06MS_Leo.gif
Standing at a height of fifteen feet, the Panthera suit is the last word in armored combat. Durable, with several weapon choices, and the adaptability to fight in almost any environment make this indispensable to the assault troops who use them. Able to act as mobile artillery (first link) or fire more mundane kinetic rounds (second link) it can also be outfitted for space combat and carry beam weaponry. (Below)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:OZ-06SMS_Leo_Space_Type.gif

In development:
PERSEUS II heavy bomber
http://freespace.volitionwatch.com/techfs/shots/art/dark/p2.jpg
A design that, if it works as well as projected, may just replace not only the Perseus, but the Archer II and Dragoon as well.

VERITECH aerospace/ground superiority fighting unit
http://www-lsi.ugr.es/~rosana/software/wannabe/escenas/modelos/veritech/veritech.jpg
A new project that looks to combine the fighter with the mobile suit. Still early in the design phase.

ooc: I'd probably advise a few fewer large ships and a few more smaller ships(unless you're going for small numbers and large ships, as having more Line(battle) ships than you have escort ships is a bit odd.)

Also since you're calling it your First Fleet, that would imply that you have more, and considering the size, may lead to problems.
Unless of course things like your Battleships are under a Kilometer in length.

My ships are smaller than most people's, I plan on operating several defensive fleets, but this one is intended for power projection. And as for the low number of escorts, I know. I just haven't gotten around to adding more in yet. I'm curious as to whether or not there's an escort to capital ship ratio I could use.

My ships are smaller than most people's, I plan on operating several defensive fleets, but this one is intended for power projection. And as for the low number of escorts, I know. I just haven't gotten around to adding more in yet. I'm curious as to whether or not there's an escort to capital ship ratio I could use.
I personally use a 3:1 ratio, where you have three ships of a lower class, then one of the next up.

Ie: A fleet(of mine) breakdown:
1 Super Dreadnaught
3 Dreadnaughts
9 Battleships
27 Frigates
81 Cruisers
243 Corvettes
Frigates, Cruisers and Corvettes are classed as Escort Class, the other three are classed as Captial Class.

What about other incidentals such as snubfighters?

What about other incidentals such as snubfighters?
I don't use them. I utilize all the room that fighters take(for fuel, weaponry, spare parts, crew quarters(both pilots and mechanics), hanger space and all the rest and pack in more armour, Point-Defences, shields, sensors and weapons.

my fleets are heavy cap ship fleets

I go the opposite of Theao. True my capital ships have ginormous ass ship killer cannons, slow firing, extreme range and what not. They dont really have alot of duelling guns. Instead every ship carries variable mecha of my own design.

And these variable mecha are rather in the robotech, particularly mospeada vein, and thus carry prodigious amounts of heavy weaponry. And with the primary armament not being the large cannons, but actually the massive ranks of missiles...it makes them versatile. Fighter launch missiles capable of harming ships, gigaton scale antimatter bombs and megaton nukes, terrawatt OS graser and xaser missiles.

So yes the fighters actually fill out the role of PDS frigates as well as light attack frigates in my navy.

You have a good amount of fighters for a navy, especially if you plan on using large scale shipkilling nukes or fusion bombs or AM bombs or whatnot.
Because sure a fighter launch shipkiller may not be big. But 100 fighter launch shipkillers would be a big deal. Especially considering most PDS wouldnt be able to shoot all of them down, not by a long shot. Fighters deploy their high speed missiles much closer then cap ships ;).

But you cant rely on fighters 100% because of the sheer fact they are not capital ships with capital ship scale weaponry. Without your own capital ships, your facing capital ships and sub craft, without the benefit of supporting cap ships to distract or even ward off enemy vessels.

I say the ships are pretty good, good fleet in general.

Also there are much better robotech links available to get wonderful galleries for VT's. http://www.robotechresearch.com/

W00t! Thank you for the information, sir!