Here yet again I bring you the next instalment of this tale and what I hope is another chance to relive that which once was. As always this is a work of fiction and any resemblance to any person living or dead is purely coincidental as it is being made up in my head and I like what I'm writing, if this isn't your cup of whisky, go look somewhere else. Please remember to vote, and if you like what you read, like and follow me. Keep those comments coming and please be respectful, any mistakes are my own and I am solely responsible for the content of these stories.
Now for a bit of back story on some of the ship types that are in use in this time frame.
BB - Battleships: These are the hard and heavy hitters of the 23rd Century armed with a wide assortment of weapons, both offensive and defensive. Most usually have 12 to 15 Main guns with the SDs or Super Dreadnaughts having 18 to 24 Mains. Both carry 28 to 40 Missile tubes, 16 heavy torpedo tubes (8 forward, 8 aft), and their CIWS systems are second only to a CVs defensive system. They are usually between 1.25 to 2 kilometers long and.53 to 1.58 klicks wide and have between 25 and 31 decks, they tend to weigh well over 600,000 tones with most of that being divided between armor and armaments. Like Carriers they spend their lives in space rarely if ever touching a planet's surface except to be retired.
CV - Carriers: This class of ship is another of the heavy hitters with most measuring between 1.65 to 2.85 kilometers long, 1.0 to 1.52 klicks wide and weighing over 750,000 tones. They have 20 to 28 decks depending on the class and carry 9 to 14 squadrons of between 25 to 38 craft for each squadron. They are designed, built and spend their life in space and very rarely, if ever touchdown on a planet's surface. Of all the ship classes the CVs have the heaviest CIWS (Close in Weapons Systems) of between 48 and 70 Defensive multi barrel rotary guns and short-range missiles systems. During WW2 US Carriers had multiple levels of gun tubs to defend them from Japanese aircraft. Despite having weapons from 5" guns, 40mm, 20mm,.50 Cal. BMGs rapid firing guns and even defensive aircraft, enemy planes still got through and crashed into the flight decks and hulls of the ships.
CA - Cruisers: These are the fast hitters of a battle group with them being broken down into 3 main groups, Light, Heavy and Assault. All 3 are between.65 to over 1 kilometer long, 350 to 550 meters wide and weigh around 235,000 to 260,000+ tones. They're very maneuverable, fast and designed to pull High G's, hit hard and fast then pull back and hit again. The gun and missile systems of this class of ship are usually quick cycling which allows them to pour a large amount of ordinance onto a given target or target area. The heavy hitters of this class are the Assault variants which can range from.85 to well over 1.3 kilometers long and carry between 34 and 50 assault shuttles. During an assault, they will move in close and drop their troops while providing covering fire from their gun and missile systems. Ships of this class usually operate in groups of 3 to 10 ships along with DDs and FFs to provide additional support or covering fire. They'll also provide support in a Carrier or Battleship battle group, generally acting as the defensive combat coordination commander for a given area or group. Of all the ship classes these are the most versatile and flexible of all the classes.
DD - Destroyers: These are the 'Tin Cans' of the fleet and carry light to medium offensive firepower and their power to weight ratio is usually 2-1, they are very fast and maneuverable and can extract themselves from trouble as fast as they get themselves into it. Their general duty is scouting and in a battle group, the form the first line of defense against an attack. The Defensive firepower is quite powerful, and they generally carry powerful torpedoes and missiles which are their primary offensive armament. Most are between 500 to 650 meters long and 100 to 125 wide, they usually weigh between 90,000 to 125,000 tones. This class of ship usually works with the FF or Frigate class which are slightly smaller usually by 100 meters and 10,000 to 15,000 tones and carry a smaller number of missiles and torpedoes. They also have a 2-1 power to weight ratio and operate in packs of 3 to 12 ships like the DDs.
FAV - Fast Assault Vessel: These are the rapid strike vessels of the fleet, capable of jumping in and out multiple times and appearing as many ships instead of just one. They can carry a reinforced company of Marines in and out of a hot LZ and in the
prepping of that very same LZ for landings or a hot extract if 'the shit has hit the fan'. Assault carriers generally have 16 - 20 FAVs for SPECOPS missions, the rest are combat shuttles that lack jump capable engines, but still retain the heavy armament and armor like the FAVs. FAVs, like assault shuttles are capable of carrying 60 stretcher and 20 ambulatory cases on a return trip and have integrated O2, IV and suction points when operating as a medevac. The ships measure between 70 and 100 meters long and 30 to 42 wide, they generally have 3 or 4 decks and weigh in at 75 to 152 tones. Some can carry the F/A-36M Sky Raiders, for quick in and out strikes.
Date: 232009.05
Time: 0545.12