The ships presented here have been designed using the Naval Architect Manual included in the Star Cruiser boxed set. Ships listed above that do not have a write-up below have been published by others and are not available here.
Original Date of Design: 30 Oct 2298 First Example Laid Down: 06 Jun 2299 First Example Completed: 24 Jun 2299 Fleets of Service: France
The newly commissioned Napoleon-class battleship was constructed following the loss of the Tallyrand-class battleship Ste. Jeanne d'Arc at Eta Bootis in 2298 to the Kafers. After the loss of that vessel, French designers and tacticians concluded that such capital ships, while suited to act as the core of a battle squadron, were not sufficiently powerful to act independently. A second important note was that screens were supplemental to, but not a substitute for armor.
While the Napoleon-class is more expensive than the Tallyrand-class, this is primarily due to the expense of the advanced synthetic hull material. Currently, the Napoleon has been commissioned in mid 2300 and a sister ship under construction is expected to be commissioned in mid 2301.
Offensive operations are centered on eight Martel-class fighters carried on board and the extensive missile capability centered in eight bays. Defense is in the hands of thirty-six laser turrets with armor and heavy screening.
The designers hope that these new ships will become the pride of the fleet and largely overshadow the loss of the Ste. Jeanne d'Arc.
Navigational: Navigational Radar, Deep Space Scanner, Gravitational Scanner; Military: Active sensor (range=16), Passive sensor (range=12); Scientific: none
Bridge: 32 (Command, Navigation, Communications x2, Engineering x9, Computer x3); Flag Bridge: 15 (Senior Command Staff x4, Communications x9, Computer x2); TAC: 64 (Sensors x4 (Active x2, Passive x2), Fire Control x36, Remote x10, Flight Control x8, Senior Command x6); Engineering: 58; Shipboard Vessels: 24, (Fighters - Crew x16, Maintenance x8); Ship's Security: 60; Ship's Troops: 765; Stewards: 3; Scientific: none; Medical: 35; Passengers: none
Warp Efficiency: 3.04 (2.92 loaded); Power Plant: twin 200 MW Fusion; Fuel: none; Range: 7.7; Mass: 47,775 tons (53,775 tons loaded); Cargo Capacity: 8,428 m³ (5,108 tons) fuel tankage for fighter and drone refueling, 500 m³ (1,000 tons) ordnance re-loads, 2,000 m³ (6,000 tons) cargo; Hanger Decks: one (10m high x 20m wide x 80m deep) holds eight Martel-class fighters; Comfort: 0, Total Life Support: 1,056 for 180 days; Ordnance: Guiscard LL-98 lasers, Ritage-2 missiles; Small Craft: eight Martel-class fighters, two Voir-class drones; Price: Lv 664,686,000 including ordnance but excluding fighters and drones
Movement: 6; Screens: 6; Radiated Signature: 5 (8) both plants, 4 (7) single plant; Radial Reflected: 9; Lateral Reflected: 10; Targeting Computer: +2; Radial Profile: +3; Lateral Profile: +5; Armor: 6; Hull Hits: 102/205/409; Power Plant Hits: 26/132 and 26/132; Surface Fixture Hits: six x1+0 UTES with arc 812, six x1+0 UTES with arc 678, six x1+0 UTES with arc 234, six x1+0 UTES with arc 456, three x1+0 UTES with arc 781, three x1+0 UTES with arc 123, three x1+0 UTES with arc 567, three x1+0 UTES with arc 345, ten Communicators; Active Sensors: range=16 with primary antenna; Passive Sensors: range=12 with primary antenna; Critical Hits - Ship Sections: Computer, Life Support, Drive, Hanger Deck, Missile Bay #1, Missile Bay #2, Missile Bay #3, Missile Bay #4, Drone Bay, Continuous; Critical Hits - TAC: 2x Active Operator, 2x Passive Operator, 36x Fire Control, 10x Remote, 8x Flight Controller, 6x Command Staff; Critical Hits - Bridge: (Even - Ship Bridge)): Captain, Navigator, 2x Communications, 9x Engineering, 3x Computer; (Odd - Flag Bridge): 4x Senior Command, 9x Communications, 2x Computer; Damage Control: nine 3 man and one 2 man; Comfort: 0; Ordnance: 80 Ritage-2 in eight bays of ten missiles; 2 Voir drones in single bay.
BB Napoleon Ship Status Sheet - for use with standard rules
BB Napoleon Ship Status Sheet - for use with SC-R01 Alternative Component Hit Values
Original Date of Design: 11 Nov 2284 First Example Laid Down: 21 Aug 2285 First Example Completed: 16 Jun 2993 Fleets of Service: France
The Richelieu-class battleship is an official GDW design. It first appeared in Ships of the French Arm on page 38. The Ship Status Sheet for the standard rules is found in Ships of the French Arm, and is not available on this site.
BB Richelieu Ship Status Sheet - for use with standard rules - published in the Star Cruiser game from GDW
BB Richelieu Ship Status Sheet - for use with SC-R01 Alternative Component Hit Values
Original Date of Design: 11 Nov 2284 First Example Laid Down: ?? ??? 2287 First Example Completed: ?? ??? ???? Fleets of Service: France
The Tallyrand-class battleship is an official GDW design. It first appeared in Star Cruiser on page 17 of the Rules Book, and is also mentioned in Ships of the French Arm on page 38. The Ship Status Sheet for the standard rules is found in Star Cruiser, and is not available on this site.
BB Tallyrand Ship Status Sheet - for use with standard rules - published in the Star Cruiser game from GDW
BB Tallyrand Ship Status Sheet - for use with SC-R01 Alternative Component Hit Values
Original Date of Design: 16 Apr 2301 First Example Laid Down: 09 Jun 2301 First Example Completed: 21 Sep 2301 Fleets of Service: France
The Albatros-class Carrier Light (CVL) was created by taking a stock merchant hull and converting the majority of the cargo hold into a hanger bay and adding military weaponry and sensors. A tactical action center and maintenance facilities for the carried fighters was also carved from the cargo hold. The Albatros was produced throughout the Kafer War at the same shipyard that produced the basic merchant hull during which time, production of civilian hulls was suspended.
Navigational: Navigational Radar, Deep Space Scanner, Gravitational Scanner; Military: Passive sensor (range=6); Survey: none
Bridge: 10 (Captain x1, Navigation x1, Commo x1, Engr-Helm x1, Computer x1); TAC: 13 (Passive Sensors x1, FC - Subm x4, Flt Ctrl x6, Computer x1, TAC Cmd Staff x1); Engineering: 3; Shipboard Vessels: 24 (Martel FTR crew x18, Maintenance x6); Ship's Security: 20; Ship's Troops: none; Stewards: none; Scientific: none; Medical: 5 (Doctors x1, Nurses x1, Medics x3); Passengers: none
Warp Efficiency: 1.45 loaded (1.62 unloaded); Power Plant: 10MW MHD; Fuel: 10 MW MHD; Fuel: 2000 tons, sufficient for 2 weeks of operations; Range: 7.7; Mass: 13,550 tons loaded (9,750 tons unloaded); Cargo Capacity: 825 m³ (500 tons) fuel tankage for fighter refueling, 600 m³ (1200 tons) ordnance re-loads, 692 m³ (2076 tons) cargo; Hanger Decks: two (#1, #2)(20m high x 20m wide x 40m deep) holds three Martel-class fighters (62 total); Comfort: 0, Total Life Support: 75 for 30 days; Ordnance: LL-2 Submunition Dispensers; Small Craft: six Martel-class fighters; Price: : Lv 33,974,000 excluding fighters
Movement: 3; Screens: none; Radiated Signature: 2 (4); Radial Reflected: 6; Lateral Reflected: 11; Targeting Computer: +2; Radial Profile: 0; Lateral Profile: +2; Armor: 1; Hull Hits: 24/48/95; Power Plant Hits: 6/27; Surface Fixture Hits: four LL-2 Submunition Dispensers, four TTAs; Active Sensors: none; Passive Sensors: range=6 with primary antenna; Critical Hits - Ship Sections: Computer, Life Support, Drive, Hanger Deck#1, Hanger Deck #2, Continuous; Critical Hits - TAC: Passive Operator, 4x Fire Control, 6x Flight Controller; Critical Hits - Bridge: Captain, Navigator, Communications, Engineering, Computer Damage Control: one 1 man teams; Comfort: 0; Ordnance: 20 LL-2 submunitions in four dispensers
CVL Albatros Ship Status Sheet - for use with standard rules
CVL Albatros Ship Status Sheet - for use with SC-R01 Alternative Component Hit Values
Original Date of Design: 14 Mar 2250 First Example Laid Down: 01 Sep 2251 First Example Completed: 16 Nov 2253 Fleets of Service: France, Anzania
The Picardie-class CG is the predecessor of the French Suffren-class cruiser and has been completely replaced in front line service with France. The few members of the class that remain with the Imperial French Navy have been relegated to reserve and training formations. The remaining hulls have scraped or sold off to other nations. Anzania purchased one unit, the Artois, in 2285 along with two Ypres-12 -class frigates. Renamed the Lesotho, the cruiser functions as the flagship of small Anzanian Space Navy. The fleet can typically be found patrolling the French Arm between the two colonies of Lubumbashi (61 Ursae Majoris) and Okavango (Kimanjano). The cruiser has two Ritage-1 missile paks and a small lander magnetically attached to the hull. The main armament was upgraded with Guiscard LL-88 at the time of purchase.
Navigational: Navigational Radar, Deep Space Scanner, Gravitational Scanner; Military: Active sensor (range=7), Passive sensor (range=10); Survey: none
Bridge: 12 (Command, Navigation, Communications x2, Engineering-Helm, Computer); TAC: 13 (Command, Sensors x2 (Active, Passive), Fire Control x6, Remote x2, Flight Control, Computer); Engineering: 23; Shipboard Vessels: 3 (Landers - Crew x2, Maintenance x1); Ship's Security: none; Ship's Troops: 10; Stewards: 1; Scientific: none; Medical: Medic x2; Passengers: none
Warp Efficiency: 2.11 (2.04 loaded); Power Plant: twin 15MW Fission; Fuel: none; Range: 7.7; Mass: 4,900 tons (5,400 tons loaded); Cargo Capacity: 165m³ (500tons) cargo; Hanger Decks: none; Comfort: 0, Total Life Support: 65 for 200 days; Ordnance: Guiscard LL-88 lasers, Ritage-1 missiles; Small Craft: lander; Price: Lv 32,821,000 including ordnance, but excluding lander
Movement: 4; Screens: none; Radiated Signature: 4 (5); Radial Reflected: 6; Lateral Reflected: 7; Targeting Computer: +1; Radial Profile: -2; Lateral Profile: 0; Armor: 4; Hull Hits: 16/32/64; Power Plant Hits: 4/20 and 4/20; Surface Fixture Hits: one x1-1 with arc 8123, one x1-1 with arc 7812, one x1-1 with arc 1234, one x1-1 with arc 6781, one x1-1 with arc 2345, two Communicators, six TTAs; Active Sensors: range=7 with primary antenna; Passive Sensors: range=10 with primary antenna; Critical Hits - Ship Sections: Computer, Life Support, Drive, Continuous; Critical Hits - TAC: Active Operator, Passive Operator, 6x Fire Control, 2x Remote, Flight Controller, Command Staff; Computer; Critical Hits - Bridge: Captain, Navigator, 2x Communications, Engineering, Computer Damage Control: four 3 man teams; Comfort: 0; Ordnance: 16 Ritage-1 in two paks of eight missiles
CG Picardie Ship Status Sheet - for use with standard rules
CG Picardie Ship Status Sheet - for use with SC-R01 Alternative Component Hit Values
Original Date of Design: 04 Dec 2276 First Example Laid Down: 19 Mar 2278 First Example Completed: 15 Aug 2281 Fleets of Service: France, Japan
The Suffren-class cruiser is an official GDW design. It first appeared in Star Cruiser on page 17 of the Rules Book, with additional information in Mission Arcturus on page 6. The Ship Status Sheet for the standard rules is found in Star Cruiser, and is not available on this site.
CG Suffren Ship Status Sheet - for use with standard rules - published in the Star Cruiser game from GDW
CG Suffren Ship Status Sheet - for use with SC-R01 Alternative Component Hit Values
Original Date of Design: ?? ??? ???? First Example Laid Down: ?? ??? ???? First Example Completed: ?? ??? ???? Fleets of Service: France
The Necessite-class auxiliary cruiser is an official GDW design. It first appeared in Star Cruiser on page 17 of the Rules Book.
CA Necessite Ship Status Sheet - for use with standard rules - published in the Star Cruiser game from GDW
CA Necessite Ship Status Sheet - for use with SC-R01 Alternative Component Hit Values
Original Date of Design: 12 Apr 2298 First Example Laid Down: 01 Sep 2299 First Example Completed: 26 Aug 2301 Fleets of Service: France
The Gardien-class fleet escort is a new type of warship, purpose-built to maintain position with capital ships possessing warp efficiencies greater than that of existing escorts. The Maréchal Foch-class destroyer entered service in 2285 and was seen as a replacement to the aging Aconit frigate class of escorts. Though it possessed a 30% increase in stutterwarp efficiency over the Aconit, it was still slower than the Suffren-class cruisers and Richelieu-class battleships in service. Additionally, the Maréchal Foch was five times the expense of an Aconit. Despite its shortcomings, the destroyer entered service and saw widespread deployment along the French Arm.
The War of German Reunification in 2293 saw numerous naval engagements, both in the Core and the French Arm. Post-battle analyses showed that the Maréchal Foch performed only marginally better than the Aconit frigates and the longevity of the class was thrown into question. When intelligence sources in the former Bavaria revealed that the DSKM had laid down plans for a fast destroyer escort in 2297, the remaining advocates of the Maréchal Foch conceded that the Imperial French Navy would, itself, require a new escort warship.
The primary parameter for the new escort warship was to be speed; specifically, a minimum warp efficiency of 3.0 was specified. At this warp efficiency, the escort would be able to hold position with the Richelieu-class battleships and also move in formation with Suffren-class cruisers operating slightly below their top warp efficiency of 3.34. Several designs were submitted and the Gardien-class fleet escort was chosen. Construction commenced in the autumn of 2299, with the namesake of the class entering service two years later.
The Gardien fleet escort utilizes a moderate sized fission plant for power generation. A fission plant was chosen as it provided the best power to mass ratio and removes the dependency on fuel tenders. This last point is very important for an warship with the primary purpose of escorting fusion powered warships that do not require frequent reprovisioning.
The fission power plant is coupled to a new technology 20 MW stutterwarp drive that operates at full power when until combat occurs. During combat, beam weaponry, active sensors, and screen defenses draw combined power greater than the excess provided by the fission plant over the stutterwarp drive consumption. This results in a slight drop in stutterwarp efficiency as power is diverted to combat systems.
The primary mission of the fleet escort is to protect capital warships. To accomplish this, the Gardien-class is equipped with a pair of masked laser turrets and a pair of double submunition dispensers. Defense is provided by defensive screens and moderate armor. Offensive is in the form of a pair of missile bays that can contain the Ritage-2 or Ritage-3 missile. The Ritage-3 missile is an evolutionary development of the Ritage-2, containing a more potent 15x2 detonation warhead having similar mass/volume characteristics.
Navigational: Navigational Radar, Deep Space Scanner, Gravitational Scanner; Military: Active sensor (range=10), Passive sensor (range=10); Survey: none
Bridge: 10 (Command, Navigation, Communications, Engineering, Computer); TAC: 8 (Sensors x2 (Active, Passive), Fire Control x4, Remote x2); Engineering: 20; Shipboard Vessels: none; Ship's Security: none; Ship's Troops: 10; Steward Section: none; Scientific: none; Medical: Medic x2; Passengers: none
Warp Efficiency: 3.06 combat (3.17 normal); Power Plant: 25 MW Fission; Fuel: none; Range: 7.7; Mass: 3,360 tons; Cargo Capacity: 250 m³ (500 tons) for ordnance; Hanger Decks: none; Comfort: 0, Total Life Support: 50 for 150 days; Ordnance: Guiscard LL-98 with UTES, LL-2 submunitions, Ritage-2 or -3 missiles; Small Craft: none; Price: Lv Lv 79,867,000 including ordnance
Movement: 6; Screens: 1; Radiated Signature: 2 (5); Radial Reflected: 4; Lateral Reflected: 5; Targeting Computer: +2; Radial Profile: -2; Lateral Profile: 0; Armor: 5; Hull Hits: 11/21/42; Power Plant Hits: 6/30; Surface Fixture Hits: one x1+0 UTES with arc 7812, one x1+0 UTES with arc 3456, 2x Communicators, 2 LL-2 Submunition Dispensers; ; Active Sensors: range=10 with primary antenna; Passive Sensors: range=10 with primary antenna; Critical Hits - Ship Sections: Computer, Life Support, Drive, Missile Bay #1, Missile Bay #2, Continuous; Critical Hits - TAC: Active Operator, Passive Operator, 2x Remote, 4x Fire Control; Critical Hits - Bridge: Captain, Navigator, Communications, Engineering, Computer; Damage Control: three 3 man and one 1 man team; Comfort: 0; Ordnance: ten Ritage-2 or Ritage-3 in two bay of 5 each; 10 LL-2 submunitions in two dispensers of 5 each
FE Gardien Ship Status Sheet - for use with standard rules
FE Gardien Ship Status Sheet - for use with SC-R01 Alternative Component Hit Values
Original Date of Design: 05 Nov 2283 First Example Laid Down: 07 Nov 2284 First Example Completed: 31 Aug 2285 Fleets of Service: France
The Maréchal Foch-class destroyer was designed following the first actual combat of the Aconit-class frigate in 2283. Although the Aconit performed acceptably, Imperial Naval staff felt that the low drive efficiency and Ritage-1 armament would be quickly eclipsed by more modern craft.
Massing over twice that of the frigate, the Maréchal Foch mounts four lasers and six of the more deadly Ritage-2 detonation missiles. The lasers were upgraded in 2299 to the Guiscard LL-98 type. Hull armoring provides good defensive measures against attacks, and the combat warp efficiency of 1.94 is marginally less than the design specification of 2.0.
Utilizing common military technology, the class, like the Aconit, is an un-remarkable design, intended to be a workhorse and escort vessel for battle groups formed around capital ship classes, such as the Napoleon-class battleship.
Navigational: Navigational Radar, Deep Space Scanner, Gravitational Scanner; Military: Active sensor (range=7), Passive sensor (range=6); Survey: none
Bridge: 10 (Command, Navigation, Communications, Engineering, Computer); TAC: 14 (Sensors x2 (Active, Passive), Fire Control x4, Remote x2); Engineering: 3; Shipboard Vessels: none; Ship's Security: none; Ship's Troops: 8; Steward Section: none; Scientific: none; Medical: 1; Passengers: none
Warp Efficiency: 1.94 combat, 2.22 normal; Power Plant: 15 MW MHD; Fuel: 3000 tons, sufficient for 2 weeks; Range: 7.7; Mass: 5,663 tons; Cargo Capacity: none; Hanger Decks: none; Comfort: 0, Total Life Support: 30 for 30 days; Ordnance: Guiscard LL-98 lasers, Ritage-2 missiles; Small Craft: none; Price: Lv 52,378,000 including ordnance
Movement: 4; Screens: none; Radiated Signature: 2 (5); Radial Reflected: 6; Lateral Reflected: 6; Targeting Computer: +2; Radial Profile: 0; Lateral Profile: 0; Armor: 4; Hull Hits: 15/30/59; Power Plant Hits: 8/40; Surface Fixture Hits: one x1+0 UTES with arc 7812, one x1+0 UTES with arc 3456, one x1+0 UTES with arc 6781, one x1+0 UTES with arc 2345, 2x Communicators; Active Sensors: range=7 with primary antenna; Passive Sensors: range=6 with primary antenna; Critical Hits - Ship Sections: Computer, Life Support, Drive, Missile Bay, Continuous; Critical Hits - TAC: Active Operator, Passive Operator, 2x Remote, 4x Fire Control; Critical Hits - Bridge: Captain, Navigator, Communications, Engineering, Computer; Damage Control: one 1 man team; Comfort: 0; Ordnance: six Ritage-2 missiles in single bay
DD Maréchal Foch Ship Status Sheet - for use with standard rules
DD Maréchal Foch Ship Status Sheet - for use with SC-R01 Alternative Component Hit Values
Original Date of Design: ?? ??? 2278 First Example Laid Down: ?? ??? ???? First Example Completed: ?? ??? 2281 Fleets of Service: France, Australia, Bavaria, Russia
The Aconit-class frigate is an official GDW design. It first appeared in 2300AD on page 76 of the Director's Guide. It was a heavily exported design, used by numerous countries. The Ship Status Sheet for the standard rules is found in Star Cruiser, and is not available on this site.
FF Aconit Ship Status Sheet - for use with standard rules - published in the Ships of the French Arm Sourcebook from GDW
FF Aconit Ship Status Sheet - for use with SC-R01 Alternative Component Hit Values
Original Date of Design: 10 Mar 2277 First Example Laid Down: 09 Oct 2278 First Example Completed: 02 Dec 2279 Fleets of Service: France, Mexico, Inca Republic
The Orage-class frigate is an official GDW design. It first appeared in Ships of the French Arm on page 12. The Ship Status Sheet for the standard rules is found in Ships of the French Arm, and is not available on this site.
FF Orage Ship Status Sheet - for use with standard rules - published in the Ships of the French Arm Sourcebook from GDW
FF Orage Ship Status Sheet - for use with SC-R01 Alternative Component Hit Values
Original Date of Design: 19 Dec 2256 First Example Laid Down: 30 May 2257 First Example Completed: 21 Jun 2259 Fleets of Service: France, Anzania, UAR, Mexico
The Ypres-12-class frigate is an official GDW design. It first appeared in Ships of the French Arm on page 14. Anzania purchased two of these French-designed frigates. The Ship Status Sheet for the standard rules is found in Ships of the French Arm, and is not available on this site.
FF Ypres-12 Ship Status Sheet - for use with standard rules - published in the Ships of the French Arm Sourcebook from GDW
FF Ypres-12 Ship Status Sheet - for use with SC-R01 Alternative Component Hit Values
Original Date of Design: 11 Nov 2287 First Example Laid Down: 31 Aug 2289 First Example Completed: 03 Jan 2290 Fleets of Service: France
The Bonapart-class fighter is an official GDW design. It first appeared in Ships of the French Arm on page 24. The Ship Status Sheet for the standard rules is found in Ships of the French Arm, and is not available on this site.
FTR Bonapart Ship Status Sheet - for use with standard rules - published in the Star Cruiser game from GDW
FTR Bonapart Ship Status Sheet - for use with SC-R01 Alternative Component Hit Values
Original Date of Design: 03 Aug 2289 First Example Laid Down: 12 Oct 2291 First Example Completed: 03 Dec 2293 Fleets of Service: France
The Bufer-class fighter is an official GDW design. It first appeared in Ships of the French Arm on page 8. The Ship Status Sheet for the standard rules is found in Ships of the French Arm, and is not available on this site.
FTR Bufer Ship Status Sheet - for use with standard rules - published in the Star Cruiser game from GDW
FTR Bufer Ship Status Sheet - for use with SC-R01 Alternative Component Hit Values
Original Date of Design: ?? ??? ???? First Example Laid Down: ?? ??? ???? First Example Completed: ?? ??? ???? Fleets of Service: France
The Martel-class fighter is an official GDW design. It first appeared in Star Cruiser on page 17 of the Rules Book. The Ship Status Sheet for the standard rules is found in Star Cruiser, and is not available on this site.
FTR Martel Ship Status Sheet - for use with standard rules - published in the Star Cruiser game from GDW
FTR Martel Ship Status Sheet - for use with SC-R01 Alternative Component Hit Values
Original Date of Design: 03 Aug 2280 First Example Laid Down: 05 Mar 2285 First Example Completed: 23 Mar 2286 Fleets of Service: France
The Mistral-IIIbis-class fighter is an official GDW design. It first appeared in Ships of the French Arm on page 4. The Ship Status Sheet for the standard rules is found in Ships of the French Arm, and is not available on this site.
FTR Mistral-IIIbis Ship Status Sheet - for use with standard rules - published in the Star Cruiser game from GDW
FTR Mistral-IIIbis Ship Status Sheet - for use with SC-R01 Alternative Component Hit Values
Original Date of Design: 12 Feb 2284 First Example Laid Down: 14 Mar 2287 First Example Completed: 27 Sep 2290 Fleets of Service: France, Ukraine, UAR
The Riche-class fighter is an official GDW design. It first appeared in Ships of the French Arm on page 6. The Ship Status Sheet for the standard rules is found in Ships of the French Arm, and is not available on this site.
FTR Riche Ship Status Sheet - for use with standard rules - published in the Star Cruiser game from GDW
FTR Riche Ship Status Sheet - for use with SC-R01 Alternative Component Hit Values
Original Date of Design: 01 Dec 2269 First Example Laid Down: 13 Apr 2270 First Example Completed: 09 May 2271 Fleets of Service: France, America
The Chameleon-class assault lander or lander orbital d'assaut is the standard French military lander. It is a design that has been in service for over 30 years and has proven itself to a reliable workhorse, capable of all the interface requirements of humanity’s most active national military. The USMC was so impressed by the design, that they adopted it in 2285. The USMC version is essentially the same design, but with American components.
The Chameleon-class remains an innovative spaceship in its design. The craft has a crew of four; pilot, co-pilot, gunner, and crew chief / engineer. All four crewmembers are situated in the nose of the lander in cockpit-style workstations. The nose has a triangular shape and is designed to separate from the rest of the lander in the event of an emergency. Explosive charges can be triggered to detach the nose section and a combination parachute / retro-rocket package provides atmospheric braking for landing. The nose section has a fully self-contained life support system of 24 hours duration. A rugged, military transponder package broadcasts location information for search and rescue. The nose is fitted with a retractable, forward facing weapons point that can be fitted with a variety of atmospheric armament loads.
Behind the nose section is an open area for a cargo module that is sandwiched between two aerodynamic side sections. Each side section contains a 1 MW MHD turbine with sufficient fuel for 24 hours of operation. These sections are accessible via hatches that mate to the cargo module and from exterior access panels. Emergency repairs may be attempted on these engine pods, but routine maintenance must be performed at proper facilities. Though connected to the nose section by a dorsal skeleton, the craft is not designed to be operated without a cargo module. Attempting to move the craft will cause structural failure, even when in the zero-g of space.
The cargo module is a vital component of the lander. It is essentially a box having dimensions of 16 m long by 8 m wide x 4 m high. There are many different module configurations available, and this allows the lander to be multi-purpose. It also gives the craft its name, as the enemy does not know whether an approaching craft is carrying troops, vehicles or supplies. All modules have rear doors that open downwards and provide ramps for movement into and out of the craft. All modules have self-contained life support for 50 personnel for 48 hours duration. This system cannot be connected to the system in the nose of the craft. One of the innovative design characteristics of the Chameleon is the fact that its interface fuel tankage is built into the cargo modules.
Two tanks run the length of the cargo module along the upper corner between the wall and ceiling. Each tank feeds one of the MHD turbines in a manner similar to an afterburner. This thruster fuel can be replaced by simply refilling the module tanks. Common practice, however, is to simply swap out the modules as the lander returns to the mother ship. This allows for a very rapid turn around time between flights and maximizes the amount of drops. The general procedure is for the lander to launch with a full module and drop its contents. It then returns to the ship and docks. The empty module is removed and a pre-loaded module is installed. The lander then launches and delivers its payload.
The Chameleon-class assault lander can carry a maximum payload of 100 tons. Fully loaded, it can interface to planets having a maximum surface gravity of 1.51 G. As most planets have gravity fields less than 1.25 G, this provides an adequate safety margin. If necessary, power plant fuel can be shunted to the thrusters at the reduction in operating hours. Similarly, thruster fuel can be diverted to the power plants as necessary. The Chameleon-class assault lander costs approximately Lv3,000,000 including armament. It is armored against ground fire and constructed of advanced composite materials with advanced hull masking to improve survivability. It is equipped with navigational radar, passive sensors, and targeting system for its atmospheric weaponry package. There are a variety of modules available, but the more common ones are listed below.
Vehicle Module
This module is essentially an open box designed to hold vehicles in two rows. A series of magnetic grapples are located in tracks on the floor. The grapples require power to be applied in order to open them, which is normally provided by the lander power plant or external source. In the event of total loss of power, there is a capacitor/battery system that can provide enough power to open all grapples at once for a period of 5 minutes. The module is large enough to contain two CC-21 tracked main battle tanks (Aero-12 missile launchers require removal during transit) or a section of four other vehicles, two per row. Each row has its own door that takes up half of the rear facing and can be controlled separately.
Troop Module
This module contains seating for 40 troops. The seats are arranged in four rows along the length of the module. The rows are arranged in pairs facing each other with one row against the outer wall and the other against a center wall. The center wall is a bulkhead that divides the module into two sections and minimizes explosive damage should the module be hit. Each section has its own door that takes up half of the rear facing and can be controlled separately.
Combo Module
This module is divided into three sections. The rear half of the module is open for vehicles and has magnetic grapples in floor tracks. It can hold two vehicles up to 8 m in length; one per row. The forward half of the module is divided into two sections for troops, with a capacity for 20 troops; 10 per section.
Cargo Module
This module is similar to the vehicle module but contains specialized fittings for modular cargo containers and palletized cargo. A small all-terrain forklift is generally carried aboard for loading and off-loading. Cargo capacity cannot exceed 100 tons.
Medivac Module
This module provides medical facilities to treat and stabilize casualties. It is generally staffed by two doctors, four nurses, and 6 medics; all of whom have specialized workstations / couches that allow them to monitor the patients during interface. The module contains 6 lightweight automeds, a single operating theater (cramped), a small sanitation area, and a well-stocked medical stores area. This module is not intended to act as a field hospital, only to perform triage and stabilize casualties so that they can survive the interface trip to permanent treatment facilities.
Armament
The Chameleon-class assault lander has a forward firing mount that can accept a variety of atmospheric weapon packages. These include:
15 m wide x 5 m high x 20 m long
Navigational: Navigational Radar; Military: Passive (rng=0) with primary antenna; Survey: none
Cockpits: 4 (Pilot, Co-pilot/Sensors Operator, Gunner, Crew Chief/Engineer)
Warp Efficiency: N/A; Power Plant: twin 1 MW MHD; Fuel: 28.8 tons, sufficient for 24 hours of operation; plus 85 tons of thruster fuel, sufficient for one interface trip at 1.51G when loaded (3.92 G unloaded); Range: 0; Mass: 238 tons empty (338 tons loaded); Cargo Capacity: 458 m³ (limited to 100 tons) in cargo module; Hanger Decks: none; Comfort: 0 for crew, -2 for passengers; Total Life Support: 4 crew plus 50 passengers for 2 days; Ordnance: modular atmospheric weapons package; Price: Lv 3,000,000 with armament
Movement: 0; Screens: none; Radiated Signature: -1 (2); Radial Reflected: 3; Lateral Reflected: 4; Targeting Computer: none; Radial Profile: -2; Lateral Profile: -1; Armor: 1; Hull Hits: 5/9/18; Power Plant Hits: 1/3 and 1/3; Surface Fixture Hits: none; Active Sensors: none; Passive Sensors: one range=0 with primary antenna; Critical Hits - Ship Sections: Computer, Life Support, Continuous; Critical Hits - TAC: none; Critical Hits - Bridge: Pilot, Co-pilot, Gunner, Crew Chief/Engineer; Damage Control: none; Comfort: 0; Ordnance: modular atmospheric package
LND Chameleon Ship Status Sheet - for use with standard rules
LND Chameleon Ship Status Sheet - for use with SC-R01 Alternative Component Hit Values