Grand Admiral, First Order Central Command
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATIONIntent: To create an
Image Credit: Star Wars
Canon Link: N/A
Restricted Missions: N/A
Primary Source: N/A
PRODUCTION INFORMATION
Manufacturer: First Order Naval Engineering
Model: 851K Falchion-class Light Cruiser
Affiliation: The First Order
Modularity: N/A
Production: Minor Production
Material: Alusteel Hull with Turadium Internal Reinforcement, Quadanium Steel Armor Plating, Glassteel and Transparisteel where appropriate. Internal AR-03 Damage Reduction Component plating.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Classification: Light Cruiser
Role: Escort/Command Ship
Length: 527m
Width: 158m
Height: 94m
Power Core Generator/Reactor: IX-C (V) Hypermatter Annihilation Reactor
Hyperdrive Rating: 1.0, 10.0 backup
Minimum Crew: 390
Optimal Crew: 1,480
Passenger Capacity: 400 troops standard complement. Up to another 500 passengers can be housed.
Consumables: Approximately 2 years
Speed Rating: Average
Maneuverability Rating: Average
ARMAMENT
Armaments: Moderate
2 x 127mm/56 Mark 14 Hypervelocity Cannon
8 x Dual Annihilator Turbolaser Batteries
8 x Triple Ion Cannons
8 x Rapid Fire Mass Driver Cannons
6 x Tractor/Pressor Beams
12 x Rapid Fire Turbolaser Turrets
10 x Mark 26 HARM GMWS
24 x First Order Quad Laser Turrets
36 x First Order Variable Warhead Launcher
Discord Missile (Warhead Tubes)- Flechette Missile (Warhead Tubes)
- Ion Torpedo / Disruptor Torpedo (Warhead Tubes)
- Cluster Missile (Warhead Tubes)
- Advanced Concussion Missile (Warhead Tubes)
- Type-B Homing Mine (Warhead Tubes)
Defenses: High
- Combat-rated Ray Shielding
- Combat-rated Particle Shielding
- Bastion Combat System Integrated Weapons
- 2 x Directional Combustion Shield Array
Standard complement of shuttles, launches, and small boats.
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Standard Encrypted Communications and C4I Suite
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Integrated Fleet Command Data Exchange Network
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Upgraded Navigation Systems
Precision Microjump Computer
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Ionic Shielding Package
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Standard Electronics Warfare/Countermeasure Package
Sensor Jammer
220-SIG Tactical Sensor Jamming Device
Electronic Countermeasures
Full-spectrum Distortion Projector
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Internal Defenses
Defensive Autoblasters
Labyrinth Interior with natural chokepoints
Tractor Pressor Beams integrated into Bastion Combat System
ADVANCED SYSTEMS
Bastion Combat System
Central Command Biocomm Network
Tractor-Pressor Beams
4 x Tactical Directional Interdiction Field Generators
Strengths:
- Bastion Cruiser: The Falchion integrates an extensive battery of defensive weapons with the combat-proven Bastion Combat System. It can provide as much screen coverage as several smaller ships, laying down a net of laser and missile fire that is lethal to inbound strike craft and ordnance.
- Small Ship Coordination: The Falchion also excels as a small group flagship, acting as the centerpiece of a force of frigates and corvettes.
- Interdiction on a budget: The Falchion's feature four small directional Interdiction. While they lack the area of effect to pull an entire fleet out of hyperspace they add tactical utility and some strategic versatility.
- Limited Strike Capability: With no hanger and almost no long-range weapons, the Falchion is ill-suited to independent operations, especially against larger ships.
- Offensive Defense: The 'High' defense rating is largely a product of the Bastion System and Combustion Shield Arrays. The Falchions shields and armor, while perfectly adequate, are nothing too impressive. Concentrated direct fire from turbolasers and the like is the best way to bring the light cruiser down.
- Combustion: The Combustion Shield Arrays can be overloaded if they are engaged for an extended period of time, destroying the array and effectively dropping the Falchion's defense rating to 'low.'
DESCRIPTION
The Falchion-class Bastion Cruiser (Model 851K) is the First Order's answer to the vulnerability of its escort ships as shown at the Battle of L-49. Arrayed in front of the main force, the First Order screen was devestated by concentrated barrages from the Alliance's destroyers, and forced to withdraw. While shifting tactics was the best way to confront the problem, one analysis also recommended the development of a larger, heavier escort that could sustain more punishment. The concept for the Falchion Bastion Cruiser starts there.
Offensive armament is built around a pair of dorsal Hypervelocity Cannon turrets and then a fairly standard complement of Annihilator Turbolasers, Ion Cannons, and Mass Drivers. The conventional weapons are clustered into batteries of two, three, or four turrets (never more than two of the same type). while the Vulcan Assault Gun turrets are very prominent and make a tempting target, and if destroyed basically eliminate any long-range capability for the ship.
But offense is not the main job of the ship. The Falchion-class features a very large number of defensive laser turrets, fast mount turbolasers, and missile turrets, all integrated into the Bastion Combat System and thus presenting a lethal screen against incoming strike craft and ordnance. Local defense is magnified by the inlcusion of two directional combustion shield arrays, located ventral and dorsal, right where the central cleft ends. These arrays project a 180 degree shield in a given direction, while venting waste heat in opposite facing. When active they give the Falchion a terrific defense against incoming energy fire in a single facing, but can be overloaded.
The 'Falchion' had a troubled development, going through almost a dozen prototypes before all production targets were met. The cost overruns have forced the ship to be produced at a dramatically reduced level but also giving it fairly impressive capability. The ship can perform in a task force commander role, leading a group of Frigates and Corvettes, though it truly excels as part of proper fleet, acting as a commanding escort for destroyers and the new First Order battlecruisers.
The Falchion also has a set of directional interdiction field generators. These are quicker to power up and down than normal generators but have a small area of effect, being effective against only a few vessels in close formation at best. Typically Falchions are giving cueing by support ships with Hyperspace Detection capability, or by utilizing their Gravimetric Sensors. A standard tactic for Falchion patrol groups (typically a single Falchion and 2-5 849A's and Taksmasters) is to bait pirate vessels and then interdict them en-route to the target, whereupon the the escort ships cripple the enemy ship. Because these fields have a small radius, they are functionally useless against HIMS-equipped vessels.
With key escort role and lots of utility, the Falchion is a welcome sight for any First Order commander.
