Grand Admiral, First Order Central Command
Image Credit: Jared Harris
Intent: To create a Frigate for my snazzy new gun.
Canon Link: N/A
Restricted Missions: N/A
Primary Source: N/A
PRODUCTION INFORMATION
Manufacturer: The First Order
Model: Halberd-class Artillery Frigate
Affiliation: The First Order
Modularity: N/A
Production: Mass-Produced
Material: Turadium Hull, Alusteel and Quadanium Double-Layer Armor Plating, Glassteel and Transparisteel where appropriate. Internal Duraplast and AR-03 Damage Reduction Component plating.
DESCRIPTION
The Halberd Frigate is the First Order's first step in a general re-balance of their Navy. While the iconic Star Destroyer remains a cornerstone, the overall intention is to shift to smaller but more versatile formations of vessels, with the capital ships providing a solid punch when necessary, rather than being the primary means of force projection.
The Halberd is designed around the Mark 91 Phased Array Pulsed Turbolaser, known as the Particle Lance. Indeed this weapon is basically its only armament besides a rudimentary point defense suite. The hull is literally built around four of the large weapons, with each having its own dedicated Hypermatter Reactor. This was a conscious design decision and while it provides more than adequate power for the main battery, it means that most other systems (beyond absolute priority ones) are left to operate on whatever reserves there are. The most noticeable side effect of this is that the Halberd has a much weaker shield array than most ships its size.
Given the intent behind the ship, it should come as no surprise that it features an advanced combat system suite with top-of-the-line targeting systems. Primary fire control is located in an internal CIC (nestled between the four reactors) which receives data feeds from all applicable sensors and, as is standard for First Order ships, is linked to all other combat and reconnaissance vessels in the vicinity. Secondary control is placed on the main bridge, on the prominent bridge tower situated ventral towards the aft of the vessel.
The main flaw of the ship lies in the power distribution. While it is perfectly adequate for routine operations conducting more than one serious power-draining operation can put undue stress on the reactor system. While maneuvering and firing is generally okay pushing the ship to its limit (either in rate of fire or max acceleration) can cause fluctuations. Receiving fire can potentially cause the shields to collapse entirely, or cause cascading engine failure, or even take one of the Mk 91's offline.
Perhaps unusually, the ship makes a certain conceit for the fact that it is lightly armored and vulnerable. Escape pods and emergency survival systems are distributed liberally across the ship, for unlike the Galactic Empire they emulate the First Order does not have excessive amounts of trained personnel to spare. Service on Halberd-class ships tends to be viewed with mixed feelings, as one must acknowledge the risk along with the incredible firepower of such a small ship.
As mentioned, the ship is basically unarmed besides its main battery and all but requires escort from fighters and support ships. Regardless of this it fills much needed role in the First Order Navy, and has been approved for Mass Production.
Strengths
Intensify Forward Firepower: With a battery of four (4) Spinal-Mount Particle Lances, the Halberd can punch well above it's weight at range.
Artillery: The Particle Lances can marginally outrange most other long-ranged weaponry. Not a huge advantage but can be lethal if utilized properly.
Artillery: The lack of secondary armament, combined with the spinal mounting of the Particle Lances, means the Halberd is basically useless against gunships, other frigates and faster cruisers.
Big Gun Tracking: Has a hard time hitting corvettes and fast frigates.
Lightly Armored. Weak Shields. A glass cannon.
Prone to power fluctuations when doing more than one major power-draining action (moving, firing, receiving fire, etc.)
Classification: Artillery Frigate
Role: Fire Support Frigate
Length: 380m
Width: 76m
Height: 105m
Power Core Generator/Reactor: 4 x Small-scale Hypermatter Reactor
Hyperdrive Rating: 1.0
Minimum Crew: 438
Optimal Crew: 724
Passenger Capacity: Extra bunks for around 100 personnel.
Consumables: 1.0 Year
Sublight Speed: Low
Maneuverability: Average
ARMAMENT
Armament Rating: Extreme
4 x Mark 91 'Particle Lance' Phased Array Pulse Turbolasers
4 x Mark 26 'HARM' Guided Missile Weapon System
4 x Antimissile Octets
HANGAR
Misc. small craft
Standard Combat Ray Shielding
Standard Combat Particle Shielding
Standard Sensor Suite (HSI/DER/EPR/AS)
Standard Communications Suite
Advanced TAT and BAC Combat System Suite
Standard Navigation Systems
Ionic Shielding Package
Ion Shields
Cap Drains
Duraplast Plating
[*]
Standard Electronics Warfare/Countermeasure Package
Sensor Jammer
220-SIG Tactical Sensor Jamming Device
Electronic Countermeasures
Full-spectrum Distortion Projector
