Approved Starship HRNV Ascendant–class Assault Gunship

[Niki Priddy]

• Intent: Create an Assault Gunship for the High Republic.
• Image Source: Chatgpt Generated - Edits by me
• Canon Link: Vanguard-class Heavy Assault Gunship
• Permissions: N/A
• Primary Source: N/A

• Manufacturer: Priddy General Engineering And Manufacturing, Naboo-General Production Facility
• Affiliation: The High Republic, Priddy General Engineering and Manufacturing
• Market Status: Closed-Market
• Model: High Republic Naval Vehicle Ascendant–class Assault Gunship
• Production: Limited
• Material:
  • HPI - Theadian
  • PGEM/C-0018 Alardite
  • Parabrite
  • H.P.I. Seigurium Light
  • Ossis II-series Starship Frame
  • HPI - Skuggalegt I-pattern Stealth Polymer
  • Ferrocarbon
  • Laminasteel

• Classification: Assault Gunship
• Length: 50 meters
• Width: 40.4 meters
• Height: 12 meters
• Armament:
  • PGEM Heavy Laser Cannon(2)
  • Dual PGEM Assault Laser Cannon Turret(1)
  • Dual PGEM Standard Ionized Plasma Cannon Turret(1)
  • PGEM "Knocker" Aerolance Medium Plasma-propelled Mass Driver(2)
    • Fire link compatible for tandem fire control, staggered, or standard separate operation
  • PGEM Bomblet Generator MK V(2)
• Defenses: Very High
  • PGEM Dual-purpose Point Defense Cannons(4)
  • PGEM Anti-Missile Octets(2)
  • Ballistic Chaff Launcher(2)
  • PGEM/C-0018 Alardite and Parabrite Alloy Hull
  • H.P.I. Seigurium Light Plating
  • Ossis II-series Starship Frame
  • Theadian Viewport
  • MJU-9G Flare Dispensers
  • PGEM AegisLink Modular Shield Grid
  • SE-140 Tactical Shield Enhancer
  • Solar Ray Shielding
• Squadron Count: None: 1
• Maneuverability Rating: 68-DPF
  • High - Standard
  • Very High - Agility Mode
  • Average - Boost Mode
• Speed Rating: Maximum Acceleration-3,800 g | Atmospheric Maximum Speed-1,050 km/h | 75 MGLT/s
  • High - Standard
  • Average - Agility Mode
  • Very High - Boost Mode
• Hyperdrive: Class 2

• Standard Systems -
  • PGEM Necessity Bundle Detail
    • R.S. Tabord Molecular Toilet
    • R.S. Poultryizer Molecular Shower
    • R.S. Roto-Rooter Autochef
  • Intellex ship-configuration Computer
  • Lifeboat Bay
    • Escape Pods
  • Docking Tube
• Stocked Medical Bay -
  • Room encompassing Osmotic Field Generator
  • Medical Droids
  • Medical Beds
  • Medkits
  • Pharmpacs
  • Bacta Tank
  • Auto Doc
  • Bio-sterilization Field
  • Healing Field Generator
• Engine, Propulsion Systems -
  • PGEM Cold-fusion Reactor and Hyperdrive Generator Class 2 hyperdrive
  • PGEM-NVOID Engine (4)
  • Attitude Thrusters
  • Atmospheric Thrusters (Emergency)
• Navigation/Sensor Systems -
  • PGEM-C-eUSPS
  • Comm Laser
  • Sensor Array Package
  • Fullspec Sensor Package
  • Counterdetective
  • VT-Refraction Sensor
• Communication Systems -
  • PGEM-C-eVCR
    • Ion-scrambler
    • Holotransceiver
    • Optical-laser Pulse
    • Emergency Signal Beacon
    • Signal Enhancer
    • External Speaker
• Security Systems -
  • Interior Automated Defense Systems
  • Aegis SH13LD
  • Socketguards
  • Security Sensors
  • Sniffers
  • Cipher Security Seals
  • Security Cameras
  • Various Security Scanners
  • Rapid Repetition Defense Measures
  • Bio-Hexacrypt
• Additional Systems -
  • Battlefield Holographic Control Interface
  • R.S. Castameer Tactical Display
  • CO-0012
  • Optical Transducer Panels
  • "Shocklock" Ranging Laser
  • PGEM Ease-of-Access Flight Chair
  • Kirishima Cap Drain
  • LS-132 "Terra" Life Support System
  • M.I. Fire Suppression System
  • M.I. Scan-jam Package
  • M.I. Universal Ammunition Feed
  • R.S. Sabrina Waste Heat Recovery Device

• HPI - Skuggalegt I-pattern Stealth Polymer

• EMP/Ion - The Parabrite/Dunalmite alloy paired with the Kirishima Cap Drains makes this vessel highly resistant to the effects of either energy, allowing it to shrug off attempts to shut down systems inside the ship and even transferring the energy to shield power.
• Stealth Polymer - During the process of construction, the materials were doped with HPI's stealth polymer, and while the surface of the ship is still highly reflective, run of the mill scanners notably have difficulty picking up these ships at times.
• Hull Integrity - The Ossis II framework gives the ship an incredible amount of integrity in regard to kinetic resistance such as ramming or even direct kinetic hits.
• Enhanced Weapons - The vessel comes with a heavy array of weaponry focused on engaging in direct combat rather than idling in formation with the speed and maneuverability to quickly shift its fixed weapons toward an unexpected threat.

• Variables - While the ship benefits from the VOId systems, in combat situations a direct strike to the engines will potentially damage the adjustable systems and either lock them into that system, or disable the unit.
• Not Impossible - While the stealth polymer helps to avoid being found by passive scans or run of mill scanning systems, higher end scanner systems are able to find the ship.
• Built In - While the Ossis II frame provides many benefits, in field repairs are highly difficult due to the complexity of the internal framework.
• Scrappy Runt - The ship has focused armor plating to optimize its fighting capability and a healthy array of heavy hitting weaponry, but it is still a small vessel comparatively to larger, optimized fighting vessels in fleet engagements.
• Arrives Alone - The ship is quite large in size and limits its deployment from larger vessels, making it a supplementary piece to fleet operations rather than an easily deployable carrier-based asset.

The Ascendant-class Heavy Assault Gunship is a compact but brutally resilient assault gunship designed to punch above its tonnage. Built around a reinforced central hull with twin forward attack arms, the Ascendant blends the troop-delivery role of a dropship with the firepower, endurance, and survivability of a light corvette. This refitted Ascendant configuration of the Vanguard emphasizes sustained fleet operations without sacrificing its defining role as a first-in assault platform. Unlike pure transports, the Ascendant is engineered to enter contested space ahead of the main force, suppressing orbital and surface defenses while delivering troops or vehicles directly into hostile environments. Its broad, armored hull surfaces support modular armor plating, redundant power trunks, and layered system backups. Hallmarks of a vessel expected to survive repeated combat deployments rather than execute quick strike-and-withdraw missions.

The Ascendant replaces nonessential strike storage and legacy ordnance spaces with expanded modular troop bays integrated into the central hull and inner arm structures. These compartments are pressure-isolated, shock-damped, and directly linked to reinforced ventral and forward deployment points, allowing rapid insertion by drop ramp, boarding umbilical, or vehicle release.

Unlike traditional dropships that must withdraw after deployment, the Ascendant is designed to remain on-station.

Upgraded life-support redundancy, expanded consumables storage, and improved power efficiency allow the gunship to operate at extended range as part of a larger fleet, escorting task forces, holding contested airspace, or acting as a mobile fire-support node during prolonged engagements. When operating with capital ships, Ascendant-class vessels typically deploy in hunter wedges or layered assault screens, using their forward mass drivers and fixed cannons to crack defensive nodes while capital ships maneuver into optimal firing positions. Their ability to loiter under fire allows fleet commanders to commit ground forces without prematurely exposing heavier assets.

The Ascendant trades traditional torpedo-based strike doctrine for persistent, flexible firepower.

Twin plasma-propelled mass drivers embedded within the forward arms deliver devastating kinetic-plasma strikes against hardened targets during initial approach. Arm-mounted heavy laser cannons provide crushing forward punch when entering a combat zone, while a dorsal ionized plasma cannon turret defends the vessel during insertion operations by disrupting shields, sensors, and pursuing craft. A ventral dual assault laser cannon turret ensures near-continuous coverage during strafing runs, extraction phases, and loiter operations, allowing the Ascendant to protect deployed forces while suppressing enemy movement below. This layered weapons layout gives the ship a uniquely balanced engagement profile. Capable of ship-to-ship combat, close air support, and area denial without reconfiguration.

The Ascendant-class is purpose-built for direct action operations; forced planetary landings, boarding actions against hostile vessels, dense urban insertions, and high-risk extractions conducted under fire. It excels in operational spaces where traditional transports are too fragile and capital ships too cumbersome, serving as the spearhead of assault formations and the anvil upon which enemy defenses begin to break.

Flying an Ascendant-class gunship feels less like piloting a transport and more like moving in heavy armor. It is not graceful as other ships, but when an Ascendant arrives as part of a fleet formation, everyone involved understands that the engagement has passed the point of escalation. The fight has truly begun.

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"First In. Last Out."

 

[MANIAC]

Niki Priddy

As usual, very cool sub.

Approved.