Grand Admiral, First Order Central Command
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
Image Credit: The incomparable FractalSponge
Intent: To create the iconic First Order Cruiser, official SWRP version. Aka my version of the Vindicator.
Canon Link: Vindicator-class Heavy Cruiser
Restricted Missions: N/A
Primary Source: N/A
PRODUCTION INFORMATION
Manufacturer: The First Order
Model: Marauder-class Medium Cruiser
Affiliation: The First Order
Modularity: N/A
Production: Minor Production
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
Despite the fact that the iconic image of every would-be Empire involves some derivative of the Imperial Star Destroyer, the truth is that such ships are incredibly expensive to build, man, and equip and necessarily few in number. Even for the First Order, with it's nearly limitless access to the resources of the spinward Outer Rim, there are simply not enough Star Destroyers to both adequately garrison planets and fulfill operational needs. There are two general ways to solve this problem, The first, and generally more common approach, is to use larger vessels as dedicated capital ships and fill in the gaps with various classes of escorts. The second is to rely more mid-sized cruisers for most work, with escorts and battleships being brought in for tougher jobs. The First Order has opted for the latter option, and the Marauder-class Medium Cruiser is the first attempt to make a general purpose cruiser.
Built around the classic dagger shape, the Marauder is, first and foremost, a very durable ship. The internal structure uses extremely dense Turadium, which is encased in layers of Duraplast and AR-03 plating. External armor is a double-layered composite, with Quadanium Steel on the surface and additional coats of Duraplast-AR03 Component, followed by Alusteel. This makes the ship very durable for its size, without sacrificing too much to mass or space.
The armament of the ship is fairly large and designed for combat at all ranges. Four batteries of long-range weapons provide the initial punch, followed up by a variety of conventional range weapons, mostly focused around both volume and damage of fire. Unusually for First Order vessels, a number of Rapid-Fire Mass Drivers (picture a supersized version of this) are utilized to deny the enemy the ability to prioritize Ray Shields. The Mass Drivers fire 54cm rounds of two main types. The first is an armor-piercing delayed explosive round, designed to penetrate armor and then detonate after approximately .4 miliseconds. The second features a Beryllium charge rather than standard detonite, designed to cause fires and wreak havoc on internal systems. Typically rounds are loaded in a 4-1 configuration.
The AA suite is limited as with most cruisers, but benefits from the inclusion of the versatile Mk 26 'HARM' system and an advanced combat system suite styled after the famous 'Bastion' system. While not nearly as effective as the actual system it does allow both the extensive missile array and short-ranged turbolasers (and, situationally, the Tractor/Pressor beams) to work in concert with the defensive weapons (if assigned) allowing for respectable medium-range coverage.
The missile loud-out in particular is worth mentioning. Forgoing any of the large Assault Warheads common to Cruisers, the Marauder instead has a massive battery of regular launchers. Divided into groups of ten, three of these are in clusters up on the bow, and are primarily used offensively. The remaining twenty launchers are broken down into two groups of cells port and starboard, typically used defensively.
In most other areas the ship is decidedly average, though extremely well-engineered. The hanger contains two squadrons, usually interceptors or multi-role fighters to support the cruiser, but occasionally bombers or specialist craft. Unusually for an Imperial design, there is no large ventral hanger. Instead the squadrons are divided into two small 'combat' hangers with only a single aperture. An engineering necessity, it limits deployment and recovery speed and could potentially trap a squadron inside the ship if heavily damaged. Additionally these combat hangers represent a structural weak point, an engineering sacrifice as a result of the compactness of the design, and if both are heavily damaged could result in catastrophic internal collapse.
A unit of stormtroopers is also normally carried. The ship is designed to support a single Expeditionary Marine Battalion of around 420 troops, along with heavy equipment and limited vehicle support, as a permanent part of the crew. Several assault shuttles are carried for use in boarding and landing operations. Additional passengers and equipment could be carried but not for extended periods of time.
Command of a Marauder is seen as a prestigious posting for First Order officers, and being placed in charge of a patrol (2-4 ships) is usually a stepping stone to Captain. Versatile and durable, able to perform in theaters and in ways that its larger and more specialized brethren cannot, the Marauder is well on its way to becoming the most recognized First Order cruiser.
Strengths
All-Rounder: With a respectable armament, good engines, and decent sized hanger the Marauder-class is capable of performing many roles on many different battlefields.
Punches above its weight: The variety and types of weapons fielded by the Marauder give it impressive firepower for its size. It can go toe-to-toe with Heavy Cruisers (for a time) and presents a serious threat to Destroyers and larger vessels.
Durable Profile: The Marauder features a slimmer than normal profile, a combat command tower, and a compact design, the Marauder features survivability better than its defense rating would indicate. The ship still loses combat effectiveness as one would expect but have a tendency to get away from even critical damage. The exception to this is aforementioned hanger problem.
Jack of all trades..: The other side of being a generally capable ship is the Marauder isn't a particularly exceptional ship in any field (except its armor). Can't chase down frigates, can't go head to head with destroyers, etc.
Hanger Layout: Slow deployment and recover time for squadrons, in addition to the chance of small craft being trapped inside if either hanger is damaged-there is no way to move craft across the ship. Furthermore the hangers represent a structural weakpoint in the ship, and a potentially exploitable advantage for the enemy.
Knife Tang: The classic flaw of the iconic dagger shape, limited fire arcs to the rear.
Classification: Medium Cruiser
Role: Patrol/Line Cruiser
Length: 750m
Width: 337m
Height: 141m
Power Core Generator/Reactor: Cruiser-scale Solar Ionization Reactor
Hyperdrive Rating: 1.0
Minimum Crew: 687
Optimal Crew: 2,422
Passenger Capacity: One Expeditionary Marine Battalion (approximately 420 troopers)
Consumables: 1.5 Years
Sublight Speed: Average
Maneuverability: Average
ARMAMENT
Armament Rating: High
16 x Annihilator Turbolasers (4 batteries of 4)
8 x Retaliator Turbolasers (4 pairs of turrets)
10 x Long Range Turbolasers (2 batteries of 5)
50 x Flex-Tube Warhead Launcher
12 x Rapid-Fire Mass Driver Cannons (3 batteries of 4)
10 x Long Range Ion Cannons (2 batteries of 5)
20 x Ion Cannons (5 batteries of 4)
10 x KD2055 Short Range Turbolasers
5 x Mk 26 'HARM' Guided Missile Weapon System
10 x Point Defense Turrets
10 x Quad Turbolaser Turrets
4 x Tractor/Pressor Beams
HANGAR
2 Squadrons
4 x Assault Shuttles
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
[*]
Advanced Electronics Warfare/Countermeasure Package
