Galactic Alliance Fleet Initiative
Image Source: MC80, Wookieepedia
Affiliation: Galactic AllianceManufacturer: Mon Calamari Shipyards
Model: MC160 Independence-class Star Defender
Modularity: Mon Calamari Shipyards attachments/upgrades only
Production: Minor
Material: Alusteel
Classification: Missile/Escort Cruiser
Length: 1,000 meters
Width: 500m
Height: 200m
Armament Rating: 12
Armaments: (210/20/105)
1 Hellbore Cannon
5 MC1006 Sturgeon-class Laser Defense Batteries
10 MC-d1001 Tarpon-class Heavy Defense Batteries
30 MC1009 Afane-class Rapid Fire Turbolaser Cannon blisters
20 LLT-18 Harpoon-class General Purpose Warhead Launcher
Defenses: 16
Alusteel Hull
MC101 Delphus.4-class Shield System
Hangar:
1 Squadron
6 Shuttles
Special Features:
MC1005 Dolfin-class Communications Array
MC1003 Tetra-class targeting/tracking system
MC1002 Oracle-class Sensor Suite
Standard Life Support System
Standard Escape Pods
Maneuverability Rating: 16
Speed Rating: 16
Hyperdrive Class: 1
Strengths:
- Missile Cruiser: The Star Defender excels at putting enemy capital ships under pressure at extreme ranges. In large scale fleet actions this can be utilized to draw enemy craft close in order to escape bombardment. In pursuing actions, the missile cruiser can take out fleeing ships before they can make the jump to hyperspace.
- Ion Engines: 9 ion engines give the ship thrust, making it very difficult to eliminate the vessel’s mobility entirely when assaulting the engines.
Weaknesses:
- Lumbering: Compared to other vessels in its class, the Star Defender is slower and less maneuverable.
- Light Armament: The MC160 sacrifices powerful turbolaser batteries for long range interdiction of capital ships. Thus, the Star Defender can punish enemy ships at range, but runs the risk of being outgunned and outflanked at close range.
Description:
The ‘winged’ MC160 Independence-class Star Defender is a specialized missile cruiser devoted to wiping out enemy capital ships before they draw into turbolaser range. In order to fulfill this role, the Independence-class has been equipped with the Hellbore Cannon made famous by the Lords of the Fringe. Fixed toward the prow of the vessel, the cannon was set up in a ‘gun deck’ configuration, allowing for a twenty-degree firing arc. The energy torpedoes of the Hellbore are effective at range, but as they are unguided packets of raw energy it is not considered protocol to utilize the Hellbore if fleets close to broadside range unless very clear lines of fire are established.
Lucerne Labs’ general purpose warhead launchers allow the Independence-classr to fulfill a variety of combat roles in addition to interdiction, including orbital bombardment with cruise missiles, elimination of enemy shields with interdictor missiles, electronic countermeasures to protect the fleet and a variety of other roles.
The blisters of batteries and point defense cannons littering the hull of the Mon Calamari cruiser offer it an excellent field of fire, although it will be outclassed in terms of barrel to barrel firepower at their effective range by ships of comparable size.
Mon Calamari Shipyards installed a number of systems that are on the cutting edge of technology, allowing the cruiser to operate more effectively with upgraded targeting computers and state of the art sensors.
Development Thread: N/A
Intent: A missile cruiser for the Galactic Alliance
Who Can Use This: Galactic Alliance