Bookworm
Image Source: http://img01.deviantart.net/24a5/i/2012/166/a/b/spaceship_by_polosatkin-d53kp8o.jpg
Affiliation: Open-Market
Manufacturer: Aurora Industries
Model: PulseFlare-class Heavy Cannon Cruiser
Modularity: None
Production: Minor-production
Material: Durasteel, transparisteel
Classification: Assault Cruiser
Length: 950 meters
Width: 320 meters
Height: 280 meters
Armament:
1 Heavy Long-range Plasma Cannon
1 Heavy Long-range Ion Pulse Launcher
40 Dual Flak Guns
60 Point Defense Lasers
Hangar: None
Special Features:
Standard ship systems (navi-computer, com and sensor array, life support)
Heavy armor
One extra shield generator
Advanced Targeting systems
Anti-matter power generator
Maneuverability Rating: 17
Speed Rating: 17
Hyperdrive: Class 2
Strengths:
Devastating long range weaponry in the form of the Plasma Cannon and Ion Pulse
Heavily armored and shielded so the ship can take a beating
Plenty of defensive guns to protect against missiles and enemy fighter craft
Weaknesses:
No hanger bay so requires other ships to provide fighter cover
No other offensive weaponry beyond the Plasma Cannon and the Ion Pulse
Slow and ponderous
Has to line up with an enemy ship or position to be effective
Main weapon can overheat if fired too often
Description:
Developed as part of Aurora Industries overarching Project Bastion, the PulseFlare-class Heavy Cannon Cruiser began life under the moniker Project Nova Storm. Designed to be the natural evolution of the older Invidia-class Cannon Cruiser developed by Aurora when it was still Krayt Industries, the PulseFlare-class improves upon the original design while also changing the weapon layout.
Now equipped with a heavy long-range Plasma Cannon (with the equivalent firepower of half of what a standard heavy cruiser carries) and a heavy long-range Ion Pulse Launcher (with the equivalent strength of what a standard heavy cruiser carries), instead of the three HVC of the Invidia, the PulseFlare is potentially even more devastating to an enemy at long-range than its predecessor. The ship is also equipped with forty dual flak guns and sixty point defense lasers to protect it against enemy fighters and missiles. The PulseFlare is also heavily armored and shielded to provide even more protection, but it is not without problems.
First and foremost is that to fire its main weapons effectively, it needs to line up a shot upon an enemy so only larger capital class ships and space stations are truly in danger from it, and the ship is rather slow in bringing a shot into line. It has no other offensive weaponry and no hanger bay, relying on allied ships to provide covering fire and fighter escort. The plasma cannon can also be prone to overheating if fired too often, resulting in the ship requiring maintenance to fire again.
Development Thread: If necessary
Intent: To develop a next-gen artillery cruiser based upon the older Invidia-class Cannon Cruiser previously developed
Who Can Use This: Those who purchase one from Aurora Industries
