Raziel
Dark Jedi Spymaster
Image Credit: Eve Online
Intent: To provide the Confederacy of Independent Systems with a specialised pocket-heavy cruiser for assaulting enemy Destroyers and Command ships
Development Thread: http://starwarsrp.net/topic/33352-cis-aquisitions/#entry506010
Manufacturer: Hoersch Kessel Driveworks Inc.
Model: Scythe Class Battlecruiser
Affiliation: [background=#232323]Private Market[/background]
Modularity: None
Production: Mass
Material: Durasteel, Transparisteel
Description: The Scythe class is a specialised assault cruiser that is only seen as part of larger battlegroups. Designed to be a mobile and powerful ship that runs on a skeleton crew, the Scythe has a single goal: target and eliminate enemy command ships.
Classification: Assault Heavy Cruiser
Role: Battleship
Height: 613 m
Width: 181m
Length: 613 m
Power Core Generator/Reactor: Twin Ionization Reactors
Hyperdrive Rating: 1.0
Minimum Crew: 530
Optimal Crew: 2500 (~1500 Droids)
Armaments :
•35 Quad Heavy turbolasers (280 Gun equivalent)
10 Prow Heavy Warhead Launchers (80)
Hangar:
•10 Arcturus-class gunboats
Non-Combative Attachments:
•Standard Deflector Shield
•Standard Life Support (limited to human crewed areas)
•Standard Navigation
•Standard Targeting Computer
•Standard Sensors Array
•HoloNet Transceiver
•Encryption Network
•Advanced Engines
•Tractor Beam Emitters (2)
Passenger Capacity: 50
Cargo Capacity: 3,000 ton
Consumables: 0.4 years
Sublight Speed and Manoeuvrability: 6
This ship is the first to be rolled out from the 10-year FLAT PACK Programme. The FLexible And Tactical PACKaged unit programme was designed to replace a number of individual flexible, general ships with a set of more focussed ships that work in pre-defined tactical units. The rationale is that tactical units can easily be rearranged to meet emerging needs and to cope with different situations. Refitting general purpose ships frequently to meet the rapidly changing nature of warfare wholesale was deemed too expensive. The business case for the programme identified that a whole raft of new designs could be achieved whilst still achieving value for money in the long term. The ships from this programme can still be refitted, as the lifespan of any hull is expected to be greater than any individual system.
These tactical units are designed to supplement the existing CIS capital ships that are typically heavily armoured, slow moving, and carrying a large number of swarm-type droid fighters. These ships tend to operate in mobile groups, with support from frigates for defence from enemy bombers, which will pose a significant threat to this vessel if unescorted.
The Scythe is a limited produced and only comes with a single load-out option. Variants are possible for future manufacture, but the contractor has indicated to the CIS that any changes to design will incur additional costs.
Already the ship has built a reputation for being an unpleasant ship to work on. Conditions are cramped as every luxury has been stripped down to make this a lean and effective cruiser.
Unlike other ships of similar size, the Scythe class is not intended to work on its own as part of smaller patrols and other operations. Eschewing the traditions of flexible operations the Scythe is particularly specialised. It is intended to work as part of a “mixed-economy” battle group of specialised vessels that excel at their own role and collectively form effective, tactical units.
What this ship excels at is bringing a large number of heavy guns to bear on the enemies heavy cruisers, whilst presenting a smaller profile for return attacks. They typically close rapidly whilst utilising the prow heavy launchers and attempt to attack from angles where more cumbersome ships are not able to bring their full complement of guns to bear, doing maximum damage before retreating.
The ship’s power generators are stretched and have been overloaded in extreme situations. To counter this the Cruiser relies on droid staff for the ship and has minimal life support. The hangars have been stripped down to the bare minimum.
Overall, this is a specialised ship designed to fill a niche roll as part of a mixed-economy tactical unit. CIS commanders are able to pick from these tactical units and rely on them to work efficiently with minimal orders. However, these ships are particularly unpopular with their crews and are not suitable for solo operations.
The ship does not have the durable armour plating that CIS ships are usually renowned for. Speed and offence are favoured in this design.
These ships did not see action at the battle of Druckenwell as they had yet to be officially accepted from the contractor. Many vessels retreated from the field, but many which were either un-crewed or incomplete were lost. The CIS is starting to deploy the completed vessels, and is preparing to complete construction of the remaining vessels at Hypori. The CIS currently have the raw parts available for further construction and will resume production shortly.
HCE won the contract for design and construction through a competitive tender. This was a surprise as it was outside their usual area of expertise, but their bid was well priced and aligned well with the CIS design specs. Whilst there have been teething problems with the prototypes (and nuances mentioned above), HCE have met the requirements and continue to refine their production.
