Vanguard class Corvette
Tech: InnerSphere
Introduced: 3048
In Class: 12
Manufacturer: Ioto Galactic Enterprises (Alarion / Federated Commonwealth)
Mass: 100,000 tons
Length: 250 meters
Sail Diameter: 600 meters
Fuel: 1,000 tons (10,000)
Tons/Burn Day: 19.75
Safe Thrust: 2
Maximum Thrust: 3
Sail Integrity: 3
KF Drive Integrity: 4
Heat Sinks: 670 (1,340)
Structural Integrity: 50
Armor: (100 tons, Improved Ferro Aluminum)
Fore: 21
Fore-Sides: 22
Aft-Sides: 22
Aft: 21
Cargo:
Bay 1: Fighters (18) 6 doors
Bay 2: Cargo (5,141 tons) 2 doors
Bay 3: Small Craft (2) / Marines (3 Platoons of Foot Infantry) 2 doors
Dropship Capacity: 0
Grav Decks: 2 (90-meter diameter)
Escape Pods: 15
Lifeboats: 15
Crew: 89 minimum (15 Officers, 74 Enlisted)
Weapons: (Heat: 1,340)
Nose (Heat: 280)
2 Medium NPPCs
1 Barracuda Missile Launcher
Fore Left/Fore Right (Heat: 310)
2 Naval Laser 45s
1 White Shark Missile Launcher
Left/ Right Broadsides (Heat: 160)
2 Naval Autocannon/10s
1 Killer Whale Missile Launcher
Aft Left/Aft Right (Heat: 310)
2 Naval Laser 45s
1 White Shark Missile Launcher
Aft (Heat: 280)
2 Medium NPPCs
1 Barracuda Missile Launcher
Ammunition:
400 rounds of Naval Autocannon/10 ammunition
20 Killer Whale Missiles
40 White Shark Missiles
20 Barracuda Missiles
Overview:
The War of 3039 revealed much to the leadership of the Federated Commonwealth. Their inability to crush the hated Draconis Combine was bitterly disappointing but the role of ComStar was even more concerning. The Order’s increasing adversarial position combined with the Dragon’s renewed strength convinced everyone that further military development was necessary. Some began to push for the recovery of naval technologies that would make construction of combat jumpships a valued trump card in the deck of the AFFC. The scientific renaissance that followed the 4th Succession War made such an effort theoretically possible but there was opposition. Many remembered the destruction wrought by these behemoths and wished to avoid their inevitable rebirth as long as possible. Despite these concerns Archon Melissa Steiner and Prince Hanse Davion both agreed that a Naval Redevelopment Program was in the best interest of the Federeated Commonwealth.
Authorized in early 3041 the first step of this greater program was designated the Vanguard Project. This endeavor focused on the construction of a test bed class to further development of a future warship production. Initial research quickly identified the two largest obstacles faced by would be engineers – the manufacture of Compact KF Core and Interplanetary Drive. Each of these components posed their own unique complexities and challenges which had to be overcome. A few manufacturers were able to upgrade their facilities to construct Compact KF Cores but continuing difficulties with the construction of the massive fusion engines proved unworkable at least in the short term. Rather than continuing with that long term undertaking designers decided to use the massive Sunburst M-200L MegaDrive from the enormous Behemoth class Dropship on the smallest possible warship keel. This temperamental power plant would produce the necessary thrust to propel the design across a solar system.
Luckily Tharkad Aerospace Group (TAG) was one of three facilities in the InnerSphere that still produced the sophisticated Sunburst MegaDrive. This coupled with the fact that Ioto Galactic Enterprises of Alarion were able to upgrade their facilities to construct Compact KF Cores dictated that production of these prototypes would take place within the Lyran half of the Federated Commonwealth. The great industrial strength of House Steiner was bought to bear in other areas, like capital grade weaponry, which had to be restarted from scratch. Davion scientific contributions were just as invaluable to the rapid progress of the Vanguard Project which overcame many complications. On February 9, 3048 the RX-78 slipped from Port Sydney Naval Shipyards and became the FCS Vanguard.
Capabilities:
As a proof of concept vessel the Vanguard made use of many recovered technologies. Its diverse armament which is made up of a wide assortment of capital grade weaponry is clear proof of this philosophy. The smallest of these arms designers were able to include were four Naval Autocannon/10s. Their inclusion eased manufacturing concerns and ably demonstrated their capability despite criticism that the vessel should have included “larger” main guns. The mid-range capital energy batteries of four Medium NPPCs and eight Naval Laser-45s somewhat offset this lack of firepower that would have been provided by larger naval autocannons. However, they provided far better range and eliminated ammunition concerns. The diverse amount of missile launchers also gave the Vanguard superior striking distance versus other warships as well as smaller craft. Two Killer Whale Missile Launchers provided punch while four White Shark Missile Launchers furnished the Corvette with further stopping power. Two super accurate Barracuda Missile Launchers rounded out this first of its kind arsenal. Nearly seven hundred Double Heat Sinks effectively disperse the waste heat generated from ship operations and represent some of the most advanced technology included on the ship. One hundred tons of Improved Ferro Aluminum armor plating provides effective protection especially given the vessel’s long range arsenal. The ninety man crew of the Vanguard is augmented by a company of marines for defense as well as a wing of aerospace fighters. Five percent of the warship’s overall mass was reserved for cargo space as design tradition dictated. No docking collars were included because of its small size and their inclusion would have complicated the construction of its Compact KF Drive. Perhaps the most concerning problem with the Vanguard was continuing problems with its massive Sunburst M-200L MegaDrive. During their initial installation these interplanetary engines seemed to be a good fit. A few modifications necessary for their inclusion were hoped to fix reliability issues seen on the Behemoth class Dropship. This was not to be as the drive soon demonstrated the same trouble operating above 0.8Gs. With the unimpressive thrust they were originally projected to provide these breakdowns were somewhat anticipated. The Federated Commonwealth expects to learn a lot from their operations good or bad and refine future production.
Deployment:
The Federated Commonwealth authorized the construction of twelve of these warships. Eventually upgraded the Federated Boeing facilities at Galax joined Ioto Galactic in the manufacturing of these test bed vessels. Over the next six years ten warships (Harbinger, Exemplar, Sentinel, Trailblazer, Prophet, Avatar, Monitor, Pathfinder, Herald, Ranger) were built at both facilities. In early 3055 construction on the final Vanguard, the FCS Warden, was completed at Galax. As expected this prototype class soon became obsolete by larger restored designs and new technology that followed. They continue to make excellent training ships for the FedCom Navy not only in regards to technology but experienced spacemen.
