Riga (WarShip class)

This article is about the original "Riga I". For other uses, see Riga.
Riga (Frigate) TRO3057r.png
Riga
Production information
Manufacturer Terran Hegemony
Introduced 2440
Production Year 2440[1]
Use Frigate
Tech Base Star League
Cost 3,780,867,999 C-Bills
Technical specifications
Mass 750,000
Length 693 m
Sail Diameter 1375 m
Fuel 10,560 tons
Burn Rate 39.52
Safe Thrust 1.5 g
Top Thrust 2.5 g
Sail Integrity 4
KF Drive Integrity 16
LF Battery No
Armament
Armor Ferro-Carbide Armor
DropShip Capacity 2
Crew 277
Grav Decks 1 x 140 meter diameter
1 x 65 meter diameter
Escape Pods/Life Boats 31/20
Heat Sinks 2,100 Heat Sinks
Structural Integrity 70
BV (1.0) 95,530[2]



Description[edit]

Designed during the Age of War, the Riga-class frigate was meant to fill an overlooked mission profile: a large destroyer which could operate independently, but carried firepower comparable with contemporary cruisers.[2]

Though the Terran Hegemony's navy was at first skeptical of the Riga, production eventually began in 2438, and the class was officially commissioned in 2440. Despite the skeptics' fears, the Riga performed its designed role admirably. The Riga-class vessels were able to carry out independent missions or serve as escort ships for fleets accompanying very large vessels.[2]

Production of the Riga-class was eventually replaced by the Congress-class in 2542. Though the Riga stayed in service for quite some time, decommissioning of the Riga-class commenced upon the introduction of the Sovetskii Soyuz-class heavy cruiser in 2735. The last Riga-class vessel was mothballed in 2740.[2] The Word of Blake surprised the Inner Sphere by deploying two recovered Rigas during the Jihad, although both ships had been destroyed by 3073.[3]

Following the decommissioning of the original Riga class, a second block of Rigas - designated the Riga II - were produced for the Star League Defense Force between 2747 and Christmas of 2766. The Riga II had just four-fifths the mass of the earlier Riga, and was classed as a destroyer and escort carrier rather than a frigate.[4]

Armament[edit]

The Riga-class is designed for long missions away from supply lines, fulfilling the mission objectives of contemporary destroyers. At the same time, the Riga-class mounts armor and weaponry comparable with contemporary cruisers.[2]

The ship’s armament is primarily energy-based, with an assortment of naval lasers and naval PPCs. The ship also mounts naval autocannons in order to diversify its payload.[2]

Though formidable, the Riga is relatively defenseless alone against smaller aerospace assets, and is commonly deployed with two aerospace fighter squadrons.[2]

Cargo[edit]

As the Riga is meant for independent duties above all other roles, the class has an excellent cargo capacity. The class has 2 DropShip collars, and three bays. Bay 1 is capable of ferrying 2 squadrons of aerospace fighters. Bay 2 is capable of containing 4 small craft. The last bay is able to carry a respectable 124,492.5 tons of cargo.[2]

See Also[edit]

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. MUL online date for the Riga (WarShip class)
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Technical Readout: 3057 Revised, pp. 216–217: "Riga WarShip Profile"
  3. Jihad: Final Reckoning, p. 128: "Word of Blake Naval Assets"
  4. Field Report 2765: Periphery, pp. 33–34: "Riga II (Destroyer/Carrier)"

Bibliography[edit]