Riga (WarShip class)
- This article is about the original Riga class, also known as Riga I; for the heavier "second block" vessels that were classified not as frigates but as destroyers or escort carriers, see Riga II.
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 | 6 x NL55s 6 x NL45s 3 x Heavy NPPCs 4 x Medium NPPCs 5 x Light NPPCs 6 x NAC/30s 8 x NAC/25s |
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
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 Star League Defense Force 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
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
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
Gallery
Original Riga from TRO:3057 Revised