Rapier (Naval Vessel class)
Sarna News
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| Rapier Patrol Destroyer (Wet Navy) | |
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Federated Suns |
| Use | Naval Fire Support, Sea Patrol, Pirate Hunting |
| Tech Base | Star League Advanced (Non-Tournment Legal) Technology |
| Chassis Type (Size) | Naval Vessel, Large (Large, Template C) |
| Equipment Rating | |
| Cost | ??? |
| Introduced | Late 30th Century |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 8,500 Tons |
| Top Speed | 80 Kph |
| Power Plant | Electric (Fuel Cell) |
| Fuel (Type/Range) | 8,347 Km |
| Armament | 8 x ER PPCs 2 x LRM-20s 2 x Arrow IV Launchers 2 x LRT-20s 2 x ER Larger Lasers 2 x TAGs |
| Heat Sinks | 186 |
| Armor | (BAR 10) |
| Crew | 22 Officers, 48 Enlisted/non-rated, 58 gunners, 15 bay personnel, 84 Jump Infantry |
| BV (1.0) | ??? |
| BV (2.0) | ??? |
Contents
Description
The Rapier Patrol Destroyer was designed as the Federated Suns' principal wet navy patrol asset. It was used to support ground troops with its firepower or keep the peace on the seas of various worlds which have oceans. The design has been in service since just before dawn of the 31st Century.[1] The ship can carry three VTOL-type aircraft, which can be used to carry troops and disaster relief support. Two Rapiers can be transported to other worlds via a modified Mammoth-class DropShip.
The current version of the ship is outfitted with Star League-level technology.
During the opening years of the Jihad, dozens of Rapiers were thought to have been sunk in conflict with the Word of Blake. Some of these ships were sunk by orbiting Pocket WarShips and pirate vessels using capital or sub-capital grade weaponry.[2]
Armament & Capabilities
The ship's principal weaponry is found in three armored turrets. The ship boasts eight Extended Range Particle Projector Cannons, with four in Turret 1 and a pair each in Turrets 2 & 3. The ship has four Extended Range Large Lasers, two are fitted in Turret 1, while two more are mounted in the rear left and right locations. The ship has a pair of 20-Tubed Long Range Missile launchers mounted on its bow, with thirty-six racks of ammunition to fire between them. It also has pair of LRT-20s dedicated to anti-submarine warfare. These torpedo launchers are mounted on the front left and right of the ship's bow and supplied with four tons of ammunition. For artillery support, the ship carries two Arrow IV launchers mounted its no. 2 Turret, with eight tons of ammunition set aside for it. All the Rapier's ammunition is found in the main body of the vessel, protected by CASE, and its weaponry guided by the ship's Advanced Fire Control system.
In addition, the Rapier mounts several tons of Communication Equipment, a MASH unit with five operating theaters, a Helipad, a field kitchen and thirty lifeboats.
Cargo
The ship has a 1,044 ton standard cargo capacity, with two doors found in the right and left rear. It also has 4 Jump Infantry bays and 3 light vehicle bays.
Variants
- Andryusha Class Bombardment Frigate - Two of the three Rapiers that were stationed on Liao were converted to artillery fire support design by the Capellan Confederation in 3065. The design includes Long Tom Artillery pieces instead of the Arrow IV launchers.[3]
- The ship was first designed during the late Succession Wars era; the original configuration of the ship was armed with regular weaponry found in the period instead of more advanced Star League-era technology.
Named Vessels
- ex-FSS Duladier - The Duladier was part of a trio of Rapiers that were deployed to the Sarna March world of Liao in the 3050s. The ship, along with its sister ships, surrendered to House Liao forces in 3057 during Operation Guerrero. It remained decommissioned for a decade, until Liao's Home Guard began recommissioning other Rapiers as fire support vessels. The Duladier was considered a candidate for a conversion into an aircraft carrier to support other ships that were vulnerable to air attacks in 3067.[4] It's not known if the ship survived the Blakist invasion during the Jihad.
Notes
- The Rapier has not been given a published record sheet for its "Standard Tech" variant. The vehicle profile was written during game year 3067. Thus, information on when the vessel was designed is based the article reflection length of service starting from just before turn of the century and newer Star League technology version be put service in less than 2 decades.
References
- ↑ Handbook: House Davion, p. 201
- ↑ TechManual, p. 229 - Naval Vessels/Military Vessels - Rapier Class ship been noted for a dozen losses since 3068.
- ↑ Handbook: House Liao, pp. 164, 175 - Andryusha Class Bombardment Frigate is variant of the Rapier.
- ↑ Handbook: House Liao, p. 164 - Andryusha Class Bombardment Frigate - Named ship of the Rapier class mentioned and its current status of 3067.