Balmora Class Command Cruiser
DCNS Fairweather on deployment
The Balmora Class Command Cruisers currently serve as the fleet command vessels of the Democratic Colonies Navy. Based on the underlying design framework of the New Frontier Class Light Cruiser, the two types of vessel share many propulsion and defensive technologies, and a high level of parts commonality in these areas has allowed for a high level of efficiency in the conduct of maintenance and repairs where vessels of both class are based.
The Balmora class is only lightly armed, but instead mounts extensive command, control, and communications equipment, as well as an advanced sensor suite. Due to the relatively modest armament, vessels of this class typically remain as distant from direct engagement with hostile vessels as possible.
In line with DC naval doctrine regarding anti-matter powered vessels, withdrawal from combat if even moderate damage is suffered is typical for vessels of this type due to the risk of sudden anti-matter containment loss and the resulting immediate destruction of the vessel in its entirety.
As with most contemporary starship designs from the Democratic Colonies, the Balmora class incorporates highly modular systems and construction which allows for technological advances to be incorporated as easily as possible.
The Balmora class is only lightly armed, but instead mounts extensive command, control, and communications equipment, as well as an advanced sensor suite. Due to the relatively modest armament, vessels of this class typically remain as distant from direct engagement with hostile vessels as possible.
In line with DC naval doctrine regarding anti-matter powered vessels, withdrawal from combat if even moderate damage is suffered is typical for vessels of this type due to the risk of sudden anti-matter containment loss and the resulting immediate destruction of the vessel in its entirety.
As with most contemporary starship designs from the Democratic Colonies, the Balmora class incorporates highly modular systems and construction which allows for technological advances to be incorporated as easily as possible.
Propulsion and Powerplants
The engines of the Balmora class are mounted in a single, high efficiency cluster at the rear of the vessel that is designed for straight forward removal and replacement as required in repair or retrofitting operations. This engine cluster, alongside the vessel's Perim Space Systems AM-55 Matter/Anti-Matter Reactor which powers it and the Perim Space Systems Series 1000 FTL Jump Drive which grants the vessel faster than light capability, are located together in an assembly at the rear of the vessel that is designed to be jettisoned through the usage of explosive bolts in the event of imminent loss of containment of shipboard anti-matter stores.
In addition to the matter/anti-matter reactor, the Balmora class feature a Nealon Atomics MF-1650 Nuclear Fusion Reactor located in the forward structure of the ship. While generally only providing secondary and auxiliary power while the matter/anti-matter reactor is active, this nuclear fusion reactor is capable of sustaining critical shipboard operations such as life support, as well as long range communications and some limited operation of the shipboard sensors, if the matter/anti-matter reactor is unsafe to operate or is jettisoned.
Armament
The Balmora class features five launching tubes capable of magnetically accelerating missiles towards their targets. These tubes are magazine fed and capable of high speeds of fire, but as they are internally fixed and are of limited size, they are incapable of launching or recovering advanced drones. Additionally, due to the risk of potential loss of containment of dangerous materials in these magazines with no ability to immediately jettison them, anti-matter and biological warfare materials are not carried in the internal magazines which feed these five launching tubes.
The engines of the Balmora class are mounted in a single, high efficiency cluster at the rear of the vessel that is designed for straight forward removal and replacement as required in repair or retrofitting operations. This engine cluster, alongside the vessel's Perim Space Systems AM-55 Matter/Anti-Matter Reactor which powers it and the Perim Space Systems Series 1000 FTL Jump Drive which grants the vessel faster than light capability, are located together in an assembly at the rear of the vessel that is designed to be jettisoned through the usage of explosive bolts in the event of imminent loss of containment of shipboard anti-matter stores.
In addition to the matter/anti-matter reactor, the Balmora class feature a Nealon Atomics MF-1650 Nuclear Fusion Reactor located in the forward structure of the ship. While generally only providing secondary and auxiliary power while the matter/anti-matter reactor is active, this nuclear fusion reactor is capable of sustaining critical shipboard operations such as life support, as well as long range communications and some limited operation of the shipboard sensors, if the matter/anti-matter reactor is unsafe to operate or is jettisoned.
Armament
The Balmora class features five launching tubes capable of magnetically accelerating missiles towards their targets. These tubes are magazine fed and capable of high speeds of fire, but as they are internally fixed and are of limited size, they are incapable of launching or recovering advanced drones. Additionally, due to the risk of potential loss of containment of dangerous materials in these magazines with no ability to immediately jettison them, anti-matter and biological warfare materials are not carried in the internal magazines which feed these five launching tubes.
The ANNA aboard a DC Navy vessel appearing on screen before briefing the Captain
Artificial Intelligence
Balmora Class Command Cruisers are fitted with an artificial intelligence package known as the Advanced New Networked Adapting Software, or ANNA. ANNA is an evolved and further developed form of the Advanced Networked Adapting Software, or ANA, originally built by the state owned Lochinver Ordnance of the Republic of Lochinver. ANNA units are highly advanced, with each put through an expensive and time consuming education program. The AI conduit is located in a specialized operations center containing all of the program files which make up the AI and its personality, as well as 4,700 processing units which drive ANNA.
ANNA units control electrical power and defensive shield distribution, assist in starship piloting as required, and guide missiles to their objectives through a synthesis of shipboard DRADIS and LIDAR, as well as missile-side sensor data. ANNA is extremely intelligent and reacts in fractions of a millisecond, adding greatly to the effectiveness of the systems under its control, and allowing for more rapid FTL jump calculations to be made. ANNA may also participate in electronic warfare during combat situations, and may in some cases be able to hack into a hostile craft’s computer systems and deactivate key functions such as shields, air, gravity, or weapons. ANNA may also provide covert hacking services, carefully extract information, and ward off attempted incoming attacks.
ANNA units may develop a personality and morality, with most ANNAs developing a unique avatar for on screen and holographic usage. becoming an integral part of the crew, but are slaved to the policies set in place by the DC Navy. Programmed to be so at the deepest level, ANNA is completely loyal to the chain of command, and has been proven useful in providing tactical advice and advanced problem solving capabilities to human commanders.
Balmora Class Command Cruisers are fitted with an artificial intelligence package known as the Advanced New Networked Adapting Software, or ANNA. ANNA is an evolved and further developed form of the Advanced Networked Adapting Software, or ANA, originally built by the state owned Lochinver Ordnance of the Republic of Lochinver. ANNA units are highly advanced, with each put through an expensive and time consuming education program. The AI conduit is located in a specialized operations center containing all of the program files which make up the AI and its personality, as well as 4,700 processing units which drive ANNA.
ANNA units control electrical power and defensive shield distribution, assist in starship piloting as required, and guide missiles to their objectives through a synthesis of shipboard DRADIS and LIDAR, as well as missile-side sensor data. ANNA is extremely intelligent and reacts in fractions of a millisecond, adding greatly to the effectiveness of the systems under its control, and allowing for more rapid FTL jump calculations to be made. ANNA may also participate in electronic warfare during combat situations, and may in some cases be able to hack into a hostile craft’s computer systems and deactivate key functions such as shields, air, gravity, or weapons. ANNA may also provide covert hacking services, carefully extract information, and ward off attempted incoming attacks.
ANNA units may develop a personality and morality, with most ANNAs developing a unique avatar for on screen and holographic usage. becoming an integral part of the crew, but are slaved to the policies set in place by the DC Navy. Programmed to be so at the deepest level, ANNA is completely loyal to the chain of command, and has been proven useful in providing tactical advice and advanced problem solving capabilities to human commanders.
Production Information
Designer: Perim Space Systems, Perim Nealon Regal Group
Manufacturer: Perim Nealon Regal Heavy Industries, Perim Nealon Regal Group
Primary Place Of Manufacturing: Round Table Fleet Yards, Camelot System
Technical Data
Length: 780 Meters
Powerplant:
Propulsion (faster than light): 1 x Perim Space Systems Series 1000 FTL Jump Drive
Sensors:
Designer: Perim Space Systems, Perim Nealon Regal Group
Manufacturer: Perim Nealon Regal Heavy Industries, Perim Nealon Regal Group
Primary Place Of Manufacturing: Round Table Fleet Yards, Camelot System
Technical Data
Length: 780 Meters
Powerplant:
- 1 x Perim Space Systems AM-55 Matter/Anti-Matter Reactor
- 1 x Nealon Atomics MF-1650 Nuclear Fusion Reactor
Propulsion (faster than light): 1 x Perim Space Systems Series 1000 FTL Jump Drive
Sensors:
- Perim Space Systems LR-120 Long Range DRADIS
- ConAm Interstellar EagleEye Optical Sensor Suite
- Perim Space Systems MP-350 Deflector Shield System
- Inertron armour plating
- 13 x Perim Space Systems Point Defense Laser
- 26 x Tesla-Beam Teleforce Point Defense Emitter
- 12 x DARDO Point Defense Turret
- 5 x magazine-fed missile tube