New Frontier Class Light Cruiser
DCNS Gallant exiting planetary orbit
The New Frontier Class Light Cruiser currently serves as the backbone of the Democratic Colonies Navy, although the class has not yet been tested in any serious fleet actions. The armament and configuration of the class is tailored towards combat with opposing space vessels, with exploratory and planetary bombardment capabilities considered secondary priorities during the design process.
In combat against hostile vessels, the New Frontier Class Light Cruiser typically uses its guided missiles fitted with nuclear or bomb-pumped laser warheads to engage hostile vessels at long ranges. As distances close, while missile fire will continue, the New Frontier's spinally mounted Perim Nealon Regal Armaments L-200 Series High Output X-Ray Laser generally becomes viable against erratically moving targets once they are within a 3 light second (roughly 900,000 kilometer) range. Against stationary targets, the L-200 Series High Output X-Ray Laser is effective to even greater ranges.
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 New Frontier class incorporates highly modular systems and construction which allows for technological advances to be incorporated as easily as possible.
In combat against hostile vessels, the New Frontier Class Light Cruiser typically uses its guided missiles fitted with nuclear or bomb-pumped laser warheads to engage hostile vessels at long ranges. As distances close, while missile fire will continue, the New Frontier's spinally mounted Perim Nealon Regal Armaments L-200 Series High Output X-Ray Laser generally becomes viable against erratically moving targets once they are within a 3 light second (roughly 900,000 kilometer) range. Against stationary targets, the L-200 Series High Output X-Ray Laser is effective to even greater ranges.
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 New Frontier class incorporates highly modular systems and construction which allows for technological advances to be incorporated as easily as possible.
Cutaway schematic of an L-200
Laser's magnetic undulator
Propulsion and Powerplants
The engines of the New Frontier class are mounted in four independently adjustable pods at the rear of the vessel. This mounting not only to allows for more precise maneuvering control over the vessel's positioning and orientation, but also makes their removal and replacement as simple as possible. These engine pods, alongside the vessel's Perim Space Systems AM-55 Matter/Anti-Matter Reactor which powers them 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 New Frontier class feature a Nealon Atomics MF-1200 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 and long range communications if the matter/anti-matter reactor is unsafe to operate or is jettisoned.
Laser Armament
New Frontier class vessels are equipped with a single spinally mounted Perim Nealon Regal Armaments L-200 Series High Output X-Ray Laser as their primary armament. While limiting the potential combat maneuvering options of the vessel, the spinal mounting of the L-200 Series High Output X-Ray Laser is required for the function of the L-200 Series as all members of this series are free electron lasers which require high velocity electron acceleration equipment to allow for the laser beam to be varied to the most effective wavelengths, including the high energy X-ray band. The large amount of space dedicated to the L-200 Series High Output X-Ray Laser also allows for the fitting of the largest and longest range focusing optics possible.
The L-200 Series High Output X-Ray Laser generates a massive amount of shipboard heat during its operation, and thus has considerable ship's resources dedicated to cooling it. The ventral hull of the New Frontier features a radiator designed to bleed the heat from the laser into space as efficiently as possible, and is also where coolant fluid may be ejected to rapidly lower the temperature in emergencies. In spite of the problems presented by heat buildup however, the High Output X-Ray Laser remains an effective anti-ship weapon, capable of longer range, more accurate strikes than a particle beam or mass accelerator would permit. Standard procedures deem 3 light seconds (roughly 900,000 kilometers) as the L-200 Series High Output X-Ray Laser's maximum effective range in most anti-ship situations.
The engines of the New Frontier class are mounted in four independently adjustable pods at the rear of the vessel. This mounting not only to allows for more precise maneuvering control over the vessel's positioning and orientation, but also makes their removal and replacement as simple as possible. These engine pods, alongside the vessel's Perim Space Systems AM-55 Matter/Anti-Matter Reactor which powers them 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 New Frontier class feature a Nealon Atomics MF-1200 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 and long range communications if the matter/anti-matter reactor is unsafe to operate or is jettisoned.
Laser Armament
New Frontier class vessels are equipped with a single spinally mounted Perim Nealon Regal Armaments L-200 Series High Output X-Ray Laser as their primary armament. While limiting the potential combat maneuvering options of the vessel, the spinal mounting of the L-200 Series High Output X-Ray Laser is required for the function of the L-200 Series as all members of this series are free electron lasers which require high velocity electron acceleration equipment to allow for the laser beam to be varied to the most effective wavelengths, including the high energy X-ray band. The large amount of space dedicated to the L-200 Series High Output X-Ray Laser also allows for the fitting of the largest and longest range focusing optics possible.
The L-200 Series High Output X-Ray Laser generates a massive amount of shipboard heat during its operation, and thus has considerable ship's resources dedicated to cooling it. The ventral hull of the New Frontier features a radiator designed to bleed the heat from the laser into space as efficiently as possible, and is also where coolant fluid may be ejected to rapidly lower the temperature in emergencies. In spite of the problems presented by heat buildup however, the High Output X-Ray Laser remains an effective anti-ship weapon, capable of longer range, more accurate strikes than a particle beam or mass accelerator would permit. Standard procedures deem 3 light seconds (roughly 900,000 kilometers) as the L-200 Series High Output X-Ray Laser's maximum effective range in most anti-ship situations.
DCNS Camelot on patrol
Missile and Drone Armament
Due to safety concerns similar to those that guided the placement of the shipboard power plant, the New Frontier Class Light Cruiser features a large turret module mounted dorsally on the main superstructure. The usage of this turret makes the recovery of drones and exhausted missiles a simpler task, but more importantly also allows for a safer operating environment as the turret assembly may be jettisoned if biological or anti-matter materials risk a loss of containment.
In addition to the turret mounted missiles and drones, the New Frontier class features five more conventional launching tubes capable of magnetically accelerating missiles towards their targets. These tubes are magazine fed and better protected by the ship's armour scheme, but also are incapable of launching or recovering the larger drones that the dorsally mounted turret is capable of handling. 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 these internal magazines.
Due to safety concerns similar to those that guided the placement of the shipboard power plant, the New Frontier Class Light Cruiser features a large turret module mounted dorsally on the main superstructure. The usage of this turret makes the recovery of drones and exhausted missiles a simpler task, but more importantly also allows for a safer operating environment as the turret assembly may be jettisoned if biological or anti-matter materials risk a loss of containment.
In addition to the turret mounted missiles and drones, the New Frontier class features five more conventional launching tubes capable of magnetically accelerating missiles towards their targets. These tubes are magazine fed and better protected by the ship's armour scheme, but also are incapable of launching or recovering the larger drones that the dorsally mounted turret is capable of handling. 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 these internal magazines.
The ANNA aboard DCNS Legacy appearing on screen before briefing the Captain
Artificial Intelligence
New Frontier Class Light 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.
New Frontier Class Light 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: 710 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: 710 Meters
Powerplant:
- 1 x Perim Space Systems AM-55 Matter/Anti-Matter Reactor
- 1 x Nealon Atomics MF-1200 Nuclear Fusion Reactor
Propulsion (faster than light): 1 x Perim Space Systems Series 1000 FTL Jump Drive
Sensors:
- Perim Space Systems NF1 DRADIS
- ConAm Interstellar EagleEye Optical Sensor Suite
- Perim Space Systems MP-350 Deflector Shield System
- Inertron armour plating
- 17 x Perim Space Systems Point Defense Laser
- 32 x Tesla-Beam Teleforce Point Defense Emitter
- 16 x DARDO Point Defense Turret
- 1 x spinally mounted Perim Nealon Regal Armaments Series L-200 High Output X-Ray Laser
- 1 x dorsally mounted High Capacity Drone/Missile Launch and Recovery Turret Module
- 5 x magazine-fed missile tube