SYDNEY-CLASS FRIGATE

RPG Stats by KAMIKAZI ([email protected])
Background info by SHADE ETERNAL ([email protected])

BACKGROUND

In the aftermath of Space War 1, the UN Spacy was faced with the task of rebuilding it's shattered fleet. The acquisition of the Zentraedi factory satellite would ease that process considerably, but the Spacy need to decide the type of fleet it would build. A Zentraedi style fleet of large ships would be able to fight any rogue ship head to head, but would consume large amounts of resources and crew. A smaller style, more suited to human crew, would be more maneuverable, and could potentially take less damage. 

Ultimately, the argument was settled over the resource cost. It was felt that with humanity's limited resources, a large number of smaller ships would be versatile than a small number of large ships. In the future, once humanity had expanded, perhaps the issue would be looked at again. 

The smallest warship in the new fleet was the Sydney-class frigate, designed to escort short range colony fleets, merchant vessels, and to help keep their larger siblings from being outflanked easily. Toward that end, the Sydneys had a fairly sizable weapons array for the time, mounted in the old style turrets patterned after those found across the Macross. The three heavy beam cannon systems packed a sizable punch that nearly matched that of the Progress-class cruiser, and it's backup weaponry proved adequate for ship-to-ship battles. However, it's point defense was not that impressive. Combined with the presence of just one squadron onboard the ship, a number of Sydneys were overwhelmed by enemy mecha alone over the course of the design's career. 

Nonetheless, it was an inexpensive design, and produced heavily over the next decade for the UN Spacy and assorted colony governments. It was superceded by the Stargazer-class steath frigate in the UN Spacy Modernazation program of the late 2020s. The Stargazer design was somewhat larger than the Sydney class, and had slightly less heavy firepower, but was a good deal more manuverable, and had massively improved point defenses and enlarged fighter bays. By 2038, the last Sydney class vessel was retired from the active fleet, though several Megaroad vessels still use them, as do numerous colony worlds, several of whom have performed their own modifactions to the design.

RPG STATS

Crew: 700 total

Naming: Ships of the Sydney class are named after cities destroyed during Badolza's attack on Earth at the end of Space War I.

MDC BY LOCATION:

(1) Main Body                                  15,000
(2) Command Tower                                2500
(2) Sensor Array (on top of Command Tower)        500
(3) Main Engines/Power Plants (2)               2,000 each
(3) Secondary Engines (4)                         800 each
(3) Small Guidance thrusters (20)                 200 each

    Main Cannon Turrets (3)                       500 each
    Anti-Warship Cannons (6)                      300 each
    Anti-Aircraft Missile Launchers (8)           150 each
    Anti-Aircraft Laser Cannons (8)               150 each

    Small Airlocks/Access Hatches (20)            250 each
    Flight Deck Airlock (1)                       500
    Outer Hull (per 40ft area)                    120
    Interior walls (per 20ft)                      20

(4) Pin Point Barriers (3)                      2,500 each

NOTES:

 
1. Depleting the MDC of the main body will put the destroyer out of commission. All internal systems will shut down, including life support and internal gravity. The ship itself will be an unsalvageable floating wreck.
2. Destroying the command tower will instantly kill the command staff and deprive the ship of all forms of long range communications, radar and targeting. The range and targeting capabilities of the secondary systems are equal to that of a VF-4 Lightning. The ship can still operate, but is at -3 on initiative, -3 to strike, and number of attacks per melee of the weapon systems are reduced by half. Destroying the main sensory array atop the command tower will have the same effect, but the command staff will not be killed instantly.
3. Depleting the MDC of the main engines will force the ship to rely on its secondary engines. Depleting the MDC of the main engines AND secondary engines will leave the ship adrift in space. If in an atmosphere, the ship will crash (destruction of the main engines will render the antigravity system useless due to loss of power).
4. The Pinpoint Barriers regenerate at a rate of 1,250 MD per second (2,500 MD per melee round). If destroyed, a barrier will completely regenerate within 2 seconds (1 melee rounds). See the Pinpoint Barrier System entry for details.

SPEEDS:

Speed (sublight): 0.20 speed of light (32,000 miles per second)
Speed (Auxiliary Drives): Mach 3
Space Fold: Range Unlimited (1 light year every 6 minutes)
Planet bound:

Can land if necessary but not designed to maneuver in an atmosphere. Can only land in a body of water (does not have landing gear).

Maximum Range: Unlimited (estimated 20 year life span, which can be extended with regular maintenance and overhauls)

STATISTICAL DATA:

Length: 688.8 feet (210 meters)
Weight: 78000 tons (empty), 101000 tons (Standard)

Power System:

ORTEC/General Galaxy Main reactor

Fold System:

ORTEC/Shinnakasu/General Galaxy Advanced Fold Cluster

Sublight Drive:

ORTEC/Centinel Impulse Drive Cluster

Gravity Control System: Internal
Auxiliary Engine:

Shinnakasu/Shinsei Industries/Agar Nuclear Pulse Rocket Motor Cluster

Sensor System: Standard & Subspace Mass Detector

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

1. MAIN LASER CANNONS (3): The main weapon systems of the Sydney frigates are three heavy laser cannons, mounted in the old style turrets patterned after those found across the Macross. These cannons pack a punch equal to those used by larger UN Spacy and Zentraedi vessels and make the Sydney a foe to be reckoned with. Two face forward while the third is mounted at the rear of the vessel. Each laser can fire separately or together, and have 180 degrees of fire.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Heavy Assault
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Warship
   • RANGE: 100,000 miles (160,000 km)
   • DAMAGE: 1D8x1000 M.D. per blast
   • RATE OF FIRE: Unlimited. Will function so long as the main engines are intact.
    
2. ANTI-WARSHIP CANNONS (6): Sydney frigates are also armed with anti-warship cannons similar to Zentraedi concealed laser cannons. Four of these lasers are mounted facing forward while two are mounted to the rear to attack enemies behind the ship. Like the main laser cannons the anti-warship cannons have only a limited arc of fire (15 degrees off centerline) and thus can only be used against ships to the front or rear of the cruiser.

• PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
• SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Warship
• RANGE: 100,000 miles (160,000 km)
• DAMAGE: 1D6x100 M.D. per shot
• RATE OF FIRE: Each cannon can fire twice per melee. The cannons can fire individually or be combined with the heavy lasers to fire a single volley.
• PAYLOAD: Unlimited.

3. RETRACTABLE LASER TURRETS (8): As a final line of defense, the frigate has retractable laser turrets mounted at various strategic places along the hull. These short-range lasers were apparently intended primarily for anti-aircraft and anti-mecha defense, but can do moderate damage against enemy spacecraft if they get too close. When not in use gun turrets are concealed within the hull underneath a sliding hatch.
    
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Defense
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Aircraft
   • RANGE: 4000 ft (1200 m)
   • DAMAGE: 1D4x10 M.D.
   • RATE OF FIRE: Each individual turret can fire four times per melee. Turrets can be combined in any volley combination, but the minimum number of turrets per volley is 4.
   • PAYLOAD: Unlimited.
    
4. MEDIUM MISSILE LAUNCHERS (8): For anti-aircraft defense the frigates are armed with medium-range missile launchers set at key locations along the ship's hull. Each launcher contains 6 missile tubes allowing volleys of up to 6 missiles to be fired at a single target per launcher. Once depleted, the missile launchers are reloaded by an automated loading system that takes 15 seconds (one melee round) to reload all 8 missiles. Armor-piercing smart missiles are usually used to avoid chances of friendly fighters being shot down by the missiles.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-Aircraft
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Warship
   • MISSILE TYPES: Any type of UN Spacy Medium Range Missile can be used. Smart missiles are commonly used to avoid hitting friendly aircraft.
   • RANGE: Varies, typically 60 miles (80.4 km).
   • SPEED: Varies, typically 1600mph (2571kmph).
   • DAMAGE: Varies, typically 2D4x10 M.D.
   • BLAST RADIUS: Varies, typically 15 feet.
   • RATE OF FIRE: Volleys of 2, 4 or 6 missiles per launcher.
   • PAYLOAD: Each launcher holds 6 missiles. Once the missiles are expended the launcher is reloaded within 3 round via an automated system. The reload system holds 96 missiles per launcher.

5. PINPOINT BARRIER DEFENSE SYSTEM: Originally developed by researchers onboard the SDF-01 Macross during Space War One, the Pinpoint Barrier System is a standard defense system on board all UN Spacy starships, including the Sydney frigates. The system generates three small disc-shaped force fields that can be positioned anywhere along the ship to deflect missiles, energy beams or projectiles. Each pinpoint barrier is about 200 ft (61 m) in length and can absorb up to 2,500 MD in damage, which then regenerates within four seconds (1 melee round). The barriers can also be layered on top of each other to generate a field which provides 10,000 MDC and can even deflect heavy particle beams (sometimes).

   The three barriers are controlled by operators in the command tower of the frigate. These operators are instructed to defend (1) the command tower, bridge, and sensor array, (2) main engines, (3) hangar bays, and (4) weapon systems, in that order. The operators primarily concentrate on defending the ship against larger spacecraft and leave defense against mecha attacking the cruiser to the VF pilots.

   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Defense (the pinpoint barrier system cannot be used as a weapon)
   • RANGE: Up to 300 feet (91.5 m) from the surface of the vessel.
   • DAMAGE CAPACITY: Can sustain up to 2,500 MD per round. Regenerates at a rate of 2,500 MD per melee round.
   • RADIUS: 200 ft (61 m)
   • DEFENSIVE MOVEMENT: Can move from one end of the destroyer to the other in less than a single round. Trained operators can attempt to block attacks up to 8 times per melee (counts as a parry) and are at +7 to block. Untrained characters can parry up to their number of hand-to-hand attacks with their normal parry bonuses only.
   • PAYLOAD: Nearly inexhaustible. Will work as long as system is functional (see below) and engines are intact. If main engines are destroyed, the barrier will loose power and not function.
   • NOTE: If all four barriers are grouped in a single spot they can deflect a heavy particle beam attack, such as the one generated by the Macross Cannon, Zentraedi/Varuta command warships, and some Protodeviln. However, the beam will completely destroy all four barriers and put incredible strain on the pinpoint barrier system, to the point where it may short out. After deflecting an energy beam, roll percentile dice on the table below to determine additional effects/damage.
     • 01-05: Lucked out, system will be operational in 1D6 hours.
     • 06-20: Minor damage, system will require 4D6 hours to repair.
     • 21-35: Major damage, system will require 2D6x10 hours to repair (yes, DAYS of work).
     • 36-64: Completely destroyed! System can be rebuilt, but will require new parts and 2D6 DAYS of work to replace.
     • 65-79: Major damage, system will require 2D6x10 hours to repair.
     • 80-94: Minor damage, system will require 4D6 hours to repair.
     • 95-99: Lucked out, system will be operational in 1D6 hours.
     • 00: It's a miracle! Trivial damage only, system will be operational again in only 4D6 melee rounds!

SYSTEMS OF NOTE:

• ANTIGRAVITY PROPULSION SYSTEM: The Sydney frigates are equipped with an anti-gravity propulsion system used for planetary landings and liftoffs. The system is good for vertical ascent/descent only and can lift the ship at speeds of up to 1,320 feet (400 m) per minute. The system will function so long as the main engines can supply energy to it.
• HYPERSPACE COMMUNICATIONS: Based on the same technology as the space fold system, the hyperspace communications relay allows faster-than-light communication between UN Spacy starships and other vessels or planetary bases. Hyperspace communications are still not instantaneous, however. Audio/video communication travels through hyperspace at a rate of about 1 second per 4000 light years, so messages communicated over vast distances can still take seconds or minutes to arrive.
• LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS: The frigates have sufficient life support to provide breathable air and comfortable temperatures for 1200 people for up to 20 years (air is recycled). In an emergency the life support system can support up to 2,500 people at one time, though living conditions onboard will get extremely cramped at that point. The destroyer also holds sufficient food and water to support 1200 people for up to 6 months. 
• LONG-RANGE LASER/SATELLITE RELAY COMMUNICATIONS: The impressive communications array of the destroyer can communicate with up to 1,000 craft simultaneously at ranges of up to 900 miles (1,440 km). This range can be boosted indefinitely by using satellites or other spacecraft as to relay communications.
• LONG-RANGE RADAR: The radar array of the frigate is equally as impressive as the communication system, and can track and identify up to 2,000 craft simultaneously. The radar system has a 2,000 mile/3,200 km range.
• SPACE FOLD SYSTEM: For FTL propulsion, the frigates is equipped with an ORTEC/Shinnakasu/General Galaxy Advanced Fold System Cluster, capable of propelling the destroyer through hyperspace at speeds up to 3.28x10^10 mps (5.25x10^10 kmps), or 1 light year per 6 minutes. The range of the fold drive is theoretically unlimited except by the life expectancy of the spacecraft.
• SUBLIGHT ENGINES: As a backup to the Fold System, the frigates is equipped with ORTEC/Centinel Impulse Drive Cluster engines that can propel the craft at speeds up to 0.20 speed of light (32,000 miles per second) in space. Note that these engines are mainly intended for rapid movement inside a planetary system and are not suited for long voyages between star systems. In a planetary atmosphere the destroyer is limited to speeds of Mach 3 maximum due to hull stress.
• SUBSPACE MASS SENSORS: The Sydney frigates are equipped with subspace sensors, which are based on the same principles as the hyperspace communications array. These sensors can essentially instantly detect mass readings and movement of objects up to 1 AU (93 million miles) distant from the destroyer, and the readings are used both for early warning and for navigation when traveling at sublight speeds. Readings taken with the subspace sensors are not very detailed (-25% penalty when trying to identify a detected object) and cannot detect objects of less than 60,000 kg (this includes most variable fighters).

MECHA COMPLEMENT (STANDARD):

• VF-4B Lightning: 15 (1 Squadron) on active status.