MUSAI CLASS LIGHT CRUISER

RPG Stats by Sean Little
 Background info provided by the MAHQ

 

BACKGROUND

The Principality of Zeon developed the Musai class light cruiser in conjunction with its mobile suit program, and as such, the Musai had the distinction of being the first combat spaceship ever designed to carry and support mobile suits. Musai class cruisers were capable of transporting three mobile suits, and two additional mobile suits could be stored in the Musai's Komusai re-entry capsule. The Musai was armed with three twin mega-particle cannon turrets and a battery of missile launchers, but it was heavily dependent on its mobile suit contingent to provide anti-fighter and Anti-MS defense. A major flaw in the design of the Musai was the omission of any close-in weapons systems for point defense. This shortfall, however, was partially a result of the role the Musai was expected to play in battle; to support its mobile suits from long range. Musai class ships proved themselves superior in long-range combat repeatedly throughout the One Year War. Late-war examples of the Musai removed one of the mega-particle cannon turrets and increased the mobile suit complement to four.

RPG STATS

Vehicle Class: Musai Class
Type: Light Cruiser
User: Principality of Zeon
Manufacturer: Principality of Zeon
Crew: 130

Notable Ships of Class:

• Camel
• Famel
• Primus
• Remul
• Kuwamel

MDC BY LOCATION:

    Beam Cannons (3)                   250 each

    Missile Launchers (2)              150 each

(1) Front Sensor Cluster                75

(1) Bridge                             200

(2) Main Body                         1200

(3) Main Engines (2)                   500 each

    Komusai                            800

    Hangar Door                        100

    Armored Hull (per 20ft area)        60

NOTES:

1. Destroying the bridge will instantly kill the command staff and deprive the ship of all forms of long range communications, radar and targeting.
2. Depleting the MDC of the main body will completely obliterate the Cruiser. Because of the lack of modern escape and survival systems it is highly unlikely that any of the crew would survive.
3. Destroying the main engines will reduce maximum thrust by 35% each.

 

STATISTICAL DATA:

Length: 234 m
Width: 98.4 m
Height: 79.4 m
 Main Engine:

Rocket Engine x2

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

1. HEAVY MISSILE LAUNCHERS (2): The main armament of the Musai consisted of 2 heavy missile launchers, each containing an ICBM-like missile intended for anti-ship combat. Each launcher contains a single guided missile that fires forward and then homes in on its designated target (similar to ICBM launchers on nuclear submarines).
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-Warship
   • RANGE: 2,000 miles (3,184 km)
   • SPEED: Mach 2+ (1340 mph/2140 kmph) in an atmosphere.
   • DAMAGE: 2D6x100
   • BLAST RADIUS: 2,000 feet (610 m)
   • RATE OF FIRE: 1 or 2
   • PAYLOAD: Each launcher contains 6 missiles total.
2. LIGHT MISSILE LAUNCHERS (10): The secondary armament of the Musai is 10 light missile launchers, each firing a smaller missile than the large missile launchers. These missiles are also suitable for Anti-Mobile Suit combat. Each launcher contains a single guided missile that fires forward and then homes in on its designated target (similar to ICBM launchers on nuclear submarines).
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-Warship
   • RANGE: 1,500 miles
   • SPEED: Mach 2+ (1340 mph/2140 kmph) in an atmosphere.
   • DAMAGE: 1d4x100
   • BLAST RADIUS: 2,000 feet (610 m)
   • RATE OF FIRE: If necessary, all 18 missiles can be fired at the same time (counts as one attack).
   • PAYLOAD: Each launcher contains one missile, for 18 missiles total. There are no reloads.
3. HEAVY BEAM CANNONS (3): The Musai’s were also armed with three two-barreled beam cannon turrets. The cannons are capable of firing at targets in the front hemisphere of the ship.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Warship
   • RANGE: 80 miles (106 km) in space; half in Earth's atmosphere.
   • DAMAGE: 2D4x100 each
   • RATE OF FIRE: 1, 2, or 3
   • PAYLOAD: Unlimited.

SYSTEMS OF NOTE:

• LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS: The Musai Light Cruisers have sufficient life support to provide breathable air and comfortable temperatures for 500 people for up to 12 months (air is recycled). The system cannot reliably support more than 500 people for more than a few days time (besides, there is very little room in Musai hulls for extra passengers). The ship has enough food and water onboard to support the crew for up to 6 months (can be extended to 9 months with rationing). Because of their limited stockpiles of food, water and air Musai Cruisers rarely venture beyond the orbit of Mars.
• LONG-RANGE LASER/SATELLITE RELAY COMMUNICATIONS: Musai Light Cruisers have impressive communications arrays for their time. The communication system has a direct range of 900 miles (1,440 km), which can be boosted indefinitely by using satellites or other spacecraft to relay communications.
• LONG-RANGE RADAR: The radar array of the Musai can track and identify up to 200 craft simultaneously. The radar system has a 1,00 mile/1,600 km range. Beyond that range, there is to much interference from Minovsky radiation
• KOMUSAI: The Musai carries a Komusai shuttle in a docking port of its ventral surface.

MECHA COMPLEMENT:

The Musai Cruiser is capable of carrying three smaller mobile suits such as Zakus. Later ships had a modified hanger capable of carrying three larger mobile suit like Rick Doms or Gelgoogs, or four smaller Zaku series ones.

 

REFERENCES USED IN THIS DESIGN

• "Burke’s Fighting Ships Starship Guide: Musai Class Light Cruiser"