PEGASUS CLASS ASSAULT CARRIER

RPG Stats by Sean Little

Background info provided by the MAHQ

BACKGROUND

When the One Year War began, the introduction of the mobile suit redefined warfare. Consequently, the design of battleships was altered as well. While the Federation experimented with mobile suit designs, it also created the Pegasus class assault cruiser. The Pegasus class was the first type of ship designed to carry mobile suits. It also pioneered the Minovsky craft system, which allowed it to fly in the Earth's atmosphere by creating an I-field cushion between the ship's hull and the ground. Following the end of the war, Minovsky craft systems became standard issue on all spaceships.

The most famous of the seven Pegasus class ships was the White Base, which was deployed in September UC 0079 after months of stalemate between the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon. First placed under command of Paolo Cassius, the White Base's mission was to visit Side 7 and collect three prototype mobile suits: the RX-75-4 Guntank, RX-77-2 Guncannon and RX-78-2 Gundam. However, the mission would not go as planned due to pursuit by Zeon ace pilot Char Aznable. A fierce battle within Side 7 kills most of the crew and mortally wounds Paolo, leaving the ship in the hands of rookie officer Bright Noa. After escaping from Side 7 with the prototype mobile suits, the White Base began a perilous journey to Earth with Char close behind. After arriving on the war-torn planet, the White Base was chased around Zeon-occupied North America by invasion commander Garma Zabi and later on by veteran soldier Ramba Ral.

Once the Federation began to take the offensive, the White Base became a critical part of the Federation's war plans. The White Base served as a rear line distraction for the Zeon forces during Operation Odessa, and it participated at the battle's end in disarming a nuclear missile launched by M'Quve as a desperate last effort. After a brief stop in Belfast, Ireland, the White Base proceeded to the Federation's military headquarters at Jaburo, South America. Here the ship received much-needed repairs and an upgrade in weaponry. Afterwards, the Federation placed Operation Star One into motion to end the war after driving the Zeon off of Earth. The White Base was present during the Battle of Solomon, in which the Solar System was used to capture the asteroid fortress. Soon after, the ship led the charge at the Battle of A Baoa Qu after the Zeon used the Solar Ray to decimate the Federation fleet. As the final battle of the One Year War raged on, the White Base was destroyed on December 31, UC 0079. Despite its destruction, the ship would become legendary and go on to inspire other similar designs, such as the AEUG's flagships Argama and Near Argama.

RPG STATS

Vehicle Type: Assault Carrier
Government: Earth Federal Forces
Manufacturer: Earth Federal Forces
Crew:

800

Notable Ships of Class:

SCV-70 WHITE BASE
SCV-69 PEGUSUS

MDC BY LOCATION:

(1) Main Body                                                       1,500

(2) Main Engines (8)                                                600 each

(3) Command Tower                                                   650

(3) Sensor Array (on Command Tower)                                 200

2-barrel 580 mm main gun                                        450

2-barrel mega particle gun (2)                                  600 each

    Anti-Aircraft 2-barrel Machinegun (8)                           250 each

    3-tube missile launcher (8)                                     100 each

    Airlocks/Access Hatches (20)                                    100 each

Armored outer hull (per 40ft area)                              70

Hanger Door (2)                                                  100 each

    Interior walls (per 20ft area)                                  20

NOTES:

Depleting the MDC of the main body will put the Pegasus out of commission. All internal systems will shut down, including life support and internal gravity. The carrier will be an unsalvageable floating wreck.
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.
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 ship can still operate, but is at -3 on initiative, -3 to attack, and number of attacks per round of the weapon systems are reduced by half. Destroying the main sensory array on top of the command tower will have the same effect, but the command staff will not be killed.

SPEEDS:

Speed (Sublight): Mach 5.0
Speed (Auxiliary Drives): Mach 2.0

Maximum Range: Unlimited (estimated life span unknown)

STATISTICAL DATA:

Length: 250 m
Wingspan: 180 m
Weight: 68,000 tons

Height: 97 m

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

2-BARRELED 580MM MAIN CANNON): The primary weapon of the Pegasus Class Assault Carriers is a large, retractable cannon mounted in front of the bridge. It is capable of destroying most ships in a few hits.
- PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
- SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Warship
- RANGE: 1,000 miles (1,600 km)
- DAMAGE: 1D6x1000 M.D.
- RATE OF FIRE: Each launcher can fire once every two rounds.
- PAYLOAD: Unlimited.
2-BARRELED MEGA PARTICLE BEAM CANNON (2): These are the secondary armament of the Pegasus. They are large beam cannons that pack enough punch to seriously damage enemy capital ships.
- PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-Warship
- SECONDARY PURPOSE: Assault
- RANGE: 200 miles (320 km)
- DAMAGE: 1D4x100 M.D.
- RATE OF FIRE: Each turret can fire once per round.
- PAYLOAD: Unlimited.
LIGHT MISSILE LAUNCHERS (8): The primary missile armament of the Pegasus is 8 three-barreled 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 24 missiles can be fired at the same time (counts as one attack).
- PAYLOAD: Each launcher contains 1 missile, for 24 missiles total. There are 10 reloads.
ANTI-MECHA MACHINEGUN TURRETS (8): These are arrayed with four on the port and four on the starboard side. The anti-mecha lasers are designed to defend against any close in threats to the Pegasus.
- PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-Mecha
- SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Missile
- RANGE: 60 miles (96 km)
- DAMAGE: 4d10 each.
- RATE OF FIRE: Each Machinegun can fire up to four times per round.
- PAYLOAD: 500 rounds.

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

MECHA COMPLEMENT:

Mobile Suits: 6

Gunperry: 1

REFERENCES USED IN THIS DESIGN

"Burke's Fighting Ships Starship Guide: Pegasus Class Assault Carrier Entry"