Viking class transport

Viking class Transport (Explorer)

In class: 150
In service: 2420

Mass: 500,000 tons
Sail Integrity: 4
Thrust: 2 / 3
Fuel: 20,000 tons
Structural Integrity: 35
Armor: 349 ton, Standard (N: 28, FL/R: 28, AL/R: 27, A: 26)

Docking Collars: 10
Fighters: 6
Small Craft: 48
Crew: 204 minimum (35 Officers, 169 Enlisted)

Lifeboats: 50
Escape Pods: 50
Grav Decks: 8 250 meter

Cargo: 102,000 tons

Bay 1: Fighters (6) 3 doors
Bay 2: Small Craft (48) 5 door
Bay 3: Cargo (102,000 tons) 7 doors

Weapons: (Heat Sinks: 3,934)
Forward
2 Light NPPCs

4 NL-35s

8 Large Lasers

Fore Left/Fore Right
2 Light NPPCs

4 NL-35s

8 Large Lasers

Left Broadside/Right Broadside
2 Light NPPCs

4 NL-35s

8 Large Lasers

Aft Left/Aft Right
2 Light NPPCs

4 NL-35s

8 Large Lasers

Aft
2 Light NPPCs

4 NL-35s

8 Large Lasers

Overview:
When Archon Katherine Steiner created the Commonwealth Scout Corps in 2413 as of the Brandenburg Edicts it was that a specialized type of jumpship would be required for them to carry out their exploratory missions. At first, the Scout Corps used modified jumpships to perform their assigned duties. As the mission load increased a dedicated exploration vessel was needed to expand Corps operations. To facilitate quick introduction to the frontier region the design was built at the Commonwealth’s newest shipyard located above Alarion. The seemingly promising colony was founded in the early 2370s. This promise soon turned into tragedy as settlers and native lifeforms began to die as a result of foreign diseases they were both unable to fend off. The new Lyran government under the sole control of Archon Robert Marsden was eager to help the tragic colonists of Alarion and helped construct space habitats above planet as a temporary solution to the problem. (Editor’s Note: This was no doubt part of a public relations ploy by Archon Marsden to save face after crushing his opposition on Skye and Tamar. And it was largely successful. At their final meeting the Archons could not agree on how to help end the growing crisis on Alarion. Taking quick action following his takeover of the Lyran government, Marsden proved too many that he was looking out for his people.) Even after the ecological disaster had ended Alarion continued to develop it’s growing aerospace industry. So when Archon Katherine Steiner took charge of the Lyran nation, an ambitious and ardently loyal Duke Serfass convinced her to grant his new ship construction company (Alarion Galactic) the rights to build this new exploration vessel. (Editor’s Note: Alarion Galactic was always considered a secondary shipyard until the Star League. Despite designing the Long March class Destroyer and other smaller vessels the distance involved in bringing materials to planet for ship construction proved too costly for many in the Lyran Navy. When the Commonwealth joined the Star League Alarion Galactic was bought out by Di Tron Heavy Industries and became that company’s eighth shipyards, or Iota facility. This multinational business merger was common during the League era, as shown by the Lyran CBMs union with the Terran Lockheed company. The subsidiary eventually became known as Ioto Galactic Enterprises. When the League disbanded the Alarion facilities actually grew because of Archon Jennifer Steiner’s order to move some shipyards to the planet.) The class was named after some of the greatest explorers of all time, the Viking.

Capabilities:
The Viking class was an exceptional ship that filled many of the Commonwealth’s needs, both civilian and military. It was an expensive ship however costing almost as much as a Tirpitz class Battleship. The Viking was equipped with the new Type III Engines that enabled the ship to achieve a maximum thrust of 1.5Gs. For planetary surveying missions the Viking was outfitted with an extensive sensor array. To help with colonizing efforts the vessel was capable of hauling over one hundred thousand tons for cargo or passengers. It also carried twenty thousand tons of fuel to resupply colonies and ships operating in the Lyran frontier. Ten docking collars also enabled the ship to carry a wide variety of supplies abroad numerous dropships. Eight huge grav decks that measured two hundred and fifty meters in diameter provided relaxation for the crew and any passengers carried aboard. For protection the Viking mounted almost three hundred and fifty tons of armor. The armament was largely copied (and doubled) from the Prosperity class Transport consisted of sixteen Light Naval Particle Projection Cannons, thirty two Naval Laser-35s, and sixty four Large Lasers. This arsenal was never intended for offensive use but as a deterrent against any threat vessel, mainly pirates. Composed entirely of energy weapons the Viking was designed to operate away from base for extended periods. Six fighters were also carried aboard ship for additional defense as well as forty eight small craft to help with ship operations.

Deployment:

The Viking class ships were usually named in honor of famous explorers; like Leif Erikson or Christopher Columbus. The Viking was classified as a Transport by the Lyran High Command because of it’s assigned military value. The ship served with distinction as a colony ship, exploration vessel, and military transport for nearly four hundred years. Most of these years were spent in the service of the Lyran Scout Corps which continued to operate until the end of the Star League. During the First Succession War many Vikings carried an entire regiment of aerospace fighters (in lieu of small craft) into battle as well as helping to supply Commonwealth warships on the front lines. The House Marik and Kurita made a point of targeting these supply vessels but could not destroy all of them until the beginning of the Second Succession War.