Wagon Wheel
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| |
| Wagon Wheel | |
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Taurian Concordat |
| Introduced | 2570 |
| Production Year | 2570[1] |
| Use | Frigate |
| Tech Base | Star League |
| Cost | 3,693,394,000 C-Bills[citation needed] |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 650,000 tons |
| Length | 700 meters |
| Sail Diameter | 1003 meters |
| Fuel | 8,000 tons (20,000) |
| Burn Rate | 39.52 |
| Safe Thrust | 2 g |
| Top Thrust | 3 g |
| Sail Integrity | 4 |
| KF Drive Integrity | 14 |
| LF Battery | No |
| Armament |
|
| Armor | 609 tons standard |
| DropShip Capacity | 2 |
| Crew | 235[2]
Bay Personnel: 44 |
| Grav Decks | 3 (2 x 300 meters diameter, 1 x 200 meters diameter) |
| Escape Pods/Life Boats | 24/35 |
| Heat Sinks | 2,000 (single) |
| Structural Integrity | 47 |
| BV (1.0) | 102,313[2] |
Description[edit]
Named for the wagon wheels of ancient Terra because of the spokes attaching the trio of Grav Decks to the WarShip's hull, the Wagon Wheel-class frigate was intended to bolster the Taurian Concordat's navy, as well as for export across the Periphery to represent the strength of the smaller realms. Entering service just prior to the formation of the Star League and the increased sense of anxiety across the Periphery, the solidarity the class was meant to represent was at its highest, though it did not last through the coming war.[2]
Initially planned as a heavy troop transport with a very long operating range, the Wagon Wheel's original design included over a dozen Docking collars and three large, exterior-mounted grav decks to maintain morale on long patrols. But political wrangling, cost overruns, and technical issues led to the removal of the majority of the docking collars and a large increase in engine thrust and armament, transforming the Wagon Wheel into a heavily armed, fast-attack ship. However, legal obligations with subcontractors forced the designers to retain the oversized grav decks, despite their crippling effect on the vessel's maneuverability.[2]
The Concordat produced only a handful of Wagon Wheels, but they played a notable part in the history of that Periphery nation. The destruction of two of the class by Davion WarShips in 2573 during the so-called Malagrotta Affair cemented the enmity between the Concordat and the Federated Suns and helped trigger the Reunification War. During that conflict, a refocus of military spending ended production of the design.[2] Only one Wagon Wheel was known to have survived into the Star League era, the TCS Merope, which was still active on the eve of the Amaris Coup.[3]
Armament[edit]
The Wagon Wheel's forward-firing weaponry features three NL45s, two Medium NPPCs and three LRM-15s mounted in its nose bays, with three White Shark tubes and SRM-6 launchers supported by an NL35 on each fore quarter. The vessel's broadside consists entirely of autocannons, with two twin NAC/35 mounts supported by six AC/5s and three AC/10s on each side capable of unleashing a figurative rain of lead. The aft armament consisted of three White Shark tubes on each quarter, with two NL35s and a pair NAC/10s mounted directly aft.[2]
Cargo[edit]
Beyond its two remaining DropShip collars, the Wagon Wheel has a 92,790-ton cargo bay; its combat focus is better reflected by the addition of twelve aerospace fighter and four Small Craft bays. 50 space marine bunks offer protection from boarding and a couple of dozen passenger accommodations belie the class's transport origins.[2]
See Also[edit]
Gallery[edit]
Original Wagon Wheel from TRO:3057 Revised