Grand Admiral, First Order Central Command
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
Image Credit: fractalsponge
Intent: To create an updated Carrack-class that fits as a 'standard' line frigate.
Canon Link: N/A
Restricted Missions: N/A
Primary Source: N/A
PRODUCTION INFORMATION
Manufacturer: First Order Corp of Imperial Engineers (FOCIE)
Model: Medium Frigate 849A class
Affiliation: The First Order
Modularity: N/A
Production: Mass-Produced
Material: Durasteel Hull, Upgraded Alusteel and Quadanium Double-Layer Composite Armor Plating, Glassteel and Transparisteel where appropriate. Internal Duraplast and AR-03 Damage Reduction Component plating.
DESCRIPTION
Known colloquially as the Valor-class, the technically named 849A-class Frigate was first conceived of int he immediate aftermath of the Omega War. As the First Order Navy made itself known across the galaxy the need was quickly perceived for a standard production frigate capable of holding its own in any environment or role. Using the venerable Carrack-class Light Cruiser as a baseline the first 849 vessels were pushed into production and endured space trials for almost half a year. They consistently failed to perform to specifications, and the class was sent back to the drawing board and the procurement contract canceled.
The ships languished for over a year, until the sudden escalation of tensions with the Galactic Alliance. Where Imperial factions had often been centered around Star Destroyers and other large vessels, the Alliance had a long history of using a variety of advanced frigates. As Naval Central Command began to shift priority to a well-balanced cruiser focused navy, the need for a line frigate able to fill in the gaps became even more pronounced. The new 849A class proved to be a remarkable success and was quickly pushed to mass production.
Standard convention has every 849A named after a fallen soldier, spacer, or stormtrooper, each a hero of the First Order. Thus the ship received the 'Valor-class' moniker, after the text of the standard 'Iron Sun' medal. This quickly led to the crews of the vessels remarking, in typical gallows humor fashion, that the only requirement to get a ship named after you these days is to be dumb enough to 'die bravely' on someone's orders.
The ships have nevertheless quickly become a common sight behind the front lines, where carefully balanced war fleets aren't quite as common and the threat can be varied and different from day to day. Built around a main battery of six twin-barrel Annihilator turbolaser cannon turrets, two heavy triple barrel ion cannons, and a peripheral 30-cell multipurpose VLS launcher system, the 'Valor' class packs a heavy punch for its size, easily matching the Carrack its based off. Point defense armament is limited in scope but effective for self-defense, with an array of twin-barrel rapid fire laser cannons and a pair of Mk 26 HARM launchers on either side of the command bridge.
The VLS system is divided into 6 groupings of five triangular cells which can be loaded with a variety of ordnance. A typical combat load is 20 Advanced Concussion Missiles, 6 Ion Torpedos, and 4 Flechette Missiles. Each of the 5-cell VLS modules is reloaded internally in a process that takes approximately 30-45 seconds from a large internal magazine. The magazine is well protected in the bowels of the ship and is unlikely to trigger a self-destruction cascade, but as a result the auto-loading feature is somewhat susceptible to damage. While this is localized to each module it does mean that section is shut down until the ship can be repaired at a dockyard.
Shields and armoring are all fairly standard for the size, as is the effective speed and maneuverability. This gives the ship reasonable versatility but limit its ability to excel in any mission or warfare area. The one exception is the sensor array, which is largely centered around a very large and prominent Multi-Function Deep Scanning Sensor (MFDS2). The MFDS2 has very good long range tracking and acquisition, and provides a nice boost to fire control at medium and close range. It is also capable of limited hyperspace tracking, though it is not as effective as vessels specialized in that role.
Another feature of the Carrack-class cruiser (utilized previously on the Darr Itah and Marauder designs) is a remarkably high level of internal durability thanks to a rather claustrophobic compartmentalization system and lots of internal reinforcement. This has little impact on the overall defense rating of the vessel, as it does not allow extended combat effectiveness, but does give the ship remarkable survivability. Even hulked Valor's are known to carry groups of survivors in what chunks of the vessel still can retain atmosphere. Officers assigned to commander 849A's are taught to avoid the notion that they or their ships are expendable, and make every effort to bring the ship back.
The ship does not excel as a dedicated patrol ship for the simple reason that it does not feature a full hanger. While a set of docking cranes were added (based off the Carrack of old and the FIPV-9) to give it some support and utility the fact remains that the 849A's are a bit too slow to be a proper pursuit vessel and with only 6 fighters they cannot reasonably make up that difference with strike craft. Nevertheless the half-squadrons play a vital role in both defensive and offensive operations.
With many of the more advanced frigate designs of the navy quickly running into cost overheads (due to their specialized combat roles), it should come as no surprise that the 849A is rapidly on track to become the iconic First Order Frigate.
Strengths
- Heavily Armed (for its size). The twin Annihilator turrets and extensive missile battery can pack quite a punch.
- Competency. The ship does not excel in any area but can sub in for most roles in a pinch.
- Hard to surprise. The MFDS2 gives excellent long-range detection capability.
- Wolf Pack Tactics. The 849A is particularly deadly in groups, where the vessels are able to benefit from their collective strength.
- Limited Point Defense. The point defense suite of the vessel is more than capable of ownship self defense, but the 849A is not designed as a dedicated escort craft and is a poor choice for area defense.
- Limited Fighter Support. The compact nature of the Valor-class means it cannot support a full hanger. Taking after the Carrack-class (and the FIPV-9) the ship features a set of external cranes that can mount a half-squadron of six fighters. These craft are unable to receive combat re-arming and repairs on their launch ship, and thus require carrier support for longer engagements.
- No Troops. Unlike most First Order vessels the 849A does not come with a embarked Stormtrooper component. As the ship is designed purely for space combat and patrol it was deemed that Naval Security Forces are more than adequate for the task, and anyway they have to save on space somehow.
- Master of none. The 849's excel in no particular role, and may not be the best choice in a mixed fleet.
- VLS Auto-Loading system is susceptible to damage, effectively disabling that module on a good hit.
Classification: Medium Frigate
Role: Line/Patrol Frigate
Length: 350m
Width: 75m
Height: 68m
Power Core Generator/Reactor: 1 x Hypermatter Annihilation Reactor
Hyperdrive Rating: 1.0, 10.0 Backup
Minimum Crew: 349
Optimal Crew: 820
Passenger Capacity: 200
Consumables: 2 Years
Sublight Speed: Average
Maneuverability: Average
ARMAMENT
Armament Rating: Moderate
- 6 x Twin Annihilator Turbolaser Cannon Turrets
- 2 x Triple Heavy Ion Cannon Turrets
- 30 x Multipurpose Warhead Tubes (15 per side)
Discord Missile (Warhead Tubes) - Flechette Missile (Warhead Tubes)
- Ion Torpedo / Disruptor Torpedo (Warhead Tubes)
- Cluster Missile (Warhead Tubes)
- Advanced Concussion Missile (Warhead Tubes)
- Type-B Homing Mine (Warhead Tubes)
[*]16 x Point Defense Laser Cannons
[*]2 x Mk 26 'HARM' Guided Missile Weapon System
Defense Rating: Average
HANGAR
- Auxiliary Hanger with room for a few shuttles and launches.
- 1 squadron on external cranes (typically FO TIE/IN)
- Standard Combat Ray Shielding
- Standard Combat Particle Shielding
- Advanced Sensor Suite (HSI/DER/EPR/AS)
Multi Functional Deep Scanning Sensor (MFDS2)
[*]Standard Communications and C4I Suite
[*]Standard TAT and BAC Combat System Suite
[*]Integrated Fleet Command Data Exchange Network
[*]Standard Navigation Systems
[*]Ionic Shielding Package
[*]Standard Electronics Warfare/Countermeasure Package
- Sensor Jammer
- 220-SIG Tactical Sensor Jamming Device
- Electronic Countermeasures
- Full-spectrum Distortion Projector
Modification:
New Section(s):
- Updating to reflect new hanger limits.
New Section(s):
