Sentinel class Missile Platform

Sentinel class Missile Platform
Distant Fringe object.
Type: WAH Missile Platform
Category	Smallcraft
Size	30 Tons
Hull Configuration	Cylinder Hull
Streamlining	Partially Streamlined Hull
Tech Level	TL–11
Engineering
Computer	Model/3 fib
Jump	J-0
Maneuver	1 G
Armaments
Hardpoints	1
Accommodations
Staterooms	0
Personnel
Crew	0 (automated)
High/Mid Passengers	0
Payload
Cargo	0.0 Tons
Fuel tank	0 Tons
Construction
Origin	Distant Fringe
Year Operational	Unknown
End of Service	Still in active service.
Price
Cost	MCr60.570 (base) MCr48.456 (qty)
Architect fee	MCrAde Stewart
Statistics
Quick Ship Profile	W-3C10
Images
Blueprint	No
Illustration	Yes
Source
Also see	Artificial Satellite
Canon	Published, fan design
Era	1105
Reference	Fan: Ade Stewart
Starships are designed with the Classic Traveller format, using High Guard.

The Sentinel class Missile Platform is a satellite.

• It is a paramilitary ship and a small craft.
• Please also see AAB article: Ships of the Distant Fringe.

Description (Specifications)

The Missile Platform is designed to be a highly survivable orbital weapons platform. Although it is primarily a defense installation, it serves in a secondary role as a communications relay. Its powerful onboard sensor array may occasionally be used as a scientific observatory, typically monitoring weather patterns and stellar conditions. Similar designs have been in use from the time the Distant Fringe was first settled.

• The platform is a TL-11 design.

Image Repository

1. A Sentinel class Missile Platform.
   

General Description & Deck Plans

No information yet available.

Basic Ship Characteristics

Following the Imperial Navy and IISS Universal Ship Profile and data, additional information is presented in the format shown here. The small craft factor indicates the number of squadrons (...of ten subcraft) carried on the ship. Tonnage on the universal ship profile is shown in kilotons (...thousands of tons) where necessary.

Basic Ship Characteristics
No.	Category	Remarks
1.	Tonnage / Hull	The Missile Platform is constructed using a 30 dTon hull built in a generally cylindrical configuration. The hull is partially streamlined, giving a relatively limited atmospheric performance that is reliant on its onboard gravitic systems: the structure rarely leaves its orbital position. Individual sections of the platform are divided by bulkhead walls. There is one airlock, giving access to the operations section. Armored doors give access to the missile loading bay. The platform has sturdy retractable legs, allowing it to stand on level surfaces such as decks.
2.	Crew	Total Crew Complement: 0 (...the Platform is automated). A cramped operations compartment contains facilities for 2 maintenance technicians. Such personnel carry out occasional duties such as refueling, routine maintenance, refreshing onboard supplies, applying software updates and hardware upgrades, and downloading collected data. Gunnery crews may occasionally be stationed aboard the platform. This is an unpopular duty. Accommodations x2 Small Staterooms. These are provided for use by maintenance or gunnery crews. Accessible areas of the hull are fitted with grav plates and inertial compensators and have full life support and environmental systems. There are internal monitoring and security systems throughout the platform. There are x2 emergency lockers.
3.	Performance	The platform mounts a Maneuver-1 drive and a Power Plant-4, giving performance of up to 1-G acceleration (though generally the drives are only used for orbital positioning) and producing 1.2 Energy Points. The Platform has an agility rating of 0 and an emergency agility of 1. The internal fuel tankage gives the power plant 7 weeks duration at full combat output: the platform generally operates in a reduced power mode, increasing its endurance exponentially. The engineering section is controlled by the computer or from the operations compartment. Access to the machinery can be gained via a pressure-tight hatch.
4.	Electronics	The operations compartment contains x2 acceleration couches and control equipment. The platform is run by a largely autonomous Model/3fib Computer: no backup computer is installed. There are multiple control points throughout the platform. The platform is fitted with communications equipment and an advanced sensor array. More sensitive instruments, such as the neutrino sensors, are mounted on a long boom to hold them clear of the platform and any potential interference that it may generate. Other sensor systems are mounted internally, protected by the hull. It is fitted with backup commo and sensor systems. It is equipped with an ECM package and Jamming Equipment. It has a transponder unit that can be deactivated on command.
5.	Hardpoints	1 hardpoint.
6.	Armament	The normal weapons fit-out for a Missile Platform is: x1 triple Missile turret, forming its own battery. These are operated by the onboard computer as necessary. Each missile rack mounts x3 standard Anti-Shipping Missiles.
7.	Defenses	The hull is heavily plated and structurally reinforced, giving it an armor rating of 11. The platform is not fitted with screens or other passive defensive systems.
8.	Craft	The platform carries no subcraft.
9.	Fuel Treatment	The platform has internal fuel tankage of 2 dTons. It is not equipped with fuel scoops or fuel purification equipment.
10.	Cost	The basic cost of the platform is MCr60.570. The platform is a standard design. Detailed architectural plans are widely available and no design fee is chargeable. If multiple examples of the design are ordered all of the platforms in the production run qualify for a 20% discount, which reduces the price of each unit to MCr48.456.
11.	Construction Time	24 weeks (5.5 months) as standard. Build times can be reduced by mass production and the efficiencies such processes generate, by increased financing, and by allotting additional yard resources and facilities to the construction contract.
12.	Comments	The platform includes an armored missile magazine with a capacity of 1 dTon. The magazine holds x60 additional missiles. An autoloader system feeds missiles into the launch racks. The Missile Platform is operated by an autonomous Model/3fib Computer. It relies in its advanced sensors and threat analysis algorithms to assess potential dangers and deal with them accordingly. The platform is capable of locking itself down in an emergency. The operations compartment and engineering section may not be accessed without the appropriate protocols and security clearances.

History & Background (Dossier)

The Missile Platform is representative of designs used throughout the Distant Fringe. While it is relatively expensive, it is extremely rugged and durable. Large numbers of variants exist, particularly with regard to the allotted missile complement and the onboard electronics.

• Missile Platforms are generally deployed in small groups, relaying data between each unit.

Distant Fringe Vessels

The Distant Fringe is said to be a far rimward-trailing area inhabited by colonists and refugees originating on Terra. The region is extremely isolated, lying hundreds of parsecs from the rest of Charted Space and separated from it by almost uncrossable rifts that were once broached by a system of calibration Points and the use of tankers. Those few academics within Charted Space who have found references to the Distant Fringe regard it as little more than a tall tale. Likewise, many of the inhabitants of the Distant Fringe believe the existence of Charted Space to be mythical.

Vessels originating within the Distant Fringe are very rarely encountered outside of the region. However, misjumps do occur and anomalies with bizarre spacetime and Jumpspace effects exist: as such, craft of this type are not entirely unknown within Charted Space. Data about stations and facilities may be known from records found aboard such far-flung craft.

Class Naming Practice/s & Peculiarities

A number of companies manufacture weapons platforms equivalent to the Sentinel class. They vary in hull shape and internal layout but all share the same basic design and all have very similar capabilities and performance characteristics.

• Each variant class is named by the company that produces it: these organizations generally draw on traditional naming protocols. It is not uncommon for a historical class name to be reused.
• Individual examples of the class are issued specific serial numbers and transponder codes.

Selected Variant Types & Classes

Artificial Satellites – Space Stations:

• Type W class System Craft
  • Anchorage class Orbital Station
  • Comstar class Commo Satellite
  • Gunsan class Orbital Dockyard
  • Harbor class Orbital Station
  • Mooring class Orbital Station
  • Roadstead class Orbital Station
  • Sanctuary class Sensor Buoy
  • Sentinel class Missile Platform

References & Contributors (Sources)

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• CT Book 5 "High Guard", GDW, 1980. (Design protocols used)
• Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master Scout Emeritus Adie Alegoric Stewart of the IISS
• Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology Maksim-Smelchak of the Ministry of Science