Editing Gazelle class Close Escort

{{InfoboxShip
|name     = Gazelle class Close Escort
|aerodynam= [[Partially Streamlined Hull]]
|agility  = 4
|alsosee  = [[Escort]] - [[Fiery class Close Escort]]
|architect= [[Timothy B. Brown]]
|blueprint= Yes
|canon    = Yes. Published, canon design with a Keith illustration.
|caption  = TBD
|staterooms = 8
|cargo    = 6.0
|crew     = 4 officers, 8 men
|cost     = 287.47
|enlisted = 8
|EOS      = Still in active service.
|era      = 1105
|footnote = The two sets of numbers for tonnage, jump and maneuver are for the presence of the 100-ton dismountable fuel tanks and the absence of same.
|g        = 5/4
|hp       = 4
|hpass    = 0
|hull     = Cylinder Hull
|illustration= Yes
|image    = Close-Escort-WH-Keith-MT-Imp-Encyclo-Pg-84.jpg
|IOC      = Unknown
|jump     = 5/4
|lpass    = 0
|marines  = 0
|model    = [[Model/6]]
|officers = 4
|origin   = Third Imperium
|QSP      = EL-3P54
|ref      = {{Ludography ref|name= High Guard |page= 20-37 |version= Classic Traveller}}
|size     = 300/400
|size-cat = ACS
|tdes     = ECE
|TL       = 14
|type     = Close Escort
|usp      = ECE-3455762-300000-40100-0
|manufacturer= Various
}}
The [[Gazelle class Close Escort]] is a very light [[warship]]. 
For the book about the class click [[Gazelle-Class Close Escorts|here]]
* It is a [[military ship]] and a [[Close Escort]].
* It is built using a 300-ton [[hull]] with a partially streamlined configuration. 

== Description ([[Specifications]]) ==
These [[close escort]]s despite being woefully ineffective as combatants are fairly effective as deterrents to marauding forces. Many a merchant trader owes a debt of gratitude to the long-serving ''Gazelles'' and ''Fieries'' of the [[Imperial Navy]] and local sector navies. Not the best fighter, bet often there when you need them. {{Unpublished cite|author=Maksim-Smelchak}}

It is fitted with jump-5, maneuver-5, and power plant-7 drives, and fuel tankage for 81 tons of [[fuel]]. To this basic package is added disposable 100-ton fuel tanks to provide the total fuel necessary for the drives. However, with these tanks installed, the ship tonnage is increased to 400 tons, which reduces the ship's performance to 4-G, jump-4, and power plant-5. The tanks may be dropped to allow the higher performance, but the ship then becomes restricted by its lower fuel supply until the tanks are replaced. The ship has [[fuel scoop]]s and a [[purification plant]], and can refuel by skimming [[gas giant]]s. The standard bridge has a Model/6 [[computer]] installed and the ship has four [[hardpoint]]s. Two of the [[hardpoint]]s allow five [[ton]]s each, which allows the installation of [[particle accelerator]] [[barbette]]s if desired. The remaining two [[hardpoint]]s sport triple [[laser]] [[turret]]s. The ship [[hull]] is heavily armored. The ship has eight [[stateroom]]s, four for officers and four for double occupancy by crew members.
 
A 20-ton [[gig]], itself armed with a [[laser]] mount, is slung beneath the ship, with interlocking hatches provided. The gig is capable of 6-G and carries six acceleration couches and three emergency [[low berth]]s. It can also carry two tons of cargo.

An important aspect of the ship is its interior layout; the ship was designed at a time when mutinies were a major threat to security. As a result, major bulkheads break up the ship into distinct areas — some for crew members, some for officers, and some common to both.

=== Image Repository ===
# A [[Gazelle class Close Escort]] on patrol. <br> [[File: Close-Escort-WH-Keith-MT-Imp-Encyclo-Pg-84 03-July-2018a.jpg|400px]]

=== 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 craft) carried on the ship. Tonnage on the [[universal ship profile]] is shown in [[kiloton]]s (thousands of tons) where necessary. {{Page cite|name= Fighting Ships |page= 10 |version= Classic Traveller}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" 
|+ '''Basic Ship Characteristics''' {{Page cite|name= Fighting Ships |page= 10 |version= Classic Traveller}}
|-
! #.
! Category
! Remarks
|-
| 1.
| [[Ton|Tonnage]]
| 300 [[ton]]s (standard). 4,200 cubic meters. Unstreamlined hull. L-Hyd tanks add 100 tons of fuel and displacement (CE-4444762) and cost [[MCr]]0.11. {{Page cite|name= Fighting Ships |page= 17 |version= Classic Traveller}}
|-
| 2.
| [[Crew]]
| x12 [[crew]]: x4 officers. x8 ratings. {{Page cite|name= Fighting Ships |page= 17 |version= Classic Traveller}} Total: 12 [[crew]].
|-
| 3.
| [[Maneauver Drive|Performance]]
| Jump varies with situation. With [[drop tank]]s installed and retained, Jump-4 and 4-G. With drop tanks installed and dropped, Jump-5 and 5-G. With [[drop tank]]s not installed, Jump-2 and 5-G. Power plant-7. 21-EP. Agility-0. {{Page cite|name= Fighting Ships |page= 17 |version= Classic Traveller}}
|-
| 4.
| [[Ship’s Computer|Electronics]]
| x1 [[Model/6]] [[ship computer]]. {{Page cite|name= Fighting Ships |page= 17 |version= Classic Traveller}}
|-
| 5.
| [[Ship’s Hardpoint|Hardpoints]]
| x4 [[hardpoint]]s. {{Page cite|name= Fighting Ships |page= 17 |version= Classic Traveller}}
|-
| 6.
| [[Ship’s Weapons|Armament]]
| The normal weapons fit-out for it is:
* x2 [[particle accelerator]] [[barbette]]s organized as two batteries.
* x2 Two triple [[beam laser]] [[turret]]s organized as two batteries. {{Page cite|name= Fighting Ships |page= 17 |version= Classic Traveller}}
|-
| 7.
| [[Ship’s Defenses|Defenses]]
| Armored hull (Factor-3). {{Page cite|name= Fighting Ships |page= 17 |version= Classic Traveller}}
|-
| 8.
| [[Smallcraft|Craft]]
| x1 20-ton [[gig]]. {{Page cite|name= Fighting Ships |page= 17 |version= Classic Traveller}}
|-
| 9.
| [[Fuel Purification Plant|Fuel Treatment]]
| Integral [[fuel scoop]]s and [[purification plant]]. {{Page cite|name= Fighting Ships |page= 17 |version= Classic Traveller}}
|-
| 10.
| [[Imperial Currency|Cost]]
| [[MCr]]359.3431 standard. [[MCr]]287.474 in quantity. {{Page cite|name= Fighting Ships |page= 17 |version= Classic Traveller}}
|-
| 11.
| [[Ship Architecture|Construction Time]]
| 16 months singly; 11 months in quantity. {{Page cite|name= Fighting Ships |page= 17 |version= Classic Traveller}}
|-
| 12.
| Comments
| Standard cargo capacity amounts to 6.0 [[ton]]s.
|-
|}

== History & Background (Dossier) ==
''Comments:'' Hundreds of ''Gazelle'' class close escorts have been built and many remain in service in the Imperial Navy, despite the fact that in a combat situation, they are nearly worthless. The close escort, even when new, was not intended to stand up to combat vessels; rather it was envisioned as an anti-piracy and revenue patrol ship. In that role, it has performed well, but when pressed into combat duties it has invariably suffered disproportionate losses. {{Page cite|name= Fighting Ships |page= 17 |version= Classic Traveller}}

An [[Imperial Navy]] standard class built by the hundreds, and a common component of Navy task forces in the [[Spinward Marches|Marches]]. Designed specifically to protect the line-of-battle against enemy skirmish forces and for general escort duty, the class is well-armed for its size and type. L-Hyd fuel tanks may be dropped in extreme circumstances, allowing Jump-5. The tanks must be replaced unless a severe reduction in jump ability is to be tolerated.

=== Ship General Specifications ===
''General Specifications:'' Naval tactics in the [[Imperial Navy]] call for large ships to be accompanied by well-armed, small fighting craft capable of engaging the enemy at long range, before they approach the principle ships in a task force or convoy. These small ships may be fighter craft carried by the larger ships, or they may be [[Type CE class Close Escort|independent close escort vessels]]. 

Thousands of [[Type CE class Close Escort|close escorts]] have been built in the past several centuries, and hundreds have been built in the Gazelle class. Many remain in service in the Imperial Navy, despite the fact that in a combat situation, they are nearly worthless. The [[close escort]], even when new, was not intended to stand up to combat vessels; rather it was envisioned as an anti-piracy and revenue patrol ship. In that role, it has performed well, but when pressed into combat duties it has invariably suffered disproportionate losses. 

The original specification (through CE-13791) called for the use of [[Particle Accelerator]] [[barbette]]s on the dorsal/ventral [[hardpoint]]s. This was the first experimentation with this weapons system on a smaller craft. It was a respectable weapons configuration, however tactical simulations proved out in field trials, resulted in all new orders, and some completed ships to be refit, with the Laser/Missile configuration. The [[Al Morai]] design team was the first departure from the standard spec, brought on by the fact that their ships would be in private hands.

=== Class Naming Practice/s & Peculiarities ===
''Ship Registry Selections:''
{| class="wikitable sortable" 
|+ Ship Registry Selections
|-
!width="50" |No.
!width="100" align="left"|Name
!width="100" align="left"|Laid down
!width="100" align="left"|First Flight
!width="100" align="left"|Builder
!width="50"|Notes
|-
| 13712 || Gazelle || 131-1079 || 242-1080 || Yard 15 || A
|-
| 13768 || Unicorn || 105-1084 || 098-1086 || [[Clan Severn]] || B
|-
| 13791 || Stag ||085-1086 || 063-1087 || Delvani || C
|}
* A: Class ship
* B: Attached to [[212th Fleet]].
* C: In civilian service in [[Reaver's Deep Sector|Reaver's Deep]].

=== Selected Variant Models ===
''Variant:'' The ''Fiery'' class gunned escort is a variant based on the ''Gazelle'' class, the major difference being a streamlined hull. {{Page cite|name= Fighting Ships |page= 17 |version= Classic Traveller}}

=== Selected Variant Types & Classes ===
{{:Referral-Tree-Type-EC-Close-Escort}}

== References & Contributors ([[Sources]]) ==
{{Metadata}}
{{Advanced}}
{{Sources
 | {{Ludography cite|name= High Guard |page= 20-37 |version= Classic Traveller}} (Design Sequence Used)
 | {{Ludography cite|name= Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society 04 |article=Gazelle class Close Escort Vessels|page=14-21}}
 | {{Ludography cite|name= Traders and Gunboats |page=30-35,47 |version= Classic Traveller}}
 | {{Ludography cite|name= Leviathan |page=40}}
 | {{Ludography cite|name= Fighting Ships |page= 17 |version= Classic Traveller}} ({{CT}} [[Supplement 9]])
 | {{Ludography cite|name= Flight of the Stag |page=1-4}}
 | {{Ludography cite|name= High Passage 5 |page= TBD |version= Classic Traveller}}
 | {{Ludography cite|name= The Spinward Marches Campaign |page= 31}}
 | {{Ludography cite|name= Starship Operator's Manual |page=58 |version=MegaTraveller}} 
 | {{Ludography cite|name= Gazelle Class Close Escort |page=1-8}}
 | {{Ludography cite|name= MegaTraveller Journal 2 |article=Fiery Class Gunned Escort|page=27-32}}
 | {{Ludography cite|name= Challenge 58 |page= TBD}}
 | {{Ludography cite|name= Traveller: The New Era |page=370}}
 | {{Ludography cite|name= Battle Rider |page= Chit }}
 | {{Ludography cite|name= Brilliant Lances |page= 23 |article=Technical Booklet}}
 | {{Ludography cite|name= Deneb Sector |page= 37}}
 | {{Ludography cite|name= Gazelle-Class Close Escorts |page=1-56}}
 | {{Ludography cite|name= Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society volume 4 | article=Gazelle close escort | page=87-93}}
 | [[Type C Gazelle Close Escort (Deck Plan)]]
 | [http://home.earthlink.net/~ngc5139/HG/gaz-DS.html Federation Development Agency]{{dead link}} by [[Leroy W.L. Guatney]] of the [[HIWG]]
 | [http://www.trisen.com/sol/ship.asp?Topic&equals;10&Page&equals;25&iClass&equals;GAZELL&iType&equals;CE Stuff Online]
}}


[[Category: Al Morai]]
[[Category: Third Imperium]]
[[Category: Third Imperium Ship]]
{{LEN|Ship}}