Difference between revisions of "Royal Caledonian Navy"

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The [[Royal Caledonian Navy]] is the military starforce of the [[Principality of Caledon]], and the largest component service of the [[Military of the Principality of Caledon]].
 
  
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The Caledonian Navy is small compared to mega-fleets like the Imperial Navy - but is relatively powerful for a fleet from a non-aligned power.  The fleet has several missions:
+
=== Battleships ===
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* Trade Protection - guarding the principality's lucrative trade routes against the piracy, privateering and other forms of banditry
+
Caledonian battleships are named after historical ruling monarchs.   
−
* Deterrence - prevention attacks from other smaller powers
 
  
−
Mostly constructed at the Principality's {{TL|12}} class A [[starport]]s, the fleet is a standard-setter among {{TL|12}} Navies - largely due to its officer corps and Warrant Officer system.  These systems - confusing to outsiders - are outgrowths of centuries of Caledonian naval tradition.  
+
==== Prince Stuart IV and Ross III Classes ====
 +
These 320,000 class TL12 battleships are the latest in the fleet.  Verging on dreadnaught size, but much more agile, seven squadrons of these behemoths are based at the Principality's Class A starport naval bases. 
 +
==== Prince James IX, John XXIV and Kevin II Classes ====
 +
Weighing in at 240,000 tons, these older battleships are the mainstay of the battle fleet.  80 are in service.
 +
==== King Ian XII Class ====
 +
While most of these 160,000 ton TL 11 ships have been scrapped or sold, 16 remain in service, mostly escorting and providing fire support for the Marine Landing forces.
  
−
==Organization==
 
−
The Navy is organized into several "Stations" - fixed groups of forces that carry out extended missions - and three larger "Fleets" that react to contingencies:
 
−
* Four "Stations" - each commanded by a Rear Admiral - are areas of extended naval operations.
 
−
* Two "Fleets", commanded by Vice Admirals, which provide and support the Navy's mobile striking force. 
 
  
−
===Stations===  
+
=== Carriers ===
−
The following "Stations" - each commanded by a Rear Admiral - carry out specific missions, some of which have been ongoing for centuries:
+
Caledonian carriers are named after desirable or ominous attribute adjectives.
−
====Spinward Station====
+
==== Indomitable and Victorious Class Fleet Carriers ====
−
Based at [[Caithness (world) | Caithness]], the Spinward station has been for hundreds of years heavily engaged against Reavers, especially those from the [[Khan World League]], with whom combat is sporadic but fierce.  This station also maintains contact with and observes the various Aslan systems to spinward.
+
These 160,000 ton fleet carriers are heavily armored, and carry large fleets of 80 ton heavy fighters. 
 +
==== Collossal Class Light Carriers ====
 +
These 36,000 ton light carriers are mainly designed to escort convoys, provide air support for landings and system defense forces, and serve as a platform for flight training.   
  
−
As it faces both the hostile Khan World League and the fickle and fragmented Aslan, the Spinward Station has a high percentage of the fleet's heavy combat units.
+
=== Assault Landing Ships===
 +
==== LSM ====
 +
The "Landing Ship, Marine" is the backbone of the Marine landing forces.  These 40,000 ton vessels carry 1-3 battalions of troops and enough equipment and supplies to support them in action for two weeks.
 +
=== Frigates===
 +
A "Frigate" in Caledonian service is the equivalent of a "Cruiser" in Imperial parlance.  Heavy Frigates primarily serve as screens, scouts and covering forces for Strike Task Forces.  Light Frigates are largely patrol, scouting and commerce protection vessels.  Posting to a light frigate on frontier patrol duty is highly prized by young officers - and they are often used to groom young captains who are intended for bigger and better things.
  
−
====Driftward Station====
+
Heavy frigates are named after counties on the various planets.  Light Frigates are named after Cities.   
−
Headquartered at the Royal Dockyard (starbase) on [[Victory (world) | Victory]], this station maintains contact with and surveillance of Imperial forces on the Imperium's rapidly-fraying border to driftward.  As Imperial control gets more frazzled, piracy and other forms of brigandry have become more common.  
+
==== Antrim, Sunderland and Gareloch class Heavy Frigates ====
 +
268 heavy frigates from these three classes are currently in service, including a number of Gareloch class, refitted from TL12 in recent years.  These ships - around 36,000 tons apiece - serve with each of the major battle squadrons.   
 +
==== Dunfermline, Edinburgh, New Carlisle, Glasgow and Harrow Class Light Frigates ====
 +
A total of 322 of these versatile 20,000 ton ships - including a few dozen TL11 Harrow class refitted to TL12 - currently serve.  
  
−
====Coreward Station====
+
===Destroyers===
−
Based at the dockyard on [[Claverse (World) | Claverse]], this station largely patrols the desolate but mineral-rich systems to coreward.  Pirates and other brigands are a constant, but low-key, threat in this area of operations; the stations meets them with a force of patrol sloops and escort corvettes.
+
Caledonian destroyers are named postumously after Caledonian naval and Marine heroes, and historical Admirals and other prominent officers
−
====Rimward Station====
 
−
Based on [[Macbeth (world) | Macbeth]], this station maintains contact with the friendly states of Douglass (a Caledonian protectorate at whose starport the station maintains a forward operating base) and the [[Confederacy of Duncinae]].  The Rimward Station also guards the rich trade routes stretching out to the various states between Aslan and Imperial territory.  .
 
  
−
===Fleets===
+
=== McKenzie, Hall, Coleridge, Burns and Herrick class Destroyers===
−
====Strike Fleet====
+
These 5,000 ton ships provide screens for the battle fleets, stripping away enemy fighters, light ships and missiles from the battle fleet.   
−
Based at Stirling, the Strike Fleet is the Principality's primary striking force. 
+
==== McClaren class Destroyers====
−
====Fleet Train====
+
24 of these obolescent TL11 class ships serve as escorts to the Marine Landing force, and are due to be replaced soon.
−
Based at Dumbarton, the Fleet Train is the large force of tankers, supply ships, repair ships and other support and logistics vessels from the [[Royal Caledonian Fleet Auxiliary]] that support the fleet.  In wartime, the Train also incorporates the Principality's fleet of subsidized merchants, whose load-hauling capabilities greatly augment the fleet's own capabilities in emergencies and at war.
 
−
====Intervention Force====
 
−
Comprising mostly transports and escorts, the Intervention Force brings Marines to trouble spots where rapid ground or orbital intervention is needed.
 
  
−
==Ships==
+
=== Sloops ===
−
The Royal Caledonian Navy is the largest military force between the Imperium and the Aslan Hierate.  It is called upon to carry out a wide range of missions - and has a wide range of ships to do the job with.   
+
"Sloop" is the Caledonian term for a light escort ship.  It's analogous to a Patrol Frigate, Escort Cruiser or Escort in other navies.  They are usually built to TL11 standards; they are slower than most warships, but more heavily armed than most buccaneer ships.  They also feature high endurance; they are designed to remain on station in a zone for eight or more weeks, patrolling for pirates, Reavers or other bandits. 
 +
==== Bird, Castle, Flower and River class sloops====
 +
Over 2,000 of these workhorse vessels - mostly equipped with TL11 power plants and drives, but many refitted with TL12 weapons - serve throughout the Principality.   
  
−
See [[Ship Classes of the Royal Caledonian Navy]] for details.
+
=== Fleet Replenishment Ships ===
 +
Fleet Replenishment Ships carry supplies - and above all fuel - to units operating away from fixed fleet bases. 
 +
==== Mountain Class Squadron Replenishment SHips (AOR-B) ====
 +
These ships accompany units of the fleet in the field. A group of four AOR-B ships carry enough power plant (not jump) fuel and consumables - everything from food to sandcaster sand - to support a battle squadron on station away from base for a month.  Groups of four will rotate between the squadron and a base (or the Forward Supply Area - see below) to keep a steady stream of fuel and supplies going to the fleet.  These vessels have self-defense armament. 
 +
==== "Duke" Class Strategic Tanker (AO-JB) ====
 +
These huge tankers have one purpose; provide battle squadrons enough fuel to make a big jump.  When a large squadron needs to operate away from a base, groups of these enormous tankers will relay from bases, gas giants or forward supply bases to provide the massive amounts of fuel needed.  4-8 of these vessels contain enough fuel to allow an entire battle squadron to jump 2 zones. 
 +
==== AOR-L ====
 +
These smaller replenishment ships provide fuel and logistic support to smaller squadrons and "FOBs". 
 +
==== "Regent" Class Station Tankers (AO-Stn) ====
 +
A Station Tanker is basically a semi-mobile fuel dump.  Equipped with J1 and M1 drives, the Station Tanker is intended to hold a huge supply of fuel in place for other ships - AORs and AO-JBs - to haul to other places.  They are found at major starports, FOBs, and the Fleet Train, where they serve as an immense mobile fuel dump. 
 +
=== Fleet Tankers ===
 +
==== "Baron" class Transport Tankers ====
 +
In wartime, these ships haul fuel from the bases or gas giants to the FOBs, or to the Station Tankers of the Forward Supply Area.
  
−
==Ranks==
 
  
−
===Officers===
+
=== "Trade" Class Fleet Auxiliaries===
−
{| class="infobox" style="width: 20em; text-align: left; font-size: 95%; float: right"
+
These are modular ships - essentially "spines" with jump drives, to which pre-fabricated or custom modules can be attached.  With the proper modules, these auxiaries serve in a variety of supporting roles - repair, small-craft depot, ammunition storage, refinery, accomodation/barracks and hospital ships, among many, many others. 
−
|-
+
==== AX-H ====
−
! colspan="2" style="font-size: larger; background: #ddd;" |Royal Caledonian Navy Ranks
+
208 of these 20,000 ton auxiliaries serve in a variety of support roles. 
−
|-
+
==== AX-L ====
−
!Officers
+
441 of these 2,000 modular auxiliaries serve in a dizzying variety of capacities. 
−
|-
 
−
|O11 » Admiral
 
−
|-
 
−
|O10 » Vice Admiral
 
−
|-
 
−
|O9 » Rear Admiral
 
−
|-
 
−
|O8 » Commodore
 
−
|-
 
−
|O7 » Captain of the Line (Command), Staff Captain (Non-command)
 
−
|-
 
−
|O6 » Frigate Captain (Ship Command), Staff Commander (Non-command)
 
−
|-
 
−
|O5 » Corvette Captain (Ship Command), Staff Lieutenant (Non-command)
 
−
|-
 
−
|O4 » First Lieutenant
 
−
|-
 
−
|O3 » Lieutenant
 
−
|-
 
−
|O2 » Sub-Lieutenant
 
−
|-
 
−
|O1 » Ensign
 
−
|-
 
−
!Warrant
 
−
|-
 
−
|WO4 » [Warrant Title - see "Warrant Officer" section]
 
−
|-
 
−
|WO3 » [Warrant Title - see "Warrant Officer" section]
 
−
|-
 
−
|WO2 » [Warrant Title - see "Warrant Officer" section]
 
−
|-
 
−
|WO1 » [Junior Warrant Officer]
 
−
|-
 
−
!Enlisted
 
−
|-
 
−
|E7 » Leading [Rating*]
 
−
|-
 
−
|E6 » [Rating*]
 
−
|-
 
−
|E5 » Junior [Rating*]
 
−
|-
 
−
|E4 » Able Crewman
 
−
|-
 
−
|E3 » Crewman
 
−
|-
 
−
|E2 » Crewman Apprentice
 
−
|-
 
−
|E1 » Recruit
 
−
|}
 
  
 +
=== Scouts / Dispatch Boats/ Couriers===
 +
Thousands of these small ships serve as frontier scouts, as well as fleet and system dispatch boats providing communications between fleets and headquarters. 
  
−
Caledonian naval officers start as Midshipmen at the [[Royal Caledonian Naval Academy]].  Entry into the four-year program is highly competitive, and is open to applicants of all social classes.  Being of a noble family can help in gaining admission - but is of no use whatsoever in surviving the program, which features ruthless weeding out of the 50% or so of applicants who start the program (washouts serve the remainder of their four years as enlistees)
+
==== Dispatch Boats ====
 +
The Navy owns roughtly 800 "dispatch boats".  These are the equivalent of Scouts (indeed, most of them are Fairmile Model G/C vessels, close cousins of the Scouts definitive Fairmile G/R scout platform).  They provide the communications between fleet bases, stations and units in the field. 
  
−
Once the midshipmen graduate, the focus switches from weeding out to channeling; during their tour as Ensigns, they are separated by aptitude into career paths they'll follow for the rest of their naval careers; the ones judged to have great aptitude as aggressive leaders with great tactical aptitude are "Commissioned" by the crown as Sub-Lieutenants (O2); they are on the command track.  Officers with other aptitudes are diverted into the Warrant Officer track (see below). 
 
  
−
Caledonian officers are chosen for leadership skills - and are expected to exercise them constantly.  They are judged by their accomplishments - and are expected to accomplish much.  Aggressive leadership is called for (although not stupid or rash leadership - keen intelligence in the accomplishment of missions is the goal).  Officer complements on Caledonian ships are lean - a 20,000 ton cruiser will have a Captain, a First Lieutenant, 3-4 Lieutenants, 2-3 sub lieutenants, and a small number of ensigns.  Unlike in imperial navy practice, commissioned officers only obliquely deal with technical or administrative matters; these are delegated to the Warrant Officers.
+
=== System Surveillance Ships===
 +
The Principality maintans an immense network of surveillance ships to provide early warning of incursions or pirate activity.  This network covers every non-system zone (hex) within the Principality, and every zone within two parsecs of the Principality's formal border.
  
−
Officers above the rank of "First Lieutenant" (O4) are either on the command track (commanding ships), with "Ship Command" ranks, or administrators with separate non-command ranks (as noted in the table above).  
+
The key to this surveillance is the fleet of roughly 500 or so surveillance platforms.  They are equipped with J1/M1 drives - but their goal is not to maneuver, or fight for that matters.  These ships - buffered asteroids ranging from 5,000-10,000 tons - are intended to be invisible, or to appear as space junk to all but the closest observation.  They include hangar space for two Dispatch Boats, intended to carry word of any incursion or other news back to higher headquarters.
  
−
Officers (along with the ship's doctor/s, the ship's warrant Pilot and any commissioned Marine officers) have access to their ships' "wardroom" (on vessels large enough to have one - and most will have some sort of "wardroom", even a token space with a table, chairs and the ship's honorifics).  The "Wardroom" is a combination dining room and social area, and is administered by the vessel's First Lieutenant (executive officer in Imperial rank); the Captain is allowed into the Wardroom by invitation.
+
Every non-system zone inside, and within two parsecs of, the Principality has a number of surveillance ships, working three months rotations watching the area for incursions.   
  
−
====In Game Terms====
+
=== System Defense Ships===
−
Commissioned officers are expected to be battle leaders; technical skills may be of use, but are purely secondary, as the technical tasks are subordinated to the Warrant Officers, whose job is to become technical experts rather than generalists.  Officer's specialty, focus, and goal is leading ships and men in combat.
+
These non-jump-capable ships serve as local defense vessels for the Principality's various constituent systems. 
 +
==== Monitors ====
 +
These 50,000-60,000 ton ships are essentially non-jumping battleships, designed for close-in defense of the various systems.   
 +
==== Corvettes (SD) ====
 +
These 1,200 ton vessels are non-jump-capable intra-system escorts and screening ships.
  
−
Characters expecting to serve as Caledonian commissioned officers should rack up all the Ship Tactics, Fleet Tactics, Leadership and Astrogation skills possible (with Piloting and Diplomacy as secondary priorities).
 
  
−
===Warrant Officers===
+
=== Minor Support Ships===
−
Warrant Officers - named because they are given a "warrant" by the Navy, as opposed to the Crown - are officers in terms of responsibility, but will as a rule never command a vessel.  They are experts in their technical fields, responsible for carrying on both the technical excellence and the traditions of the Navy.  The vast majority of warrant officers serve 20-30 years and retire - but the depth of their technical skill makes them highly in demand by the fleets of the various merchant firms (as well as less-reputable employers).   
+
These ships - both commissioned naval ships and civilian reserve vessels called back into service - serve myriad utility uses; personnel transports, cargo-haulers, ambulances, and all the other slogging, unglamorous jobs a big fleet needs to have done.   
 +
==== Medium Utility Vessel (AU-M) ====
 +
A militarized Far Trader, in both TL11 and TL12 varieties.  Nearly 1,800 currently serve in the fleet.   
  
−
There are two routes into a Warrant Officer rank; selection from among Ensign graduates of the [[Royal Caledonian Naval Academy]], and enlisted personnel who work their way up through the enlisted ranks (providing a second set of ranks through which a talented enlisted sailor's career can progress; upon reaching the rank of "Chief Petty Officer", an enlisted sailor joins the ranks at "WO4" in the list below). 
+
====Small Utility Vessel (AU-S) ====
−
 
+
A militarized 200 ton free trader.  Almost 2,600 currently serve the fleete.
−
====Warrant Officer Rank Titles====
 
−
Ships have the following Warrant Officers serving as department heads on vessels in Caledonian naval service:
 
−
* Pilot:  The "Ship's Pilot" is a warrant officer who manages the pilots in maneuvering, jumping and navigating the ship. Most pilots start as ensigns with high mathematical, navigation and computer skills; about 10% come up from the ranks. 
 
−
* Engineer:  The "Ship's Engineer" is a warrant officer who manages the ship's Jump, Maneuver and Power Plant technicians; 2/3 start as Ensigns, and the remainder come up through the ranks. 
 
−
* Gunner:  The "Ship's Gunner" is the warrant officer in charge of making sure all the ship's guns are on-line and ready to go when needed.  Virtually all (95%) Ship's Gunners come up through the ranks.
 
−
* Boatswain:  The ship's "Boatstain" is responsible for handling cargo loading and stowage, maintaining boats and rescue equipment, maintaining and handling the ships docking equipment, and maintaining and managing the ship's airtight integrity.  The Boatswain (or "Bosun") also helps the Shipwright with damage control.  All Boatswains come up through the ranks.   
 
−
* Purser:  The "Ship's Purser" is in charge of managing ship's supplies, administration, and the service staff (cooks, stewards and supply staff).  Most - 80% - start as ensigns. 
 
−
* Surgeon's Mate - the ship's surgeon's assistant, and usually a highly-qualified medic.  Over 90% come up through the ranks.
 
−
* Electrician - The "Ship's Electrician" is rarely if ever an actual electrician; the Electrician manages the maintenance of the ship's electronic equipment that isn't part of the drive or weapons systems. 
 
−
* Shipwright:  A vessel's "Shipwright" is a warrant officer in charge of maintaining the ship's hull and major structural elements.  Shipwrights frequently alternate tours on shipboard with time working in repair yards, on repair ships, and at contractor shipyards.  On shipboard, their most critical duty is damage control, and they are responsible for training the ship's crew in the art and craft of repairing damage under combat conditions. 
 
−
* Deck Boss - In charge of flight deck and small craft maintenance crews on ships with large wings of shuttles or fighters.  Manages the flow of light craft, and the operation of launch and recovery equipment.  Almost all come from the enlisted ranks. 
 
−
* Flight Boss - the warrant officer in charge of "air traffic control" on carriers and ships with large groups of small craft. 
 
−
 
 
−
====Warrant Officer Roles====
 
−
Not every ship includes every kind of warrant officer; scouts may have a warrant Engineer and a warrant Pilot along with commissioned Commanders and Navigators. 
 
−
 
 
−
No department will have more than one Warrant Officer (Grade WO2-WO4) although on ships larger than 10,000 tons there may be more than one Junior Warrant Officer (WO1) assisting the Warrant Officer.  A ship without a sizable fighter or small craft wing may not have a Deck Boss or Flight Boss.  But most Caledonian navy ships greater than Scout size will have a warrant Pilot, Engineer, Gunner, Boatswain, Purser and Surgeon's Mate. 
 
−
 
 
−
When a Caledonian naval vessel goes into the reserve, the enlisted men and commissioned officers will be reassigned to other ships - but the Warrant Officers will stay with their ships, overseeing refits and repairs and storage, and making sure their departments are ready for re-activation.  They only leave the ship when they are promoted to a larger ship (or retire). 
 
−
 
 
−
The Warrant rank structure is as follows:
 
−
* WO1 (Junior Warrant Officer) - can be up to three in a given department.  Junior Warrant officers frequently serve as pilots and engineers on scout ships in the [[Royal Caledonian Expeditionary Service]]. 
 
−
* WO2 - Department heads in smaller ships (<1000 tons)
 
−
* WO3 - Department heads in larger ships (1000-10,000 tons)
 
−
* WO4 - Department heads in ships above 10,000 tons
 
−
 
 
−
Warrant Officers (and a ship's Marine NCOs) have access to the "Gun Room".  "Gun Room" is a traditional name, and has nothing to do with guns.  Rather, it's analogous to the Wardroom - a dining and social space for Warrant Officers.  Neither officers nor the Captain are allowed into the Gun Room without an invitation (barring a life-or-death emergency) outside of fleet and ship special events.
 
−
 
 
−
====In Game Terms====
 
−
Both enlisted and officer characters can become Warrant Officers.
 
−
 
 
−
* '''Enlisted Men''' - On reaching the rank of E7, characters have the option to assume the actual rank of '''WO2" (generally at age 38).
 
−
 
 
−
* '''Ensigns''' who drop off the command track assume the rank of WO1 (generally at age 22)
 
−
 
 
−
Via either track, warrant officer titles will be as follows:
 
−
 
 
−
* Characters with high Pilot and Astrogation skills will be  '''Pilots'''. 
 
−
* Characters with high Jump, Power Plant or Maneuver engineering will be '''Engineers'''.
 
−
* Characters with high JOT, Mechanic, Ship's Boat and Vacc Suit will be ships '''Boatswains'''.
 
−
* Characters with high Gunnery scores will be ship's '''Gunners'''.
 
−
* High medical skill qualifies a warrant officer to be a '''Surgeon's Mate'''.
 
−
* High Admin, Bureaucrat or Steward skills make the character a '''Purser'''
 
−
* High Electronics and/or Computer skills make the character a ship's '''Electrician'''
 
−
* High Engineering (structural/ship) and JOT skills make a '''Shipwright'''.
 
−
 
 
−
Each of these warrant officers serve as the senior technician on the ship in their respective skill areas for purposes of combat. It's in their and their vessels' best interest for their key skill levels to be as high as possible; Warrant Officers are specialists.
 
−
 
 
−
===Other Ranks===
 
−
Enlisted ranks have generally the same titles and progression as in the Imperium. 
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
On reaching "Leading" (E7) rating status, the character joins the "Warrant Officer" progression as a "Junior Warrant Officer", above.
 
−
 
 
−
====How "Ratings" Work====
 
−
Petty Officers ranks - E5 through E7 - are a combination of the rank and the "Rating", or key skill. 
 
−
 
 
−
For example, an E6 whose primary skill was "Gunnery" would be a "Gunner's Mate"; an E7 whose main skill is "Steward" would be a "Leading Steward", and so on.
 
−
 
 
−
==Affiliated Services==
 
−
The following services are either affiliated with or controlled by the Navy:
 
−
* '''The [[Royal Caledonian Marines]]''' are a component service
 
−
* '''The [[Royal Caledonian Expeditionary Service]]''' is closely affilated with the Navy; Navy personnel are "seconded" to the RCES to serve as ship crews.
 
−
* '''The [[Royal Caledonian Naval Academy]]''' is the officer-training school.
 
−
* '''The [[Royal Caledonian Fleet Auxiliary]]''' is a fleet of support ships with naval officers and (mostly) civilian crews, including the Principality's subsidized merchant fleet, dedicated to providing logistic support to the Navy.
 
−
 
 
−
{{Sources|S1=[[User: ‎Mitchberg]]}}
 
−
 
 
−
{{LEN|Organizations}}
 

Revision as of 21:14, 20 September 2013

Battleships

Caledonian battleships are named after historical ruling monarchs.

Prince Stuart IV and Ross III Classes

These 320,000 class TL12 battleships are the latest in the fleet. Verging on dreadnaught size, but much more agile, seven squadrons of these behemoths are based at the Principality's Class A starport naval bases.

Prince James IX, John XXIV and Kevin II Classes

Weighing in at 240,000 tons, these older battleships are the mainstay of the battle fleet. 80 are in service.

King Ian XII Class

While most of these 160,000 ton TL 11 ships have been scrapped or sold, 16 remain in service, mostly escorting and providing fire support for the Marine Landing forces.


Carriers

Caledonian carriers are named after desirable or ominous attribute adjectives.

Indomitable and Victorious Class Fleet Carriers

These 160,000 ton fleet carriers are heavily armored, and carry large fleets of 80 ton heavy fighters.

Collossal Class Light Carriers

These 36,000 ton light carriers are mainly designed to escort convoys, provide air support for landings and system defense forces, and serve as a platform for flight training.

Assault Landing Ships

LSM

The "Landing Ship, Marine" is the backbone of the Marine landing forces. These 40,000 ton vessels carry 1-3 battalions of troops and enough equipment and supplies to support them in action for two weeks.

Frigates

A "Frigate" in Caledonian service is the equivalent of a "Cruiser" in Imperial parlance. Heavy Frigates primarily serve as screens, scouts and covering forces for Strike Task Forces. Light Frigates are largely patrol, scouting and commerce protection vessels. Posting to a light frigate on frontier patrol duty is highly prized by young officers - and they are often used to groom young captains who are intended for bigger and better things.

Heavy frigates are named after counties on the various planets. Light Frigates are named after Cities.

Antrim, Sunderland and Gareloch class Heavy Frigates

268 heavy frigates from these three classes are currently in service, including a number of Gareloch class, refitted from TL12 in recent years. These ships - around 36,000 tons apiece - serve with each of the major battle squadrons.

Dunfermline, Edinburgh, New Carlisle, Glasgow and Harrow Class Light Frigates

A total of 322 of these versatile 20,000 ton ships - including a few dozen TL11 Harrow class refitted to TL12 - currently serve.

Destroyers

Caledonian destroyers are named postumously after Caledonian naval and Marine heroes, and historical Admirals and other prominent officers

McKenzie, Hall, Coleridge, Burns and Herrick class Destroyers

These 5,000 ton ships provide screens for the battle fleets, stripping away enemy fighters, light ships and missiles from the battle fleet.

McClaren class Destroyers

24 of these obolescent TL11 class ships serve as escorts to the Marine Landing force, and are due to be replaced soon.

Sloops

"Sloop" is the Caledonian term for a light escort ship. It's analogous to a Patrol Frigate, Escort Cruiser or Escort in other navies. They are usually built to TL11 standards; they are slower than most warships, but more heavily armed than most buccaneer ships. They also feature high endurance; they are designed to remain on station in a zone for eight or more weeks, patrolling for pirates, Reavers or other bandits.

Bird, Castle, Flower and River class sloops

Over 2,000 of these workhorse vessels - mostly equipped with TL11 power plants and drives, but many refitted with TL12 weapons - serve throughout the Principality.

Fleet Replenishment Ships

Fleet Replenishment Ships carry supplies - and above all fuel - to units operating away from fixed fleet bases.

Mountain Class Squadron Replenishment SHips (AOR-B)

These ships accompany units of the fleet in the field. A group of four AOR-B ships carry enough power plant (not jump) fuel and consumables - everything from food to sandcaster sand - to support a battle squadron on station away from base for a month. Groups of four will rotate between the squadron and a base (or the Forward Supply Area - see below) to keep a steady stream of fuel and supplies going to the fleet. These vessels have self-defense armament.

"Duke" Class Strategic Tanker (AO-JB)

These huge tankers have one purpose; provide battle squadrons enough fuel to make a big jump. When a large squadron needs to operate away from a base, groups of these enormous tankers will relay from bases, gas giants or forward supply bases to provide the massive amounts of fuel needed. 4-8 of these vessels contain enough fuel to allow an entire battle squadron to jump 2 zones.

AOR-L

These smaller replenishment ships provide fuel and logistic support to smaller squadrons and "FOBs".

"Regent" Class Station Tankers (AO-Stn)

A Station Tanker is basically a semi-mobile fuel dump. Equipped with J1 and M1 drives, the Station Tanker is intended to hold a huge supply of fuel in place for other ships - AORs and AO-JBs - to haul to other places. They are found at major starports, FOBs, and the Fleet Train, where they serve as an immense mobile fuel dump.

Fleet Tankers

"Baron" class Transport Tankers

In wartime, these ships haul fuel from the bases or gas giants to the FOBs, or to the Station Tankers of the Forward Supply Area.


"Trade" Class Fleet Auxiliaries

These are modular ships - essentially "spines" with jump drives, to which pre-fabricated or custom modules can be attached. With the proper modules, these auxiaries serve in a variety of supporting roles - repair, small-craft depot, ammunition storage, refinery, accomodation/barracks and hospital ships, among many, many others.

AX-H

208 of these 20,000 ton auxiliaries serve in a variety of support roles.

AX-L

441 of these 2,000 modular auxiliaries serve in a dizzying variety of capacities.

Scouts / Dispatch Boats/ Couriers

Thousands of these small ships serve as frontier scouts, as well as fleet and system dispatch boats providing communications between fleets and headquarters.

Dispatch Boats

The Navy owns roughtly 800 "dispatch boats". These are the equivalent of Scouts (indeed, most of them are Fairmile Model G/C vessels, close cousins of the Scouts definitive Fairmile G/R scout platform). They provide the communications between fleet bases, stations and units in the field.


System Surveillance Ships

The Principality maintans an immense network of surveillance ships to provide early warning of incursions or pirate activity. This network covers every non-system zone (hex) within the Principality, and every zone within two parsecs of the Principality's formal border.

The key to this surveillance is the fleet of roughly 500 or so surveillance platforms. They are equipped with J1/M1 drives - but their goal is not to maneuver, or fight for that matters. These ships - buffered asteroids ranging from 5,000-10,000 tons - are intended to be invisible, or to appear as space junk to all but the closest observation. They include hangar space for two Dispatch Boats, intended to carry word of any incursion or other news back to higher headquarters.

Every non-system zone inside, and within two parsecs of, the Principality has a number of surveillance ships, working three months rotations watching the area for incursions.

System Defense Ships

These non-jump-capable ships serve as local defense vessels for the Principality's various constituent systems.

Monitors

These 50,000-60,000 ton ships are essentially non-jumping battleships, designed for close-in defense of the various systems.

Corvettes (SD)

These 1,200 ton vessels are non-jump-capable intra-system escorts and screening ships.


Minor Support Ships

These ships - both commissioned naval ships and civilian reserve vessels called back into service - serve myriad utility uses; personnel transports, cargo-haulers, ambulances, and all the other slogging, unglamorous jobs a big fleet needs to have done.

Medium Utility Vessel (AU-M)

A militarized Far Trader, in both TL11 and TL12 varieties. Nearly 1,800 currently serve in the fleet.

Small Utility Vessel (AU-S)

A militarized 200 ton free trader. Almost 2,600 currently serve the fleete.

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