Difference between revisions of "Sleper class Fast Trader"

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{{InfoboxShip
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#REDIRECT [[Sleeper class Fast Trader]]
|name        = Sleper class Fast Trader
 
|image        =
 
|caption      = For those who want to ply the stars without attracting attention.
 
|tdes        = AF
 
|type        = Fast Trader
 
|
 
|size-cat    = ACS
 
|size        = 200
 
|hull        = Slab Hull
 
|aerodynam  = Streamlined Hull
 
|TL          = 12
 
|
 
|model      = Model/2bis
 
|jump        = 3
 
|g          = 3
 
|fuelTreatment = scoops, purifier
 
|
 
|hp          = 2
 
|weapons    =
 
|screens    =
 
|
 
|staterooms  = 1
 
|bunks      =
 
|seats      =
 
|lowberths  =
 
|
 
|crew        = 1
 
|officers    =
 
|enlisted    =
 
|pilots      =
 
|marines    =
 
|frozenwatch =
 
|passengers  =
 
|steerage    =
 
|Lpass      =
 
|
 
|cargo      = 80
 
|fuel        = 61
 
|craft      =
 
|
 
|construction = 1.8
 
|origin      = General Products
 
|manufacturer =
 
|IOC        = [[685]]
 
|EOS        =
 
|
 
|cost        = 54.49
 
|architect  =
 
|
 
|QSP        = AF-BS33
 
|USP        = AF-C2833S
 
|
 
|blueprint  = Yes
 
|illustration = No
 
|
 
|alsosee    = [[Free Trader]]
 
|canon      =
 
|designer    = Adrian Tymes
 
|designSystem =
 
|era        = Third Imperium
 
|ref        = Fan: Adrian Tymes
 
|footnote    = Designed with [[Mongoose Traveller]] High Guard rules, but portable to other [[version]]s
 
}}
 
The [[Sleper class Fast Trader]] is a [[civilian ship|civilian]] [[free trader]]. A [[jump drive]] or [[maneuver drive]] rating over 2 is uncommonly high for a [[free trader]]; having both of these at 3 qualifies it as a [[Fast Trader]].
 
 
== Description ==
 
The [[Sleper class Fast Trader]] is one of the most plain, boring designs known to [[Charted Space]]. Its smooth, near-featureless, rounded-rectangular-prism [[slab hull]] has been compared to giant pills, raw construction material, and other visually unappealing designs. It is well known as a [[tramp trader]], famously used by those who wish to live apart from society since it only needs a single [[crew]]: an [[astrogator]]. [[Pilot]] and [[engineer]] training are recommended but the Virtual Crew software can fly the ship in non-emergency or even mild emergency conditions. While a Sleeper has life support for two [[sophont]]s, the internal layout assumes there will only be one when not docked or landed.
 
 
 
Its main feature is a massive [[cargo hold]] that takes up almost all of the lower deck. It is designed to accept up to nine 4A [[cargo container]]s, with room for additional loose cargo such as spare parts and [[crew]] supplies, which usually wind up being stored at the curved front and back of the [[cargo hold]]. The [[cargo hold]]'s front and rear can unfold into ramps to allow direct loading and unloading of [[cargo container]]s, most often via the cargo crane operated by the [[crew]] from the [[bridge]]. If access to the supplies at the ends of the [[cargo hold]] is needed during flight while the [[cargo hold]] is packed, the cargo crane is typically used to deliver them to the lower deck [[airlock]] entrance.
 
 
 
While the ship class can support weapons, it is not well designed to add [[turret]]s. When armed at all, the most common option is to add forward-facing fixed mount [[missile]] launchers, so as not to use significant additional space or draw additional power. As is, the ship must shut down [[maneuver drive]] and engage in [[jump dimming]] to enter jump.
 
 
 
with just one [[crew]] and a [[ship's computer]] that can run Jump Control/3 but is usually mostly idle, highly sophisticated entertainment programs are nearly ubiquitous on ships of this class. They are not standard as part of ship construction, whatever the popular conception of this ship class is, and so are not listed in the official specifications in this article.
 
 
 
=== Image Repository ===
 
Not available at this time.
 
 
 
=== General Description & Deck Plans ===
 
# [[Deck Plan]]s for this vessel. <br> [[File:Sleeper deckplans.png|500px]]
 
 
 
=== Basic Ship Characteristics ===
 
Following the [[Imperial Navy]] and [[IISS]] [[Universal Ship Profile]] and data, additional information is presented in the format shown here. {{Page cite|name= Fighting Ships |page= 10 |version= Classic Traveller}}
 
{| class="wikitable sortable"
 
!colspan="3"|'''Basic Ship Characteristics''' {{Page cite|name= Fighting Ships |page= 10 |version= Classic Traveller}}
 
|-
 
! No.
 
! Category
 
! Remarks
 
|-
 
| 1.
 
| [[Ton|Tonnage]] / [[Hull]]
 
| ''Tonnage: '' 200 tons (standard). 2700 cubic meters. [[Streamlined]] [[Slab Hull]].
 
* ''Dimensions:'' Maximum: 30 meters long by 15 meters wide by 6 meters tall
 
|-
 
| 2.
 
| [[Crew]]
 
| ''Crew:'' 1 [[Astrogator]]. 1 virtual [[Pilot]] provided via software.
 
|-
 
| 3.
 
| [[Maneuver Drive|Performance]]
 
| ''Acceleration:'' 3-G [[maneuver drive]] installed.
 
* ''Jump:'' 3.
 
|-
 
| 4.
 
| [[Ship’s Computer|Electronics]]
 
| [[Model/2]]bis [[ship computer]].
 
|-
 
| 5.
 
| [[Ship's Hardpoint|Hardpoints]]
 
| 2 [[hardpoint]]s, neither one used.
 
|-
 
| 6.
 
| [[Ship's Weapon|Armament]]
 
| None.
 
|-
 
| 7.
 
| [[Ship's Defense|Defenses]]
 
| None.
 
|-
 
| 8.
 
| [[Smallcraft|Craft]]
 
| None. [[Vacc suit]]s required for EVA (extra-vehicle activity). [[Rescue Ball]]s for crew escape not normally carried, relying instead on the expected sole occupant getting into a [[vacc suit]] in an emergency.
 
|-
 
| 9.
 
| [[Fuel Purification Plant|Fuel Treatment]]
 
| It is typically equipped with a [[fuel purification plant]] and [[fuel scoop]]s.
 
|-
 
| 10.
 
| [[Imperial Currency|Cost]]
 
| [[MCr]]54.59 (no architect's fees, those having long since been paid). [[MCr]]49.041 in quantity.
 
|-
 
| 11.
 
| [[Ship Architecture|Construction Time]]
 
| 1.8 months standard, 1.3 in quantity. Ordinarily made in quantity.
 
|-
 
| 12.
 
| Remarks
 
| A [[free trader]] that only needs a single [[crew]], with internal space optimized for use by said single [[crew]].
 
|-
 
|}
 
 
 
== History & Background ([[Dossier]]) ==
 
This ship class started as an exercise in logical extremes: with then-state-of-the-art [[TL13]] technology, how much ship could one [[crew]] handle? What advantages could a reasonably fast small trader bring? What standards could it usefully comply with?
 
 
 
These thought exercises had been milling around a design group at [[General Products]] when, in [[684]], the [[Interworld Trade and Transport Commission]] was established. This brought attention to the potential practical market for such a design. Funding was approved, thoughts turned into designs that could be fabricated, and the ship class put through testing in a remarkably short time. Partly out of convenience, partly out of a largely unstated desire to rush the class out to meet demand, slightly obsolete or less-than-optimized decisions were made, most notably the choice to make it to [[TL-12]] standards to increase the number of [[shipyard]]s capable of manufacturing and servicing it. This would prove fortunate for the ship class, given later tendencies in the [[Third Imperium]] to standardize basic support at [[TL-12]] levels. This was initially going to go even further, making the ship at [[TL-11]], but the advantages of [[jump drive|Jump 3]] in the designed frontier use case proved too good to pass up, though [[jump drive|Jump 4]] was not seen as sufficiently more useful than [[jump drive|Jump 3]] to justify in this class.
 
 
 
It is widely thought that the design group had no artistic talent whatsoever but this is not quite true. While the initial models did prove visually unappealing, a conscious decision was made to capitalize on that. The [[slab hull]] was deliberately made as featureless and boring as possible. This was the reason for upgrading the internal [[sensor]] array: to minimize the number of surface features normally used to establish basic [[sensor]] capability; [[sensor]]s elsewhere on the hull are designed to lie flush with the hull as much as possible, making it look from a distance like they are not there. The intention of this was to make the class look unappealing to pirates and thieves; history has not given conclusive evidence but this seems to have achieved modest success. It is certainly the case that most customers of this class's [[freight]] hauling capability have not cared about the ship's looks.
 
 
 
As of [[1105]] the ship class continues to serve in its original capacity. So far as anyone knows, it may continue doing so as long as [[General Products]] exists.
 
 
 
=== Class Naming Practice/s & Peculiarities ===
 
''Ship Interior Details:'' What small fame ship class has, is due to it having no true internal corridors. The two-deck [[airlock]] is the only thing that could be considered dedicated internal transit space. It is double-sized, combining what would be the class's two [[airlock]]s, with suit storage near the top deck entrance with exits to the outside and [[cargo bay]] on the lower deck portion. The hatch between the two decks can be and often is sealed to all except the lone [[crew]], to allow that individual to operate from the [[bridge]] without physically interacting with anyone who is only present to help load or unload cargo.
 
 
 
The [[bridge]], [[common area]], and [[stateroom]] are all one big room in the front of the upper deck, with a [[fresher]] to one side and [[airlock]] to the other. Engineering is likewise a single room, taking the rest of the upper deck: [[jump drive]] arrays of [[zuchai crystal]]s in front, one primary and two secondary [[fusion]] power plants behind them flanked by the [[fuel processor]]s, then the [[maneuver drive]] at the back. There is room to walk between the various machines but the engineering area is a bit cramped compared to many starships.
 
 
 
The lower deck is almost entirely one large [[cargo bay]] with unfolding ramps front and rear. It has the [[airlock]] to one corner and cargo crane machinery along the same side. The front corners are given over to a modest [[sensor]] array that, minimal as it is, many see as excessive for the class's needs (though see note in the History section above). The cargo crane can extend a short distance beyond the front or back of the cargo deck, to pick up or place [[cargo container]]s from or to port-side transportation.
 
 
 
The [[maneuver drive]]'s thruster plates slide down when the [[cargo bay]]'s rear ramp is closed, to provide thrust at the midpoint between decks. They slide up as part of the process of opening the rear ramp, on the theory that they should not be in use while either ramp is open. This has caused unexpected complications for operators who sought to quickly drop their cargo; the general recommendation is to briefly shut down the [[maneuver drives]] if doing this, engaging only the [[lifter]]s if quickly dropping cargo while hovering inside a gravity well.
 
 
 
=== Selected Variant Types & Classes ===
 
{{Ship referral tree|name=Free-Trader|tdes=AF}}
 
 
 
== References ==
 
{{Intermediate}}
 
{{Metadata}}
 
{{MGT-2-Ship-Design}}
 
{{Sources
 
| Author: [[User:Atymes|Adrian Tymes]]
 
}}
 
 
 
[[Category: Third Imperium Ship]]
 
{{LEN|Ship|Ships}}
 

Latest revision as of 20:37, 9 April 2023