Icaria Aspis (Shield) class Destroyer:

One of the most powerful independent single star systems, Icaria is located on the junction on several major trade routes. As a result of this lucky choice of location, the system is extremely wealthy. Much of the trade is between Consortium star systems. The system is consider valuable enough that it has been offered membership into the Consortium of Civilized World multiple times. Prior to this, they had been offered membership into the Human Alliance. Many star system would have killed to join either one but each time a referendum has been brought up, it was soundly defeated by the population of the planet.

Of course the wealth and power of the star system has attracted plenty of potential interest in taking over the system and seizing the wealth for themselves. While extremely independent, the system has made defense alliances with the Human Alliance where the Human Alliance will come to the systems aid in times of crisis. In return, ships of the Human Alliance are allowed free transit of the Icaria system with quite often several vessels being within the star systems territory.

Of course, having strong allies is rarely enough and the Icaria has its own powerful naval force. In fact, it is one of the most powerful navies operated by a single star system in the Three Galaxies. Probably not enough to deter the forces of the Trans-Galactic Empire but plenty to deal with most smaller powers. It is also considered an extremely professional force with some of the best training outside of the Consortium armed forces.

The system prefers to build their own warships instead of purchasing warships from other navies as many independent defense forces do. It is also one of the few systems which can build ships as large as battlecruisers. Earlier vessels were heavily based on Human Alliance technology but as time has gone on, the system has been investing in their own technological development.

The Aspis (or Shield) class destroyer is the newest class of destroyer in the Icaria navy, in the process of replacing older destroyer classes. Some have described the Aspis as actually being more like a really small light cruiser. In fact, in weaponry it rivals the previous Thyella class light cruiser. There is some discussion of developing a minesweeper version of the Aspis although nothing has yet been decided.

As more Aspis class enter service, the older destroyers are being rapidly retired. Like most ship classes built for the Icaria navy, the retired destroyers are being sold to help pay for the new destroyers entering service. Well cared for over their service lives, some of the older destroyers are being sold to other independent defense forces with others are ending up in the hands of mercenary companies.

While capable in combat, these vessels are primarily considered escort vessels. As a result, their primary weaponry is a pair of long range missile batteries. This are primarily used to shoot down incoming missiles and fighters although are effective at engaging other warships as well. A total of only around five hundred long range missiles are carried in the destroyers magazines. Backing up these long range missile batteries are two medium range missile batteries with around six hundred medium range missiles.

These ships are armed for direct fire combat with a pair of short barrel twenty centimeter high output particle beams. While particle beam does not have the range of the full size weaponry, output is extremely similar. Unlike the twenty centimeter mount carried on the corvette, these particle beams do not require a capacitor and pull power directly from the anti-matter plant. In general, the Icaria navy prefers particle beam weaponry over laser weaponry and their scientific weapon research has focused on ways on improving particle beam weaponry.

Close in defenses are essentially similar to other Icaria naval vessels, a mixture of forty millimeter heavy point defense rail guns and variable focus particle beams. Two of the electromagnetic weapons are mounted with two thousand rounds per rail gun. Four variable focus particle beams are mounted. These mounts were first developed for the Consortium Assault Shuttle but have become extremely popular as point defense weapons. They are especially effective against incoming missiles.

While some might compare these ships to light cruisers as far as firepower, they are not armored or shielded equal to light cruisers. A light cruiser can likely take three times the abuse of the destroyer and shields might be able to take three or four times the hits before being knocked down. Does not mean that the Aspis are not quite tough vessels however but one needs to be careful when comparing them to light cruisers.

As with most Icaria naval vessels, the Aspis class are extremely fast with the ability to travel at faster than light speeds of six and a half light years per hour. In normal space acceleration, the destroyer is faster than a Proctor class heavy fighter although is not quite as fast as the Lonchi class corvette. As mentioned with the weapon systems, power is provided by an extremely advanced anti-matter reactor.

Even though these ships mount advanced automation, these ships requires crews of approximately one hundred. This means that around ten corvettes can be operated in the place of a single destroyer. Of course, the destroyer is far more effective at escort duties than a corvette. The Aspis also requires a much larger crew than previous Icaria destroyer classes. There is no true provision for troops although there is the ability to embark up twenty passengers which can be used for troops if required. In general, Icaria naval vessels carry comparatively few troops.

There was a lot of debate if these ships should carry any fighters. The previous destroyer class had no provision for embarking fighters. Eventually it was decided to carry up to four light fighters. Presently, an upgraded version of the Human Alliance Vixen light fighter is embarked although the Icaria navy is looking for a replacement design. One of the strongest contenders is the SF-135 Bearcat design with the Icaria government hoping to get the rights to produce the fighter themselves. There are some other designs that the Icaria navy has expressed some interest in as well.

This starship design uses modified starship speed and weapon range rules. See Revised Starship Rules for Phase World / Three Galaxies for more details.

Model Type: INF-DD-51.

Vehicle Type: Heavy Destroyer.

Crew: 104 (16 Officers and 88 Enlisted).

Troops / Passengers: 20 Maximum. Also has provision for 6 fighter pilots.

Vehicle, Robots, and Power Armors:

Fighter Compliment:

Light Starfighters (SF-109 Stríngla Light Fighter in Icaria service)

M.D.C. By Location:

	20 cm Short “High Output” Particle Beam (2):	800 each
	Variable Focus Particle Beam Cannon Turrets (4):	150 each
	Point Defense Electromagnetic Rail Gun Turrets (2):	200 each
	Long Range Missile Batteries (2):	800 each
	Medium Range Missile Launchers (2):	500 each
	Fighter Hanger Bay Door:	500
	[1] Main Engines (2):	1,400 each
	[2] Bridge:	2,200
	[3] Main Body:	6,500
	[4] Variable Force Field:	1,000 a side (6,000 Total)

Notes:

[1] Destroying the main engines means that ship faster than light propulsion systems are destroyed and maximum sublight speed is reduced by half.

[2] In reality this is how much damage needs to be done for a weapon to hit the bridge through the ship’s armor. This ship does not have an auxiliary bridge. Even if the bridge is destroyed, the ship can still be piloted from engineering but ship is -3 to dodge and all weapon systems will be at local control. Weapon hits near the bridge that do not penetrate the ships integrity can injure crew members on or near the bridge.

[3] Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body will put the destroyer out of commission. All internal systems will shut down, including life support and internal gravity. The ship itself will be an unsalvageable floating wreck.

[4] Shields positions can be varied and all could be combined in one shield. Shields regenerate at the rate of 5% (300 M.D.C.) per melee round.

Speed:

Driving on the Ground: Not Possible.

Sublight: Has a special sublight engine that allows the ship to travel up to 60 percent of the speed of light. Star Ship can accelerate/decelerate at the rate of 1.1 percent of light per melee.

Atmospheric Propulsion: Maximum speed is Mach 1.5 (1,141 mph / 1,838 kph), can enter an atmosphere and can leave but is not designed for atmospheric flight.

Stardrive: Uses a Gravitonic Drive system that allows the ship to reach a maximum of 6.5 light-years per hour.

Maximum Range: Carries about eight months years worth of supplies on board although can be stretched to twelve in an emergency.

Statistical Data:

Length: 524.93 feet (160 meters).

Height: 83.66 feet (25.5 meters).

Width: 147.64 feet (45 meters).

Mass/Weight: 13,780 tons (12,500 metric tons).

Power System: Anti-Matter with a 40 year life span. The ship normally only goes 10 years between refueling and refitting. Backed up with emergency fusion plants.

Cargo: Small cargo hold that can carry up to 100 ton (90.7 metric tons) of cargo not including standard compliment of supplies and ammunition. Each enlisted crew member has a small locker for personal items and uniforms. Ships officers have more space for personal items. Most of the ship’s spaces are taken up by extra ammunition, armor, troops, weapons, engine, and other equipment.

Market Cost: Costs approximately 500 million each to construct not including fighter compliment and missiles. At present Icaria system does not sell these ships. Older destroyer classes may be available although are rare.

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

Two (2) 20 cm Short “High Output” Particle Beam: In the front of the ship are two 20 cm short “High Output” particle beam cannons. While it does not have the range of a standard heavy particle beam, has a similar output and is extremely powerful. These can be fired forward and can be angled up to 120 degrees aft (can only fire one cannon at a target at that angle but can spin to be able to bring both batteries to bear) and can fire at a 30 degree angle up or down. The weapon system cannot be used to engage targets while traveling at faster than light velocities.

Maximum Effective Range: 25,000 miles (40,230 km) in space and 25 miles (40.2 km) in an atmosphere.

Mega Damage: 3D6x100+300 M.D.C. each.

Rate of Fire: Maximum of three (3) times per melee.

Payload: Effectively Unlimited.
Four (4) Variable Focus Particle Beam Mounts: These particle beams are copied from those carried on the CAF Assault Shuttle and will fire a very powerful narrow beam and can fire a scatter effect that is less powerful but is capable of striking multiple targets. The weapon system is quite useful against missiles although the cone is not as wide as Tachyon cannon sprays are (Gives +2 bonus vs fast moving targets such as missiles.) Weapons are mounted in turrets that can rotate 360 and have a 180 arc of fire. The weapon system cannot be used to engage targets while traveling at faster than light velocities. Each mount can be operated by a gunner or a gunner program (+2 to strike, 3 Attacks per melee).

Maximum Effective Range: 300 miles (480 km) in space and 3 miles (4.8 km) in an atmosphere.

Mega Damage: Single Target: 4D6x10 per blast. Wide Beam: 5D6 to all targets within a 5,000 foot (1,524 meter) diameter area. When fired as a wide beam, the cannon cannot be used on targets closer than 5,000 feet (1,524 meters) away.

Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the gunner (usually 4 or 5).

Payload: Effectively Unlimited.
Two (2) 40 mm Electromagnetic Point Defense Rail Guns: Unlike most of the rail guns used on Phase World / Three Galaxies starships, these are standard electromagnetic rail guns. Comparatively heavy weapons, the rail guns fire a heavy 40 mm high density projectile and have excellent range. Each turret can rotate 360 and has a 180 arc of fire. Weapons are mounted around the ship for point defense. The rail gun still fires projectiles at incredible velocities compared to rail guns on Rifts Earth and projectiles are fired from rail guns at a significant fraction of the speed of light. The weapon system cannot be used to engage targets while traveling at faster than light velocities.

Maximum Effective Range: Rail guns have a range of 12 miles (19.3 km) through atmosphere and 1,200 miles (1,930 km) in space.

Mega-Damage: Rail Cannon inflicts 3D6x10+30 M.D.C. for a 10 round burst.

Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the gunner (usually 4 or 5).

Payload: Rail Cannon has 2,000 Rounds (200 Bursts) each cannon.
Two (2) Long Range Missile Batteries: Missile has a top speed of Mach 20 in an atmosphere and in space has an acceleration of 8% of light per turn (faster than any starship.) Whether weapons can be shot down is calculated from the speed of target, launcher, and missile. When drive goes dead, missile will continue to travel in a straight line unless set to self destruct but has very low odds of hitting star ships (Great for hitting bases and planets because target does not move and missile, when unpowered, is at -25% to be detected.) Long range missiles do not have penalties to hit small targets, unlike cruise missiles, and are all considered smart missiles. Batteries can launch on multiple targets each at the same time.

Maximum Effective Range: Long Range Missile range is 3,400 miles (5,470 km) in an atmosphere and 1,800,000 miles (2,897,000 km/9.7 light seconds) in space.

Mega-Damage & Properties: See revised Phase World / Three Galaxies missile tables for details (Fusion warheads inflict 2D4x100 M.D.C.)

Rate of Fire: Can fire missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2), eight (8), sixteen (16), or thirty-two (32) long range missiles per launcher, per melee attack.

Payload: 512 total, 256 long range missiles per battery.
Two (2) Medium Range Missile Batteries: Weapon system is used for hitting enemy robots, fighters, and against incoming cruise missiles. Like other Phase world systems, weapon system range and speed has been greatly increased compared to Rifts Earth systems. Missile has a top speed of Mach 15 in an atmosphere and in space has an acceleration of 6% of light per turn. Batteries can launch on multiple targets each at the same time.

Maximum Effective Range: Medium Range Missile range is 160 miles (257.5 km) in an atmosphere and 80,000 miles (128,750 km/0.43 light seconds) in space.

Mega-Damage: Varies with medium range missile type (See revised Phase World / Three Galaxies missile tables for details.)

Rate of Fire: Can fire medium range missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2), four (4), eight (8), or sixteen (16) medium range missiles per launcher.

Payload: 640 total, 320 medium range missiles per launcher.

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Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

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