Red Wolf class High Speed Assault Transport:

The Hunter class destroyer / frigate was built in large numbers by the Wolfen Navy. Many were retained by the Wolfen while many others entered service in the Consortium Military. As well, a number of independent government produced these sturdy ships. Over the years many of these warships, especially those in Consortium Service, have been sold as surplus. Some were sold to Independent Defense Forces but many of these are stripped of their heavy weaponry as sold outside of trusted circles. Most of these retain the lighter weaponry and force fields and these vessels are extremely fast. Due to this, these ships have been adapted to a wide variety of roles. These stripped vessels can be purchased quite cheaply.

One of these roles is that of fast assault transport. Generally commando type raids and similar missions which does not require huge numbers of troops. There is historic precedent for such a vessel with destroyers going back to during wet navy traditions converted into fast troop transport vessels. As well, the Tri-Galactic Military produces an Assault Transport called the Bengal based on the Scimitar class although the Scimitar has far more storage space and the Bengal retains far more of the original weaponry.

The Hunter has space for four fighters but the Red Wolf greatly expands two of the hangers so that two light shuttles of around sixty tons can be carried, most commonly the Higgens class, and has space for two light starfighters as well. Scorpions light fighters are rarely carried due to their comparatively sluggish combat performance in an atmosphere. More common fighters include the Vixen, Bobcat, and Falx Supina Light Starfighter classes. The larger hanger does not have space for shuttles much larger than the Higgens and cannot carry the Rampage class shuttle.

For troops, the vessel is designed to be able to carry a maximum of around one hundred and sixty troops. Many of the spaces which once mounted heavy weapon systems and ammunition are converted into berthing spaces and support facilities for embarked troops. Even so, the troop spaces are extremely cramped. Usually a significant number of these troops will be configured using light or medium power armors. This gives the troops a shock value far beyond their simply numbers. Common armors include the Human Alliance Steel Grunt and Consortium Ground Pounder Armor. Sometimes an aerial support wing of Silver Hawk armors or knock-off designs are also provided. A common mix might be forty Silver Hawk and one hundred and twenty ground armors although this can vary. There is no provision for tanks or any other type of combat vehicles though which greatly limits the effective firepower of troops.

Due to reduction in weaponry, the ship only requires a crew of sixteen. The ship retains the two medium range missile batteries which become the ship’s main offence and defensive weaponry. Unlike the Bengal, the Red Wolf is not considered an effective escort vessel. Most militaries which operate these vessels prefer to have them escorted if possible. The defensive rail gun turrets and light lasers are retained although some vessels have upgraded these with more powerful weaponry. The cruise missile launcher and three heavy particle beams are all removed. While most ships are stripped of most of the more advanced electronic systems, most purchasers attempt to reinstall the systems whenever possible especially sensors and electronic warfare systems.

The ship retains the ability to travel at speeds up to four and a half light years per hour and an acceleration of standard Hunter. As such, the ship can outrun many warships which might attempt to pursue it. The ship can operate in an atmosphere at up to around mach one although the vessel is not designed for atmospheric operations. As well, the ship’s main power systems are anti-matter and there is a significant risk of widespread devastation if the power system is breached in combat.

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: HF-75-APD
Vehicle Type: High Speed Assault Transport (Converted Destroyer)
Crew: 16
Troops: 172 (160 Marines, 8 shuttle crew, and 4 fighter pilots.)

Vehicle, Robots, and Power Armors:
Power Armors:

160

Light / Medium Power Armors (Commonly Steel Grunt, Ground Pounds, and Silver Hawk)

Fighter Compliment:

Light Starfighters (Commonly Vixen, Bobcat, or Falx Supina Light Starfighter)

Assault Shuttles:

Light Assault Shuttles (Commonly Higgens class Light Assault Shuttle)

M.D.C. By Location:

	Shuttle / Fighter Hangers (2)	400 each
	Rail Gun Turrets (4):	400 each
	Point Defense Laser Turrets (4):	300 each
	Medium Range Missile Batteries (2, Top and Underside):	450 each
	[1] Bridge:	1,200
	[2] Main Body:	4,500
	[3] Variable Force Field:	1,000 a side (6,000 Total)

Notes:
[1] 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 the ship is -3 to dodge and all weapon systems will be at local control. Weapons hit near the bridge that does not penetrate the ships integrity can injure crew members on or near the bridge.
[2] 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.
[3] 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.

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 0.95 percent of light per melee.
Atmospheric Propulsion: Maximum cruise speed is Mach 1 (741.5 mph / 1,193.3 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 4.5 light-years per hour.
Maximum Range: Effectively Unlimited by either drive system. Carries about six months worth of supplies on board.

Statistical Data:
Length: 300 feet (91.4 meters)
Height: 70 feet (21.3 meters)
Width: 80 feet (24.4 meters)
Weight / Mass: 6,000 tons (5443 metric tons)
Power System: Anti-Matter with a 50 year life span. The ship normally only goes 10 years between refueling and refitting.
Cargo: Small cargo hold that can carry up to 500 tons of cargo not including a standard compliment of supplies and ammunition. Hold is 20 x 20 x 40 feet in dimensions (6.1 x 12.2 x 12.2 meters). Each enlisted crew member has a small locker for personal items and uniforms. Ship’s 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: 180 million for Red Wolf High Speed Transport. Refitting a stripped Hunter costs around 60 Million Credits.

Weapon Systems:

Four (4) 14.5 mm Electromagnetic Rail Guns: Unlike most of the rail guns used on Phase World / Three Galaxies starships, these are standard electromagnetic rail guns. They are used as an anti-starfighter and missile weapon and against targets that are impervious to energy. Each rail gun is in a turret that can rotate 360 and has a 180 arc of fire. When used in space, projectiles are fired from rail guns at a significant fraction of the speed of light. Rail gun uses 14.5 mm depleted uranium projectiles. The weapon system cannot be used to engage targets while traveling at faster than light velocities.
Maximum Effective Range: 16 miles (26 km) through atmosphere and 800 miles (1,290 km) in space.
Mega-Damage: Rail gun inflicts 3D6x10 M.D.C. for an 80 round burst.
Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the gunner (usually 4 or 5).
Payload: 16,000 Rounds (200 Bursts) each cannon.
Four (4) Point Defense Lasers in Ball Turrets: This system is unaltered when compared to a standard Hunter class destroyer. This is the star ship’s primary anti-starfighter, anti-robot, and anti-missile defense system. Each laser is in a turret that can rotate 360 and has a 180 arc of fire. The weapon system cannot be used to engage targets while traveling at faster than light velocities.
Maximum Effective Range: 200 miles (320 km) in space and has a range of 4 miles (6.4 km) in an atmosphere.
Mega Damage: 2D6x10 M.D.C. each.
Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the gunner (usually 4 or 5).
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. Missiles have 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 missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2), four (4), or eight (8) missiles per battery.
Payload: 160 per launcher for a total of 320 medium range missiles.
Payload: Effectively Unlimited.

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Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

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