MINSK-CLASS STEALTH COMMAND CARRIER

Last modified: 10/31/01

RPG Stats by Kamikazi ( co366thaw@hotmail.com )
Design layout adapted from DAVE DEITRICH (deitrich@mcs.net )
Background info provided by Shadow Works Industries

BACKGROUND

The Minsk -class Stealth Command Carrier is a new ship designed for special operations. It is one of three warship in use by UN Spacy Intelligence & Special Forces Command. This vessel was designed for a variety of different missions, including escort, patrols, reconnaissance, and especially, special operations deployment. The Carrier is heavily influenced by the Meltrandi Monitor/ Gunship. It has been reduced in size to roughly equal the dimensions of the Northampton Class Stealth Frigate to be a difficult target. The Minsk is a warship equipped with the most advanced ECM and electronic warfare systems. It is fitted with advanced sensors and communications to direct a small fleet of Sentinel Class Stealth Carriers or other ships involved in covert operations. Its ability for stealth is unmatched by any known craft anywhere and therefore is an excellent choice for the most elite of special operations units to pick it up. The ability to carry 6 full wings either conventional or mixed of variable fighters into combat severely improves the mission scope of the operatives as it is a huge improvement over the small load of .

The ship is also a test bed for new advances in technology. The Minsk incorporates the most advanced hyper-space Fold drive ever designed. She is fitted with the same drive as the UNS Aerie and is able to cross a light-year in just under four minutes (The norm is a six-minute light-year), she is the fastest ship in the UN Spacy fleet. This incredible speed comes at a high price, however. The Minsk does not carry any type of long-range energy weapons. She is therefore not equipped to engage other capital ships. She must rely on her speed and variable fighter wing for protection.

The UNS Minsk was first launched in 2050 as part of the Earth Defense Forces. She was destroyed by the advanced units of the invading Varuta Fleet at the Battle of Jupiter. The UNS Vengeance is assigned to the UN Spacy Special Operations Command, where she serves as the flagship to the special operations community.

RPG STATS

Government: New Unity Government (Earth)
Ship Type: Stealth Command Carrier
Class: Minsk Class
Manufacturer: ORTEC Company/UN Spacy

Crew: 450 total: Command Tower: 18; Main Ship: 236; VF/VB/Transport Special Forces Pilots: 142; Ground Special Forces Operatives: 54; *NOTE: Due to this ship's size a crew equal to that of a Northampton (750 total) may be supported. Due to its special operations nature however, all non-essential functions are carried out by automated systems tied into the ships main computer.
Notable Ships of Class:
     UNS Minsk (launched 2050 as part of the Earth Defense Force, destroyed 2050 in Battle of Jupiter)
     UNS Vengeance (launched 2051 as part of Earth Defense Force, reassigned to UN Spacy Special
                                 Operations Command)

MDC BY LOCATION:

(1) Main Body                                  14,000
    Command Tower                               2,500
(2) Sensor Array (in IR masking tower on belly)   900
(3) Main Engines/Power Plants (2)               5,000 each
(3) Secondary Engines (6)                       1,250 each
(3) Small Guidance thrusters (24)                 200 each
    Medium-Range Missile Launchers (12)           250 each
    Retractable Laser Turrets (12)                200 each
    "Phalanx" Anti-Aircraft Turrets (12)          150 each
    Small Airlocks/Access Hatches (25)            250 each
    Flight Deck Airlock (2)                       500
    Outer Hull (per 40ft area)                    120
    Interior walls (per 20ft)                      20
(4) Pin Point Barriers (4)                      2,500 each

NOTES:

Depleting the MDC of the main body will put the carrier out of commission. All internal systems will shut down, including life support and internal gravity. The ship itself will be an unsalvageable floating wreck.
Destroying the IR masking tower on the belly will deprive the ship of all forms of long range communications, radar and targeting. The range and targeting capabilities of the secondary systems are equal to that of a VF-11 Thunderbolt . The ship can still operate, but is at -3 on initiative, -3 to strike, and number of attacks per melee of the weapon systems are reduced by half. Also by destroying the IR masking tower the passive stealth systems (not the cloaking device) are severely effected eliminating the ship's passive stealth capabilities as well.
Depleting the MDC of the main engines will force the ship to rely on its secondary engines. Depleting the MDC of the main engines AND secondary engines will leave the ship adrift in space. If in an atmosphere, the ship will crash (destruction of the main engines will render the antigravity system useless due to loss of power).
The Pinpoint Barriers regenerate at a rate of 1,250 MD per second (2,500 MD per melee round). If destroyed, a barrier will completely regenerate within 2 seconds (1 melee rounds). See the Pinpoint Barrier System entry for details.

SPEEDS:

Speed (sublight): 0.20 speed of light (32,000 miles per second)
Maximum Range: Unlimited (estimated 20 year life span, which can be extended with regular maintenance and overhauls)

Note: The Minsk-class command carries is extremely agile (in starship terms) and get an additional +2 to dodge (plus stealth bonuses) when avoiding fire from enemy starships or Protodeviln.

STATISTICAL DATA:

Length: 1001 ft (305 m)
Height: 314 ft (95.6 m) including Bridge Tower
Width: 335 ft (102 m) at maximum cross-section
Weight: 450,000 tons (standard)

Power System:: Modified ORTEC/General Galaxy Main/DreamStars nuclear/solar reactor
Fold System:: Shangri-La Laboratories Advanced Fold System Cluster
Sublight Drive:: Modified ORTEC/Centinel Impulse Drive Cluster
Gravity Control System: Internal: Shinnakasu/Shinsei Industries/Agar Nuclear Pulse Rocket Motor Cluster
Sensor System: Standard & Subspace Mass Detector

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

MEDIUM MISSILE LAUNCHERS (12): For anti-aircraft defense the carriers are armed with medium-range missile launchers set at key locations along the ship's hull. Each launcher contains 8 missile tubes allowing volleys of up to 8 missiles to be fired at a single target per launcher. Once depleted, the missile launchers are reloaded by an automated loading system that takes 15 seconds (one melee round) to reload all 8 missiles. Armor-piercing smart missiles are usually used to avoid chances of friendly fighters being shot down by the missiles.

PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-Aircraft

SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Warship

MISSILE TYPES: Any type of UN Spacy Medium Range Missile can be used. Smart missiles are commonly used to avoid hitting friendly aircraft.

RANGE: Varies, typically 60 miles (80.4 km).

SPEED: Varies, typically 1600mph (2571kmph).

DAMAGE: Varies, typically 2D4x10 M.D.

BLAST RADIUS: Varies, typically 15 feet.

RATE OF FIRE: Volleys of 2, 4 or 6 missiles per launcher.

PAYLOAD: Each launcher holds 8 missiles. Once the missiles are expended the launcher is reloaded within 1 round via an automated system. The reload system holds 128 missiles per launcher.

RETRACTABLE LASER TURRETS (12): The Minsk-class carriers have 12 retractable laser turrets mounted along the primary hull. These short-range lasers are intended primarily for anti-aircraft and anti-mecha defense, but can do moderate damage against enemy spacecraft if they get too close. When not in use gun turrets are concealed within the hull underneath a sliding hatch.

PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-Mecha
SECONDARY PURPOSE: Defense
RANGE: 8000 ft (2400 m)
DAMAGE: 1D4x10 M.D. per blast
RATE OF FIRE: Each turret can fire three times per melee (15 seconds), and can be directed at different targets.
PAYLOAD: Unlimited

PHALANX" GATLING TURRETS (12): The 55mm "Phalanx" tri-tube gatling cannon is directly derived from the one used by the VF-1 Valkyrie fighters. The command carriers have 12 turrets mounted at strategic places along the hull.

PRIMARY PURPOSE: Defense
SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Mecha
RANGE: 8000 ft (2400 m)
DAMAGE: 1D4x10 M.D. per blast
RATE OF FIRE: Each turret can fire three times per melee (15 seconds), and can be directed at different targets.
PAYLOAD: Unlimited
BONUS: +3 when firing on missiles

PINPOINT BARRIER DEFENSE SYSTEM: Originally developed by researchers onboard the SDF-01 Macross during Space War One, the Pinpoint Barrier System is a standard defense system on board all UN Spacy starships, including the Minsk command carrier. The system generates four small disc-shaped force fields that can be positioned anywhere along the ship to deflect missiles, energy beams or projectiles. Each pinpoint barrier is about 200 ft (61 m) in length and can absorb up to 2,500 MD in damage, which then regenerates within four seconds (1 melee round). The barriers can also be layered on top of each other to generate a field which provides 10,000 MDC and can even deflect heavy particle beams (sometimes). The four barriers are controlled by operators in the command tower of the carrier. These operators are instructed to defend (1) the command tower, bridge, and sensor array, (2) main engines, (3) hangar bays, and (4) weapon systems, in that order. The operators primarily concentrate on defending the ship against larger spacecraft and leave defense against mecha attacking the carrier to the VF pilots.

PRIMARY PURPOSE: Defense (the pinpoint barrier system cannot be used as a weapon)

RANGE: Up to 300 feet (91.5 m) from the surface of the vessel.

DAMAGE CAPACITY: Can sustain up to 2,500 MD per round. Regenerates at a rate of 2,500 MD per melee round.

RADIUS: 200 ft (61 m)

DEFENSIVE MOVEMENT: Can move from one end of the carrier to the other in less than a single round. Trained operators can attempt to block attacks up to 8 times per melee (counts as a parry) and are at +7 to block. Untrained characters can parry up to their number of hand-to-hand attacks with their normal parry bonuses only.

PAYLOAD: Nearly inexhaustible. Will work as long as system is functional (see below) and engines are intact. If main engines are destroyed, the barrier will loose power and not function.

NOTE: If all four barriers are grouped in a single spot they can deflect a heavy particle beam attack, such as the one generated by the Macross Cannon, Zentraedi/Varuta command warships, and some Protodeviln. However, the beam will completely destroy all four barriers and put incredible strain on the pinpoint barrier system, to the point where it may short out. After deflecting an energy beam, roll percentile dice on the table below to determine additional effects/damage.

01-05: Lucked out, system will be operational in 1D6 hours.

06-20: Minor damage, system will require 4D6 hours to repair.

21-35: Major damage, system will require 2D6x10 hours to repair (yes, DAYS of work).

36-64: Completely destroyed! System can be rebuilt, but will require new parts and 2D6 DAYS of work to replace.

65-79: Major damage, system will require 2D6x10 hours to repair.

80-94: Minor damage, system will require 4D6 hours to repair.

95-99: Lucked out, system will be operational in 1D6 hours.

00: It's a miracle! Trivial damage only, system will be operational again in only 4D6 melee rounds!

SYSTEMS OF NOTE:

ANTIGRAVITY PROPULSION SYSTEM: The Minsk-class command carrier is equipped with an anti-gravity propulsion system used for planetary landings and liftoffs. The system is good for vertical ascent/descent only and can lift the ship at speeds of up to 1,320 feet (400 m) per minute. The system will function so long as the main engines can supply energy to it.
ELECTRONIC COUNTERMEASURES (ECM) "STEALTH" SYSTEMS: The Minsk-classes ECM and "Stealth Systems" are identical to those found on the Northampton Class Stealth Frigate which are the smallest UN Spacy capital ships to be equipped with advanced ECM packages commonly referred to as "Stealth Systems". These systems disrupt enemy radar and tracking systems, making it difficult for them to lock onto the frigates with weapons. The stealth systems give the carrier a +3 to dodge, +2 to strike and +1 on initiative in combat WITH OTHER STARSHIPS ONLY. VFs and other close-range combat mecha are not affected by these systems, nor are Protodeviln. The frigate's stealth systems will fail if the main engines are destroyed or disabled. These systems are augmented by the passive stealth design of the ship.
HYPERSPACE COMMUNICATIONS: Based on the same technology as the space fold system, the hyperspace communications relay allows faster-than-light communication between UN Spacy starships and other vessels or planetary bases. Hyperspace communications are still not instantaneous, however. Audio/video communication travels through hyperspace at a rate of about 5 seconds per light year, so messages communicated over vast distances can still take days, weeks, or months to arrive.
LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS: The command carrier has sufficient life support to provide breathable air and comfortable temperatures for 750 people for up to 20 years (air is recycled). In an emergency the life support system can support up to 1,000 people at one time, though living conditions onboard will get extremely cramped at that point. The frigate also holds sufficient food and water to support 750 people for up to 6 months.
LONG-RANGE LASER/SATELLITE RELAY COMMUNICATIONS: The impressive communications array of the carrier can communicate with up to 1,200 craft simultaneously at ranges of up to 1100 miles (1,775 km). This range can be boosted indefinitely by using satellites or other spacecraft as to relay communications.
LONG-RANGE RADAR: The radar array of the Minsk-class carrier is equally as impressive as the communication system, and can track and identify up to 2,000 craft simultaneously. The radar system has a 2,000 mile/3,200 km range.
SPACE FOLD SYSTEM: For FTL propulsion, the Command Carrier is equipped with a revolutionary Shangri-La Laboratories Advanced Fold System Cluster, capable of propelling the carrier through hyperspace at speeds up to 1 light year per 4 minutes. The range of the fold drive is theoretically unlimited except by the life expectancy of the spacecraft.
SUBLIGHT ENGINES: As a backup to the Fold System, the stealth command carrier is equipped with ORTEC/Centinel Impulse Drive Cluster engines that can propel the craft at speeds up to 0.20 speed of light (32,000 miles per second) in space. Note that these engines are mainly intended for rapid movement inside a planetary system and are not suited for long voyages between star systems. In a planetary atmosphere the frigate is limited to speeds of Mach 3 maximum due to hull stress.
SUBSPACE MASS SENSORS: The Minsk is equipped with subspace sensors, which are based on the same principles as the hyperspace communications array. These sensors can essentially instantly detect mass readings and movement of objects up to 1 AU (93 million miles) distant from the ship, and the readings are used both for early warning and for navigation when traveling at sublight speeds. Readings taken with the subspace sensors are not very detailed (-25% penalty when trying to identify a detected object) and cannot detect objects of less than 60,000 kg (this includes most variable fighters).

MECHA COMPLEMENT (TYPICAL):

VF-4J "Wild Weasel" Lightning: 4 on active status
VF-11CJ "Wild Weasel" Thunderbolt: 7 on active status
VF-11G Thunderbolt: 15 on active status
VE-11 "Cyclops" Thunderbolt: 4 on active status
VF-19 Excalibur: 14 (8 "A" and 6 "F" models) on active status
VF-19M "Blazer" Excalibur: 9 on active status
VF-22 Strumvogel: 7 on active status
VF/A-24 Raptor II: 13 on active status
VB-5B Vigilante: 4 on active status
MS/KS/ES-42 Sky Mule: 5 on active status
Cyclops Mk-s Power Armor: 24 on active status
Additional Special Operations Craft: The Minsk is capable of operating an additional 12 fighters or 4 bombers or transports. This ship plays an important role in the flight testing of new experimental VF designs in actual combat situations and is constantly testing new prototypes.

REFERENCES USED IN THIS DESIGN

"Doe's All The Worlds' Starship Guide: Stargazer Stealth Frigate Entry"
Macross II's Command Carrier
Jason Jorgensen 's Monitor II -class Experimental Stealth Frigate
Macross 7 TV series
Macross II TV Series