Macene/Rhylanor (Spinward Marches 2612) 079-1117
As part of an ongoing analysis and implementation of lessons learned during the Fifth Frontier War, the Imperial Naval HQ for the Spinward Marches Sector has awarded a contract to AuricTech Shipyards at Trin for 12 fleet destroyers optimized as commerce raiders. Lieutenant Commander Erich Ansbach-Gothenburg von Trin, of the Imperial Navy Public Affairs office at Macene, released the following statement:
The Spinward Marches branch of the Fleet Tactics College has been pleased with the input provided by AuricTech Shipyard's Strategic and Commercial Analysis Bureau concerning our ongoing analysis of commerce raiding operations during the Fifth Frontier War. During that conflict, the primary naval vessels capable of extended commerce raiding operations behind enemy lines were cruisers, which were often in far greater demand within Imperial space. Destroyers such as the Midu Agashaam class, though admirably suited to fleet operations, were not optimal for commerce raiding, due to their low cargo capacity and limited capability for lengthy patrols. As a result, Sector HQ has provided AuricTech with a contract for 12 destroyer-type vessels, with features designed to make these ships capable of extended commerce raiding missions.
However, to explore concepts in commerce raider design not addressed by the AuricTech design, Sector HQ has decided to open a design competition for a commerce raider, within the following parameters:
1,000-5,000 dton commerce raider, at TL15 (GTL12);
J4 or better;
4G or better (6G preferred to allow fleet operations);
Life support endurance of at least 26 weeks without replenishment;
Frontier refueling capability;
At least one carried craft (for boarding parties, prize crews, and transfer of captured cargo);
Some onboard space for captured cargo/prisoners;
Sufficient personnel carried (awake/frozen watch) to act as boarding parties and/or prize crews;
Capable of defeating civilian armed ships up to 20kDt (turret lasers, sandcasters, non nuclear missiles, no screens, no armour) and military vessels up to 1,000 dton;
A combination of low observability and high sensor capability.
Each contestant will receive a contract for BCr 55.2, for procurement of vessels of the entered design. Note that this amount assumes that there is no discount for volume production. This budgetary figure is based on the cost of the 12 AuricTech ships currently contracted by Sector HQ. Note, however, that full-scale procurement contracts will be based on the standard 20% volume discount.
All contestant ships will be compared both with AuricTech's Sculpin class and with each other, for a contract of at least BCr 300 in additional purchases. Future contracts may also be let for service on other Imperial frontiers.
The Representative Target Freightliner
Entries are to be submitted as either RTF or unformatted text via e-mail to:
They should include, at a minimum, the design system used, the number of ships that can be purchased for BCr 55.2, and detail equivalent to the AuricTech entry. Designer’s notes, and links to illustrations and/or deckplans, are optional.
Maximum Tech Level is TL-15 (GTL-12).
Deadline for submission is 21 May 2000.
Questions may be submitted to the above address.