| Jovian APAworks | Volume 1, Number 1 | December, 2000 |
[Excerpted from Janne's Fighting Ships, 2211 Addenda, EX983-44-00L5]
Length: 185.5m (205m w/ Drive Guides)
Width: 52.2m
Armament: 2-25mm Kinetic Kill Cannon Turrets (triple), 2-Pulsed Particle
Beam Cannons, 2-Drone Launch Tubes (10 drones), Point Defense
System (14 turrets)
Powerplant: 155MW (Primary), 55MW (Secondary)
Main Thruster: 105,000,000kg
Acceleration: 0.5g
Apogee Motors: 56
Complement: 42
The workhorse of CEGA's space navy remains the Bricriu-class corvette, a ship design that predates CEGA by nearly 50 years. A time-tested and rugged design, CEGA still operates in excess of 300 craft divided among CEGA's 6 fleets. However, in light of the rising space capabilities of the JAF navy, CEGA High Command has initiated Project Morrigan in 4th quarter FY2206, in order to develop a next-generation light warship and escort. The Morrigan-class of corvettes are expected to improve upon the survivability and firepower of the Bricriu, while adding long-range sensory and reconnaissance capabilities as well as added support capabilities. Deployed individually or as part of a reconnaissance/patrol battle group, Morrigan-class vessels, by virtue of their advanced search radar and reconnaissance drones, will be able to actively monitor a 20,000km radius volume, and passively monitor an even larger space. Deployed as fleet escort, the Morrigan's powerful targeting radar and carried electronic warfare suite will be a significant enhancement to CEGA warfleet combat capabilities.
The hull was laid down for the prototype on 22 Nov 2209 at the Culann shipyards at L5, the very same shipyard responsible for the original Bricriu. Based heavily on it's predecessor, the shipyards experience in constructing Bricriu-class vessels accelerated the construction substantially. The vessel was launched 2 July 2210, and christened "Morrigan": the Celtic warrior goddess who used magic more than might to achieve victory, casting magical fetters on her foes. Morrigan also decided the fates of mortals: who would live, and who would die. Morrigan was commissioned 6 Aug 2210.
Initial reports indicate that the most significant improvements over the Bricriu are it's "passive warfare" capabilities: the ARCHON phased-array sensor suite, Halo-15 electronic warfare suite, and two forward-firing drone launch tubes. The current Morrigan is fitted with uprated and uparmored versions of the LAC-83C Kinetic Kill Cannon batteries and replacing the two triple particle accelerator batteries with a pair of singly-mounted pulsed accelerator turrets. The estimated drone compliment are 6 reconnaissance (Type II Observer or EW), and 4 Triton II anti-ship missiles (Type I Shipkiller) or Stingray kinetic-kill missiles (Type I Exokiller).
The development of the Morrigan has not been without difficulty or compromise, however. The large Halo suite required an exposed external mount, and the additional power of the ARCHON array generates sufficient EM emissions to adversely affect the Morrigan's effective sensor signature. Furthermore, although the Morrigan retains some degree of the Bricriu's modularity, there was still insufficient impetus to install a centrifuge or similar habitat facility for the Morrigan's 42 crewmembers. It is expected that this may limit the extent of long-range recon patrols, as the detrimental health-effects of zero gravity (bone loss, blood circulation complications, etc), even with strict fitness regimen, are not insignificant.
As of this writing, only the Morrigan is actively in service, and is reportedly continuing test maneuvers in the Belt, with the CEGA 4th Fleet. After the Morrigan's current test flight is complete, it is expected to be recalled to Earthspace for further modifications and improvements. Two sister ships, the Valkyrie and the Karura are expected to reach completion by late 2211, and will include all modifications given to the original Morrigan. CEGA High Command has commissioned the construction of an additional 7 craft deliverable by 2213, at an estimated cost of 135Mcr per vessel. Should CEGA decide to begin larger-scale replacement of the Bricriu fleet with Morrigans, the cost per-unit is expected to decrease to approximately 98Mcr.
External analysts expect that the substantially increased cost due to the complex electronics will likely result in a reduced-capability Morrigan that will replace the large and expensive sensor suite and resupply-intensive drone launcher with a more conventional missile battery and either heavier particle accelerators, pulse lasers, or a second pair of KKC turrets, if the Morrigan is to completely replace the Bricriu. However, it is extremely unlikely that the Bricriu will ever be completely phased out of service, due to their overwhelming numbers.
Class: Morrigan-class Corvette TV/CTV: 40/35
Size: 7
Turning: Nimble (180deg)
Actions: 3
Electronics: +1
Base Avoidance: 2
Damage Control: 2
Vehicle Capacity: 2 (Typically 1 M-Pod squadron, and an Exo-Suit team)
Resupply: 4/3
Repair: 3 Base Fleet
Maneuver: 3
Components: Main Hull 11/22/33
Drives 9/18/27 (Thrust:10)
Sensor Array 4/8/12 (ECM 2, ECCM 2)
Lt.P-Beam 7/14/21 (T,20/40,0/-1,6E,R1)
KKCs 5/10/15 (T,25/50,0/-1,4P,AP,R1)
PDS 8/16/24 (T,5,+1,2E)
Drones (I,II) 6/12/18 (Rate:2, 10 Drones) Special Rules: Resupply threshold 3 if
drones are not being supplied. (ie you can resupply the
KKCs at a Threshold 3 "base," but to resupply the Drones,
you need a Threshold 4 base)
Notes: The Morrigan is designed primarily as a "support" craft -- it excels at patrols, but is only a marginally better stand-up fighter than it's Bricriu predecessor. If it has more heavily armed craft with it, the Morrigan will typically spend the majority of it's time Pinging, launching Observer drones (that also Tag/Ping), and using Targeted ECM to cripple it's opponents.
A deep-cover mole [NIGHTOWL] has reported that STRIKE is attempting to place a large number of covert agents aboard the Morrigan on it's maiden voyage. "G" is believed to already possess the Uller "Karana," and the Morrigan would make a powerful teammate... NIGHTOWL may prove to be a high-ranking member of the Morrigan's crew, and the PC's intelligence agency wants to keep NIGHTOWL in place as long as possible to report the capabilities of the Morrigan, and to gather information on the STRIKE operation. The Morrigan's crew complement is sufficiently small that a mutiny would have a strong probability of success.
A number of the developmental difficulties are due to sabotage. STRIKE has been responsible for previous CEGA ship manufacture (The Hachiman's Dark Summer). Conversely, it may be due to a cell sponsored by a foreign agency, such as a NAS or Venus intelligence operation.
CEGA pilots or assigned to the 4th Fleet's "escort" of the Morrigan prototype on it's trial run.
The test of the recon-drones exposes the operations of a belt-smuggling organization. The Morrigan is effectively isolated (support craft are hours away).
Venusian, JAF, or even NAS or Mercury crews could be deployed to observe the Morrigan's flight. There may certainly be attempts to test the limits of the Morrigan's sensor net.
CEGA player commands a detachment of the 4th Fleet, and is to run the Morrigan through it's paces. SPECIAL RULES: The Morrigan must participate in every battle, except after a successful Withdraw, Hide, or Go Home maneuver.
Other players objective is to successfully scan/identify the Morrigan (as in the Knock, Knock scenario). The scanning unit must survive the battle and escape off a friendly board-edge.
A further variant: Rather than Venus or JAF, the non-CEGA player will represent the Smugglers from the Exo-Pilot RPG seed. The Smuggler player is likely to be armed with Syreens, Bricriu, armed Ebiiru, etc. Perhaps a few Pathfinder/Wyvern/Ryu if the organization is "sponsored" by a foreign power (e.g. Venus/VBank).
Post ~2220, there are sufficient Morrigan in play to be treated as "standard" ships, as opposed to the prototype/unique it is in 2210.
| Jovian APAworks | Volume 1, Number 1 | December, 2000 |
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