Vesuvius-class heavy carrier

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Vesuvius Class
Type	Fleet Carrier
Manufacturer
Introduction	2673
Primary user	Terran Confederation

Class Overview

The Vesuvius-class of fleet carrier entered service with the Terran Confederation Navy in 2673, during the midst of the Border Worlds Crisis. Designed during the closing decade of the Kilrathi war, construction on the vessels began too late for them to see service during the conflict. In the time since its introduction, the class has formed the backbone of a smaller but still capable Confederation Navy, replacing older fleet carriers as they are retired. With it's heavy armament, armor and shielding, and complemented by an airwing of 400 fighters, the Vesuvius is one of the most formidable capital ships currently in service. The class has been witness to many campaigns during its service life, from its genesis during the clash with the Border Worlds to service in the Nephilim war.

Design and Construction

The Vesuvius class is the culmination of forty years of shipbuilding knowledge and technology developed during the Kilrathi war. Many of its design features were Terran takes on concepts originally introduced by the Kilrathi. These included redundant hangar decks and heavy outer armor, both of which were key design features on the Hakaga class of Kilrathi super-carriers which attacked Earth in 2668. At 1600 meters in length and 280,000 tonnes, Vesuvius is three times as massive as the next largest Confederation capital ship, the Confederation class dreadnought. With a primary armament of 16 dual mount Anti-matter guns and forty point defense turrets, the Vesuvius class is more than a match for opposing capital ships. 7,800 crew are required to operate the ship and its airwing. With deck space and repair facilities to house 400 fighters, the Vesuvius carries an air wing four times the size of a conventional fleet carrier. Her top speed of 150 kps and maneuverability ratings of 6 dps on all axis also make the Vesuvius class exceptionally maneuverable for ships of their size.

The first two ships of the class, Vesuvius and Mount St. Helens were constructed at the Confederation Shipbuilding Facility at Orion Station. Too large for the existing construction yards at the time they were laid down, the carrier's hulls were constructed by massive foundry ships. Once their hulls finished principal construction, the ships were moved to construction docks at Jupiter Station, where their final fitting out was completed. As larger shipbuilding facilities were completed, the remaining units of the class were constructed in a more conventional environment.

Service History

The class' entry into service was a rocky one. Vesuvius was commissioned and launched in 2673, right as the conflict in the Border Worlds was heating up. Admiral Geoffrey Tolwyn, under the guise of his position as head of the Strategic Readiness Agency, commandeered Vesuvius for his own personal use right after her launching. Vesuvius was used by Black Lance forces as a mobile base during Tolwyn's attempt to start a war with the newly formed Union of Border Worlds. Vesuvius was destroyed within a month of her launching by a combined force from BWS Intrepid and her own sister ship St. Helens, which had been rushed out of the dock early to assist Intrepid. St. Helens took heavy damage in the engagement and had to return to dock for repairs before she could enter service.

Though the class had an ignoble entry into service, it began to distinguish itself during the Nephilim Conflict in 2681. TCS Eisen transferred her squadrons of Vampires and Devastators to TCS Midway during the opening stages of conflict. The carrier TCS McKinley was present during Midway's return to the Sol System. St. Helens was destroyed in a surprise Nephilim attack shortly after the second Nephilim gate was discovered.

Known Ships

• TCS Vesuvius (CV-70)
• TCS Mount St. Helens (CV-71)
• TCS Eisen
• TCS McKinley

Specifications (Wing Commander IV)

Class:	Fleet Carrier
Length:	1600 Meters
Mass:	250,000 Metric Tonnes
Max Velocity:	150 kps
Cruise Velocity:	100 kps
Max Y/P/R:	6/6/6 dps
Shields:	Phase
Fore Armor:	4,000 cm equivalent
Right Armor:	4,000 cm equivalent
Left Armor:	4,000 cm equivalent
Rear Armor:	4,000 cm equivalent
Core Strength:	6,000 cm equivalent
Weapons:	Dual Mount Anti-matter Guns (16), Dual Mount Laser Turrets (24), Dual Mount Mass Driver Turrets (16), Torpedo Tubes (2)
Fighter Complement:	400