** Destroyer Squadrons ** Designation Comprised of ~NPV MASS ----------- ------------ ---- ---- Destroyer Squadron 1 3xCL, 4xDD, 4xFFH 1225 366 Destroyer Squadron 2 1xCE, 2xCL, 3xDD, 2xFFH, 4xCT 1179 350 Destroyer Squadron 3 2xDD, 2xCT 282 84 Destroyer Squadron 4 5xCL, 4xDD, 2xFFH, 2xCT 1479 442 Destroyer Squadron 5 1xCE, 1xDD, 4xFFH 643 190 Destroyer Squadron 6 8xDD, 4xFFH 1124 336 Destroyer Squadron 7 1xCE, 4xDD 619 184 Destroyer Squadron 8 2xCL, 10xDD, 4xFFH 1658 496 Destroyer Squadron 9 1xCL, 5xDD, 3xFFH 910 272 Destroyer Squadron 10 6xDDH 786 240 Destroyer Squadron 11 1xCE, 1xCL, 3xDD, 4xFFH 1010 300 Destroyer Squadron 12 1xCL, 2xDD 367 110 Destroyer Squadron 13 1xCL, 4xDDH, 2xDD, 1xFFH 972 294 Destroyer Squadron 14 2xCL, 1xCLE, 2xCVE, 4xFFH 1033 + ftrs 306 Destroyer Squadron 15 3xCL, 4xDD, 2xCT 983 294 Destroyer Squadron 16 1xCE, 2xCL, 4xDD, 2xFFH 1115 332 Destroyer Squadron 17 3xDD, 3xFFH, 2xCT 625 186 Destroyer Squadron 18 1xCL, 4xDDH, 2xCVE, 1xCT 974 + ftrs 242 Destroyer Squadron 19 6xDDH 786 240 Destroyer Squadron 20 1xCE, 1xCE+, 6xCL, 4xCT 1606 476 Destroyer Squadron 21 2xCL, 2xDD, 2xCT 616 184 Destroyer Squadron 22 1xCE+, 2xCL, 4xDD, 4xFFH 1279 380 Destroyer Squadron 23 3xCL, 1xDD, 6xFFH 1987 324 Destroyer Squadron 24 1xCLE, 2xDD, 2xFFH, 4xCT 695 220 Destroyer Squadron 25 1xCE, 1xCL, 4xDD, 2xFFH, 6xCT 1194 330 Destroyer Squadron 26 1xCl, 4xDD 567 179 Destroyer Squadron 27 2xCE, 2xCL, 2xDD, 2xDDG, 2xFFH 1334 396 Destroyer Squadron 29 1xCE, 1xCL, 2xDD 586 174 Destroyer Squadron 31 1xCl, 6xDD, 10xCT 1177 350 Destroyer Squadron 33 4xCE, 4xCL, 2xDDG, 2xFFH 1906 564 Destroyer Squadron 34 1xCE, 1xCL, 2xDD 586 174 Destroyer Squadron 35 1xCE+, 1xCL, 4xDD 788 234 Destroyer Squadron 36 1xCL, 3xDD, 2xDDG 667 200 Destroyer Squadron 37 1xCL, 1xCLE, 2xDD, 3xCVE, 1007 + ftrs 298 2xFFH Destroyer Squadron 38 2xCE, 2xCE+, 4xCL, 3xDD, 2xFFH 2010 594 Destroyer Squadron 41 1xCL, 4xDD, 2xFFH 729 218 Destroyer Squadron 43 1xCL, 2xDD 367 110 Destroyer Squadron 44 3xDD, 3xCVE 609 + ftrs 180** Cruiser-Destroyer Squadrons ** Designation Comprised of ~NPV MASS ----------- ------------ ---- ---- Cruiser-DD Group 1 3xCA, 1xCE, 1xCL, 4xFFH 1493 450 Cruiser-DD Group 2 2xCA, 2xDD 722 220 Cruiser-DD Group 3 4xCA, 2xCE 1482 448 Cruiser-DD Group 4 1xCA, 1xCE+, 1xCL, 8xDD 1449 434 Cruiser-DD Group 5 3xCA, 1xCE+, 1xCL 1171 354 Cruiser-DD Group 6 1xBCN, 3xCA, 1xCM, 2xCE, 2xCL, 2530 822 4xDD Cruiser-DD Group 7 2xCA, 1xCM, 1xCE, 3xCL, 3xDD 1759 528 Cruiser-DD Group 8 2xBC, 1xCE, 6xDD 1535 456 Cruiser-DD Group 9 1xCA, 1xCE+, 4xCL, 2xDD 1350 404 Cruiser-DD Group 10 1xCA, 1xCM, 1xCE, 4xDD, 2xFFH 1259 376 Cruiser-DD Group 11 1xBC/P, 2xCA, 2xCL, 4xDD 1593 480 Cruiser-DD Group 12 2xBCN/B, 1xCE, 1xCE+, 2xCL, 1890 560 4xDD Cruiser-DD Group 13 3xBC, 10xDD, 6xFFH 2560 762 Cruiser-DD Group 14 3xCA, 3xDD, 2xFFH 1245 378 Cruiser-DD Group 15 3xCA, 4xFFH 1107 336 Cruiser-DD Group 16 2xBCN, 1xCE, 2xCL, 2xDD 1469 436 Cruiser-DD Group 17 2xCA, 1xCE, 1xCL, 4xFFH 1232 370 Cruiser-DD Group 18 2xCA, 1xCE+, 1xCL, 2xDD, 2xCVE 1316 + ftrs 394 Cruiser-DD Group 19 1xBCN, 1xCA, 1xCE, 3xDD, 3xFFH 1381 412 Cruiser-DD Group 20 2xBCN/B, 2xCA, 2xCE, 2xCL, 2700 916 4xDDH, 2xDD, 4xFFH Cruiser-DD Group 21 1xBCN/B, 1xCA, 2xCE, 4xDDH 1581 474 Cruiser-DD Group 22 2xCA, 2xCM, 1xCE+, 3xDD, 2xFFH 1639 490 Cruiser-DD Group 23 1xBCN, 2xCM, 2xCE, 3xDD, 2xCVE 1736 + ftrs 512 Cruiser-DD Group 24 1xBC/P, 1xCA, 1xCM, 1xCE, 1577 476 3xDD, 3xFFH Cruiser-DD Group 25 1xCA, 1xCE, 1xCE+, 3xDD 1001 298 Cruiser-DD Group 26 1xBC/P, 1xCE, 2xDD, 1xDDG 856 254 Cruiser-DD Group 31 1xCA, 2xCAG, 2xCE+, 2xCL, 2299 774 4xDDG, 2xDD, 4xFFH** Carrier Battlegroups ** Designation Comprised of ~NPV MASS ----------- ------------ ---- ---- Ark Royal Battlegroup 1xCV, 2xBCN, 2xCA, 2xCE+, 3194 + ftrs 946 5xDD, 4xFFH Independence Battlegroup 1xCV, 2xCVL, 1xBDN/P, 2xBC, 5489 + ftrs ??? 4xCA, 2xCE, 1xCE+, 3xCL, 3xDDG, 2xFFH Connestoga Battlegroup 1xCV, 4xCA, 1xCE, 3xCL, 4xDD, 3220 + ftrs 962 4xFFH, 2xScout Victorious/Yorktown 2xCV, 2xCVL, 6xCA, 2xBC/E, 5870 + ftrs 1738 Battlegroup 2xCE+, 2xCL, 3xDD, 2xFFH Intrepid Battlegroup 1xCV, 1xBCN, 1xBC, 3xCA, 2xCE, 3685 + ftrs 1096 2xCL, 3xDD, 1xDDG, 4xFFH Agamemnon Battlegroup 1xCV, 1xBDN, 2xCA, 3xCE+, 2795 + ftrs 826 1xCL, 2xDD, 1xFFH Illustrious/King George V 1xCV, 1xSDN, 1xBCN, 2xCA, 3675 + ftrs 1102 Battlegroup 2xCE, 3xCL, 2xDD, 4xFFH, 2xScout Enterprise Battlegroup 1xCV, 1xCVL, 1xBDN, 1xBB, 4960 + ftrs 1470 1xBC/P, 4xCA, 4xCE, 1xCL, 2xDD, 3xFFH, 2xScout Nimitz Battlegroup 1xCV, 1xCVL, 4xCA, 2xCE+, 3325 + ftrs 986 3xDD, 4xFFH, 2xScout Lexington Battlegroup 1xCV, 1xBDN, 5xCA, 3xCE, 4xDD, 3890 + ftrs 1160 4xFFH, 2xScout Forrestal Battlegroup 1xCV, 2xCVL, 1xBDN, 2xBCN/B, 4898 + ftrs 1448 3xCA, 2xCE, 1xCL, 3xDD, 4xFFH, 2xScout Invincible/Matterhorn 1xCV, 2xCVL, 1xSDN, 1xBC/E, 5260 + ftrs 1554 Battlegroup 1xBC, 3xCA, 2xCE+, 2xCL, 4xDD, 3xFFH, 2xScout Prometheus Battlegroup 1xCV, 2xBDN, 2xBC/E, 3xBCN/B, 5607 + ftrs 1768 3xCA, 1xCE+, 2xCL, 4xDD, 4xCVE, 4xFFH, 3xScout Endurance/Vinson Massif 1xCV, 2xCVL, 1xSDN, 3xBB, 6063 + ftrs 1788 Battlegroup 1xBC/E, 1xCA, 4xCM, 2xCL, 4xDD, 4xFFH** Heavy Battle Squadrons ** Designation Comprised of ~NPV MASS ----------- ------------ ---- ---- Valley Forge Group 1xSDN, 4xBB, 2xCE 2704 + ftrs 798 Normandy/Vistula 2xSDN, 1xBDN, 2xBB, 4xCA, 4488 + ftrs 1336 Group 4xCE Shiloh Group 1xSDN, 2xBB, 2xCLE, 4xCL 2291 + ftrs 730 Eiger/Denali Group 2xSDN, 2xBDN, 2xBB, 2xBC, 4413 + ftrs 1304 3xCE Richmond Group 1xSDN, 3xBDN, 2xBB, 1xBC/E 3230 + ftrs 956 Antietam Group 1xSDN, 3xBB, 3xBC, 1xBCN, 4168 + ftrs 1230 4xCE Agincourt Group 1xSDN, 3xBDN, 4xBB, 2xCA 4204 + ftrs 1250 Annapurna Group 1xSDN, 2xBCN/B, 3xBB 2894 + ftrs 762
BC/E - After a few devastating skirmishes with the FSE, it became
evident that the FURIOUS CE didn't always offer sufficient protection
(and in fact as would be later realized, wasn't anywhere near as good an
anti-fighter/missile platform as the NAC had hoped; too many other roles it was
trying to fill), so for added fleet protection a number of MAJESTIC
hulls were re-designed to be PDS-heavy vessels. The basic hull structure
remained the same, just the internal configuration and capabilities changed.
This design proved to be highly effective for anti-fighter and anti-missile
operations - and it still retained a significant punch for ship-to-ship combat.
While it could survive longer than a VANDENBURG CA against
Ships-of-the-Line, it really was not intended to go head-to-head with
dreadnoughts.
Service Details
BC/N - in order to provide for independent operations that were below the
purview of BBs, yet would put a CA in over its head, the NAC came up with a
non-ammo using BC design. The MONTANA-Class BCN was created to perform
longer-duration missions. The initial design, shown here, mounts a Needle Beam
for disabling shots. It would be learned through experience that this weapon
was little-used in combat, and many crews grew lax about its upkeep during
standard maintenance periods.
Service Details
BC/NB - a variant to the BCN, the MONTANA/B swaps out the Needle
Beam for a 3-arc Class-2 battery, giving it just that much more 'punch' power.
Crews of the BCN/Bs were a much happier lot in combat than those of the BCNs.
Service Details
CLE - in an effort to save some costs, the NAC commissioned a series of
light cruiser escorts to supplement the FURIOUS CEs in the fleet. The
SERRA ANGELs proved to be slightly more capable than the FURIOUS
CEs, but they did not have the armor levels of their cousins (ie, no armor!)
Thus while they proved to be more effective in the anti-fighter/missile role,
they also proved to be a little more fragile in ship-to-ship action. Retaining
the level-1 screen does help against beam attacks, though, and it is hoped that
the high-thrust level of the CLE will also insure its survivability.
Service Details
CE+ - after studying the ESU's highly effective 'defense close-support' variant
of the BEIJING/B CEs, the NAC decided to pull some of the currently
under construction FURIOUS CEs and redesign them for a more specialized
anti-fighter/missile role. Thus was born the FURIOUS II, which could now
either offer anti-fighter/missile protection to two seperate ships, or
concentrated withering protective fire for one ship. By losing the pulse
torpedo, it lacked the extra punch the original FURIOUS class had, but
this was not a large detriment as the restricted arc of the pulse torpedo (and
the Class-3 battery) did not always allow it to come into play in ship-to-ship
combat actions. As it is, the Class-3 battery doesn't always come into play,
either. Some BuShip Designers have suggested replacing the Class-3 battery with
either 4 more PDS arrays, or a couple of offset Class-2 batteries, or a
combination of both. So far only two FURIOUS IIs currently under
construction have been slated to drop their Class-3 batteries in lieu of
another suite of PDS'. They will be assigned to the ENTERPRISE Carrier
Battlegroup (replacing the current 4 CEs in the roster) in order to judge their
effectiveness in combat trials. Most FURIOUS IIs ships were assigned to
Carrier Battlegroups, with a number of others being scattered in the
Cruiser-Destroyer Groups and some in the Destroyer Squadrons on an experimental
basis (these DD Squadrons would be sent into areas prone to high probability of
encountering enemy fighters/missiles). None have been assigned directly to
Heavy Battle Squadrons. Usually an HBS will gain CE+ protection from an
accompanying Cruiser-Destroyer Group.
Service Details
CM - with the FURIOUS CE being an all-around class that did not
quite cutting the job that it was designed for, BuShips came up with a specific
ship-combat cruiser using the CE hull: the SENECA-Class medium cruiser.
This cruiser dropped all pretense at being an escort cruiser by losing the
ADFC, and to expand it's combat capabilities, the Class-3 battery arc was
expanded to become a 3-arc battery. While not as fast at the VANDENBURG
CAs, this new design has proven itself capable in combat situations.
Service Details
DDH - A specialized heavy/attack destroyer, the TUFFLEYs were designed to operate in packs, much like wolves Their tactics evolved to the point where they acted like extra-huge fighter squadrons, and to this end they are extremely maneuverable, able to bring their guns to bear over a wide area. They generally require support ships, though, in most situations. They do not function well in independent operations. Against fighters and missiles they have limited defenses. Two dozen of these craft were sold to the UN.
CVE - Looking for a cheap way to deliver fighters to a theater of
operations without dedicating one of the specialized carriers or dreadnought
ships, the NAC came up with the HORNET-class mini-carriers. These 'tin
can' carriers are generally assigned to Destroyer Squadrons or
Cruiser-Destroyer Groups where having a dreadnought or one of the specialized
carriers would be overkill, but yet where some presence of fighters is
desireable. As these ships look identical to the TICONDEROGA DDs, it
generally is impossible for an enemy to determine which is which until either
the ship in question fires weapons or launches fighters. This has given more
than a few raiders and skirmish instigators a surprise when a couple of 'lowly'
destroyers suddenly disgorge a flight of fighters. Of course these ships were
not meant to stand up there with the TICONDEROGAs, so an enemy may
figure out they are CVEs by their hanging back, and take appropriate
action.
Service Details
DDG - These were an answer for a cheap, stand-off, hard-hitting small
ship. The NAC Naval Command wanted something that was fast enough to get in
close, deliver a potentially devastating blow to an enemy capital ship, and get
the Hell out of Dodge again. BuShips modified a TICONDEROGA for
demonstration purposes, and came up with the CHAMPION. Satisfied
observers from the NAC Naval Command placed an order for 12 of these ships. One
Class-2 battery had to be dropped, as well as the two Class-1 batteries, in
order to mount the two CSK-12 Sundance Missiles. The remaining Class-2
battery was rotated 60 degrees in order to give it anti-ship coverage in the
forward 180. Support ships would be necessary to protect the flanks. These
ships are to usually be assigned as replacements for TICONDEROGAs in the
Destroyer Squadrons, and would prove especially effective when paired with
HORNET-class CVEs.
Service Details
CAG - The cruiser-version of the CHAMPION DDG. While the
ALBION-VANDENBURG/Ms weren't intended for stand-up fights, and usually
had to have support ships with them to draw off the heat so they could deliver
their 'presents', they retained most of the defensive protection of the
VANDENBURG cruisers, so had a better chance of getting in closer to the
enemy before taking unacceptable damage. The only defensive sacrifice that was
made was in the overall drive rating in order to fit in the SML and magazine,
but this puts it on par speedwise with the VANDENBURG/T class ships as
well as most other cruisers of this size. Typically the magazine is loaded with
Extended-Range Salvoes, just to keep the opposition honest.
Service Details
BC/P - The BLACK PRINCE class battlecruiser (BC/P) is a heavy
fire-support variant of the MAJESTIC class battlecruiser. Built in small
numbers since 2168, its role is to support a fleet with heavy long-range
firepower. Though its thrust is standard, it has a higher rotational ability
than many ships of its size, allowing it to bring its limited-arc weapons to
bear more easily. In the hands of a good captain, the BLACK PRINCE has
proven to be a valuable asset in large-scale fleet battles and more production
is planned.
Service Details
Ships in class - BLACK PRINCE, BLACK QUEEN, BLACK KNIGHT, BLACK BISHOP, BLACK KING
BB/B - The PROMETHEUS class battleship was an attempt by the NAC
to address having few heavy ships capable of putting out mass damage from salvo
missiles as the FSE were doing. But this class suffered in that it tried to
retain the nominal firepower of the VICTORY class battleships, yet still
mount a salvo missile launcher and magazine. Due to the reduced long-range fire
power, and insufficient salvo missile pods to make up for it, this class was
usually out-classed in combat. The only saving grace it had was the fact that
one of the salvos was generally of the extended range type, which if employed
correctly, would catch an opponent off-guard, thus either giving hope that the
PROMETHEUS class ship could either get close to finish off her target,
or escape if outmatched. Generally, since captains were torn between these two
options, the PROMETHEUS ships suffered.
Service Details
BB/G - The HERCULES class battleship ended up being the NAC's
premier heavy-duty salvo missile boat, replacing the PROMETHEUS class
battleship. This class relied more heavily on expendable ordnance, something
the NAC wasn't overly keen on in general operations. But they had experienced
enough skirmishes with the FSE to see the value of a salvo missile launch
platform. The NAC learned from the mistakes of the PROMETHEUS class,
and dropped most all of the long-range weaponry that was onboard, retaining
only the secondary batteries and the close-in fire support weapons. In place
of the long-range weapons they mounted 3 salvo launchers, and a magazine large
enough to contain 8 salvo pods - and to make up for the fact this class had
dropped it's long-range beams, 3 of the salvo pods were of the extended range
variety. A nasty surprise to an unsuspecting opponent, to be sure.
Service Details
BB-V - The VEGA class armoured carrier is the NAC's attempt
at designing a carrier which would follow it's fighter compliment into battle.
Five of these have just come off the assembly line and finished basic trials.
But none of them have actually seen combat yet, so their effectiveness has
not been proven. Only a couple more are on order at this time, then further
construction will cease until the NAC Admirality is assured of this design's
success.
Service Details
Tactical Doctrines
Heavy Battlegroups are rarely sent out unless Heavy Power is needed for an operation, and then when they are, they are often accompanied by at least one or two Cruiser-Destroyer Groups, and a few Destroyer Squadrons as escort. Two Heavy Battlegroups (the AGINCOURT and ANNAPURNA Groups), when sent to areas with high probabilities of encountering fighters or missiles, will have assigned to them either several anti-fighter/missile escort ships, or certain Cruiser-Destroyer Groups which have sufficient anti-fighter/missile capabilities.
Carrier Battlegroups are generally well-rounded enough to operate in independent operations, with no definite need for escorting Cruiser-Destroyer Groups or Destroyer Squadrons, but often one or two will be assigned if they are available (the NAC Naval Command is rather loathe to risk losing their prize carriers if it can be prevented).
Cruiser-Destroyer Groups are sent on a wide variety of missions: diplomatic escort duty, 'show of force/flag', inner system patrol, others. They will be assigned to accompany Heavy Battle groups in the event of major fleet maneuvers and/or actions.
Destroyer Squadrons are sent on an even wider variety of missions than the Cruiser-Destroyer Groups. They are sent to areas where cruisers would be considered a 'bit much' or overkill, to general patrol duties, general escort duties, scouting duties, frontier patrol tours, etc. They are often assigned to escort Heavy Battlegroups in major fleet actions.
In all groups/squadrons ships may be sent out on an individual basis, depending on the mission (see Notes II, above). No group/squadron is restricted to stay together for a given scenario/game. This is just the command the ships are assigned to.
The NAC doctrine for carrier-based fighters typically follows the following distribution on each carrier:
Following the philosophy of UNSC ships, the NAC BuShips decided to create the SF-14 Firestorm fighter with a modular design. The reason for this was primarily for spatial considerations and strategic flexibility (your choices were to have several different fighters that performed different roles exclusively, or to have one type of fighter that could be refitted between actions to fill other roles as needed). The SF-14 normally would be considered a 'multi-role' combat fighter, but there would be modules available to carriers so that it could be refitted as an 'air superiority' (borrowing the term from the late 20th century) anti-fighter fighter, an anti-shipping attack fighter, or a torpedo bomber. In addition to this thruster packs or booster pods were available to give it a higher speed, as well as extra fuel tanks to give it extended endurance during combat missions.
The NAC ASF-7 Phanton heavy fighter was designed along similar lines as the SF-14, only it was constructed with more armor and had a tougher structural integrity that allowed it to survive hits that would cripple the SF-14. Many carriers carried extra parts and modules to refit their heavy fighter squadrons if the captain thought it was prudent for a given assignment. Otherwise the ASF-7s were just beefier versions of the SF-14s.
[end]
updated: May 2, 2003