Plankwell class
From Traveller Wiki - Science-Fiction Adventure in the Far future
| Plankwell class | |
|---|---|
| Type: BB Dreadnought | |
| Tech Level | 15 |
| Size | 200,000 Tons |
| Jump | J-4 |
| Thrust | 5 G |
| Hardpoints | 530 |
| Cargo | 0 Tons |
| Crew | 1163 |
| Passengers | 0 High/Med 0 Low |
| Cost | MCr150,618.52 |
The Plankwell-class dreadnought is more specialized ship than the multi-task oriented Tigress-class. Lacking the extensive troop complement and the large fighter screen, the Plankwell fulfills a more traditional battleship role, as the center of a fleet of support ships.
For decades, the Imperial Fleet in the Spinward Marches has included at least one BatRon of Plankwell-class ships, but in 1102, the last such squadron was rotated to the strategic reserve in Corridor Sector. Sentiment in Naval and Sector circles runs high in favor of the return of at least one BatRon to the Marches.
Plankwell-class dreadnoughts are named for notable admirals in the Imperial Navy. The class name was taken from Grand Admiral Olav hault-Plankwell, a sector admiral in the Spinward Marches who rose to Grand Admiral of the Marches and lead the defeat of the Outworld Coalition during the First Frontier War. Following his victory in 604, he lead the fleet to the Core, personally dispached the Empress Jaqueline I, and took over the government. The result was the long, bloody Civil War; Olav was the frist of the Emperors of the Flag. Although Olav is in disrepute as an emperor, Grand Admiral Plankwell is still rememberd and honored for his achievements as a naval commander in the First Frontier War; significantly, his name has not been assigned to any ship in the new Cleon-class of battleriders, named for Emperors of the Imperium.
[edit] Modular Construction
Plankwell-class dreadnoughts were built using a modular design and construction technique which has proven cost effective in commercial ship-building. A central strut or keel serves as a foundation, bracing the drives and aligning the spinal mount, while all other parts of the ship are mounted to brackets or strengthened points along it. The technique allows separate construction of the various modules (such as quarters, electronics areas, fuel tankage, and control areas) with the final mating of all the various components being performed only after the drives and keel have been tested and accepted. There was some initial concern that the connecting points would be focuses for weakness in battle, but the losses of two separate Plankwells in combat has been attributed by investigating boards to strategic misdirection.
| This article was copied or excerpted from the following copyrighted sources and used under license from Far Future Enterprises and by permission of the author. |
| – Fighting Ships |
