Guide:Hercules: Difference between revisions
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Outwardly, it appears a huge step that the defense and exploration assets of | Outwardly, it appears a huge step that the defense and exploration assets of [[Earth]]’s various | ||
spaceflight organizations were in 2089 solidified into an international | spaceflight organizations were in [[2089]] solidified into an international [[United Earth Stellar Navy|star fleet]]. However, those | ||
assets themselves remained largely unaffected by the transformation. The crew of a survey cruiser | assets themselves remained largely unaffected by the transformation. The crew of a survey cruiser | ||
orbiting a distant star for the fifth successive year would pay little heed to such bureaucracy. | orbiting a distant star for the fifth successive year would pay little heed to such bureaucracy. | ||
Defensive fleets in the Sol system would already be under international control due to the Sparon- | Defensive fleets in the [[Sol]] system would already be under international control due to the Sparon- | ||
DeSoto clauses. UESPA would still retain control of the waves of probes launched into deep space, | DeSoto clauses. [[UESPA]] would still retain control of the waves of probes launched into deep space, | ||
and would coordinate the data flows and survey budgets from within | and would coordinate the data flows and survey budgets from within the fleet. The existing | ||
hardware largely met the needs of | hardware largely met the needs of UESN during its formative years – it just happened to be temporarily unavailable, separated from the homeworld by dozens of lightyears and by several years | ||
of travel time. | of travel time. | ||
Partial recalling and redeployment of the Messier fleet was expected to cater for | Partial recalling and redeployment of the ''[[Guide: Messier|Messier]]'' fleet was expected to cater for the fleet’s modest | ||
exploration and even humbler power projection programs. Increased trust and understanding | exploration and even humbler power projection programs. Increased trust and understanding | ||
between humans and Vulcans allowed Sol defenses to be rearranged so that the antiquated sublight | between humans and Vulcans allowed Sol defenses to be rearranged so that the antiquated sublight | ||
combatants could be retired and replaced by cheaper transatmospheric low-warp interceptors and | combatants could be retired and replaced by cheaper transatmospheric low-warp interceptors and | ||
fixed installations. However, there was one field of operations where | fixed installations. However, there was one field of operations where the fleet neither controlled the | ||
resources it needed, nor could hope to downscale its operations to fit what resources it did possess. | resources it needed, nor could hope to downscale its operations to fit what resources it did possess. | ||
Logistics for an interstellar research, defense and training organization could not be handled by the | Logistics for an interstellar research, defense and training organization could not be handled by the | ||
motley fleet of STL and FTL colonizers or short range tugs and transports loitering in the vicinity of | motley fleet of STL and FTL colonizers or short range tugs and transports loitering in the vicinity of | ||
Sol. And the high capacity warp transports that Earth already possessed were only nominally under | Sol. And the high capacity warp transports that Earth already possessed were only nominally under | ||
ECS authority. In practice, no power on Earth could recall them from their profit-hunting cruises in | [[ECS]] authority. In practice, no power on Earth could recall them from their profit-hunting cruises in | ||
deep space. | deep space. | ||
It was thus in the interests of | It was thus in the interests of the [[UEDP]] to sponsor the development and construction of new warp | ||
freighters, suited for its needs as well as for commercial use. Two primary designs emerged within a | freighters, suited for its needs as well as for commercial use. Two primary designs emerged within a | ||
year. Rather than add warp engines to an originally STL cargo hull, both introduced a | year. Rather than add warp engines to an originally STL cargo hull, both introduced a warp-optimized | ||
spaceframe onto which cargo modules were bolted. The G and Y series vessels were | spaceframe onto which cargo modules were bolted. The G and Y series vessels were | ||
virtual scale models of each other. Both had a central spine element for general goods and lateral | virtual scale models of each other. Both had a central spine element for general goods and lateral | ||
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The Class G vessels with four 5,000 ton Type II containers were rather modest in performance, | The Class G vessels with four 5,000 ton Type II containers were rather modest in performance, | ||
though, and UESF concentrated on the acquisition of Y series transports. In military service, these | though, and UESF concentrated on the acquisition of Y series transports. In military service, these | ||
ships were dubbed the Hercules class. | ships were dubbed the '''''Hercules''''' class. | ||
[[File:Hercules (starboard bow).png|left|300px|thumb|A Hercules at speed. From this angle, the GSC-800 engines are just barely visible at ventral stern, with the impulse coils flanking the bow. Standard | [[File:Hercules (starboard bow).png|left|300px|thumb|A ''Hercules'' at speed. From this angle, the GSC-800 engines are just barely visible at ventral stern, with the impulse coils flanking the bow. Standard Stellar Navy paint scheme from the [[2120s]] leaves most of the hull titanium-brown but adds blue cheat lines to the containers and forward hull and large black pennants on the sides of the command tower. The classic [[UESPA]] arrowhead is not yet part of military livery.]] | ||
The grandiose name was fitting enough. At nearly 250 meters, the ships were half again as long as | The grandiose name was fitting enough. At nearly 250 meters, the ships were half again as long as | ||
competing DY series heavy variants. Compared with the lumbering Messiers, the transports had far | competing [[Guide: DY warp series|DY series]] heavy variants. Compared with the lumbering ''Messiers'', the transports had far | ||
superior impulse acceleration. Warp speed using the lightweight GSC-800 coils (sitting below the | superior impulse acceleration. Warp speed using the lightweight GSC-800 coils (sitting below the | ||
central spine, with plasma conduits running on the underside of the center hull) was naturally lower | central spine, with plasma conduits running on the underside of the center hull) was naturally lower | ||
than that of the massive cruisers, with theoretical optimum cruise speed at warp 1.1 and maximum | than that of the massive cruisers, with theoretical optimum cruise speed at warp 1.1 and maximum | ||
speed at warp 1.8. In practice, the transports always cruised at maximum speed, as this | speed at warp 1.8. In practice, the transports always cruised at maximum speed, as this fuel-inefficient | ||
mode still was the most economic one overall. Both ECS and UESF benefited more from | mode still was the most economic one overall. Both ECS and UESF benefited more from | ||
the timely delivery of goods than from conserving of slush hydrogen. In any case, the vast | the timely delivery of goods than from conserving of slush hydrogen. In any case, the vast | ||
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nowhere and back, making the vessel especially attractive as a tramp for adventurous Boomers. | nowhere and back, making the vessel especially attractive as a tramp for adventurous Boomers. | ||
For both Boomer and explorer crews, the Y series meant significantly improved accommodation | For both Boomer and explorer crews, the ''Y series'' meant significantly improved accommodation | ||
standards. The spine of the ship was quite available for habitation, and direct underway access to the | standards. The spine of the ship was quite available for habitation, and direct underway access to the | ||
eight Type II containers was also possible. For | eight Type II containers was also possible. For the fleet, this meant suitability to troop transport | ||
duties. Actual planetary assault was not in the plans yet, nor would it be for half a century, but | duties. Actual planetary assault was not in the plans yet, nor would it be for half a century, but | ||
personnel transfer to off-Earth garrisons was of interest, either with cryosleep or without. Other | personnel transfer to off-Earth garrisons was of interest, either with cryosleep or without. Other | ||
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already relatively secure short haul routes. | already relatively secure short haul routes. | ||
Once the initial Y-100 model had been fielded in 2091, UESF decided it actually needed an even | Once the initial ''Y-100'' model had been fielded in [[2091]], UESF decided it actually needed an even | ||
more capable design. The improved commercial model Y-200 was bought in some quantity, with up | more capable design. The improved commercial model ''Y-200'' was bought in some quantity, with up | ||
to 22 FY-200 (or Ottawa subclass) vessels joining the fleet between 2096 and 2099. The enlarged | to 22 ''FY-200'' (or ''Ottawa'' subclass) vessels joining the fleet between [[2096]] and [[2099]]. The enlarged | ||
FY-500 (Karakorum subclass) ultimately proved a disappointment, though, and only three were | ''FY-500'' (''Karakorum'' subclass) ultimately proved a disappointment, though, and only three were | ||
purchased. Commercial use of the clumsy twelve-container behemoth was discontinued in 2125, by | purchased. Commercial use of the clumsy twelve-container behemoth was discontinued in [[2125]], by | ||
which time all three UESF ships had been sold to civilian operators. | which time all three UESF ships had been sold to civilian operators. | ||
Boosted by the warp breakthroughs of the 2150s, Earth continued to operate Y-200 vessels well past | Boosted by the warp breakthroughs of the [[2150s]], Earth continued to operate ''Y-200'' vessels well past | ||
the Romulan War. The last military examples, now in UFP Starfleet registry, were retired in 2177. | the Romulan War. The last military examples, now in [[UFP Starfleet]] registry, were retired in [[2177]]. | ||
Civilian users persisted into the 23rd century, as the uprated engines were capable of practical deep | Civilian users persisted into the [[23rd century]], as the uprated engines were capable of practical deep | ||
space speeds, yet the ships still sported the internal volume of ‘community vessels’. Postwar designs | space speeds, yet the ships still sported the internal volume of ‘community vessels’. Postwar designs | ||
were optimized for high speeds and subsequently short trips, and were ill suited for the | were optimized for high speeds and subsequently short trips, and were ill-suited for the | ||
tramp/salesman mode of operations outside normal spacelanes. Even | tramp/salesman mode of operations outside normal spacelanes. Even pre-war development had | ||
steered towards lower habitability standards, driven by the needs of near-Earth mining operations | steered towards lower habitability standards, driven by the needs of near-Earth mining operations | ||
and Starfleet’s increasing military commitments. The Boomer subculture and lifestyle was on its | and Starfleet’s increasing military commitments. The Boomer subculture and lifestyle was on its | ||
way to obscurity at the advent of class J and W transports already, and largely vanished from | way to obscurity at the advent of class ''J'' and ''W'' transports already, and largely vanished from | ||
nearspace by the time of the Romulan War. Its last vestiges could be found in long-ranging class Y | nearspace by the time of the Romulan War. Its last vestiges could be found in long-ranging class ''Y'' | ||
vessels, the final few of which disappeared from Federation records in the early 2220s. | vessels, the final few of which disappeared from Federation records in the early [[2220s]]. | ||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
Revision as of 09:58, 9 November 2014
| Y class transport (Hercules for Starfleet) schematic | |
| Hercules | |
|---|---|
| Class Overview | |
| Category | Transport |
| Operational | 2091 - 2177 |
| Constructed | 29 total:
|
| Dimensions | |
| Length |
|
| Beam | 43.5 m |
| Height | 36.2 m |
| Mass |
|
| Performance | |
| Cruise Speed | w 1.1 |
| Max Speed | |
| Endurance | 6 years |
| Complement | |
| Officers | 2 |
| Enlisted |
|
| Cargo |
|
| Tactical Systems | |
| Beam Weapons |
|
| Shields |
|
| Auxiliary Craft |
|
| Canonicity | |
| Design | ENT |
| Name | own |
| History | ENT
|
Outwardly, it appears a huge step that the defense and exploration assets of Earth’s various
spaceflight organizations were in 2089 solidified into an international star fleet. However, those
assets themselves remained largely unaffected by the transformation. The crew of a survey cruiser
orbiting a distant star for the fifth successive year would pay little heed to such bureaucracy.
Defensive fleets in the Sol system would already be under international control due to the Sparon-
DeSoto clauses. UESPA would still retain control of the waves of probes launched into deep space,
and would coordinate the data flows and survey budgets from within the fleet. The existing
hardware largely met the needs of UESN during its formative years – it just happened to be temporarily unavailable, separated from the homeworld by dozens of lightyears and by several years
of travel time.
Partial recalling and redeployment of the Messier fleet was expected to cater for the fleet’s modest exploration and even humbler power projection programs. Increased trust and understanding between humans and Vulcans allowed Sol defenses to be rearranged so that the antiquated sublight combatants could be retired and replaced by cheaper transatmospheric low-warp interceptors and fixed installations. However, there was one field of operations where the fleet neither controlled the resources it needed, nor could hope to downscale its operations to fit what resources it did possess. Logistics for an interstellar research, defense and training organization could not be handled by the motley fleet of STL and FTL colonizers or short range tugs and transports loitering in the vicinity of Sol. And the high capacity warp transports that Earth already possessed were only nominally under ECS authority. In practice, no power on Earth could recall them from their profit-hunting cruises in deep space.
It was thus in the interests of the UEDP to sponsor the development and construction of new warp freighters, suited for its needs as well as for commercial use. Two primary designs emerged within a year. Rather than add warp engines to an originally STL cargo hull, both introduced a warp-optimized spaceframe onto which cargo modules were bolted. The G and Y series vessels were virtual scale models of each other. Both had a central spine element for general goods and lateral grapples for containers. Both featured an amidship section for the main fusion reactor, and a bow section that held impulse engines in low-mounted cowlings and housed a crew of some 20-30 people in tolerable conditions in a four-deck habitat suspended above the centerline; an antenna farm for sensors and deflectors occupied the centerline bow. The G series had a single centerline bay for shuttlecraft, typically with one permanently embarked alongside work pods; the Y series had two bays, at the forward ends of the impulse pods, and carried up to ten cargo handling craft.
The Class G vessels with four 5,000 ton Type II containers were rather modest in performance, though, and UESF concentrated on the acquisition of Y series transports. In military service, these ships were dubbed the Hercules class.
.png)
The grandiose name was fitting enough. At nearly 250 meters, the ships were half again as long as competing DY series heavy variants. Compared with the lumbering Messiers, the transports had far superior impulse acceleration. Warp speed using the lightweight GSC-800 coils (sitting below the central spine, with plasma conduits running on the underside of the center hull) was naturally lower than that of the massive cruisers, with theoretical optimum cruise speed at warp 1.1 and maximum speed at warp 1.8. In practice, the transports always cruised at maximum speed, as this fuel-inefficient mode still was the most economic one overall. Both ECS and UESF benefited more from the timely delivery of goods than from conserving of slush hydrogen. In any case, the vast deuterium tanks lined up beneath the midsection provided a safe reserve for a 20-ly cruise to nowhere and back, making the vessel especially attractive as a tramp for adventurous Boomers.
For both Boomer and explorer crews, the Y series meant significantly improved accommodation standards. The spine of the ship was quite available for habitation, and direct underway access to the eight Type II containers was also possible. For the fleet, this meant suitability to troop transport duties. Actual planetary assault was not in the plans yet, nor would it be for half a century, but personnel transfer to off-Earth garrisons was of interest, either with cryosleep or without. Other duties going beyond pure cargo hauling were also intended. UESPA survey packages provided Earth with scientific data and some sigint victories, and the installation of plasma cannon modules was hoped to give space pirates a nasty surprise or two. The ‘Q-ships’ carrying four container-mounted 2 GW cannon in addition to one permanent hull-mounted unit did score a few early kills, but only on already relatively secure short haul routes.
Once the initial Y-100 model had been fielded in 2091, UESF decided it actually needed an even more capable design. The improved commercial model Y-200 was bought in some quantity, with up to 22 FY-200 (or Ottawa subclass) vessels joining the fleet between 2096 and 2099. The enlarged FY-500 (Karakorum subclass) ultimately proved a disappointment, though, and only three were purchased. Commercial use of the clumsy twelve-container behemoth was discontinued in 2125, by which time all three UESF ships had been sold to civilian operators.
Boosted by the warp breakthroughs of the 2150s, Earth continued to operate Y-200 vessels well past the Romulan War. The last military examples, now in UFP Starfleet registry, were retired in 2177. Civilian users persisted into the 23rd century, as the uprated engines were capable of practical deep space speeds, yet the ships still sported the internal volume of ‘community vessels’. Postwar designs were optimized for high speeds and subsequently short trips, and were ill-suited for the tramp/salesman mode of operations outside normal spacelanes. Even pre-war development had steered towards lower habitability standards, driven by the needs of near-Earth mining operations and Starfleet’s increasing military commitments. The Boomer subculture and lifestyle was on its way to obscurity at the advent of class J and W transports already, and largely vanished from nearspace by the time of the Romulan War. Its last vestiges could be found in long-ranging class Y vessels, the final few of which disappeared from Federation records in the early 2220s.
Gallery
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Starboard -
Bow -
Dorsal -
Starboard bow -
Stern
.png){kind=small}
.png)
.png){kind=small}
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.png)
References