Outworld Command is the most varied within the NAC navy. Core and Defence are primarily battle fleets, defending the heart of the confederation from the other major powers of human space. Outworld Command operates from edge to edge. OC ships police the shipping routes, fly the flag within friendly neighbours, exercise gunboat diplomacy in those that are hostile, and the more boastful claim to outdo the Oceanic Union in willingness to go where no-one has gone before.
Many of the OC capital ships are older models handed down from Core and Defence without the latest equipment, and ships of all sizes have to be modified for special missions and conditions. Outworld Command has only two major shipyards, but these are first class installations able to handle major rebuilds. The Director of Naval Construction and other high officials in the Royal Space Navy are a long way away and frequently distracted, so OC ship designs have slowly diverged.
The appearance of the Kra'Vak led to a frantic construction program throughout human space. One of the Outworld Command shipyards was building the first Mosquito heavy destroyer prototypes and has now moved to full production, plus new Tacoma frigates. The other was expanded to build heavy cruisers, and has just completed the first capital ship, a Wasp carrier.
Outworld Command ships have different roles depending on their speed. The fast ships are used for reconaissance in force, raids and interdiction in enemy space, pirate hunting, or as commerce raiders. For these generally brief engagements the warships carry heavier and longer-ranged armament than standard RSN designs and wide arcs are favoured for furballs and surprise encounters.
The slower ships have a more defensive role protecting convoys, installations, or entire systems; and combine for major actions against dangerous concentrations of enemy cruisers and escorts. Against hostile capital fleets they expect to be warned in time and withdraw to join reinforcements from Defence. Weaponry and protection are very similar to those elsewhere in the RSN, less than ideal when facing the Kra'Vak.
Outworld Command are very annoyed that the RSN has so far been unable to design a practical turret for the popular pulse torpedo, and for the latest ship classes pride has been swallowed and new turrets quietly bought from the NSL.
Besides the ships described here, Outworld Command has all the escort and cruiser classes described in Fleet Book 1. Capitals are another matter: Core and Defence regard major warships as rightfully theirs, so Outworld Command has just one modified Excalibur dreadnought Glamdring as flagship and two Victorias, the Henry and Alfred. Vandenberg/T heavy cruisers, the 'gunships' of the RSN, provide the firepower in Outworld Command task forces, and production of this class resumed in 2182.
There are no good guys in the GZGverse... the unofficial motto of Outworld Command:
"We approach with gunports open, not as a sign of respect, but because we're ready to blow you to bits if you give us any grief."
To Zoe Brain, Andrew Kelman, and Jonathan Crane for playtesting and advice on ship design.
Last update: Nov 2008. Couple of new designs.
Any and all feedback about these designs gratefully accepted.
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