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Imperial Navy Space Station

2021-02-09T19:32:21Z

2607:FEA8:91E0:5D00:ED20:BBC0:7BCC:C981: /* Star-fort */

The [[Imperial Navy]] needs a base of operations where their space cathedrals with rocket engines could dock for maintainence, refits and crew shifts. These space stations are one such example and are often immobile hunks of metal that are often quite large. A few of them, however, are advanced enough to ''become'' mobile, such as the famous [[The Phalanx]] and [[The Rock]], both of which, coincidentally, are the [[Fortress-Monastery|Fortress-Monasteries]] of the [[Imperial Fists]] and the [[Dark Angels]] respectively.

==Class of Space Stations==
====Orbital Defense Platform====
[[File:OWP.jpg|300px|right|thumb|An annoying pest.]]
[[Halo|Not to be confused with another Orbital Defense Platform from another Sci-Fi franchise that both function the same.]] Orbital Defense Platforms as their name implies, are orbiting Space Stations used by the Imperial Navy and [[Planetary Defense Force|Planetary Defense Forces]] for the defense of a world against enemy spacecraft.

They are deployed within a planet or moon's gravity well and are armed with a variety of weapons. The most sophisticated Orbital Defense Platforms, those used to defend Adeptus Mechanicus worlds and key planets, have no crew at all and use complex logic engines to detect and fire at enemy vessels that do not broadcast the correct identification codes. There are a few types of ODPs listed here:
*'''Orbital Weapons Platforms:''' The most common type of ODPs, these usually mount several laser batteries capable of striking at the enemy before they get too close to the planet. They are more of an annoyance than a threat due to their immobility.
*'''Orbital Defense Laser Platforms:''' Different from the normal ODP's laser batteries by the sheer fact of having [[Dakka|a bigger gun.]] They are armed with massive Defense Lasers, large laser cannons capable of penetrating a capital ship's armour. Built around a powerful plasma reactor, a defense laser platform is armed with several of these large cannons, giving it the ability to fire them in every direction. Defense laser platforms are particularly effective at destroying fast-moving escort craft sent ahead of the main enemy fleet to conduct reconnaissance and raiding.
*'''Orbital Torpedo Launchers:''' These ODPs launch either torpedo or missile batteries and are one of the greatest deterrents to an enemy intent on attacking an Imperial world. They can attack from a distance to disrupt an enemy fleet's advance and deliver a lethal blow against vessels that approach too close to a planet. They have proved effective against attacks by Ork and Chaos forces.
Dimensions can be seen here:
*'''Length:''' 1-3km approx

====Space Station====
[[File:IN_Space_Station.JPG|300px|right|thumb|Your average, run-of-the-mill, floating space cathedrals.]]
Your average Imperial Space Station.

Large and immobile, the term "Imperial Space Station" covers a wide variety of orbital installations that cover an equally wide variety of roles, including shipyards, Adeptus Mechanicus research stations, naval command bases, and simple orbital habitats.

But on a whole, the one you're looking for are sizable and well-armed. Additionally, all space stations have docking facilities, with most only able to handle a single Cruiser or Escort squadron at once. The greatest, however, can accommodate multiple ships.

Most shipyards are controlled by the Imperial Navy or Adeptus Mechanicus but, a few worlds, such as Luxor and Verstap in the Gothic Sector or Port Wander in the Koronus Expanse, operate independent ones of their own for defense and service to the system fleet.

During the Gothic War, control of space stations was of critical importance, as the constant battles led to high demand for refit and resupply facilities. This importance made the various space stations the centre of many great battles during the conflict, with an extreme example being the eighteen battles fought for the Chrysalis Shipyards over Arimaspia.

*'''Length:''' 5-10km approx

===Star-fort===
[[File:RamiliesClassStarFort.JPG|300px|right|thumb|When you want a Hive City with rocket boosters...]]
Star-forts are mobile battle fortresses that are a force to be reckoned with, even when faced alone. The Ramilies Class Star-forts are one such class of gigantic semi-mobile space stations capable of moving through warp space. This class of star-fort exists in scant supply and are vital to the Imperial Navy as forward fleet bases, each one is capable of shortening campaigns by decades through its deployment.

The Ramilies is so large that it does not have conventional drives, and has to be towed through the warp by other vessels to relocate it. Each quadrant of the fort has masses of powerful weapons batteries and lances, and the central basilica houses many torpedo silos providing powerful salvos to offer extra support to each quadrant.

There are four pairs of Attack Craft launch bays, one for each quadrant. They facilitate docking points to anything up to cruiser size to resupply and repair, even amidst the heat of battle; as Ramilies tend to only be deployed in massive engagements. So there is enough fire-power from the fort and other ships to ensure the repair crews are not disturbed during work. Only well known and successful admirals, or Inquisitors, are entrusted with a Ramilies, as they can take centuries to build.

The Phalanx is the most famous of these Star-forts, and is obscenely large and powerful, even when compared with the already colossal Ramilies.

*'''Length:''' 30km approx (standard star forts only)

==In Battlefleet Gothic Armada 1 & 2==

In [[Battlefleet Gothic: Armada II]], Space Stations come in two varieties. The first is the ODP, which acts more like a stage hazard than an actual enemy. Whilst more of an annoyance than a threat, they do threaten smaller Escorts if they are within range. The second is the Star-fort, of which the Phalanx is one. The Phalanx is an absolute [[Awesome|wrecking ball]] with a metric shit ton of attack crafts, lances and batteries to hold its own quite well against an entire fleet. Only the [[Planet Killer]] could one-shot the Phalanx with its main guns.

{{40k-Imperial-Ships}}
[[Category:Imperial Navy]]

Imperial Navy Light Cruiser

2021-02-09T19:22:22Z

2607:FEA8:91E0:5D00:ED20:BBC0:7BCC:C981: /* Dauntless */

The '''Light Cruiser''' is a class of warship used by the [[Imperial Navy]]. Smaller than true [[Imperial Navy Cruiser|Cruisers]], they are nontheless much more heavily armed and armored than an [[Imperial Navy Escort|Escort]], with some classes having the speed to keep up with the latter. Compared to their bigger cousins, Light Cruisers are much easier to build and operate.

Light Cruisers serve as the flagships of Escort patrol squadrons, as they secure the space lanes of Imperial space against raiders. Likewise during times of war, Light Cruisers can also serve as raiders, striking quickly into enemy-held territory, then quickly getting out.

During fleet actions, they can also serve as heavy escorts to larger warships, where their greater firepower compared to Escorts can actually contribute to the battle outside of just torpedo boats or just being dedicated to destroying said torpedo boats.

Think of it this way: you know how sections of guns or lances on a Lunar-class cruiser get swapped out when it’s a different class? A light cruiser is basically one of those sections as its own ship. Which is as pretty darn useful as it sounds, but more fragile. Much like how two Lunars can rival the firepower of a battleship but not survive the fight without more support.

==Light Cruiser Classes==
===Basic===
====Dauntless====
[[File:BFGADauntless.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Don't underestimate this.]]
Imperial scout cruisers have generally always had enough firepower to fight off a determined attack by escort-sized ships and can hold enough supplies to remain autonomous for months at a time, the Dauntless being no exception.

The fastest Light Cruiser class available, the ''Dauntless'' is also quite versatile thanks to its weapons load-out of weapons battery broadsides, prow-mounted Torpedo tubes, and front-facing [[Lance]] batteries. This combination of escort-like speed, and respectable armament and defense allows the Dauntless to be a significant thorn in the side of most opponents that it might face.

Woe to the foolish skipper that underestimates a Dauntless due to its size, and few ever live to make that mistake twice. It’s a faster, up-gunned Endeavor-class with a bit of lance, basically. Like an anti-light cruiser light cruiser.

The ''Battlefleet Gothic: Armada'' games give you two variants of the Dauntless, where one gets the Lance battery, and the other gets the Torpedo tubes.

*'''Length:''' 4.5km
*'''Mass:''' 20 megatonnes approx
*'''Crew:''' 65,000 crew; approx
*'''Acceleration:''' 4.3 gravities max sustainable acceleration

====Defender====
[[File:DefenderCruiser.jpg|300px|right|thumb|The quintessential bodyguards for all your Merchant needs.]]
More of an Escort ship than a true Cruiser.

The Defender-Class Escort Cruiser is a class of Light Cruiser used by the Imperial Navy. Popular as convoy flagships, these ships are ideal at fighting off pirate and [[Ork]] raiders attempting to capture Merchant Fleets.

The Defender is armed with a variety of weapons, including broadside weapons batteries, prow-mounted lance and three dorsal fleet defense turrets. Some Defenders are fitted with prow torpedoes instead of lances.

*'''Length:''' 4.5km

===Carrier===

====Defiant====

[[File:BFGADefiant.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Captain's first carrier.]]

A carrier variant of the ''Endeavor'', the ''Defiant''-class replaces the Macro turrets with a pair of small Lance turrets and Launch Bays. As such it is the smallest ship capable of providing Fighter, Bomber, or Assault Craft support.

[[Awesome|It can even go into silent running stance like other light cruisers.]]

The Defiant is used as an escort for larger ships, and/or as a convoy strike craft carrier. Despite being a versatile class, its usefulness is hampered by its lack of defensive firepower. This relegates it to a support role in fleet actions, usually accompanied by other Light Cruisers to defend it.

Also, the Defiant is somewhat common. Perhaps the sizes of space battlefields means that having more numerous, smaller carriers ranging around to extend the reach of attack craft is more important than wet navies’ preference for fleet carriers. It does make sense.

This class is an escort carrier. In space.

*'''Length:''' 3.8km
*'''Mass:''' 22 megatonnes approx
*'''Crew:''' 61,500 crew, 6,100 pilots and support staff, approx
*'''Acceleration:''' 3.8 gravities max sustainable acceleration

====Enforcer====
[[File:EnforcerCruiser.jpg|300px|right|thumb|When you want to keep the Planetary Governor in line.]]
Essentially a police ship.

A mix Carrier-Cruiser akin to the Emperor-Class Battleship. The Enforcer-Class System Control Cruiser was designed under the Gareox Prerogative, these Light Cruisers are intended to maintain the control of Imperial space at the System level.

The Enforcer uses its combination of Attack Craft squadrons and Lance weaponry to intimidate planetary populations and Governors into remaining in-line with the Imperium. The ships are effective against pirates and rebellious fleets but is less successful in large-scale ship-to-ship engagements. A shame no one had the brains to put them to use in helping the Imperial Guard.

*'''Length:''' 3.8-4km

===Lance-boat===

====Endurance====

[[File:BFGAEndurance.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Half of a Cruiser still hits as hard.]]

Less common than the other Endeavor variants, the ''Endurance''-class retains the light Macro turrets and Torpedo launchers of its parent class, but exchanges the Macro batteries with a [[Lance]] deck and two torpedo tubes. All these systems are short-ranged, making the ship vulnerable to a larger, longer-ranged ship, with weapons that can outrange it as the larger ship can attempt to stay out of range, whilst plastering the hapless Endurance with fire from a standoff range

Less effective on its own, it's normally paired up with an Endeavor to bring the effective firepower of a true Cruiser to bear.

However, far more Endeavor class ships are produced, so in practice, often three or four Endeavours are grouped with a single Endurance, providing a fearsome pocket of resistance for any enemy Admiral. The Endurance is often seen operating with the Defiant Class Light Cruiser as well as the Endeavour class.

*'''Length:''' 3.8km

===Ordinance-boat===

====Endeavor====

[[File:BFGAEndeavor.jpg|300px|thumb|right|The OTHER half of said Cruiser.]]

Coming with Macro turrets and batteries, plus Torpedo launchers as standard, the ''Endeavor''-class is much more heavily-armed and armored compared to the ''Dauntless''. The large weapons batteries of the Endeavour class mean it can hold its own in a fleet engagement, usually equaling the fire-power of a full-size cruiser. These batteries have only a short-range, equaling that of the shortest cruiser battery ranges, this is sufficient however for the Endeavour's role as a heavy escort. Its small torpedo compliment serves merely as a distraction, rather than a serious threat to a capital ship; escorts, however, would do well to avoid them.

On the flip side, it's also much slower, which makes it less capable in the anti-piracy role compared to its contemporary. This means that outside of fleet engagements (where they take the role as heavy escorts) Endeavors are normally found as the flagships of convoys instead.

Both the ''Endurance''-class and ''Defiant''-class are built off the same hull as the Endeavor.

*'''Length:''' 3.8km
*'''Mass:''' 22 megatonnes approx
*'''Crew:''' 67,500 crew; approx
*'''Acceleration:''' 3.9 gravities max sustainable acceleration

====Siluria====
[[File:Siluria.jpg|300px|right|thumb|The aborted fetus of light cruisers.]]
A very old and rare class of cruiser and a fuck ugly one at that.

The Siluria-Class Light Cruiser is an ancient design much older than the Dauntless Class Light Cruiser, numerous refits to surviving ships have kept them in service. These ships sports rows of Weapons Batteries over Lance armaments and are best suited to supporting fleets rather than undertaking independent missions.

However, a full broadside from one of these ships is still capable of causing significant damage. They are commonly well-screened during battle until the moment arrives for them to unleash its arsenal of weaponry.

It also does not showcase the armored hull of most Imperial Navy ships, so it won't do hot in close combat, ''despite'' [[Derp|having weapons meant for close combat.]]

*'''Length:''' 3.8-4km

==In Battlefleet Gothic==

Cheaper than a regular Cruiser, Light Cruisers are used to bulk up ship numbers without sacrificing firepower by bringing Escorts. One can bring two Light Cruisers for the points of a single Battlecruiser.

Just a fair warning though: the weapon ranges of the Light Cruisers are fairly short especially compared to regular Cruisers, so plan accordingly.

==In Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 1 & 2==

Just like on the Tabletop, the Light Cruisers in the video games are an economical way of filling out one's fleet, gaining a fast-moving unit without losing out on formidable firepower.

As far as ''actual'' in-game utility goes however, the ''Dauntless'' variants see much more use, due to their faster speeds.
{{40k-Imperial-Ships}}
[[Category:Warhammer 40000]]
[[Category:Imperial]]
[[Category:Battlefleet Gothic]]
[[Category:Imperial Navy]]