Tatsumaki

Tatsumaki-class Warship TRO3067.jpg
Tatsumaki
Production information
Manufacturer Stellar Trek[1]
Introduced 3059
Production Year 3058[2]
Use Destroyer
Tech Base Star League
Cost 13,831,884,000 C-Bills[2]
Technical specifications
Mass 520,000 tons[3]
Length 585 meters
Sail Diameter 1,100 meters
Fuel 4,000 tons
Burn Rate 39.52
Safe Thrust 2 g
Top Thrust 3 g
Sail Integrity 4
KF Drive Integrity 11
LF Battery Yes
Armament
Armor 475 tons Ferro-Carbide[3]
DropShip Capacity 2
Crew 240[3][4]
  • 40 Officers
  • 163 Enlisted
  • 37 Gunnders

Bay Personnel: 111
Marines: 108

Grav Decks 2 x 200 meters diameter
Escape Pods/Life Boats 45/0
Heat Sinks 544 double[3]
Structural Integrity 50
BV (1.0) 62,319[5]
BV (2.0) 88,075[citation needed]

Description[edit]

Originally named as an allusion to the whirlwind of weapon fire it can unleash, the name of the Tatsumaki-class (Japanese for "Tornado") destroyer was viewed by many in the DCMS as more aptly referring to the endless storm of technical problems that plague the design.[6]

The fourth design in the Draconis Combine's resurgent post–Succession Wars WarShip fleet, the Tatsumaki problems stemmed from the extremely hasty and rushed design and construction at Stellar Trek's much-maligned Dieron yards, with only the Combine's dire need for WarShips even allowing the design to enter service. Requiring a doubling of the number of the technical crew carried by each vessel, problematic systems including faulty turrets and K-F Drive coolant leaks were expected to require drydock overhauls through 3067,[6] and the Draconis Combine Admiralty halted procurement at two ships already constructed.[4]

Designed primarily to escort JumpShip fleets, the Tatsumaki featured a large array of primarily short-ranged anti-fighter and capital-grade weaponry, placing it on par with other destroyers of similar size. The vessel also served as the ideal platform for boarding actions, carrying a full battalion of battle armor troops.[6]

While one Tatsumaki-class ship was reported lost during Operation BULLDOG,[7] the DCS Lair of Mighty Wyrms was able to be repaired and returned to service.[8] Both vessels were later lost due to combat with the same vessel, the Ghost Bear's Nightlord-class battleship Ursa Major, one in each of the two Combine-Dominion wars.[9][10]

Armament[edit]

Mounting an array dominated by Pulse Lasers and Naval Autocannons, the Tatsumaki was a deadly, if short-ranged, combatant. The nose bays mounted a single Heavy N-Gauss and two NAC/20s supported by ten Medium Pulse Lasers, while each fore and aft angle carries five Gauss rifles and Artemis IV FCS enhanced LRM-20s in support of a Heavy NPPC and NAC/20. Both of the Tatsumakis broadsides feature two Medium NPPCs and single NAC/20, with ten ER Large Lasers and ten Medium Pulse Lasers for anti-fighter defense. Directly aft, twin Heavy NPPCs and five LRM-20s discourage attack from the rear.

Two hundred tons of Heavy Naval Gauss ammunition, a hundred rounds' worth, and Naval autocannon munitions, five hundred rounds, give the design's capital weapons impressive endurance, a feature likewise shared with its anti-fighter weapons carrying sixty tons of 'Mech gauss reloads and hundred and twenty-five of LRM missiles. To try and protect the vessel against missile attacks, the Tatsumaki mounted an anti-missile system on all angles (save the broadsides), with a shared eighteen tons of ammunition.

Cargo[edit]

With two Docking collars and a respectable cargo capacity, the Tatsumaki also featured berths for eighteen aerospace fighters and fifteen small craft to allow its marines to board enemy vessels[4][6] in addition to carrying nearly sixty thousand tons of cargo.[3]

See Also[edit]

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. Handbook: House Kurita, p. 162: "Stellar Trek Enterprises"
  2. a b MUL entry for the Tatsumaki
  3. a b c d e Technical Readout: 3067 Catalyst Games Labs Reprint, p. 200: "Tatsumaki (Destroyer)"
  4. a b c Technical Readout: 3067, p. 200: Tatsumaki (Destroyer)
  5. AeroTech 2 Record Sheets, p. 286
  6. a b c d Field Manual: Draconis Combine: Tatsumaki Class Destroyer, p. 165
  7. The Dragon Roars, p. 61: "Final Words"
  8. Re: Fate of a Warship [dead link]
  9. Era Report: 3062, p. 25: "The Combine-Dominion War"
  10. Historical: Wars of the Republic Era, p. 35: "The Fall"

Bibliography[edit]