Armed Merchant Cruisers

[MThompson016]

I've been thinking for a few weeks about Armed Merchant Cruisers, thanks to the Mad Wizard Weber and his Wonder Woman, so I put together a blog post on them and why it could be useful. One can be used to make PCs turned pirate reconsider, or a way to shanghai characters into the Navy (again). Also, I went into why you could see them.

http://travellersandbox.blogspot.com/2017/06/what-do-you-mean-it-isnt-just-liner.html

 

[nobby-w]

I am reminded of something I did IMTU, which was a twinked free trader - actually a 300t 'stretched' free trader of a class quite widely used in my setting.

This variant was fitted with an electronics package that was normally used as an 'export' avionics and fire control fit for light warships such as deep-space patrol vessels, escorts or system defence boats. The electronics package was equivalent to a model/4 computer.

You could equip an A300 class trader with this fitout, plus a reasonable armament in a couple of turrets. The upgraded electronics made for quite a substantial advantage in combat.

 

[Timerover51]

Historically, the armament of Merchant Cruisers has been based on their most likely opponents: raiders, other armed merchant ships used as raiders, and well-armed privateer or pirate ships. Something like a stretched 400 ton Subsidized Merchant ship would make a good one, if capable of Jump-2 or 3. In World War One, the Q-ships used against submarines eventually carried wood as cargo to assist in flotation, while in World War 2, the Royal Navy put 55-gallon drums and 5-gallon cane in the cargo holds of its merchant cruisers to preserve flotation. You might wish to think of something similar or perhaps a back-up power plant for your ships.

 

[Condottiere]

You need decent firepower.

The Admiralty subsidized construction costs in order to ensure that certain structural features would be included, such as strengthening the decks to support six inchers, a decent calibre that would give light cruisers or their equivalents, pause.

So in Traveller context, (empty) weapon bays are added during construction.

 

[mike wightman]

For a LBB:2 based universe then there are two key upgrades and a third that it very useful.
A much higher computer model to allow you to run predict 5, maneuver/evade 6 plus the usual stuff and a power plant larger than the maneuver drive to allow double fire of lasers.
The third is to carry fighters or other small craft in a converted cargo bay.

The 400t subsidised merchant makes a good merchant cruiser, as does the 600t subsidised liner.

IMTU I have the OMS (Oberlindes Merchant Ship) Bloodwell, a 1000t merchant cruiser.

In a HG/large ship universe then merchant cruisers are going to be a lot bigger, 10kt to 15kt.
Put in lots of missile bays and the best computer for your TL.