The discussion so far has got us here at DURKIN SHIPYARDS working...
With pride we announce the Scorpion Class Scout
The Scorpion Class, Type "S" scout Courier variant.
SGZ-111247R1-A0000-05000-0 MCr76.75 100tons
Batt. 1 TL15
Bearing 1 Crew 2 (min)
Cargo = 1, Fuel=27, EP=7, Agil=4, no ship's vehicle.
Tonnage: 100 Tons
Crew: 1 minimum, 2 (Pilot/Gunner) recommended,
4 (pilot/Co-pilot/Gunner/Engineer) ideally
Performance: Jump-2,4-G, Power Plant-7, 7 EP, Agility 4
Electronics: Model 3 computer with fiber-optic backup
Standard (i.e. extensive and superior to civilian)
Scout/Courier electronics.
Hardpoints: 1
Armament: A single Fusion Gun turret (Factor 5)
Defenses: Armoured hull (Factor 10)
Craft: Nil
Fuel Treatment: Fuel scoops and onboard fuel purification equipment
Cost: MCr 95.93 standard. MCr 76.744 in quantity
Comments: This variant of the scout courier is currently entering
field trials at the Durkin Shipyards proving grounds. It is hoped that the
IISS will acquire these vessels to provide cover for scout ships operating
in hostile areas. The IN has also expressed an interest in the ship as a
Q-ship.
Although strictly a attrition unit in fleet actions, and despite the range
limitations of the fusion gun weaponry; The Scorpion is more than capable of handling itself in one-on-one duels. Relying on its agility and armoured hull the ship is tough and nimble. In simulations, the ship actually disabled a 400 ton VP type Vargr Corsair, in less than an hour.
From the outside the ship is, by design, identical to the standard scout/
courier. It is hoped that this would add to the ship's main advantage; it's
ability to surprise an attacker who thinks that is "only a scout".
The interior layout too, is also quite similar to the standard Type "S"
scout, however with some inevitable changes. The most notable of these is the fact that two of the 4 staterooms have been removed, an a general
expansion of the engineering spaces forward. Since it has only two
staterooms, at optimal crew levels, the 4 person crew will be in close
confines. The one ton locker (the upper cargo bay on the standard scout)
allows over a year's worth of life support consumables to be stored with
ample space for crew baggage and other ship's equipment. It is also here
that the emergency low-berth is located.
Four crew stations are provided on the bridge, allowing the ship to be
operated entirely from there. This includes the gunner, operating the single
fusion gun turret remotely from their station behind the pilot's couch.
A particle accelerator barbette was considered for the ship's armament, however the power and space requirements were too great. Furthermore, despite the punch of a PA, the fire control was substantially less effective than it was for the fusion gun. Also the sheer size of the PA Barbette, made for a slight, but recognizable, sensor profile difference between it and the standard scout. The Scorpion, as presented here, did not have that problem. Only the increased output from the power plant, and the increased signature from the thrusters when seen stern on, betrayed the ship's nature. In the simulations run so far however, by the time these tell-tales are seen, the battle had already begun.
Davad,