[Shipyard] 400 ton System Defense Boat

[Major B]

Does a Vacc suit do that?

Maybe but I'm going to say that combat armor (and BD) does that so when the shuttle is being used by the marines there is a little less to worry about. Plus I figure that a shipboard duty uniform would incorporate some features of a pressure suit - unless compensator failure happens so rarely that the uniform feature is considered unnecessary. In that case, the Vac Suits crewmembers would don in an emergency would surely have that feature.

It is good to know that compensators are included. They (along with artificial grav plates) were a big power and space stealer in MT designs.

Speaking of artificial grav - I'm assuming that is also included since I haven't come across it in the design sequence. I guess they'd be like lifters (Z-drives) that take up negligible space.

 

[Major B]

Vladika just posted a great alternative decklan for the 20-ton Gig as an album in his public profile.

Check it out here.

 

[Major B]

Modified Gig Deckplan Version 3 (Thanks Vladika!)

Here is an adjusted version of the Gig deckplan based on Vladika's suggestion. Personally, I think this is much improved over my draft as loading and unloading from the aft end reduces the obstacles I was running in to while finsihing the SDB deckplan.



(click for larger version)


A3 is my new favorite. Thanks again for the suggestion Vladika! Any comments or suggestions before I finalize this part?

 

[ekervina]

It looks to me like there are 2 squares (1T) of PP missing in the Vladika plan.

Clarification: I see them in the color block diagram, but perhaps the fuel can be moved to the front of the vessel, and the PP squares allocated to the front can be moved to the rear where the fuel is now...

 

[Major B]

Clarification: I see them in the color block diagram, but perhaps the fuel can be moved to the front of the vessel, and the PP squares allocated to the front can be moved to the rear where the fuel is now...

Thanks for the great suggestion! I made the swap and it also lined the fuel tank (now one instead of 2) with the fuel tankage next to the hangar on the deckplan. It all works out very nice - thanks again.

 

[Major B]

Adjustments Implemented Part 1

The deck plans are almost done, so I'll try to catch up with my notes on how I resolved the adjustments listed in the previous post:

1. I think another control console is needed. Currently two consoles control three batteries (missile, laser, and nuclear damper).

While re-reading the rules governing consoles and computers (515-520), I learned that turrets are controlled by Operating Consoles rather than Control Consoles. I added the additional console so each battery can have an independent gunner in control (or can be run by the central computer). I’ll talk more about how I implemented stage effects into the consoles in the next post (#12).

2. I should increase the crew by one (to 16) to man the additional gunnery console. He’ll need 5 tons of living space too. I already have enough life support capacity for one more though any more additions will reduce the number allowed in the brig without shortening available life support duration. Even then, with the extended life support installed, this isn’t a worry.

Done. I created two crew breakdowns for the boat. One is for inner system / peacetime patrols (includes the marine team and customs inspector). The other is for outer system / wartime patrols (excludes the marines and civilian in favor of additional naval crew). I’ll attach the diagrams to the next post (#10). I also increased the living space allocated to each crewmember but I’ll cover that in #5 below.

3. I need to increase the emergency low berths to accommodate the full crew since the capacity for each is 4 rather than 10.

Done. I installed 5 ELBs, providing a total of 20 berths. The reason was, again, flexibility. If there are only 16 crew on board, the commander now has the option to put a variable number into low berths in stages rather than being stuck having to put in four at a time. If the boat has taken on four prisoners in addition to the 16 crew, then the number of berths is just right.

4. The low berths are installed after figuring controls but I would think they should have control panels and require operator inputs. I’ll map them to the medical console since I already have that installed, and put the low berths next to the clinic on the deck plan. I also need to review the options on page 625 to see if any adjustments or potential stage effects will modify the final component statistics.

Done. The ELBs are mapped to the medical console.

5. To incorporate the crewing flexibility suggested by Whipsnade and others, I should eliminate the barracks and build in crew staterooms for everyone. I’m assuming that marines can life in barracks or staterooms but Navy crew have to be in staterooms. The brig & central security desk should be able to incorporate any features that a barracks would have provided over and above simply a place to sleep.

6. Should the security station / brig have a console?

Done. See the crew diagrams attached to the next post (#10) to see the crew structure. I eliminated the barracks and provided staterooms (single or double occupancy) and along the way increased the crew living space allocation per crewmember from 5 to 6 (increasing the crew comfort rating to 1). In the current draft version of the deckplan, the security console provides access control to the boat on the uppermost deck. It also controls the brig which is located nearby. For missions where the marine team is excluded, there are crewmembers designated to serve as master of arms, security officer, and sergeant of the guard. The Additional Skill Identifiers (ASIs) next to the MOS of each crewmember indicate this, which means I need to add a key to those crew diagrams when I can. Until then, you will have to take my word for it.

7. Similar to #4 – the air locks should have controls too. If the answer to #6 is yes, then the air locks should be mapped to that console along with the brig. This doesn’t mean the air locks can’t be operated at the door. This allows the security desk officer (Steward when there are no marines aboard) to lock them, operate them remotely, or just get a warning message when one is in use.

Also done. The security console controls all air locks. Though it is not shown in the diagrams, all iris valve, hatch, and door looks are also controlled by the security console. Environmental controls such as grav plates and life support are assigned to the engineering console for maintenance and operations, but they can be manipulated by the security desk officer too.

Due to the limit on post length, I’ll cover 8 through 13 in the next update.

 

[robject]

Regarding turrets and consoles -- I thought I had read something to the effect that a turret has local controls (and therefore doesn't require a console, unless you want remote control). Am I wrong?

 

[Major B]

Regarding turrets and consoles -- I thought I had read something to the effect that a turret has local controls (and therefore doesn't require a console, unless you want remote control). Am I wrong?

I think I remember reading the same part but can't recall where without checking. I assumed that each turret had individual gunner's positions as part of their displacement based on the artwork in the weapons section.

I assumed that each battery would need a console to work in concert, two turrets firing under the control of one gunner.

In my first posted version I provided two consoles, figuring that the laser battery could be controlled by either depending on whether it was used in an offensive or defensive role. I reconsidered because I thought the lone gunner's C+S+K would have to be split between the two tasks so effectiveness would suffer for it. Since the purpose of the boat is combat effectiveness, I thought the extra crewmember and console were warranted.

But all that highlights that I'm working off of multiple assumptions. I've read most of the rules for space combat but that doesn't mean I understand it all - yet.

 

[Vladika]

It looks to me like there are 2 squares (1T) of PP missing in the Vladika plan.

Clarification: I see them in the color block diagram, but perhaps the fuel can be moved to the front of the vessel, and the PP squares allocated to the front can be moved to the rear where the fuel is now...

The reason for that was by "crowding" the drives into a narrow space the access panels to allow working on them would be in the drive/cargo bulkhead.

Tonnage would be the same but allocated a bit unconventionally.

 

[Vladika]

Wasn't there some deck plans posted recently for this ship?

 

[Major B]

I haven't been able to link the files in the library to the thread yet. I have a couple more posts to get in before I do that.

But I like foreshadowing. Its a good plot device.

 

[Major B]

Adjustments Implemented Part 2

This is the rest of the adjustment rundown:

8. The counseling operating console can be reduced to a workstation since it really doesn’t control anything.

While reviewing the rules governing consoles and stage effects more closely, I found (on page xxx) that a workstation is more properly termed a general console. See the next section and #12 below for more about the consoles and the computer.

9. I’d like to separate functions when figuring ergonomics. Using the rules as stated, the counseling console has to be roomy along with the rest to get a decent ergonomics rating, but that console has nothing to do with ship functions. It is only used on an as-needed basis by the crew. Ergonomics for the bridge, engineering, and other minor functions should be determined separately.

I separated bridge consoles out as their own category and then classified each of the rest as Engineering, Security, Medical, and Counseling. The separation of the first three had minimal impact since all three received the same ergonomics rating, but that is hard to explain un until I get to #12.

10. Related to #5 – I need to adjust the crew diagram for the added crewmember, and build the alternate crew diagram showing a full crew with no marines.

Done.

Here is the version A, for Inner System Patrols (with Boarding Crew):

(click for larger version)

And here is Version B, for Outer System Patrols (without Boarding Crew):

(click for larger version)

11. I need to adjust my description of the cargo lock based on discussion in this thread.

Actually, I discarded the cargo lock entirely. There is no need to cycle cargo between vacuum and atmosphere after the shuttle has docked. The Gig is in a hangar that can be pressurized for unloading. Thanks Reban for pointing out that it was un-necessary.

12. I need to study the stage effects for computers and consoles and incorporate them properly (pages 515-520).

This is a substantial change. I incorporated stage effects into each console and the master computer. Keep in mind that there are some contradictory entries in the rules sections I cite here, so see this thread for more. Also, look at the post for the gig design in this thread. I wanted to explain this in more detail but I ran up against post length.

13. I need to check the descriptions of power supplies on page 624 to see if this solves what I think I’m missing when it comes to distributed power. I know that central power requires double the normal P-Plant fuel but I do not know the penalty associated with choosing distributed power. Page 378 does provide volume costs for fuel cells, but not for the other potential sources of distributed power (power cells or fusion plus). Whatever the answer is, I think I need to allocate some tonnage to other power sources. What I did learn from page 624 is that FusionPlus is standard at TL14 so I will probably be using either power cells (volume TBD) or fuel cells (1 ton per compartment or 11* tons per 10 weeks) in the SDB.

This is another substantial change. When I read the entry on fuel cells on page 378 again, I realized that it was not specifying the volume of the fuel cells. Rather, it was specifying how much fuel they needed. After feeling stupid for a minute, I extrapolated the fuel volume from 1 ton per compartment for ten weeks to 0.1 ton per compartment per week. From there I started searching again to find out how much space the fuel cell needed, finding the first clue on page 606 which specifies that a Size 5 fuel cell supports heavy use: 6-12 objects so I presume it is large enough for a compartment. If this assumption is off, then all the rest of this logic trail is off so please let me know if it needs to be bigger.

Page 606 also specifies that a fuel cell has a half slab shape. Page 604 provides the dimensions: Length = Size [5], Height = L/5 for a slab so L/10 for a half slab [0.5], and Width = Height [0.5]. This allows us to calculate the total volume of the fuel cell (5*0.5*0.5 = 1.25 m3) which is nearly negligible when your deckplan squares are 6.25 m3 each. For that reason, I did not install the fuel cells as a component. Instead, I just accounted for the fuel they need.

From page 353 I know that the boat has 11 compartments. 1/10th of a ton per compartment per week means 1.1 tons of fuel per week. The boat already needed 6.3 tons per week for the power plant (potential [7] * H/100 [4] * efficiency factor [0.9] gives us 25.2 tons per month or 6.3 tons per week). Combining the two figures gives 7.4 tons/week or 29.6 tons for 4 weeks (which I rounded up to 30).

 

[Major B]

SDB (final) Design Summary

Here is the total adjusted worksheet:

[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]SB-DS70 Guardian-class 400-ton System Defense Corvette (TL12)[/FONT][/FONT]
 
[B][U][FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]     Disp    Component                                            CP    MCr    Notes[/FONT][/FONT][/U][/B]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]    400.0    Hull D, Streamlined                                   26.00    Friction /3, 9G Max, +1 Stability[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]        0.0    Structure = Frame & Plate[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]       -8.0    Submergence Hull (E)                                   8.00    Hull pressure strength doubled[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]       -4.0    Landing Legs & Pads (K)                    / 6     4.00    Allows wilderness landings[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]        0.0    Lifters (Z)                                              / 6     4.00    Allows limited hover and movement[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]     -64.0    9x Layers (0-8) Ult Plate-12                                   AV=16 per layer / total AV=144[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]                                                                                                      Layer 5-6 Anti-EMP (320)[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]                                                                                                      Layer 7-8 Anti-Rad (320)[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]        0.0    Stealth Coating                                                         (See Stealth Mask in Sensors)[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]     -27.0    Std M-Drive P-12 (Potential=7)         / 5   54.00    EP1400[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]     -44.0    Imp P-Plant G2-12 (Potential=7)     // 5   44.00    EP1400, Efficiency 110%, Fuel 90%[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]     -30.0    P Plant Fuel                                                               4 weeks at 7.4 tons/week = 29.6[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]       -1.0    Fuel Scoops (gas)                                / 6     0.10    Refill empty tanks in 9 minutes (200 tons / hour)[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]       -1.0    Fuel Intakes (liquid)                           / 5     0.10    Refill empty tanks in 45 minutes (40 tons / hour)[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]       -2.0    Fuel Bin (solid)                                    / 5     0.20    Refill empty tanks in 45 minutes (40 tons / hour)[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]        0.0    Std Vision (portholes)                                             R=6, Automatic (see pg. 383)[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]        0.0    Std Surf Vd C Communicator-8         / 8                R=7, Automatic (see pg. 383)[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]        0.0    Mod Surf DS C Communicator-12    / 8     3.00    S=12, Mod +2[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]        0.0    Std Surf Vd R Radar-9                         / 8                R=7, Automatic (see pg. 383)[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]        0.0    Std Surf AR EMS-12                              / 7     1.50    S=7[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]        0.0    Mod Surf LR R Radar-12                     / 8     2.00    S=9, Mod +2[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]        0.0    Mod Surf DS J Jammer-12                  / 8     3.00    S=12, Mod +2[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]        0.0    Std Surf AR Stealth Mask-12             / 7     1.50    S=7[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]        0.0    Imp Surf Or D Densitometer-12        / 7     1.60    R=8, Mod +1[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]        0.0    Mod Surf LR T Scope-12                     / 7     2.00    S=9, Mod +2[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]        0.0    Std Surf DS N Neutrino Detector-12  / 7     3.50    S=12[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]       -2.0    Ult T4 LR M Missile-12                       / 2     4.90    S=9, Mod +5, 4D Hits[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]     -15.0    Missile Magazine                                         7.50    300 size 5 missiles (75 reloads)[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]       -2.0    Ult T4 LR M Missile-12                       / 2     4.90    S=9, Mod +5, 4D Hits[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]     -15.0    Missile Magazine                                         7.50    300 size 5 missiles (75 reloads)[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]       -2.0    Imp T4 Or L Beam Laser-12                / 3     5.00    R=8, Mod +2, 4D Hits[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]       -2.0    Imp T4 Or L Beam Laser-12                / 3     5.00    R=8, Mod +2, 4D Hits[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]       -1.0    Std Bo Vd N Nuclear Damper-12       / 4     2.00    Option Directed installation, R=7[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]       -1.0    Std Bo Vd N Nuclear Damper-12       / 4     2.00    Option Directed installation, R=7[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]       -4.0    Long-Term Life Support (20)              / 4     4.00    20 humans for 120 days[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]     -20.0    Small Craft: 20-ton Gig                              11.80    For Cargo/Passenger Transfer & Boarding Operations[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]     -10.0    Hangar for Gig                                                           30 tons total volume[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]       -6.0    Subhull Grapples (6)                           / 5     6.00    For mating with jump shuttle[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]       -1.0    Missile Battery Ult Op Console-8         1     0.20    Bridge, 3 tons, C4 C5, -4 Bulk, C+S=8, Mod +4, E=3[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]       -1.0    Laser Battery Ult Op Console-8            2     0.20    Bridge, 3 tons, C4 C5, -4 Bulk, C+S=8, Mod +4, E=3[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]       -1.0    ND Battery Ult Op Console-8                 3     0.20    Bridge, 3 tons, C4 C5, -4 Bulk, C+S=8, Mod +4, E=3[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]       -1.0    Engineering Ult Op Console-8               4     0.20    Engineering, 3 tons, C4 C5, -4 Bulk, C+S=8, Mod +4, E=1[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]       -1.5    Cmd Pilot's Adv Com Console -9          5     0.20    Bridge, 3 tons, C1-C5, -3 Bulk, C+S=9, Mod +3, E=3[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]       -1.0    Sensors Ult Op Console-8                      6     0.20    Bridge, 3 tons, C4 C5, -4 Bulk, C+S=8, Mod +4, E=3[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]       -1.0    Commo Ult Op Console-8                      7     0.20    Bridge, 3 tons, C4 C5, -4 Bulk, C+S=8, Mod +4, E=3[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]       -0.5    Counselor's Ult Gen Console-8             8     0.10    Crew Common Area, 2.5 tons, C4 C5, -4 Bulk, C+S=8, Mod +4, E=0[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]       -1.0    Medical Ult Op Console-8                     9     0.20    Clinic, 3 tons, C4 C5, -4 Bulk, C+S=8, Mod +4, E=1[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]       -1.0    Security Ult Op Console-8                    10     0.20    Brig, 3 tons, C4 C5, -4 Bulk, C+S=8, Mod +4, E=1[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]       -4.0    Std Model 4 bis - 12 Master Computer     22.00    Cells=5, C+S=12[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]       -4.0    1 Expanded Commander's Stateroom        0.20    [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]     -10.0    5 Single Staterooms                                       0.50    [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]     -10.0    5 Double Staterooms                                     0.50    [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]       -2.0    2 Common Freshers                                       2.00    Capacity 20[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]     -70.0    Crew Common Area                                        0.00    Total Common Area = 96 tons, Crew Comfort C = 1[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]       -4.0    Brig & Central Security Station        / 10     0.40    Capacity 4 prisoners without doubling[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]       -5.0    5 Imp Em Low Berth-12 Units       ///// 9     2.50    Capacity 4 each, total 20[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]       -2.0    Medical Clinic                                       / 9     1.00    [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]       -2.0    4 Air Locks                                       //// 10     0.40    [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri][FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri][U]      -16.0[/U]    Cargo Bay                                                         [U]0.00[/U][/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New][FONT=Calibri]         0.0                                                                            250.50[/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]

 

[Major B]

Deckplans (first draft)

Now that I've finally been able to post all of the adjustment notes and the final design worksheet (see above), here is the link to the folder with the first deckplan drafts.

Here are a few notes on some decisions made in producing this draft:

First, I had trouble with how to depict the 64 tons allocated to armor. Using a top-down view square-grid layout, it would have been easy to show the armor around the sides of the SDB, but I couldn’t decide on how much armor was there and how much was on the dorsal and ventral surface. I finally decided to not depict it at all in the deckplan. I took the SDB outline used in Supplement 7, cut one column of squares out from the midsection, and then simple drew an outline within those limits to represent the inner hull surface. After double-checking to ensure that the volume of all three decks totaled 336 tons, I started to fill in the volumes of the boat’s components. In the process of deciding what goes on what deck and where it fits in relation to what is adjacent or above/below, I went back and made some changes to the outline. You’ll be able to see that in the files.

The decisions about what goes where in relation to the rest were not always easy. First, I wanted to keep the shuttle hangar on the top deck, put the cargo bay next to it, and have the brig and med clinic close to the bay too. And it all had to avoid interfering with where the dorsal laser turret had to be if I was to stay consistent with the original artwork. I finally had to slide the turret farther back than I placed it at first to make room for the cargo bay. I also wanted the low berths next to the med clinic too. Honestly, A deck took the most time for me to continually adjust how all of that fit together.

The first challenge for B deck was positioning all components of the bridge which wouldn’t fit on A deck. I put it in the nose section to keep it in the general location of the vision blocks depicted in the original (and subsequent) artwork. The missile turrets and fuel scoops also had to align to given positions. I added the nuclear dampers and living space around those fixed components. I’m still not satisfied with the bridge layout but don’t have a better idea yet.

At first I had more space on B deck for the power plant but I shifted it to C deck to keep the living spaces all together and to make the fuel tanks run up next to the power plant. I also added a waist bulge to this level (and matched it on A deck) in order to allow part of the missile magazine to align with the portion depicted on B deck. However, I finally abandoned the idea of depicting a connection between the fuel tank and the power plant when I was filling in the outline of the drive and power plant machinery. I thought that part of the engineering spaces should be devoted to parts storage and fabrication and could not think of a better way to depict them than in the area where that linkage was to occur.

Overall, I feel pretty good about the layout. Really, I’m much happier with how this came together than with the design I attempted using the MT design sequence. That said, I called these deckplans first draft for a reason – please look them over and post suggestions. I welcome the feedback and will use it to shape the final product (that will also have all of the typos I have already seen fixed).

 

[SpaceBadger]

Wasn't there some deck plans posted recently for this ship?

Major B posted Draft Deckplans a few days ago, but not the final ones yet.

 

[JFGarber]

Major B, you do good work. I particularly appreciate the detail in your descriptions of the design decisions and process.

On the B deck, would the airlock leading forward from the common room be better positioned flush with the bulkhead? On a RW naval vessel, this may well be designed as a damage control bulkhead, and structurally that's more straightforward with fewer right angles.

I'm looking forward to your shipsheet for this vessel.

 

[Major B]

Major B, you do good work. I particularly appreciate the detail in your descriptions of the design decisions and process.

On the B deck, would the airlock leading forward from the common room be better positioned flush with the bulkhead? On a RW naval vessel, this may well be designed as a damage control bulkhead, and structurally that's more straightforward with fewer right angles.

I'm looking forward to your shipsheet for this vessel.

Thanks JF! I see your point but first have to point out that what you describe is just an iris valve, not an air lock. I put it there because I wanted all the double-occupancy rooms (junior enlisted ranks) to open on the common area while the single-occupancy rooms (more senior enlisted and the commander) all opened on the more forward separate portion of the crew commons.

But now that you mention it, maybe I could accomplish the same thing by shifting the door for the last room to the rightmost bulkhead. I am still fiddling with which of the solid lines are airtight bulkheads and which are non-airtight partitions, so I'll look at it and see.

Thanks again for the feedback.

 

[Major B]

Deckplans (Final?)

I’ve posted the deckplans for the SDB in the gallery. There are three separate images for Deck A, Deck B, and Deck C.

I’ve incorporated several good ideas and hope to get more feedback. In the meantime, I am finishing up the jump shuttle and hope to post it soon.

 

[Major B]

I linked to the images in the gallery in my previous post because I had trouble getting the images to display right using image tags. I think I finally figure it out:


Deck A

(click for larger version)


Deck B

(click for larger version)


Deck C

(click for larger version)


I’m finishing up my notes on the jump shuttle but haven't been able to start the deckplans yet.

 

[Major B]

T2-BU11 (Bull-Class) SDB Tender

I’ve been busy at work and also got to take a little leave time, but I’ve finally finalized the SDB tender. Overall, it worked out better than I hoped. This post will summarize the design decisions and I’ll follow with the design summary. I’m struggling with the deckplans though, so they may take awhile.

In this design, I followed everything I could get from the description in Supplement 7, then modified to optimize for the following mission priorities: 1) provide minimal strategic mobility (jump-1), and 2) provide logistics support to the forward deployed SDB flotilla (as they may not have access to regular resupply in the system they have been deployed to). Note that this second priority is a big addition to the Supplement 7 design but I think it makes this vessel more like a true tender rather than just a jump tug.

Since the original did not have its own class name, I chose Bull because the BU-eleven (T2-BU11) designation suggested it. I’m open to other suggestions though.

Hull: I started with a 200-ton hull, chose streamlined configuration since I want the mated pair to be able to skim for refueling together, but then specified that the tender is unstreamlined when uncoupled because the deckplan in Supplement 7 shows it has a blunt profile when unattached. I didn’t think the tender needed to submerge with the SDB but still chose a flotation hull because it gives flexibility for basing.

Drives: The tender, when coupled, masks the SDB’s M-Drives so I installed all systems as if placed in a 600-ton hull. The tender has no need for high maneuverability so all systems are built for potential=1. Note that while technically these drives would provide potential=3 when uncoupled, the tender does not carry the fuel or the computing power (nor is the crew trained for) operations in excess of J1/2G.

The Maneuver drive is an Advanced model (C) built at TL12, providing high efficiency (but not enough to change the drive’s potential). The power plant is also an advanced model built at TL11. Though the tender could use an Ultimate model built at TL12, the extra 10% efficiency and fuel savings do not offset the doubled cost of an Ultimate model. In this case, a TL11 model serves admirably.

Power Plant fuel requirements are calculated as: (P*(H/100)*0.8) = 4.8 tons for one month. The additional fuel required by the fuel cells comes to 7 tons (1 per compartment) for 10 weeks or 0.7 tons per week or 2.8 tons per month. Adding 4.8 and 2.8 then rounding up provides an 8 ton tank.

The jump drive is also an Advanced TL12 model J-1 Drive C, meaning that the design will have the benefit of needing only 80% of the usual fuel load. This means that a coupled (600 ton) jump will require 48 tons (saving 12 tons) and an uncoupled (200 ton) jump will require 16 tons (saving 4 tons). I want the shuttle to be able to deliver a boat and then jump back without refueling, so jump fuel tonnage is 48 + 16 = 64 tons.

Refuelling for the tender can be done in two ways. It either tanks up on refined fuel from the starport before starting a mission, or it attaches to a SDB and tops off by using one of the SDB’s fuel collection methods (usually skimming). To make this work, I installed a fuel transfer pump and a fuel purifier.

Sensors: The tender uses the three sensors installed automatically on all designs (see page 383) plus two of the sensors used on the SDB. The first is the S=12 range communicator, allowing the SDB to communicate with anyone else in the SDB fleet when needed. The second is the S=7 range EMS system used to identify potential threats and also pinpoint friendly boats to allow direct, secure communication. Since the tender is unarmed, there is no real need for additional sensors.

Standard life support, supporting 10 humans for 30 days, is more than sufficient for the tender. It will have a crew of three but a stateroom for one more allowing the boat to transport crew replacements in addition to supplies. The above installation will support 4 humans for 75 days. Grapples to attach to the SDB take an additional 6 tons.

An advanced command console for the pilot and ultimate operator consoles for the astrogator and engineer take up 3.5 tons but provide an ergonomic rating of 3 since they are all located on the bridge. A modified model 2 bis master computer supports the operators on all three control consoles.

Four single-occupancy staterooms provide billeting for the three crewmembers plus a passenger. A shared fresher provides for the four and 16 tons of additional crew space provides a comfort rating of 3. Two air locks should be sufficient for the tender. One will provide access between the SDB and the tender when attached and another will provide access to the surface when berthed.

Finally, the tender must be able to not only transport the SDB to another system, but it should also be able to sustain the boats that are forward deployed. To that end, the remaining space is used as follows: 30 tons are set aside to allow the tender to transport a full missile load for one SDB. 16 tons are set aside as a cargo bay to fully replenish all of the stores a fully-loaded SDB can carry. The remaining 5 tons are used as additional cargo space for the tender and her crew.

Next: The design particulars.