REF ICARUS-CLASS COMMAND CARRIER

BACKGROUND

REF engineers decided to extensively redesign the Icarus and equip the ship with newer technology discovered following the Sentinels War. The hull was lengthened by 210 feet (64 m) in order to accommodate more powerful engines and larger hangar bays. Two additional Alpha fighter launch bays were added near the bow of the vessel providing the Icarus with 48 more rapid-launch fighters than the standard Ikazuchi design. The weaponry was also augmented with the addition of two more dual-barrel heavy laser turrets on the top of the vessel and two heavy missile bays on the rear of the ship. The main laser cannon on the bow of the ship was replaced with a newer design that provided more power and greater range than its predecessor. Finally, several dozen anti-mecha cannons were distributed across the Icarus' hull to increase the ship's defenses against Invid mecha.

The extensive modifications to the Icarus took almost 3 years to complete. When Colonels John Korcheck and Roger Harris receive approval for an Earth reconnaisance mission in 2042 the Icarus was chosen as the flagship for the mission, and subsequently the new recon force was named the REF Icarus Recon Group. The Icarus was then further modified to include enhanced tactical and subspace sensors, as well as an improved hyperspace communications suite. REF engineers felt that these improvements would greatly enhance the Icarus' role in the recon mission. Work also began on three more Icarus-class command carriers; the Excelsior, Endeavor and Defiant. Unfortunately these ships would not be ready for the Icarus mission, but instead would be included in the Prometheus Attack Group in 2047.

The Icarus performed well as the flagship for the Icarus Recon Fleet during 2044. Unfortunately the mission was betrayed by an unwilling double-agent planted among the fleet by the leader Invid Varron. During a rescue mission the Icarus and her escorts were ambushed by a large force of Invid, and within minutes all ships except the Icarus had been destroyed by concentrated Invid fire. In a last-minute decision Col. Harris took command of the Icarus' mecha forces and made a diversionary run for Earth, while Col. Korcheck took the heavily-damaged Icarus out of orbit and executed a space fold back to Tirol. Korcheck and the Icarus managed to escape back to Tirol with reconnaissance data from the Icarus mission that would prove invaluable to the Prometheus Fleet's assault on Earth. Harris and his forces managed to rendezvous with resistance leaders on Earth, although he was later killed in action while leading an evacuation from a compromised resistance safehouse.

Following the end of the Third Invid War Icarus-class command cruisers became the standard cruiser design of the REF (and later the RGF) until the introduction of the Lexington SFC-7500 class command carriers in 2057. Many Icarus and Ikazuchi carriers are still in active service with the RGF fleet and remain a common sight in the Sentinels Alliance. Icarus carriers were produced at the Fantoma Orbiting Shipyards, and later also at the REF Factory Satellite. At their height the command ships were manufactured at a rate of 3 per year.

RPG STATS

Crew: 7,850 total

Officers: 300

Main Crew: 2,970

Flight Crew: 2,000

Mecha Pilots: 1,340

Troops: 1,240

Notable Ships of Class:

SFCC-7064 Icarus	originally launched 2033 as Ikazuchi-class, assigned to REF Mercury Defense Fleet same year, severly damaged in collision with RSS Cipolla in 2037, refit as Icarus-class 2038-2041, relaunched 2041, assigned as flagship of REF Icarus Recon Group in 2042, severly damaged by Invid during rescue mission in 2044, repairs completed in 2045, assigned to REF Prometheus Attack Fleet in 2047, survived final battle of Third Invid War, assigned to Robotech Guardian Forces in 2051, still in service circa 2080
SFCC-7202 Excelsior	first original construction (non-refit) ship of class, launched 2044, assigned to REF Prometheus Attack Fleet in 2046, destroyed above Earth by Invid Space Hives in 2047
SFCC-7203 Endeavor	launched 2045, assigned to REF Prometheus Attack Fleet in 2046, destroyed above Earth by Invid Space Hives in 2047
SFCC-7204 Defiant	launched 2045, assigned to REF Prometheus Attack Fleet in 2046, survived final battle of Third Invid War, assigned to Robotech Guardian Forces in 2051, still in service circa 2080

MDC BY LOCATION:

(1) Main Body                                      24,000
(2) Command Tower                                   4,800
(2) Communications Arrays (3)                         100 each
(3) Bow (forward 1/3 of ship)                      20,000
(4) Engineering (rear 1/3 of ship)                 28,000
(5) Main Hangar Bay                                 8,000
(5) Alpha Launch Bays (8)                           1,200 each
(6) Main Engines (4)                                6,000 each
(6) Auxiliary Engines (2)                           2,500 each
    Guidance Thrusters (80)                           200 each
    
    Forward Mega-Laser (in nose)                    1,000
    Laser Turrets (18 - 10 top and 8 bottom)          150 each
    Heavy Missile Bays (10 - 8 forward and 2 rear)    100 each
    Retractable Laser Turrets (48)                    100 each
    Retractable Missile Launchers (12)                100 each
(7) Pin Point Barriers (4)                          5,000 each

    Main Hangars Sliding Shields (2)                3,000 each
    Alpha Launch Bays Hangar Doors (8)                800 each
    Secondary Hangar Doors (10)                       500 each
    Main Airlocks (12)                                500 each
    Small Airlocks/Access Hatches (60)                100 each
    Outer Hull (per 40ft area)                        200
    Interior walls (per 20ft area)                     40

NOTES:

1. Depleting the MDC of the main body will destroy the Icarus carrier. The ship will be literally broken in two. All internal systems will shut down, including life support and internal gravity. In addition, there is a 45% chance that the power systems will overload and the ship will explode, doing 8D6x1,000 M.D. to everything in a 5,000 ft (1,525 m) radius. Regardless of whether it explodes or not, the ship itself will be an unsalvageable floating wreck.
2. Destroying the command tower will instantly kill anyone on the bridge, as well as (2D6)% of the overall crew. Radar and primary communications will be knocked out. There are two auxiliary bridges in the main body of the ship that the surviving crew can take command from. However if the command tower is lost then the ship will be at -5 initiative and -3 to dodge due to loss of sensors. Destroying all three communications arrays will have the same effect without the loss of the bridge crew.
3. Depleting the MDC of the bow will knock out forward mega-laser, 8 of the heavy missile bays, and 4 of the laser turrets. The forward two Alpha launch bays will also be destroyed. Crew casualties will be heavy; (6D6)% of the crew will be killed instantly when the forward section is destroyed.
4. Depleting the MDC of the engineering section will essentially destroy the carrier. All power systems, the main engines and the auxiliary engines will be eliminated (see below). Crew losses will be heavy; (8D6)% of the crew will be instantly killed. In addition, all internal systems will shut down due to lack of power, including life support and internal gravity. Finally, there is a 50% chance that the reflex furnace will overload and explode, doing 4D6x1,000 M.D. to everything in a 5,000 ft (1,525 m) radius.
5. Destroying the Alpha launch bays will greatly impair the carrier's ability to rapidly deploy mecha. For every launch bay destroyed 24 Alphas will be eliminated, along with their pilots and support crews. If the main hangar bays are lost it will be even more disasterous. Under normal circumstances the Icarus can launch or recover 16 mecha or small ships per turn excluding the Alphas in their launch bays. For every 500 points of damage the flight deck takes reduce this number by 1. If the flight deck reaches 0 MDC then it is destroyed; no mecha can be launched or recovered, 40+(1D6x10)% of the flight crew will be killed, and any mecha that have already been launched will need to find another place to land (this includes the Alphas in the launch bays).
6. Depleting the MDC of the main engines will force the ship to rely on its auxiliary engines. Depleting the MDC of the main engines AND auxiliary engines will leave the ship adrift in space. If in an atmosphere, the ship will crash (destruction of the main engines will render the antigravity system useless due to loss of power).
7. The Pinpoint Barriers regenerate at a rate of 1,250 MD per second (2,500 MD per melee round). If destroyed, a barrier will completely regenerate within four seconds (2 melee rounds). See the Pinpoint Barrier System entry for details.

SPEEDS:

Speed (sublight): 0.18 speed of light (28,800 miles/46,350 km per second)
Speed (Auxiliary Drives): Mach 10
Space Fold:

Range unlimited (1 light year every 6 minutes). The Icarus' spacefold drive will transport all vessels within a three mile (4.5 km) radius with it when it executes a fold. Up to 100 smaller craft can be transported with the command carrier when it folds.

Planet bound:

Has vertical take off and landing (VTOL) capability via antigravity drives. Can reach speeds of up to Mach 2 in an upper planetary atmosphere, but not designed for extended flight or maneuvering. Can land underwater but cannot travel (does not float on an ocean surface).

Maximum Range: Unlimited (powered by a protoculture reactor with an estimated life span of 40 years)

STATISTICAL DATA:

Fold System:

Robotech Research Group (RRG) Mk. 3F fold system cluster

Sublight Drive:

REF Naval Engineering Class XVII macro nozzle cluster

Gravity Control System:

REF Naval Engineering Class XII internal gravity control system

Auxiliary Engine:

REF Naval Engineering Class XXII mass-conservation thrust system

Radar System:

RRG Type XX Alpha Hyperspace Sensor Cluster

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

1. MAIN LASER CANNON (a.k.a. MEGA-LASER): Like its predecessor, the Ikazuchi, the main weapon of the Icarus-class command carriers is a spinal mounted heavy laser/particle cannon combination commonly referred to as the "Mega-Laser". This weapon is built into the nose of the carrier, with no apparent appendage, nozzle or opening to give away its location. The mega-laser used by the Icarus is an improved version with greater range and more power the cannon used on the Ikazuchi carriers.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-Spacecraft
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Orbital Bombardment
   • RANGE: 150,000 miles (240,000 km) in an atmosphere, 300,000 miles (480,000 km) in space
   • DAMAGE: 1D6x1000 M.D.
   • RATE OF FIRE: Once every other melee
   • PAYLOAD: Effectively Unlimited

   

2. DUAL-BARREL HEAVY LASER TURRETS (18): In addition to the mega-laser, Icarus carriers are armed with 18 heavy laser cannons that are based on Zentraedi technology. 10 cannons are located on the top of the ship and 8 are located on the bottom. Each turret can rotate 360 degrees and has a 180 degree arc of fire.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-Warship
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Heavy Assault
   • RANGE: 100,000 miles (160,000 km) in an atmosphere, 200,000 miles (320,000 km) in space
   • DAMAGE: 1D6x100 M.D. per shot, 2D6x100 M.D. per dual blast
   • RATE OF FIRE: Each laser can fire twice per melee round
   • PAYLOAD: Unlimited

3. HEAVY MISSILE LAUNCHER BAYS (10): To further augment their anti-warship firepower, Icarus carriers are equipped with torpedo-like missile tubes. The command cruisers have 10 tubes, 8 pointing forward and 2 pointing rearward. The launch bays contain long-range nuclear missiles and are intended for use in heavy combat only.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Heavy Assault
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Warship
   • RANGE: 2,000 miles (3,216 km)
   • SPEED: Mach 2+ (1,340 mph/2,140 kmph) in an atmosphere.
   • DAMAGE: 6D6x100 M.D.
   • BLAST RADIUS: 2,000 feet (610 m)
   • RATE OF FIRE: Each launcher tube holds one missile and must be reloaded after firing. Reloading a launcher tube takes 30 seconds (2 melee rounds). If loaded, all 10 tubes can fire at once for a volley of 10 nuclear missiles (!).
   • PAYLOAD: A typical carrier carries 80 missiles in storage that can be readied for firing in about 30 minutes. Additional missiles can be carried if deemed necessary, however.
   • NOTE: These missiles CANNOT be used by variable fighters. Each missile is approximately 12 ft (3.6 m) long, about twice the size of a VR-152 Battler II cyclone.

   

4. RETRACTABLE LASER TURRETS (48): During her redesign retractable laser turrets were added to the Icarus to provide better protection against attacks from Invid mecha. These lasers were placed at strategic positions along the hull and were primarily intended for anti-mecha defense, but can do moderate damage against any enemy spacecraft that get too close. When not in use the gun turrets are concealed within the hull underneath a sliding hatch. At most 24 lasers can be brought to bear on a single target.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Defense
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Mecha
   • RANGE: 30 miles (48.3 km) in an atmosphere, 60 miles (96.6 km) in space
   • DAMAGE: 1D6x20 M.D. each. Several lasers can be directed to fire in volleys of 3 or more. A volley of 3 beams does 3D6x20 M.D., a volley of 6 beams does 6D6x20 M.D., and so on. A full volley of 24 beams aimed at a single target does 4D6x120 M.D. (!) if it hits.
   • RATE OF FIRE: Each laser can fire once per melee, and can be combined in any volley combination of 3 or more lasers, up to 24 lasers. Volleys can be directed at different targets.
   • PAYLOAD: Unlimited.
   • NOTE: The lasers can be set on automatic during combat, during which time they have a +2 to strike due to their advanced tracking systems. The lasers tracking systems will target incoming missiles first and attacking mecha/aircraft second.

5. RETRACTABLE MEDIUM MISSILE LAUNCHERS (12): Along with the retractable laser turrets, medium-range missile turrets were added to the Icarus carriers to further augment their anti-mecha defenses. Each launcher contains 8 missile tubes allowing volleys of up to 8 missiles to be fired at a single target per launcher. Once depleted, the missile launchers are reloaded by an automated loading system that takes 15 seconds (one melee round) to reload all 8 missiles. Armor-piercing smart missiles are usually used to avoid chances of friendly fighters being shot down by the missiles.
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-Aircraft
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Warship
   • MISSILE TYPES: Any type of REF Medium Range Missile can be used. Smart missiles are commonly used to avoid hitting friendly aircraft.
   • RANGE: Varies, typically 60 miles (80.4 km).
   • SPEED: Varies, typically 1600mph (2571kmph) in an atmosphere.
   • DAMAGE: Varies, typically 2D4x10 M.D.
   • BLAST RADIUS: Varies, typically 15 feet.
   • RATE OF FIRE: Volleys of 2, 4, 6, or 8 missiles per launcher.
   • PAYLOAD: Each launcher holds 8 missiles. Once the missiles are expended the launcher is reloaded within 1 round via an automated system. The reload system holds 48 missiles per launcher.

6. DS-1 PINPOINT BARRIER DEFENSE SYSTEM: Originally developed by Dr. Emil Lang onboard the SDF-1 during the First Robotech War, the Pinpoint Barrier System is a standard defense system on board most REF starships, including the Icarus carriers. The system generates four small disc-shaped force fields that can be positioned anywhere along the ship to deflect missiles, energy beams or projectiles. Each pinpoint barrier is about 200 ft (61 m) in length and can absorb up to 5,000 MD in damage, which then regenerates within 30 seconds (2 melee attacks). The barriers can also be layered on top of each other to generate a field which provides 20,000 MDC and can even deflect heavy particle beams (usually).

   The four barriers are controlled by operators in the command tower of the carrier. These operators are instructed to defend (1) the command tower, (2) main engines, (3) flight deck, and (4) weapons systems in that order. The operators primarily concentrate on defending the ship against larger spacecraft and leave defense against mecha attacking the carrier to the Veritechs and retractible weapon systems.

   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Defense (the pinpoint barrier system cannot be used as a weapon)
   • RANGE: Up to 100 feet (30.5 m) from the surface of the vessel.
   • DAMAGE CAPACITY: Can sustain up to 5,000 MD per round. Regenerates at a rate of 2,500 MD per melee round.
   • RADIUS: 200 ft (61 m)
   • DEFENSIVE MOVEMENT: Can move from one end of the carrier to the other in less than a single round. Trained operators can attempt to block attacks up to 8 times per melee (counts as a parry) and are at +7 to block. Untrained characters can parry up to their number of hand-to-hand attacks with their normal parry bonuses only.
   • PAYLOAD: Nearly inexhaustible. Will work as long as system is functional (see below) and engines are intact. If main engines are destroyed, the barrier will loose power and not function.
   • NOTE: If all four barriers are grouped in a single spot they can deflect a heavy particle beam attack, such as the one generated by Zentraedi or Robotech Master warships. However, the beam will completely destroy all four barriers and put incredible strain on the pinpoint barrier system to the point where it may short out. After deflecting an energy beam, roll percentile dice on the table below to determine additional effects/damage.
     • 01-15: Lucked out, system will be operational in 1D6 hours.
     • 16-30: Minor damage, system will require 4D6 hours to repair.
     • 31-45: Major damage, system will require 2D6x10 hours to repair (yes, DAYS of work).
     • 46-60: Completely destroyed! System can be rebuilt, but will require new parts and 2D6 DAYS of work to replace.
     • 61-75: Major damage, system will require 2D6x10 hours to repair.
     • 76-90: Minor damage, system will require 4D6 hours to repair.
     • 91-95: Lucked out, system will be operational in 1D6 hours.
     • 96-00: It's a miracle! Trivial damage only, system will be operational again in only 4D6 melee rounds!

SYSTEMS OF NOTE:

• ANTIGRAVITY PROPULSION SYSTEM: The Icarus carriers are equipped with an anti-gravity propulsion system used for planetary landings and liftoffs. The system is good for vertical ascent/descent only and can lift the ship at speeds of up to 1,320 feet (400 m) per minute. The system will function so long as the main engines can supply energy to it.
• HYPERSPACE COMMUNICATIONS: Icarus carriers are equipped with hyperspace communications relays which allows faster-than-light communication between the ships and other vessels or planetary bases. Hyperspace communications are still not instantaneous, however. Audio/video communication travels through hyperspace at a rate of about 5 seconds per light year, so messages communicated over vast distances can still take days, weeks, or months to arrive. The Icarus carriers are equipped with three separate hyperspace communications systems, allowing the carriers full communications capabilities even if two of the three systems are destroyed.
• LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS: The Icarus carriers have sufficient life support to provide breathable air and comfortable temperatures for 8,000 people for up to 15 years (air is recycled). In an emergency the life support system can support up to 12,000 people at one time, though living conditions onboard will get extremely cramped at that point. The cruiser also holds sufficient food and water to support 8,000 people for up to 6 months.
• LONG-RANGE LASER/SATELLITE RELAY COMMUNICATIONS: The impressive communications array of the carrier can communicate with up to 1,000 craft simultaneously at ranges of up to 1,200 miles (1,920 km). This range can be boosted indefinitely by using satellites or other spacecraft to relay communications.
• LONG-RANGE RADAR: The radar array of the Icarus carriers can track and identify up to 1,000 craft simultaneously. The radar system has a 3,000 mile/4,800 km range.
• SPACE FOLD SYSTEM: Icarus carriers are equipped with a Robotech Research Group fold drive, capable of propelling the ship through hyperspace at speeds up to 3.28x10^10 mps (5.25x10^10 kmps), or 1 light year per 6 minutes. When executing a space fold the cruiser will transport any ships within a 3 mile (4.8 km) radius with it, allowing it to transport up to about 100 smaller ships with it, if necessary. The range of the fold drive is theoretically unlimited except by the life expectancy of the spacecraft.
• SUBLIGHT ENGINES: As a backup to the Fold System, the cruiser is equipped with sublight engines that can propel the ship at speeds up to 0.18 speed of light (28,800 miles/46,350 km per second) in space. Note that these engines are mainly intended for rapid movement inside a planetary system and are not suited for long voyages between star systems. In a planetary atmosphere the carrier is limited to speeds of Mach 1 at low altitudes or Mach 2 at high altitudes due to hull stress.
• SUBSPACE MASS SENSORS: The Icarus cruisers are equipped with subspace sensors which are based on the same principles as the hyperspace communications array. These sensors can essentially instantly detect mass readings and movement of objects up to 1 AU (93 million miles) distant from the carrier, and the readings are used both for early warning and for navigation when travelling at sublight speeds. Readings taken with the subspace sensors are not very detailed (-25% penalty when trying to identify a detected object) and cannot detect objects of less than 60,000 kg (this includes most veritechs and Invid mecha).

MECHA COMPLEMENT:

The landing bay can hold and support a grand total of 560 veritechs/destroids of any type, in addition to the 192 Alpha fighters in the 8 Alpha launch bays, as long as the mecha are smaller than 50 ft (15.2 m) and weigh less than 40 tons each. In addition, there are 5 special berths for larger mecha up to 100 ft (30.4 m) tall and 300 tons in weight (i.e. Mac II or III). Listed below is the mecha complement of the RSS Icarus during the Icarus Recon Mission. Other Icarus-class carriers will have similar complements, though changes may be made if required by the mission.

RSS Icarus Mecha Complement (circa 2044)

• 96 VAF-6 Alpha Fighters housed in 4 Alpha launch bays (Sentinels pg. 82)
• 96 VAF-8 Alpha Fighters housed in 4 Alpha launch bays (48 have SF-10 Cloaking Devices)

• 36 VAF-6 Alpha Fighters (Sentinels pg. 82)
• 24 VAF-7A Shadow Alphas (Sentinels pg. 92)
• 48 VAF-8 Alpha Fighters (24 have SF-10 Cloaking Devices)
• 40 VAF-8R Recon Alpha Fighters (all have SF-10 Cloaking Devices)
• 12 VAF-9 Alpha Fighters
• 36 VBF-1 Beta Fighters (Sentinels pg. 87)
• 12 VBF-1S Shadow Betas (Sentinels pg. 87)
• 48 VBF-2 Beta Fighters (24 have SF-10 Cloaking Devices)
• 40 VBF-2R Recon Beta Fighters (all have SF-10 Cloaking Devices)
• 12 VBF-3 Beta Fighters
• 4 VF-1V Vindicators

• 3000 Cyclones (assorted types, mostly Second Generation Cyclones)

• 60 Veritech Hover Tanks (Sentinels pg. 93)
• 24 Mk VII Excalibers (Sentinels pg. 61)
• 24 Mk III Gladiators (Sentinels pg. 63)
• 24 Mk XI Raidar X (Sentinels pg. 66)
• 24 Mk XIII Spartans (Sentinels pg. 68)
• 5 M.A.C. IIIs (Sentinels pg. 65)
• 44 TBP-Z1 Tactical Battle Pods (Sentinels pg. 70)
• 4 OBP-Z2 Officer's Battle Pods (Sentinels pg. 72)
• 4 CRP-Z3 Cyclops Theatre Scouts (Sentinels pg. 73)

• 24 AAT-40 Assault Transports (Sentinels pg. 107)
• 24 AAT-30 Assault Transports (Sentinels pg. 107)
• 10 ARRAV Rocket Launchers (Sentinels pg. 108)
• 4 MTA Titans (Sentinels pg. 114)
• 4 Horizont Transatmospheric Shuttle (two are modified to carry MTA Titans, Sentinels pg. 94)

In addition the Icarus carries 60 TCH-4 Tractor-Haulers, 120 ML-3 Forklifts, 12 AMR-10 Mecha Retrieval Transport Vehicles, 12 REF Personnel Shuttles and 8 REF Cargo Shuttles onboard.

http://www.mcs.net/~deitrich/index.html deitrich@mcs.net

Last Updated: Friday, 18-Jan-08 02:59:13 PST