THIRD INVID WAR: NEW REF STARSHIPS Next  Previous  Top  Index
The following material is from THE THIRD INVID WAR, a fan supplement by Dave Deitrich and Chris Meadows. Please feel free to use, copy, and distribute it as you see fit. All we ask is that you give proper credit to us and do not claim that it is your own work. Comments and suggestions are welcome.

REF TOKUGAWA-CLASS CRUISER

BACKGROUND

The Tokugawa-class Cruiser is the oldest terran capital ship design still in service. Initially designed in 2015 following the end of the First Robotech War, the cruisers were intended to augment the RDF's minuscule fleet of captured Zentraedi warships and provide greater protection for the Sol system. A total of 8 Tokugawa cruisers had been constructed at the RDF Robotech Factory Satellite by the time of the SDF-3 Pioneer's departure in 2022. 5 cruisers and a number of Zentraedi vessels were assigned to the Pioneer mission, while the other 3 were left behind in service to the Tactical Armored Space Corps of the Southern Cross. Due to their high cost of operation only two additional Tokugawa cruisers were constructed following the Pioneer mission's departure. Unfortunately all 5 Tokugawa cruisers that stayed behind were destroyed by the Robotech Masters in the Second Robotech War (2031-2032).

Meanwhile at Tirol the Tokugawa cruisers suffered from the same weaknesses that the SDF-3 Pioneer did. Anticipating combat with a large number of Zentraedi warships, the cruisers were woefully unprepared for the sheer number of Invid mecha they faced during the battle of Tirol. Two of the five ships were destroyed during the first battle of the Sentinels War (First Invid War), and a third was destroyed during an Invid counterattack on Tirol in 2023. The remaining two ships, the Tokugawa and the Hannibal, underwent an extensive refit at the Fantoma Orbiting Shipyards, and additional Tokugawa cruisers began construction in 2024.

Initially the Tokugawa-class cruisers were armed with 4 dual-barrel heavy laser turrets (2 forward, 2 rear), 12 concealed Zentraedi-style laser cannons in the front bow, and 4 heavy missile launcher tubes (2 forward, 2 rear). Following their conversions in 2024 the REF Tokugawas were upgraded to 6 heavy laser turrets (4 forward, 2 rear), 16 concealed forward laser cannons, and 8 heavy missile launcher tubes (6 forward, 2 rear). In addition badly-needed anti-mecha weaponry was added in the form of 30 retractable laser cannons and 6 retractable missile turrets. Finally hyperspace communications and a fold drive system were added, making the vessel capable of travelling beyond a planetary system and commanding an interstellar fleet.

The Tokugawa cruisers served well during the First Invid War as command ships for REF fleets. In 2032 the cruiser Hannibal under the command of Major John Carpenter was dispatched to Earth to warn the United Earth Government about the Robotech Masters. Unfortunately by this time the Masters were already at war with the Armies of the Southern Cross. Alone and without support, the Hannibal engaged two Robotech Master motherships in Earth orbit and managed to destroy one by colliding with it after being mortally wounded in battle. Meanwhile back near Tirol the cruisers Tokugawa, Rutland and Jutland joined the haydonite cruiser Ark Angel and several other Sentinels vessels in the final assault on the Invid Regent at Optera. Unfortuantely that same year General T.R. Edwards attempted a coup against the REF command and siezed control of the Tokugawa cruisers Saratoga and Ticonderoga. The Ticonderoga was eventually recaptured by loyal REF troops, but the Saratoga was destroyed along with the Tokugawa when the two ships collided above Optera. More tragedy struck when the cruisers Farragut and Challenger, both assigned to Jonathan Wolff's REF Venus Attack Group, failed to emerge from hyperspace when the fleet folded to the Sol system. These two ships are still listed as missing in the REF fleet roster. During the Third Invid War several Tokugawa cruisers were assigned to the REF Icarus Recon Mission. Unfortunately all of these cruisers were destroyed by the Invid Space Hive network during recon missions and while attempting to get badly needed supplies to resistance fighters on Earth.

Production rates for the Tokugawa cruisers fell as newer command cruisers such as the Ikazuchi and Icarus classes were introduced. Production of Tokugawa cruisers finally ceased in 2054 with the commissioning of the RSS Endeavor. Although some Tokugawa cruisers have been scrapped, many are still in service with the RGF fleet. One of the most famous (or infamous) of these is the RSS Griffon, a Tokugawa cruiser which has been permanently assigned to Robotech Guardian Forces Intelligence (RGFI). The Griffon is painted all black and is rumored to have sensor and weapons capabilities greater than any other ship in the RGF fleet. Her exact specifications and missions are closely-guarded RGFI secrets, but most RGF personnel regard her presence as an extremely bad omen.

Tokugawa cruisers were first produced at the RDF Factory Satellite in orbit above Earth. After 2024 they were produced at the Fantoma Orbiting Shipyards near Tirol, and later at the Karbarran Space Works and the REF Factory Satellite. At their height Tokugawas were manufactured at a rate of 4 per year.

RPG STATS

Government: Tactical Armored Space Corps (Southern Cross), Robotech Expeditionary Force, later Sentinels Alliance
Ship Type: Super Dimensional (Space Fold) Cruiser
Class: Tokugawa SFC-5000
Manufacturer: Earth (RDF Factory Satellite), Tirol (Fantoma Orbiting Shipyard, REF Factory Satellite), Karbarra (Karbarran Space Works).
Crew: 2,155 total
Officers: 85
Main Crew: 840
Flight Crew: 500
Mecha Pilots: 380
Troops: 350

Notable Ships of Class:
SFC-5012 Tokugawa launched 2015, assigned to REF Pioneer Mission in 2022, severly damaged in 1st Battle for Tirol same year, refit 2023, participated in final assault on Optera in 2032, destroyed in collision with cruiser Saratoga during T.R. Edwards' coup attempt same year
SFC-5015 Hannibal launched 2016, assigned to REF Pioneer Mission in 2022, severly damaged in 1st Battle for Tirol same year, refit 2023, dispatched to Earth with warning about Robotech Masters in 2032, destroyed shortly after arrival by collision with Robtech Masters mothership
SFC-5024 Jutland launched 2024, participated in final assault on Optera in 2032, assigned to REF Icarus Recon Mission in 2043, destroyed above Earth by Invid Space Hives in 2044
SFC-5025 Rutland launched 2024, participated in final assault on Optera in 2032, assigned to REF Prometheus Attack Group in 2045, assigned to Robotech Guardian Forces in 2048, retired from service in 2055, moored at RGF Naval Museum orbiting Tirol in 2060
SFC-5028 Saratoga launched 2025, captured by forces loyal to T.R. Edwards in 2032, destroyed in collision with Tokugawa above Optera same year
SFC-5030 Ticonderoga launched 2025, captured by forces loyal to T.R. Edwards in 2032, recaptured by REF forces same year, assigned to REF Icarus Recon Mission in 2043, destroyed above Earth by Invid Space Hives in 2044
SFC-5034 Farragut launched 2027, assigned to REF Venus Attack Group in 2033, failed to materialize from hyperspace following fold to Sol system same year, listed as missing 2034
SFC-5037 Challenger launched 2028, assigned to REF Venus Attack Group in 2033, failed to materialize from hyperspace following fold to Sol system same year, listed as missing 2034
SFC-5048 Griffon launched 2032, assigned to REF Prometheus Attack Group in 2045, assigned to Robotech Guardian Forces in 2048, assigned special service to Robotech Guardian Forces Intelligence in 2070, still in service circa 2080

MDC BY LOCATION:

(1) Main Body                                  15,000
(2) Command Tower                               2,000
    Bow (forward 1/4 of ship)                  10,000
(3) Engineering (rear 1/4 of ship)              8,000
(4) Flight Deck (bottom)                        5,000
(5) Main Engines (8)                            1,000 each
(5) Auxiliary Engines (4)                         750 each
    Guidance Thrusters (50)                       200 each
    
    Laser Turrets (6)                             150 each
    Forward Laser Cannons (16)                    100 each
    Heavy Missile Launcher Tubes (8)              150 each
    Retractable Laser Turrets (30)                100 each
    Retractable Missile Launchers (6)             100 each
(6) Pin Point Barriers (4)                      5,000 each

    Small Airlocks/Access Hatches (40)            250 each
    Main Airlocks (8)                             500 each
    Outer Hull (per 40ft area)                    200
    Interior walls (per 20ft area)                 20
    Main Hangar Door (1)                          800
    Secondary Hangar Doors (4)                    500 each

NOTES:

  1. Depleting the MDC of the main body will eliminate the cruiser. All internal systems will shut down, including life support and internal gravity. In addition, there is a 30% chance that the power systems will overload and the destroyer will explode, doing 4D6x1,000 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 knock out radar and primary communications. 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.
  3. Depleting the MDC of the engineering section will essentially destroy the cruiser. All power systems, the main engines and the auxiliary engines will be eliminated (see below). 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.
  4. Destroying the flight decks will greatly impair the cruiser's ability to deploy and recover mecha. Under normal circumstances the destroyer can launch or recover 10 mecha per turn. 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.
  5. 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).
  6. 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): 0.16 speed of light (25,600 miles/41,200 km per second)
Speed (Auxiliary Drives): Mach 10
Space Fold: Not equipped with space fold drives prior to 2023. After 2023 range unlimited (1 light year every 6 minutes).
Planet bound:
Has vertical take off and landing (VTOL) capability. Can reach speeds of up to Mach 6 in an upper planetary atmosphere, but not designed for extended flight or maneuvering. Cannot travel underwater (but will float on an ocean surface).
Maximum Range: Unlimited (powered by a protoculture reactor with an estimated life span of 30 years)

STATISTICAL DATA:

Length: 2475 ft (754 m)
Width: 950 ft (290 m)
Height: 790 ft (241 m)
Weight: 16,000,000 tons (standard)

Fold System:
Initially none
After 2023 equipped with Robotech Research Group (RRG) Mk. 2R fold system cluster
Sublight Drive:
Initially Workl-Quatafilla macro nozzle cluster (RRG-modified)
After 2023 equipped with REF Naval Engineering Class XI macro nozzle cluster
Gravity Control System:
Geteulmaqulla-Zollia internal gravity control system (RRG-modified)
Auxiliary Engine:
Initially Macross Engineering Mk. 48 nuclear thrust system
After 2023 equipped with REF Naval Engineering Class XV mass-conservation thrust system
Radar System:
Initially RRG Type VI Standard Sensor Cluster
After 2023 equipped with RRG Type XIV Hyperspace Sensor Cluster

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

  1. DUAL-BARREL HEAVY LASER TURRETS (4 initially, 6 after 2023): The main weapons of the Tokugawa cruisers are zentraedi-style turreted heavy laser cannons. Originally the cruisers mounted four turrets (two near the center above the main body, two on the rear engineering section) but following the 2023 refit two additional turrets were added (one on either side of the command tower). Each turret can rotate 360 degrees and has a 180 degree arc of fire.

  2. CONCEALED ZENTRAEDI-STYLE LASER CANNONS (12 initially, 16 after 2023): As a backup to the main laser cannons and useful for heavy assaults, the Tokugawa cruisers are equipped with concealed lasers on the bow of the ship, similar to those used on Zentraedi cruisers. These lasers have a limited range of motion; they can be adjusted 30 degrees to the left, right, above or below the centerline of the ship. Initially 12 lasers were mounted on the bow of the Tokugawa, but after the 2023 refit this number was raised to 16.

  3. HEAVY MISSILE LAUNCHERS (4 initially, 8 after 2023): To further augment their anti-warship firepower, the Tokugawa cruisers are equipped with torpedo-like missile tubes. Initially the cruisers had two tubes pointing forward and two pointing rearward, but after the 2023 refit an additional 4 forward-pointing tubes were added. The launchers contain long-range nuclear missiles and are intended for use in heavy combat only.

  4. RETRACTABLE LASER TURRETS (30, not added until after 2023): During the 2023 refit retractable laser turrets were added to the Tokugawa cruisers to provide better protection from Invid mecha attacks. These lasers were placed at strategic positions along the hull and were primarily intended for anti-mecha defense, but can do moderate damage against enemy spacecraft that get too close. When not in use gun turrets are concealed within the hull underneath a sliding hatch. At most 15 lasers can be brought to bear on a single target.

  5. RETRACTABLE MEDIUM MISSILE LAUNCHERS (6, not added until after 2023): Along with the retractable laser turrets medium-range missile turrets were added to the Tokugawa cruisers in 2023 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.

  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 Tokugawa cruisers. 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 five seconds (3 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 destroyer to the Veritechs and retractible weapon systems.

SYSTEMS OF NOTE:

MECHA COMPLEMENT:

The landing bay can hold and support a grand total of 350 veritechs/destroids of any type, as long as the mecha are smaller than 50 ft (15.2 m) and weigh less than 40 tons each. In addition, there are 3 special berths for larger mecha up to 100 ft (30.4 m) tall and 300 tons in weight (i.e. Mac II or III). Below are some typical mecha complements, though changes may be made if required by the mission.

Southern Cross Tokugawa cruiser (circa 2028)

REF Tokugawa cruiser (circa 2030)

REF Tokugawa cruiser (circa 2043)

In all three examples a Tokugawa cruiser will also have 16 TCH-4 Tractor-Haulers, 30 ML-3 Forklifts, 6 AMR-10 Mecha Retrieval Transport Vehicles, 8 REF Personnel Shuttles and 4 REF Cargo Shuttles onboard.

THIRD INVID WAR: NEW REF STARSHIPS Next  Previous  Top  Index
DAVE DEITRICH
http://www.mcs.net/~deitrich/index.html
deitrich@mcs.net
Last Updated: Friday, 18-Jan-08 02:59:14 PST