Ship Profile
Overview: the Falchion class is an even rarer version of the Kunai, again solely dedicated to the protection of convoys and also operating as Hunter Killer units in the UNC the Falchion frequently works alongside Kunai groups to help destroy threats. The Falchion also functions as small mobile fighter bases from which to patrol the edge of Union space, sending out Firestorm patrols over multiple systems and operating to relay information. The carrier itself is lightly armed and forgoes the Kunais capital mass drivers for extra hangar deck spacing leaving it with a very light armament.
Armament: The Falchion class is very lightly armed, only able to take on escorts or smaller in a fight and only then will probably be outgunned, the carrier needs defense though its attack craft provide a huge offensive and defensive ability. The Falchion mounts 168 light mass drivers which can be used to provide extreme anti attack craft ability to small fleets, and practically renders small fleets of Kunai and Falchions immune to attack craft attacks.
Mass Drivers: Union Mass Drivers use magnetically accelerated slugs to destroy the enemy, these slugs can either be used in one of 3 ways. The first in ultra AP round which will drive straight through most armours due to the velocity of the rounds, making ships vent into space due to thousands of rounds hitting them rapidly. The second is a less penetrative but still very high AP high EX round which explodes after penetration ripping the ship apart from the inside as used on the Draken ships. The third and final is a flak screen shell which detonates at a certain range and explodes into thousands of other bomblets which will also explode into shrapnel, this decimates fighters and ordnance at close range and some Mass Drivers on the ship are always set to this setting, when all are on this the ship is impervious to fighters thanks to the couples SENTINEL CIWS. These weapons also mount Void Cooling and Nano assemblers and so can keep up a rate of fire of around 450 rounds a minute.
Defences: The Falchion mounts a Mark 3 Absorption shield which runs on its own separate system so it cannot damage others through power feedback, this shield also cycles constantly through several dimensions at once in an attempt to get some protection from phasic weapons. The ship itself is constructed from a 1.2ft thick Quantum lattice plate with polytine linings. As well as this a thin layer of Ghostanium is available for stealth missions. Quantum lattice plate is made up from atomically bonded Quantum metal which has a density of around 3x that of any other known substance, this metal is liquid in form but when poured into molten metal of another kind and left to set it becomes virtually unbreakable. Unlike other metals Quantum has no melting point and so will not melt under fire from laser or plasma weapons; it is also highly resistant to kinetic impact damage. The hull is also equipped with Nano assembler repair systems to slowly repair the ship in combat.
The Falchion class also mounts a SENTINEL CIWS mounted all over the ship. This system is made up from numerous point defences consisting of small laser projectors, cascade cannons and miniature missile launchers. Together these destroy incoming missiles and fighters, on their own SENTINEL are incredibly effective and alongside the Arrows other AA capabilities makes this ship the bane of ALL attack craft in known space.
Power plant: The Falchion uses a TPC Zero Point Module AX-5 unit to provide overall power, this has been reverse engineered from Nakai technology and make use of their artificial pocket dimension technology. The ZPM works by making an artificial dimension and harvesting the natural vacuum energy produced in such, this is totally harmless as if the ZPM is destroyed the dimension collapses harmlessly. The energy produced is also way above other Union energy technology apart from Singularity generators which are still being understood. It also has two smaller fusion units capable of powering the ship up to 2 hours before needing to be replaced.
Electronic capabilities: The Falchion is run by 2 Mark 5 AI systems one for targeting and combat and one for overall control. These AI systems are semi sentient and can hack enemy ships. When a AI gets hacked it immediately either cuts the lines so the enemy cannot access or deletes itself and the intruder with it. The Falchion is also linked to the Union computer and so can access data when needed; it also is linked to the rest of the fleet in a tight information grid.
Stealth wise the Falchion constantly runs a very basic sensor stealth field, this field while not effecting light effects spectrum scans and conventional sensors. While not totally making the ship invisible this obscures the ships form and position leading to an increased ratio of missed shots and wrong moves. A full Displacement unit can be installed for true stealth missions if needed.
Crew: The Falchion carries 225 personnel to run the ship and to man the fighters and hangar bays.
Attack craft: The Falchion mounts one massive hangar bay running the length of the ship, it carriers a substantial complement for its size consisting of 80 Firestorm fighters and 16 Eagle Eye bombers, as well as complete resupply and repair for each.
Speed and engines: The Falchion is very fast able to reach 0.8 light speed on sub light engines and also mounts a Union slipstream drive for FTL capability.