Bounty - Revision history

CourseDirector at 20:26, 20 June 2020

2020-06-20T20:26:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:26, 20 June 2020
Line 111:		Line 111:

	===Private Use===		===Private Use===
	A few retired Bounties found legitimate use. Being small and easy to maintain, with most replacement parts freely available on the civilian market, it was not a challenge to keep most of the ship operational. A few were stripped of weapons and found use in the tramp trade; being long-endurance vessels thy were ideal for supplying remote colonies and mining sites. Others became science vessels, again high-endurance coupled with relatively cheap operational costs made them sought-after by private universities.		A few retired Bounties found legitimate use. Being small and easy to maintain, with most replacement parts freely available on the civilian market, it was not a challenge to keep most of the ship operational. A few were stripped of weapons and found use in the [[Tramp Trade\|tramp trade]]; being long-endurance vessels thy were ideal for supplying remote colonies and mining sites. Others became science vessels, again high-endurance coupled with relatively cheap operational costs made them sought-after by private universities.

	And, of course, a few worlds not affiliated with the Foundation or Alliance did need actual defensive war-ships, and had the resurces to at least maintain Bounties, and manufacture effective weapons systems for them.		And, of course, a few worlds not affiliated with the Foundation or Alliance did need actual defensive war-ships, and had the resurces to at least maintain Bounties, and manufacture effective weapons systems for them.

Siddharth1: /* Operational Use */

2020-03-03T21:17:07Z

Operational Use

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:17, 3 March 2020
Line 2:		Line 2:

	==Operational Use==		==Operational Use==
	~~Due to it's characteristics, the~~ design of the Bounty became one of the most successful ships of the war, with more sub-capitol and capitol kills than any other hull-type. A combination of cheap, reliability, and powerful weapons payload coupled with ~~it's~~ low-observational stealth characteristics gave it a decisive edge.		The design of the Bounty became one of the most successful ships of the war, with more sub-capitol and capitol kills than any other hull-type. A combination of cheap, reliability, and powerful weapons payload, coupled with low-observational stealth characteristics, gave it a decisive edge.

	Despite this, the [[Crimson Blade]] ~~ultimately~~ fielded very few of them. This was more due to the over all drought of ships, and the greater need for small, cheap warships for planetary protection and patrol duties. Despite ~~it's~~ many positive qualities, the Bounty design was ill-suited for fleet and task-force duties.		Despite this, the [[Crimson Blade]] fielded very few of them. This was more due to the over all drought of ships, and the greater need for small, cheap warships for planetary protection and patrol duties. Despite its many positive qualities, the Bounty design was ill-suited for fleet and task-force duties.

	===Construction and Licensing===		===Construction and Licensing===
	The [[Gudersnipe Foundation]] constructed roughly 1/3rd of all Bounties fielded during the war directly at ~~it's~~ own ship yards(owing to ~~it's~~ larger ~~over-all~~ industrial capacity). Some were paid for by the Foundation but built under contract by Alliance shipyards. A licensed copy was authorized, and late in the war many builders were given special dispensation to purchase [[Industrial Face Annihilators\|IFA]] heavy beam cannons and military-grade [[Fairview, Ltd\|Fairview FTL Drives]]. This, coupled with other available modules, made the license-copies functionally identical to the Foundation design.		The [[Gudersnipe Foundation]] constructed roughly 1/3rd of all Bounties fielded during the war directly at its own ship yards (owing to its larger industrial capacity). Some were paid for by the Foundation but built under contract by Alliance shipyards. A licensed copy was authorized, and late in the war many builders were given special dispensation to purchase [[Industrial Face Annihilators\|IFA]] heavy beam cannons and military-grade [[Fairview, Ltd\|Fairview FTL Drives]]. This, coupled with other available modules, made the license-copies functionally identical to the Foundation design.

	Owing to the wide distribution of blueprints and high availability of compatible components, countless unlicensed versions were ~~also constructed. These were mostly~~ built by industrious Alliance member-worlds who had exceeded their license agreements. Usually they were finished off with civilian-grade FTL drives and cheaply-constructed copies of the main cannon.		Owing to the wide distribution of blueprints and high availability of compatible components, countless unlicensed versions were built by industrious Alliance member-worlds who had exceeded their license agreements. Usually they were finished off with civilian-grade FTL drives and cheaply-constructed copies of the main cannon.

	Still others were assembled in private shipyards, and even constructed by non-aligned or outright hostile powers. The widespread distribution of the design made ~~controling~~ it impossible, a reality the Foundation was forced to tacitly accept.		Still others were assembled in private shipyards, and even constructed by non-aligned or outright hostile powers. The widespread distribution of the design made controlling it impossible, a reality the Foundation was forced to tacitly accept.

	===Surviving Hulls===		===Surviving Hulls===

CourseDirector: /* Stinger */

2020-03-02T23:47:11Z

Stinger

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:47, 2 March 2020
Line 85:		Line 85:
	The ''Stinger'' was an attempt by the Alliance to build a [[Guided Missile Frigate]] comparable to the ''[[G.S.S. Sandstorm]]'', and while it did not achieve anything close to the capacity, the basic premise was solid enough to continue production after the war.		The ''Stinger'' was an attempt by the Alliance to build a [[Guided Missile Frigate]] comparable to the ''[[G.S.S. Sandstorm]]'', and while it did not achieve anything close to the capacity, the basic premise was solid enough to continue production after the war.

	One particular ''Stinger'', the ''[[U.E.A.S Indefatigable]]'' achieved fame for being the most lightly-armed ship to achieve a capitol-kill against a Kamian cruiser. It did this despite being of the variant that lacked a main cannon entirely.		One particular ''Stinger'', the ''[[U.E.A.S. Indefatigable]]'' achieved fame for being the most lightly-armed ship to achieve a capitol-kill against a Kamian cruiser. It did this despite being of the variant that lacked a main cannon entirely.

	==Operational History==		==Operational History==

CourseDirector: /* Operational Variants */

2020-03-02T23:45:55Z

Operational Variants

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:45, 2 March 2020
Line 68:		Line 68:

	==Operational Variants==		==Operational Variants==
			===Viper===
	Around a half a century after the first ships went into operation, the Crimson Blade ordered an upgraded version of the Bounty. They had begun to engage in comerce-raiding at this point, and were jealous of the success Alliance wolf-packs were having. The line-leader, C.B.S. ''Viper'', was around thirty feet long than a standard Bounty, packed and secondary, slightly smaller cannon, and had her hull heavily re-enforced. The order for the ships from the Crimson Blade effectively said "Like the ''Bounty'', but able to take a punch".		Around a half a century after the first ships went into operation, the Crimson Blade ordered an upgraded version of the Bounty. They had begun to engage in comerce-raiding at this point, and were jealous of the success Alliance wolf-packs were having. The line-leader, C.B.S. ''Viper'', was around thirty feet long than a standard Bounty, packed and secondary, slightly smaller cannon, and had her hull heavily re-enforced. The order for the ships from the Crimson Blade effectively said "Like the ''Bounty'', but able to take a punch".

Line 73:		Line 74:

	Viper-class ships became known as 'The Crimson Blade Special' due to their C.B.S.-[[Ship Prefix\|prefix]], especially when operating alongside Alliance Bounty-class ships. The name is also thought to derive from the space craft's resemblance to a sandwitch.		Viper-class ships became known as 'The Crimson Blade Special' due to their C.B.S.-[[Ship Prefix\|prefix]], especially when operating alongside Alliance Bounty-class ships. The name is also thought to derive from the space craft's resemblance to a sandwitch.

			===Attack===
			Only ships built strictly to the original Foundation specifications were capable stealth platforms. This posed a serious problem for many Alliance shipyards attempting license-built copies, who lacked both the fabrication expertise and the exotic materials called for in the blueprints.

			The solution to this problem was the ''U.E.A.S Attack'', a warship designed for mass-production using entirely Alliance-manufactured components. It was similar in over-all capability to the Bounty and maintained the low-observable stealth characteristics to a degree, but had some concessions made to enable mass production. The engine baffeling system was scrapped entirely, and in it's place additional stages added to the drive system, giving the ship a curve of 40PSL+(thus achieving the standard required for Alliance fleet operations). Since the IFA and Fairview-manufactured components were earmarked for those ships that could make full-use of the stealth design, ''Attack''-class variants used a weaker Alliance-build(but IFA-designed) gun and the civilian-spec version of the Bounty FTL drive.

			====Stinger====
			The ''U.E.A.S Stinger'' is actually considered a variant of the ''Attack'', but is different enough to warrant mention. The ''Stinger'' shared roughly 80% of it's components with the ''Attack'' but had highly signficantly different hull geometry. Making no attempt to emulate the stealth-characteristics, the ''Stinger'' was instead covered in hard-points similar to a terrestrial aircraft. These allowed it to fit dozens of missiles and torpedoes to be carried externally. The location on the outside of the ship allowed the weapons to be deployed at a much greater rate. The hardpoints could also be used for mine-laying duty. Because the ship had so many components in common with the widely-built ''Attack'' and even more widely-built ''Bounty'', it was very cost-effective to field. Many Stingers were even built without the expensive main-cannon, simply because the rest of the platform was so effective.

			The ''Stinger'' was an attempt by the Alliance to build a [[Guided Missile Frigate]] comparable to the ''[[G.S.S. Sandstorm]]'', and while it did not achieve anything close to the capacity, the basic premise was solid enough to continue production after the war.

			One particular ''Stinger'', the ''[[U.E.A.S Indefatigable]]'' achieved fame for being the most lightly-armed ship to achieve a capitol-kill against a Kamian cruiser. It did this despite being of the variant that lacked a main cannon entirely.

	==Operational History==		==Operational History==

CourseDirector: /* Operational History */

2020-03-02T23:31:34Z

Operational History

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:31, 2 March 2020
Line 75:		Line 75:

	==Operational History==		==Operational History==
	As a test platform the Bounty preformed well, achieving full operational readyness and being deployed on several missions as a student ship.		As a test platform the original Bounty preformed well, achieving full operational readyness and being deployed on several missions as a student ship. The design went on to tremendous success, and saw continued production throughout the remainder of the war.

	~~As a test platform, it was deemed an over-all failure; active shielding provided sufficient defense, but not sufficient endurance.~~		The initial prototype of the beam cannon was a complete failure. While the casing itself was sufficient, the sub-systems were found to have serious design flaws that resulted in the weapon effectively breaking every time it was used. This was fixed on the production model, but relied heavily on fine-tuning and numerous custom 'tweeks' that made the weapons all but unusable except by their dedicated crew. The composite casing program for battleship guns was scrapped, as while it was considered effective under normal usage, it was found to have a very short operational lifespan when fired "at battle speeds". A variant of a much less sophisticated composite material did see usage on many Alliance variants, but these had considerable less power to them. The main reason for the Alliance composite material was that, unlike the original, it was in fact very easy to manufacture.

	The ~~new~~ beam ~~canon~~ was ~~also found to be~~ a failure. While the casing itself was sufficient, the sub-systems ~~to the weapon for~~ found to have serious design flaws that resulted in the weapon effectively breaking every time it was used. The composite casing program was ~~also~~ scrapped, as while it was considered effective under normal usage, it was ~~deemed~~ to have a very short operational lifespan when fired "at battle speeds". A variant of ~~the~~ composite ~~version~~ did see usage on many Alliance~~-manufactured~~ variants.

	~~While~~ the ~~Bounty~~ was ~~considered a failure as a test platform~~, the ~~Alliance~~, ~~who~~ was ~~allowed access to several of the tests, immediately saw great potential~~ in ~~the ship, and asked~~ to ~~purchase several of the design, upgraded with improved stealth technology~~.

	==Production==		==Production==

CourseDirector: /* Design */

2020-03-02T23:24:35Z

Design

@@ Line 37: / Line 37: @@
 ===Key Design Aspects===
 ====Weapons====
-Like the fast-attack ships on which it was based, the Bounty could be most accurately described as a large gun with engines strapped to it.
+Like the fast-attack ships on which it was based, the Bounty could be most accurately described as a large gun with engines strapped to it. The primary weapon was a battleship-grade [[Charged particle cannon]] designed for turret-mounting on a super-heavy capitol ship. Specifically, the Bounty made use of a newly-invented lightweight composite cannon then under development for the next generation of battleships. Interestingly, the design was never accepted for use on batteships, and at the time the first Bounties were going into active duty, it was still believed to be "entirely unsafe" and "quite likely to explode catastrophically". These were both considered acceptable risk-factors for a small vessel. In practice, the composite proved wholly capable but mush wanting in durability, requiring the guns to be re-lined frequently. At most, the crew could expect roughly 50 shots at full power before the weapon suffered a degradation in accuracy, and 77 before it became unsafe to fire. A completely unacceptable level of performance for a battleship, which may fire it's guns over 100 times during a single engagement; but perfectly reasonable for a small patrol vessel expected to approach it's target by stealth and attack with overwhelming force. Various, unconfirmed methods of 'field relining' the gun were devised by different operators, and most Bounty captains reported that keeping the weapon operational was as much art as procedure. However all admitted that it was practically impossible to get more than 300 shots out of the same gun.
-===Operational Variants===
+The composite cannon was much smaller than previous weapons of a similar capability, and thus allowed the expansion from 2 to 6 torpedo tubes. Bounty also fitted 20 missile tubes in a 0-90 configuration. These were, by necessity, of the standard 'dumb-fire' type, and very few reloads were available.
 Around a half a century after the first ships went into operation, the Crimson Blade ordered an upgraded version of the Bounty. They had begun to engage in comerce-raiding at this point, and were jealous of the success Alliance wolf-packs were having. The line-leader, C.B.S. ''Viper'', was around thirty feet long than a standard Bounty, packed and  secondary, slightly smaller cannon, and had her hull heavily re-enforced. The order for the ships from the Crimson Blade effectively said "Like the ''Bounty'', but able to take a punch".

CourseDirector: /* Design */

2020-03-02T22:36:24Z

Design

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:36, 2 March 2020
Line 34:		Line 34:

	Many of Bounty's original design-elements were lifted from the Mauarader-class [[Fast-Attack Ship]]. The Bounty was over three times as long, but with about the same beam. The key difference was the required fittings to give the ship a high endurance, and the addition of advanced stealth technology.		Many of Bounty's original design-elements were lifted from the Mauarader-class [[Fast-Attack Ship]]. The Bounty was over three times as long, but with about the same beam. The key difference was the required fittings to give the ship a high endurance, and the addition of advanced stealth technology.

			===Key Design Aspects===
			====Weapons====
			Like the fast-attack ships on which it was based, the Bounty could be most accurately described as a large gun with engines strapped to it.

	===Operational Variants===		===Operational Variants===

CourseDirector at 22:33, 2 March 2020

2020-03-02T22:33:14Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:33, 2 March 2020
Line 1:		Line 1:
	G.S.S. Bounty, M-203-F, was the line-leader for the Bounty-class [[Fast-Attack Stealth Ship]]. Bounties were built in huge numbers during the [[Kamian Succession Wars]] and operated primarily by the [[Alliance]] and member-worlds. The [[Crimson Blade]] ultimately fielded very few of them, despite about 1/3rd of all models being constructed directly by the Foundation. The rest were built under contract by the Alliance, which was given special dispensation to purchased [[Industrial Face Annihilators\|IFA]] heavy beam cannons and military-spec'd [[Fairview, Ltd\|Fairview FTL Drives]]. Countless more knock-off ships, made with civilian-grade drives and cheap copies of the main cannon, were also constructed by various powers.		G.S.S. Bounty, M-203-F, was the line-leader for the Bounty-class [[Fast-Attack Stealth Ship]]. Bounties were built in huge numbers during the [[Kamian Succession Wars]] and operated primarily by the [[Alliance]] and member-worlds.

	The [[Foundation]] had an agreement with the Alliance that, following the war, all surviving Bounty-class ships were to be sold back to the Foundation at cost. While the Alliance ~~generally tried to comply~~, few member worlds did. Many of the ships were kept by worlds ~~that~~ otherwise ~~did not have~~ the ~~capacity~~ to build warships. ~~Still others~~ were illegally sold on the secondary market, where they became extremely popular with mercenaries, ~~smuglers~~, and other such individuals of ill-repute. Ironically ~~for~~ the name, the Foundation was forced to issue a "bounty" on all Bounty-class ships that could be either returned to the Crimson Blade or proven destroyed.		==Operational Use==
			Due to it's characteristics, the design of the Bounty became one of the most successful ships of the war, with more sub-capitol and capitol kills than any other hull-type. A combination of cheap, reliability, and powerful weapons payload coupled with it's low-observational stealth characteristics gave it a decisive edge.

			Despite this, the [[Crimson Blade]] ultimately fielded very few of them. This was more due to the over all drought of ships, and the greater need for small, cheap warships for planetary protection and patrol duties. Despite it's many positive qualities, the Bounty design was ill-suited for fleet and task-force duties.

			===Construction and Licensing===
			The [[Gudersnipe Foundation]] constructed roughly 1/3rd of all Bounties fielded during the war directly at it's own ship yards(owing to it's larger over-all industrial capacity). Some were paid for by the Foundation but built under contract by Alliance shipyards. A licensed copy was authorized, and late in the war many builders were given special dispensation to purchase [[Industrial Face Annihilators\|IFA]] heavy beam cannons and military-grade [[Fairview, Ltd\|Fairview FTL Drives]]. This, coupled with other available modules, made the license-copies functionally identical to the Foundation design.

			Owing to the wide distribution of blueprints and high availability of compatible components, countless unlicensed versions were also constructed. These were mostly built by industrious Alliance member-worlds who had exceeded their license agreements. Usually they were finished off with civilian-grade FTL drives and cheaply-constructed copies of the main cannon.

			Still others were assembled in private shipyards, and even constructed by non-aligned or outright hostile powers. The widespread distribution of the design made controling it impossible, a reality the Foundation was forced to tacitly accept.

			===Surviving Hulls===
			The [[Foundation]] had an agreement with the Alliance that, following the war, all surviving Bounty-class ships were to be sold back to the Foundation at cost. While the Alliance regulars mostly complied, few member worlds did. Many of the hulls sold or loaned to the Regulars were kept despite of the agreement again due to lack of ships and the need for patrol and security craft. Many more that were returned by member worlds were then resold to the Alliance.

			It is unclear exactly what the Foundation had originally intended for the dispensation of remaining ships. By the war's end the design was so prevalent and the underlying technologies so well understood, they could not have hoped to prevent the proliferation of Bounty stealth-technology.

			Of the hulls not returned, many were kept by Alliance member-worlds who otherwise lacked the facilities to build warships of their own, and felt strongly that a space-navy for self-defense was now a requirement. Where possible, the Foundation made agreements with these worlds to keep the ships in exchange for a small licensing fee, sometimes even providing logistical and technical support for their continued operation.

			Many examples were illegally sold on the secondary market, where they became extremely popular with mercenaries, smugglers, and other such individuals of ill-repute. This was especially problematic immediately following the war when most such vessels still had fully-functional main cannons. Ironically given the name, the Foundation was forced to issue a "bounty" on all Bounty-class ships that could be either returned to the Crimson Blade or proven destroyed.

			As time passed, the threat from the illegally-acquired ships lessened. The main guns, especially the original IFA-built models, required specialized maintenance and sophisticated replacement components not easily obtained on the black market. The specific gun fitted to the Bounty was not designed for long-term use(as with the battleship guns), and degraded rapidly even with appropriate precautions. As such, within twenty years of the war, it was expected fewer than 1% of surviving Bounties still had functional main cannons. Weapons of a similar size and capability could not be fabricated without enormous technological capability, and any attempt to fit a different gun would compromise the stealth characteristics of the ship.

	==Design==		==Design==
	The Bounty was never conceived as a production-model ship. Instead, it was constructed as a Metal Prototype, Multi-technology Test Bed and equipment demonstrator. During the [[Battleship Crisis]], the [[Foundation]] was desperate for ways to field more ships~~; one proposal formed the mianstay~~ of ~~the~~ Bounty~~'s design:~~ it ~~would rely~~ on active shielding, rather than armor, to ~~protect itself~~. This concept, definitely not revolutionary, was not well-~~recieved~~ by the Crimson Blade regulars. Still, [[Starship Shield Systems\|shield technology]] had come a long way, particularly in the area of Projection Shields(which can stop torpedoes), so the metal-prototype received the green light.		The Bounty was never conceived as a production-model ship. Instead, it was constructed as a Metal Prototype, Multi-technology Test Bed([[MPMTB]]) and equipment demonstrator. During the [[Battleship Crisis]], the [[Foundation]] was desperate for ways to field more ships capable of attacking Kamian capitol vessels. The Bounty had several characteristics that made it ideal.

			Firstly, it fitted a battleship-grade gun capable of piercing heavy armor. Secondly, it relied on stealth, maneuverability, and active-shielding for protection; rather than much more costly heavy armor. These factors combined made it cheap and easy to field in large numbers. This concept, definitely not revolutionary, was not well-received by the Crimson Blade regulars. Still, [[Starship Shield Systems\|shield technology]] had come a long way, particularly in the area of Projection Shields(which can stop torpedoes), so the metal-prototype received the green light. A(likely apocrryphal) account has a Crimson Blade Supreme Commander announcing that "one thousand of these can be built at for the cost of a single heavy battleship!"

	Along with the new shielding requirements, Bounty was slated as a test bed for a new type of compressed energy weapon being developed by [[Industrial Face Annihilators]]. The charged particle cannon was built using lightweight composites, making them much easier to produce. ~~It was~~ slated to be the main gun on an upcoming battleship ~~design~~, but IFA's scientists had grave doubts about it's combat-readyness.		Along with the new shielding requirements, Bounty was slated as a test bed for a new type of compressed energy weapon being developed by [[Industrial Face Annihilators]]. The charged particle cannon was built using lightweight composites, making them much lighter. Many press clippings of the time erroniously reported that it was "much easier to produce", which was a half-truth. The reality is that IFA could build them faster and more easily, but only by using extremely advanced technology unavailable to anyone else. The design had been slated to be the main gun on an upcoming battleship, but IFA's scientists had grave doubts about it's combat-readyness.

	The original Bounty ~~design~~ also fielded next generation engine technology, as well as numerous sub-system enhancements that would see use on other starships for years to come.		The original Bounty also fielded next generation engine technology, as well as numerous sub-system enhancements that would see use on other starships for years to come.

	Many of Bounty's original design-elements were lifted from the Mauarader-class of [[Fast-Attack Ship]]. The Bounty was over three times as long, but with about the same beam.		Many of Bounty's original design-elements were lifted from the Mauarader-class [[Fast-Attack Ship]]. The Bounty was over three times as long, but with about the same beam. The key difference was the required fittings to give the ship a high endurance, and the addition of advanced stealth technology.

	===Operational Variants===		===Operational Variants===

CourseDirector at 23:17, 26 December 2018

2018-12-26T23:17:39Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:17, 26 December 2018
Line 55:		Line 55:
	==Notable Examples==		==Notable Examples==
	*[[Leros]], captained by [[Ada Taylor]]		*[[Leros]], captained by [[Ada Taylor]]

			[[Category:Course Books]]

CourseDirector at 18:49, 10 May 2017

2017-05-10T18:49:33Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:49, 10 May 2017
Line 11:		Line 11:

	Many of Bounty's original design-elements were lifted from the Mauarader-class of [[Fast-Attack Ship]]. The Bounty was over three times as long, but with about the same beam.		Many of Bounty's original design-elements were lifted from the Mauarader-class of [[Fast-Attack Ship]]. The Bounty was over three times as long, but with about the same beam.

			===Operational Variants===
			Around a half a century after the first ships went into operation, the Crimson Blade ordered an upgraded version of the Bounty. They had begun to engage in comerce-raiding at this point, and were jealous of the success Alliance wolf-packs were having. The line-leader, C.B.S. ''Viper'', was around thirty feet long than a standard Bounty, packed and secondary, slightly smaller cannon, and had her hull heavily re-enforced. The order for the ships from the Crimson Blade effectively said "Like the ''Bounty'', but able to take a punch".

			The main features of the Viper included heavily enhanced power-generation and a hull armored with high-strength ceramic composite plating. The armor was by no means on a par with that of a real fleet battleship, but it gave the ''Viper'' the capacity to withstand a "near miss" by most nukes.

			Viper-class ships became known as 'The Crimson Blade Special' due to their C.B.S.-[[Ship Prefix\|prefix]], especially when operating alongside Alliance Bounty-class ships. The name is also thought to derive from the space craft's resemblance to a sandwitch.

	==Operational History==		==Operational History==