Good day fellow Spartans,
These ideas for the classes of a post war UNSC fleet is both a mix of in universe ships and created classes. Similarly, how these ships would be operated in the fleet, their payload, compliment and capability will also be a mix of fact, speculation and my own reimagining. This will be my first post and will be about the fighting ships, if it is received well, a second will be on the support ships and finally the secrative major classes which make up ONI fleet. Happy to have any feedback from you all as I do enjoy speculating about fleets. Boring I know ha. So without further delay…
The UNSC fighting fleet consists of 10 classes of warships, 6 classes of support ships/stations, while ONI operates 4 classes of stealth ships. The fighting fleet is broken down with these classes;
INFINTY class. Proposed x3, 8.7km ships of this class, headed by the flagship UNSC Infinity, they act as single mass deployment platforms and command ships, easily capable of garrasioning a small system on its own. Each ship operates within one of the three teirs of UEG 15 lightyear defensive sphere of controlled space, or leading UEG/ONI directed expeditions for forerunner worlds and tech caches.
This delta version of the Infinity class has been significantly lengthen from its base model, incorporating technologies and lessons learnt from the human covenent war to the most recent created uprising. These include further improved SMACs, installation of Shango directed energy batteries, and a hybrid Forerunner/A.I. matrix. An additional two docks for underslung frigates or destroyers was built in, increasing the class indigenous fleet size and thus punch.
TRAFALGAR class. Named after the most famous Punic supercarrier UNSC Trafalgar, these 4.2km ships are used as intermediary between the Infinity class and the smaller ships of the fleet. Designated as fleet carriers for mass single craft deployment and battle space control ships, a role bolstered by the ships own 3 underslung frigates or destroyers. They combine the role of the EPOCH and PUNIC classes before them. Often heading expeditionary forces to restablish/expand UNSC presence in previously lost or newly discovered regions of space. A dozen of these ships are proposed with x2 in service.
POSIDEN class. Short of a kilometre long, these light carriers are out tonned by all of their predecessors, however they make use of all of the post war technologies, including a pair of Mark III Shango directed energy batteries as its primary weapon. Their design and intent is based on a doctrine of rapid strike fleet deployment.
Unlike the larger carriers, Infinity and Cutter classes, which have dedicated forges for construction of single craft, vehicles and a bottomless source of ordinance, Posidens have large, modular sections for holding tailored air and ground engagement groups and their related stores, dependant for quick reaction within their sector. Currently over 80 of this class are in service with the UNSC with scores more planned.
CUTTER class. Named after the fabled captain of the Spirit of Fire, these 2.7km ships serve like their predecessors as Orbital Assault Ships. They form the hub for planetary deployment of ground forces and nerve centre of a strike fleet atmospheric units. Improved with post war technologies in fabrication and design, ensure the ships dedicated forges can convert raw materials into tools of war in short order. While enhanced sensors, weapon systems, and series of modular deployment bays, ensures that a single Cutter class can support multiple planetside engagements at any time.
VINDICATION class. These 2km battleships are dedicated to counter enemy capital ships, building from all the experiences gained during the war and perceived future threats. This class houses a set of SMACs like those used by the Infinity class and ODPs along with a comprehensive suite of mini MACs, heavy coil guns, Shango directed energy turrents, oversized missile batteries and CIWS. It’s hanger is small for its size, used to hold it’s dedicated UCAV squadrons. The drones engage in long range ECM warfare and swarm attacks. A small ODST strike force, it’s dedicated armoury and related strike transport also are based in here. It houses two ordinance forges to keep it’s weapon batteries well stocked in a fight.
AUTUMN class. These form the bulk of the UNSC ship to ship fighting fleet. Build upon the exploits of the upgraded Halcyon class Pillar of Autumn, these 1.5 km heavy cruisers are primarily used as escorts for the larger capital ships and form the teeth of any strike fleet with their twin series IX heavy MACS and coligun/ missile batteries. It also possesses a series of large modular deployment bays for ODST and marine airdrops and hanger for supporting strike and transport craft.
IROQUOIS class. Named after the destroyer which executed the now famed Keyes loop, the Iroquois class fleet destroyer is a blend of the Halcyon light cruiser and earlier Halbert class destroyer. At 737 meters, it sports pair of MACs, a Mark IV heavy MAC primarily for anti ship engagement supported by a lighter Mark II for delivery of smart ordinance, supply pods, drones and engaging lighter targets. As with many other ships in the fleet, modular mission bays to house tailored air and ground forces are fitted to allow for greater mission flexibility.
STRIDENT class. Build in the hundreds, these 575 meter frigates form the backbone of the UNSC fleet along with the Anlace class. It’s powerful MAC, weapon batteries, energy shielding and operations bay make them potent escorts and ideal for enforcing the rapid strike ship doctrine used to combat ‘bushfire’ engagements within and on the edges of UEG space.
ANLACE class. This frigate class is greatly unique in many ways. It is the smallest frigate class ever used by the UNSC at only 404 meters in length. It’s hull is adapted for atmospheric actions, though it’s effective in ship to ship battles. It also is the first ship class employ a directed energy weapon as its primary weapon, with its MAC used in a secondary role along with its missiles in support of ground forces or ship attacks. It’s mission bay consumes a large portion of the ships mass and is almost exclusive in support of planetary ground and airborne actions.
GLADIUS class. Operating as interdiction and patrol corvettes, these are the smallest class of warship in the UNSC navy. Outgunned by many ships, they rely on their extensive sensor and tracking suites, low profile and high speeds to track and thus avoid larger hostile ships. Squadrons of these corvettes are often gifted to worlds loyal to the UEG, due to their ease of construction while offering a cost effective deterrent against privateers and mauraders.They have become favoured class of UNSC special operation/ planetary teir one security units for their extensive, comprehensive sensors, compact mission bay, which is spacious enough for a well assorted armoury and fast strike vehicles and the heavy, yet precise firepower it can bring to bare in support of said teams, without breaking the bank in cost like an ONI prowler.
Will post more on the remaining fleet classes according to the feedback. Feel free to help critic and ask questions about the ideas about the fleet.