The USS Gorgon
The Gorgon is the fourteenth Conestoga class starship to be built.
Originally the Gorgon was designed as a light transport possessing limited armaments for self-defense. However, the Gorgon, with her sister ships, has become a multi-role space vessel. To date, ships of this class have been employed in transports, prime movers, light assault, space command and control, and orbital bombardment duties. The Gorgon tips the scales at 78,000 metric tons, measuring 385 meters from bow to stern. Her asymmetric configuration allows maximum cargo capacity within the confines of a compact, heavily armored hull. The vessel's structural framework is built around its primary power unit.
Primary/Secondary Power Systems:
Primary power is provided by a Westingland A-59 fusion reactor that can generate a peak output of 3.6 Terawatts. The fusion process is fueled by powdered lithium hydride (LiH). Fuel is consumed at .25 mg per second per liter. Auxiliary power of would be provided by a cluster of four Continental Electric AS-4B/AV5 magnetohydrodynamic turbines, each unit capable of generating 20 to 40 megawatts.
Propulsion Systems:
All propulsion units are located aft of the Gorgon's main reactor. The Gorgon, as do all Conestoga class vessels, employs a dual drive method for sublight and Faster Than Light (FTL) movement. To maneuver in realspace at sublight speeds, the Gorgon is equipped with four Gates-Heidman GF-240 rockets than derive power from the main reactor. At maximum power, each rocket provides a thrust of more than 35,100 metric tons. However, fuel consumption is astronomical, allowing maximum thrust for short periods. When FTL travel is necessary, the Gorgon employs a Romberg-Rockwell Cygnus 5 tachyon shunt hyperdrive. The normal cruising speed sustainable by these units is .74 light years per Terran day.
Hull/Spaceframe Construction:
Spaceframe composition consists of bonded alloy and composite beams. These materials provide enough strength for massive acceleration while remaining flexible enough to withstand atmospherid re-entry. Hull armor consists of one armored skin, heavier than that on civilian transports. The armor is composed of laminated insulators, micrometeorite shielding, composite material, and aerogel. Protection against projectile weapons is limited, as with all spacecraft, but the aerogel is capable of dissipating radiation from lasers and particle beams. The hull is also covered with radar absorbent material. The engines vents are provided with infrared suppression/dispersion. The hull coating is laser absorbent to reduce lidar detection. The ship is colored in a dark charcoal scheme to reduce visibility. The foremost hull section provides the main cargo area for the Gorgon. Five 25x10 meter cargo doors on each side of the hull provide access. They have even been retrofitted into improvised dropship/shuttle launch bays. Underneath the cargo area reside the Gorgon's dedicated dropship/shuttle hangar with capacity for up to four UD-4L Cheyenne dropships.
Life Support:
Cryogenic hypersleep capsules are provided for crew use during the stresses of hyperspace travel. While in hypersleep, the Gorgon's computers maintain the crew's body functions at enormously slowed rates, waking them upon arriving on station. Sufficient capsules are provided for up to ninety crew, marines, and passengers, but there are provisions for troop transport configurations of up to 2000 capsules in the cargo bay. Artificial gravity is provided by field generators parallel to the main axis of the ship.
Computer Systems:
To reduce crew workload, and increase efficiency and safety, operation of the Gorgon and all Conestoga ships is fully automated. The Gorgon is equipped with a 28 Terabyte, carbon-60 based core mainframe. In effect, the ship could pilot itself and fight a space battle even if the crew were all dead or in hypersleep. However, at any time, combat or navigational decisions made by the ship can be overridden by the commanding officer. Backup is provided by an 8 terabyte mainframe and local terminals dispersed throughout the ship.
Damage Control Systems:
Most damage control is automated by the Gorgon's mainframe. If the reactor suffers severe damage, the entire assembly can be jettisoned before an explosion occurs. If the vehicle is damaged to the point it becomes untenable, emergency evac is prompted by the CO or automated systems. The Gorgon carries 20 type 337 emergency escape vehicles. If the crew is in hypersleep, their capsules will be loaded by the automatic systems. The ship may also be scuttled by the CO. Self-destruct protocols are initiated manually, causing the reactor to go supercritical fifteen minutes after initiation.
Sensors/Communication Systems:
The Gorgon's main sensor array is mounted on the foreside of the cargo bay. Ninety meter pylons project from this area, ensuring that the ship's bulk causes no interference. The passive array consists of: two optical telescopes, two infrared telescopes, a 60m planar-array radio telescope with a 20m backup unit. Active sensing is provided by three radar domes that employ centimeter wave radar for navigation and long range scans. Five more phased arrays along the hull provide target acquisition/tracking information for the ship's weapons. The main comm array is just forward of the drive units, consisting of a 64m antenna used to broadcast during FTL travel, and a secondary 16m antenna for in-system communication. A variety of other relays and receivers exist for securing, and intercepting transmissions.
Main/Secondary Armament:
The Gorgon carries a light complement of weaponry that allows it to function as a light cruiser. The main space-to-space punch is provided by eight XIM-28A Long Lance ASAT missiles within a dorsal launch bay. The missile is self guiding, and is capable of homing through the reception of several different formats of energy emission from the target. Its warhead is a forged fragment ring that creates a lethal burst of fragments. Secondary punch is provided by several systems. Twin 800 megavolt particle beams run parallel to the ship's main axis. These weapons are powered from storage cells between the main reactor and the weapons. For close combat, the Gorgon mounts twin railguns in dorsal and ventral turrets. Muzzle velocities exceed 12 km per second, with a practical range of 100 km. A single hit from a railgun round is often enough to cripple a ship. Close-in defense is handled by port and starboard laser turrets. The Gorgon mounts 80 megawatt infrared lasers capable of vaporizing railgun fire or crippling incoming missiles and fighters. A ventral launch bay carries 60 orbital mines, enough to deny low orbit to large ships. A dorsal bay amidships also carries 20 decoys designed to present a radar signature mimicking the Gorgon's. There are also two maneuvering drones designed to confuse enemy spacecraft. Space-to-surface capability is provided by a magazine below the cargo bay and forward of the dropship hangar. 80 free-fall, self-guiding re-entry vehicles are carried. The armament carried by the Gorgon enhances her flexibility, allowing her to function as a multi-role platform independent of a fleet or taskforce. She can carry a sizable Marine complement while defending herself from attack, or provide orbital bombardment in support of a Marine landing or planetary action. This has made the Gorgon and her sisters the prime movers of the Marine fleet for almost two decades.
