In many cases, a variety of different designs are derived from a single design. Classes produced in large numbers are often converted for a wide variety of roles. As such, corvettes, frigates, and destroyers are classes of warships converted to other roles. Some of these roles include specialized escorts, mine sweepers, and even high speed troop transports.
One of the single largest classes of warships ever produced was the Ferret class corvette. They were massed produced during the first war of survival for the Human Alliance. There were so many in service that many were retired or put in mothball status when they had almost no service. Many under construction were also canceled when the war ended. As a result of the Human Alliance downsizing, large numbers were sold.
These ships were picked up by independent governments as well mercenary companies. Some were even purchased by individuals. Most were unmodified but still considerable numbers were modified for different roles. Originally, the ships were considered extremely fast. Some were converted to escort vessels, others were converted into minesweepers, and even a few were converted into light cargo ships. These ships were simply too small to be converted into high speed troop transports.
There was some consideration given to producing the variants by the Human Alliance but the leaders preferred other ships to fill these rolls. The conversion of Ferret class corvettes were not considered worth the cost and the corvettes were seen as having limitations due to their size.
Today, these ships are slowly disappearing. Some have been lost in combat while others simply have been scrapped. Many sit in starship graveyards around the Three Galaxies, some little more that hulks used for parts. In some cases, these ships have been simply forgotten. Still, it is surprising the number of these ships still in service. Most likely, these ships with serve for longer than the original developers would have considered possible. Unlike many other designs, there are few companies offering upgrades to the various versions of the Ferret.
As escorts, these ships replace the standard cruise missile launchers with a pair of long range missile launchers. These ships are known as the "Ferret-E" and are the most common version beside the standard model. These ships can fire twice as many missile per volley as a standard Ferret although they have a limited payload. There are two reloads for the launchers. In some cases, these ships are used as convoy escorts. As well, some experimenting has been done with assigning Ferret-E escort corvettes as protection for standard Ferret class corvettes. One of the biggest limitations of the standard Ferret is a lack of decent long range protection. The crew is the same as the standard version, sixteen crew with two officers.
As minesweepers, the ships also replace the standard cruise missile launchers with a pair of long range missile launchers. This version is called the "Ferret-M" and is much less common than the "Ferret-E" model. These only mount a single reload for the missile launchers compared to two for the escort version. It is funny due to the fact that in some cases these ships have been used as escorts as well. The Ferret-M also mounts a powerful mine hunting gravity sensor. It has an extremely limited search cone but is more powerful than the sensors even on a battleship. Range is limited compared to the system on larger minesweepers. Because of the limited payload of the main battery, these ships usually operate in groups. Otherwise, these ships can find themselves overwhelmed by the defenses of many mine fields. In addition to losing cargo space for missiles, these ships also greatly reduce the amount of cargo they can carry. The "Ferret-M" has a crew of twenty compared to sixteen in the standard model.
The final version strips out the missile launchers completely and instead. replaces the missile launchers with more cargo spaces. With missile launchers stripped out, these ships can carry up to three hundred tons of cargo. Virtually all cargo versions are owned by civilian organizations or private individuals. They were considered extremely fast when first entering service although there are many faster cargo ship designs now. One role these corvettes often performed originally was as couriers. A small number also were converted into yachts with extremely spacious passenger quarters. Crew on cargo versions (as well as yachts) is reduced to ten.
All versions of these ships retain their mini-missile launchers and point defense lasers and rail guns. The cargo version reduce the payload of mini-missiles. These secondary batteries are suppose to protect the ships from incoming missiles along with main battery. Power is provided by a fusion reactor, not an anti-matter reactor like most newer ships. This was mature technology when the ships were first introduced and anti-matter systems were still experimental. Still, they are extremely durable and cheaper to operate than anti-matter plants.
Ship design uses modified starship speeds and weapon ranges. See Revised Starship Rules for Phase World for more details.
| Model Type: | FFL-04-E | Ferret-E class Escort Corvette |
| FFL-04-M | Ferret-M class Minesweeper | |
| FFL-04-C | Ferret class Fast Cargo Ship | |
| Vehicle Type: | FFL-04-E | Escort Corvette |
| FFL-04-M | Minesweeper | |
| FFL-04-C | Fast Cargo Ship | |
| Crew: | FFL-04-E | 16 (2 officers) |
| FFL-04-M | 20 (3 officers) | |
| FFL-04-C | 10 (2 officers) |
M.D.C. By Location:
| Central Sensor Suite (Minesweeper Version, built into hull): | 300 | |
| Point Defense Rail Gun Turrets (2): | 150 each | |
| Triple Barrel Defense Laser Turrets (2): | 150 each | |
| Long Range Missile Batteries (Escort / Minesweeper Versions,2): | 400 each | |
| Mini-Missile Launchers (4): | 100 each | |
| [1] Bridge: | 800 | |
| [2] Main Body: | 2,000 | |
| [3] Variable Force Field: | 800 a side (4,800 Total) |
Notes:
[1] In reality this is how much damage needs to be done for a weapon
to hit the bridge through the ships armor. This ship does not have an auxiliary
bridge. Even if the bridges is destroyed, the ship can still be piloted
from engineering but ship is -3 to dodge and all weapon systems will be
at local control. Weapon hits near the bridge that do not penetrate the
ships integrity can injure crew members on or near the bridge.
[2] Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body will put the corvette out
of commission. All internal systems will shut down, including life support
and internal gravity. The ship itself will be an unsalvageable floating
wreck.
[3] Shields positions can be varied and all could be combined in one
shield. Shields regenerate at the rate of 5% (240 M.D.C.) per melee round
Speed:
Driving on the Ground: Not Possible.
Sublight: Has a special sublight engine that allows the ship
to travel up to 50 percent of the speed of light. Star Ship can accelerate/decelerate
at the rate of 0.9 percent of light per melee.
Atmospheric Propulsion: Maximum speed is Mach 2, can enter an
atmosphere because flight system is by contra grav.
Stardrive: Uses a Gravitonic Drive system that allows the ship
to reach a maximum of 3.5 light years per hour.
Maximum Range: Effectively Unlimited by either Drive system.
Carries about one year worth of supplies on board.
Statistical Data:
Length: 115 feet (35.1 meters)
Height: 220 feet (67.1 meters)
Width: 80 feet (24.4 meters)
Weight: 1,800 tons (1,632.9 metric tons)
Power System: Fusion with a 25 year life span (fusion was far
cheaper than anti-matter). The ship normally only goes 5 years between
refueling and refitting.
Cargo: Cargo holds are scattered about the ship that allows
for carrying up to 100 tons (90.72 metric tons) for Ferret-E class Escort,
20 tons (18.14 metric tons) for Ferret-M class Minesweeper, and 300 tons
(272.16 metric tons) for Cargo Ship version. This is in addition to standard
compliment of supplies and ammunition. Each enlisted crew member has a
small locker for personal items and uniforms. Ships officers have more
space for personal items. Most of the ships spaces are take up by extra
ammunition, armor, troops, weapons, engine, and other equipment.
Market Cost: Escort Version normally cost between 200 and 400
million credits, Minesweeper Version cost between 300 and 500 million credits,
and Cargo Version cost between 75 and 100 million credits.
WEAPON SYSTEMS:
Sensor System of Note:
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