The Trans-Galactic Empire tends to like to operate far more in the multi-role designs than the Consortium does. Examples include that Smasher class cruiser carrying virtually the fighter compliment of a light carrier and the Doombringer class dreadnought carrying the fighter compliment of a fleet carrier. In the same respect, the Trans-Galactic Empire does not operate separate assault carriers and troop transports. Instead, the Black Claw is expected to fill both roles. As such, it carries a sizeable fighter compliment as well as support for troops and equipment. These ships also carry a heavy energy battery for both ship to ship combat and bombardment roles. Of course these ships may be expected to suppress insurrections as well as seizing targets of opportunity. Because of concerns of rebellion, these ships are often extremely busy. Some of these ships are operated by the main naval forces while others are operated by the Empire's security forces.
Some troop transport designs in the Three Galaxies are based on civilian design but the Trans-Galactic Empire appears to be built on military standards. As such, the Black Claw is a bit tougher than many other troop transport designs. The ship mounts variable defensive shields identical to those mounted on the Smasher class cruiser to withstand greater damage as it is expected that these ships may be required to engage in ship to ship combat. Power is provided by an anti-matter reactor and the ship has both a powerful faster than light drive system and in-system drive system. Top speed in faster than light travel is four light years per hour. Sensor systems are also based on military standards and are pulled from the Smasher class cruiser. Extensive command and control facilities for troops are onboard the ship.
Weaponry carried is virtually identical to those carried on the Smasher as well. Main battery is a single 30 cm heavy laser cannon and is backed up by four 12 cm medium laser cannons. These are mostly used for anti-ship roles. The 30 cm cannons are most effective when used to bombard through an atmosphere due to their greater effective range. The ships also mount a pair of cruise missile batteries although payload is reduced to thirty per launcher from the fifty per launcher carried on the Smasher. Point defense batteries are also different than the Smasher with eight mounts which combine a point defense laser with a mini-missile battery and eight mounts which combine a gravity rail gun mount with a mini-missile battery.
These troop transports carry thirty-six Flying Fang fighters or fighter-bombers. This allows the ships to operate as virtually light carriers and are useful for supporting planetary assaults. If more fighters are needed, usually they are escorted by a Smasher class cruiser. There are thoughts about substituting forty-eight Sharktooth Light Starfighters when they become available in larger numbers. These ships also carry four "Rain of Death" assault shuttles along with embarked troops and equipment. Usually compliment is four doomsday machines, forty Imperator Assault Robots, thirty-two Dark Slayer hover tanks, and a large number of power armors. Two thousand troops in total can be carried or about sixteen hundred in power armors. This is normally split between Warlord I and Warlord II power armors. All equipment can be disembarked in less than four assault runs assuming that none of the shuttles are destroyers or damaged to the point where they cannot continue operating. Extensive support equipment and supplies are also carried.
Ship design uses modified starship speeds and weapon ranges. See Revised Starship Rules for Phase World for more details.
Model Type: TIV-BCTTI
Vehicle Type: Troop Transport / Assault Ship
Crew: 220
Troops: 50 Fighter Pilots, 24 Shuttle Crew, 56 Doomsday Machine
Crew, 160 Imperator Assault Robot Crew, 160 Dark Slaver Tank Crew, and
2,000 Troops (1600 in power armor).
Vehicle, Robots, and Power Armors:
Power Armors:
| 1000 | IPA-WI-K Warlord Mark I Combat Suit | |
| 60 | IPA-WI-H Warlord Mark II Combat Suit |
| 40 | IAR-500 Imperator Assault Robots |
| 32 | IAF-95 MBT Dark Slayer Main Battle Tank | |
| 4 | KT-1 Doomsday Machine |
| 36 | FF-100 Standard Flying Fangs or FFB-120 Flying Fang Bombers (Carries 4 Cruise missiles) |
| 4 | TIV-TTI "Rain of Death" Transports |
M.D.C. By Location:
| 30 cm Heavy Laser Cannon Lance (Top): | 1,200 each | |
| 12 cm Secondary Heavy Laser Cannons (4): | 800 each | |
| Cruise Missile Batteries (2, Front): | 1,000 each | |
| Point Defense Lasers / Missile Batteries (8): | 350 each | |
| GR Rail Cannons / Missile Batteries (8): | 400 each | |
| Outer Hull (40 ft/ 12.2 m Area): | 150 | |
| Inner Hull (40 ft/ 12.2 m Area): | 100 | |
| [1] Bridge: | 10,000 | |
| [1] Secondary Bridge: | 10,000 | |
| Hanger Bay: | 15,000 | |
| [2] Main Body: | 60,000 | |
| [3] Variable Force Field: | 3,000 a side (18,000 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 also has an auxiliary
bridge. Even if both bridges are taken out, 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 cruiser 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% (900 M.D.C.)
Speed:
Driving on the Ground: Not Possible.
Sublight: Has a special sublight engine that allows the ship
to travel up to 60 percent of the speed of light maximum due to civilian
shields. Star Ship can accelerate/decelerate at the rate of 0.8 percent
of light per melee. Ship has had the merchant radiation and particle shields
replaced with military ones.
Atmospheric Propulsion: Maximum speed is 250 mph (402 kph),
can enter an atmosphere and can leave but is not designed for atmospheric
flight
Stardrive: Uses a Gravitonic Drive system that allows the ship
to reach a maximum of 4 lightyears per hour.
Maximum Range: Effectively Unlimited by either Drive system.
Carries about two years worth of supplies on board for the ship's crew.
Statistical Data:
Length: 980 feet (298.7 meters)
Height: 400 feet (121.9 meters)
Width: 350 feet (106.7 meters)
Weight: 450,000 Tons (408,230 metric tons)
Power System: Anti-Matter with a 50 year life span. The ship
normally only goes 10 years between refueling and refitting.
Cargo: Cargo holds are scattered about the ship that allows
for carrying up to 50,000 tons (45,360 metric tons) of Cargo 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: 2.5 billion credits (Does not include embarked
troops, equipment, and fighters)
WEAPON SYSTEMS:
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