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Blue Jay-class Space Escort Carrier (SCVE)
Shangri La-class Stealth Space Attack Carrier (SSCV)

Class History:

Blue Jay-class

• 7,833 Total built by Albion Terran Yard (2050-2070)
• 44 Destroyed Transient War 2057
• 4 Destroyed Varauta War 2064
• 7,112 Destroyed 4^th Robotech War 2063-2068
• 400 Scrapped
• 273 In Service 2070

Shangri-La-class

• 177 Total built by Albion Terran Yard (2058-2070)
• 1 Destroyed Varauta War 2064
• 112 Destroyed 4^th Robotech War 2063-2070
• 6 Scrapped
• 58 In Service 2070

Ship's complement:

• Ships' crew (500 men)
• Space Naval air group (200 men)
• Space Marine unit (500 men)
• Life support limits are for a full combat complement and about 4,800 supernumeraries (5,000 men total).

Note: The given numbers are approximations; the exact number varied somewhat due to operational realities and different ships.

Dimensions:

• Length: 400 meters overall
• Height: 72 meters overall
• Width: 120 meters overall
• Fuel Mass: 66,000 metric tons (Blue Jay-class)
                    70,000 metric tons (Shangri La-class)
• Operational mass (typical):  400,000 metric tons (Blue Jay-class)
                                            480,000 metric tons (Shangri La-class)

Propulsion systems:

(Blue Jay-class)

• Main power system(1): RRD Mk11 anti-matter Reflex furnace. The powerplant of the Sentinel-class vessel can deliver up to 450 Terawatts of power, and can operate for two hours at maximum power before overheat initiates autoshutdown.
• Maneuvering thrusters (18): Overtechnology MRT-06 Fusion-Plasma Reaction Thrusters with steerable nozzles on the bow(4), sides (5 each) ventral surface (2), and dorsal surface (2).
• Reaction-mass thrusters (3): Shizuma Drive  MRE-14 Fusion-Plasma Reaction Thrusters with anti-matter energizer in the rear of the main hull.
• Anti-gravity system (1): 10 Europa Drive Hercules anti-gravity pods.
• Sublight Drive drive (2): Shizuma Drive GDD-6 local monopolar-induced gravitic space-time distortion drive.
• Space fold (1): RRD Mk16b spacefold. This system is conformal to the vessels surface. The problem with the vast majority of the previous generation of fold systems was that the fold bubble weakened the state of the structure to the extent that they needed a refit after only five years of service. As such the RDF mandated the use of conformal systems similar to the old Zentraedi systems which also allows for much higher speeds.  The Mk16b was created by placing two Mk16 fold drives in tandem to increase the foldable mass.
• Planetary capabilities: The Blue Jay-class have atmospheric capabilities through its reaction thrusters and anti-gravity system. The ships' lower body has several retractable landing struts that have sufficient strength to let the ship land on them, although the landing ground should be as firm as possible (granite is recommended). The ship would float in an ocean, and this is the preferred method of landing.

(Shangri-La-class)

• Main power system(1): RRD Mk15 anti-matter Reflex furnace. The powerplant of the Sentinel-class vessel can deliver up to 6.2 Petawatts of power, and can operate for two hours at maximum power before overheat initiates autoshutdown.
• Maneuvering thrusters (18): Overtechnology MRT-06 Fusion-Plasma Reaction Thrusters with steerable nozzles on the bow(4), sides (5 each) ventral surface (2), and dorsal surface (2).
• Reaction-mass thrusters (3): Turbo Union MRE-19 Fusion-Plasma Reaction Thrusters with anti-matter energizer in the rear of the main hull.
• Anti-gravity system (1): 10 Europa Drive Hercules anti-gravity pods.
• Gravitic displacement drive (2): Shizuma Drive GDD-6 local monopolar-induced gravitic space-time distortion drive.
• Space fold (1): RRD Mk16b spacefold. This system is conformal to the vessels surface. The problem with the vast majority of the previous generation of fold systems was that the fold bubble weakened the state of the structure to the extent that they needed a refit after only five years of service. As such the RDF mandated the use of conformal systems similar to the old Zentraedi systems which also allows for much higher speeds.  The Mk16b was created by placing two Mk16 fold drives in tandem to increase the foldable mass.
• Planetary capabilities: The Shangri-La-class have atmospheric capabilities through its reaction thrusters and anti-gravity system. The ships' lower body has several retractable landing struts that have sufficient strength to make a cold landing. Note that the ground underneath should be as firm as possible. The ship will float in an ocean, and this is the preferred landing in the absence of landing infrastructure.

Endurance and mobility limits:

(Blue Jay-class)

• The dry stores endurance is two months maximum; after that, the vessel needs to restock. Water stores are recycled almost totally, and many crews add small hydroponic plants to unused spaces, providing the crew with a smattering of fresh fruits, but this is insufficient to provide for the crew indefinitely.
• The mecha consumables supplies (mainly missiles) are limited; the vessel is unable to sustain continuous combat operations for much more than six days. 
  The missile magazines for the torpedo launchers are typically empty after two major space battles.
• At full power, the main propulsion systems can produce up to 60 Giganewtons of thrust at a minimal reaction mass efficiency profile, or as little as 1.1 Giganewtons of thrust at a maximum efficiency setting. At lower power levels, these thrusts are commensurately smaller.
• At full power, the vessels can achieve a maximum delta-v of 487 kps at the cruising acceleration of .8G, a maximum delta-v of 97.4 kps at the battle acceleration of 2.8G, and a delta-v of at most 26.3 kps at the flank acceleration of 4G. At lower power levels, these ranges are commensurately smaller.
• Sublight drive acceleration is 1500 g, but the vessel's maneuverability is reduced to such a degree that only minor course corrections are possible. Typical cruising speed is .30c.
• The Mk16b fold systems are not designed to be used for folds of distances greater than approximately 5 kiloparsecs, for safety reasons. If longer voyages are required, the ships must conduct multiple fold jumps.
• The maximum atmospheric speed is limited to sub-sonic speeds only. The maximum hover time on the anti-gravity systems is limited only by maintenance requirements.

(Shangri-La-class)

• The dry stores endurance is two months maximum; after that, the vessel needs to restock. Water stores are recycled almost totally, and many crews add small hydroponic plants to unused spaces, providing the crew with a smattering of fresh fruits, but this is insufficient to provide for the crew indefinitely.
• The mecha consumables supplies (mainly missiles) are excellent; the vessel is able to sustain continuous combat operations for more than 10 days. 
  The missile magazines for the torpedo launchers are typically empty after three major space battles.
• At full power, the main propulsion systems can produce up to 100 Giganewtons of thrust at a minimal reaction mass efficiency profile, or as little as 1.9 Giganewtons of thrust at a maximum efficiency setting. At lower power levels, these thrusts are commensurately smaller.
• At full power, the vessels can achieve a maximum delta-v of 487 kps at the cruising acceleration of 1.2G, a maximum delta-v of 97.4 kps at the battle acceleration of 4.2G, and a delta-v of at most 26.3 kps at the flank acceleration of 6.6G. At lower power levels, these ranges are commensurately smaller.
• Sublight drive acceleration is 1500 g, but the vessel's maneuverability is reduced to such a degree that only minor course corrections are possible. Typical cruising speed is .05c.
• The Mk16b fold systems are not designed to be used for folds of distances greater than approximately 5 kiloparsecs, for safety reasons. If longer voyages are required, the ships must conduct multiple fold jumps.
• The maximum atmospheric speed is limited to sub-sonic speeds only. The maximum hover time on the anti-gravity systems is limited only by maintenance requirements.

Weapon systems:

(Blue Jay-class)

• Krupp PC-06 plasma cannon (1): Has a range of 200,000 km; delivers 30.6 TJ of particle energy per shot. Fires once every fifteen seconds. The cannon is mounted in the center of the hull in a fixed forward firing position.
• Europa RIC-12 reaper ion cannon (4): For secondary anti-ship firepower the Blue Jay carriers four Reaper Ion Cannon, one mounted in each of the four corners of the super structure.  The cannon delivers charged atomic particles that impact a target and release radiation and large amounts of heat melting the armor. This cannon is also very effective against shields because the radiation interferes with the harmonics of the shield by delivering EM pulses with the radiation.  Each cannon fires once every three seconds with a 4.5 GJ discharge with a maximum effective range of 75,000 km. 
• Lockheed SLBM launchers (8): The missiles are specialized Lockheed SLBM-11 Archer (Space Launched Ballistic Missiles) with anti-matter warheads in the 5 MT range. The delta-v capacity of the missiles is 351.6 kps, and the magazine can store 6 missiles per launcher. These launchers are mounted amidships on top of each side of the hull.
• Bofors PL-7 point defense turrets (20): Mounted on the bow (3), dorsal surface (3), stern (2), sides (5 each), and the ventral surface (2). These standard RDF weapons can fire 53 MJ of particle energy four times per second at a range of up to 20 km. 
• Raytheon Mk 267 surface to air missile launchers (6): A missile launcher mounted in a twelve tube pop-up turret, firing anti-mecha/missile missiles, though the projectiles can guide on point-blank enemy ships. When the missiles are released they are already on their intercept vectors, or very close to them.  The launcher is designed to fire the SA-12 Arrow medium range surface-to-air missile. Each turret has a reload time of 6 seconds and a magazine with a 60 round capacity.  These turrets are mounted behind armor plating and pop up when firing and are mounted on the dorsal hull (2), ventral hull (2), and on each side of the hull (1 per).

(Shangri La-class)

• RRD MRC-06 mini-reflex cannon (1): This miniaturized, less powerful version of the heaviest of ship-borne weapons has an effective range of 100,000 km; at full power it has the effective yield of a 15 MT fusion weapon with a refire rate of once every minute. The weapon is located in an aperture in the center forward body. If utilized against starships, only smaller vessels could be destroyed with the beam. A direct hit would vaporize the target vessel. The weapon could also be set to a wider dispersal. In this setting, it was capable of clearing a wide area of fighters and other mecha, although starships in this area would only be blinded. The cannon is mounted in the center of the hull in a fixed forward firing position.
• Krupp PC-15 plasma cannon (4): The plasma cannon is a new cannon designed to replace the aging particle cannon and works by firing electrically charged hydrogen molecules that upon impact give off radiation and a tremendous amount of heat causing a large explosion. To give the weapon a great advantage, this the cannon has a range of 200,000 kilometers making the longest range weapon in the RDF arsenal. However the cannon does sacrifice some power in pursuit of this long range and can only discharge 15.8GJ per volley. The refire rate on the cannon is once every five seconds giving it a rather mediocre rate of firing but the long range makes up for it as most ships cannot begin to attack until they close range. Each cannon and can rotate a 75 degrees in the horizontal axis and from -15 to 15 degrees in the vertical axis. The cannons are mounted on the bow one in each corner of the superstructure.
• Lockheed SLBM launchers (8): The missiles are specialized Lockheed Lockheed SLBM-20 Warhammer (Space Launched Ballistic Missiles) with anti-matter warheads in the 20 MT range. The delta-v capacity of the missiles is 633.1 kps, and the magazine can store 4 missiles per launcher. These launchers are mounted amidships on top of each side of the hull.
• Bofors PL-12 Point defense turrets (20): Mounted on the bow (3), dorsal surface (3), stern (2), sides (5 each), and the ventral surface (2). These standard RDF weapons can fire 60 MJ of particle energy four times per second at a range of up to 20 km. 
• Raytheon Mk 267 surface to air missile launchers (6): A missile launcher mounted in a twelve tube pop-up turret, firing anti-mecha/missile missiles, though the projectiles can guide on point-blank enemy ships. When the missiles are released they are already on their intercept vectors, or very close to them.  The launcher is designed to fire the SA-12 Arrow medium range surface-to-air missile. Each turret has a reload time of 6 seconds and a magazine with a 60 round capacity.  These turrets are mounted behind armor plating and pop up when firing and are mounted on the dorsal hull (2), ventral hull (2), and on each side of the hull (1 per).

Electronics System:

• Hughes DSP-5 pinpoint barrier defense system(1): Uses four movable disks of force field, conformal to the ship's surface, to repel light torpedo attacks, or particle beam fire.

(Shangri La-class only)

• Northrop-Grumman ASM-04 Active Stealth System: The Shangri-La-class is equipped with a revolutionary stealth system that when activated renders the craft almost invisible to standard sensors such as radar. Unlike passive stealth systems like those used by the VF-17 Nightmare or the old USAF F-117, the Shangri-La-class stealth system is an active stealth that actually bends radar waves around the mecha rather than reflecting them rendering then Stalker-class almost undetectable to all radar systems.

Air group and mecha complement:

(Blue Jay-class)

(Circa 2055)

• 90 VF-11 Thunderbolt Veritech fighter
• 30 VF-17 Nightmare Veritech fighter
• 1 EC-12 Eagle Airborne early warning and control aircraft
• 1 SC-45 Hawk Personnel and cargo shuttle

(Space Marine Unit)

• 100 VR-071 Protector Veritech cyclone
• 100 VR-077 Firefly Veritech cyclone
• 100 VR-074 Gorilla Veritech cyclone

(Circa 2063)

• 75 VF-19 Excalibur Veritech fighter
• 15 VF-17 Nightmare Veritech fighter
• 30 VA-14 Falcon Veritech bomber
• 1 EC-15 Lynx Airborne early warning and control  aircraft
• 1 SC-52 Vulture Personnel and cargo shuttles

(Space Marine Unit)

• 100 VR-071 Protector Veritech cyclone
• 100 VR-077 Firefly Veritech cyclone
• 100 VR-074 Gorilla Veritech cyclone

(Shangri-La)

• 75 VF-17 Nightmare Veritech fighter
• 30 VF-22 Sturmvogel Veritech fighter
• 15 VA-14 Falcon Veritech bomber
• 1 EC-15 Lynx Airborne early warning and control aircraft
• 1 SC-52 Vulture Personnel and cargo shuttle
• 50 VR-102 Viper Veritech cyclone

NOTE: The given numbers are approximations; the exact number and type of mecha varied somewhat due to operational realities and different ships.

Design notes:

The Blue Jay-class design finds its roots in the original Hermes-class ARMD platforms designed before the First Robotech War in the early 21^st century. The Blue Jay-class shares the same basic hull design with the original Hermes-class as well as filling the same mission profile. The ARMD concept was itself not flawed but simply misapplied. The Blue Jay-class designed and built by the Albion Terran Yard was constructed primarily as a convoy escort and patrol carrier.

The carrier itself is 400 meters long and carries an impressive amount of firepower for such a small vessel. The hull itself is shaped like a rectangle with a large cavern in the bow which mounts the main plasma cannon, the ships primary offensive weapon. In addition to the plasma cannon the Blue Jay mounts four reaper ion cannons mounted in each of the four corners of the superstructure. On the top of the hull the Blue Jay has several SLBM launchers which provide a heavy offensive punch and supplement the reaper cannons and particle cannon. The ship, like all newer Terran ships mounts a heavy battery of anti-mecha and aircraft firepower consisting of both laser turrets and surface to air missile launchers mounted across the hull to bring many weapons to bear on one point.

The ship itself has eight decks in addition to the command citadel located in the aft section of the ship. The top deck of the command citadel is the captain's ready room. The second deck is the actual bridge itself where the ship is commanded while the third deck is the combat information center. The fourth deck of the command citadel is the tactical flag command center where the battlegroup commander can command the force.

The main hull of the ship contains the living quarters for the crew as well as the mecha launch and repair bays. The top deck of the ship is divided into three sections. The forward section of the first deck contains the firing mechanisms for two of the reaper cannons as well as machine shops to service them and ammunition for the SLBM launchers. The middle section contains the SLBM launchers and resembles the old 'Sherwood Forest' seen on ballistic missile submarines. The aft section contains the officers quarters. The next deck is divided into a forward and aft section. The forward section contains the firing mechanism for the main plasma cannon. The after section contains the officer's club as well as several briefing rooms and other officer's facilities. The next two decks contain the living quarters for the enlisted crew. The fifth deck contains the infirmary and the crews mess and galley along with other various amenities that often vary from ship to ship. The sixth deck is mostly storage space. The seventh deck is divided into three parts. The forward section contains the firing mechanism for the plasma cannon. The middle section contains the flight deck where up to fifteen aircraft can be serviced and major repairs take place. The aft section is the quarters and briefing rooms for the aircrew along with several other rooms for the pilots which again vary from ship to ship. The bottom deck is divided into three parts, the after section is the recovery bay where veritechs are recovered. The middle section is the other flight deck where the remaining aircraft are serviced and light repair work is done. The forward section is the launch bay where aircraft are launched.

History:

In the late 2040's humanity began to spread its influence over the galaxy and colonize many planets expanding human space. As such both the RDF Space Navy and the RDF Planetary Guard needed a cheap easily made ship to both patrol space and escort the many convoys traveling around the galaxy. In 2049 the Albion Terran Yard delivered two designs, a carrier and a combat ship. The combat ship was to become the Sentinel-class while the carrier was designated the Blue Jay-class Space Escort Carrier with the first one being launched in January of 2050.

The ship was produced at a rapid rate and served its builders well in enforcing trade laws and stopping smuggling as well as defending many convoys from pirate and Anti-UTG attack. The Blue Jay itself had no real flaws except the lack of heavy firepower but this was not considered a problem as it usually only fought against enemies without large capital ships and even when it did run into capital ships, the Sentinel-class vessels (which usually served with the Blue Jay) had a powerful cannon to deal with the threat. The ship served well during the Transient War in defending convoys from attack from many Zentraedi ships.

During the colonization efforts of the UTG in the 2050's and 2060's the ship found a new role as both a escort for the colony fleets and as an escort for the high value Sunflower-class agricultural ships that produced food for the fleet. The Blue Jay-class can hook up to the ship itself and provide defense for the ships in case of attack.

Following the development of the active stealth system, the RDF sought to apply it to selected designs which would be used as special forces bases of operations deep behind enemy lines using their stealth systems to remain undetected in the darkness of space.  The Sentinel-class Corvette and Blue Jay-class were chosen to receive extensive modifications which allowed them to accomplish their mission.  The Blue Jay received a new more powerful reactor to power its new engines and weapon systems.  The main cannon was upgraded to a mini reflex cannon giving the vessel a tremendous amount of firepower.  The reaper cannons were replaced with plasma cannons further enhancing offensive firepower.  Externally she was exactly the same as her sister ships even the internal deck layouts remained the same.  The new vessel was dubbed the Shangri-La class with the first one being launched in 2058.   

During the 4^th Robotech War 2063-2068 the ship ran into some problems facing the massed numbers and firepower of the Marduk and as such the ships took heavy losses. Nonetheless the ship performed its tasks well but will be replaced in the early 70's.

Layout adapted from Robotech Reference Guide

Content by Jeffrey R. Spillner
Copyright © 1998-2002 Jeffrey R. Spillner

Page Last Updated on January 21, 2002 @ 14:00 GMT