Technical Files Homepage



Designation:

Montgolfier-class Space Tender/Mobile Dock (SAD)

Names and disposition:

(RFS = Robotech Factory Satellite)
(RNY = Robotech Naval Yard)
(VNY = Vickers Naval Yard)

SAD-01 UES Montgolfier  Commissioned RFS, 2025 Destroyed 4th Robotech War, 2067
SAD-02 UES Wright  Commissioned RFS, 2026 Destroyed 4th Robotech War, 2067
SAD-03 UES Bleriot  Commissioned RFS, 2027 Destroyed 4th Robotech War, 2067
SAD-04 UES Lindbergh  Commissioned RFS, 2028 Destroyed 4th Robotech War, 2067
SAD-05 UES Gagarin  Commissioned RFS, 2029 Destroyed 4th Robotech War, 2067
SAD-06 UES Von Braun Commissioned RNY, 2048 Destroyed 4th Robotech War, 2067
SAD-07 UES Richthofen Commissioned RNY, 2048 Destroyed 4th Robotech War, 2066
SAD-08 UES Immelman Commissioned RNY, 2048 Destroyed 4th Robotech War, 2066
SAD-09 UES Dumont Commissioned RNY, 2048 Destroyed 4th Robotech War, 2067
SAD-10 UES Hughes Commissioned RNY, 2049 Destroyed 4th Robotech War, 2067
SAD-11 UES Blackburn Commissioned RNY, 2049 Destroyed 4th Robotech War, 2067
SAD-19 UES Wagstaff Commissioned VNY, 2050 Destroyed 4th Robotech War, 2065
SAD-20 UES Curtis Commissioned VNY, 2050 Destroyed 4th Robotech War, 2067
SAD-21 UES Armstrong Commissioned VNY, 2051 In service.
SAD-22 UES Fokker Commissioned VNY, 2051 Destroyed 4th Robotech War, 2067
SAD-23 UES Ride Commissioned VNY, 2051 Destroyed 4th Robotech War, 2067
SAD-24 UES Sikorsky Commissioned VNY, 2052 Destroyed Transient War, 2057
SAD-25 UES Farman Commissioned VNY, 2052 Destroyed 4th Robotech War, 2067
SAD-26 UES Zeppelin Commissioned VNY, 2052 In service.
SAD-27 UES Strasser Commissioned VNY, 2055 Destroyed 4th Robotech War, 2067
SAD-28 UES Eckener Commissioned VNY, 2055 Destroyed 4th Robotech War, 2067
SAD-29 UES Northrop Commissioned VNY, 2055 Destroyed 4th Robotech War, 2067

Ship's complement:

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

Dimensions:

Propulsion systems:

Note: Because of the location of the thrusters, the Montgolfier-class is generally incapable of using its reaction engines when a ship is in the drydock. However, it is possible to tow another vessel if that vessel's engines can be brought at least partially on-line, of if the vessel's mass is significantly less than the Montgolfier's. However, folding to a safe location with the crippled vessel is the preferred action.

Endurance and mobility limits:

Weapon systems:

Air group and mecha complement:

(circa 2055)

(Space Naval air group)

(Space Marine unit)

(circa 2063)

(Space Naval air group)

(Space Marine Unit)

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

Electronics Systems:

Design notes:

After the Expeditionary Forces were assigned the two captured manufacturing satellites as space habitats and production centers, there was still a void in the support lines for the far-flung scout flotillas, who now were required to make far longer and deeper voyages than originally envisioned. Specifically, the journey back to one of the factory bases after exhausting some of the supplies was taking more and more time, and even small repairs that required only a basic drydock had to be carried out in one of the satellites. In addition, the habitation standards on board the vessels were insufficient for near-permanent habitation. As a result, the Expeditionary Forces designed a tender vessel to serve as mobile drydock and general tender, supply base, and as rest and recovery craft for fatigued crews.

To start with the production as soon as possible, the Montgolfier class was based on an existing design, the Tokugawa class. This design was upgraded with new gun armament, but its combat power was virtually eliminated by deleting most of the hangar bays, retaining only enough Fleet Air Arm mecha for self-defense. The freed-up space was then used for storage holds, and for enlarged living quarters. In addition, an Earth-simulation system identical in function to that used on board of the SDF-1 Macross during its long return voyage was installed, giving the main living holds a blue sky and the illusion of a planetside stay. To accommodate ships that had been damaged or needed a minor refit, a retractable scaffolding was added under the hull. when extended, this formed an open-space drydock which could accommodate all but the largest Expeditionary Forces vessels.

The tenders followed much the same operational schedule during their early life. They would fold from one of the factory satellites, after loading up to capacity, to a central point in empty space, almost two-thirds the distance between the satellites and the foremost flotillas. There they would remain as the various groups folded to them, for several weeks of refit, repair and crew rest. The occasional supply ship from the rear bases also arrived with personnel and more supplies. Occasionally the ship would fold to a new location, as the fleets advanced. After a tour of typically two or three years, the tender would fold back to the large bases for its own refit and maintenance.

If necessary, the tenders could also fold towards damaged ships, if the battle had died down, and make on-site repairs. This was shown for example UES Bleriot rendezvoused with the Ikazuchi-class cruiser Valiant after she was severely damaged by Invid kamikazes. The Bleriot stabilized the Valiant's main engines, which had become dangerously irregular, closed up many of the breaches in her hull and repaired the badly-damaged life-support system. After a week in this improvised space dock, the Bleriot fold-towed Valiant to Space Station Equality, were she was repaired and refitted.

History:

Five of these ships were built by the Expeditionary Forces on board the Robotech Factory Satellite Equality. They served throughout the existence of the Expeditionary Forces without ever coming under attack, or even seeing an enemy. Many of the spaceborn children drew their first breaths in the hospitals of a Montgolfier class vessel in deep space.

Until 2043, they followed the described operational pattern. After that, the Expeditionary Forces decided to rebuilt the old Moonbase Luna into a strongpoint and supply base, capable of housing most of the Expeditionary Forces fleet in underground docks. In order to carry this intent out, the entire class, with a large escort fleet, assembled and folded to dark side of the moon, where they then served as the base ships for the moonbases' reconstruction.  After refitting the old lunar base, the four ships retreated to the safety of the asteroid belt to await the arrival of the main formations. During this time, they spotted the remains of a Factory Satellite (It was later revealed that this was not the original Satellite, but the super factory G-95), and the four ships (Montgolfier, Bleriot, Lindbergh and Gagarin) started working full time to repair the large installation. They continued to do this during the Reflex Point attack and for years after, so that no later than mid 2046 the satellite was once again in working order, though full production was not possible until late 2047. This work later ensured the fast build-up of the RDF forces.

After the 3rd Robotech War and the completion of the Robotech Navy Yard (G-95 Factory Satellite), the RDF continued to produce the Montgolfier-class vessels until 2055.


Return the RDF Space Navy Vessel Index
Robotech (R) is the property of Harmony Gold. This document is in no way intended to infringe upon their rights.

Layout adapted from Robotech Reference Guide

Original content by Pieter Thomassen and Peter Walker

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

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