MIDWAY CLASS

MOBILE SUIT CARRIER

RPG Stats by NEWTYPE ALPHA
Background info provided by The Mecha Domain

BACKGROUND

In UC 0078, intelligence reports of the new MS-06 Zaku-II mobile suits and other pending Zeon designs prompted some Federation officials to take a second look at the configuration of the Midway class. Construction of CVS-70 and 71 were at first halted pending further examination of the design, but with the outbreak of the One Year War and the startling performance of the Zeon's unorthodox combat tactics, the Federal Forces quickly and thoroughly revised the incomplete warships to include facilities and equipment specific to supporting and maintaining a small contingent of mobile suits. In addition, radical advances in Minovsky particle research enabled the installation of a rudimentary Minovsky craft system similar to the system excluded from the original Midway class design. The two ships were christened Pegasus and White Base and began their first shakedown cruise in secret near Luna-II roughly seven months after the outbreak of the One Year War.

As the war raged on, the Midway class itself soon came to symbolize the short-sightedness of the ships designers. Several of them were badly damaged in the opening weeks of the war, one such vessel even had the unfortunate distinction of being Lieutenant Anaval Gato's fifth battleship kill. By the time the first Federation mobile suits were fielded, only four of the original sixteen Midway class vessels were still space worthy (The Midway itself, the Trafalgar, Iwo-Jima and Normandy). The four Midways still operational served out the remainder of the war as supply ships or recon vessels, meanwhile a few of the crippled hulls that could be salvaged at Luna-II were quickly rebuilt to include support facilities for mobile suits and slightly more up-to-date weapon systems. The new ships were crude, highly unrefined vessels compared to the Pegasus class, which earned them the nick-name "Peg-legs" from their crews. The most famous of these ad-hoc carriers was the assault carrier Gray Phantom, known for having lost no fewer than fourteen mobile suits to enemy fire between September 20th and December 31st 0079. (Six of which were destroyed by a single mobile suit at Side 6's Libot colony.)

After the war, the Federation struggled to rebuild its fleet and began taking measures to modernize its forces for the new age of mobile suit warfare. The Midway class, once considered a cheap knockoff of the Pegasus, was upgraded with advanced new weapon systems such as mega-particle cannons, beam-damper missiles, and a redesigned catapult system capable of actually launching mobile suits. (Previous versions saw MS simply running to the edge of the bay and leaping out of the ship.) The "Peg-legs" were unofficially shoehorned into the ranks of the original Pegasus class as frontline carriers, however the four Midway vessels that survived the war without need for rebuilding were given the luxury of a much more extensive and effective refit. The assault carriers Tarawa and Wasp, the last two vessels to be overhauled, were even equipped with an improved Minovsky craft system based on the one installed in White Base, thus earning them a place as two of the most versatile warships in the Federal Forces to date.

Sadly, most of the rebuilt Midway class carriers of the original production run were destroyed in the Zeon attack on the Konpei Island Naval Review in 0083. Only six of the previous eighteen ships remain in active service, and the Federal Forces have already taken steps to phasing out these vessels in favor of the more cost effective Alexandria class heavy cruiser.

RPG STATS

Vehicle Type: Mobile Suit Carrier

Class: Midway

Government: Earth Federal Forces
Manufacturer: Earth Federal Forces (Luna-II)
Crew: 430

Ships of Midway Class:

MDC BY LOCATION:

(1) Main Body                                   2,200
(2) Main Engine Pod (2)                           900 each
    Main Cannon (2)	                          300 each
(3) Mobile Suit Hangars (2)                     1,200 each
    Point defense gun turrets (12)                 50 each
    Anti-ship missile tubes (4)                    40 each
(4) Main Bridge     	                          400

1. Depleting the MDC of the main body will put the carrier out of commission. All internal systems will shut down, including life support and internal gravity. The ship itself will be an unsalvageable wreck.
2. Depleting the MDC of both main engines will disable all forms of propulsion. In space it will become adrift and in an atmosphere it will crash.
3. Depleting more than 2/3 MDC of the mobile suit hangars will knock out two of the anti-ship missile launchers and shut down the hangar. Mobile suits can still launch from it, but will not be able to land or perform maintenance until the hangar is repaired. If the hangar is destroyed completely, any mobile suits still inside at that time will be unsalvageable. The ship can still launch and recover mobile suits from the other hangar if it is operational, but loading extra mobile suits into the other bay will cause it to become extremely crowded.
4. Destroying the main bridge will instantly kill the command staff and deprive the ship of all forms of long range communications, radar and targeting. The range and targeting capabilities of the secondary systems are equal to that of an RB-79 Ball. The ship can still operate, but is at -3 on initiative, -3 to strike, and number of attacks per melee of the weapon systems are reduced by half. Destroying the main sensory array on top of the bridge will have the same effect, but the command staff will not be killed instantly.

SPEEDS:

Speed (Main engines): 22.5 kilometers per second (Earth-moon transit=30 hours)
Planet bound: Designed for extended operation in planetary gravity via Minovsky craft system. Can land and take off again under its own power, and is fully capable of reaching orbital velocities under its own power and without booster assistance.

Maximum Range: Estimated 20 year lifespan

STATISTICAL DATA:

Length: 305 m
Width: 108 m
Height: 92 m
Weight: 49,800 tons

Main engine: D-202 Plasma Rocket Motor
Auxiliary Engine:  Minovsky-Ionesko vertical lift system

Sensor System: AEGIS mk-III radar tracking cluster

                           Athena-140 Minovsky tracking system

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

1. MEGA PARTICLE CANNON (3): This twin-barreled mega particle cannon is similar to the one found on the Pegasus class assault carriers. These cannons are hidden under concealed armored covers when not in use, and each is more powerful on its own than the main guns of nearly any other warship. The three main guns are mounted inside of the twin armored domes along the side of the MS hangars and beneath an armored panel just behind the secondary bridge (which acts as a fire control center during normal operations).
   • Primary Purpose: Anti-warship
   • Secondary Purpose: Heavy assault
   • RANGE: 4,000 km
   • DAMAGE: 2D8x100 MD per cannon
   • RATE OF FIRE: Twice per melee
   • PAYLOAD: Effectively unlimited

2. POINT DEFENSE TURRETS (8): Located behind armored panels when not in use, the ships point defense turrets are the only direct defense against hostile fighters and mobile suits that may directly threaten the carrier. Like the gun turrets of the original Pegasus class, each of the guns is controlled by a specially trained gunner, usually enlisted crewmen or mechanics. (Trained crewmen and newtypes +3 to strike)

   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-mobile suit
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Defense
   • RANGE: 8 km
   • DAMAGE: 2D6x10 MD
   • RATE OF FIRE: Three bursts per melee
   • PAYLOAD: Unlimited

3. ANTI-SHIP MISSILE LAUNCHERS  (4): As a backup for the mega particle cannons, the Midway class is equipped with four anti-ship missile launchers to fire torpedo-like heavy missiles against enemy vessels. These missiles are much larger than the smaller guided missiles used in most other vessels such as Salamis and Pegasus class warships, mainly because the launchers were designed to fire long range missiles with high-yield nuclear warheads (Much in the way they were used during the opening battles of the One Year War). The current Midway class is equipped with long range cruise missiles for surgical strikes and support attacks against distant targets well beyond the range of any counter attack.

   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-warship
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Heavy Assault
   • RANGE: 5,000km
   • DAMAGE: 1D6x100 for standard missiles, or 2D6x1000 for a full volley. Tactical nuclear missiles are banned by the Antarctic treaty, but when equipped each one does up to 4D6x1000 MD to every object within 450 meters of the blast radius.
   • RATE OF FIRE: Missiles can be fired in volleys of 1 to 16 missiles, each volley counts as one attack regardless of how many missiles are fired.
   • PAYLOAD: A typical cruiser carriers 80 missiles and can be restocked by supply ship between battles.

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE MIDWAY CLASS:

• COMBAT COMPUTER: The advanced tactical command center on the bridge of the ship gives the carrier unparalleled situational awareness in combat and far reduces human error. The warship is equipped with an advanced Minovsky tracking system capable of determining Minovsky particle density and tracking those particles back to their source. The system is linked to a variety of sensor devices, including radar, infra-red, sonar, x-ray and motion sensors. The system is directly controlled by the two radar operators at the elevated station on the main bridge, just above the Captain's chair.
• RADAR JAMMING SYSTEM: To avoid radar detection, the Midway class usually scatters Minovsky particles into the surrounding area to absorb radar waves from other hostile space craft in the area. At combat density, a full jamming field can reduce radar effectiveness to point-blank range as well as disrupt communications between ships and mobile suits.
• MINOVSKY CRAFT SYSTEM: Like the original Pegasus class, the Midway is equipped with an advanced Minovsky craft system utilizing the principles of electromagnetism and Minovsky particle physics. In essence, a Minovsky particle I-field is generated on the under side of the ship and held in position by superconductors. Unlike magnetic fields, Minovsky particles cannot pass through solid matter and usually reflect off metallic substances in predictable ways. At high enough densities (just short of mega-particle fusion) an I-field can produce enough mechanical energy to push a space craft upwards to counteract the effect of gravity. The system will continue to function as long as the main fusion reactors in the engines can provide power to the system as well as Minovsky particles to maintain the I-field. (If the system fails, the Midway class usually relies on the lift provided by the two main wings to remain airborne.)
• BEAM GUIDANCE SYSTEM: Mainly used for the launch and recovery of core boosters or other secondary support craft, this device employs a system of interlocking magnetic fields to capture fast moving space craft and guide them to a safe stop within the ship's aft hangar bay. The system speeds up launch and recovery time of smaller support craft as well as shuttle craft, and is usually only used in combat or emergency situations.
• LONG RANGE SONAR SUITE: With the use of Minovsky particles in combat, the overall effectiveness of radar systems drops off dramatically over long ranges. Midway class carriers, therefore, are equipped with an extremely sensitive array of microphones near the radar tower and imbedded into the landing struts for air and ground sound tracking. The ground sonar is sensitive to track mobile suits up to thirty kilometers away with the aerial sonar having just over half that range. The system gives the carrier a distinct advantage in detecting incoming hostile forces that may otherwise approach undetected. (+4 on initiative when landed) Note: Sonar only functions in an atmosphere.
• HEAT AND RADIATION SHIELDS: Like all EFSF space craft, the Midway class is equipped with extensive radiation shielding to protect the crew from harmful cosmic radiation at all times, as well as thermal insulation to protect the inside of the ship from the extremes of temperature common to space travel. The shielding is only partially effective against nuclear devices and largely ineffective against electromagnetic fields. The Midway, however, includes advanced hull materials to enable the ship to enter the Earth's atmosphere without the expected thermal damages received by most other vessels. Later versions of the Midway also include an inflatable "ballute"  heat shielding for aero-braking maneuvers.
• OPTICS: NIGHTVISION: Mainly used for targeting with the fire control systems. This system electronically amplifies ambient light sources into a visible image.
• OPTICS: INFRARED: A passive optical heat sensor that detects infrared radiation projected by warm objects and converts that data into a false-color visible image. The system enables the pilot to see in the dark, in shadows, and through smoke. Effective range approximately 12 kilometers in an atmosphere, 150 kilometers in space..
• RADAR: Although limited by Minovsky particle density in combat, the Midway class is equipped with a high powered scanning radar system effective for short range tracking of targets. Minovsky particles at combat density limit radar to 3 kilometers.
• RADIO/VIDEO COMMUNICATION: Long range, directional communications system with satellite relay capabilities. Range: 600 miles (960 km) or can be boosted indefinitely via satellite relay. (3 kilometers limited contact with Minovsky jamming) As a backup, the Midway class is equipped with a "skin talk" system enabling un interrupted communications between the ship and any craft in direct physical contact.
• SELF-DESTRUCT: To prevent capture by enemy forces, the ship's main engines can be set to overload for a controlled detonation. The explosion will destroy the entire vessel and do 1D8x1000 MD to a 350 meter radius from the center of the ship.

REFERENCES USED IN THIS DESIGN

• Gundam 0080 OVA
• Project N fanfiction
• Gundam 0079 manga