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Baikal-class Frigate

Note: The original build, that caught my attention as one of the few vertical vessels on the workshop, is the work of ExoticMango17, and can be found here; U.N. Rail Gun Frigate. I saw a lot of possibility in this build, and set about working it into something new. Three rebuilds and a bout with Covid later, here it is!

DLC?: Yes
Mods?: Yes
Subgrids?: No

Intended to replace the venerable Tiananmen class heavy frigate, the Baikal is the new patrol and standard escort vessel of the United Earth Navy, entering service only three years ago, where it is replacing the heavily armored Tiananmen class on a one for one basis as they are slowly withdrawn from service. Though not quite so thick skinned from all aspects, the Baikal is a larger, more flexible vessel, that still carries formidable firepower for her size, allowing for use both as a long range independent patrol ship, and as a squadron leader for a group of gunships and corvettes, heading up an escort for larger vessels.

At 130 meters long and massing roughly 3.7 kilotons, the Bailkal is rather large for a frigate, giving the class ample interior space for reaction mass, supplies, munitions, equipment and amenities. Habitability was a prime concern, and as such the recreational facilities, compared to the more compact Tienanmen, are improved, along with a very well equipped infirmary for a vessel of it's size. Also unlike the Tienanmen, the Baikal features a large hangar bay capable of housing and supporting any standard UEN auxiliary craft. The ships CIC has also been greatly simplified in layout, using newly developed command and control systems that are intended to become standard for UEN warships.

With her vital areas and systems protected by heavy armor, the Baikal nevertheless is lighter than the smaller class it is replacing, due to the Tienanmen having nearly full coverage, and multiple layers across the bow. Nevertheless, the frigate retains a heavy railgun armament for her size, consisting of two single mount, turreted Tranquility Ballistics NR-642b 75mm hybrid armature railguns, in dorsal/ventral locations providing all around coverage. Torpedo armament consists of four bow mounted tubes, backed by an equal number of offensive/defensive "Kirklin" launchers, sporting eight tubes each for use against incoming munitions, small craft, and in close combat with other warships. Two, twin mounted, high velocity heavy close quarters weapons, firing 30mm shells, flank the fore third of the ship, providing defense against small craft, and deadly enough to be used against other light warships, as well. Finally, fourteen standard CQW's, and two weaponized Nav/PointDef lasers offer a shield against incoming torpedoes and missile fire.

Featuring heavier defensive armaments than older UEN frigates, the Baikal's true improvements have been in the class' electronic systems. In addition to a standard detection fit, the frigate carries a powerful surveillance and tracking system that provides spherical detection of threats at very long range, as well as mapping of local objects. Multiple laser communications systems facilitate it's role as a light squadron leader, as well.

Having just entered service three years prior to this publication, the Baikal is still not more numerous than it's older cousin, with the majority assigned to long duration missions in the Frontier, supporting United Earth colonial interests. As production continues, the Tienanmen class will be completely phased out within another three to four years, with the Baikal taking it's place.

Length: 130 meters (52 Blocks)
Width: 32.5 meters (13 Blocks)
Height: 27.5 meters (11 Blocks)
Empty Mass: 3,769,635 kg
Block Count: 3,607
PCU: 31,460

Armament:
4 M-1 Torpedo Launchers
4 M-8 Destroyer Launchers
2 75mm Railgun Turrets
2 Disco Ball Laser AMS
2 Dual 30mm CIWS
14 Gatling Turrets
1 Interior Turret (Interior)

Small Craft Compliment: 1 in interior hangar
Docking Connectors: 2, port/starboard
Cargo Containers: 1 Large, 16 Small
Power Supply: 1 Large Reactor, 4 Small Reactors, 44 Batteries
Gyroscopes: 32

Survival Ready: She's a pretty big boat, but has no subgrids, is fully conveyored, and ready for construction!
Full Interior: The interior includes engineering spaces, a hangar, crew decks, and a bridge/CIC. Overall, it's rather spacious for what it is. If you're looking for a warship that has some room to live, the Baikal might suit you!
Vertical Construction: Constructed perpendicular to the main thrust axis, similar to the ships in the Expanse, and in the way such a vessel would be built in most hard-science fiction settings.

As indicated above, this started as ExoticMango17's creation. I had a look, and saw a lot of promise in the design, so, I took to working on it. I'd have released this weeks ago, but had to contend with 2020 and the Bug That Needs No Name first. Nevertheless, here she is! And I rather like how she turned out. Also, I saw the similar looking conceptual UNN destroyer online, and decided to use the class name, because why not? Enjoy!

Also, more vertical ship builders below. Go see!

Papple2's Workshop!

Taidyr's Workshop!

And, scripting talent!

Whiplash141's Workshop!

Blarg's Workshop!

Andrew's Workshop!

MMaster's Workshop!

jTurp's Workshop!

As ever, WeaponCore is integral to this build! If you haven't, check it out! Great stuff.

Click. C'mon. CLICK!