Battlestar

Overview

Battlestars are a heavy class of human-controlled Colonial craft, that combine the functions of aircraft carrier and battle cruiser.

The first five battlestars were laid down shortly before the start of the first Cylon War and saw action in the early years of the war (mini series). Seven further battlestars were constructed during the war (Zoic), leading to a total fleet size of 12, one battlestar representing each of the colony worlds (mini series).

All the original battlestar vessels deliberately avoided the use of highly-integrated or networked computer systems, as the Cylons were able to infiltrate and subvert such systems, disabling Colonial defensive capabilities (mini series).

Following the end of the war, the battlestars remained in service, and their numbers increased. However, later vessels did include networked systems (mini series), and while the term "battlestar" was used to describe these newer vessels, it is unclear as to whether they were the same overall size and form as the original battlestars. Several of the original 12 vessels were also upgraded (mini series), with the exception of the battlestar Galactica, which retained its original command and control systems at the insistence of Commander William Adama

Possibly as a result of her "original" condition, the Galactica was selected to become a living museum / educational centre once decommissioned (mini series). Following the surprise attack by the Cylons on the Colonials, the Galactica was the only battlestar capable of mounting a real defence against the attack, but was initially hampered by the lack of any defensive munitions on-board.

Battlestars are space-going leviathans. Some 4,500ft (Zoic) to 5,800ft (fan estimate) in length, they combine the role of a modern airacraft carrier with that of a battle cruiser. Housing some 120-160 "Viper" space superiority fighters (fan estimate), a fully-armed battlestar is capable of a wide range of offensive actions, while her defensive armaments ensure she is fully capable of both protecting herself from attack, and of engaging an enemy at close quarters. Despite their massive size, battlestars are extremely manoeuvrable (mini series - docking at Ragnar Anchorage) and, in the right circumstances, partially atmosphere-capable (mini series - docking at Ragnar Anchorage). Their FTL systems are capable of incredibly-accurate jumps, capable of placing them precisely in synchronous orbit above potential targets (mini series)and of placing them in the midst of debris fields, such as an asteroid belt, without risk of a devastating impact (The Hand of God).

Battlestars are intended to operate for long periods without resupply - their water purification capabilities alone mean that, barring an emergency or unforeseen event, they don't need to re-tank with water for several years (Water). They also appear capable of undertaking large-scale repairs following battle damage (mini series), and may well have manufacturing / fabrication facilities on-board (Litmus).

Technical Specifications

Dimensions

• Length: approx 4,500ft (Zoic)

Propulsion

• 2 x FTL engines and drive coils (Zoic)
• 6 x sublight engines (observed)
• 40 x manoeuvring engines (10 "packs" of 4 apiece) (Zoic)

Aramaments - Defensive

• 24 x primary railgun turrets (mounting 2 guns apiece)
• 504 x point-defence turrets (mounting 2 guns apiece) (approx)

ARMAMENTS - OFFENSIVE

• 6-8 squadrons of Mark VII "Viper" atmosphere-capable space superiority fighters
• 6-8 "Raptor" Raptor reconnaissance/assault vehicles.

CREW

• 5,000-6,000 (estimate)
• Officers: (TBA)
• Enlisted: (TBA)
• Flight Crew: 2,500 (approx)

NOTES

• Viper squadrons comprise 20 vehicles apiece, generally supported by a single Raptor.
• The Raptors can also be used to deploy Colonial Marine detachments to the surface of planets or to storm other vessels. Raptors are equipped with a docking collar and accessway in their undersides for this latter role (Bastille Day)
• Viper operations are overseen by the CAG - Commander Air Group, the most senior pilot aboard a battlestar.

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List of Known Battlestars

• Battlestar Atlantia (Act of Contrition)
• Battlestar Galactica
• Battlestar Pegasus (mini series)
• Battlestar Rycon (Zoic)
• Battlestar Columbia (Zoic)
• Battlestar Pacifica (Zoic)
• Battlestar Acopolis (Zoic)
• Battlestar Solaris (Zoic)
• Battlestar Triton (Zoic)
• Battlestar Prometheus (Zoic)
• Battlestar Argo (Zoic)
• Battlestar Poseidon (Zoic)