[Coda] From Alliance to Empire: TNG Gorn

[Sea Tyger]

Okay, what follows will be my take on TNG Gorn ships (still working on them). I hope to present 19-20 designs from the eight major design bureaus as of 2375 (including one ship that expects to launch in 2377). I'll post them as I complete each bureau's designs.

I also hope to write some stuff up on the lizzies' government, as well.

First, though, I figured I whet your appetite with the 24th Century Gorn ship classification system:

Gorn Ship Classifications
The Gorn do not name their vessels as other races do; they don't appear to have the same sort of "connection" to their ships, although no one would ever question Gorn crewmembers' pride in their vessels. Instead, the Imperial Gorn Navy (IGN) uses a letter-number combination to identify each class of ship as follows:

AB-n

A = Design Bureau Designator
B = Ship Purpose Designator
n = series number

In the 23rd Century, the Gorn listed the series number in sequence for each design bureau, so it was possible that two different bureaus would use the same series number, which caused some confusion in like designations. One such example is MA-12 light cruiser and the SA-12 cruiser, which prompted the overhaul of the designation system in 2304.

Each design bureau was given a number which would preceed the series number. The MA-12 was redesignated the MA-212, and the SA-12 became the SA-312. This removed much of the confusion in regards to ship classes.

Individual ships are identified in a similar fashion: B-n

B = Ship Purpose Designator
n = Hull Number

Ship hull numbers are assigned when the keels are laid down, in chronological sequence (and regardless of ship class). This means that an MA-212 could be named A-336 and an SA-312 named A-337.

Design Bureaus
Eight design bureaus are currently authorized by the IGN to produce military vessels; they are (with bureau designator and series number precursor, and common ship types produced for the Navy):

Bez-Goru (B, 1): heavy capital ships
M'gara (M, 2): cruisers
Ssenza (S, 3): destroyers, escorts
Aztagra (A, 4): warships
Vh'magro (V, 5): scout destroyers
Gezz (G, 6): freighters, auxiliaries
Zzurtagan (Z, 7): cruisers
Hovh'rastan (H, 8): escorts

Ship Designations
The IGN currently carries nine type commands, each one representing a specific type designation; they are (with translations and Coda names as necessary):

Harza (R): Capital Ship (Dreadnought)
Harza Ss'go (H): Heavy Capital Ship (Battleship)

Agessto (A): Light Cruiser (also for Cruiser)
Agessto Ss'go (G): Heavy Cruiser
Dezer Agessto (D): Battle Cruiser

Ssagarez (S): Destroyer (also for Heavy Destroyer)
Ssagarez Vha (Z): Scout Destroyer (Destroyer)

Ssagarez Himor (E): Destroyer Escort

Vh'oto (V): Armored Freighter (Cargo Carrier)

Example: The battle cruiser launched by M'gara Design Bureau in 2370 was designated design number 34. Thus, the ship's class number is MD-234.

[Sea Tyger]

In 2375, the Gorn remain behind the other powers in sensors, operations, life support and deflector shield technology. Remember, this is only my take on their capabilities.

Operations & Life Support
Class 4 is not available until 2320.

Sensors
Class 3 is not available until 2320
Class 4 is not available until 2364

Deflector Shields
Class 3 is not available until 2280
Class 4 is not available until 2300
Class 5 is not available until 2350
Class 6 is only available for the AH-412 battleship, which is scheduled to launch in 2377

Other Technology Notes
Automation
The Gorn are masters of starship automation, and tend toward the low end of the scale for crew multipliers (lower half of the range).

Propulsion
As with all other powers, I use 2340 as the cut off date for pre/post-TNG propulsion statistics. All ships launched before 2340 carry pre-TNG impulse and warp systems. All ships launched from 2340 on use post-TNG systems.

Structure
Nearly all Gorn ships load up on extra structure. It's not uncommon to have Gorn vessels with 10-15 extra points of structure. Some Gorn vessels even carry 20 extra points!

Ablative Armor
The Gorn independently developed ablative armor technology around the same time the Federation did. Ablative armor is available in 2367 for Gorn ships.

Weapons
Gorn ships are generally heavily armed (even the smaller ships). All Gorn blasters have excellent penetration at point-blank range, and are purchased with the Enhanced System (blasters, +1/0/0/0/0) edge.

[Balok]

I'm looking forward to this! But I do have a question: on what do you base the assumption that Gorn shield technology lags? In "Arena", we saw that "the enemy has shields, too", and these were able to turn the Enterprise (of that era) weapons. From this, I would think shield technology comparable. I could be wrong; it's happened before , so all I'm asking is why you believe this.

[Sea Tyger]

BH-2/BH-12-class Refit Specifications

Production Data
Origin: Gorn Alliance
Class and Type: BH-2/BH-12-class Battleship
Refit Launched: 2320 {2350}

Hull Data
Structure: 65
Size/Decks: 9/55 decks
Length/Beam/Height: 780/400/275 meters
Complement: 825

Operational Data
Transporters: 8 standard, 8 cargo, 8 emergency
Cargo Units: 90
Shuttlebay: 2 aft ventral
Shuttlecraft: 18 size worth
Tractor Beams: 2F, 1D 1AV
Separations/Atmospheric Systems: no/no
Sensor System: Class 3 (+3/D)
Operations System: Class 4 (E)
Life Support System: Class 3 (D)

Propulsion Data
Impulse System: Type IV (.6c) (D) {Class 6 (.9c) (D)}
Warp System: Type VI (wf 6/7/8) (D) {Class 7 (wf 7/8/9) (C)}

Tactical Data
Blasters: Type VII (x4/D) {Type IX (x4/D)}
Penetration: 6/5/4/0/0 {7/5/5/0/0}
Torpedoes: Type II (x6/D)
Penetration: 6/6/6/6/6
Deflector Shields: Class 4 (C)
Protection/Threshold: 14/4

Miscellaneous Data
Maneuver Modifiers: +4C, -2H, +4T
Traits: Enhanced System (blasters, +1/0/0/0/0, reflected above)
Enhanced System (impulse, +.1c, reflected above)

The BH-2 was redesignated the BH-12 class battleship in 2304, in concordance with the Alliance Navy's ship classification reform. Still the main combatant of the fleet for the first half of the 24th Century, the BH-12 received a modernization upgrade in 2320 (represented above). When delays pushed the BH-17 project back in the late 2340's, Central HQ authorized a second refit to extend the life of the BH-12 until the 17 design could be completed.

The 2320 refit improved operations systems, sensors and shields. The 2350 refit saw replacements of the legacy impulse and warp drives with newer models, and a major upgrade to the ship's blasters. The class was phased out in the 2360s as the BH-17 replaced it on the front lines.

Editor's Note: This template only represents the 2320 and 2350 refits. For the original BH-2 stats, see the Gorn Ships thread.

[Sea Tyger]

Originally posted by Fesarius
I'm looking forward to this! But I do have a question: on what do you base the assumption that Gorn shield technology lags? In "Arena", we saw that "the enemy has shields, too", and these were able to turn the Enterprise (of that era) weapons. From this, I would think shield technology comparable. I could be wrong; it's happened before , so all I'm asking is why you believe this.

I'm not saying they lack shields. It just that Gorn shield technology isn't as advanced as the other races. The MA-12, which I listed as the class of ship that the Enterprise encountered, has Class 2 shields (one step below that of the Enterprise herself), which means it has a 12/2 protection rating.

Considering I gave the MA-12 a 45 structure (for a Size 5 ship; think about it), maybe the Enterprise's sensors didn't register that there was any real damage to the ship. I don't consider what I've done to be too far from what was established in that episode.

Please remember that I am making this up as I go along. It is simply my view of the Gorn as a species, who have different technological priorities than the Federation (heck, all of their blasters have +1 penetration at point-blank range...there's no basis for it, but I thought it would be consistent with their technology). They advanced their armor and structure technology faster than they advanced their shield technology (lots of structure, weaker shields). They like really big ships (and have no real true scouts or small vessels). I'm trying to make them different without totally blasting what little canon information there is (which, I believe, consists only of "The Arena") out the window. I think I've been successful so far.

[Sea Tyger]

BH-17-class Specifications

Production Data
Origin: Gorn Alliance
Class and Type: BH-17-class Battleship
Launched: 2355 {2368}

Hull Data
Structure: 55
Size/Decks: 9/43 decks
Length/Beam/Height: 773/529/215 meters
Complement: 688

Operational Data
Transporters: 4 standard, 4 cargo, 4 emergency
Cargo Units: 90
Shuttlebay: 2 aft ventral
Shuttlecraft: 18 size worth
Tractor Beams: 1F, 1D 1AV
Separations/Atmospheric Systems: no/no
Sensor System: Class 3 (+3/D)
Operations System: Class 4 (E)
Life Support System: Class 3 (D)

Propulsion Data
Impulse System: Class 6 (.9c) (D)
Warp System: Class 7 (wf 7/8/9) (C)

Tactical Data
Blasters: Type X (x4/D)
Penetration: 7/5/5/0/0
Torpedoes: Type V (x4/D) {Type VI (x4/D)}
Penetration: 6/6/6/6/6 {6/6/6/6/6}
Deflector Shields: Class 5 (C)
Protection/Threshold: 15/3

Miscellaneous Data
Maneuver Modifiers: +4C, -1H, +3T
Traits: Enhanced System (blasters, +1/0/0/0/0, reflected above)
Hardened System (weapons)

Successor to the BH-12 battleship, the BH-17 had a difficult beginning. Not long after the final design was approved in 2344, a serious flaw was detected in the ship's computer core system. The program was delayed for six years as designers attempted to at first correct the problem, then scrapped the entire computer control system and rebuild it from the ground up. While the delay cost the Bez-Goru Design Bureau millions of credits, the result was a powerful heir to the legacy of the BH-12.

The battleship immediately took over the role as primary capital ship of the fleet, serving with distinction in minor skirmishes vs. the Romulans and the Tholians. The BH-17 received a torpedo system upgrade in 2368.

The class is expected to serve through the end of the century. No successor is in the works at the present time.

[Sea Tyger]

BR-19-class Specifications

Production Data
Origin: Gorn Alliance
Class and Type: BR-19-class Dreadnought
Launched: 2351

Hull Data
Structure: 55
Size/Decks: 8/34 decks
Length/Beam/Height: 773/529/215 meters
Complement: 578

Operational Data
Transporters: 4 standard, 4 cargo, 4 emergency
Cargo Units: 80
Shuttlebay: 2 aft ventral
Shuttlecraft: 16 size worth
Tractor Beams: 1FV, 1D 1A
Separations/Atmospheric Systems: no/no
Sensor System: Class 3 (+3/D)
Operations System: Class 3 (D)
Life Support System: Class 3 (D)

Propulsion Data
Impulse System: Class 5A (.9c) (C)
Warp System: Class 6A (wf 6/8/9) (D)

Tactical Data
Blasters: Type IX (x3/D)
Penetration: 6/5/4/0/0
Torpedoes: Type V (x4/D)
Penetration: 6/6/6/6/6
Deflector Shields: Class 5 (C)
Protection/Threshold: 15/3

Miscellaneous Data
Maneuver Modifiers: +3C, +0H, +2T
Traits: Enhanced System (blasters, +1/0/0/0/0, reflected above)

The BR-19 class dreadnought represented a major coup for the Bez-Goru Design Bureau after losing its title as the only capital ship design bureau in the Alliance in 2304. The BR-19 was a rider on the BH-17 proposal, designed to replace the aging AR-41 class dreadnought (built by upstart rival Aztagra Design Bureau).

The BR-19 is a capable, if sometimes pedestrian warship, but it fills its role nicely as a secondary command ship. Mounting powerful Type IX-E (enhanced) blasters and Type V torpedoes, the dreadnought is more than capable of holding its own against other capital ships.

The ship's scheduled 2374 refit was put on hold, pending a Central HQ inquiry into the continued need for a secondary class of capital ship. This inquiry (which expects to be completed in 2377) is due to the overwhelming success of the MD-234 battle cruiser, and may result in the phasing out of the dreadnought type designation all together.

[Sea Tyger]

MD-221-class Specifications

Production Data
Origin: Gorn Alliance
Class and Type: MD-221-class Battle Cruiser
Launched: 2312 {2343}

Hull Data
Structure: 45
Size/Decks: 7/46 decks
Length/Beam/Height: 515/309/157 meters
Complement: 828

Operational Data
Transporters: 6 standard, 6 cargo, 6 emergency
Cargo Units: 70
Shuttlebay: 2 aft ventral
Shuttlecraft: 14 size worth
Tractor Beams: 1F, 1V, 1A
Separations/Atmospheric Systems: no/no
Sensor System: Class 2 (+2/D)
Operations System: Class 3 (D)
Life Support System: Class 3 (D)

Propulsion Data
Impulse System: Type V (.75c) (D) {Class 7 (.92c) (D)}
Warp System: Tpe VII (wf 7/8.5/9) (D) {Class 7.6 (wf 7/8/9.4) (E)}

Tactical Data
Blasters: Type VIII (x3/C) {Type VIII (x3/D)}
Penetration: 5/4/4/0/0 {5/4/4/0/0}
Torpedoes: Type III (x3/C) {Type V (x3/D)}
Penetration: 5/5/5/5/5 {5/5/5/5/5}
Deflector Shields: Class 4 (C)
Protection/Threshold: 14/4

Miscellaneous Data
Maneuver Modifiers: +2C, +1H, +2T
Traits: Enhanced System (blasters, +1/0/0/0/0, reflected above)

Successor to the wildly successful MD-8/MD-28 class battle cruiser, the MD-221 was one of the fastest ships in the fleet at its launch in 2312. Using its speed to devastating advantage, the MD-221 became the backbone of the Alliance Navy. Often operating independently, the MD-221 was able to reach trouble spots quickly and pacify any resistance, many times without even firing a shot, and earning the battle cruiser the nickname "Peacemaker".

The 2343 refit updated propulsion and torpedo systems. The class has long passed the end of its production life, but remains a vital part of the IGN.

[Sea Tyger]

MA-225-class Specifications

Production Data
Origin: Gorn Alliance
Class and Type: MA-225-class Light Cruiser
Launched: 2320 {2352}

Hull Data
Structure: 30
Size/Decks: 5/11 decks
Length/Beam/Height: 163/103/45 meters
Complement: 170

Operational Data
Transporters: 4 standard, 4 cargo, 4 emergency
Cargo Units: 50
Shuttlebay: 1 ventral
Shuttlecraft: 5 size worth
Tractor Beams: 1F, 1AV
Separations/Atmospheric Systems: no/no
Sensor System: Class 3 (+3/D)
Operations System: Class 3 (D)
Life Support System: Class 3 (D)

Propulsion Data
Impulse System: Type V (.75c) (D) {Class 7 (.92c) (D)}
Warp System: Tpe VI (wf 6/7/8) (D) {Class 7.2 (wf 7/8/9.2) (C)}

Tactical Data
Blasters: Type VIII (x2/C)
Penetration: 5/4/4/0/0
Torpedoes: Type III (x2/C)
Penetration: 4/4/4/4/4
Deflector Shields: Class 3 (B)
Protection/Threshold: 14/3

Miscellaneous Data
Maneuver Modifiers: +1C, +1H, +2T
Traits: Enhanced System (blasters, +1/0/0/0/0, reflected above)

After the retirement of the MA-12/MA-212 class in 2308, the Alliance Navy had no replacement for its light cruiser/raider role. Recognizing its mistake, Central HQ immediately awarded the M'gara Design Bureau a contract to develop, build and produce the next light "infiltrator." As controversy followed over the swift assignment of the contract, M'gara designers quickly designed a cruiser that looked eerily similar to the MA-212.

Swift and maneuverable, the MA-225 is a worthy successor to the "Infliltration" fleet's favorite ship. The class received a further speed upgrade when the old Type VI warp drives were replaced with state-of-the-art Class 7.2s, allowing the cruiser to exceed Warp 9.

The MA-225 is currently being replaced by the ZA-75 class light cruiser, and Central HQ expects to phase the 225 out entirely by 2379.

[Sea Tyger]

MD-234-class Specifications

Production Data
Origin: Gorn Alliance
Class and Type: MD-234-class Battle Cruiser
Launched: 2370

Hull Data
Structure: 50
Size/Decks: 8/47 decks
Length/Beam/Height: 684/302/202 meters
Complement: 799

Operational Data
Transporters: 8 standard, 8 cargo, 8 emergency
Cargo Units: 90
Shuttlebay: 3 aft ventral
Shuttlecraft: 24 size worth
Tractor Beams: 1F, 1AD, 2AV
Separations/Atmospheric Systems: no/no
Sensor System: Class 4 (+4/E)
Operations System: Class 4 (E)
Life Support System: Class 4 (E)

Propulsion Data
Impulse System: Class 6 (.9c) (D)}
Warp System: Class 7.2 (wf 7/8/9.2) (C)}

Tactical Data
Blasters: Type X (x2/C)
Penetration: 5/4/4/0/0
Torpedoes: Type VI (x3/C)
Penetration: 5/5/5/5/5
Deflector Shields: Class 5 (C)
Protection/Threshold: 15/3

Miscellaneous Data
Maneuver Modifiers: +3C, +0H, +2T
Traits: Enhanced System (blasters, +1/0/0/0/0, reflected above)
Hardened System (shields)

Although technically designed and built as a battle cruiser, the MD-234 represents a departure from the standard military approach to Gorn ships. Stuffed with the latest in sensor, operations and life support capabilities, many war hawks in Strategic HQ consider the MD-234 to be undergunned.

Despite these detractors, the highly versatile battle cruiser is functional blend of explorer and warship, sharing more qualities with the onld Constitution-class heavy cruiser than it's D-class predecessors.

In that versatile role, the MD-234 has succeeded beyond Central HQ's wildest expectations. Capable of taking the secondary command role in fleet operations, the 234 is able to operate independently for extended periods of time with little fleet support. Central HQ is so impressed with the design, it is reviewing the need for secondary capital ships (R-class dreadnought designation).

Should the experimental Class 6 deflector shield prove successful on the AH-412 battleship, Central HQ expects to refit the MD-234 with the system starting in 2383.

[Highway Hoss]

Nice looking write ups, Sea Tyger....BTW if you want a reference on gorn customs, dress and culture, the Wildstorm graphic novel The Gorn crisis has a appendix on these subjects.

[Sea Tyger]

Yeah, but that's not canon. Between a non-credible source and stuff I make up, I'll always go with what I make up.

[Sea Tyger]

I edited the Gorn Technology post (above). Gorn vessels can use the ablative armor edge starting in 2367.

[Sea Tyger]

SS-310-class Specifications

Production Data
Origin: Gorn Alliance
Class and Type: SS-310-class Destroyer
Launched: 2308 {2331} {{2354}}

Hull Data
Structure: 40
Size/Decks: 6/19 decks
Length/Beam/Height: 337/164/84 meters
Complement: 76

Operational Data
Transporters: 6 standard, 6 cargo, 6 emergency
Cargo Units: 90
Shuttlebay: 1 aft ventral
Shuttlecraft: 6 size worth
Tractor Beams: 1F, 1V
Separations/Atmospheric Systems: no/no
Sensor System: Class 2 (+2/C)
Operations System: Class 3 (D)
Life Support System: Class 3 (D)

Propulsion Data
Impulse System: Type V (.75c) (D) {{Class 8 (.95c) (E)}}
Warp System: Type VII (wf 7/8.5/9) (D) {{Class 7.6 (wf 7/8/9.6) (E)}}

Tactical Data
Blasters: Type VIII (x2/C)
Penetration: 5/4/4/0/0
Torpedoes: Type III (x2/C) {Type V (x2/C)}
Penetration: 4/4/4/4/4 {4/4/4/4/4}
Deflector Shields: Class 3 (B)
Protection/Threshold: 14/3

Miscellaneous Data
Maneuver Modifiers: +0C, +3H, +2T
Traits: Enhanced System (blasters, +1/0/0/0/0, reflected above)

Ssenza Design Bureau continued its supremacy over destroyer production with its successor to the SS-3/SS-33 class. Although not as heavily armed as the SS-3/SS-33 refit, the SS-310 is swift and sturdy.

The class received a torpedo upgrade with the 2331 refit, and later improved propulsion systems in 2354. To date, the SS-310 is still one of the fastest ships in the fleet.

The class is slowly being phased out as more GS-641 class (heavy) destroyers come online.

[Sea Tyger]

SS-315-class Specifications

Production Data
Origin: Gorn Alliance
Class and Type: SS-315-class (Heavy) Destroyer
Launched: 2346

Hull Data
Structure: 50
Size/Decks: 7/34 decks
Length/Beam/Height: 569/230/150 meters
Complement: 146

Operational Data
Transporters: 3 standard, 3 cargo, 3 emergency
Cargo Units: 70
Shuttlebay: 1 aft ventral
Shuttlecraft: 7 size worth
Tractor Beams: 1F, 1AV
Separations/Atmospheric Systems: no/no
Sensor System: Class 3 (+3/D)
Operations System: Class 3 (D)
Life Support System: Class 3 (D)

Propulsion Data
Impulse System: Class 7 (.92c) (E)
Warp System: Class 6A2 (wf 6/8/9.2) (D)

Tactical Data
Blasters: Type IX (x3/D), Type VIII (D)
Penetration: 7/5/5/0/0
Torpedoes: Type V (x2/D)
Penetration: 4/4/4/4/4
Deflector Shields: Class 4 (C)
Protection/Threshold: 14/4

Miscellaneous Data
Maneuver Modifiers: +1C, +2H, +3T
Traits: Enhanced System (blasters, +1/0/0/0/0, reflected above)

The (heavy) destroyer sub-type designation was first introduced with the SS-315 class of starships. The newly renamed Imperial Gorn Navy felt the need for larger, more powerful destroyers and commissioned Ssenza Design Bureau to set the standard.

The resulting warship was fast, sturdy, and powerful, especially at close range, prompting Central HQ to develop new close-in tactics for the destroyer.

The SS-315 has taken a more secondary role with the advent of the GS-641 class (heavy) destroyer in 2364, but remains the standard by which all future S-type vessels will be measured.