Orion-class

The Orion-class assault ship was a class of escort vessels used by the Colonial Fleet. It was developed and launched decades before the First Cylon War but received significant refits during the later stages. Stemming from the fact that this class carried battlestar-grade kinetic weapons, they've received the nickname a 'pocket battlestar', the Orion-class was however much smaller than most battlestars, being unable to handle an extended direct engagement with another capital ship; is shown as serving mainly as a light espionage or reconnaissance ship as they received the most advanced stealth technology Colonial Navy had at its disposal during the First Cylon War. All ships of this class were presumably either destroyed in action or decommissioned before the Fall of the Twelve Colonies as none are seen in defense of the Colonies during the Fall.
==Design==
===Armament===
The main armament consists of 12 Dual KEW (kinetic energy weapons) batteries. While not the same caliber as Jupiter-class and closer in caliber to Valkyries main batteries, they still possessed a significant threat to smaller/medium Cylon vesselsBattlestar Galactica 2004, movie: "Blood & Chrome"..
Secondary armament consists of 42 dual KEW batteries, which while not possessing any kind of danger against basestars of larger Cylon support ships, could inflict significant damage to smaller Cylon escorts or incoming fighters.
===Defenses===
Orion-class assault ships possessed three-layered defense, one active and two passive. Active one consisted of 32 Quad Point-Defence KEW batteries mainly located on the stern part of the ship, which were capable of producing impressive flak screens against incoming Cylon fighters.
Unlike other Colonial support vessels, whose only passive defense was its thick armor plating, the Orion-class possessed some of the best stealth technology Colonial Navy so far. While not perfect, this stealth coating allowed these ships to operate for several minutes in close proximity to Cylon basestar, without being spotted. It can be presumed, that smaller ships, carrying older or less powerful DRADIS arrays, would have an even harder time spotting this relatively small and nimble vessel.
===Fighter Complement===
The Orion-class is capable of supporting a small complement of Viper space superiority fighters, presumably up to a squadron, as well as being able to carry several Raptor multipurpose craft. Whether it is capable of supporting these small craft for long-term deployments or only for a brief period of time for short missions is unknown. Lacking any kind of flight pods, the brave pilots of these crafts have to land in a relatively small hangar located under the Orion's engine assembly. This docking procedure was a notoriously difficult and unpopular maneuver for Colonial pilots. 
===Computer Systems===
Very little is known about the systems of the Orion-class. It is presumed that like other First Cylon War era ships, its computer systems were extremely simple and non-networked to allow it to better resist Cylon infiltration. Still, some advanced technology is seen - holobands are seen in use as tools to allow for 3D mission briefings.
===Crew===
The Orion-class only needed a crew of 150 (excluding the flight complement) to operate. This is evidenced by its onboard design; its crew compartments are extremely cramped, being more akin to a submarine than the other warships serving during the war.
===Propulsion===
Ships of this class have 4 main rearwards-facing sub-light engines attached to pods mounted on the stern of the ship, one on the port and starboard sides respectively, as well as having numerous maneuvering thrusters scattered throughout the length of the ship.
==Known Ships==
*Assault Ship Osiris 0913 (Destroyed over Djerba)
==Behind the scenes==
* Eaglemoss' Battlestar Galactica Starships Collection Osiris #2 refers to "Orion-class" as battlestar. It is currently a point of contention within the Battlestar Galactica community if this ship is indeed a battlestar or support ship. This Wiki takes the stance that the Orion-class is, in fact, a class of support ships, as it shares no common design elements with past, contemporary, or future designs of other battlestars.
* Its Quad Point-Defence KEW batteries were originally designed as missile pods. For unknown reason, this was changed later in production kinetic weapons. 
==Gallery==
Orion Class Battlestar.jpg|Assault Ship Osiris
BattlestarOsirisBackBloodAndChrome.jpg|Engine assembly
BattlestarOsirisCIWSBloodAndChrome.jpg|Quad Point-Defense KEW
BattlestarOsirisPortBloodAndChrome.jpg|Collision with a basestar
BattlestarOsirisUIBloodAndChrome.jpg|Nuclear weapon interface
==Videos==
File:Osiris_Battleship_-_Model_Turnaround|Eaglemoss Turnaround
==Sources==
== External Links ==
*Orion-class at Battlestar Galactica Deadlock Wiki
Category:Colonial Fleet_Ship_Classes
Category:Audio Version