Florencia-class Outrider

* Florencia
* Full Burn
* Mariana

### Embarked craft

* None as standard (4-8x Iteration-9 Spider Fighter Drones in 1 or 2 optional external drone pods)

## Real world infomation

### Series

*The Sojourn*

The ***Florencia*-class Outrider** is a Frontier Union warship design. Originally designed as the *Linford Island*-class Coastal Defence Ship, the class was extensively modified over its long history. The class was ultimately adapted by the Frontier Union Militia into fast-attack craft known as outriders, and proved a valuable asset during and after the Frontier War. The *Florencia*-class would later provide a basis for many future Frontier Union warship designs such as the *Indria*-class Outrider.

## Design

### Spaceframe

At a length of 116.8 metres and a width of 56.78 metres, the *Florencia*-class features a distinctive twin-hulled catamaran frame, known as the *naijgānduno* frame in Teldrani. The class' spartan frame gives it an extremely favourable thrust-to-mass ratio, enabling rapid changes in velocity. The dorsal and ventral surfaces of the *Florencia*-class' central hull feature large connecting plates designed to fit the vessel with *pannaron* ("backpack" in Teldrani) utility pods, enabling it to fulfil different mission roles.

Designed after a stripped-down version of the *Linford Island*-class Coastal Defence Ship, the *Florencia*-class is designed to be constructed at even the most basic shipyards, and is easily-maintainable with aftermarket components for the *Linford Island*-class and with materials local to the Frontier Union.

### Propulsion

The *Florencia*-class mounts two aft engine arrays of three Torchworks Axius Flint-520 D/FRT Prograde Engines, and two fore single Flint-520 D/FTR Retrograde Engines on its catamaran hulls. This engine arrangement allows for direct and immediate adjustments in velocity. Additionally, the end of each catamaran hull mounts a six-nozzle reaction control system for attitude control.

### Armament

The *Florencia*-class mounts as standard the same four 12-inch Bodkin-Lock light coilgun turrets that equipped the *Linford Island*-class. Four external hardpoints also allow it to mount aspect-seeking anti-ship torpedoes (normally of Merician origin) or interceptor missiles. With *pannoran* external weapon pods mounted, the *Florencia*-class can carry fifteen to thirty long-range anti-capital ship missiles, or forty-eight to ninety-six anti-ship mines.

### Defences

The *Florencia*-class carries only light hull armour and basic chaff and flare launchers. The ship lacks standard point-defence systems, and relies on fighter drones, flak boats, and other escorts for anti-missile defence.

### Sensors and communication

The *Florencia*-class carries an array of sensors and communications systems. Imaging LIDAR is used to survey targets and create a digital 3-D representation, while a phased-array radar system is used to find and track targets.

### Crew facilities

The *Florencia*-class has a standard crew of 58, with a passenger capacity of 80. This may be increased to 168 with two external *pannoran* habitats attached.

### Auxiliary craft

The *Florencia*-class carries no embarked craft as standard, but may be equipped as necessary with up to eight Merician Dronesmiths Iteration-9 Spider Fighter Drones in external pods.

## History

Originally derived from the *Linford Island*-class Coastal Defence Ship that was deployed to combat piracy in the Frontier systems in the 0240s PCU, the *Florencia*-class became a new design of ship in its own right. The class was designed to be maintained at even the most basic shipyards using spare parts for the *Linford Island*-class imported from the Centrum Assembly, and the *Linford Island*-class had entirely given way to *Florencia*-class Outriders by 0275 PCU.

After the four Frontier systems declared independence from the Centrum Assembly as the Frontier Union, the *Florencia*-class saw heavy service during the Frontier War of 0290-0300 PCU. In attacks on Centran Defence Force vessels, *Florencia*-class Outriders were almost invariably paired with the newer, faster *Indria*-class Outrider design in a tactical manoeuvre known as the Rangomu Lockstep, which was intended to counter the heavier armaments of larger Centran vessels with superior speed and agility.

Following the conclusion of the Frontier War, *Florencia*-class Outriders formed part of the Frontier Union Militia's commitment to the Avalon Expedition Fleet to CDC-41-Gamma. One such vessel, the *Mariana*, was lost with all hands making first contact with the Holy Advari Empire.

## Notable Ships

* *Florencia* - Lead ship of the *Florencia*-class
* *Ramona* - Took part in the Primrose Incident, the inciting incident of the Frontier War
* *Mariana* - Avalon Expedition, lost with all hands

## Gallery

*Florencia*-class bow aspect*Florencia*-class stern aspectThe *Florencia*-class' prograde enginesThe *Florencia*-class' retrograde engines
## External Links

* "Florencia-Class Outrider" on Ethan LeRoith's Artstation

## References

1. ↑ Length and wingspan description from Gabriel Fonseca
2. ↑ The Sojourn on Twitter: "Converted from low-budget Coastal Defense ships originally constructed by KDFY, the Florencia Class Outrider has proven a reliable asset to the Frontier Union Militia."
3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 The Sojourn: Florencia Class Outrider | Official Ship Breakdown
4. ↑ *The Cold Divide*