Noble Class Destroyer

- 16 x 105mm Bolters, in 8 twin turret

- 2 x Class 2 railguns, in 2 Mk.3 turrets

- 36 x 105mm Bolters, in 18 Twin mounts

- 12 x Close in Weapon Systems

- 8 x Type 1 plasma repeaters, in 4 Twin mounts

- 12 x 105mm Bolters, in 6 Twin Mounts

- 12 x Close in Weapon Systems

## Design and Mk.1

The Noble was one of the first designs to come out of Solstice Shipyards. They were to form the bulk of Raven's fleets. Larger and more powerful than the frigates or corvettes but much cheaper and faster to produce than the upcoming cruisers. These would become the main warship of Raven, with newer models still forming the bulk of the fleet and rhe most commonly seen ship of all Raven designs. The design called for a ship that could perform any role required at the time. Laid down in 3191C.E. the R.C.S. Fullam, DD-001 came off the line in 3193C.E. followed promptly by her sister ships R.C.S. Bradford, DD-002 and R.C.S. Watson, DD-003 in the following 9 months. The initial order of 35 ships was completed in just 19 years.

Most of their early years were used as the main escort ships for our freighters being powerful enough to ward off most pirates from even attempting to engage the convoy. In 3256C.E. another order of 25 more Nobles was placed upon Solstice shipyards to better defend the growing supply lines from ever increasing risk of pirates and raiders. This came to bare as in 3258C.E. a routine escort mission turned hostile when a group of raiders ambushed the convoy in an attempt to steal the cargo. The single escorting Noble class, the R.C.S. Thatcher, DD-014 performed admirably in fending off the raid destroying 4 skiffs before the remaining raiders fled. The captain received a commendation for his valor in the line of duty.

In 3295C.E. it became apparent that the new Imperium was not to be trusted and an order of 25 more Nobles was placed to bolster the ship roster as a contingency. They were right to be worried as the Third Pan-Galactic War broke out in 3329C.E. with 68 Nobles combat ready at the time the war began. 6 were assigned to each of the new battlecruiser task forces. As the dust of the war settled, 39 Nobles were Destroyed or fatally crippled losing a combined 2067 men.

After the war about a third of the surviving nobles were mothballed and the rest resumed their escort duties. The nobles would go unupgraded leading up to the events of Calamity and the lack of foresight would cost many men their lives.

## Calamity

As the events of Calamity unfolded, panic spread across the galaxy. Having received a distress call from an allied system and the scout unresponsive, a cruiser task force was sent to investigate. Upon arrival to the system the fleet consisting of an Archon, an Arbiter and 5 Noble class ships was met with overwhelming firepower from only a quartet of small unknown ships. 2 nobles DD-027, R.C.S. Trathen and DD-018, R.C.S. Miller were both destroyed with a single shot each from an advanced plasma weapon. Quickly regrouping the remaining ships returned fire with minimum effect. Only the coaxial M.A.C. on the CX-03, R.C.S. Tulwar managed to cause significant damage to the unknown foes. Knowing this she was quickly focused down and only survived a short time, taking concentrated fire from the enemy ships. A retreat was ordered but not before another Noble DD-036, R.C.S. Conner was dealt a fatal blow. Trading blows as the BlinkDrives spooled up the remaining ships managed to destroy one of the hostiles. With another burst of plasma fire from the 3 remaining ships another 2 Nobles DD-003, R.C.S. Watson and DD-040, R.C.S. Rose were destroyed. With the drives spooled the 2 remaining ships turned to flee. DD-009, R.C.S. Radford narrowly managed to jump. After coming out on the other side R.C.S. Radford waited for the other ship but it never came. CL-14, R.C.S. Rapier was never heard from again and was assumed lost with all hands. This troubling loss of life was seen all over the galaxy and was the basis for the resurgence in new class ship program.

## Mk.2

In 3721C.E. with the Introduction of the Sovereign the military council has decided to bring all other ships into line with her. The Noble was the first ship to receive the redesign, being Raven's primary warship. The overhaul saw only the superstructure being reused and an entirely new hull being constructed. The new design featured the traits that would be synonymous with Raven ships moving forward. Reminiscent of maritime vessels, they featured sleek bows flowing into the twin engine pods at the rear. A superstructure and barbets would be placed on the dorsal hull with only point defense Armaments being located on the ventral side.

## Mk.3

Designed in 3763C.E. as an upgrade package for the Mk.2 the ships selected were put into drydock for a 4 month refit. The ships were now outfitted with the most advanced technology Raven Corporation had to offer, including the dark-mater power unit. The hull remained largely unmodified but the superstructure saw a large rework. Giving superior firepower and survivability, the new layout allowed for nearly all weapons to be fired at a single enemy. The rear deck was designed to be able to carry a single reconnaissance craft or mount an additional primary turret depending upon the mission requirements.

## External Links

Mk.1 https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1668023660

Mk.2 https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1960774181

Mk.3 https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2215947873