DD-306 "Ares" Class Battle Cruiser

File:BC-306.jpg
**Name**: BC-306
**Craft**: Tau'ri Ares Class Battle Cruiser 306
**Type**: Battlecruiser
**Scale**: Capital
**Length**: 250 x 90 x 85 meters
**Skill**: Capital Ship Pilot
**Crew**: 175; skeleton: 15/+10
**Passengers**: 1,250 troops
**Cargo Capacity**: 5,000 metric tons
**Consumables**: 1 year
**Hyperdrive**: x0.074
**Nav Computer**: yes
**Maneuverability**: 3D+1
**Space**: 8
**Atmosphere**: 365; 1,050 km/h
**Hull**: 5D+1
**Shields**: 20D
**Sensors**

* Passive: 70 / 1D+2
* Scan: 140 / 3D+1
* Search: 280 / 5D+1
* Focus: 7 / 7D

**Weapons**

* **6 Plasma Beam Weapons**

Fire Arc: Turrets
Crew: 1
Scale: Capital
Skill: Capital Ship Gunnery
Fire Control: 3D
Space Range: 1-15/35/75
Atmosphere Range: 2-30/70/150 km
Damage: 14D
* **Drone Weapon Launcher**

Fire Arc: forward
Crew: 1
Scale: Capital
Fire Control: 10D
Space Range: 1-50/125/250
Atmosphere Range: 2-100/250/500 km
Ammo: 250
Damage: 13D+1
* **36 VLS Missile Tubes**

Fire Arc: Dorsal; but are self guided
Crew: 1
Scale: capital
Skill: capital ship gunnery
Fire Control: 2D
Space Range: 3-20 / 40 / 80
Atmosphere Range: 25-400 / 800 / 1,600 km
Ammo: 8 per launcher
Damage: 5D+1
* **8 Heavy Railguns**

Fire Arc: turrets
Crew: 1
Scale: starfighter
Skill: starship gunnery
Fire Control: 1D
Space Range: 1-10/20/40
Atmosphere Range: 1-1,000/2,000/4,000 m
Rate of fire: 41 (500 per minute)
Damage: 5D
* **36 Light Railguns**

Fire Arc: turrets
Crew: 1
Scale: starfighter
Skill: starship gunnery
Fire Control: 1D
Space Range: 1-10/20/40
Atmosphere Range: 1-1,000/2,000/4,000 m
Rate of fire: 41 (500 per minute)
Damage: 3D
**Ship Complement:**

* Mixed Craft: 4 (mission specific)

**Other Systems**

* Ring Transporter
* Escape Pods
* Asgard Beam Transporter
* Asgard Knowledge Core
* Landing Gear
* Reverse Engineered Lantean Control Chair
* Lantean Knowledge Core
* Zero Point Module

**Deck Listing**

* Deck 01: Bridge, Aft Observation Lounge, Staff Offices
* Deck 02: Staff Offices, Officer Quarters, Officers Mess, Storage
* Deck 03: Primary Medical, Emergency Supply Storage, Crew Quarters
* Deck 04: Crew Quarters, Crew Mess, Lounge, Library, Science Labs, Hydroponics
* Deck 05: Main Engineering, Power Generation, Armory 2, Engineering Labs
* Deck 06: Engineering, Storage, Drone Weapons System Controls, Drone Storage, Observation Lounge
* Deck 07: Secondary Medical, Triage Center, Consumables Storage, Primary Access
* Deck 08: Flight Operations, Auxiliary Command Post, Diplomatic Suite, Guest Quarters, Armory 3
* Deck 09: Flight Deck, Flight Deck Maintenance, Crew Quarters, Operations, Storage
* Deck 10: FTL Controls, Manual Weapons Overrides, Sub Space Communication Center
* Deck 11: Security Center, Main Armory, Brig, Storage, Marine Facilities
* Deck 12: Landing Gear, Long Term Storage, HAZMAT Isolation Lab
* Deck 13: Waste Reclamation, Water Storage, Landing Gear

**Description**: The DD-306 Ares-class was the first ship not designed to be a carrier. Intended to compliment the BC-304 and BC-305 as well as the soon to be commissioned BB-307. It is a designed as an Attack and Recon Platform, with fire power greater then even the Mk III BC-304 or BC-305. However it has a more limited scope due to it lack of fighter craft. It commonly serves as a Battleship with smaller nations lacking the need for Carriers, or as support ships to a BC-304 Carrier Group. With the advent of the new BB-307, the DD-306 commonly supports these ships as well. The 306 went into production in 2020 with a limited number of craft currently in production.

Initially many nations were hesitant to procure the craft, feeling the lack of a fighter wing was a major flaw. However the design quickly proved itself and out of 12 vessels launched, only one has been lost in action. The ship also features command and control functions to allow it to coordinate fleet level operations. Internally the ship is similar to a 304 or 305 and many of the components are identical. Externally the ship is much longer and leaner then others and designed to withstand both ship and fighter attacks.

The Ares is also the first Earth ship to feature a Reverse Engineered Lantean (REL) Drone Weapons System, capability of being operated from the Tactical bridge station or a control chair. While the Ares doesn't carry an Air Group and small bay at the aft end hold four auxiliary craft, normally jumpers, for logistical operations and can be used tactically if needed.

With the advent of the Protector-class K-308 the Ares may see increased used as a Command Platform to coordinate operations of the smaller ships. An upgraded version is currently being planned but won't go into construction until at least 2026. Planned improvements included increased automation and decreased crew as well as a more modular design, especially with weapons. Several civilian groups have also begun looking into the 306 as a template for a civilian science ship, and possibly even a cruise ship.

**Source**:

* thedemonapostle