K-308 "Protector" Class Fleet Escort

File:Protector Class BC-308a.png
 File:Protector Class BC-308b.png
**Name**: K-308
**Craft**: Tau'ri Protector Class Escort
**Type**: Excort
**Scale**: Capital
**Length**: 175 x 90 x 45 meters
**Skill**: Capital Ship Pilot
**Crew**: 45; skeleton: 12/+10
**Passengers**: 200 troops
**Cargo Capacity**: 2,500 metric tons
**Consumables**: 1 year
**Hyperdrive**: x0.074
**Nav Computer**: yes
**Maneuverability**: 3D+1
**Space**: 8
**Atmosphere**: 365; 1,050 km/h
**Hull**: 4D+2
**Shields**: 20D
**Sensors**

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

**Weapons**

* **2 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
Rate of fire: 5
Damage: 14D
* **4 Heavy Railguns**

Fire Arc: turrets
Crew: 1
Scale: starfighter
Skill: starship gunnery
Fire Control: 2D
Space Range: 1-10/20/40
Atmosphere Range: 1-1,000/2,000/4,000 m
Damage: 5D
* **12 Light Railguns**

Fire Arc: turrets
Crew: 1
Scale: starfighter
Skill: starship gunnery
Fire Control: 2D
Space Range: 1-10/20/40
Atmosphere Range: 1-1,000/2,000/4,000 m
Damage: 3D
**Ship Complement:**

* Mixed Craft: 4 (mission specific)

**Other Systems**

* Ring Transporter
* Escape Pods
* Beam Transporter
* Landing Gear
* Sub-Space Emergency Transponder
* Dual Sub-Space Communications Arrays

**Deck Listing**

* Deck 01: Bridge, Briefing Room, Heavy Rail Gun Manual Controls
* Deck 02: Officer Quarters, Staff Offices, Auxiliary Engineering
* Deck 03: Medical Bay, Emergency Supply Storage, Crew Quarters, Mess hall, Subspace Communications Array Controls
* Deck 04: Main Engineering, Science Labs, Storage, Crew Quarters, Secondary Armory, Primary Power Generators, Combat Intelligence Center
* Deck 05: Flight Operations, Secondary Engineering, Operations, Asgard Beam Controls, Consumables Storage
* Deck 06: Flight Deck, FTL Drive, Security Center, Main Armory, Brig, Gym, Lounge, Crew Quarters
* Deck 07: Landing Gear, Waste Reclamation, Water Storage, Long Term Storage

**Power Plant**

* Primary: Mark IV Naquadria Generator
* Alternate Primary: Asgard Power Core
* Alternate Primary: Subspace Capacitor
* Backup: 8 Redundant Naquadah Generators, Emergency Batteries

**Description**: The K-308 Protector-class is a class of small vessels in the Earth Fleet, designed to serve as patrol craft. She is the equivalent of naval Coastal Defence and Off Shore Patrol vessels. The smallest ships in the fleet part of her function is to free up Prometheus and Daedalus-class ships from patrol duties. The ships are also planned to be used in survey and escort roles. Current estimates call for a total of 24 ships by 2030. The planned deployments would include 4 deployed to Pegasus, 8 to high value bases in the Milky Way, 6 to the Sol System, 4 running escort and patrol and 2 out of a duty at any one time.

Not designed for heavy combat the 308 lacks substantial offensive fire power. It is the first class to not feature a missile based system. It relies on two Asgard Beams and 4 Heavy Rail guns as primary armaments, and 12 Light Rail Guns as a Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) for point defence. As well, while lacking a large air group the ship carries four auxiliary craft either fighters or jumpers to expand the patrolable area, assist in defensive operations, logistical support and remote survey capabilities.

The ship's design is very different from the rest of the fleet, it lacks the bulky hull of most ships and is very aerodynamic. The hull itself is also much smoother, taking advantage of recent technological developments. A prominent feature on the dorsal hull are two large dish like structures. These are advanced subspace communications arrays designed to allow the ship to maintain communication contact under adverse conditions. It also allows the ship to maintain a real time communications link with other ships during fleet operations and allows the ship to act as a subspace communications relay if needed.

Another major departure from the norm is it's lack of Zero Point Module capabilities. This was done to simplify and speed up construction as well as due to increasing power output and efficiency of Earth based power generation. A ship can be retrofitted to use a ZPM short term in about a week. Internally the ship features increases in automated systems allowing a reduced crew compliment. This in turn has increased living standards aboard and despite the small size the ship can deploy for extended periods of time, especially if it can be resupplied and supported by a Fleet Support Ship.

The class has been in development since 2018 when a desire for a new smaller patrol craft was first put forward. The design process was relatively slow with the more focus on the large 306 and 307. However recent and expensive losses of the larger ships saw a focus shift to a smaller platforms. The first ship went into construction in early 2023 and is due to launch for shakedown in February 2024. A six month testing and shakedown is planned at which time construction will begin on 7 other hulls. Once in full production it is estimated to take 6-8 months to complete a 308 with a global target of 4 launches per a year.

**Source**:

* thedemonapostle