Desforge class

Name: Desforge class Type: Destroyer Affiliation: People's Republic of Haven Date Introduced: 1887 PD Preceded By: Bastogane Succeeded By: Trojan Mass: 95,750 tons Length: 393 m Beam: 46 m Draught: 27 m Acceleration: 590 G (735 G maximum) Crew: 435 - 65 officers - 370 enlisted Power: 2 RF/6 Dampierre 4 fusion reactors Electronics: AG-25(a) AG-25 gravitic detection array AR-26 phased radar array AL-26(a) lidar array SLCF-19 18x14-channel DCS ARBB-22 ECM Armament: 12 LME-3(d) missile tubes 2 L/75 anti-ship lasers 6 L/66 anti-ship lasers 10 LMC-8(g) countermissile tubes 8 P/16x3 laser clusters Magazines: 156 E14 impeller drive missiles 360 C2 counter missiles 6 LAD-24 tethered ECM decoys Auxiliary Craft: 3 DB.100 Mercure-class cutters 2 D.435 Ouragan-class pinnaces

The Desforge class was a series of destroyers built and operated by the People's Navy.

Origins and Design

A contemporary of the slightly smaller Bastogne class, the Desforge class was designed with a heavier defensive suite and lighter broadside. Forced upon the Navy by political pressure from the Legislaturalists, it was the first Havenite ship class in a long time to come in under budget. This made it popular with the government's accountants and caused it to be built in large number, even though the command level of the Navy despised it for its incompatibility with standard PN battle doctrine. On the other hand it had fairly heavy armor for a ship of its rate, increasing its survivability. (SITS)

The design was widely considered large for its classification. (SI1)

History

PNS Desforge was commissioned in 1887 PD, and many sister ships followed her soon. The Navy tried to use them primarily as screening and scouting units, as they were fast and relatively well defended. Most flag officers tried to trade the Desforges assigned to them for Bastognes if they could, and sent them on as convoy escorts and scouts otherwise.

Commodore Carol Williamson, in command of TU 32, had a squadron of Desforge-class units handed to her by her superior; ostensibly to use them as screening units for her cruiser division. When the Royal Manticoran Navy hit the system she was guarding in the early stages of the First Havenite-Manticoran War, Williamson separated her Desforges to escort supply freighters to the hyper limit, and sent her her cruisers and light cruisers agains the enemy. In the resulting battle, most of Williamson's heavy forces were destroyed, with two units surrendering. The Desforges, however, managed to escort their charges safely into hyperspace. (SITS)

Known vessels

• PNS Desforge (lead ship)
• PNS Alcazar († 1913 PD)
• PNS Kerebin
• PNS Baudin
• PNS Bouvet
• PNS Bruat
• PNS Courbet
• PNS Decrès
• PNS Duperré
• PNS Hamelin
• PNS Kersaint
• PNS Linois
• PNS Morillot
• PNS Muselier
• PNS Dainville
• PNS Picquet
• PNS Requin
• PNS Roussin
• PNS Toulouse