Avalanche Heavy Cruiser

Solitude Class Heavy Cruiser Avalanche - Front

History:
Prior to the introduction of the battlecruiser class, the majority of the USEC's military strength was comprised of the Combat Cruiser class warship. The Combat Cruiser proved itself a reliable starship, providing a decent balance of speed, firepower, and defensive armor.

After the inception of the battlecruiser class, however, cruiser research and development began to lag, as more and more battlecruisers, which were considered to be superior offensive weapons platforms by top fleet officials, were fielded. Due to this shift in the focus of the fleet's production, funds were diverted away from Combat Cruiser research projects, much to the protest and dismay of the scientists who used to be so vital.

With no money to continue their research, many of the USEC cruiser specialists resigned their positions and began developing for the private sector. After gaining a substantial amount of funds, the former USEC scientists reunited to purchase the ownership rights to a small scale production facility, which they renamed the Gandara Shipyard. Calling themselves the Daishi Technologies Foundation, they worked toward the ultimate goal of creating a new cruiser class of ship that utilized the best features of the combat cruiser, while improving the flaws in the hopes that their new warship would be able to out-class the USEC battlecruiser. All their work culminated in a single ship design: the Solitude Class Heavy Cruiser, the first and only being christened the Avalanche.

Description:
The Solitude Heavy Cruiser improves on it's predecessor in almost every way imaginable. Not being bogged down in regulations and standards, the shipbuilders were able to fine-tune all the onboard equipment, resulting in maximum combat efficiency. Power generation and output, speed and acceleration, armament and defensive capabilities were all increased to create a hard-hitting, durable package capable of frightening speeds unheard of for a ship of it's tonnage.

The Avalanches' fusion reactor plant is 150% larger than that of a standard Combat Cruiser, and utilizes incredibly efficient fuel injectors, allowing higher top cruising speeds, and maximizing power distribution across ship systems. High-capacity energy storage cells provide generous amounts of reserve power should the primary generator be taken offline for whatever reason. Power conduits across the ship are crafted from highly conductive alloys, minimizing energy loss from heat, and allowing nearly instantaneous transmission from source to destination.

The wing-mounted primary drive pylons of the Combat Cruiser were replaced with unique versions of purely Daishi design, granting the Avalanche forward acceleration on par with smaller frigate class ships. What were once little more than secondary thrusters on the Combat Cruiser were reworked into a fully operational fusion drive, giving the Avalanche, even after the pylon engines have been purged, zero reduction in maneuverability.

The bow of the Avalanche was also redesigned from it's predecessor, and includes a localized power generator with the only purpose of supplying energy to the forward weapons. With the increased capacity, the turret's beam is not only more coherent, but is also maintainable over longer distances. Two more beam cannons were mounted to the bottom of the hull to supplement the current weapons loadout, giving the Avalanche better broadside attack capabilities than its' USEC counterpart.

The Avalanche is currently under the command of Captain Julian Nolani, who operates the ship for the Daishi Foundation, running high-profile escort missions to raise revenue for the Foundation, as well as bring in contracts of companies with a need for custom-tailored ships.

Armament:
-Medium G2 Beam Turret (6)
-Torpedo Launcher (12)
-Point Defense Laser (Many)
-Strike Craft Squadron (Space for 4)

Alternate Views:
-Back
-Profile
-Modification Detail
-Front - Pylons Purged
-Back - Pylons Purged
-Profile - Pylon Purged

Notable Ships of the Line:
-DTF HC01 Avalanche