Colonial Defender Class Gunstar

Name: Defender
Craft: Colonial Defender Class Gunstar
Type: gunship
Scale: capital
Length: 839.7 x 300.2 x 195 meters
Skill: capital ship pilot
Crew: 1,750
Passengers: 4,000
Cargo Capacity: 52,000 tons
Consumables: 26 months
Hyperdrive: x575,000
Nav Computer: yes
Maneuverability: 2D
Space: 6
Hull: 5D+1
Armor: 2D
Sensors

Passive: 80/3D
Scan: 160/4D
Search: 240/5D
Focus: 8/6D

Weapons

Heavy Point Defense System

Fire Arc: all
Crew: 1
Scale: starfighter
Skill: starship gunnery
Fire Control: 2D+2
Space Range: 1-10/20/40
Damage: 4D

12 Primary Assault Railguns

Fire Arc: 2 forward, 5 port, 5 starboard
Crew: 5
Scale: capital
Skill: capital ship
Fire Control: 2D+2
Space Range: 2-13/50/100
Damage: 4D+2

6 Heavy Missile Launchers

Fire Arc: 2 forward, 2 port, 2 starboard
Crew: 5
Scale: capital
Skill: capital ship gunnery
Fire Control: 2D+2
Space Range: 2-35/70/140
Damage: 5D+1

6 Nuclear Missile Launchers

Fire Arc: 2 forward, 2 port, 2 starboard
Crew: 5
Scale: capital
Skill: capital ship gunnery
Fire Control: 2D+2
Space Range: 2-300/600/1,200
Damage: 6D+2

Compliment: 24 vipers, 10 raptors, 6 other

Description: The Defender Class gunstars were the largest gunstars deployed during the Cylon War and were an intermediate step between Battlestars and their smaller escorts. Fitted with a single (shortened) flight pod, they were essentially thru-deck cruisers and were used as “maids-of-all-work” during the First Cylon War. Defenders served as convoy escorts and training ships, then embarked shuttles and landing craft and served ably as make-shift amphibious assault ships, tenders, and even on one occasion, as a hospital ship. Following the Cylon War, the Defenders were gradually decommissioned and scrapped, but a small number were demilitarized (stripped of their weapon mounting hard-points) and found their way into civilian service.

Quirks/Special Characteristics: The Defender Class gunstars were built strongly, but were rushed through the Admiralty design process, and so a number of design flaws and system incompatibilities sneaked through and had to be put right by their crews. Additionally, they were built at four different shipyards, and as a result, no two Defenders were ever exactly alike and maintenance and service requirements were always excessive. Despite this flaw, the Defenders were sturdy, reliable, and unyielding, and remained popular in the Fleet. One major flaw of the design is that landing approaches must be made essentially between the large engine pods, which can impair pilot vision in a critical moment, and when the vessel is at high speed, irradiate the outer hull of craft making their approaches.

Source: Battlestar Galactica: Thin Blue Line (page 103)