BC-304 mark II
Name: BC-304
Craft: Tau'ri BC-304 Daedalus-class warship
Type: Battle Cruiser / Deep Space Carrier / Warship
Scale: Capital
Length: 200 - 225 x 90 - 95 x 70 - 75 meters
Skill: Capital Ship Pilot
Crew: 200; Skeleton: 4/+10
Passengers: 500
Cargo Capacity: 7,500 metric tons
Consumables: 1 year
Hyperdrive: x0.074
Hyperdrive Backup: x140
Nav Computer: yes
Maneuverability: 2D+2
Space: 12.5; Maximum: 50
Atmosphere: 460; 1,325 km/h
Hull: 6D+1
Shields: 20D
Sensors
- Passive: 75 / 1D+2
- Scan: 150 / 3D+1
- Search: 225 / 5D
- Focus: 8 / 6D+2
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
- Fire Arc: Dorsal; but are self guided
Crew: 1
Scale: capital
Skill: capital ship gunnery
Fire Control: 2D
Space Range: 1-15/30/60
Atmosphere Range: 2-150/300/600 km
Ammo: 8 per launcher
Rate of fire: 1
Damage: 8D
- 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: 4D
Ship Complement:
- F-302: 8 - 16
Miscellaneous:
- Asgard transporters
- Long-range transmitter
- Transportation rings
- Zero Point Module
- Asgard power core
- Asgard computer core
- Ancient Cloak (Odyssey only)
Description: "It has a few advantages over the Prometheus. The more advanced alien technologies were integrated into the original design rather than tacked on after the fact."
—Samantha Carter
The 304, also known as the Daedalus-class warship, is a class of deep space carrier built by the Tau'ri, and the most advanced series of vessels in the Tau'ri fleet capable of rivaling even the most powerful alien spaceships using its Asgard technology. As of 2009, six Daedalus-class warships have been built. These 304s are the Daedalus, Odyssey, Korolev, Apollo, Sun Tzu, and George Hammond. Five are known to be in active service. All but two are operated by the United States Air Force. One 304, the Korolev, was given to the Russian Federation, and subsequently lost in a battle with the Ori, while another 304, the Sun Tzu, is operated by the Chinese Government, and when last heard of, was crippled and evacuated. (SG1: " Camelot", ATL: "Enemy at the Gate")
Although referred to as "sister ships" to the BC-303 Prometheus, the 304s differ significantly in their design and technology. While the Prometheus was originally built with reverse-engineered Goa'uld technology and salvaged equipment such as the transportation rings, the 304s incorporated Asgard technology in their original design. All 304 class ships are equipped with Asgard shields, sensors and transporters, as well as intergalactic hyperdrive technology that allow the ships to carry supplies to Atlantis in the Pegasus galaxy. (SG1: "Moebius, Part 1")
However, the Asgard initially refused to install any of their weapons on the 304s, changing their minds only when faced with their extinction as a species. In 2007, they equipped Earth's flagship, the Odyssey, with their most advanced technology, including plasma beam weapons. Later, the Daedalus and Apollo were also updated with these weapons. It is assumed that all future ships will be provided with these weapons as well. (SG1: "Unending", ATL: "Be All My Sins Remember'd", "The Last Man")
History
Originally, the Prometheus proved itself to be a capable warship, with several more ships of the BC-303-class planned for construction. However, in a show of gratitude for the Tau'ri's help in battling the replicators, the Asgard provided a technological retrofit for the Prometheus.
With the Asgard upgrades, and whatever knowledge and fine-tuning that the Prometheus went through during her shakedown, the current BC-303 class became obsolete. Therefore, a new spaceship, intended to be built from the ground up with these upgrades, was designed. (SG1: "Disclosure", "Moebius, Part 1")
It immediately became one of Stargate Command's most important projects. Currently, seventy percent of the SGC's operating budget has been transferred to the construction of Daedalus-class vessels. The first vessel of the class was the Daedalus, which was introduced in 2005. Upon its completion, the ship was immediately assigned to the Pegasus galaxy to assist the Atlantis expedition in the Tau'ri-Wraith war. (SG1: "The Siege, Part 3")
The following year, in 2006, the second Daedalus-class ship, Odyssey, was constructed. The ship's initial mission was to deal with the Lucian Alliance and, foremost, the forces of the Ori, which had invaded the galaxy. (SG1: "Off the Grid")
The first two Daedalus-class ships were commanded by the United States Air Force. However, when the Ori invaded the Milky Way a third Daedalus-class ship was near completion. The Korolev was given to the Russians as a "trade agreement" for the United States to continue running the SGC with the Alpha Gate, which was on lease from Russia. Unfortunately, the Korolev was destroyed during the Battle of P3Y-229 soon after being rushed into service. (SG1: "Camelot")
In 2007, when faced with the extinction of their race, the Asgard gave the Tau'ri their complete knowledge base in the form of the Asgard computer core. They also gave the Tau'ri vessel, Odyssey, a mass-upgrade. Since that historic event, all Daedalus-class warships have been outfitted with Asgard advancements, notability in the form of Asgard plasma beam weapons. These weapons have given the Tau'ri a military superiority over most other known races in the universe. (SG1: "Unending", ATL: "Be All My Sins Remember'd", "The Last Man")
Another Daedalus-class ship, the Apollo was constructed later in 2007. It was stationed around Earth in defense against a potential Ori attack. The attack never took place, however, and it was subsequently assigned to the Pegasus galaxy to fight the Asurans in the Asuran-Tau'ri-Wraith war. (SG1: " The Ark of Truth", ATL: "First Strike")
The next 304 in line, the Sun Tzu, was put into service by China in early 2009. In its first mission, the Sun Tzu and the Apollo jointly engaged the ZPM powered Hive Ship, which had found the location of Earth. The attack was a failure and both the ships were crippled in battle. The Hive Ship was then subsequently destroyed over Earth. (ATL: "Enemy at the Gate")
Additionally, Earth's sixth 304, the George Hammond (introduced in an alternate timeline as the "Phoenix"), was completed in 2009 and is placed under the command of Colonel Samantha Carter. It later took part in the defense of Icarus Base and other Lucian Alliance conflicts. (ATL: "The Last Man", "Enemy at the Gate", SGU: "Air, Part 1", "Incursion, Part 1").
Locations
Bridge
304s feature several upgrades over the Prometheus, but the bridge layout is relatively similar. The forward view port is wider to allow a greater visual field. This is particularly useful during battle situations, allowing several officers to make suggestions about how to proceed without obstructing the captain's chair. Also built into the forward view port is a heads-up display. A weapons officer sits to the right of the captain; a helmsman to the left.
The bridge is located in the superstructure at the beginning of the ship's neck. The map display table in the back of the bridge is lit in a different color for each ship — on the Daedalus it is green, the Odyssey's is orange, the Apollo's is white/blue, the Korolev's was purple, and the George Hammond's is yellow/orange. An alternate version of the Daedalus had an orange-lit map as well, and an alternate version of the George Hammond had an Asgard terminal. This because it would give the crew better access to the Asgard core. (SG1: "Unending", ATL: "Allies", SGU: "Air, Part 1") ATL: "The Last Man",
Crew Quarters
304s contain a number of relative spacious crew quarters. While the location of the entirety of them are unknown, several are positioned along the hull of the ship, allowing for a view into space via window. (SG1: "Unending")
Engineering
The engineering deck has several control panels specifically rigged for Asgard operators. A view port overlooking the Asgard hyperdrive can be found at the aft end of the chamber. The engine room can accommodate a dozen personnel at any given time. Tasks from systems diagnostics to the deployment of weapons can be carried out here.
Briefing Room
304s are designed with a briefing room, in which the captain can meet with senior officers for briefing before difficult/complex or strategic operations. The 304s' briefing room is a spacious room with a high ceiling, paneled in gray tones and equipped with large florescent lighting fixtures on the ceiling. It is dominated with a large black meeting table, and lined with several chairs along the sides. Behind the captain's chair is a large flat screen monitor built into the wall. As a screensaver, it displays the seal of the ship with the ship name at the top and the registry number of the ship along the bottom. (SG1: "Off the Grid", "Unending")
Infirmary
The Infirmary of 304s are nearly identical to the one onboard the Prometheus. They contain several rooms with hospital beds and likely storage rooms, stocked with all manner of medications for the crew members, as well as equipment to support the crew during injuries that would be likely to be sustained onboard ship. A surgical suite is also part of the infirmary. (SG1: "Dominion", ATL: "The Siege, Part 3", "Search and Rescue", "The Lost Tribe")
Hangar Bay
The 304s are able to carry twice as many F-302s as the Prometheus — eight in each of its two hangar bays, for a total of 16. However, the Daedalus and Apollo carry fighters only in the starboard hangar; the port hangar has been used to carry other vehicles, such as puddle jumpers from Atlantis. Asgard shields can extend around the hangar doors in the event the flight deck is occupied while decompression procedures are scheduled to commence. An Al'kesh can barely fit into the hangar bay. [4] (ATL: "The Intruder", "The Hive", "First Strike")
It is unclear whether the Odyssey or Korolev carried a full complement of fighters. Given that the Daedalus and probably the Apollo were used to ferry equipment to Atlantis, the port hangars on those particular ships might be reserved for extra cargo storage. Alternatively, the port deck might serve as a re-entry bay when a skirmish must end quickly.
Officer's Mess
Because the 304s are designed for extensive deep-space voyages, an officer's mess is available to off-duty personnel. It is located on the starboard side of the ship and offers a view port into space. Hot coffee and perhaps other drinks are available in the mess, no matter the time of day. (SG1: "Unending", ATL: "The Intruder",
Bomb Bay
At least one 304, the Apollo, featured a large bomb bay built into the underside of the ship, capable of deploying the Horizon weapons platform. A control room just aft of the bay included a set of observation windows, arranged much like the ship's engine room. So far, it has only been mentioned in relation to the Apollo, and no corresponding bay doors appear on the underside of the Daedalus; it's unclear whether any other 304s were so equipped, or if the Apollo constitutes a new variant of the class. (ATL: "No Man's Land", "First Strike")
Asgard knowledge room
The Asgard knowledge room is a room onboard the Odyssey. The room contains a curved holographic display which is linked into the Asgard computer core. It can display the information stored in it to the user on a larger display than the one on the core itself and so can by used to search the database and study its contents in more detail and with greater ease. Daniel Jackson used it to pass time onboard Odyssey when it was trapped in a Time dilation field, evading attack by Ori motherships. (SG1: "Unending")
Brig
The brig on a 304 was a small, unadorned room not dissimilar to the ship's storage compartments; it contained a surveillance camera through which the prisoners could be observed. Though apparently designed for only a single occupant, it has been used to hold up to four people, indicating there may be only one such room on the ship. It has been used to imprison James Marrick when he created new Replicators that took over his body in that cell onboard the Odyssey. (SG1: " The Ark of Truth")
Armory
There are several armories on a 304. It is unknown how many armories existed, but they appear to be small and packed with various weapons and munitions. They are known to contain Tau'ri, Goa'uld and Wraith weapons. The armory on the Daedalus was used to arm Ronon Dex and Jennifer Keller when Todd hijacked the ship, and would later have been used to arm the rest of the crew had Todd not retreated to his ship. (SG1: "Talion", ATL: "First Contact", "The Lost Tribe", "Enemy at the Gate")
Airlocks
Several airlocks line the slender mid-section of the ship. Airlocks may be vented through initiating a venting sequence controlled through the computer consoles, or performing a manual override to open the door via a control keypad.
Technology
The 304s boast a large amount of incredibly advanced technology, most of which came from the Asgard, which helps make 304s a formidable craft, capable of rivaling the spaceships of most races. In contrast to its predecessor, the BC-303, the new Daedalus-class ships had several significant advantages in that the more advanced alien technologies were integrated into the original design rather than added on afterwards.
Sensors
The 304s feature a long-range transmitter, located with a series of other communications-related equipment, including Asgard sensors, at the top-rear port section of the ship. There are also sensors located on the nose section of the ship. These sensors are highly advanced as they can scan and pinpoint life signs from far away, and are also what allows their beaming technology to lock on to an object accurately. (ATL: "The Intruder")
Shields
Energy shields are the primary defense technology used by 304s. The technology was shared by the Asgard with the Tau'ri after their contributions in defeating the Replicators, and so the Earth-designed Daedalus-class warships are protected by Asgard shields, giving them a great advantage over the space-faring races of both the Milky Way and Pegasus galaxies.
Asgard shields create an elliptical "bubble" around a spaceship that absorbs and diffuses the energy from weapons fire. The shields will gradually weaken under sustained fire, rather quickly if the attack is of sufficient force, allowing energy from attacks to bleed through and cause damage to the ship. Although additional energy can be allocated to the shield bubble to reinforce it, the only way for a ship to ultimately survive a continual attack is to withdraw and give the shields time to recharge. (SG1: "Off the Grid", ATL: "The Siege, Part 3", "Enemy at the Gate")
Asgard transporters
The Asgard first allowed the Tau'ri access to a very basic form of their beaming technology, which they included on the Prometheus during a refit around 2003. In 2005, however, during the Tau'ri-Wraith war, the Asgard provided Earth's first Daedalus-class ship with a much more advanced form of beaming technology. However, they placed a series of fail-safes into the transporters to prevent the humans from using the technology offensively. Despite this, the Daedalus used its transporters to beam nuclear warheads onto several Wraith Hive Ships (with begrudging help from an Asgard), destroying them. The Wraith, however, were able to develop jamming codes that prevented the transporters from obtaining a lock, making the transporters all but useless against them. (ATL: "The Siege, Part 3")
Asgard computer core
The Asgard computer core is a database of all the knowledge of the Asgard. The computer core includes a knowledge base of the entire Asgard history, interactive holograms of every Asgard, time-dilation technology, and an independent power source. These features likely only scratch the surface of the device's full capability. The Asgard gave this to the Tau'ri as a gift and to help them fight the Ori. The Asgard installed it on the Odyssey in 2007 before committing mass-suicide. (SG1: "Unending")
It is unknown whether the computer core was installed on any other Daedalus-class ship. Although that seems unlikely, the Phoenix had a room which contained an Asgard computer core in an alternate timeline. (ATL: "The Last Man")
Cloak
The Daedalus-class ship Odyssey also acquired a very effective cloaking device of Ancient design from Dr. Daniel Jackson, who at the time possessed Ancient knowledge. At first, Colonel Samantha Carter had trouble getting the ship to decloak. However, they were eventually able to cloak and decloak the ship by simply pressing a few buttons. It is unknown if any of the other Daedalus-class ships possess this ability. Dr. Jackson claimed that "having a ZPM helps" so it's possible he utilized the ZPM on the ship in some manner while creating its cloak, or that it was not as efficient as those on other ships and required levels of power only a ZPM could provide. He probably adjusted the shields in some way, similar to the Ancient Gateships. (SG1: "The Shroud", "Dominion")
Transportation rings
In addition to the Asgard transporters the 304s also possesses transportation rings as a mean for transportation. Transportation rings are used to transport people or objects over short distances, from ship to ship, or even to a nearby planet. Transportation rings were originally designed by the Ancients, but have since been used by a wide variety of races. The BC-303, the Prometheus, was the first Tau'ri ship to use transportation rings, but the technology has since been passed on to the Daedalus-class ships. It is unknown whether the Tau'ri steal transportation rings from other races, like the Goa'uld, or if they construct them themselves but the former is more likely. As, like the Goa'uld, the ship's computer has no control over the rings, likely because they are often considered a security risk when enemies wish to board the ship as the crew have no way to shut the rings off. (SG1: "Memento", "Avalon, Part 1", "Prometheus Unbound")
Heads up display
A Heads up display can be pulled up on the center window of a 304's bridge. The transparent display overlays icons on to real-world objects that can be seen through the window, such as various enemy ships and other points of interest. Much like the HUD of a Puddle Jumper, the view from the bridge remains unobstructed, meaning pilots and crew can still see the battlefield, and even weapons fire dissipating the shield before them. (ATL: "The Hive")
Subspace Capacitor (Alternate reality)
The Subspace capacitor was a power generating system created by a parallel version of the Atlantis expedition. It could reach a "near-ZPM" level of energy, though it is unknown what the term 'near' exactly was. Like a ZPM, it draws energy from Subspace. Since it does not draw from a limited, contained area of subspace, but instead draws energy from our subspace time a Subspace capacitor is a renewable energy source. However, there is a limit on how much power can be stored and made available at one time. (ATL: "The Daedalus Variations")
Engines
The 304s feature multiple means of maneuverability, notably 3 engines: maneuvering thrusters,
the sublight drive and the Asgard hyperdrive. An alternate version of the Daedalus was equipped with a fourth drive known as the alternate reality drive, allowing the ship to travel to alternate realities. (ATL: "The Daedalus Variations")
Maneuvering thrusters
Maneuvering thrusters are one of three methods of propulsion on 304s. While maneuvering thrusters are by far the slowest form of propulsion, they are able to make slight adjustments to a ship's trajectory and to help gain momentum. Reverse thrust is also possible, which is in place to help a ship slow down in the frictionless environment of space. (SG1: "Flesh and Blood", ATL: "The Daedalus Variations")
Sublight engines
The 304s have 2 main rocket boosters at the rear of the ship, which are their sublight engines. While several smaller rocket engines also exist at the rear, these engines provide the greatest thrust, capable of moving the ship at speeds around half the speed of light. (ATL: "The Daedalus Variations")
Hyperdrive
The Tau'ri were first given Asgard hyperdrive technology as thanks for their help in fighting the Replicators, which are now standard on all 304s. However, Earth ships use considerably weaker power sources when compared to Asgard vessels, making the drives not being able to function at their true capacity. However, shortly prior to their extinction, the Asgard installed an advanced power core aboard the Odyssey. It is unclear whether this new power core actually improved the Odyssey's performance, as the ship was already using a ZPM at that point. However, even under powered, these hyperdrives are one of the fastest when compared to those of most space-faring races. (SG1: "Unending", ATL: "Echoes")
Alternate reality drive (Alternate reality)
The drive was designed to transport matter through the Matter bridge to access parallel universes. It is powered by a subspace capacitor, which provides near-ZPM levels of energy.The device has to be encased in a shielded area of the ship, as it gives off radiation. Despite its ability of inter-universal travel, the ship would remain in the same relative position after every jump. The drive had a different, yet similar function as the Quantum Mirror. Rodney McKay theorized that if the drive were destroyed by C-4, it may tear a hole in the fabric of space/time large enough to destroy a solar system. (ATL: "The Daedalus Variations")
Deceleration Thrusters
Deceleration thrusters are used to slow a 304 down. They are situated on the front side of the large rectangular hyperdrive engine sections and are mostly used to land.
Roles
The 304's are designed as a battle cruiser and a deep space cruiser. It is a battle cruiser because of its fire power and effectiveness in ship-to-ship combat. For example, it has enough power to pierce some of the most advanced shielding known as well as take 144 hits from an Ori Energy Beam before the shield fails. It is also a deepspace cruiser because of its ability to travel at intergalactic speeds for great distances. For example, one Daedalus is able to make a way from the Milky Way to Pegasus in about two weeks.
Armaments
The 304 has a vast array of weans, ranging from projectile to energy based.
Railguns
The 304 has 32 railguns, which have become standard on F-302s, the Prometheus and all Daedalus-class vessels for ship-to-ship combat. Just a few shots are able to take out a Wraith dart relatively quickly and deal damage to Hive Ships, though they have proven ineffective against Ori shields. During the Battle of Asuras, an opening salvo from a 304's railguns proved powerful enough to cause severe damage to an unshielded Asuran-built Aurora-class warship, possibly leading to its destruction. (SG1: "Ethon", "Camelot", ATL: "The Siege, Part 3", "Be All My Sins Remember'd")
Battle complement
Being a deep space carrier, the Daedalus-class carries a complement of several F-302 fighter-interceptors. The F-302s were originally used by the Daedalus-class' predecessor, the BC-303. The 304s can carry twice as many F-302s than the BC-303, however. It can carry two squadrons of eight F-302s, a total of sixteen fighter interceptors. The F-302s are mostly used in dogfights against other alien fighters. However, they have also proved effective in disabling the hyperdrive engines of Wraith Hive Ships. The F-302s can be fitted with nuclear missiles if necessary to attack Wraith Hive Ships or other ships. (SG1: "Lost City, Part 2", ATL: "The Intruder", "No Man's Land")
Missiles
The 304s have 16 missile bays, naquadah enhanced nuclear warheads, and at least one ship, the Apollo, is known to have the Horizon weapon system. Among the warheads 304s are known to carry are Mark III, Mark VIII, and Mark IX. It is unknown if some of these 304s may carry conventional warheads to attack an enemy ship. (ATL: "The Siege, Part 3", "No Man's Land")
Asgard beam weapons
Asgard plasma beam weapons were placed on the Odyssey as a gift to the Tau'ri in a mass upgrade, providing the ship with a means to effectively fight the Ori warships that had been invading the Milky Way galaxy. These weapons were eventually equipped on both the Daedalus and the Apollo, which put them to good use almost immediately when they used them to rapidly destroy the Aurora-class warships that the Asurans were deploying in the Pegasus galaxy. In an alternate timeline, these weapons were also equipped to the Phoenix, and used to destroy Wraith Hive Ships in even fewer hits than Ori motherships and Aurora-class warships, as Hive Ships possess no shields (allowing even easier penetration). It is more than likely that these weapons will be installed on all other 304s as well. The beam weapons can penetrate the shields of the Ori, Asuran, and maybe the Lucian Alliance Warships. (SG1: "Unending", ATL: "Be All My Sins Remember'd", "The Last Man")
Horizon Weapons system
The system consists of a large, bullet-shaped delivery module containing ten missiles, six with Mark IX tactical warheads and four decoys. The device can be carried in the bomb bay of a 304 like the Apollo. Deployed from orbit, the module's three rocket engines propel it into the atmosphere; these rockets shut down and the missiles themselves are released about twelve seconds prior to impact, finding individual targets and detonating simultaneously. The total time from launch to detonation is about one minute. It is unknown if the other 304's have this weapon system and a bomb bay. (ATL: "First Strike")
Source:
- Stargate Wiki: BC-304
- thedemonapostle