Apologies in advance if these count as "obvious variants". But anyway...

The Federation have F-111 (R2.113) and A-20 (R2.134) carrier variants of the new heavy cruiser in Star Fleet Battles Module R10 and Module R11 respectively. At the time of writing, there is no (conjectural) fast patrol ship tender variant SSD in print, akin to the NPF (R2.56A) variant of the NVH - but perhaps it would not be entirely unreasonable to picture such an "NAP" variant being made to exist over in the Darwin's "dark future" timeline, once the Feds begin deploying Thunderbolt PFs there in alt-Y198.

I was wondering if it might be an option to one day consider "NHVX", "NHAX", and/or "NAPX" variants of the Federation NAX - perhaps akin to the Romulan FireHawk-EX (R4.215) Admiral Centius, as presented in SFB Module X1R.

-----

The reason why I'm suggesting such mission variants of the NAX? Why, to help go after Andromedan Rapid Transit Network nodes, of course.

At the time of writing, the Feds have a number of options, in terms of first-generation X-ships usable against the RTN: the GVX Powell; a limited number of GSXs; plus any HDWXs converted into the "-Z" (4 F-111s plus 2 special sensors) variant. Which isn't a lot of X-raiders to cover the vastness of Federation space, both "on-map" and in what has become a greatly expanded Survey Area by the end of the General War.

With a lack of a "true" X-light cruiser to build upon, it is difficult for the Feds to directly match the likes of the Klingon D5PX or the Romulan SparrowHawk-EX. But on the other hand, just as the Romulans found the FHEX to be an effective ship for use against the RTN, perhaps the Feds might consider the added expense of an NAX-sized single-ship carrier to be worth it in this instance.

Or to put it another way: the Romulans didn't build the FHEX to go after RTN nodes; their original intent was for it to be an X-raider, and only later realized how good it was at this new mission. In a similar vein, perhaps the Feds might have built one "NHVX" and/or one "NHAX" for a different purpose, only to find this hull type to be of unexpected use in the wake of the return of the Darwin?

And similarly, once the truth behind the RTN belatedly comes to light in alt-Y200, perhaps the alternate timeline Feds might find a would-be "NAPX" or two to be of use in their uphill struggle to turn back the tide of Andromedan conquest?

By Gary Carney (Nerroth) on Friday, September 22, 2023 - 12:53 pm: Edit

Since the would-be "NAPX" has been noted over in this proposal thread, there was something I wanted to consider as regards the proposed "NHVX" and "NHAX" here: which, if either, might be the most effective option for use against the Andromedan RTN.

On the one hand, the A-20s provide a powerful direct-fire punch from their massed photons - yet even the more generous warp engine output of the base NAX hull might be strained to rearm so many photon charges (plus the ship's own X-photons) in a timely manner. Plus, there is the risk of the Andromedan base moving "up" the temporal elevator, in effect increasing the "range" at which these photons are required to roll to hit.

On the other hand, the increased drone output from the F-111s would allow the carrier to spend those warp energy points elsewhere - so long as the base (plus any defending Andro ships) aren't fortunate with their T-bomb deployments, perhaps.

In any case, there'd be a difference in terms of which size of base is discovered. If it's a satellite base, the would-be "NHAX" might be better placed to rush the base and cripple (or even destroy) it in short order. But if it's, say, a battle station, might the would-be "NHVX" be better able to keep the defenders busy, or at least distracted, long enough for reinforcements to reach the area?