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DATABASE ENTRY: PROJECT NORMANDY
This entry for Project Normandy contains the files related to the warship LNS Normandy, LNW-NID-M-2 "Memphis"-class Battleship.
LNS Normandy "Memphis"-class Battleship
Laid down: March 25, 802 AS Launched: January 03, 836 AS Space Trials: January 04, 836 AS - ONGOING Motto: "Tip of the spear" Status: Active service Hull Number: BB-98 Serial Number: LNW-NID-M-2 Commanding Officer: Commodore Samantha Brown Executive Officer: Commander Christopher Jensen Crew:
• 300x Crewmates
• 60x Marines
• 150x Engineering crew
• 80x Skeleton crew
Shield Generator: Standard issue Model SGEN_BB3
Countermeasure suite: [DATA REDACTED]
Project Normandy - History
Project Normandy's focus was the construction of a sister-ship to the old LNS Akhetaten and was laid down three decades ago, right after the end of the Nomad war. However, with Liberty finding itself busy, at the time, defending its interests in the many open fronts it had, the Navy's focus was not on a lightly armored reconnaissance focused battleship class, but rather on the proven, heavy and sturdy Overlord dreadnoughts. This meant that for the longest time, Project Normandy was mothballed and cast aside as something not worth the budget allocated to it.
More than three decades later, the Navy has once again shown interest in overhauling the Osiris-class in order to better suit the Republic's modern needs. It is clear that the Akhetaten-class battlecruisers, that entered mass production not long ago, have fulfilled the purpose of a lighter armored reconnaissance focused vessel, and that what the Republic could use is a battleship that isn't as expensive to deploy as the latest Mitchel-class dreadnoughts but has more firepower than the Interdictor-class battlecruiser.
In terms of the old Osiris designs, the teams aboard Juneau Shipyard that were tasked with modernizing it, came up with something that fulfills exactly what Navy Command requested; dubbed the "Memphis"-class battleship, the new and improved version features armor comparable to that of the venerable Navy's dreadnoughts, and firepower that is not to be under-estimated.
"Memphis"-class Description
The Memphis is a design derived from the experimental Osiris that was stolen by the Order at the start of the Colony War, but with marked improvements over that now decades old concept. The Memphis is primarily intended for use as a heavy asset for scouting units, taking the role of the aging Interdictor design, while still retaining firepower comparable to the latest Mitchell-class variant of the venerable Overlord. This role is emphasized with a state-of-the-art sensor suite, as advances in electronic warfare technology have allowed the Memphis to retain the same capability as the original design, and have even seen improvements based on wartime experiences against peer opponents.
Additional improvements feature a rework of the engineering section to correct issues with power failure, as well as expanded crew facilities to help alleviate fatigue during long deployments. Evocative of an old adage to “Hit hard, hit fast, hit often” the Memphis is at the forefront of Libertonian military technology, and is seen by many in the admiralty as the next step in design philosophy for the Liberty of the future. Despite this confidence, the highly advanced design is currently only seeing limited deployment in the Primary Fleets, as some in the government doubt the need for a wholly new warship with the capability of the Memphis.
Project Normandy - Electronic Warfare, Scanner Suite
With the experience gained from the Akhetaten-class, engineering teams have managed to take the Memphis a step further and additionally equip the class with the highest grade electronic warfare and scanner suites, improvements that even the Mitchell-class have not seen. Most of the sensors installed on the LNS Normandy are a result of reconfiguration of the technology found on the Akhetaten-class, modified to provide higher performance due to the reactor of the Memphis-class being far more powerful.
With access to higher power output, the Memphis-class is able to yield harder-hitting weaponry than the Akhetaten-class. The LNS Normandy features standard battleship-grade weaponry, heavier armor and the capability to operate independently for much longer periods of time.
The proposed weaponry to be mounted on the LNS Normandy are as shown below;
3x LDL-14v "Jackhammer" Liberty Battleship Light Turret
- Close-In Weapon System
3x LDF-5a "Meson" Liberty Battleship Flak Turret
The modernization of the old design doesn't stop there, however. Project Normandy ensured that the newly constructed warship does not sacrifice detectability.
With reference to the prototype cloaking device that was constructed for the LNS Akhetaten - during the ship's modernization process - the team in charge of Project Normandy have developed a similar, larger scale, version for usage on the LNS Normandy.
This advanced cloaking device is predicted to have even fewer electromagnetic emissions than the prototype version installed on the LNS Akhetaten. The team behind Project Normandy believes that this piece of technology - if proven successful - could mean that the LNS Normandy will have a significant edge over it's prey in the battlefield and the warship could bring about the future in tactical engagements.
Project Normandy - The Present
At last, after three decades and after Project Normandy's re-awakening by Navy Command, the project was assigned under the jurisdiction of Vice Admiral Maria Uhmen of the Forty-sixth Fleet. The only decision that made sense, taking into consideration how many things Project Normandy shares with Project Akhetaten, which Uhmen was in charge of.
Such an undertaking would be no small feat, and the Vice Admiral knew very well that she is in no position to oversee a project of such scale for a second time in her career.
Thus, Vice Admiral Uhmen decided the project be handed over to the newly appointed Commodore; Samantha Brown. The time had finally come for the Commodore to once again prove that she can not only effectively lead a large scale battleship construction project, but also become the battleship's commanding officer. Of course, Vice Admiral Uhmen would continue to oversee the project and provide Brown with the feedback and tips necessary to successfully complete the project.
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Liberty Navy Forty-sixth Fleet Task Force Akhetaten