The Shimamori clan of Honshu has requested that Kishiro restore an old Date class vessel for them. After some initial delays in acquiring clearance of the noble government of Kusari, the project was accepted and three designs were drafted to be presented as viable options to bring the classic design up to par with its more modern counterparts.
The Doragonzukurō, or Dragons Claw subclass of the Date class cruiser focuses on increasing the vessels powercore so it can more easily maintain continuous fire.
This option is particularly interesting keeping the vessels historic forward gun in mind, which has been known to be quite taxing on a vessels
energy reserve. However, given the agreement between the Shimamori clan and the Kusari Naval Forces this design has been declared undesirable.
The costs for constructing an enhanced powercore such as this, as well as the upgrades needed to sustain it, would be significant.
The enhanced frame needed to support the powercore would also come at the downside of the vessel being less agile,
though the increased firepower might be enough of a deterrent to mitigate this cost.
Kishiro estimates this subclass' costs at roughly 450'000'000 credits, with a potential deviation of an estimated 20'000'000 depending on
negotiations with third parties for resources.
The Doragonzuai, or Dragons Eye subclass of the Date class cruiser focuses on increasing maneuverability.
As history has frequently indicated, many battles are won by the more agile vessel.
Being able to dodge incoming enemy fire and returning fire as soon as possible greatly increases a ships performance and chance for success.
Of course this increased flexibility comes at a cost, the vessels hull would have to be modified to handle the stronger engines, which means
less room to reinforce them to sustain enemy fire. In simpler terms, the vessels hull would be able to take less punishment than its other subclass counterparts.
In short, this design would bring the Date class cruiser more in line with a Destroyer class vessel.
The costs for making the needed modifications to the hull, as well as the improved engines would be relatively cheap to do.
Kishiro estimates this subclass' costs at roughly 250'000'000 credits, with a potential deviation of an estimated 15'000'000 depending on
negotiations with third parties for resources.
The Doragonzusukēru, or Dragons Scale subclass of the Date class cruiser focuses on a significantly tougher hull.
This design would focus on reinforcing the ships original hull to withstand extra punishment, as well as deviating some of the powercore
to energize the plating. To make a very complicated scientific story short, this would dissipate part of any incoming fire,
effectively reducing the performance of the enemies weapons. In effect, greatly increasing the vessels hull.
This subclass achieves this result by making some sacrifices, notably part of its powercore but more significantly its maneuverability.
This design would bring the Date class cruiser closer to a heavy cruiser.
The costs for making the needed modifications to the hull and powercore would be quite significant, however most of the experimental
resources required we already possess.
Kishiro estimates this subclass' costs at roughly 350'000'000 credits, with a potential deviation of an estimated 10'000'000 depending on
negotiations with third parties for resources.
The Shimamori Clan, pleased by Kishiro's initiative of the drafted designs, opted for the Dragons Scale Subclass design.
Project description and desired end product
In order to provide the Shimamori Clan with a vessel that is capable of protecting their interests in the Honshu system
while also keeping up with modern ship designs, Kishiro has taken upon itself to redesign the old Date class vessel.
The Dragons Scale design focuses on significant defense as described above. For the project to be a success the old hull
provided by the Shimamori Clan will have to be restored and reinforced with thick hull plating.
Kusari vessels are typically noted for their maneuverability, slim designs and moderate powercores.
None of the powercores readily available in Kusari would be sufficient for this design, they would be either far too weak such as a conventional cruiser powercore,
or significantly too strong like that of a battleship or battlecruiser. The risk in the latter being the sheer output might even shred the structural integrity of the vessel asunder.
In essence this means a powerful powercore will need to be customized for the vessel.
Finally, the powercore will be able to deviat some of its output to energize the hull which, in turn, will disperse some of incoming fire.
Effectively enhancing the vessels sturdyness.
Project Justification
The project has been approved by the Kusari Government and is funded by the Shimamori Clan,
additionally, experimentation with the powercore might yield unique insights in powercore innovation.
Desired results of the project
The desired end result will revolutionize the way vessels can reinforce their hulls and provide an increased security presence in the Honshu system
which benefits all of Kusari, including of course Kishiro itself.
Budget Overview
Phase one: Restoring and upgrading the Date class hull.
Estimated Budget for phase 1: 200 million credits
100.000.000 credits as estimated costs for restoring the Date class hull provided by the Shimamori Clan.
45.000.000 credits in Reinforced Alloy, an unconventional alloy choice for ship construction due to its significant heavier weight but it provides significantly greater results. These supplies will be used to reinforce the hulls plating.
45.000.000 credits in Energy field equipment: Conventionally not used for vessel hulls, they will be used to ensure that the hull can be efficiently energized without causing structural damage or losing excessive amounts of energy.
10.000.000 credits in wages for employees involved.
Phase two: Construction and implementation of customized powercore.
Estimated Budget for phase 2: 100 million credits
65.000.000 credits in costs for production and modifications of a heavy cruiser powercore to allow it to interact with the vessels hull.
25.000.000 credits in costs of doing 100 test runs of hull energizing and analyzing their results.
10.000.000 credits in wages for employees involved.
Phase three: Flight ready preparations.
Estimated Budget for phase 3: 50 million credits
50.000.000 credits in various equipment such as shield generators, weapons, scanners.