Heron

Heron-class Fast Carrier
Logistical data
Recovery rate (per day)	3%
Maintenance (sup/month)	20
Cargo capacity	90
Maximum crew	250
Skeleton crew	150
Fuel capacity	60
Maximum burn	8
Fuel per light year	3
Ordnance points	100
Flight decks	3
Combat Performance
Hull integrity	6,000
Armor rating	750
Defense	Omni Shield
Flux capacity	5,000
Flux dissipation	300
Top speed	80
System	Targeting Feed
Mounts	1x Medium Universal 6x Small Energy
Advanced Stats
CR per deployment	12%
Recovery cost (supplies)	20
Peak performance (sec)	360
Shield arc	180
Shield upkeep/sec	150
Shield flux/damage	0.8

	The Heron provides the strategic and tactical mobility of a cruiser with potential firepower limited only by available strike-craft. It is the perfect accompaniment to the quick-moving and hard-hitting fleet of an admiral who knows when to take the initiative, hit quickly, and withdraw while enemy forces are still responding to the threat. Historically the Heron represented a movement in Domain Armada strategy from a heavy capital ship doctrine based on overwhelming firepower toward a focus on strike craft and support cruisers that enable sufficient firepower to be quickly focused on weak points, a strategic shift that would reverse itself as a natural reaction against tradition from each successive generation of Armada officers. This process was occurring once more in the years immediately preceding the fall of the gate system and, in something of a coup for the so-called "Cruiser School", the forward-thinking Altair Exotech won the Heron design contract over the traditional manufacturer of heavy Armada warships, Orion Shipyards. However the doctrinal shift embodied by the Heron was interrupted by the isolation of The Fall, and as such it is not often found in core Hegemony fleets (whose officers still cling to tradition). This hull has however found great popularity among the independent worlds, megacorporations, and mercenary forces of the Sector that tend to field leaner, faster fleets.
–In-Game Description

Overview

The Heron is a midline cruiser carrier. It is very fast, as fast as the Falcon, which means it can easily keep itself out of trouble and quickly join the fight if it enters the battle as reinforcement. Its shipsystem increases damage done by fighters of all types. It's only downside is that it is a pure carrier and so it has almost no way of contributing to the fight outside of its three flight decks.

Change History

0.9.1

• Removed COMBAT tag from the Drover and Heron

0.8a

• Reduced top speed to 80 (was 90)

Only up to date for version 0.95. It is likely still broadly correct but not verified for the most up to date data yet. Please double check the Version History.