The Constellation Class Attack Carrier

The Constellation Class Attack Carrier

First Commissioned: 2285

Length: 540 meters

Mass: 1.1 million metric tons

Crew Complement: 300

Maximum Number of Personnel Ship Can Support: 900

Duration Before Resupply: 18 months

Jumps Possible Before Overhaul: 30

Atmosphere Capability: none

Landing Capability: none

History:

Despite the devastating losses the rebels suffered, the Terran defeat at the. Battle of Nova Liberia was one of the worst it ever suffered.  All three super galactic dreadnoughts, five dreadnoughts, three battlecruisers, and dozens of other ships were lost in that battle. After-battle analysis by Navy High Command determined that the losses were mostly inflicted by enemy fighters. Six hundred Nova Liberian fighters flew 2400 sorties against the invading force. The Terran Admiral grossly underestimated the number of fighters Nova Liberia could muster into battle. The Terran force only had 120 fighters of its own in the battle, and nearly half of them were assault fighters. The 60 plus interceptors were overwhelmed by Nova Liberia's 240: Most were destroyed in the first ten minutes of the conflict.  Point defense fire eventually destroyed or damaged 130 Nova Liberian fighters, but that was simply not enough to make a difference.

High Command put a lot of pressure on the Federation Parliament, even blackmailing some members, until they agreed to fund an extensive capital ship building project, including the new Constellation class attack carrier.  Six of the ships came off the line in a crash-building project within two years of the disaster at Nova Liberia.

The Navy barely had a chance to test its new ships in war, as the interest in Delta Sector faded from the parliament's interest. In 2293, the class had only fought a couple of minor battles and was not considered truly tested when the Parliament announced that it would cancel its production. Four days later news had reached Earth that the Avarians had struck in the Gamma Sector, and within hours the Avarian War was declared.  Production resumed immediately.


source:  Terran & Avarian Fleet Book