ESSP-SR1050 Normandy-class

The ESPS-XS1050 Normandy-class is a stealth operations ship used by D7.

Technology & Combat Characteristics
For all intents and purposes the Normandy is a heavily refitted Forerunner-class, making use of its smaller shape and high engine output. The Forerunner has a high speed to weight ratio, but the predecessor's active sensors made it too easy to detect for stealth operations. Most detection systems in space do not use optics for initial scans as radar and infrared prove to be more reliable. The Normandy is fitted with a host of stealth systems to prevent detection, these include radar and lidar absorbent materials on the hull. These passive stealth systems are meant to prevent the ship from being detected by enemy sensors, however, a more powerful stealth system on the Normandy is an adaptive thermal camouflage plating on the hull. Through this the Normandy can not only mask its heat signature, but also disguise it as another ship. When "running silent", the ship uses an alternate drive system which generates far fewer heat emissions while active but is somewhat weaker in terms of thrust. While optical stealth is difficult to achieve, it is not hugely necessary for long range observation, the Normandy's dark colour scheme makes it difficult to pick out solely through optical sensors.

During missions, the ship makes use of its own lidar and radar systems to observe the enemy from a far. Furthermore, the Normandy-class can intercept radio communications, using its on-board systems to attempt decryption. Small unmanned drones can also be deployed via a missile launcher-like device, allowing the crew to monitor situations without risking detection. Each drone is self-propelled, equipped with both radar, lidar and uses a laser signal to communicate with the ship.

The ship is not fitted with hangar, thus cannot carry or launch mobile suits, it does still retain a defensive armament, suitable for intercepting missiles, mobile suits and providing a beam dispersal screen. While the ship is not particularly suited to direct combat, the Normandy-class still has a powerful defensive potential, able to intercept most enemy fire before retreating the area.

Armaments

 * ASES/07 "Tornado" 120mm SR Beam SRIT


 * ASES/20 "Cyclone" SR Light Beam Cannon


 * ENSX/04 "Gust" 60mm Linear SRIT


 * ENSX/15 "Calamity" Missile Launcher


 * STRS/24 "Einherjar" Beam Disruption Missiles

System Features

 * Drone Launcher
 * Two launchers are installed on the bow of the ship, though nearly identical to missile tubes, these launchers fire reconnaissance drones which allows the crew to observe situations without being detected.


 * ECM Array
 * By broadcasting noise on the same frequency used by the radar system it can be used to drastically confuse systems. Normandy's radar ECM functions on a wide spectrum, allowing it to jam enemy radar without specifically knowing which frequency it operates on.


 * Blinder
 * The array also contains a very specialised piece of equipment for disrupting laser guided weapons, the Blinder targets incoming missiles and fires a powerful laser at the sensor, preventing it from locking onto its target. It also can be used to jam enemy laser communications by aiming at the receiver and flooding it with digital noise.


 * High Resolution Heat Sensor
 * A passive detection system with long range, radar and lidar are both effective detection systems but are active systems and thus can give away the ship's presence to the enemy. As practically everything in space radiates heat it becomes a useful tool for locating enemies while not being detected itself, the system is sensitive enough to pick out targets against high radiation backgrounds (such as solar radiation).


 * Internalised Heat Sinks
 * In order to completely hide the ship's heat signature, rather than disguise it, the Normandy-class is fitted with numerous heat sinks, allowing the ship to temporarily stop emitting heat from regular operations. The sinks have a limited capacity and must be purged after roughly 24 hours of stealth operations, during this time weapons systems are shut down and power usage is kept to a minimum, the standard engines are also disengaged and the ship uses multiple two-grid electrostatic ion thrusters which have a lower emission.


 * Long Range Lidar
 * In addition to standard radar, the Normandy-class uses a Lidar system; a laser-based tracking system similar to radar. Lidar is effective over a longer range and is far harder to detect than radar, it also suffers from less external interference.


 * Thermal Camouflage
 * In space optical detection systems are often far less effective than in terrestrial environments, thus they are ineffective as first-line detection. As much of deep space is typically at absolute zero detecting the heat emissions of a target becomes the most effective method of detection. A Normandy-class' hull is covered in thousands of small temperature-varying plates, able to change their individual emission, disguising the ship's thermal signature as another's. While this does not prevent enemies from detecting the ship, it does stop them from identifying it as a potential enemy. Alternatively the camouflage system can be used to help suppress the ship's thermal signature entirely.

History
The Normandy-class was used exclusively by D7 for stealth operations, as such they were rarely sighted when on missions.

Notes & Trivia

 * The Normandy-class was inspired by the SSV Normandy SR-1. Both ships of the line are named after the two Normandy-class ships built in the Mass Effect universe; Normandy and Ain Jalut.