The Caden Tristifer-class (Persican: Kaedn Tristifr) is a frigate primarily operated by CrownForce in the Star Kingdom of Persica. Forming the mainstay of the Star Kingdom’s anti-piracy and peacetime navy, Tristifer frigates serve as an escort to larger vessels, designed to combat fast and evasive pirate groups plaguing commercial space lanes, frequently operate in trios or pairs, and occasionally solo as the task demands. Mission modules greatly expand the versatility of the class, allowing for variants specializing in missiles, drones (called sprites), E-Warfare, anti-starcraft, or axial weapons. Intended to replace the aging, secondhand Storm of Olympus-class frigates as part of Project Blacklance, the Tristifer provides a powerful punch with more contemporary weaponry and improved turrets. The advanced Lord Royce Royal engines give the Tristifer the speed and agility that CrownForce is quickly becoming known for.
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Namesake
The naming convention for the Caden Tristifer-class is distinguished officers of the CrownForce Navy and Guard.
Development History
The third starship class developed entirely in the Star Kingdom, the Tristifer is the result of Project Blacklance, a programme which Ravendyne Defence Industries (RDI) proposed and heads, utilizing Persican subcontractors rather than acting as a local subcontractor for Eirangard manufacturers. Sponsorship and personal interest from King Cade III helped RDI secure the contract and the Ministry of Defence approved Project Blacklance in 3384. The designers of the Tristifer incorporated lessons learned from refitting and maintaining Sharaadi civilian vessels as well as Eirangard and Alliance military classes like the Storm of Olympus- and Lucid-class frigates to produce a fast, agile platform capable of punching above its weight.
Blacklance provided an opportunity for Persican defence companies to showcase their contributions: Lord Royce Royal’s ion engines; fusion reactors from the Taerken Corporation; an array of AI and E-combat suites from Scotia-Fausett Quantum Systems; kinetic weapons from Roth Enfield, missiles from Serapheon, and introducing a new axial plasma rifle by Excidium Arms.
Design
The earlier starship classes developed in the Star Kingdom tended to closely follow the designs of their Eirangard-built predecessors. Designed in the vein of the recently commissioned Vanovar-class escort carriers – with sweeping lines, a long profile, and four primary engine nacelles at the aft – some proprietary aspects of the Persican shipbuilding style, such as the beakish bow and vertical heat dissipators, were also included with the Tristifer.
As with typical frigate designs, the Tristifer prioritizes powerful armaments over heavier armour and comprehensive defences. The primary weapons of the class are Serapheon missile payloads supported by Roth Enfield 150mm Kinetic Rifle Quad Turrets, and Ravendyne Defence Industries Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) particle laser turrets. Defences include a 55GW shield grid from Taerken’s highly successful Svalinn series, retractable overlapping battleplate for the exposed bridge, CIWS particle laser turrets, and a hurricane of Serapheon ultralight missiles and countermissiles. The four Lord Royce Royal engine nacelles give the Tristifer tremendous sublight speed and formidable agility in combat.
In an effort to maximize the efficiency and versatility of the Tristifer frigates, the Ministry of Defence and CrownForce required RDI to develop mission modules. Project Hard Cache produced nearly a dozen designs that each featured a different weapon or specialization. Five were chosen and further advanced: a Patrol module of expanded missile payloads; a Strike module of a 1200mm axial plasma rifle; a Shock module of extensive dedicated E-Warfare and Countermeasures suites; a Lancer module of anti-starcraft turrets; and a Reaper module consisting of a hangar bay equipped with various sprites.
Operational History
The first Tristifer frigates were completed in 3392 and entered into active service the following year, immediately replacing older Eirangard-built frigates in the sector and expeditionary fleets of the Navy. As more hulls were brought into service, squadrons were formed and assigned to system patrols, merchant escorts, and in support of cutters and corvettes. More recently, some Tristifer frigates have been seconded to assignments in the Intersystem Alliance, shoring up patrols and escort duties depleted by Alliance requirements in the Arcadia Republic and Eridani Gulf sectors, along the space bordering the People’s Coalition.
Notable Ships of the Line
There are currently (number) Caden Tristifer-class frigates operating in the Star Kingdom, laid down by Staak ShipWerks at the Hartsmouth Staryards at CrownForce Base (CFB) Gaeasidhe in the Persica System, and by Royal Oak Fleet Engineering at the Novaport Staryards in the Bridon-Daxony System. Notable ships include:
FFX-001 – Prototype Ship (RDI)
HMS Caden Tristifer – first production ship
HMS Tanis Piscea – first of the class to destroy a pirate vessel.
HMS Dasimir Brii – first of the class seconded to duty in allied territory.
HMS Concepcia Tauros – first of the class to capture a pirate vessel.