Fleet Manual: Sovereign Super Star Destroyer (SSSD)
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Name: Sovereign Super Star Destroyer (SSSD)
Manufacturor: Kuat Drive Yards
In Use By: Emperor's Hammer
Type: Destroyer
Patch: N/A | N/A | N/A | (BoP) | (XWA)
Crew: 601,670; gunner: 4,075; skeleton: 86,000
Fighters: 516
Length: 15 km.
Cargo: 400000 ton.
Description: Super heavy starship. A less powerful verion of the Eclipse-class, yet still overwhelming the original Super Star Destroyer. It carries 7 wings of TIE, in addition to its axial super laser, making a formidable force.

 

Statistics

 

Shields:
Hyperdrive:
Shield Strength: 691200 SBD
Shield Recharge: 127
Shield Decharge: 127
Hull Strength: 329120 RU
System Strength: 250
Counters: 10
Point Value: 250
Explosive Strength: 1560000
Cruise Speed: 8 MGLT
Accelleration: 4 MGLT/s
Decelleration 9 MGLT/s
Roll Rating: 1
Pitch Rating: 2
Manouvrebility: 5 DPF
Laser Cannons: 1000
Ion Cannons: 75
Launchers: 1
Torpedo Capacity: 255

 

Background

 

A less powerful design of the Eclipse-class has been created named the Sovereign-class (it still overwhelms the original Super Star Destroyer design). The Emperor envisioned a fleet of these vessels. The first of the line is the Sovereign. Other potential ships in the line include the Autarch, Despot and Heresiarch.

Unlike the Eclipse, the Sovereign-class only carries 35 squadrons of fighters and five of Bombers. [It should be noted that the Emperor's Hammer made some slight modifications to the Sovereign to allow a total of 42 TIE Squadrons. (7 Wings of TIEs!)]

There are also 75 AT-ATs, 200 ST-ATs, dozens of support shuttles, assault transports and escort shuttles, two full legions of stormtroopers, and 5 full garrison bases stowed on board to meet any planetary assault needs.

The Axial Superlaser: The main weapon aboard the SSSD Sovereign is the axial superlaser: a spine-mounted superlaser modeled on the main weapon of the Death Star itself. The Death Star's prime weapon was composed of eight individual lasers that could focus together, generating enough power to destroy an entire planet. By comparison, the Sovereign carries only a single laser, but recent focusing and generator advances make this ray much more powerful than the units used on the Death Star. The beam packs enough destructive power to shatter the most powerful planetary shields and sear whole continents in a flash.

The axial superlaser can be fired up to eight times per day at nominal charge and once per day at full charge. A full charge would destroy any planet in the Galactic Empire...

Imperial Gunners are some of the best trained fixed-mount weapon specialists in the Empire. Their advanced tactical combat training and enhanced targeting systems linked to their helmets make them extremely accurate and deadly foes. [It takes one full regiment of Imperial Gunners (approximately 1,000 gunners) working simultaneously to fire the Axial Superlaser under normal combat conditions.]

The following information on the Triad was submitted by the Fleet Commander,
Grand Admiral Ronin ...

The Triad Platforms:

An engineering marvel unto themselves, the three support platforms (actually huge scale factory platforms) required to keep the SSSD Sovereign fully operational are known as the FAC Triad. These platforms consist of the PLT Hades, PLT Corona and PLT Charon. These battlestations dwarf the largest support platforms in the Imperial Navy. Each is completely dedicated to support of the Sovereign and can perform few other command, support or control functions. In fact, the TIE hangar bays only allow a maximum of one standard TIE fighter squadron per PLT for defense. The remainder of available space is reserved for SSSD support and supply.

Although each PLT is specifically designed to perform a particular support function, each can singly support the SSSD in times of emergency for a limited period of time (1-2 months). However, it should be noted that the SSSD Sovereign has its own internal repair and supply capabilities which can keep it combat operational for 2-3 years and a maximum of 5 years. Full operation of all 3 PLTs is required for extended operation of the SSSD Sovereign. The primary functions of each PLT are detailed below:

  • PLT Hades serves as the main command and control platform for the SSSD Sovereign. From here, all navigational and communications equipment can be monitored, repaired, upgraded and/or replaced. Although these support and repair functions are relatively easy to perform on an Imperial Star Destroyer at a standard Imperial platform, this is not the case with a 15 kilometer long "floating city". The cavernous bays within the PLT Hades can accommodate the large corvettes and transports used to ferry equipment and parts to and from the SSSD. The technicians and engineers on board the PLT Hades are some of the best trained in the Empire.
    In addition, the PLT Hades serves as the primary command and training center for new naval crews serving aboard the SSSD. A full month of orientation is implemented in non-combat situations to acclimatise new crew-members with the monstrous SSSD Sovereign...

    Craft: Sienar Fleet Systems TP-X1 Tender Platform

    Type: Super-class Platform



    Length: 3,500 meters

    Crew: 200,000; techs: 16,000; comm: 20,000

    Passengers: 20,000 (troops)

    Cargo Capacity: 1,000,000 metric tons

    Consumables: 5 years

    Weapons:

    • 50 Heavy laser cannons
    • 100 Turbolaser batteries
    • 10 Ion cannons
    • 25 Tractor beam emplacements
    • 5 Heavy duty/cargo tractor beams
    Starfighters: 1 TIE Fighter Squadron (12 TIEs)
  • PLT Corona serves as the ship and weapons systems repair centre for the SSSD Sovereign. From here, weapon reloads, ion and blaster gas, weapon replacements and Imperial Gunners are staged for use on the SSSD Sovereign. Like the Death Star Superlaser, the Sovereign Axial Superlaser is manned by the finest Imperial Gunners in the Empire.
    In addition, PLT Corona serves as the primary repair centre for the SSSD should it ever suffer battle damage. Although this PLT has seen little use in the past, its crews, repair droids and parts stockpiles could virtually rebuild the SSSD. Redundant systems and highly advanced automation make this possible. Several dozen transports and shuttles can be utilised by the EVA trained crews in their spacetrooper-based repair armour to perform minor exterior repairs on the SSSD. In the event the Sovereign suffers extreme damage, requiring drydock capabilities, the Triad can be brought within close, synchronous orbit of a habitable planet. The combination of the three platforms and a rapidly constructed planetside facility can be used to approximate drydock conditions. If this won't suffice, then the SSSD would most likely need to be scuttled. However, it is hard to imagine what force in the galaxy which could inflict such damage on the Sovereign...

    Craft: Sienar Fleet Systems TP-X2 Tender Platform

    Type: Super-class Platform

    Length: 4,750 meters

    Crew: 350,000; techs: 50,000

    Passengers: 30,000 (troops)

    Cargo Capacity: 2,000,000 metric tons

    Consumables: 5 years

    Weapons:

    • 75 Heavy laser cannons
    • 150 Turbolaser batteries
    • 15 Ion cannons
    • 40 Tractor beam emplacements
    • 15 Heavy duty/cargo tractor beams
    Starfighters: 1 TIE Fighter Squadron (12 TIEs)
  • PLT Charon serves as a recreation centre for the crew and officers of the SSSD Sovereign. In fact, the crew likes to think of this as Charon's sole function, rather than as an Imperial Naval support station. Entire divisions of troopers and wings of TIE pilots are rotated through Charon on a monthly basis except when the SSSD is ordered into combat. PLT Charon offers some of the more "exotic" forms of recreation the Empire has to offer without being within the oppressive confines of the massive Sovereign. In fact, the holotheatres, gladiatorial contests, restaurants, bars and gambling dens of the Charon are legendary even in the inner circle of the old Imperial Court. The PLT Charon also has enough consumables to keep itself, the rest of the Triad and the SSSD operational for approximately 5 years without resupply.

    Craft: Sienar Fleet Systems TP-X3 Tender Platform

    Type: Super-class Platform

    Length: 1,500 meters

    Crew: 75,000; techs: 10,000; civilian 20,000

    Passengers: 50,000; troops: 20,000; civilian: 30,000

    Cargo Capacity: 750,000 metric tons

    Consumables: 5 years

    Weapons:

    • 25 Heavy laser cannons
    • 35 Turbolaser batteries
    • 10 Ion cannons
    • 5 Tractor beam emplacements
    • 3 Heavy duty/cargo tractor beams
    Starfighters: 1 TIE Fighter Squadron (12 TIEs)

Sources:

  • Horne, Michael Allen. Dark Empire Sourcebook. West End Games. June 1993
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