Description
The Coti Class frigate is a front-line multi role Patrol frigate that has the firepower and defenses to operate as an, attack frigate, feet defense frigate, or rapid response vessel. In addition, its high speed, jump range, and endurance make it suitable for pursuit, interdiction and scouting duties. Unlike many designs which are designed for screening and point defense duties the Coti has a substantial offensive punch that makes it dangerous even against destroyers and light cruisers. These attributes do come with a high price tag, which limits the number of vessels produced compared to other front line frigates.
The Coti is capable of operating well away from support bases, it has a much higher fuel capacity than similar designs, and can carry up to 600 tons of fuel in drop tanks to extend its range. Usually it operates with only a single 300 ton tank attached, which it carries with it through jump and refuels using its internal fuel processors. This practice places a higher work load on navigators and engineers during jump procedures, but it allows the Coti to be ready to execute a second jump without stopping to refuel.
The Coti's drives and power plants are overpowered for its size allowing it to carry up to 600 tons of fuel with only slight decrease in Jump range, and acceleration. However if the first 300 ton tank is jettisoned during jump, it can make a full range jump, while still carrying a second 300 ton tank. the extra tankage does slow the Coti to a degree, but it is still faster than many vessels, and can quickly jettison it's second tank if the extra acceleration is needed
Since the vessel is designed for long range, long duration missions the crew spaces are more comfortable, and better than average crew facilitates are available ot maintain maximum efficiency during missions. The Coti is a sought after assignment for crews serving aboard frigates. As a result crew performance and discipline are higher than the norm for ships of its size.
While not well armored compared to capital ships the Coti is heavily armed. Its fusion guns, and rail-guns are carried split into a starboard, and port battery with the rail guns actually extending outside the ships primary hull. The advanced design of the weapons allows the vessel to deliver heavy fire at greater ranges, and deal more damage than standard design. The sheer power of its offensive battery is a significant counterbalance to its light armor and lack of screens carried by larger vessels.
In addition to its integrated weapons the Coti also carries a number of small craft, either to support its marines, or provide extra firepower, and self-deployed escort. It generally carries a mix of ten ton small craft, fighters, or drones. In addition it is fitted with docking clamps for additional craft to be carried externally. Once again the ships high powered engines allow the vessel to carry a significant external cargo without significant loss of performance.
Notes:
The Coti can carry a mix of
300 tons fuel And 2x30 ton Small craft
Increases ships effective tonnage to 1400 tons Externally without reducing its Jump range, and only reducing its thrust to 5
Or
it can carry two 300 ton drop tanks, retaining the tanks through jump and refueling them through skimming and processing fuel. This reduces its jump range to 2, and its thrust to 5
However, if one jump tank is jettisoned during jump the ship can maintain a Jump rating of 3, and thrust 5 while still carrying 300 tons of fuel. If this procedure is followed it can carry additional small craft without further decrease in jump range and thrust. Effective tonnage 1700, however only 1400 tons figures into jump and thrust calculations if first drop tank jettisoned)
Image notes:
Model and textures personal creations
Time....too long...anyone got some aspirin....