Hello there X-Wingers,

Me and some other forumites* are trying to get together a deck plan of the Imperial Raider, however there is a bit of a problem:

The Raider was made last year by FFG to compliment their X-Wing and Armada tabletop games; and as such it is almost completely loreless.

Things we know.

We know it was designed by same person who designed the Imperial and Executor class Star Destroyers: Lira Wessex.

We know that it is 150 metres in length and has 6 double guns and 3 engines. (All of which can be seen on the model.)

We know from the cards, that it has a cargo bay, a hard point and one crewed section in the front, and a second cargo bay, most of the crewed areas, two more hard points, and the c&c in back. (It is tapered, there's less room up front.)

And we know that it is a dedicated anti-starfighter vessel, as per it's usage in the games.

Things we kind of know.

Using this mess of extrapolation: http://i.imgur.com/71tH7r6.jpg

We've estimated the height of the ship to be ~28-30 metres at the stern, and ~6-8 metres at it's thickest habitable point at the fore.

From the Cutter used here, and the Corellian Corvette, we've estimated 160 crew members and 16-ish officers as crew.

With 8X the crew of the Cutter, we can guess that this ship would require roughly 8X the facilities for the crew. (The box on the right is filled with sections of 8X rooms from the Sentinel packed together to give a rough idea of how much 8X is scale-wise.)

Things we don't know.

How many decks should it have?

What is the general layout?

What are the cutouts along the sides for? Airlocks, docking pays, robotic arms of some sort?

The usual TIE question for the panels (don't want to focus here, just how would their function differ from that of TIEs.)

~and~

What are the functions aboard a military ship? The SW Corvettes are roughly as massive as contemporary Guided Missile Destroyers, and have roughly the same function.

Former military experience would be appreciated here. Most of our military experience is second-hand, and while this is Star Wars we are designing a military ship. We would not like to misrepresent military operations, even in science fiction. (Plus it's better to get it out here, than to post the plans and hear "They would never do that onboard a real ship.")

So, anything we should be aware of; floorplans, operations, day-to-day hijinks, that you think is relevant: fire away.

That's what we have: we'll be making topics similar to this in a few threads to get the broad spectrum of opinions.

Edit*

Well, here are a few random thoughts. There are three ways I can think to decide how many decks there should be. 1) Use the transparisteel on the command center. It is likely only about half the height of a deck, so this should give you an idea of how tall a deck is. 2) Use the docking connection as a size reference. A normal one for a ship of this size would only be a single deck. 3) If you're saying it's 30m tall at the highest point, then scale that back to figure out maximum number of decks. I'd start by saying that a deck is probably no less than 3m from floor to floor. For those Americans (like myself), this would be about 10 feet. And now that I do the conversion, I'm thinking it should be a minimum of 3.5m. While your height needs to only be 8' (~2.5M), there's plenty of stuff between the floors that would account for the additional meter. Plus, there's the exterior hull, which I have no clue how thick it is, but let's just say 1m sounds good! This brings us down to 26-28 usable meters. 28 meters @ 3.5 meters/deck gives us exactly 8 floors. It looks like your drawing is pretty much in alignment with that as well.

160 crew with 16 officers would yield 70ish crew quarters (assuming they're doubled up, someone with military experience feel free to chime in on that one), at figure 10m^2 each, and an additional 20 @ 10 for the officers quarters, yields 1800m^ of crew space. Add an addional 10% for hallways, and you're at 2000m^2 just for crew living. Feel free to correct my assumptions here (or math since I'm just doing it roughly), but at 150m long and ~40m wide in a triangle shape, yields 3000m^2, and 8 decks, but figure on average each deck is only 75% of the size of the ship, 18000m^2, less figure 25% for the engine space, leaves 11500m^2 for non-living/engine space. Seems like quite a bit to me. Now figure 10% of that is dead wasted space, but that still leaves a ton of space for functioning.

One of the interesting things in the Honor Harrington books, was the more cramped and compact hall ways of the Haven or Manticore ships, the two civilization who had been constantly at war. It was surprising when the Manticorians actually boarded Soliarian League (who was a massive civilization, but had not been at war for a long time) vessels at just how wide and tall the hallways where, more on par with the 3m or 10' decks.

Where as the Manticorians decks would be 2m-2.5m or around 7'.

Just a thought.

I need to make a clarification, the proper term for people that post on an internet forum is "forumites."

https://www.google.ca/#q=forumites+definition

One of the interesting things in the Honor Harrington books, was the more cramped and compact hall ways of the Haven or Manticore ships, the two civilization who had been constantly at war. It was surprising when the Manticorians actually boarded Soliarian League (who was a massive civilization, but had not been at war for a long time) vessels at just how wide and tall the hallways where, more on par with the 3m or 10' decks.

Where as the Manticorians decks would be 2m-2.5m or around 7'.

Just a thought.

Hmmm.

I'd have to wonder how the release of the ship would affect it's design. It was made as a direct answer to the threat of the heavier rebel fighters.

That, and coming directly out of the clone wars I would expect the standard Imperial design to be rather spartan. However, the Empire was never one to skimp on displays of power and majesty (high ceilings, windows, unused spaces).

One look at your standard hangar bay could give one the impression that space is not at a premium. It's hard to put your finger on an exact size.

I'm not overly familiar with the Honorverse, but I do recall some room provision made for officers and cultural arrangements (dueling). Do you think that would be reflected in a ship of this size?

I would consider this ship more along the lines of a submarine, it's stated mission is to be able to carry out hit-and-fade attacks and to function as a fighter-killer. Neither of those would necessitate a prolonged stay so no real need for creature comforts. Even on longer missions you would just put an extra crew on an ISD and rotate them on and off.

Since it rarely operates alone for extended periods you would then not need a large maintenance crew, I think you could conceivably get away with maybe 80 crew?

I would consider this ship more along the lines of a submarine, it's stated mission is to be able to carry out hit-and-fade attacks and to function as a fighter-killer. Neither of those would necessitate a prolonged stay so no real need for creature comforts. Even on longer missions you would just put an extra crew on an ISD and rotate them on and off.

Since it rarely operates alone for extended periods you would then not need a large maintenance crew, I think you could conceivably get away with maybe 80 crew?

I could see it. I will have to check the mission dialog for context clues as to how independent the ship is.

Halving the crew would free up space for more reactors/capacitor banks etc.

Thing is, you can't really compare it on a one-to-one basis with the CR-90 which is a different ship built with a different purpose in mind. The CR-90 had about 40 crew ex officers according to wookieepedia, but I doubt that would be a full crew rotation which you would expect on a ship designed for war.

I would consider this ship more along the lines of a submarine, it's stated mission is to be able to carry out hit-and-fade attacks and to function as a fighter-killer. Neither of those would necessitate a prolonged stay so no real need for creature comforts. Even on longer missions you would just put an extra crew on an ISD and rotate them on and off.

Since it rarely operates alone for extended periods you would then not need a large maintenance crew, I think you could conceivably get away with maybe 80 crew?

Very much this. And the analogy of a submarine, combined with the Empire's general attitude, implies hot bunking for the crewers and virtually nothing in the way of cargo space. I would picture the cargo upgrade slots in the game as representing various systems that can be retrofitted as needed and not actual "cargo holds".

28 meters @ 3.5 meters/deck gives us exactly 8 floors.

Really? I thought I remembered the Tantive as only having 3 decks, and this would be similar, no? Or am I simply confusing the CR-90 with some other ship?

Really? I thought I remembered the Tantive as only having 3 decks, and this would be similar, no? Or am I simply confusing the CR-90 with some other ship?

Must be, I just read that the CR-90 could carry 600 passengers (in some configurations), that is quite a lot.

Isn't it stated somewhere that it's very automated for a warship. A crew of as low as 20 could be possible.

In all seriousness take a look at the deck plans for an Ohio or Typhoon class sub. Both clock in at about the same length as a Raider. Figure out the ratio of crew space to engine space to weapon systems space is a good start.

2.5 meter tall decks may be a good starting point but remember you need to add about .3 meters between decks and thicken the outer skin to reflect armor. Once you come up with the Armor plating thickness divide by 3 to get a rough deck count. Any unaccessible are become prime consumables storage things you may need like fuel air and water.

Don't forget to leave room for stairs turbo shaft and elevators are know to break but ladders may work as well.

I saw the Raider with more automation. The gun batteries looked like pop-ups, remotely fired. Being pop-ups, it cuts down on interior space a little. The engine looked like it was over-sized for speed and the hull around it was going to be minimual. It's purpose built as a fast strike craft, rapid insertion of a spec ops team or pursuit craft. To that end, minimal crew(less than 50 + officers). It may have a cargo hold of some note that could be mission specific in layout, modular.

Crew will probably be close to 100 if you count stormtroopers. Figure out what is a standard bridge crew is. The Falcon we know was 4 (It had 4 seats in the cockpit with instrument panels) maybe the Raider can function with just 4 as well. So 4 x3 shifts is 12 +3 for Commander, First Officer and 2rd officer. Guns can get by with 2 per mount 6x2 is 12 + 15 so far you up to 27 add in another say 10 Techs to cover Engineering and General Maintained your at the ship could function with 37 crew.

Does the Raider have an Air Wing? How many Stormtroopers does she carry? Do the guns actually have 3 each one per watch or not? What about droids how many what type that affects crew numbers. How big of a Medical Section does it have?

And of course what's your gally (cooks) staff? These could be one or 2 + some service droids.

I'm going to chime in a few ideas here:

About stairs, ladders, and turbolifts. I would keep stairs and ladders to a minimum, maybe one set for emergencies. The reason being, the galaxy far far away (gffa) has had millenia to perfect the technology. Think of the lack of railings, and thd size if a ship, a turbolift with its own powersource could work fine.

Now, concerning number of decks and crews: Ive been suspecting this for a long time, but, Star Destroyers seem to have less crew than previously stated - especially concerning stormtroopers and TIE pilots (and TIEs as well). We have also seem that a star destroyer has a huge, open cavity around the hyperdrive and reactors (see rebels season one finale). Consider using these ideas for the Raider.

Boarding: from what I can tell, there are only a couple hatches on the dorsal spine for boarding and loading if material. Keep this in mind. While not a cargo ship, it would have some capacity, at least for food stores and such.

Thinking more on Medical and Gally the probably clock in at 7 each. 2 Assistants per Watch and one Doctor/Head Cook. Both departments probably have between 6 and 12 assorted droids. That moves your crew to around 51 give or take.

Really appreciate the feedback:

Going to favor the higher end with crewed areas; just in case for passengers, extra marine detachment, etc. However, definitely right when it comes to space, the engine continues halfway into the hull of the ship.

I think we are going modular for the interior rooms; why hand-draw 20-100 men's/women's worth of barracks when 5 or 6 copied configurations would be just as accurate? The exterior rooms will have to be more detailed because they have to fit in the triangular hull.

But, with the modular interior there will be room to swap out certain bits as "mission modules" ala X-Wing's customisation. (Will try to keep swappable areas over the more swappable-looking areas of hull plating.)

Medbay and Astrodroid sections would be great. The Astrodroid section would only need about 1/2 the overhead area of a crewed section, and would probably double as a crawlspace for human technicians.

With the engine eating space like a hog, automation will be necessary in many areas to provide extra space. (This isn't the Clone Wars, we won't be manually firing the broadside cannons.) So yeah.

Turbolifts. Turbolifts everywhere.

Put me down for another vote for sparse and spartan crew accommodations. I would also think the officer's accommodations probably aren't that nice either. It seems like the kind of ship where officers with no connections serve. It's not very glorious, it's dangerous, and it spends a lot of time away from the politics of the fleet. Consequently, it's crewed by those out of favor, or those who come from low station that have too much competence and make the well-connected look bad. The exception would be the officers that use their connections to serve on one of these things because they know there will be more action than on a Star Destroyer.

Not that this helps at all with the technical aspects, just random thoughts.

(This isn't the Clone Wars, we won't be manually firing the broadside cannons.) So yeah.

While I agree that, in line with the Centralized Command of this ship, the weapons aren't being fired on site, we know that they were during ANH (there goes another one. Hold your fire, scanners show no life forms, it must have short circuited)

A medical crew would likely be non-existant. Instead, there would likely be a droid (2-1B) stored in a closet (or very small room) yo deal with any issues. Same for thd galley, Autochef and a droid.

Bunch of imperial astromechs to maintain and repair whist in space.

If there even are stormtroopers, i suspect 6-12 at most, a team in case of boarding.

The bridge. I suspect will have a crew of four to six. Pilot, co-pilot, sensors, shields, gunnery chief, communications. Behind the bridge may be a CNC type area for the captain and officers to plan/watch the battle - holocomminication/tactical table.

Thdn factor in gunners and some engineering crew (minimal on the latter, as imperial astronechs can do most of the work)

Do we know if this thing has a fighter docking berth? I don't think it has a hangar, but in the mission, it accompanies the x1 through trials. In a similar role, it could act as a tender for hyperspace capable fighters, resuppling them and doing minor repairs and maintenence. If it could dock 2 fighters and had a service bay for 1, it could be a pretty useful force multiplier. Maybe that would be a modular section.

I'd guess no more than a platoon of stormtroopers (20 or so), though it could be even less.

Definitely a platoon of troopers.

You'd have to be looking at least 30-40 crew per shift for a ship that size.

Here's the Scale we're working with.

There appears to be both more, and less space than we anticipated.

On the one hand, over half of the ship is empty space and engine.

On the other hand, if you look below; (Water and power not withstanding.)

Those "little hatches" on the top?

Turbolifts you could drive a Chevy through.

(Or at very least a Fiat.)

Edit. Not final placement of living quarters, illustration above for perspective purposes..

If there even are stormtroopers, i suspect 6-12 at most, a team in case of boarding.

I would hope for at least a dozen Stormtroopers for boarding and for security detail.

This ship would make a great customs corvette or inspections craft that could intercept even the fastest smuggler freighters (just look at the size of the Raider's engine!) and board them to inspect for contraband.

Also, when the Raider is doing courier work or landing in civilian ports or otherwise unsecure landing zones, you want at least a dozen Stormtroopers to guard this very powerful warship while its crew refuels and repairs or its officers attend to whatever business that have in the unsecure port.

Yeah, this is not some rinky dink shuttle or mundane transport, this is a powerful Imperial warship and needs at least a dozen Stormtroopers for boarding purposes and guard duty when landed.