Dragoon Flight

Mendoza LJC Frigate, the Camden Class "Dragoon"

1 x Destroyer-grade Beam Lance(can pierce shielding on ships up to the size of Destroyers)
3 x Point Defense Laser
2 x Small Fighter Bay(can carry 1 squadron of small fighters)
1 x Frigate-grade Energy Shield


Shortly after the war between the Earth Government and the L-3/MORGAN Alliance began, it became clear that the large numbers of smaller Martian vessels performing hit-and-run tactics could not be ignored. MORGAN frigates could carry small numbers of fighters, allowing them to cause chaos on vital shipping lanes between the Earth and loyalist colonies. The older Mendoza LJC frigates used by most commercial shipping enterprises also possessed little weaponry effective against enemy ships equipped with new anti-beam energy shielding, even if the smaller modules were directional. The Earth Forces held numerous meetings with Mendoza to discuss a new type of frigate, one that could carry its own fighters and was mounted with a weapon capable of breaking through standard shields. Mendoza entered into negotiations with the Watanabe Corporation, over the licensing rights to some of the most advanced tech in the system. Watanabe had built a couple of prototypes to display the effectiveness of their technology and an agreement was reached. Originally designated as the Daniels' class but renamed after the prototype vessel.

Mendoza applied its considerable industrial capacity and began building these new mass production versions immediately. The piercing Camden-classes, their high-speed and maneuverability compared to other ships of the same category coupled with a devastating beam lance(miniaturized from the specs already being installed in the dreaded Fafnir still in drydock, but unable to target anything not directly in front of the vessel) earned the the nickname "Dragoons" after Napoleonic cavalry. Human fleets from the UEG would use ships based on the Dragoons for centuries, most notably against the Saurians after being upgraded with high-capacity railguns to shred the hulls of the Saurian Bio-ships.

The large vessels, such as those of Cruiser size and above, get a lot of attention because they are heavy beasts of war. High-speed frigates are far more affordable and thus more numerous. Their speed allows them to be organized into flights not unlike fighters but with far more firepower. The biggest threat to Frigates typically comes from MAV's because they have an edge in maneuverability and can carry weapons large enough to warrant attention. Even so, the standard tactic for Dragoons dictates that they wait until the battle has been joined by the slower vessels and then swoop in to target anything of value. The Dragoon is also the best ship to pursue fleeing enemies, only the best quality of privateers tend to have the speed to escape.