Nomenclature: GUV-1876-RV
Common Name: Gull
Manufacturer: Standard Production Model
Classification: Research Vessel
Crew: 6 officers and 28 enlisted.
Drives: 3 Standard Thrusters
Armament: 2 Bar Arrays and 2 Torpedo Launchers.
Defense: Electronic Warfare Suite and Armor Plating.
Displacement full loaded, tons: 1876 tons
Length, Feet [meters]: 466.2 (142.1)
Beam, Feet [meters]: 85.3 (26)
Wingspan, Feet [meters] 236.2 (72)
Speed: 3 Gs. 1 light year per day
Range: 17.25 days
Overview:
The Gull Class Research vessel began development 15 years ago when the design was first suggested by a Committee on Interstellar Exploration began to research the needs for a long range exploration vessel. Up until this point the Interstellar Survey Corp (ISC) had only used small vessel to explore the local area surrounding the region of the United Solar System (USS). The decision was based on the political and corporate needs within the USS borders.
The original design called for a ship with a 3 parsec range, wilderness refueling, capability doing a system wide survey, planetary landings and conducting preliminary planetary surveys. The ship was to minimal armed with the facilities to be upgraded to a military vessel in time of crisis. It was also to have enough cargo space to conduct long range missions for up to six weeks beyond the Border of the USS without assistance from the ISC resupply ships.
The ISC research and development section were quick to respond to the requires lay down by the commission, however political infighting and the military soon got involved delaying the project for 3 years. Changes made to the design due to this bickering and cost cutting measures plagued the project for 5 years. When the RV Gull was finally rolled out, it was 4 years behind schedule and brutally over budget. The design also had performance and logistic issues which left a sour taste within the Government and the ISC. Two more vessel were to be constructed under the contract signed by the government at the time and no one was really willing to honor this agreement. A 3 year evaluation period was given to the ISC to see if the Gull Class could be saved.
One of the main issue with the Gull was it wings. They were too large to allow supply ships and station to hard dock with the vessel for easy transfer of cargo. There were no space stations capable of allowing it to enter their landing bays. Wing size also prevented the ship from landing in most wilderness areas. They also hinder the firing arc of the weapon employed by the vessel. The ship also suffered a lack of onboard repair facilities which almost left the ship stranded on an alien world. Lucky for the ISC the Gull was working with a small scout vessel that was able to return to the USS and retrieve the necessary parts needed for the repair. Finally an incident on a primitive world when the air raft hanger was left open to allow fresh air into the ship. Local natives boarded the ship and began exploring the hanger, when asked to leave, a fight ensued and four natives were kill and two crew members injured. After the Board of Inquire was held the ISC quietly began redesign the ship to correct the problems.
One of the new features on the Gull was its ability to land on water. They installed ports which would open certain areas of the outer hull so they would act like ballast tanks. The designers gave this capability to the ship in order to limit access believing the water would be a natural barrier between the crew and any natives. Test were performed prior to the ship's first mission which showed the two thrusters which would not be effected by submersion in water. This however was not to be the case.
After the ship's first mission, the scouts reported their operations were hinder by the lack of vehicles. Limited to only jet packs to conduct exploration of the surrounding area, they were not capable of bring back the samples in bulk. With sample ports submerged, samples were carried through the ship to the science lab. Contamination was a real issue and had to be monitored constantly. The second issue was with the two thrusters that had been submerged for over a week. Salt water had caused corrosion damaging the thrusters which limited the ship's speed. Upon returning to base for repairs an alien strain of algae was found living in the areas of the outer hull flood to maintain proper trim. This cause a Hazmat situation which nearly closed the base for several months. When the Albatross returned to service, the ship was restricted from water landing.
The lack of scouts and their ability to conduct a proper survey is only one of many short comings with the Albatross. Issues with contamination are also a major concern since the only decon station are located Deck 2. The only other way off the ship is through the use of the cargo bay elevators which don't have a any method of decontamination after the personal enter the ship. At present, the only thing the ship is good for is conducting system surveys.
The next ship in the series was the Albatross. To solve the problem with the wings, they installed variable geometry wings which folded back against the hull. The design also rearranged the engine placement, and added the air raft hanger. A maintenance bay was also added with the ability to make onboard repairs. The design changes brought the ship over budget once again and the General Accounting Office threw a fit. Political adversaries used this against their opponents during the next election but there was nothing the government could really do, they had signed a three ship deal with the contractor and cancelling the order would do far more political harm than allowing the third ship to be built. A second 3 year evaluation period was given to the ISC. The Gull is now undergoing a retrofit which will see many of the same features found on the Albratross
The ISC has already begun construction on the last ship with the aid of an outside contractor in hopes of solving the problems that have plagued the design since the beginning. So far, the only controversy is the name for the ship, the Swan. The press is having a field day with the cheesy one liners they are using to describe the entire Gull Class Program...
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