CARRIER GROUP CAMPAIGN

This document adds to and enhances the (U4.0) Carrier Group Campaign from Module J. Primarily, it incorporates material that was published later, such as new empires.

ADMINISTRATA

A sample log-sheet can be found here (.xls)

(U4.1) FORMATION OF THE CARRIER GROUP

A great deal of thought by the finest military minds has gone toward the organization of a carrier group. Not surprisingly, the carrier groups used by the various powers have, in the end, looked pretty much the same. Carrier groups come in four types: light carriers (based on a CVE or CVL with 6-9 fighters),strike carrier groups (based on a CV or CVS with 10-18 fighters), heavy carrier groups (based on a CVA with 21-24 fighters), and SCS groups (based on an SCS with fighters and PFs).
Players must decide which size group they will use, but both should use the same size group. Players should select their race and then use one of the carriers on the list below:
ESCORT CARRIERS

Federation*FFV (50 BPV, 6 ftrs), DWV (107 BPV, 8 ftrs)
Klingon †F5V (70 BPV, 8 ftrs), E4V (50 BPV, 6 ftrs), FWV (98 BPV, 8 ftrs)
RomulanWarhawk (60 BPV, 5 ftrs), SkyHawk-B (92 BPV, 8 ftrs), SeaHawk-B (75 BPV, 6 ftrs).
Kzinti †CVE Δ (93 BPV, 6 ftrs), DWV (100 BPV, 8 ftrs)
Gorn*BDV (86 BPV, 8 ftrs)
TholianBlack Widow (65 BPV, 8 ftrs)
Hydran*Scythian (48 BPV, 6 ftrs), Vampire Hunter (105 BPV, 8 ftrs)
Lyran †DWV-B (89 BPV, 8 ftrs)
WYNMako-V (113 BPV, 8 ftrs) - Y186 YIS date
ISCCVE-r (86 BPV, 8 ftrs)
JindarianFFV (90 BPV, 8 ftrs)
VudarFFV (65 BPV, 6 ftrs), DWV (100 BPV, 8 ftrs)
ParavianFFV (75 BPV, 6 ftrs), DWV (105 BPV, 8 ftrs)
CarnivonFFV (70 BPV, 6 ftrs), DWV (90 BPV, 8 ftrs)
PeladineNo small carriers
FraxDWVay (89 BPV, 8 ftrs)

Costs include medium-speed drones but not fighters or escorts. Carrier year-in-service dates may not be before Y175, but will often be before Y180.
* These races might use a survey ship in this role, but care must be taken because of the EW capabilities and combat power of such ships.
† These races could use an LTT with a single weight hangar pod.
Δ This ship is based on a light cruiser and has considerable firepower compared to other escort carriers; players should not apply the refits to this ship for balance.
STRIKE CARRIERS

FederationCVS (142 BPV, 12 ftrs), NVS (132 BPV, 12 ftrs), BCV (210 BPV, 12 ftrs) - Y183 YIS date ¢
KlingonD7VK (126 BPV, 12 ftrs), D5V (103 BPV, 12 ftrs), C7V (214 BPV, 12 ftrs) §
RomulanSparrowHawk-B+ (120 BPV, 16 ftrs), KRV (142 BPV, 10 ftrs), SuperHawk-N (203 BPV, 12 ftrs) - Y182 YIS date
KzintiCVS (177 BPV, 12 ftrs), MCVy (126 BPV, 12 ftrs), BCV (214 BPV, 12 ftrs) - Y181 YIS date Δ
GornCVy (120 BPV, 12 ftrs), HDV+y (105 BPV, 12 ftrs), BCV-sab (223 BPV, 12 ftrs), conjectural CVS (180 BPV, 12 ftrs)
TholianUse two Black Widows (130 BPV, 16 ftrs) and two PCAs
HydranMKV (108 BPV, 18 ftrs), COS (105 BPV, 18 ftrs) ¥
LyranCV+p (137 BPV, 12 ftrs), BCV (212 BPV, 12 ftrs) - Y181 YIS date (CVL lacks heavy weapons to compete successfully)
WYNOrca-V (135 BPV, 12 ftrs) - Y183 YIS date
ISCCV-r (154 BPV, 12 ftrs), CVS-r (164 BPV, 12 ftrs), BCV-sab (251 BPV, 12 ftrs) - Y180 YIS date (CVL and CVLS could be used by expert players.)
JindarianCVS (185 BPV, 12 ftrs)
VudarCVS (155 BPV, 12 ftrs), CWV (120 BPV, 12 ftrs)
ParavianCVSa (142 BPV, 12 ftrs), CWV (114 BPV, 12 ftrs)
CarnivonCVS (133 BPV, 12 ftrs), CWV (115 BPV, 12 ftrs)
PeladineCVS (199 BPV, 12 ftrs)
FraxCWVay (114 BPV, 12 ftrs)

Costs include medium-speed drones but not fighters or escorts. Carrier year-in-service dates may not be before Y175, but will often be before Y180.
¢ NVL and CLV lack the heavy weapons for this campaign; CVB with its F-15s will have a significant advantage.
§ D6V or CVT would be at a disadvantage due to their smaller fighter squadrons.
Δ CV would be at a major disadvantage: CVL could be used by an expert player; DDV lacks the heavy weapons for this campaign.
¥ NVL lacks heavy weapons to compete successfully; Uhlan would be more powerful.
HEAVY CARRIERS

FederationCVAa+ (223 BPV, 24 ftrs)
KlingonC8V (226 BPV, 24 ftrs)
RomulanCondor-V+ (232 BPV, 24 ftrs) (SUB is too small to compete, but might be used by a more experienced player.)
KzintiCVA+ (240 BPV, 24 ftrs)
GornConjectural CVAF Δ (254 BPV, 24 ftrs)
TholianCVA (141 BPV, 24 ftrs)
HydranIron Duke (205 BPV, 24 ftrs) (Cavalier would have a disadvantage due to its smaller size.)
LyranCVA-B ¥ (229 BPV, 24 ftrs)
WYNHave no CVA
ISCCVA-r (229 BPV, 24 ftrs)
JindarianCVA (310 BPV, 24 ftrs)
VudarHave no CVA
ParavianCVA (195 BPV, 24 ftrs)
CarnivonCVA (210 BPV, 24 ftrs)
PeladineCVA (167 BPV, 24 ftrs)
FraxCVAay (241 BPV, 24 ftrs)

Costs include medium-speed drones but not fighters or escorts. Carrier year-in-service dates may not be before Y175, but will be before Y180.
Δ The Gorns have no CVAs. They might try a group including a CV, HDV, and three escorts, but this would not balance exactly. A conjectural CVA was provided in Module R5 for use with this campaign.
¥ The Lyrans have no CVAs. They might try a group including a CV, CVL, and three escorts, but this would not balance exactly. A conjectural CVA was provided in Module R5

PATROL CARRIERS
These were war cruiser hulls stripped of heavy weapons and given more fighters (usually 18 instead of the normal squadron of 12). CVPs had many supporters and were in service with most of the races. Often used for independent fighter strikes, the larger fighter group was more effective. In fleet combat, keeping the valuable carrier out of the battle rather than expecting it to close in with its own photons, disruptors, or plasma torpedoes had the advantage of keeping it out of harm's way while not degrading fleet firepower. Opponents of the concept felt that the need for supplying the fighters was a burden, but others noted that repairing damaged carriers was a considerably larger one. As the General War went on, more and more of the medium CW-hulled carriers were replaced by Patrol types.

FederationCVPy (110 BPV, 18 ftrs)
KlingonD5U (103 BPV, 18 ftrs)
RomulanTwo Warhawk+ (126 BPV, 10 ftrs)
KzintiCVP (115 BPV, 18 ftrs)
GornHVPy (90 BPV, 18 ftrs)
TholianNone
HydranMKV (108 BPV, 18 ftrs)
LyranCVP-B (119 BPV, 18 ftrs)
WYN ( BPV, 18 ftrs)
ISCCVP-r (107 BPV, 18 ftrs)
JindarianNone
VudarNone
ParavianNone
CarnivonNone
PeladineCVPy (122 BPV, 18 ftrs)
FraxCWUa (121 BPV, 18 ftrs)

Costs include medium-speed drones but not fighters or escorts. Carrier year-in-service dates may not be before Y175, but will be before Y180.

INTERDICTION CARRIERS
These were the larger version of patrol carriers, built on heavy cruiser hulls and carrying even more fighters (usually 24). These were considerably rarer than patrol carriers (as heavy cruiser hulls are considerably rarer), and most were used for independent strikes where their huge fighter groups had the advantage.

FederationCVDy (124 BPV, 24 ftrs)
KlingonD6U (85 BPV, 24 ftrs)
RomulanKRU (95 BPV, 24 ftrs), VHK (110 BPV, 24 ftrs)
KzintiCVD (126 BPV, 24 ftrs)
GornCVD (117 BPV, 24 ftrs)
TholianNone
HydranCAV+ (113 BPV, 24 ftrs)
LyranCVD (120 BPV, 24 ftrs)
WYNNone
ISCCVD-r (138 BPV, 24 ftrs)
JindarianNone
VudarNone
ParavianNone
CarnivonNone
PeladineCVDy (148 BPV, 24 ftrs)
FraxCVya (114 BPV, 24 ftrs)

Costs include medium-speed drones but not fighters or escorts. Carrier year-in-service dates may not be before Y175, but will be before Y180.
NOTES
•  Players could use one of the other carriers from the rulebook, but are advised that this could affect play balance.
•  Players should refer to the "R" section for the race and the year which they intend the campaign to take place to determine the appropriate escorts, which are not listed here as they varied at different times during the war. Generally, a strike carrier will have two escorts, while a heavy carrier will have three.
•  Escorts are presumed to have full aegis if it is available.
•  To form an SCS group, simply replace the appropriate CVA with an SCS.
•  "Light" carrier groups (which should not be used in this campaign) would consist of one CVL, or CVE and one escort. Players may also wish to experiment with some of the "pseudo carriers," such as survey cruisers pressed into service, and the various carrier tugs/light carrier tugs.
•  Note specifically that some races never developed "strike" carriers, and some race's nominal "light carriers" were in fact strike carriers. In at least two cases (the Lyrans and the Gorns), the CVA was never developed, although both of those races would later field quite hefty Space Control ships.
•  Players may balance carrier groups of different races by comparing the BPVs after all adjustments for fighter cost and drone speeds. This may require adding or changing an escort. After the ships are balanced, each side still buys its allocated Commanders Option Items.
•  Most of the above carriers are found in various other products. The Lyran DWV is found in Module R6, for example, while the battle carriers are found in Module R5. Battle Control ships (also found in Module R5) might also be used with appropriate adjustments. Patrol carriers (CVP) and interdiction carriers (CVD) are found in module J2.

(U4.6) CAMPAIGN RECORD KEEPING

The following are things to note. Some are given in the body of (U4.0), others are scattered around the other rules.
• (U4.651) Four replacement fighters during a resupply. (Half for CVEs, double for CVAs.)
• (U4.654) During resupplies, replace up to 90 spaces of seeking weapons (half for CVEs, double for CVAs.) Replace 1 chaff pack and 1/2 warp booster pack (if being used) per fighter. Replace 3 T-bombs, and 10 cargo spaces of other fighter supplies (e.g. fighter pods.)
• Patrol carriers are treated as strike carriers for purposes of resupply. Interdiction carriers are treated as CVAs for purposes of resupply.
• (J4.621) Escorts have drones and chaff pods equal to three fighter reloads, per ready rack.