Class: Destroyer
Role: Escort / CQC Point Defence
Mass: 2.8-2.9 MT
Length: 1631M (Including Sensor Masts)
Max Speed (Impulse Cruise): < 2.0 KM/s
Max Speed (Hyper Cruise): < 2300 KM/s
Max Range (JDA): < 2.5 Parsec
Date: 4490 A.D
Origin: Origin: Aquarius Imperial Naval Shipyards, Lorentis System

Primary Armour Plating: Nanopolymer-based low-ferrous metalic composite construction
Primary Armour Thickness: Up to 12M (Primary Dynamic Armour Modules)
Axial Armament: 2x Quad-Linked IM405 IMPAC Drivers
Primary Armament: 12x B-Type Dual-Linked 1680MM (500MM SCP) FIMD-500 Kinetic Mass Driver Turrets, 4x B-Type HAL-1 Heavy Laser Cannon Turrets
Secondary Armament: 15x C-Type Dual, Quad-Barrel 610MM (200MM SCP) FIMD-200 Rotary Kinetic Mass Driver Turrets
Tertiary Armament: 2x bow-mounted, 18-launch (6x3) forward HORNET S/M/L tubes. 4x (two portside, two starboard) 45-launch (15x3) side HORNET S/M/L tubes. 1x 32-launch (8x4), ventral-forward HORNET S/M/L tubes.
Point-Defence Armament: 51x PDS Clusterfire M2 CIWS
Shielding: [DATA LOCKED]
Sensors: [DATA LOCKED]
Propulsion: 'STARLIGHT' Drive System
Powerplant: [DATA LOCKED]

||DESCRIPTION:
Sleipnir-class hulls have been in service since the transition from the New Federal Era, as large amounts of then-named SP-AX vessels were transferred to the new Aquarian Imperial Navy. The class has since been upgraded and modernised many times, the most recent of which is the SP Pattern 2A, and Pattern 3 models. The original intention of the class was to design a sturdy warship-of-the-line to protect cruiser divisions from fast interlopers such as frigates, drones and strike-craft. Since larger RV-class cruisers emphasised long-range IMPAC Drivers that are less-suited for tracking smaller targets; and the fact that the aforementioned warship dedicates most of its weapons capacitor grid to said main battery, it necessitates cover from these threats by escorts, most often of the SP-series class.

The direct predecessor in the Old Federal Navy could be considered to be the legendary Farlease-class Light Cruiser, but since AIN vessels tend to be substantially larger and more massive than OF classes, the new vessel is more comparable to a Heavy Cruiser by Old Federal Navy standards. Regardless, in service with the AIN, this class is a dedicated Escort vessel, employed to provide direct cover for larger warships from smaller, fast moving threats. As such, the SP-class is armed primarily with a significant number of B-type hardpoints, 12 of which are mounted around the forecastle with at least 4 turrets having fire-contact on almost any angle. These turrets are linked to a large, automated centralised magazine loading system for Kinetic Munitions and are optimised for semi-automatic FIMD-500 Kinetic Cannons with emphasis on Directional Smart Fragmentation Ammunition (500MM Sub-calibre).

The design of the forward magazine allows the class's distinctly high-density B-type battery array, and allows the vessel to lay down an impressive screen of Space-Burst Fragmentation (Flak) Shells in defence of larger vessels. Such munitions are proximity guided or can be configured to act as mines if they do not effect a target on deployment.

The class has strong armour with Heavy-Cruiser grade Dynamic Armour Modules up to 12M thick on the main hull belts, allowing it to absorb a significant amount of damage should its shield modulator fail under enemy fire. Despite the higher mass due to increased armour protection and firepower, the SP-series vessels employ a high-density thrust-vectoring drive system with later models using STARLIGHT slipstream drives with subspace/real-space spatial forming capabilities for increased mobility. Though the SP-series have a relatively 'modest' top speed restriction due to linear stress for de-acceleration, they maintain a very high turn-to-velocity ratio allowing complex battle manoeuvre in 3 dimensions, essential for covering the fleet's larger warships from equally agile threats.

The SP2A represents the latest development of the series, the most notable difference being the return of the SP Pattern 1's axial armament, though substantially expanded to include two, quad-linked banks of IM400 Axial IMPAC Drivers. This change was largely in response to a request by Fleet Admirals and a critique of the earlier Pattern 2's lack of an axial armament. In some situations, Fleet Admirals preferred to have an anti-capital ship stand-off capability on the escort formation, adding versatility to forward cruiser formations without relying too heavily on the larger RV-class fleet cruisers for artillery purposes.

The SP3 (Pattern 3) variant is essentially a Pattern 2A series with an upgraded Dynamic Armour Array with emphasis on resisting high-energy plasma weapons.