Patrol Ship

Summary
The Interdictor Class Patrol Ship is an extremely fast (at sub light) and well armed frigate designed for extended patrol duties far from the main fleet. Well known amongst pirates and the like as the best reason to never ever try anything in Mu Arae.

Crew & Life Onboard
Thanks to advanced neuro-synaptic interfaces the requirements for crew are actually far less than the 100 full complement, however the Empire feels that all ships should be as self sufficient as possible, thus all Interdictor classes have onboard facilities for food production, water recycling, fuel refining and extensive repair equipment. The men and womoen of the Imperial Navy care little for creature comforts, and the Interdictor contains little in what most would consider basic amenities. However the Interdictor does have communal areas, unlike the more spartan Requiem Class. Like all Imperial ships the Interdictor carries a complement of Marines, 20.

Combat Capabilities
An Interdictor Patrol Ship is designed to intercept and then capture or destroy small ships, usually pirates, smugglers, cargo ships or enemy frigates. Small and very fast there are few ships in the Universe than can compete with an Interdictor for sub-light speed or manoeuvrability. Thanks to advanced gravity manipulation the Interdictor is highly dextrous and can present its broadside to the enemy almost at will, in addition to making broadside fire highly accurate. However the Interdictors prey usually fall foul of the Tractor Beam Emitter, a modified version of a docking aid that can snare and immobilise small ships. The Interdictor also carries a couple of fighter squadrons and a bomber squadron for patrols, and to complement the main fleet's air wing. An Interdictor also carries a fair amount of protection in terms of shields, armour and point defences. The Interdictor is FTL capable, using the same drives found in the Preliator Empire's other ships.