Airship Carriers (D21)

Airships were the first aircraft to enable controlled, powered flight, and were widely used up until recently, their use has decreased over time as their capabilities are surpassed by those of airplanes.

As it is Colonial airship technology is extensive and far surpases that of other great powers. They operate large 'mobile landing fields' for their airplanes and numerous aerial 'liners' that house and transported their entire population and stores. The most amazing fighting airships in the Colonial arsenal are undoubtably the largest vessels ever made by man.

Colonial Fleet Airships
Colonial Fleet airships are heavily armoured and armed platforms with large crews capable of carrying a fighterwing in addition to the guns and bombs they themselves may deploy. Nicknamed 'Battleclouds' but more commonly reported as 'flying battleships and aero carriers'; there are a series of different designs in Military service. At the time of the arrival the Pegasus and Mercury were the most advanced Fleet Carriers, capable of supporting an almost fantastical number of 200 fighters (over twice the complement of aircraft carrier USS Yorktown). All Colonial Military Airships share the following characteristics: twin armoured 'blimps' connected by and upper, exposed flight deck; broadside guns and a central 'island' tower. Sheer scale identifies classes as the newer ships are larger than older ones, range is extreme. Much of the Airships workings are classified and unknown; only twelve have been encountered during the arrival.

Fighting Airships:

 * Atlantia (flagship)
 * Columbia
 * Mercury (Supercarrier)
 * Pegasus (Supercarrier)
 * Universal
 * Solaria
 * Triton
 * Galactica
 * Pacifica
 * Justicia
 * Atlas
 * Cerberus

Dreadnaught
The Dreadnaught (or Dirigible) is an airship, or lighter-than-air aircraft, tasked with patrolling the skies. Outfitted with a formidible array of weaponry including fifteen 15 inch guns, ten 5.9 inch guns, thirty six 2.95 inch guns along with numerous machine guns and cannons, the airship is well able to defend itself. Carrying a number of assault vehicles, the dirigible is designed to launch and recover vintage Viper and autogyros which can be sent on attack missions- or defend the airship itself. Propelled by ten enormous diesel internal comubstion engines and lifted by the gas Solium, the Dreadnaught has good range, height and speed. A relatively sophisticated RADAR systems gives the Dreadnaught far-seeing 'eyes'.

United States Airships
The United States still researches airships while most other powers have stopped their programs and consider them obselete.