Why does a command bridge need a 5k dton ship?

[Anonymous]

This looks like what we'd call a Flag Bridge, Operations Center and CIC combined.

For some reason it's able to conn the ship (hooray for technology, easy to re-route all their digital controls I suppose - but I'd assume any control station anywhere could do this, if security protocols allowed it).

Has it been stated why within the Mongoose Traveller universe it can't be installed on a ship smaller than 5K dtons?

All the ship basically needs is a couple of cutters, a giant communications array, and offices for a few dozen planning staff. At higher TLs those cutters will change to jump-capable couriers and the ship may be over 5K dtons, but it doesn't have to be.

While a battle squadron might be commanded from a warship of the appropriate type, this hasn't always historically been true for large operations or theatres. Many admirals used a troopship (Halsey in WW2) or a fast cruiser. Not all of which were over 5k water dtons and some that were wouldn't be in Traveller dtons.

 

[Old School]

No reason. House rule to ignore this provision is perfectly reasonable.

 

[phavoc]

Keep in mind you should never see a command ship running around in a battle. It wouldn't survive.

While there should be more explanation surrounding the concept of flag bridges, you typically don't see them unless there is a fleet or large squadron/flotilla present. Otherwise you have no need for one for normal naval operations (i.e. common sense, real-world stuff). The other reason you don't see them on smaller ships is that typically a small ship doesn't have the tonnage to spare to devote to such an investment. It's more than just a few extra screens for some higher-ranking naval guy. It's a commander with a command staff. The larger the expected number of units to command, the more staff. Which means more space for the flag bridge, more space for the extra quarters, more communications capabilities, etc. So putting them on smaller ships isn't something most navies would do.

As Old School points out, your navy may have a backstory that requires, or could use such a thing. In that case you can ignore the rule and design it as you feel fits the storyline. And, as MGT likes to say, their stuff isn't so much rules as suggestions.

 

[Condottiere]

I can speculate on why it changed in Mongoose Second, but I've never seen an official reason.

However, military space stations can have ten tonne command bridges on hulls of less than five hundred tonnes.

 

[Anonymous]

While there should be more explanation surrounding the concept of flag bridges,

I'm thinking of 2 things

There's flag bridge or admirals bridge, which is just a platform and a couple of staterooms for being a squadron leader for 3-6 ships. Those were common in WW2. I think most British CA/CL had them.

Then you have the other thing I eluded to with "several dozen extra offices" which is basically a large office and radio room for planning staff & meeting rooms. That's the thing that won't fit in a destroyer. A WW2 cruiser could have handled it fine as they already had 1000+ crew, as could almost any transport ship. In Traveller, 50 staterooms, 2 cutters and office space for 50 fits in 500 dtons.

As you rightly say, those won't want to be in direct combat, but we still need an entry for them in Jaynes

 

[ShawnDriscoll]

Why does a command bridge need a 5k dton ship?

Well, my Tigress has its meson cannon going through the bridge. The bridge is larger than most hangars.

 

[Anonymous]

Why does a command bridge need a 5k dton ship?

Well, my Tigress has its meson cannon going through the bridge. The bridge is larger than most hangars.

Why it it a single compartment?

edit: To clarify, why would they run the ship, and the fleet in the whole solar system, from the same compartment?

 

[ShawnDriscoll]

I never asked.

 

[Linwood]

Any thoughts as to what sort of penalties might result from trying to coordinate a squadron - or worse yet, a fleet - from a ship without a flag bridge or something similar?

 

[Condottiere]

You don't get the benefit of plus one on tactics.

Set up a communications suite and sensor relays in the wardroom, plus a Microsoft Surface interactive coffee table.

 

[phavoc]

Why does a command bridge need a 5k dton ship?

Well, my Tigress has its meson cannon going through the bridge. The bridge is larger than most hangars.

Why it it a single compartment?

edit: To clarify, why would they run the ship, and the fleet in the whole solar system, from the same compartment?

It wouldn't be.

 

[phavoc]

While there should be more explanation surrounding the concept of flag bridges,

I'm thinking of 2 things

There's flag bridge or admirals bridge, which is just a platform and a couple of staterooms for being a squadron leader for 3-6 ships. Those were common in WW2. I think most British CA/CL had them.

Then you have the other thing I eluded to with "several dozen extra offices" which is basically a large office and radio room for planning staff & meeting rooms. That's the thing that won't fit in a destroyer. A WW2 cruiser could have handled it fine as they already had 1000+ crew, as could almost any transport ship. In Traveller, 50 staterooms, 2 cutters and office space for 50 fits in 500 dtons.

As you rightly say, those won't want to be in direct combat, but we still need an entry for them in Jaynes

It would really depend on the purpose of the flag bridge. And yeah, they would be many different sizes for the operations that they would be performing.

WW2 ships stacked crews like cordwood wherever they had space. I've toured the old BB Texas - crew 'bunks' were hanging by chains five to six high from the ceilings. Officers shared quarters that were tiny - like 2Dton - with sink!