Through the efforts of Stargate Command, the nations of Earth were
slowly made aware of their place within a complex and often threatening galaxy.
Hostile alien civilizations, the Goa’uld System Lords first among them,
had likewise become aware of Earth and repeatedly tested its defenses and capabilities.
During the initial years of this escalating conflict, the great fear that loomed over every
effort, was that these belligerent powers might bypass the Stargate Network entirely, and send
their ships directly to Earth. While Stargate Command had proven adept at countering the Goa’uld
and others on terrestrial battlefields, against a ship in orbit they had no reliable defense.
Several close calls and near misses proved the immediacy of this threat, and a form of
interstellar deterrence became the top priority for every nation aware of the Stargate Program.
The BC-304, or “Daedalus-Class” is today the supreme accomplishment of this effort;
interstellar warships capable of not only the defense of Earth,
but projecting power and protecting mankind’s interests
across the whole of the galaxy. Its deployment fundamentally transformed Earth’s capabilities,
enabling its nations to dictate the terms to powers who might otherwise overwhelm them. It is
without exaggeration to say that no other asset within the operating forces of Stargate Command
is as foundational to humanity’s aspiration of interstellar civilization, as the Deadalus Class.
Designated a “Battlecruiser” by the United States Air Force, its primary operator, the BC-304
is designed to fulfill a variety of roles. These include reconnaissance in force, surface
bombardment and the deployment and supporting of SG teams or other terrestrial forces.
Its principal duties however, are focused on anti-ship space warfare,
engaging the largest combatants within enemy fleets on as favorable terms as can be attained.
At 650 meters long, 367 wide and 135 tall, the BC-304 is significantly smaller than many of
the ships it was designed to destroy. This however is the deliberate result of pursuing
a high efficiency of space and rejecting many of the ceremonial and baroque elements
common on alien starships. The end result is a highly compact vessel,
based around a central angular hull flanked on either side by two prominent flight decks.
Within can be found a wide array of facilities and modular mission bays,
the latter capable of being quickly replaced as circumstances dictate.
The bridge is located at the base of the ship’s forward “neck”,
with missile tubes, other armaments and sensors extending to the vessel’s bow. Cargo bays,
engine rooms, auxiliary machinery spaces and crew quarters make up the rear of the central hull.
A raised flight tower is also located here, often erroneously identified as the ship’s bridge.
On either side can be found the hanger decks, aerospace squadron complex, and observation rooms.
Though an indingeinous human design, many of the BC-304s more sophisticated technologies were
gifted by the Asgard, humanity’s closest ally and partner. These include an advanced sensor suite,
matter transporters capable of short range instantaneous travel,
and a computer core that allows these systems to operate in conjunction with one another.
Asgardian shields also constitute the ship’s primary defensive systems,
one of the most advanced types of energy barrier in the known universe. Other alien
technologies aboard included transportation rings derived from Goa’uld designs, and zero
point modules created by the Ancients, that now power many of the ship’s more intensive systems.
The primary armament of a Deadalus Class Battlecruiser is 16 missile cells
forming a vertical launch missile system. Each cell can hold one or more missiles, granting the
ship the additional flexibility to load the best set of ordinance for any given mission. These most
commonly contain the MK III and MK VIII tactical nuclear warheads. In special circumstances
however, VLS cells might also include a MK IX naquadria enhanced nuclear missile,
nicknamed “gate busters” for their ability to destroy the otherwise impervious Stargates.
Secondary armaments include an array of 32 railgun turrets dispersed across the ship.
These are normally intended to function as a close-in weapons system
but have been known to inflict substantial damage against enemy vessels without active shields.
In at least one instance, a Deadalus Class warship was also outfitted with the Horizon
weapon delivery system, containing six MK IX warheads and 4 decoys. Due to its special nature,
the weapon was housed within the 304’s bomb-bay located on the vessels underside.
The striking power of a BC-304 is further enhanced by its complement of F-302 fighter-interceptors.
This air-wing is typically between 8 and 16 of such aerospace craft, each regularly equipped with
their own missile systems, railguns, and at times, strategic weapons. Depending on the situation,
they can be deployed to provide an escort for their native Daedelus, engage more distant
targets, or provide support for Stargate Teams. Other auxiliary craft known to be deployed from
BC-304s include the “puddle jumpers” obtained by Stategate Command’s Atlantis Expedition.
Beginning in 2007, as part of a fleet-wide modernization program, BC-304s were additionally
equipped with Asgardian plasma-beam weapons. These fired high-intensity beams of superheated plasma
and though lacking the raw destructive power of a MK IX warhead, were capable of the highly
precise and concentrated strikes most effective against shields and other energy barriers.
The power of these beams could also be reduced to merely disable enemy vessels
or damage specific components.
To ensure the ship can quickly attain an advantageous position over the enemy,
BC-304s are equipped with powerful sublight engines
able to accelerate the vessel to over half the speed of light. Antigravity pods and deceleration
thrusters can likewise be utilized to achieve a limited atmospheric flight. Its hyperdrive was
originally based on salvaged Goa’uld vessels and considered too unreliable for regular use.
It was eventually supplemented and then replaced entirely by Asgard designs,
making the Deadalus one of the fastest ships of its type. A trip between the Milky Way and Pegasus
galaxies, when the hyperdrive is fully powered, can be accomplished in just over two weeks.
In practice, the only real limit on how long a BC-304 can be deployed
derives from the wellbeing of the ship’s crew. To maintain the morale of its 200 personnel, ships
of the class are equipped with spacious living quarters, recreational facilities, infirmaries
and comprehensive mess halls. Life support systems are similarly thorough, with multiple redundancies
and a nine hour window in which the ship can continue to function without them.
Though not specifically designed to accommodate passengers, a larger crew complement is possible,
though the life support will become less efficient as a result.
The Deadalus Class was first commissioned in 2005, replacing entirely the proposed fleet of BC-303
Prometheus Class battlecruisers. Though the earlier design proved itself quite capable,
immense technological advances made over the course of the Prometheus’ short lifespan, made the
continued production of the BC-303 impractical. The BC-304 represented a stark evolution over its
predecessor, factoring alien technologies into the initial design, rather than retroactively
incorporating them. It was far larger, and in every quantifiable way, far superior.
The Daedelus fired its first shots in anger when the eponymous lead ship of the class was
deployed to defend the city of Atlantis in the Pegasus Galaxy. In combat against the Wraith,
one of the ancient powers of Pegasus, the 304 performed remarkably well, destroying two Hive
Ships, which up to that point, had been largely invulnerable to conventional attack. The Odyssey,
the second ship of the class was completed the following year, and proved equally capable
against Earth’s traditional adversaries in the Milky Way. The Goa’uld Ha’tak class,
which for nearly a decade had been one of the greatest threats to Stargate Command’s operations
and Earth itself, was essentially neutralized with even multiple ships outclassed by a single 304.
By 2009, the initial production run of the BC-304 had ended after 6 vessels;
The United States of America operated the USS Daedalus, Odyssey, Apollo, and George Hammond. The
latter initially ordered as “Phoenix” but renamed to honor the passing of one of Stargate Command’s
most influential and foundational commanding officers, without whom the BC-304s would not
have been possible. The People’s Republic of China operated the Sun Tzu, while the Russian Federation
briefly commanded the RFS Korolev, before its destruction during operations against the Ori.
The Odyssey, owing to its status as Earth’s flagship,
was regularly upgraded during its initial deployments, though such
refits would eventually extend across the whole of the fleet. The George Hammond,
the last BC-304 to be completed, would alter its design to better accommodate these additions,
featuring a larger superstructure and expanded hangers for its 302 fighter complement.
Today, the efforts of the Stargate Command, and Homeworld Command of which it is now a part,
are dedicated mainly to the continued operation of the BC-304 fleet. While these powerful warships
have in many cases supplemented or overtaken the traditional roles of the Stargate Teams, they
serve as almost “living museums” dedicated to the history of Earth’s greatest successes and secrets.
To walk their decks is to experience the history of the Stargate Program itself.
Every system, every device, the methods and procedures in which they operate,
all can be traced back to lone SG teams operating on an alien world. It is easy to
forget that in those early days, these personnel operated without any meaningful support.
There was no fleet of mighty ships in orbit to call upon, only the dream that
through their efforts and sacrifices, such a thing might one day be possible.