Representing one of the newest additions to the MCRN fleet, the Morrigan Class Patrol
Destroyer was conceived as a lower-cost attack vessel, that combined the functionality of
a light destroyer and a patrol torpedo boat, to create a craft that could be constructed
in large numbers and deployed to security assignments across the solar system, as well
as playing a vital role in front line engagements.
The craft are frequently seen alone or in pairs, patrolling civilian shipping lanes
and carrying out inspections, but when deployed in a larger group, the small vessels can be
a deadly opponent, especially when supported by MCRN cruisers or battleships.
At a length of 31 Meters, the Morrigan is shorter than even the MCRN Corvette Class,
presenting an extremely small and narrow profile that is difficult to target using railguns.
The ship generally carries a crew of 8, but can easily be operated by as few as three
individuals if necessary.
The Morrigan’s interior is relatively comfortable but cramped, especially when operating with
a Full crew or passengers, in spite of this, many Morrigan Class vessels are deployed to
fly long patrol sorties without shore leave, making them an unpopular assignment among
the men and women of the MCRN.
The weapons complement of the Morrigan Class is slightly larger than that of many dedicated
patrol torpedo boats, sporting a pair of Nariman Dynamics 40mm Point Defence Cannons alongside
twin bow-mounted torpedo tubes concealed behind shielded doors.
These weapons are more than sufficient for dispatching rattletrap pirate vessels and
smaller attack boats, but are most effective when added to the collective firepower of
a larger Martian fleet.
The Morrigan class does not possess any ventral point defence weapons, creating a blind spot
in the ship’s defence grid that can only be covered by nearby friendly craft, this
problem is mitigated by the destroyers impressive manoeuvring speed, but remains an exploitable
weakness that can prove fatal.
The Morrigan Class was developed as part of a fleetwide modernisation program that also
saw the introduction of the Donnager Class Battleship and Corvette Class Frigate.
To this end the Morrigan was designed to be carried within the internal berths of a Donnager
Class Vessel, being loaded in pairs to the same modules that were often used to carry
a single Corvette.
This allowed an MCRN Fleet Commander to further diversify his or her fleet by choosing a larger
complement of Morrigan Class Destroyers over a small number of Corvettes.
The Morrigan Class Destroyer received its trial by fire during Captain Teresa Yao’s
three-year campaign against the various pirate groups of the inner belt.
In order to protect a number of MCR shipping routes crucial to the Martian terraforming
project, Captain Yao ordered that two of the MCRN Donnager’s Corvettes be replaced with
four of the newly-introduced Morrigan Class Destroyers, allowing the captain to cast a
wide net over the region, and swiftly respond to any vessels in distress.
This operation resulted in the destruction of numerous pirate vessels, and greatly discouraged
further acts of piracy against Martian Convoys.
Certain vessels of the Morrigan Class such as the MCRN Shandian, have received expensive
refits to allow the ships to operate under stealth.
These select vessels feature subtle alterations to their hull shape intended to reflect hostile
radar, as well as carrying more sophisticated heat sinks and thermal masking systems to
hide the ship from enemy detection, an advantage that no United Nations warship possesses.
Vessels converted in this manner are rare, and still less effective than purpose-built
stealth ships, but they have often proved valuable for covert reconnaissance operations
behind enemy lines.
As a vessel designed to be produced and deployed in large numbers, the Morrigan Class Patrol
Destroyer represents a notable exception to the standard MCRN Preference for fewer, more
powerful warships.
Though atypical, this design has brought valuable diversification to the Martian Fleet, and
allows the MCRN to swiftly and precisely respond to developing threats, that may not demand
the presence of a larger cruiser or battleship.