Ikon-Class Carrier

IKN Ikon (ICV-62) Ikon-class aircraft carrier
The IKN Ikon off the south coast of Forsetti, 2196.
Role		Aircraft Carrier
National Origin		Ikonia
Production History
Designed
2176 - 2180
Produced
2186 - 2194
Designer		Proteus
Number Built		1
Service History
In Service
2195 - In service
Used By		Armada Ikonicus
Vessel Characteristics
Displacement		5,796 tons
Length		260 m
Beam		83 m
Height		50 m
Draft		5 m
Propulsion		2 x Obbscon Company NT25000 20 MW (27,000 cp) Azimuth Thrusters
Max Speed		50 kn (25 m/s)
Operational Range		10,000 km
Complement		1,740
Armament		2 x CIWS 2 x Lasers
Aircraft Carried		70-110 fixed wing and helicopters
Aviation Facilities		Angled flight deck 4 x Electromagnetic catapults Internal aircraft hangar

The IKN Ikon (ICV-62) is an Ikonic aircraft carrier and the flagship of the Armada Ikonicus. The type has been plagued with deficiencies and problems since design work began, and is widely mocked as being a white proot. However, its status as Ikonia's only operational aircraft carrier means that it is revered as a national symbol and is therefore beyond reporach. In 2201, bearer Elenor Sorelus of Arcaros was forced to resign amidst enourmous controversy after describing the Ikon-class as "a burden upon the Ikonic taxpayer".

Design

The ship is distinguished by its angular construction, a signature of the radar cross section reducing technologies incorporated into the carrier’s design.

The island of the Ikon is long and angular in design to reduce radar cross section, and to accommodate the vessel's advanced electronic sensor suite.

Development

Following the ‘strategic defence review ‘scheme of Apex Stone, Ikonia’s existing naval presence was deemed insufficient to effectively destroy or even retard an offensive force. In a damning appraisal of the Armada Ikonicus in 2173, Apex Stone stated:

“	Our own leadership's negligence has left us adrift in treacherous waters, as a once-mighty vessel now at the mercy of the storm, its sails torn and its crew lost to the abyss!	”
—Apex Stone, 2173

He immediately made sweeping reforms, including the order of three new aircraft carriers designed to spearhead a modern naval fleet. Modern design principles for all ships in the new wave of production were to include mission package modularity, emphasis on surface-to-air systems, and RCS reducing technologies.

Development of the INS Ikon was fraught with difficulties. Three vessels had originally been planned. This was cut down to two by the time of the initial order in 2180. In 2191, the vessel's spiraling costs and delays led to the cancellation of her planned sister ship, the IKN Spearka. The decision to cancel production of the IKN Spearka almost sank the entire project. The press lambasted the exorbitantly expensive program and the waste of time and money that had gone into the INS Spearka. The bearer of Advan resigned during the fiasco, as construction of the vessels was taking place in Advan.

As a result of these disruptions, many ofthe planned features of the class were deleted, including small boat mission bays and VLS tubes for defense. Consequently, the Ikon-class is much more reliant on escort ships than initially planned, possessing very little defensive armament or logistical flexibility.

Service History

The vessel was launched on June 30th 2195 and officially commissioned into the Armada Ikonicus August 7th of the same year.

In 2204, the IKN Ikon entered drydock for an extensive refit and modernization.

An Ikonic Air Force IH-12 Funbee prepares to land on the deck of the Ikon to deliver her new captain, CAPT Yakton Jelred, 2195.