Class History The Hamilton Class of light cruiser originally began their existance as the three non-EA/BA charter compliant Project 128 vessels. The Belt Alliance wished to get rid of these ships as they proved to be more expensive to operate than projected, but they didn't want to just out and out scrap them. Mars offered them a unique opportunity to get rid of them and still somehow make money on the deal. Mars offered them incentives and tax breaks on the hardware, and they spent the money to get the ships refit for Mars service. Everyone in the end was happy. The BA got rid of their money pits, and Mars gained some effective light capital ships, and forged stronger bonds with the BA. The ships entered service in 2267. There were talks of the BA selling their other Proj 128 ships to Mars, but nothing firm. The ships were rearmed with railguns, dual particle beams, and dual unipulse cannons, and an Enforcer replaced one of the shuttles in the shuttle bay. |