Please link my PMC account or this page if you use this project in any post, whether it be a server, blog, map, etc.

Programs used:
Minecraft (for building)
Mcedit (for building)
Blender (for renders)
Paint.net (for pictures)

---

---

---



The Lathon-class was conceptualized as the successor and eventual replacement of the very successful Linoph-class patrol cruiser for GACIAF's naval forces, although the Lathon would eventually end up operating alongside the Linoph-class throughout its service life. Design work was handled almost entirely by Syvatii Unlimited, a major company included in the GACIAF administration's Department of Research and Development, with production contracts given to Kualin Stardrives and some components, primarily weapons and sensors, outsourced to other military technology companies. This was a common practice for GACIAF as part of its integration with TAUFOG's economy, although development of those outsourced technologies was heavily regulated and managed by GACIAF supervisors and Syvatii engineers. Development proceeded quickly, in no small part due to the significant funding allocated by Assistant Director Teah as part of the Detrac-Nomani Naval Expansion bill, and by 48,648 ACT prototypes were undergoing combat trials and systems testing. This phase of development was completed without incident, and in the year 48,892 ACT the first Lathon-class patrol cruisers left the massive Cuoa Tuan orbital shipyard and entered service.

Although the Linoph-class had proven effective initially as an anti-piracy and fleet escort craft, escalating conflict and civil unrest across the Ivesceel Galaxy as Shadow Fleet attacks continued to strike the core and inner rim regions led to a significant increase in armed conflict over the following century. With multiple skirmishes occurring between TAUFOG nations every decade, and several near-wars, GACIAF revaluated its ship development programs and pivoted towards vessels which would be more capable of engaging TAUFOG warships in fleet actions. The Lathon was one of the first ship classes to embody this paradigm shift: unlike the Linoph, the Lathon is much more heavily armed and armored, with additional anti-fighter cannons, over twice as many secondary laser cannons, and much heavier main laser cannons. Although the latter carries half as many missiles, they are of the incredibly powerful GAEDS-I220 anti-ship variant, able to cripple small capital ships with a single hit. This arsenal is much better suited for engaging capital ships, and the Lathon would replace the Linoph in large naval groups, with the former moved to dedicated disaster relief and anti-piracy formations.

Lathon-class patrol cruisers became a ubiquitous component of GACIAF sector fleets and border patrol forces, concentrated in volatile regions alongside larger warships. They were often paired with Secana-class corvettes, Sepzak-class light carriers, and other capital ships in small task forces, where Lathons operated as frontline combatants against minor threats. In larger battle groups, Lathon patrol cruisers took up screening and escort duties, making use of their excellent point-defense network and anti-fighter cannons to prevent strike craft attacks and push back corvettes. Although not as versatile as the Linoph-class, which had much more storage space for supplies and other materials, the Lathon excelled in ship-to-ship combat, and proved itself as a critical ship in GACIAF's navy.