With construction of the first Panther class destroyer getting started DDS Research have given some details of the new ship to the media. Dr Underage said that it was the first pure 4th Generation design in the DDS (countering some arguements by commentators that the Terran Sea C held that distinction, Dr Underage said the latest frigate was a G3.5 design). "The Panther will have modular mission pods as will the other G4 designs Rome and Pangaea." he said, underlining that this modular mission capability was one of the backbones of the G4 ideology.
Panthers would primarily be combat warships but they would also have a tactical reconnaissance role, Dr Underage said. A Strike role to complement the Pulsar fleet was also being considered. When the Panthers enter service their sprint top speed of 1100c will make them the fastest ships in the known galaxy. Dr Underage said that the Panthers would be restricted to 1000c to start with however. "Speeds beyond 1000c are very rare, only the Neptune can achieve it being able to reach 1033c but far beyond that is a total unknown so the Panther will be restricted for it's own safety until we can run a test programme with the Neptune IIB."
Dr Underage is referring to the update for the Neptune which will push it's speed beyond 1100c though this update may be delayed now due to the war situation.
