So without further ado(also please ignore typos and spelling errors, I haven't had a chance to edit my post yet):
The Athena Class Heavy Destroyer(yes I realize that there is already a battleship with that name but I don't care) is a ship designed to take on and defeat larger vessels such as other destroyers, cruisers and battle cruisers. The heavy forward beam and torpedo weaponry insure that anything that comes across its forward firing arc will take considerable damage and its moderate broadside weaponry and heavy point defense grid ensure that it is not taken by surprise.
The Zeus Class Light Cruiser is a break away from traditional Imperial doctrine of Heavy defenses and even heavier weaponry. A relatively new ship with few in service at this time it makes use of a revolutionary inertialess drive system (ie: I forgot to add the thrusters
). The Zeus was designed in response to increasing levels of pirate and Dreadani Raider activity. With this in mind it sports a large amount of light weaponry with only a few heavy weapons to give it the punch it needs to take on other ships and protect vital ship components.
The Achilles class Heavy cruiser is the workhorse of the Imperial Fleet. With a mixed balance of beam and projectile weaponry as well as a rather heavy point defense network ensure that it can take care of itself. The Achilles was developed when Aegis field technology was still fairly new and expensive and thus does not have the rather extensive Aegis network that imperial ships are known for to cut back on costs.
The Odysseus Class Battle Cruiser is a older design before the advent of the Aegis Field system and miniaturization technology. Only moderately armed for its size it is still nonetheless a favorite of older flag officers who remember serving on them during the Draedani war four decades ago. With a versatile armament including a at the time revolutionary drone system it is a rugged ship meant to go head to head with Draedani Capital Ships.
During the beginning of the war the Odysseus class met with great success but as the war drew on the Draedani became more familiar with its capabilities and founds it greatest weakness. The Defense field matrix system used by the Imperial navy before the advent of the Aegis technology was superior in coverage. However, once the energy stores were depleted the defense fields came down until they could be recharged. The Draedani employed hit and run tactics to slowly weaken the ships before pouncing for the kill with a massed attack while the fields were down.
The Aegis Class Battlecruiser is a favorite of newer flag officers. With its varied weaponry and extensive Aegis network as well as multiple Nano-matrixes allowing for prolonged deployment it has been estimated that it will remain in service for many decades to come. While the forward and rear arcs are well defended and armed the broadside capabilites of this ship are lacking with only a smattering of blasters, pulse guns and short range lasers it fits the more modern navy officer with its head to head tactical capabilities.
The Heracles class Battleship is the pride of the Imperial Navy. Heavy weaponry, defenses and the ability to stay on patrol for almost indefinite periods of time thanks to its multiple Nano-matrixes it can take on whole fleets of lesser ships on its own. Despite its seemingly vulnerable flank any foe foolish enough to get behind a Heracles will soon find themselves biting off more than they can chew. Multiple rear facing heavy weapons and pulse cannons ensure that most foes do not survive long enough to more than dent the armor plating.
Leaving only odd angles as the weakest points of defense ensures that most of the ship is well protected and even those who discover these angles will find themselves surprised when the face the two dual mounted heavy beam cannons with a 360 degree firing arc.
The oldest ship in the Imperial Navy is one that is still feared throughout the known galaxy. The Kratos Class Juggernaught is the most powerful ship in the fleet. Despite its outdated equipment and weaponry the sheer size of the mammoth ship allows to to weather punishment that would destroy any lesser ship and keep on coming. Any ship that wanders into range of its broadside will more than likely not wander back out and ship captains need to be wary of even a partial broadside from the wide attack angles sported by the heavy railguns its mounts.
There are also rumors of plans to upgrade the ship with modern equipment and Aegis Field technology. Those that hear of these rumors invariably shudder to think what a such a behemoth could do.
....There are also rumors floating around of a new class of ship under construction at the Olympus Shipyards. These photographs taken recovered from the wreckage of a small shuttle craft that apparently got to close to the automated security system. It is unknown whether or not this is the final hull or if there will be further improvements but some speculate that the outboard sections do not have enough structural support and that there will most likely be a redesign.
