Omega class destroyer
Encyclopedia
Earth Alliance (Babylon 5)
The Earth Alliance is the name of a fictional alliance of the nations of Earth and off-world colonies in the television series Babylon 5. The transition of Earth government from a democratic, elected government to an authoritarian, militaristic one and back to a democracy again is a major theme of...
, in the science fiction television series Babylon 5
Babylon 5
Babylon 5 is an American science fiction television series created, produced and largely written by J. Michael Straczynski. The show centers on a space station named Babylon 5: a focal point for politics, diplomacy, and conflict during the years 2257–2262...
. The CGI
Computer-generated imagery
Computer-generated imagery is the application of the field of computer graphics or, more specifically, 3D computer graphics to special effects in art, video games, films, television programs, commercials, simulators and simulation generally, and printed media...
model of the ship created through an early version of Lightwave made its first appearance during the opening scene of the opening episode of the second season, "Points Of Departure
Points of Departure (Babylon 5)
"Points of Departure" is the first episode of the second season of the science fiction television series Babylon 5.-Synopsis:Earth Alliance Destroyer EAS Agamemnon is seen orbiting an unspecified planet. Captain John Sheridan is heard informing an unspecified party that if they have any further...
", which was initially aired in the United states on the 2nd of November 1994.
It also appears in the later, and short lived, Crusade
Crusade (TV series)
Crusade is a spin-off TV show from J. Michael Straczynski's Babylon 5. Its plot is set in AD 2267, five years after the events of Babylon 5, and just after the movie A Call to Arms. A race called the Drakh have released a nanovirus plague on Earth, which will destroy all life on Earth within five...
television series, the TV movies A Call to Arms
Babylon 5: A Call to Arms
A Call To Arms is the fourth feature-length film set in the Babylon 5 universe . It was written by J. Michael Straczynski, directed by Mike Vejar, and originally aired January 3, 1999.-Summary:...
and In the Beginning
Babylon 5: In the Beginning
Babylon 5: In the Beginning is a science fiction television movie set in the Babylon 5 fictional universe. It was written by J. Michael Straczynski and directed by Michael Vejar....
as well as the The Lost Tales
Babylon 5: The Lost Tales
Babylon 5: The Lost Tales is an anthology show set in the Babylon 5 universe. It was announced by J. Michael Straczynski, creator of Babylon 5, at the San Diego Comic Con in July 2006...
(the first in an anthology series
Anthology television series
An anthology series is a radio or television series that presents a different story and a different set of characters in each episode. These usually have a different cast each week, but several series in the past, such as Four Star Playhouse, employed a permanent troupe of character actors who...
which were to be released on DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
, now aborted due to funding issues) plus a number of written short stories and novels based in the same Fictional universe
Fictional universe
A fictional universe is a self-consistent fictional setting with elements that differ from the real world. It may also be called an imagined, constructed or fictional realm ....
.
Origin and design
As with most of the computer generated models seen in the first 3 seasons of Babylon 5Babylon 5
Babylon 5 is an American science fiction television series created, produced and largely written by J. Michael Straczynski. The show centers on a space station named Babylon 5: a focal point for politics, diplomacy, and conflict during the years 2257–2262...
, the Omega was both designed and built by a member of Foundation Imagining
Foundation Imaging
Foundation Imaging was a CGI visual effects studio, computer animation studio, and post-production editing facility that pioneered digital imaging for television programming using Newtek's LightWave 3D on Commodore Amiga based Video Toaster workstations. Founded by Paul Beigle-Bryant and Ron...
. In this instance, Paul Bryant who co-founded the company in 1992 with partner Ron Thornton.
The model was referred to as the "Aggie" in house due to the name of the first ship to appear in the script, the Agamemnon. The original, fully detailed version contained over 250,000 polygons
Polygon (computer graphics)
Polygons are used in computer graphics to compose images that are three-dimensional in appearance. Usually triangular, polygons arise when an object's surface is modeled, vertices are selected, and the object is rendered in a wire frame model. This is quicker to display than a shaded model; thus...
although it was designed so that layers of detail could easily be removed to reduce the polygon count. This was necessary due to the limits of the computer systems at the time, primarily the amount of RAM (Random Access Memory) they could use. Removing detail (and thus the number of polygons) would permit reduced rendering
Rendering (computer graphics)
Rendering is the process of generating an image from a model , by means of computer programs. A scene file contains objects in a strictly defined language or data structure; it would contain geometry, viewpoint, texture, lighting, and shading information as a description of the virtual scene...
times and allow the computer animations for the various television episodes to be created in a practical time scale due to the tight production schedules. This stripping down process was normally only required when a large number of models appeared in an animated sequence (such as the season 4 episode "Endgame"
Endgame (Babylon 5)
"Endgame" is an episode from the fourth season of the science fiction television series Babylon 5.-Synopsis:John Sheridan launches a final battle to liberate Earth....
) and was usually limited to the vessels appearing in the background.
The closer adherence to real physics with regards to how human (not alien) vessels would be portrayed in Babylon 5
Babylon 5
Babylon 5 is an American science fiction television series created, produced and largely written by J. Michael Straczynski. The show centers on a space station named Babylon 5: a focal point for politics, diplomacy, and conflict during the years 2257–2262...
was introduced by Foundation Imagining
Foundation Imaging
Foundation Imaging was a CGI visual effects studio, computer animation studio, and post-production editing facility that pioneered digital imaging for television programming using Newtek's LightWave 3D on Commodore Amiga based Video Toaster workstations. Founded by Paul Beigle-Bryant and Ron...
and is the reason for the inclusion of rotating sections to designs, such as the Omega, in order to emulate artificial gravity
Artificial gravity
Artificial gravity is the varying of apparent gravity via artificial means, particularly in space, but also on the Earth...
. The design also originally included a complex engine design to continue the theme of a more scientifically realistic approach. As it was necessary to accurately portray how such a massive spacecraft, with a large rotating section, could maneuver.
"Originally the engine section was a complex gimballed affair because when turning a large centrifugal mass the turning thrust axis is not intuitive. For example if the centrifuge is rotating clockwise, to turn the ship to port the thrusters should be pointing down thrusting upwards. I explained this to the guys and they looked at me like I had two heads. I think it was Ronny who said 'Look, just stick some big engines on the back and walk away'. We were under a time crunch as always and that's just what I did." — Paul Bryant, Source: B5Scrolls (2008)
The final, time saving and less problematic, design which Bryant used was partially modeled on WWII pulse engines
Pulse jet engine
A pulse jet engine is a type of jet engine in which combustion occurs in pulses. Pulsejet engines can be made with few or no moving parts, and are capable of running statically....
similar to those seen on the German V-1 flying bomb
V-1 flying bomb
The V-1 flying bomb, also known as the Buzz Bomb or Doodlebug, was an early pulse-jet-powered predecessor of the cruise missile....
.
This design bore similarities to Syd Mead's
Syd Mead
Sydney Jay Mead, commonly Syd Mead, is a "visual futurist" and concept artist. He is best known for his designs for science-fiction films such as Blade Runner, Aliens and Tron...
design of the Leonov, a fictional Russian space ship that appeared in the 1984 movie 2010:The Year We Make Contact. When asked for an explanation, J. Michael Straczynski
J. Michael Straczynski
Joseph Michael Straczynski , known professionally as J. Michael Straczynski and informally as Joe Straczynski or JMS, is an American writer and television producer. He works in films, television series, novels, short stories, comic books, and radio dramas. He is a playwright, a former journalist,...
stated on the rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated
Rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated
rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated is a moderated Usenet newsgroup that focuses on the science fiction television series Babylon 5 and the works of writer J. Michael Straczynski. It was spun off from its un-moderated version, rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5, in 1996...
newsgroup:
"The ships on 2010 and Babylon 5 operate out of the necessity of traveling without standard SF artificial gravity. These designs have been discussed among scientists (in general) for ages; so there's no intention to be close to 2010, but when both are based upon the same scientific principles, there will be echoes. Form follows function." — J. Michael Straczynski, Source: jmsnews quote archive (1995)
"Yes, I can confirm that I ‘lifted’ the centre section off the Leonov in 2010 for the centrifuge. That's why the profile is exactly the same. I was feeling mischievous, so I added this little nod to the design. I thought someone was going to spot it immediately but no, it was years before anybody called me on it (it would have been an easy fix to change the profile)." — Paul Bryant, Source: B5Scrolls (2008)
The Omega was also designed to appear both un-aerodynamic and imposing. Part of this approach was the inclusion of what later became known as the 'hammer head' by some fans of the show. Namely, the 'cheeks' on either side of the forward-facing fighter recovery bay which were inspired by the Smoke deflectors
Smoke deflectors
Smoke deflectors are vertical plates attached to the front of a steam locomotive on each side of the smokebox. They are designed to lift smoke away from the locomotive at speed so that the driver has better visibility unimpaired by drifting smoke....
(or lifters) that appeared on some later steam locomotive
Steam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
s.
Designed but never used
The original description of the vessel within the script handed to Paul Bryant implied that if one of these ships appeared in your system you would be in trouble. So part of the idea behind the design of Omega was to make it appear visually imposing and carry enough firepower so it could erupt with projected destruction. However, a number of these design elements which can be seen on the Lightwave model were never used in any animation sequence in which it appeared.
"The turrets on each forward cheek were just there to get your attention, they were the 'light' weapons. :) . . . . . . the dual Big Ass Cannons under the ships return bay that were supposed to launch gigaton class mines – yes those things were there for a reason." — Paul Bryant, Source: B5Scrolls (2008)
" The detail was designed for a 19th century broadside effect. You know, camera scraping down the side of the Aggie as all the hatches open sequentially just like every swashbuckling movie you've ever seen. Then open to a wide shot as the entire ship's side erupts in flame and missiles." — Paul Bryant, Source: B5Scrolls (2008)
Babylon 5 (space station)
Babylon 5 is a fictional space station and the primary setting in the television series Babylon 5. Its design is a variation of an O'Neill cylinder....
, known as Cobra Launch bays. Namely, the Centrifugal force
Centrifugal force
Centrifugal force can generally be any force directed outward relative to some origin. More particularly, in classical mechanics, the centrifugal force is an outward force which arises when describing the motion of objects in a rotating reference frame...
created by the rotating section would essentially push the fighters out.
"On the centrifuge, if you look closely in some shots, you can see sealed Starfury launch bays. I wrote a whole tactical description of how Starfury flights were deployed in battle. If the launch was defensive then as the centrifuge rotated the 'Furies' were deployed evenly around the ship by releasing them at regular intervals. If it was an attack then they were released at a specific degree of rotation closest relative to the target" — Paul Bryant, Source: B5Scrolls (2008)
The exact reasons for the omission is unclear. Though it may be related to the fact that J. Michael Straczynski
J. Michael Straczynski
Joseph Michael Straczynski , known professionally as J. Michael Straczynski and informally as Joe Straczynski or JMS, is an American writer and television producer. He works in films, television series, novels, short stories, comic books, and radio dramas. He is a playwright, a former journalist,...
, the creator, main writer and executive producer of Babylon 5
Babylon 5
Babylon 5 is an American science fiction television series created, produced and largely written by J. Michael Straczynski. The show centers on a space station named Babylon 5: a focal point for politics, diplomacy, and conflict during the years 2257–2262...
usually (or at least in the first three years of the show) deferred to the designers and animators when it came to providing detailed functionality to a model. That, and all but one of the major battle sequences involving the Omega design took place after season 3 (the last year Foundation Imagining
Foundation Imaging
Foundation Imaging was a CGI visual effects studio, computer animation studio, and post-production editing facility that pioneered digital imaging for television programming using Newtek's LightWave 3D on Commodore Amiga based Video Toaster workstations. Founded by Paul Beigle-Bryant and Ron...
worked on the show).
Bridge Design
According to J. Michael Straczynski and director Michael Vejar on the DVD commentary for the episode The Face of the Enemy, the bridge set for the destroyer Agamemnon was actually a redress of the set for the circular command observation dome on the Babylon 5 station. Platforms were placed over the pit areas to enable the actors to walk over these sections; and additional displays were added to the set. Clear displays with crewmembers on the far side of the screen were added to make the set appear larger and more intricate. These were merely plexiglass panels with tape applied.Appearances
Shortly after his arrival to command the Babylon 5 station, at the start of season 2, Captain John SheridanJohn Sheridan (Babylon 5)
John J. Sheridan is a lead character in the fictional universe of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5, played by Bruce Boxleitner. For most of the series, he is the commander of the Babylon 5 station; during the series' final season he is the President of the Interstellar...
(played by Bruce Boxleitner
Bruce Boxleitner
Bruce William Boxleitner is an American actor, and science fiction and suspense writer. He is known for his leading roles in the television series How the West Was Won, Bring 'Em Back Alive, Scarecrow and Mrs. King , and Babylon 5...
) describes the role of the Agamemnon (the Omega destroyer he had previously commanded) during an interview by an ISN
Interstellar Network News
Interstellar Network News is a fictional TV news network in the Babylon 5 universe. ISN's motto is The Galaxy's Most Important Network. ISN was modelled on real-world news outlets, such as CNN....
reporter, in the episode "And Now For a Word
And Now For a Word
"And Now For a Word" is an episode from the second season of the science fiction television series Babylon 5. The documentary format used in this episode was later revisited for the fourth season episode "The Illusion of Truth".-Synopsis:...
". He mentions it was one of the first Omegas to be built after the Minbari war
Earth-Minbari War
The Earth–Minbari War is a fictional war that formed a major part of the back story of the science fiction television series, Babylon 5. The war was fought between the Earth Alliance and the Minbari, an older alien race that overwhelmingly outmatched Earth in terms of technology and weapons...
and that their job was part military patrol, part diplomatic mission, visiting many in the non aligned worlds
League of Non-Aligned Worlds
The League of Non-Aligned Worlds was a fictional collection of races in the Babylon 5 universe.The League of Non-Aligned Worlds was a loose confederation of independent worlds and minor species, most of whom had endured subjugation under the Centauri Republic at its height...
(smaller alien races), putting in an appearance and helping keep the peace.
The patrol aspect of its mission appears to be why, in the earlier season 2 episode, "All Alone In The Night"
All Alone in the Night
"All Alone in the Night" is an episode from the second season of the science fiction television series Babylon 5.- Plot :As the episode begins, Babylon 5's command staff receives reports of mysterious attacks on merchant ships near Babylon 5. Captain Sheridan decides to take a wing of Starfury...
, General Hague (played by Robert Foxworth
Robert Foxworth
Robert Heath Foxworth is an American film, stage and television actor.-Early life and career:Foxworth was born in Houston, Texas, the son of Erna Beth , a writer, and John Howard Foxworth, a roofing contractor...
) was able to call the Agamemnon (which was in the area) to help in the search of the captain who had been abducted by a group of aliens named the Streib. This episode states it is the fastest vessel in the area and its forward weapons are used effectively against what appears to be an advanced race. Its ability to create a jump point to enter hyperspace (the method used in Babylon 5 to cover great distances) is also demonstrated.
By the season 3 episode "Severed Dreams
Severed Dreams
"Severed Dreams" is an episode from the third season of the science fiction television series Babylon 5. It won the 1997 Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation.-Synopsis:...
" it becomes apparent, from the number appearing onscreen, that the Omega design is the primary capital ship used by Earthforce at that time (the others being the Nova
Nova class dreadnought
The Nova class dreadnought is a heavy warship in the science fiction series Babylon 5. The dreadnought is used by the military branch of the Earth Alliance called EarthForce....
and the Hyperion
Hyperion class heavy cruiser
The Hyperion class heavy cruiser is a fictional starship in the Babylon 5 universe.- History :The Hyperion class is an older type of EarthForce warship, smaller and less heavily-armed than the newer Omega class destroyer, but still a capable design. It saw its heyday during the Dilgar and...
). Its ability to carry Starfury
Starfury
The Starfury fighter is a fictional vessel used by Earthforce, the military branch of the Earth Alliance, in the science fiction television series Babylon 5...
fighters is also shown.
The dominance of the Omega design within Earthforce is confirmed throughout the later episodes of season 4 beginning with "No Surrender, No Retreat
No Surrender, No Retreat
"No Surrender, No Retreat" is a key episode from the fourth season of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5. The episode also gives its name to the entire fourth season of the series, thus emphasizing its importance.-Synopsis:...
", which depicts what is essentially an Earth Alliance civil war. Further episodes of the fourth season state it carries life pods, is not capable of flying in atmospheres and that its rotational section reduces its manoeuvrability and energy efficiency compared to ships without one.
The television movie, "A Call to Arms"
Babylon 5: A Call to Arms
A Call To Arms is the fourth feature-length film set in the Babylon 5 universe . It was written by J. Michael Straczynski, directed by Mike Vejar, and originally aired January 3, 1999.-Summary:...
, set four years after the final year of the Babylon 5
Babylon 5
Babylon 5 is an American science fiction television series created, produced and largely written by J. Michael Straczynski. The show centers on a space station named Babylon 5: a focal point for politics, diplomacy, and conflict during the years 2257–2262...
series, shows the Omega is still the most ubiquitous capital ship being used by Earthforce – during the large battle sequence against the alien race known as the Drakh
Drakh
The Drakh are a fictional alien race in the Babylon 5 universe. The Drakh were dark servants for the race of First Ones known as the Shadows. They appeared in the fourth and fifth seasons of Babylon 5 as well as the television movie, A Call to Arms...
.
The second of the Lost Tales
Babylon 5: The Lost Tales
Babylon 5: The Lost Tales is an anthology show set in the Babylon 5 universe. It was announced by J. Michael Straczynski, creator of Babylon 5, at the San Diego Comic Con in July 2006...
stories shows, in a dream sequence, that the Omega design is still being used approximately 30 years after the final year of the Babylon 5
Babylon 5
Babylon 5 is an American science fiction television series created, produced and largely written by J. Michael Straczynski. The show centers on a space station named Babylon 5: a focal point for politics, diplomacy, and conflict during the years 2257–2262...
series.
Ship specifications
This is a subject, relating to all the ship designs seen in Babylon 5Babylon 5
Babylon 5 is an American science fiction television series created, produced and largely written by J. Michael Straczynski. The show centers on a space station named Babylon 5: a focal point for politics, diplomacy, and conflict during the years 2257–2262...
, that has caused a great deal of, sometimes heated, debate within sections of the shows fan community
Fandom
Fandom is a term used to refer to a subculture composed of fans characterized by a feeling of sympathy and camaraderie with others who share a common interest...
.
While some technical details for the Omega were released in publications such as the Babylon 5 Security Manual and the B5 CD-ROM reference guide, most were considered to be incorrect by some fans who closely scrutinised the images of the vessels seen in the show.
A number then went on to publish, on various web sites, sometimes highly detailed and imaginative facts and figures based on their own observations while occasionally incorporating officially released details. This has essentially resulted in no universally accepted technical information appearing for the Omega on any fan, reference or sci-fi internet site. Though some are more widely quoted than others.
For example, in the show the crew numbers of an Omega destroyer is mentioned on three occasions. 547 (season 4 episode, "Intersections In Real Time"
Intersections in Real Time
"Intersections in Real Time" is an episode from the fourth season of the science fiction television series Babylon 5.-Synopsis:Sheridan is tortured by an Earth Alliance agent in an effort to elicit a forced confession to war crimes.-Arc significance:...
), a little over 1,000 (season 4 episode, "Endgame"
Endgame (Babylon 5)
"Endgame" is an episode from the fourth season of the science fiction television series Babylon 5.-Synopsis:John Sheridan launches a final battle to liberate Earth....
)) and 347 (Crusade
Crusade (TV series)
Crusade is a spin-off TV show from J. Michael Straczynski's Babylon 5. Its plot is set in AD 2267, five years after the events of Babylon 5, and just after the movie A Call to Arms. A race called the Drakh have released a nanovirus plague on Earth, which will destroy all life on Earth within five...
episode, The Needs Of Earth). Although no explanation is given for the differences, a quite logical consensus was generally reached among interested fans that it depended on the deployment of the individual ships. Though the actual crew numbers that appear on fan sites is often none of the above.
The ship's length is often stated to be 1714.3 metres. This is in fact the only officially released number quoted for the Omega destroyer to appear on most internet sites. It was created by Tim Earls, who joined Babylon 5
Babylon 5
Babylon 5 is an American science fiction television series created, produced and largely written by J. Michael Straczynski. The show centers on a space station named Babylon 5: a focal point for politics, diplomacy, and conflict during the years 2257–2262...
in season 4, as part of a size chart he was asked to create by the shows executive producer
Executive producer
An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
s, shortly after becoming the Art Director for Visual Effects, at the start of the fifth season of the show. (Not the CGI Director which is another incorrect detail that is sometimes published on various sites.)
However, this length for the ship is often quoted, without caveat
Caveat
Caveat , the third-person singular present subjunctive of the Latin cavere, means "warning" ; it can be shorthand for Latin phrases such as:...
s, along with lists of other details that are purely fan Conjecture
Conjecture
A conjecture is a proposition that is unproven but is thought to be true and has not been disproven. Karl Popper pioneered the use of the term "conjecture" in scientific philosophy. Conjecture is contrasted by hypothesis , which is a testable statement based on accepted grounds...
(for example, that the Omega can carry 36 Starfury fighters
Starfury
The Starfury fighter is a fictional vessel used by Earthforce, the military branch of the Earth Alliance, in the science fiction television series Babylon 5...
). This figure originates from a fan's direct observation of a fighter launch sequence viewed during the season 3 episode, "Severed Dreams
Severed Dreams
"Severed Dreams" is an episode from the third season of the science fiction television series Babylon 5. It won the 1997 Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation.-Synopsis:...
". In fact, the relevant scene opens after the launch sequence had already begun and was left while fighters were still leaving the two vessels that were shown. The largest number viewed during the sequence was 34 which was launched from the Omega named the Churchill.
Advanced Omega Destroyer
Between the Darkness and the Light
"Between the Darkness and the Light" is an episode from the fourth season of the science fiction television series Babylon 5.-Synopsis:The episode begins with Sheridan believing that he is sitting in his quarters on Babylon 5, having a meal with Dr. Stephen Franklin. Franklin is asking how he...
. A Battle group
Battle group
Battle group may refer to:* Battlegroup , the basic building block of an army's fighting force* Battleship battle group, a battleship and its escorts* Carrier battle group, a carrier and its escorts...
made up of what was referred to as Advanced Omega Destroyers were deployed against, and subsequently destroyed by, a number of White Stars that had been dispatched to engage a previously unseen type of Earth vessel.
During the season 3 episode, "Messages From Earth"
Messages from Earth
"Messages from Earth" is an episode from the third season of the science fiction television series Babylon 5.-Synopsis:Marcus Cole escorts Dr. Mary Kirkish, a former member of Interplanetary Expeditions, to meet with the Babylon 5 War Council about something that is so secretive that Marcus had to...
, it had been revealed that humans had taken samples from a recently discovered inactive Battle Crab
Shadow battlecrab
A Shadow battlecrab is a fictional spacecraft from the Babylon 5 universe.These ships make up the bulk of the Shadows' fleet. These ships are alive, but cannot operate independently, instead they require a humanoid to be merged with them and operate as its CPU. The unfortunate "pilots" are usually...
, (an organic vessel used by the Shadows
Shadow (Babylon 5)
The Shadows are a fictional alien species in the science fiction television series Babylon 5. Their homeworld is Z'ha'dum. In contrast to the Vorlons, whose philosophy is represented by the question "Who are you?", that of the Shadows is represented by the question "What do you want?", centering...
, one of the highly advanced and fictional ancient races that were collectively known as the First Ones) for study.
During the episode "Between The Darkness And The Light"
Between the Darkness and the Light
"Between the Darkness and the Light" is an episode from the fourth season of the science fiction television series Babylon 5.-Synopsis:The episode begins with Sheridan believing that he is sitting in his quarters on Babylon 5, having a meal with Dr. Stephen Franklin. Franklin is asking how he...
, the viewer is shown the result of the organic technology being retrofitted onto the hull of the standard Omega design. The character of Susan Ivanova (who was commanding the force of White Stars) expressed surprise at how quickly this was achieved.
These advanced destroyers also carried a number of apparently unmodified Thunderbolts (a class of Starfury fighters
Starfury
The Starfury fighter is a fictional vessel used by Earthforce, the military branch of the Earth Alliance, in the science fiction television series Babylon 5...
) and had received some weapon upgrades as the turreted particle pulse cannons located along the hull had now been replaced by some form of unspecified particle stream weapons.
Like the Omega destroyers technical specifications, more or less all the various details relating to this variant that appears on the internet such as the Omega-X name plus how, when and why it was created was developed over a number of years by a small number of fans creating supplementary material for the design since no 'official' information existed. In the unfilmed script for "The End of the Line," an episode of the short-lived Babylon 5 Spinoff
Spin-off (media)
In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
Crusade
Crusade (TV series)
Crusade is a spin-off TV show from J. Michael Straczynski's Babylon 5. Its plot is set in AD 2267, five years after the events of Babylon 5, and just after the movie A Call to Arms. A race called the Drakh have released a nanovirus plague on Earth, which will destroy all life on Earth within five...
, the crew of the Excalibur come across a secret Earthforce base that is running illegal experiments using Shadowtech, and it is openly stated that this base has been doing so since several years before the Earth Alliance civil war. It is reasonable to assume, then, that this base was in some way connected to the construction of these Advanced Omegas, but this is never actually addressed in the script for the episode. Furthermore, since the series was cancelled before the script was filmed, the canonicity of these details are unclear.
Prototype
The series strongly implies that the production of the Omega destroyer began after the Minbari warEarth-Minbari War
The Earth–Minbari War is a fictional war that formed a major part of the back story of the science fiction television series, Babylon 5. The war was fought between the Earth Alliance and the Minbari, an older alien race that overwhelmingly outmatched Earth in terms of technology and weapons...
, though no specific year was ever mentioned. This conflict took place around 2248, a decade before the first season of the show. However in the television movie, In The Beginning
Babylon 5: In the Beginning
Babylon 5: In the Beginning is a science fiction television movie set in the Babylon 5 fictional universe. It was written by J. Michael Straczynski and directed by Michael Vejar....
, which focused on that war as well as the events leading up to it, a number of Omega destroyers appeared. Although a fan-based theory that these were prototype ships was developed to explain this apparent error in continuity, the reality was that CG models were often recycled from one episode or TV movie to another and the inclusion of these Omega destroyers was likely an oversight.
Known
Omega-class vessels Most Omega class ships appear to be named for entities in Earth mythology. However, some have been seen named for famous figures in history.- EAS
Elizabeth Lochley
Elizabeth Lochley is a lead fictional character from the universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5 and Crusade, played by Tracy Scoggins....
to Babylon 5 in 2262 so that she could assume command of the station following Captain John Sheridan's election to the post of President of the Interstellar Alliance.
EAS Agamemnon
EAS Agamemnon is fictional starship in the science fiction series Babylon 5. The Agamemnon is an Earth Alliance Omega class destroyer...
- John Sheridan
John Sheridan (Babylon 5)
John J. Sheridan is a lead character in the fictional universe of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5, played by Bruce Boxleitner. For most of the series, he is the commander of the Babylon 5 station; during the series' final season he is the President of the Interstellar...
was the Captain of this ship before being reassigned to the command of Babylon 5. He later commanded the final battle of the Earth Civil War from this ship.
EAS Alexander
In the Babylon 5 science fiction universe, the EAS Alexander was an Earth Alliance Omega class destroyer. It may have been named after Alexander the Great. It played a key role in the Earth Alliance Civil War of 2260 - 2261....
- One of the key vessels involved in the Earth civil war of 2260 - 2261. Commanded by General William Hague, then by Major Ed Ryan upon Hague's death in combat.
Babylon 5: A Call to Arms
A Call To Arms is the fourth feature-length film set in the Babylon 5 universe . It was written by J. Michael Straczynski, directed by Mike Vejar, and originally aired January 3, 1999.-Summary:...
.
EAS Churchill
The EAS Churchill is fictional spacecraft, an Omega-class destroyer, from the science fiction television series Babylon 5. The Churchill is under the command of Captain Sandra Hiroshi...
- Captained by Sandra Hiroshi. One of the ships on the resistance side of the Earth civil war. Destroyed on 4-15-2260 when her captain rammed her into the EAS Roanoke after taking heavy damage defending Babylon 5 from President Morgan Clark's forces. The Churchills only appearance was in the Season 3 Episode "Severed Dreams
Severed Dreams
"Severed Dreams" is an episode from the third season of the science fiction television series Babylon 5. It won the 1997 Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation.-Synopsis:...
".
EAS Pollux
The Omega class destroyer E.A.S. Pollux was an Earth Alliance starship in the Babylon 5 science fiction universe. She was named after Pollux from Greek mythology, who was a son of Leda and the Swan - who was the God Jupiter in disguise....
- One of two vessels involved in illegal attacks on civilian vessels in 2261. She was destroyed in 2261 when a severely damaged White Star vessel collided with her.
EAS Pournelle
In the fictional Babylon 5 universe, the EAS Pournelle was an Earth Alliance starship that was lost with all hands in 2258 during the Mars Rebellion. It is most likely named for science fiction writer Jerry Pournelle....
- On Mars patrol in the 2250s and saw action during the 2258 Mars Rebellion, where she shot down Abel Horn's escape ship. However, it is indicated on screen that this is not a destroyer, but rather a cruiser. It is therefore possible that the Pournelle is a different ship based on the Nova/Omega heritage. However, it should be noted that the ship is mentioned when Talia Winters
Talia Winters
Talia Winters is a fictional character appearing on the science fiction television show Babylon 5 during its first and second seasons. She was portrayed by actress Andrea Thompson....
performs a scan on Abel Horn. Not being an Earth Alliance officer she might not know the ship class.
External links
- Lurkers Guide To Babylon 5(No updates since 2007)
- B5scrolls
- jmsnews
- Hyperspace