A series explaining the mechanics of battleships and other vehicles appearing in the Space Battleship Yamato remake series from Yamato 2199 to REBEL 3199. The 10th installment focuses on the Andromeda class space battleships, which form the core of the Earth Federation Space Fleet. This article provides an overview of the Andromeda class, including its variations.

Text by Yuka Minagawa

1. Twin-barrel dimensional wave implosion launcher (commonly known as the Dispersion Wave-Motion Gun)
2. 40.6 cm triple-barreled convergence compression shock wave turrets X 4
3. graviton spread launchers X 4 (both bows, concealed)
4. small torpedo tubes X 8 (both bows)
5. anti-ship grenade launchers X 2 (both forward upper sides)
6. torpedo launchers X 4 (both sides [Planned “subspace torpedoes”])
7. missile launchers X 10 (bottom)
8. short-range torpedo launchers X 16 (both sides)
9. multiple missile launchers X 16 (both sides)
10. conning tower protection shock field cannons X 3 (fore and base of conning tower)
11 6-barrel side-firing beam projector cannons for close combat X 2 (base of conning tower)
12. anti-aircraft pulse laser turrets X 4 (base of conning tower)
13. diffused anti-aircraft pulse laser turret (rear of conning tower base)

A. Thruster
B. Targeting system
C. Multipurpose projector

Red = Thruster nozzle and drain

The Andromeda class space battleship was planned and constructed as a new battleship at the core of the Wave-Motion Gun Fleet concept. This was a military expansion plan launched by the Earth Federation, which had taken its first steps toward post-war reconstruction and becoming an interstellar nation following the end of the Garmillas War. Its purpose was to prepare for hostile forces threatening the solar system.

In particular, the existence of Gatlantis, encountered by Yamato on its return journey from Iscandar, was recognized as a new threat following the Garmillas War. After analyzing the operational actions and weapon usage data of Yamato during its Iscandar voyage, the Earth Defense Force Command Headquarters formulated a new strategic and tactical doctrine, leading to the establishment of this concept.

Utilizing the time distortion caused by the Cosmo Reverse System, which caused time to pass faster than in normal space, the Andromeda class ships were completed in a significantly shorter period of time compared to their original construction schedule. On December 2, 2202, the lead ship, Andromeda, participated in the operation to recapture the eighth floating continent and inflicted heavy losses on the Gatlantis fleet with its Dispersion Wave-Motion Guns. On December 8, the launch ceremony for four sister ships was held in the new capital (two of the four were aircraft carrier-types).

All Andromeda class ships are equipped with Dispersion Wave-Motion Guns (twin-barreled dimensional wave compression emitters) at the bow. The Dispersion Wave-Motion Guns are capable of both concentrated fire and Dispersion radiation, with the Andromeda class achieving a maximum Dispersion ratio of 256.

Additionally, the ships are fitted with four gravity particle spread launchers at the bow, utilizing the reserve charge energy of the Dispersion Wave-Motion Guns. These are designed to operate the Wave-Motion Guns as “strategic weapons” and the gravity particle spread as “tactical weapons,” with the ability to redirect the reserve charge energy of the Wave-Motion Guns to tactical beam cannons as needed.

Furthermore, by combining the two, it is possible to deploy a field at the front in multi-formation, converge the energy of each ship’s Wave-Motion Guns (wave lens effect), and function as a defensive wall against enemy beams.

At the time of its commissioning, the Andromeda class was referred to as a “vanguard armed space ship,” and its performance in the Battle of Shisei proved it worthy of that name.

The four 40.6cm triple-barreled convergent compression-type shockwave turrets, though smaller in caliber than Yamato‘s main guns, achieved increased destructive power and firing rate through the enlargement of beam generators and the incorporation of positron convergers midway along the barrel. The convergers also provided the same effect during live-fire operations, functioning as additional chambers to increase muzzle velocity, thereby enhancing range and penetration capability.

Drawing lessons from Yamato‘s experience with instantaneous matter transfer attacks during the Rainbow Star Cluster Battle, the Andromeda class incorporated countermeasures for close combat. The bridge area is equipped with anti-ship grenade launchers, tornado-type lateral beam projectors, and diffused pulse laser cannons, while the sides and underside of the hull have significantly increased missile launchers.

As for defensive equipment, it is equipped with Wave-Motion Barriers like Yamato‘s, as well as shock field cannons that utilize Wave Barriers to protect the command tower from energy beams and projectiles.

Although the Andromeda class aimed to surpass Yamato in both attack and defense, it is noteworthy that it advanced automation in areas such as ship handling and fire control, thereby reducing the number of crew members. Even in the initial completed ships, the number of bridge personnel was less than half that of Yamato, and the total crew size was significantly reduced. This was due to the fact that humanity lost 70% of its total population in the Garmillas War, making it difficult to operate large fleets with the previous systems.

Automation in the Andromeda class was further advanced as technology progressed. The production capacity of the Time Fault made it theoretically possible to prepare a fleet capable of countering enemy forces far exceeding initial estimates, but the shortage of personnel to operate the ships was critical. As a result, unmanned operation became an inevitable path forward. Following the Gatlantis main force’s invasion of the solar system, newly-commissioned Andromeda class ships were primarily unmanned.

These were dubbed Andromeda Black (BBB) autonomous unmanned combat vessels and were first deployed to the Mars Absolute Defense Line, with continuous deployments continuing until the end of the war. Controlled by the AU-13 bridge linked to the Time Fault AI, these vessels no longer required consideration for crew workload due to their unmanned design. Additionally, the high-mobility nozzles installed throughout the hull enabled maneuverability akin to that of torpedo boats. However, their combat loss rate was extremely high, and few remained by the end of the war.

The first manned ship, Andromeda, suffered severe damage in the Saturn Battle and underwent emergency repairs and major modifications within the time layer. Reintroduced to the front lines toward the end of the Gatlantis War, Andromeda was renamed Andromeda Kai and referred to as the “Yamanami Solo Assault Type” (its identification number was changed to ZZZ-0001).

Andromeda Kai added splitters (energy jet flow diversion plates) inside the bow Wave-Motion Guns and reinforced them into quadruple-barreled Dispersion Wave-Motion Guns. Like Andromeda Black, high-mobility nozzles were added to various parts of the hull, enabling high-mobility combat.

After the end of the Gatlantis War, the Time Fault was disabled, and the Space Navy was reorganized based on the Fourth Defense Plan, which called for “optimization of military forces commensurate with the scale of Earth.” Military leadership prioritized the repair and renovation of the remaining manned Andromeda class ships.

This reflected a shift in strategy following the abandonment of the Time Fault where excessive AI-driven fleet operations were reevaluated, and human-centered operational planning and command were reinstated, with AI relegated to a supportive role. However, the most significant reason was reportedly the difficulty in continuing to operate the unmanned Andromeda class vessels. They relied on Time Fault AI for control, and converting them to manned vessels would have required modifying the mainframe itself. Additionally, their internal structures were not designed for human operation, making extensive modifications necessary.

As part of the reorganization of the Space Navy, the Andromeda class ships were renamed from “vanguard armed space battleships” from the Wave-Motion Gun Fleet era to “space battleships,” a designation used since the United Nations Space Navy era. Their markings also changed from the “formal dress-up mode” (ceremonial/ritual operations) of the Wave-Motion Gun Fleet era to “service mode” (standard operations). Additionally, some have been modified into fleet command ships.

AAA-2 Aldebaran

A manned battleship launched on December 8, 2202. Under Captain Kozo Tani, it participated in the Battle of Saturn. It was hit in the side of the hull during the battle for the Mars Absolute Defense Line. After the destruction of the time fault, it was given priority for repairs and modifications. It currently serves as the flagship of the 28th Escort Squadron, captained by Tetsutaro Ozaki.

AAA-3 Apollo Norm

A manned aircraft carrier launched on December 8, 2202. During the Battle of Saturn, it attempted to rescue the Andromeda, which was caught in the White Comet’s ultra-gravity. However, it sustained severe damage and was destroyed by an enemy missile. It was captained by Shuntaro Yasuda.

AAA-4 Achilles

A manned battleship launched on December 8, 2202. After participating in the Battle of Saturn, the bridge was damaged at the Mars Absolute Defense Line, and one extra-space navigation device was also lost from the bottom of the ship. It was captained by Toshio Nishina.

AAA-5 Antares

A manned aircraft carrier launched on December 8, 2202. During the Battle of Saturn, it rescued the crew of Yamato, which had been engulfed by the White Comet. Toward the end of the war, the ship sustained significant damage, particularly to its hull, during the battle at the Mars Absolute Defense Line, rendering it unable to navigate under its own power. It was captained by Shigeru Toyama.

AAA-21 Alpheratz

The 21st manned early Andromeda-class ship. After the war, it underwent extensive repairs and served as the flagship of the 11th Escort Squadron, tasked with monitoring the large number of Kalakrum-class battleships belonging to the Gaizengan weapons group remaining around the 11th planet. All crew members suffered significant injury during an encounter with the Grand Reverse.

ZZZ-0001 Andromeda Kai

Accepting Fleet Commander Yamanami’s opinion that using this ship as an autonomous unmanned weapon would be dangerous, its automation was limited to a level that allowed it to operate independently. During the attack from directly above the Gatlantis Empire inside the White Comet, Yamanami piloted the unmanned Andromeda Black fleet (YF-2203) alone. At this time, Yamanami wore a reinforced spacesuit to counter the unmanned ship’s maneuverability.

Berger Combat Group

These ships were licensed and manufactured in the Time Fault to strengthen the Garmillan fleet. They carry the “CCC” designation. While the basic structure of the carrier-type remains unchanged, the air traffic control electronics and maneuvering systems were upgraded to Garmillan specifications. Four ships, the Neu Balgray, Neu Lambea, Neu Schderg, and Neu Darold, were constructed first to form the carrier strike group.

Andromeda Advanced stage

An experimental Andromeda class combat ship constructed using time distortion. Construction began as a manned prototype before the mass production of autonomous unmanned models, but many details remain unclear. The AAA-006 Amaterasu, primarily designed for gun battles, and the Garmillas-designed AAA-009 L’Andromedie, AAA-010 Vem Heidern, and AAA-011 Dels Gardola, referred to as “Garmillas-made,” were deployed toward the end of the war.

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