Orion

13.8

Orion

Battleship | U.K. | Tier IV

Tech Tree Position

stock

 top

General

Research price6700 exp

Purchase price765,000

Hit Points38,600

Main Battery

343 mm/45 Mk.V on a Mk.II mount5 х 2 pcs.

Rate of Fire2 shots/min.

Reload Time30 sec.

Rotation Speed2.5 deg./sec.

180 Degree Turn Time72 sec.

Firing Range14.4 km.

Maximum Dispersion218 m.

HE Shell343 mm HE Mk I

Maximum HE Shell Damage5,900

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell40 %

Initial HE Shell Velocity787 m./s.

HE Shell Weight567 kg.

AP Shell343 mm AP Mk I

Maximum AP Shell Damage9,500

Initial AP Shell Velocity787 m./s.

AP Shell Weight567 kg.

Secondary Armament #1

120 mm/40 QF Mk.VIII on an HA Mk.XII mount4 х 1 pcs.

Firing Range4 km.

Rate of Fire12 shots/min.

Reload Time5 sec.

HE Shell120 mm HE Mk VA

Maximum HE Shell Damage1,700

Initial HE Shell Velocity749 m./s.

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell8 %

Secondary Armament #2

102 mm/50 BL Mk.VII** on a PVI mount16 х 1 pcs.

Firing Range4 km.

Rate of Fire8 shots/min.

Reload Time7.5 sec.

HE Shell102 mm HE Mk II

Maximum HE Shell Damage1,500

Initial HE Shell Velocity873 m./s.

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell6 %

AA Defense

120 mm/40 QF Mk.VIII on an HA Mk.XII mount4 х 1 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second24

. . . Firing Range4.5 km.

40 mm/39 Vickers QF Mk.II on a Mk.II HA mount4 х 1 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second22.8

. . . Firing Range2.49 km.

Maneuverability

Maximum Speed19.8 knot

Turning Circle Radius610 m.

Rudder Shift Time17.6 sec.

Concealment

Surface Detectability Range13.97 km.

Air Detectability Range7.97 km.

Battle Levels

12345678910

13.8

Orion

Battleship | U.K. | Tier IV

Tech Tree Position

stock

 top

General

Research price6700 exp

Purchase price765,000

Hit Points42,700

Main Battery

343 mm/45 Mk.V on a Mk.II mount5 х 2 pcs.

Rate of Fire2 shots/min.

Reload Time30 sec.

Rotation Speed2.5 deg./sec.

180 Degree Turn Time72 sec.

Firing Range15.84 km.

Maximum Dispersion218 m.

HE Shell343 mm HE Mk I

Maximum HE Shell Damage5,900

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell40 %

Initial HE Shell Velocity787 m./s.

HE Shell Weight567 kg.

AP Shell343 mm AP Mk I

Maximum AP Shell Damage9,500

Initial AP Shell Velocity787 m./s.

AP Shell Weight567 kg.

Secondary Armament #1

102 mm/45 QF Mk.XVI on a Mk.XIX mount4 х 2 pcs.

Firing Range4 km.

Rate of Fire20 shots/min.

Reload Time3 sec.

HE Shell102 mm HE 35 lb

Maximum HE Shell Damage1,500

Initial HE Shell Velocity811 m./s.

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell6 %

Secondary Armament #2

102 mm/50 BL Mk.VII** on a PVI mount16 х 1 pcs.

Firing Range4 km.

Rate of Fire8 shots/min.

Reload Time7.5 sec.

HE Shell102 mm HE Mk II

Maximum HE Shell Damage1,500

Initial HE Shell Velocity873 m./s.

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell6 %

AA Defense

102 mm/45 QF Mk.XVI on a Mk.XIX mount4 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second37.6

. . . Firing Range5.01 km.

40 mm/39 Vickers QF Mk.II on a Mk.II HA mount4 х 1 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second22.8

. . . Firing Range2.49 km.

12.7 mm Mk.III4 х 4 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second8.4

. . . Firing Range1.2 km.

Maneuverability

Maximum Speed22 knot

Turning Circle Radius610 m.

Rudder Shift Time12.5 sec.

Concealment

Surface Detectability Range13.97 km.

Air Detectability Range7.97 km.

Battle Levels

12345678910

IV

765,000

Orion — British Tier IV battleship.

The first dreadnought ship in the world to carry 343 mm main guns; she was superior to all battleships built before her in terms of firepower. Besides this, in contrast to her British predecessors, the ship had reinforced side armor and a more advanced arrangement of artillery guns.

Modules

	Rate of Fire (shots/min)	180° Turn Time (sec)	Maximum Dispersion (m)	Maximum HE Shell Damage (HP)	Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell (%)	Maximum AP Shell Damage (HP)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
343 mm/45 Mk.V on a Mk.II mount	2	72	218	5,900	40	9,500		0	94,000

	Hit Points (HP)	Armor (mm)	Armor (mm)	Main Turrets (pcs.)	Secondary Gun Turrets (pcs.)	AA Mounts (pcs.)	Torpedo Tubes (pcs.)	Hangar Capacity (pcs.)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Orion (A)	38,600	13	305	5	16/4	4/4				0	128,000
Orion (B)	42,700	13	305	5	16/4	4				2,000	280,000

	IDS_SHIP_PARAM_SUO_INCREASE_DIST (%)	Maximum Firing Range (km)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Mk IV mod. 1		0		0	40,000
Mk IV mod. 2		0		1,300	180,000

	Maximum Speed (knot)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Propulsion: 27,000 hp	19.8		0	30,000
Propulsion: 33,200 hp	22		850	90,000

Compatible Upgrades

Slot 1
Slot 2

Player Opinion

Performance

Warning: The data presented in the AA Defense sidebar section may be incorrect.
Refer to the in-game Port screens for more useful data.

HMS Orion is the Tier IV British battleship. Like other Tier IV battleships, Orion is fitted with large guns and thick armor at the cost of speed. Orion’s belt armor will not withstand broadside salvos, but it is sufficient at protecting the ship’s citadel when angled properly.

Orion is fitted with ten 343mm guns mounted in five turrets along her centerline; this turret arrangement allows all main battery guns to be fired simultaneously. The glacially slow turret traverse speed requires captains to plan ahead and begin rotating the weapons before entering an engagement. Additionally, Orion’s armor piercing shells will sometimes struggle to deal damage against other battleships. Captains should not be afraid to load high explosive shells in these situations. The high damage and fire chance on the HE shells makes them quite effective at damaging targets that the AP shells would normally not harm.

Orion also carries an impressive secondary armament for her tier. These small caliber guns can help fend off smaller targets who sail too close to the ship, but should not be the only defense against destroyers. Captains should prioritize any ship trying to come within range for a torpedo strike. Orion’s low torpedo damage reduction and hit point pool make her quite vulnerable to torpedoes.

Pros:

• High explosive shells have high fire chance and damage.
• Long main battery range for a Tier IV battleship.
• The ship can fire all ten guns without needing to expose much of her side.

Cons:

• Painfully slow turret traverse speed.
• Health pool is on the low end for a Tier IV battleship.
• Armor piercing shells may sometimes struggle to deal damage against enemy battleships.

Research

Orion has three modules for captains to research: upgrades to her hull, propulsion, and gun fire control system. Captains should first research the upgraded hull for the increased health and maneuverability it provides, then invest experience gains in the gun fire control system upgrade for the extended main battery range before finally researching the propulsion upgrade.

Optimal Configuration

Upgrades

The recommended upgrades for Orion are as follows:

• Slot 1: Main Armaments Modification 1 will help reduce the likelihood of one of the main battery turrets becoming disabled.
• Slot 2: Damage Control System Modification 1  will reduce the chance of flooding or fire on the ship.

Commander Skills

Recommended Commander Skills
Cost (points)	Attack			Defense
1	Gun Feeder -40% time to switch shell type. ★★	Demolition Expert +1% chance of main and secondary HE shells causing a fire +15% to the fragmentation damage area of HE ordnance when firing at submarines.	Consumables Specialist −7.5% cooldown time of all Consumables except:  Damage Control Party ,  Repair Party .	Emergency Repair Specialist -3% cooldown time of Damage Control Party  and Repair Party . ★★	Incoming Fire Alert Receive a warning about a salvo fired at your ship from more than 4.5 km.	Preventive Maintenance −30% chance of main armament, engines, steering becoming incapacitated +15% to HP of secondary and AA guns.
2	Grease the Gears +20% main turret traverse speed. ★★	Inertial Fuse for HE Shells +25% armor penetration of HE shells. Base fire chance reduced by half.	Brisk So long as the ship remains undetected: +10% ship speed.	Vigilance +25% detection range of enemy torpedoes +7% damage reduction of Torpedo Protection System. .	Priority Target The detection indicator will show the number of enemies targeting you with main battery. ★★	AAA & ASW Expert +15% continuous AAA and flak damage . +10% damage inflicted by depth charges. While AAA is active: −40% ship consumables reload time..
3	Super-Heavy AP Shells +7.5% AP shell damage −10% fire and flood damage received +25% fire and flood duration.	Long-Range Secondary Battery Shells +20% secondary battery firing range.	Adrenaline Rush -0.2% reload time of all armaments per 1% HP lost +0.2% AA continuous damage per 1% HP lost. ★★	Basics of Survivability -15% repair, fire, and flooding duration.	Improved Repair Party Readiness −0.8% reload time of Repair Party each time your ship receives potential damage equal to 100% of the ship's base HP. After receiving 2M HP potential damage: +1 charge of Repair Party ..	Focus Fire Training In an active priority AA sector: •  +1.5% (to 5%) immediate damage. •  +25% continuous damage. •  +1 flak burst per salvo. −10% aircraft preparation time. −15% reload time of Airstrike armament..
4	Furious 1st fire / flood   −10% Main battery reload time 2nd etc. (up to 5), each   −5% Main battery reload time ★★	Manual Secondary Battery Aiming −10% secondary battery reload time. −10% secondary battery dispersion. When firing at a manually selected target: dispersion gradually improves from -25% to -50%.	Close Quarters Combat -10% reload time of main battery if an enemy ship is spotted within secondary range.	Emergency Repair Expert Damage Control Party  and Repair Party : +1 charge (each). +10% action time . ★★	Concealment Expert -10% detectability range of the ship. ★★	Fire Prevention Expert -10% risk of fire. Three fires maximum.
Key: ★★★ - Extremely Useful      ★★ - Frequently Useful      ★ - Occasionally Useful     No stars - Not Useful

Consumables

Orion can equip the following consumables:

• Slot 1: Damage Control Party 
• Slot 2: Repair Party 

Signals

Orion can mount up to eight signal flags simultaneously. Captains looking to improve the ship’s survivability should mount India Delta () and India Yankee (). November Foxtrot () can also improve survivability by reducing the cool down timers on the repair party and damage control party consumables. Sierra Mike () is also recommended to increase the ship’s top speed.

Recommended Signal Flags
Combat
Juliet Charlie -100% to the risk of magazine detonation.	Juliet Yankee Bissotwo -20% to flooding duration. ★	India Yankee -20% to fire duration. ★★	Hotel Yankee -20% to damage received when ramming the enemy. +50% to damage dealt when ramming the enemy.	Victor Lima +1% chance for HE bombs and shells with a caliber above 160mm causing a fire. +0.5% chance for bombs and smaller shells causing a fire. +4% chance of torpedoes causing flooding.	India X-Ray +1% chance for HE bombs and shells with a caliber above 160mm causing a fire. +0.5% chance for bombs and smaller shells causing a fire. +5% to the risk of your ship's magazine detonating.
Juliet Whiskey Unaone +15% chance of causing flooding. +5% to the risk of your ship's magazine detonating.	Mike Yankee Soxisix +5% to secondary battery maximum firing range. -5% to maximum dispersion of secondary battery shells. -5% to secondary battery loading time. ★	November Echo Setteseven +5% continuous AA damage at all ranges. +5% damage from flak bursts. ★	Sierra Mike +5% to the ship's maximum speed. ★★★	November Foxtrot -5% reload time on all consumables. ★★	India Delta +20% to the amount of HP recovered when Repair Party  is used. ★★★
X-Ray Papa Unaone +10% action time of a Smoke Generator .	Sierra Bravo +10% action time of Hydroacoustic Search  -10% reload time of Defensive AA Fire .

Note: Use of the Juliet Charlie signal makes detonation impossible.

Gallery

• 

  Orion sets sail.

• 

  Orion and a friendly Iron Duke sail towards a capture point.

• 

  Orion fires a full salvo at an enemy ship in smoke.

• 
• 

  An enemy Svietlana sinks after a short battle with Orion.

Historical Info

HMS Orion, 1912

Construction

Portsmouth Royal Dockyard; Portsmouth,
   England, United Kingdom

Laid down: 29 November 1909

Launched: 20 August 1910

Commissioned: 2 January 1912

---

Specifications

21,922 tons displacement, standard

25,870 tons displacement, full

177.1m length

27m beam

9.5m draft

---

Machinery

18 Babcock & Wilcox boilers

2 Parsons steam turbines

---

Performance

21 knots at 27,000 shaft horsepower

6,730 nm at 10 knots

---

Armor

Main belt: 203-305mm

Decks: 25-102mm

Bulkheads: 76-254mm

Barbettes and Turrets: 254mm barbette,
   279mm face, 102mm roof

---

Armament

Main

Ten (5x2) 343mm/45 Mk.V(L) guns

Secondary

Sixteen (16x1) 102mm/50 Mk.VII guns

Saluting

Four (4x1) 47mm/40 Hotchkiss Mk.I cannons

Torpedoes

Three (3x1) 533mm torpedo tubes

HMS Orion at anchor at an unknown location, date likely before 1915.

History

Design

Through public demand, four more battleships and a Battlecruisers were added to the 1909/1910 Naval construction programme. The first new Battleship was authorised in April, followed by 3 more in August, these battleships would eventually form the four members of the Orion-class.

The Orion-class are often said to be the first 'super-dreadnoughts', as they are a large improvement over previous Dreadnoughts, in terms of size, armament and armour. Compared to the preceding class of Battleships in the Royal Navy, the Colossus-class, the belt armour was increased from a maximum of 279mm (11") to 305mm (12"), the forward bulkheads were thickened by an inch to 203mm and 152mm, while the aft bulkhead was increased by 2-inches to 254mm (10"). Deck armour was also more extensive, though still only reaching 102mm at a maximum due to the short ranges of engagement expected in combat. The side armour now reached to the upper deck as well, protecting more areas of the ship.

Before the previous Colossus-class design had been finalised, the decision to use a new 343mm (13.5") gun on the next class of battleships had been taken. This new gun fired a longer and heavier shell than the previous 305mm (12") guns, although it's propellant charge was lighter. The change was also made to improve the stability of the shell in flight, by keeping the muzzle velocity relatively low. This gun was known as the '12"/50 A' during development to conceal it's true calibre and improvement over previous guns. Indeed, the new battleship was seen as such an improvement that the preliminary design that became the Orion-class, 'Design L' was designated as secret before the design was finalised. The Orion-class were the first Dreadnought Battleships of the Royal Navy to have all main armament turrets placed on the centreline, allowing all ten guns on the ship to fire to each broadside, although this meant the ship was longer and displaced more than previous designs with wing turrets. Furthermore, the conning tower and main gun fire control centres were further away from the blast from the guns. The 343mm/45 Mk.V (Light shell) guns were arranged in five twin turrets in an 'A-B-Q-X-Y' layout, 2 turrets fore and aft, and an amidships turret. Additionally, three underwater 533mm torpedo tubes were carried, and sixteen 102mm (4") secondary guns were mounted, eight in the fore superstructure, and eight aft of Q-turret.

The extra armour and larger guns had made the Orion-class displace 22,250 tons standard as designed, an almost 2,000 ton difference over the Colossus-class. Although one preliminary design had a top speed of 23 knots and a standard displacement 24,250 tons, the smaller 22,250 ton design with a maximum speed of 21 knots was chosen. This 21 knot speed was achieved through 27,000 shp, provided by 2 parsons geared steam turbines, which used steam from 18 boilers. Orion, Conqueror and Thunderer used Babcock & Wilcox Boilers, while Monarch had Yarrow boilers installed instead.

Orion was laid down in November 1909, while her three sisters; Monarch, Conqueror and Thunderer followed in April 1910. Throughout their service lives, the ships were little modified, however some changes were made. The compass platform was extended over the conning tower early on, and during World War 1, the topmasts were lowered, additional armour fitted over the magazines, torpedo nets removed, and a 76mm anti aircraft gun fitted. Conqueror also received a 102mm anti aircraft gun in addition. In 1917, flying off platforms were also added to the roofs of certain turrets. At some point late in the war, three 102mm guns were removed from the aft superstructure on Conqueror at least, allowing the operation of kite balloons. A problem that persisted was the smoke and hot gasses from the fore funnel making the spotting top uncomfortable and sometimes uninhabitable at times, as the main tripod mast was positioned behind the fore funnel, instead of ahead of it.

Service

Being the name ship of her class, HMS Orion's keel was laid down first on 28th November 1909. Construction on her hull lasted until her launch on 20th August 1910, after which she spent the next one and a half years being fitted out and tested until 2nd January 1912. Upon completion, she joined the 2nd Division (later 2nd Battle Squadron) of the Home Fleet. Although spending most of her early years under repair or in exercises, Orion with her sisters almost had a chance to engage in combat when the German light cruiser SMS Stralsund was spotted, part of the force that bombarded British seaside towns earlier, but fire was withheld seeking orders from a senior commander. Until the Battle of Jutland, Orion and her sisters took part in exercises and supported the raid on Tondern Zeppelin base. In 1915, it was decided that Orion would be fitted with a fire director for her 102mm secondary guns, though this didn't happen until 1918. Also in 1915, Orion received a main battery fire director, which showed improved shell dispersion patterns.

During the legendary Battle of Jutland during the night from 31th May to 1st July 1916, HMS Orion participated as the flagship of the 2nd Battle Squadron, as the fifth ship in the Grand Fleet's line of battle. When first engaging the German fleet, Orion fired four salvos at the German König-class Battleship SMS Markgraf scoring one direct hit which destroyed a Secondary gun, and one close hit which most likely damaged one of Markgraf's screws. When she later engaged the German Battlecruiser Lützow and the destroyer SMS G38 together with HMS Monarch, a total of five hits were scored on the German vessel, and it's unclear which ship scored which hit.

After Jutland, the normal patrols and exercises resumed, and after a brief stint in the 3rd Battle Squadron, Orion was transferred to the reserve fleet in November 1919. She became a gunnery training ship in June 1921, but on 12th April 1922 HMS Orion was sold to be scrapped in accordance with the Washington Naval Treaty, and in February next year she arrived in Queenborough, Kent, where she was scrapped.

Orion's sisters career's mirrored that of Orion. All four ships were assigned to the 2nd Battle Squadron, and operated as a unit throughout the war, including at Jutland. None of the ships were damaged, and all four were assigned to the reserve fleet after the war. They were disposed of in the 1920s after the Washington Naval Treaty. All earned a single battle honour for the Battle of Jutland.

HMS Monarch was completed in April 1912, and at Jutland as the sixth ship in line, scored a hit on the battleship SMS König, and also engaged SMS Lützow, scoring hits and causing severe damage, including disabling two main guns, cutting power to the aft turret and flooding. In 1920-1921, Monarch was used to transfer troops to the Mediterranean and back. Between 1923 and 1925, Monarch was hulked and used as a target ship, and on 21st January 1915, was sunk after 9 hours of bombardment from Royal Navy ships, including Hood, Repulse and Revenge.

HMS Conqueror was completed in November 1912, and in December 1914 accidentally rammed Monarch, requiring 3 months repair. She was the seventh ship in line at Jutland, and first fired at unidentified German Battleships, before switching to the crippled light cruiser SMS Wiesbaden although the number of hits, if any, are unknown. After firing upon German Destroyers, she didn't fire again in the battle. Conqueror relieved Orion as flagship of the reserve fleet in 1921, but was also sold for scrap in 1922, and arrived at Upnor, Kent in January 1923 for breaking up.

HMS Thunderer was completed in June 1912, and in December of that year, took part in a shoot out with Orion to prove the effectiveness of the gunnery director that had been fitted to Thunderer, which proved successful. At the Battle of Jutland, Thunderer was the eighth ship from the head of the line, and fired upon Wiesbaden as well as unidentified Battleships. In 1920, Thunderer was also used as a troop ferry, but in 1921, was converted to a training ship and had half of her 102mm secondary guns. In 1926, Thunderer was the last of the class to be retired, and was sold for scrap in Blyth, Northumberland later that year, although she had to be lightened significantly twice in Rosyth, Scotland before finally entering Blyth in April 1927.

Historical Inaccuracies

• Orion is represented in game in a fictional, partially-rebuilt condition, though the basis for the model is Orion from approximately 1914/15, and not post-WW1, when a rebuild would have taken place.
• The 120 mm/40 QF Mk VIII and 102 mm/45 QF Mk XIX guns entered service in 1927 and 1936 respectively; Orion was scrapped in 1923.
• The area that the above 120 mm (4-inch) guns occupy is actually a lifeboat deck.
• Orion had 3 of her 102 mm (4-inch) secondary guns removed from her after superstructure in 1916, yet she retains all 16 in game.
• Orion's normal top speed was 21 knots, not 22 knots.
• Orion historically had a spotting top atop her mainmast, not a rangefinder as in game.
• Despite having the fictional rangefinder on the mainmast, the topmasts are in pre-1915 tall condition.
• No 40mm (2-pdr) or 12.7mm AA machine guns were ever added to the ship.
• Orion’s pair of 3-inch (76 mm) anti-aircraft guns — which she received in October 1914 - are missing.
• Flying-off platforms on the roofs of "B" and "Q" turret are missing; these were added in 1917.
• Orion's 3 underwater torpedo tubes are neither modelled or usable in game.

Historical Gallery

• 

  Orion at anchor, about 1913.

• 

  Aft main-gun turrets of Orion, about 1911 while fitting out.

• 

  Revenge stuck on Orion's bow, 7 January 1912.

• 

  Orion at anchor before 1915.

• 

  Aerial view of an Orion-class battleship, probably Orion herself, under way after May 1915 as the gunnery director is visible under her spotting top and her torpedo net booms have been removed.

• 

  Orion and the destroyer Musketeer under way, 1918.

• 

  The four Orion-class battleships in line ahead formation, after 1915.

References

1. HMS Orion (1910) - Wikipedia
2. Orion-class battleship - Wikipedia

Ship Change Log

See here for links to Update notes.

Testing Changes

• August 15, 2017:
  • The AP shell fuse delay was reduced from 0.033 to 0.015 s.

• Introduced into the game as a researchable ship in Update 0.6.10.
  • Players who received Blueprint II from the British Battleships Mission chain during Update 0.6.9 were credited Orion upon the release of Update 0.6.10.
• Update 0.6.12:
  • Detectability when firing main guns in smoke changed to 12.11 km.
• Update 0.6.13:
  • Minor fixes to ship geometry and textures.
• Update 0.7.4:
  • Sigma reduced from 1.8 to 1.6.
• Update 0.8.5:
  • Credit earnings decreased by -5%.
  • Experience earnings decreased by -5%.
• Update 0.9.2:
  • Base main battery firing range was reduced from 15.18 to 14.7 km.
• Update 0.9.3:
  • Base main battery firing range was reduced from 14.7 to 14.4 km.
• Update 0.10.0:
  • The firing range of the secondary battery was increased to 4 km.

Ships of U.K.

Battleships