NationStates Jolt Archive

Three vessels, the first of the DKN's new Shearwater-class have recently completed their shakedown cruises and are entering active service. The DKS Shearwater, Bonadventure, and Xenophon are expected to form the vanguard for a new generation of battleships.

- Kotterdam News Service

Shearwater-Class Battleship (BBN)

Builders VanDoos Shipyards
Propulsion
2 Landyne LV-425 Nuclear Reactors
2 Controllable-Reversible Pitch Propellers
2 Rudders
Length Overall: 285 meters
Speed 36 knots
Aircraft
Two SH-60 Sea Hawk helicopters
Armament
1 MK 7 AEGIS Weapons System
250 VLS Cells (Tomahawk ASM/LAM)
80 VLS Cells (Standard Missile - MR)
20 VLS Cells (Anti-Submarine Rocket)
50 VLS Cells (Harpoon Missile)
2 MK 32 MOD 14 Torpedo Tubes - 12 MK-46 torpedoes
3 Viking Military Arms Mk. 12 16" Semi-Automatic Battleship Rifles
4 MK 15 MOD 2 Close-in-Weapons Systems (CIWS) (Retractable)
1 MK 36 MOD 2 Super Rapid-Blooming Off-Board Chaff System
Combat Systems
1 AN/SPY-1B(V) Multi-Function Radar
1 AN/SPS-49(V)8 Air Search Radar
1 AN/SPS-55 Surface Search Radar
1 AN/SPS-64(V)9 Navigation Radar
1 AN/SPS-9 Gun Fire Control Radar
4 AN/SPS-62 Illuminators
1 AN/SQS-53C Hull Mounted SONAR
1 AN/SQR-19B Towed Array SONAR (TACTAS)
1 AN/SLQ-32A(V)3 Electronic Warfare Suite

Crew 36 Officers, 510 Enlisted
Unit Replacement Cost $1,250,000,000 ($1.25 Billion)

Notes

The new Shearwater-class of battleship coming into service with the Dominion of Kotterdam Navy is designed to fill a gap caused by the lack of sufficient numbers of the so-called Armoury Ships. Designed to provide fire support to land engagement as well as forming the core of a conventional surface action group.

Built with low-radar-observability hull geometry and incorporating the latest in radar absorbing materials, the Shearwater is a virtual ghost on the waves. Her radar systems are equivalent to those on the Ticonderoga (CG-47) class Guided Missile Cruiser but for one important distinction: The radar systems of a Shearwater-class vessel include an LPI, or Low Probability of Intercept mode, allowing them to function at reduced power levels and still return reliable data without giving away the battleship's location.

Finally, in a relatively unique move for a modern vessel, the Shearwater includes three high-calibre battleship rifles. These weapons can be computer aimed and maintain a rate of fire of forty five rounds per minute per gun, a total of 135 rounds per minute. This allows the Shearwater to devastate targets even without the use of her more modern arsenal.

We will purchase one for sea trials.

Please place a further 14 on hold, and if necessary, a deposit can be made towards them.


<$1,250,000,000 wired>

I would like to make a contract for five of these magnificent ships...

A total of $6.25 billion has been wired...

We will purchase one for sea trials.

Please place a further 14 on hold, and if necessary, a deposit can be made towards them.


<$1,250,000,000 wired>

Your order is confirmed. You may expect the first vessel within one NS year. In addition, we would be more than happy to commence basic assembly on the additional fourteen vessels, however we will require a deposit of no less than $250,000,000 for each keel laid down. Of course, when you take possession of the new vessels, you will only be required to pay one billion each. $3,500,000,000 may be wired at your discression.

I would like to make a contract for five of these magnificent ships...

A total of $6.25 billion has been wired...

Excellent. You will recieve your vessels within the next NS year.

We will purchase one for sea trials.

Please place a further 14 on hold, and if necessary, a deposit can be made towards them.


<$1,250,000,000 wired>

Your order is confirmed. You may expect the first vessel within one NS year. In addition, we would be more than happy to commence basic assembly on the additional fourteen vessels, however we will require a deposit of no less than $250,000,000 for each keel laid down. Of course, when you take possession of the new vessels, you will only be required to pay one billion each. $3,500,000,000 may be wired at your discression.

<$4,000,000,000 wired>

Consider it a $500,000,000 bonus for allowing us to undergo trials before we deploy the vesels into active service.

We thank you for your generosity. As a courtesy, we will notify you in the future when we have completed the design of planned escort vessels for this craft.

We thank you for your generosity. As a courtesy, we will notify you in the future when we have completed the design of planned escort vessels for this craft.

We will seriously consider these new vessels. Please keep us informed.

Sea trials have been a success. Please confirm our order for the remaining ships.

<Money Wired>

Affirmative. Normally an order of 14 vessels would take two NS years (2 RL days), but thanks to your foresight in requesting that construction be begun on these vessels at the time of your initial order, delivery will be completed before the end of this year. A pleasure doing business with you.