NationStates Jolt Archive


Secret IC: PIW developing heavy combat transport ship

Sarzonia
31-01-2005, 15:07
Normandy-class heavy combat transport ship
Length: 184 m; Beam: 29.7 m; Draught: 5.7 m
Displacement: 26,260 tons
Complement: 355 sailors and officers; can transport up to 600 soldiers.
Armament: One 11 inch ETC gun mounted in single turret in B position;
One 250 mm mortar mounted in A position;
2 x 48 cell Mk. 41 VLS launchers;
2 x 'Silver' ASW and ASuW torpedo launchers
4 x 100 mm guns in single turrets port and starboard
6 x 35 mm Millennium Gun CIWS mounted port and starboard
Protection: 255 mm advanced armour composite (titanium, aluminum, steel, nickel and ballistic ceramics); double-bottomed keel; hardened crossbeams installed across bulkheads; some void spaces used to add protection to sensitive areas. Ship is designed to minimize radar cross section. Survivability features added include fragmentation and nuclear blast protection and shock-hardened structure.
Cargo/Troop Transport: Two Landing Craft Air Cushioned can be accomodated, along with 10 Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicles. Three vehicle decks of 22,310 square feet. Two cargo holds capable of holding 22,750 cubic feet of storage. Can also carry a total of 1,106 cubic meters of cargo fuel.
Countermeasures: Mk 53 Nulka-similar decoy system (used as a hovering rocket to draw missiles away from the ship); two ASW and ASuW decoys; detection and jamming system providing surveillance, warning, and electronic countermeasures against missile attacks.
Sensors: Surface-search radar; three-dimensional air search radar; surface surveillance and tracking radar.
Propulsion: Four diesel engines developing 10,550 hp each; 23 knots sustained speed. Range is 5,600 nm at 14 knots.
Price: $1.3 billion.

The Normandy-class heavy combat transport ship is designed with two aims in mind. One, to deliver troops as safely and efficently as possible. Toward that end, it is protected by a composite armour scheme that allows for excellent survivability. In addition, hardened crossbeams along the bulkheads and a shock-hardened structure make this one of the most survivable ships in the ISN.

Secondly, this ship can also provide surface bombardment with its 11 inch gun and its 250 mm mortar. It includes several weapons systems to ensure that it can not only take a licking, but deliver one as well.

[OOC: I used the San Antonio-class as a rough guide for designing this. It has some of the features mentioned (namely the shock-hardened structure and nuclear blast protection) and the cargo holds actually carry more, but I made up for that with allowances for weapons since this is intended to be able to support offensive operations as well as defend itself from attack.

Again, my usual OOC reasons for secret IC apply: Constructive feedback is encouraged.]
Verdant Archipelago
31-01-2005, 15:48
OOC: A very nice ship. Perhaps a tad heavily armed, but that's really a matter of style and doctrine rather than feasibility. But unless you're in the habit of leaving amphibious assault transports unescorted... I can't help but think that the escorts would do a better job fighting ships. The 11 inch mount and mortar are good, but the VLS cells? UNless they're filled entirely with SAMs... I'd think attaching an arsenal ship would be more efficient.

It's a bit slow... check out FASTSHIP technology... with a change to the hull design, you could make 40 knots easily.

Eh. I tend to leave the fighting to the escorts... means the transport is a lower priority target =) But a very nice efficient design if you like arming your transports. Well done!
Sarzonia
31-01-2005, 20:35
OOC: Thanks for the comments VA. I appreciate them! I'm designing this for someone and he wanted the transport well-armed, so it's a matter of doctrine. I also wanted the thing well-protected, which is one of my doctrines.

I'll have to look into FASTSHIP technology, but pure speed wasn't the first consideration. The San Antonio plods along at roughly 22 knots sustained according to the information that's out there about her.
Sarzonia
03-02-2005, 16:28
bump
Verdant Archipelago
03-02-2005, 16:46
OOC That's true.. and FASTSHIPs need large powerplants... but I think the speed's worth it. *shrug* it's a tradeoff.

And I'm glad you take my comments in the spirit they're intended. Some people get offended, which I really don't want. If I'm ever too agressive, you can just tell me to bugger off =)