Tolvan
22-12-2007, 05:54
The Commonwealth of Tolvan is liquidating its fleet of 20 Bay class escort carriers to make room for the new Nemesis class light carrier. Additionally, new build vessels are available for the first time since 1982.
The Bay class escort carrier was originally designed in 1973 to provide an inexpensive and effective platform for ASW and convoy escort roles. The ship’s are not fitted with catapults and thus cannot operate CTOL aircraft, however they are fitted with a 13.5° “ski jump” ramp to facilitate the launching of S/VTOL aircraft. The carriers originally embarked AV-8C Harriers, but these were replaced in 2005 with F-35B S/VTOL strike fighters. The addition of the F-35B allowed the carrier’s air wing to move beyond a simply defensive role and allowed them to conduct limited strike missions.
All Bay class carriers are well maintained and have been upgraded multiple times over their lives to keep them from becoming obsolete. Most of the carriers have spent at least part of their service lives in mothballs (the ship’s rotate in and out to simultaneously minimize wear and tear and keep the ships active , the average trime in reserve is 8 years out of an average service life of 23 years). New build vessels are of course in pristine condition.
While the Bay class certainly doesn’t compare to a full fledged fleet carrier, it is an economical option for convoy and sea control duties and with some modifications can even serve as a LPH for amphibous operations. The Bay class is also an excellent choise for smaller nations or for nations with purely defensive militaries.
Specifications:
Length: 225 m
Beam: 40 m
Draught: 9.5 m
Displacement: 18,250 tons standard, 22,55 tons fully loaded
Crew: ship’s complement – 725, air wing – 425, Marines – up to 500
Power: 4x Tolvanic Marine Engineering gas turbines 115,000 shp turning two shafts
Speed: cruising – 19 knots, flank – 29 knots
Range: 7,250 knots at 19 knots
Weapons: 2x Mk 25 “Backstop” 35mm CIWS, 2x M126 24 round RAM launchers, 2x AGD-253B “Jabberwockey” decoy launchers
Air Wing:
Convoy Escort – 12x F-35B S/VTOL strike fighters, 9x SH-60F ASW helos, 3x EH-60B AEW helos
ASW – 9x F-35B S/VTOL strike fighters, 15x SH-60F ASW helos
LPH – 6x F-35B S/VTOL strike fighters, 6x AH-1Z Cobra attack helos, 12x UH-60 cargo helos
Cost:
Existing ship: $350 million, $425 million with air wing
New build: $525 million, $600 million with air wing
As with all Tolvanic military equipment communist nations are banned from purchasing this vessel.
Smaller nations may be eligible for reduced prices as military aid.
The Bay class escort carrier was originally designed in 1973 to provide an inexpensive and effective platform for ASW and convoy escort roles. The ship’s are not fitted with catapults and thus cannot operate CTOL aircraft, however they are fitted with a 13.5° “ski jump” ramp to facilitate the launching of S/VTOL aircraft. The carriers originally embarked AV-8C Harriers, but these were replaced in 2005 with F-35B S/VTOL strike fighters. The addition of the F-35B allowed the carrier’s air wing to move beyond a simply defensive role and allowed them to conduct limited strike missions.
All Bay class carriers are well maintained and have been upgraded multiple times over their lives to keep them from becoming obsolete. Most of the carriers have spent at least part of their service lives in mothballs (the ship’s rotate in and out to simultaneously minimize wear and tear and keep the ships active , the average trime in reserve is 8 years out of an average service life of 23 years). New build vessels are of course in pristine condition.
While the Bay class certainly doesn’t compare to a full fledged fleet carrier, it is an economical option for convoy and sea control duties and with some modifications can even serve as a LPH for amphibous operations. The Bay class is also an excellent choise for smaller nations or for nations with purely defensive militaries.
Specifications:
Length: 225 m
Beam: 40 m
Draught: 9.5 m
Displacement: 18,250 tons standard, 22,55 tons fully loaded
Crew: ship’s complement – 725, air wing – 425, Marines – up to 500
Power: 4x Tolvanic Marine Engineering gas turbines 115,000 shp turning two shafts
Speed: cruising – 19 knots, flank – 29 knots
Range: 7,250 knots at 19 knots
Weapons: 2x Mk 25 “Backstop” 35mm CIWS, 2x M126 24 round RAM launchers, 2x AGD-253B “Jabberwockey” decoy launchers
Air Wing:
Convoy Escort – 12x F-35B S/VTOL strike fighters, 9x SH-60F ASW helos, 3x EH-60B AEW helos
ASW – 9x F-35B S/VTOL strike fighters, 15x SH-60F ASW helos
LPH – 6x F-35B S/VTOL strike fighters, 6x AH-1Z Cobra attack helos, 12x UH-60 cargo helos
Cost:
Existing ship: $350 million, $425 million with air wing
New build: $525 million, $600 million with air wing
As with all Tolvanic military equipment communist nations are banned from purchasing this vessel.
Smaller nations may be eligible for reduced prices as military aid.