NationStates Jolt Archive

Tallenpoint's Navy Seeks Burke Replacement

Brian Bell
Columnist, Jutsham Post
February 17; 4:30 PM
_________________________

http://www.c7f.navy.mil/news/2007/april/070410_Forming/images/070409-N-9851B-003.jpg
Two Arleigh Burke Class Destroyers in the service of the Tallenport Navy patrol the ocean

After some 21 years within the service of the Navy, the nation of Tallenpoint has finally seen fit to searching for a replacement of their Arleigh Burke Class Guided Missile Destroyers. Seeing as President Johnson promised military downsizing when he was elected, there was quite a fuss when the Secretary of Defense, Gene Perry, announced that Tallenpoint would be offering a procurement contract for a new Destroyer. After Perry announced the plan in detail, however, he had won the crowd over. Instead of increasing the military budget, the goal of the project was to "reduce costs by making more out of less." According to Perry, the new Destroyers will be "more potent in smaller numbers," and that they would be "competent against a wider variety of threats." In such ways, the Navy of Tallenport would be able to procure fewer ships while still maintaining the same presence on the seas, which although not world-shattering, is very good in its role: homeland defense. Perry stated that when the bone of the situation was exposed, "it would be just as expensive to perform the necessary repairs and apply the much needed update packages to the Burkes" as it would be "to procure a new warship."

With regards to the contract, there were very few limitations placed on the companies who would enter the contest. One of the few was that the ship was to be roughly the size of the Arleigh Burke class, although a slight deviation would be satisfactory. With regards to the weaponry, it needs to have a CIWS whose performance exceeds that of the acclaimed "Kashtan," meaning that a simple Phalanx will not do the trick. Finally, the ship was to be suitable for all roles of modern naval combat - Anti-Submarine Warfare, Anti-Surface Warfare, and Anti-Air Warfare. While the phrase "jack of all trades, master of none," will surely apply to the finished product, it should be competent enough in every area to hold its own in the blue water it ill be sharing with many other nations shortly. Other than that, everything was left up to the individual contractor. The contract, which would initially pay out $21 Billion Dollars, would have the possibility for the expansion to roughly $50 Billion Dollars depending on how well the first ships performed.

The government has announced that they will be using some of their amassed reserves in this purchase as to not borrow from the private market. In this way, economist Alfred Winchester says, the government hopes to "avoid the burdens of the crowding-out effect and its diminishing private investment, investment which has been stimulated recently due to a reduction of the Required Reserve Ratio." Johnson hopes to justify his spending by making its economic impact as small as possible, while hoping that his investment will more than pay off militarily.

Bump

OOC: Since I'm feeling rather lazy at the moment, I will post my destroyer later. My advice to you is too find the various storefronts that other nations have posted. That way you'll at least get an idea of what people are using.

Griffincrest would like to present the Charon (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=12123521&postcount=1). It is inexpensive easy to maintain, and a powerful addition to any navy. What do ya think?

bump?

bump for more entries

Type 46 Parish Class Nuclear Destroyer [DGN]
History: The Type 38 Principal Destroyer had been dissapointing to the Royal Navy, and its construction lines were not even finished, although the vessel held an excellent export record. Firstly, its automation was particularly outstanding and crew quarters were not sufficient. Secondly sensors and armament were powerful but rather standard and not the top of the line that the R.N had come to expect. Also, her engine was particularly inefficient and was expensive in terms of fuel. These problems were considered not entirely important until a low-ranking naval officer sparked a Navy-wide debate about a Nuclear Fleet. After huge consideration and a massive support funding scheme from the Commons, it was decided that over the course of 35 years the Royal Navy would be converted to an all-nuclear navy. The Type 46 Parish Class, designed to replace the Type 38 is the first nuclear destroyer in the history of the Royal Navy, providing unlimited fuel range and 75 days of endurance.

Design: The ship's enclosed mast mirrors previous R.N designs used famously in the Mogami and Town Class Air Defence Cruisers. Inside the enclosed mast the S.105D system houses a D-Band Tracking and Acquisition R.A.D.A.R and an S band Volume Search R.A.D.A.R which work in tandem to provide 360 degrees coverage of the vessel. Together they can detect missiles and aircraft at a range of between 350 and 400km and can track up to a thousand targets at any one time. The Active Electronically Scanned Array nature of these R.A.D.A.R. means they are nigh on impossible to jam and can make their own attempts at electronic warfare, not that the ship already has a highly suitable E.W package for defence of a battle's cyberspace and for attacking missiles and aircraft and even ships.

The two missile batteries mounted centreline and fore represent the Parish Class's main punch. The fore battery of 16 Mk.930 cells each a square metre in diametre and 8.5 metres deep and cold launched can either quad-pack S.A.M.s or light A.Sh.M.s or single-store large A.Sh.M.s or weapons like the SA.18S Heron, meaning that the Parish Class can engage any target it is fitted to attack. The centreline are only appropriate for S.A.M.s, and can either quad-pack S.A.M.s like the SA.34F or single pack the much longer ranged SA.38E. Either way, the load-out of the Parish class can always reflect its role in an accurate and deadly manner typical of Questarian design.

The two MG-50 mounts on the rear, one starboard and one port flank the hangar exit. The MG-50 is a ubiquitous mounting that can use a variety of weapons for any role. These include:
Cannons: single/dual//triple, 55/45mm, 30/27/25mm, 20mm
Recoilless Rifles: 60mm, 80mm, 105mm
ATGMs: All ATGMs
Various Rocket Launchers
Mortars: 45mm, 60mm, 72mm, 80mm
Napalm Flamethrowers
Anti Sub: RBUs, Depth Charge Throwers
Machine Guns: 7.62mm chaingun, dual/quad 14.5mm/12.7mm
Torpedo Launchers: dual/triple 200mm
For aircraft and boats, it was decided that the hangar would house two large H.E.L.O.s - in the instance provided, a pair of Westland Supermarine Strongbow helicopters - and six deployable assault R.I.B.s that means the marine complement can attack shore or ship targets, and even extra marines can be embarked for these missions if neccessary. The H.E.L.O. complement and its aircrew also provides an air-subsurface contingent, which means that even if all weapons are tied up in anti-air and anti-ship duties the ship still maintains a sizable and notable anti-submarine presence, an important factor in its role of General Purpose. Torpedo launchers can lay mines, as can the Helicopters, which makes the vessel excellent in sea, subsurface, and air denial operations.
Picture (COPYRIGHT MATT LABUNDA 2008): Link (http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk182/GB_Mattbucket/Warships/QUE_DDG_PARISH.png)

Dimensions:
Length (Overall): 153m
Length (Waterline): 145m
Beam (Overall): 12m
Beam (Waterline): 10.5m
Draught: 7.5m
Depth: 14.5m

Tonnage:
Tonnage (Empty): 4,950t
Tonnage (Normal): 5,750t
Tonnage (Full): 6,250t

Propulsion:
Powerplant: 1 x Beaufort Electrics&Atomics Pressurised-Water Nuclear Reactors
Boilers: 2 x Sandakan Hydraulic Machine Company Steam Turbines
Shafts: 2 x Shafts
Screws: 2 x Jackson-Macdonald J.M W-156 Waterjets
Rudders: 1 x Rudder
Horsepower: 105,00SHP

Speed:
Speed (Cruise): 30 knots
Speed (Full Ahead): 36 knots
Range (Cruise): Unlimited

Complement:
Officers: Officers
Sailors: 180
Aircrew: 28
Marines: 14+38
Endurance: 75 days
Boats: 6 x deployable assault R.I.B.s, 60 x inflatable escape boats

Armament:
Guns: 1 x RP-12 127mm rapid-fire naval rifle, 2 x M-50 mounting
Missiles: 16 x Mk.930 Cold Launch VLS (1x1x8.5m), 49 x Mk.360 Hot Launch VLS (.5x.5x5m), 1 x 28-shot Mk.445 rolling airframe launcher
Point Defence: 3 x dual 50mm 'fast-fifty' autocannon
Torpedoes: 4 x 330mm T.T. with 28 torpedoes or 46 mines
Countermeasures: 8 x 6-barrel Mk.120 CHAff/FLAre Countermeasure System with 10 reloads per barrel

Sensors:
R.A.D.A.R.: Forward ennclosed mast with S.105D A.E.S.A.-M.F.-R.A.D.A.R. SA.660C M.R.W.R., S.606 O.T.H.-E.S.M. Suite
S.O.N.A.R.: S.505A Hull S.O.N.A.R
Navigation: N.11050 Navigation R.A.D.AR, N.11060 Navigation G.P.S System
Fire Control: Rear enclosed mast with S.3220 Fire Director Suite, S.102 Multirole Target Coordination and Relay Piece, S.998FC Fire Control System
Electronic Warfare: Rear enclosed mast and rear radomes, E.95P Electronic Warfare Attack Coordinator, S.365EP EPM Defensive Hard/Software
Command & Control: Various C&C systems

Aircraft:
Hangar Space: 2 x Large H.E.L.O.
Fixed Wing Aircraft: None
Rotary Aircraft: 2 x Large H.E.L.O.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: None

Cost:
Per Unit: $1.75bn
Yearly Maintenance: $40mn

Country Class Multirole Destroyer
Image copyright me 2008 and such (http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/8130/pi1countryclasspm5.png)
And yeah, that scale is pi:1. Yes, it hurts the mind.

With the cost of operating the Heisen class Destroyer rising with each consecutive block, the NENS saw a need for a new intermediate design to fill the gap between the venerable Whirlwind Frigates and the new Heisen Block III Redwood class Destroyers. The resulting design, dubbed the Country Class, is a respectable mid-line destroyer capable of performing any duty such would entail. The Country also sports a radar cross section reducing hullform. While nowhere near as efficient as the hullform on ships such as the La Fayette, this hull ensures that the Country has a reduced signature compared to a more conventional design.

The Country Class possesses a universal weapons mount fore, which is normally fitted with a 130mm gun. However, this can be replaced with other weapons if necessary, though it process is time consuming. Immediately aft of the mount is an 8*8 VLS system, providing a more than capable reserve of missiles for the ship. With a 75 centimeter diameter and a depth of 6.5 meters, these tubes can mount most weapons that could be desired. Further aft, four armored box launchers shelter 1m*1m*8m tubes, the main offensive punch of the Country Class. These large weapons are capable of penetrating the armor of almost any ship the vessel is expected to engage in combat with. Finally, at the aft end of the vessel, a four tube medium range SAM launcher provides extended range to the CIWS systems. The CIWS systems consist of the aforementioned as well as four 40mm chainguns, connected to large below-deck magazines.

For anti-submarine warfare, the Country was lengthened from its original concept design to allow the inclusion of a spacious hangar facility on the back of the vessel. This can hold two reasonably large ASW choppers, as well as their associated maintenance equipment.

The Country Class is powered by a series of steam turbines, with boilers capable of burning petrol or coal. As such, range is as limited as any other conventional craft, but with cheap fuel costs and high top speed of thirty five knots, these craft can leave most ships far behind. With a range of almost six thousand nautical miles at twenty knots, these ships can cross the vast distances in NSEarth with ease at low cost.

Price: 1.2 billion, Crew 150

OOC: I had a lengthy post written up but Jolt ate it. Before I go to the trouble of rewriting it, would you be interested at all in a vessel based o nthe KDX-III which is itself based on the Arleigh Burke?

Type 81 Cavalier-class Destroyer

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v387/Praetonia/CavalierclassDD-Final.png

History: As part of the Year 335[PRP] Construction Programme, a competition was begun for the Future Standard Destroyer, a specification intended to provide the future general purpose escort for the Imperial Navy, primarily for the purpose of providing fleet and theatre air defence, but also for providing anti-submarine and surface warfare capability. The competition was won by Randolph Maritime Defence Engineering Ltd.'s Cavalier-class and a War Office contract was issued to seven seperate naval constructors to deliver units from several hundred shipyards. The last Type 81 unit, PWS Royal George, was commissioned into the navy in the presence of His Majesty in celebration of His Silver Jubilee following the traditional Fleet Review.

Now that production for the Praetonian navy is complete, the ship is being offered for sale by the contracted yards to foreign powers.

Overview: The Type 81 represents Praetonian maritime engineering's attempt to create a premier general purpose destroyer. The ship mounts the most capable RADAR developed for an IPN escort, a dual S and X band phased array in an enclosed mast mounted just aft of the bridge, capable of detecting and tracking targets at long range. Unlike contemporary Questerian and Willinkian destroyers, this set-up provides continual 360deg coverage with both the Volume Search S band and Multi-Function X band radars.

The system is responsible for surface search and tracking, air search and tracking, close-in defence against missiles, satellite communications, aircraft control, target illumination and electronic warfare. This sensor system is the centrepiece of the Cavalier's capabilities and represents a significant improvement in IPN information gathering capabilities.

Supplementing this system are a number of secondary antenna for communications and aircraft control and two major electronic warfare antennae. The ship is equipped with a dual band bow sonar and outfitted to receive a towed array sonar for long range search and tracking of submarine targets.

The vessel's primary armament consists of a two VLS arrays, a 100-cell array mounted on the forecastle and a smaller 36 cell system mounted aft behind the hangar. This system can receive SAMs, SSMs, ASROCs or land-attack missiles. Gun CIWS have been entirely abandoned in favour of eight-packed light missiles stored alongside normal ammunition in regular VLS cells. Just aft of the forward VLS array are two four-cell canister blocks that are used to carry SSMs in Praetonian service, freeing up deep VLS cells for SAMs.

The ship's gun armament consists of two 4.5" rapid fire Joint Littoral Gun systems, one mounted on the forecastle and the other positioned aft on a reinforced mount above the hangar. The system is fired and reloaded automatically at a rate of up to 200 rounds per minute. With a dual ammunition feed, it either fires a 22kg "High Charge" direct fire munition for use against land targets and littoral boats, or a 28kg "Low Charge" mortar round for use in the torpedo defence role. 500 rounds are carried for each weapon.

The ship is equipped with two torpedo tubes mounted below the waterline fore, primarily for the purposes of deploying naval mines but with a secondary use in ASW and torpedo defence if suitably equipped. In addition to its own armament, each Type 81 can maintain two medium or one heavy helicopter in its hangaring facilities, used in Praetonian service in the anti-submarine warfare role.

Length (overall): 174m
Length (waterline): 166m
Beam: 19.2m
Draught: 9.8m
Displacement (standard): 11,258t
Complement: 267

Machinery: 4x Imperial Oil & Gas Churchill Gas Turbines; 2 shafts; 100MWs
Speed (sprint): 33kts
Endurance (conventional): 17,000km @ 15kts

Armament:
Gun
2x1 4.5" Joint Littoral Gun System (500rnds/gun)
Missile
2x 4 cell [2x2] VMLS-C batteries fore
Standard load: Sea Lance SSM
1x 100 cell [10x10] VMLS80 battery fore (8.00x0.55x0.55m)
Standard load: Sea Dart SMM eight-pack, Sea Arrow SAM, Sea Lance SSM, Sea Harpoon ASWM
1x 36 cell [6x6] VMLS80 battery fore (8.00x0.55x0.55m)
Standard load: Sea Dart SMM eight-pack, Sea Arrow SAM, Sea Lance SSM, Sea Harpoon ASWM
100x Countermeasure Dispensers
Torpedo
2x 760mm TT fore below waterline
Standard load: Sea Cat, Sea Mantis

Aviation: 2x helicopters 10-15t range with hangaring
Landing Pad: 500m^2

Electronics:
Imperial Electric CHEESECAKE dual-band RADAR
Imperial Electric BATTENBERG EW package
Uxbridge Instruments TOAST IR-band sensors
Uxbridge Instruments CRUMPET satellite transceiver
Redbridge Asdic BUTTER RS-8462 bow sonar
Redbridge Asdic JAM RS-9472 towed array sonar


Build Cost: $1,700,000,000
Maintenance per annum: $60,000,000
Export Price: $2,000,000,000

Tallenpoint Leaning Towards Praetonian Ship; Open to New Entrants

Brian Bell
Columnist, Jutsham Post
February 27; 4:30 PM
_________________________

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v387/Praetonia/CavalierclassDD-Final.png
A drawing of the Praetonian entrant into Tallenpoint's ship competition

In a brief address to the media this afternoon, Minister of Defense Gene Perry stated that "while most of the entrants so far were of superior quality," the Navy was leaning towards the "Type 81 Cavalier-class Destroyer from the nation of Praetonia to be the premier destroyer of Tallenpoint in the future." The Questarian ship had been ruled out within the first few cuts, as Tallenpoint is "extremely concerned with the effects of nuclear power upon the ever shifting environment," especially it's possible "detrimental effects upon the wildlife of Tallenpoint that much of the population holds dear."

Particularly appealing about the Cavalier-class was it's notable RADAR suite. According to the manufacturer's promotional guide, the class sports "continual 360deg coverage with both the Volume Search S band and Multi-Function X band radars." To the average reader, this may not mean much, but to a man of teh Navy, this can be the difference between life and death. Although it does not contain a "Kashtan" comparable CIWS, the Navy believes that the VLS missiles that can be used for point defense will do the trick just as well if not better. The ship's all around functionality has placed it at the forefront of this ship building race.

As for the other ships, the contestant from No endorse has not been ruled out, as of yet, as it is the most economical of the ships by far. The contestant from the Blackhelm Confederation, however, seems to be out of luck. Shortly after the Questarian ship was scratched, the Charon-class was removed for "overall ineptitude with regards to modern naval warfare." Perry did note, however, that the competition was "not closed yet," and that "new entrants would be welcomed in full." The impression is, however, that the ships will have a to make a good showing if they hope to surpass the Cavalier-class.

OOC: I had a lengthy post written up but Jolt ate it. Before I go to the trouble of rewriting it, would you be interested at all in a vessel based o nthe KDX-III which is itself based on the Arleigh Burke?

OOC: Possibly, but I'd have to see it first. I posted an IC post but I have to wait for moderator approval

OOC: Possibly, but I'd have to see it first. I posted an IC post but I have to wait for moderator approval

OOC: Seeing as how I've scrapped my Type 30s (upgraded Burkes) in favor of Praetonian Type 81s and Questarian Type 38s, I doubt I'll post anything.

ooc

moderator approval

that a jolt safeguard

to stop getting that,you need it go to the spam forum and post there till you past ten (think thats the number) and you stop getting that message

OOC: Seeing as how I've scrapped my Type 30s (upgraded Burkes) in favor of Praetonian Type 81s and Questarian Type 38s, I doubt I'll post anything.

OOC: No problem them

ooc



that a jolt safeguard

to stop getting that,you need it go to the spam forum and post there till you past ten (think thats the number) and you stop getting that message

What? Can you say that again in english?

Spooner Class Stealth Anti-Submarine Destroyer(SASD)

Overview

The NAVALCON's Spooner Class destroyer is a screening vessel optimized for littoral combat and specialized in escort, air defense and anti-submarine warfare roles but also capable of significant anti-shipping and to support larger vessels in ground strike, essential as a complement of capital ships in modern warfare and capable of providing all the necessary capabilities to protect aircraft carriers, battlecruisers or even battleships from a myriad of different threats. It was developed as part of a long program sought to developed indigenous technology for a Navy previously completely reliant on foreign technology, and as a direct replacement for the venerable Arleigh Burke Class destroyers, previously being the staple of Confederacy Navy destroyers.

Specifications

Displacement: 8,500 tons
Overall Length: 162.9m
Length at waterline: 153.85m
Overall Beam: 19.4m
Beam at waterline: 18.02m
Draft: 5.57m
Block coefficient: 0.537

Propulsion: 2-shaft COGES (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combined_gas_and_steam)(Combined Gas and Steam), 135,000 shp
Cruise Speed: 62 km/h
Maximum Speed: 72 km/h
Range at Maximum Speed: 2,500 km
Endurance: 30 days

Radars
- 3D Radar Interface, high-altitude target acquisition and Surveillance system
- Sea and Low-altitude air target acquisition radar
- Air defense missile system fire-control radar (2)
- Fire control radar for RIM-116 RAM Launchers (2)
- Advanced Navigation radar
Radar Range: 500km
Sonar Range: 70km

Systems:
- Automated Replenishment System
- FSoft Intelliview Computerized Displays (8)
- Radio Communications System
- Satellite Communications System
- Milnet Fleet Tactical Intranet Uplink System
- Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Uplink System
- Anti-ship missile firing control (1)
- Quantum Cryptography Software Suite

Complement: 180
Aviation facilities: Aft Hangar
Aviation facility Capacity:
-2 Kamov Ka-28s, EH-101s or medium unmanned aerial vehicles

Armament:
-2 RIM-116 RAM Block I HAS launchers, 22 cells each(44 missiles).
-1 Bofors 57 mm Mk 3 dual purpose naval gun
-4 ZM145 heavy machinegun (http://z4.invisionfree.com/NSDraftroom/index.php?showtopic=2606) ROWS
-50 cell Standard Medium Payload(SMP) VLS armed with:
RIM-162D ESSM SAM(40 quad-packed missiles)
ASROC Anti-submarine(10 missiles)
SM-6 ERAM Standard Missile(20 missiles)
AGM-84 Harpoon Block III(10 double-packed missiles)
SLAM-ER AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missile(5 missiles)
-4 cell Slanted VLS armed with:
SS-N-19 Shipwreck anti-shipping Missile(4 missiles)
- 3 325mm double torpedo tubes

Countermeasures:
- Dual-linked Multi-purpose ECM System (1)
- SLAM-ER AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missiles
Decoy dispensers: 1x PK-3 with 200 anti-torpedo rockets

Price: 1.35 billions
Maintenance Costs: 34 millions/year

History

The progress of Confederacy technologies regarding naval research has come to the point where the extensive electronic upgrades over the Burke were no longer economic, and it was already operating at its maximum capability regarding upgrades, with little space for the outfitting of new equipment or modernization of old ones. This was also one of the reasons for the start of the DDG 1000 project among others in the United States. However, unlike U.S., the needs of Confederacy regarding naval warfare were particularly different, for its naval doctrine consists into an in-between power projection and indirect approach, meaning in turn a significant focus on convoy raiding, submarine hunter groups, aircraft carriers and stealth approach.

Design

The Spooner was built from grounds up as a fully as a stealth vessel. However, a major consideration has been taken into all stages of its research and development, for the Navy was not uninfluenced by the strategic flexibility concepts of the Confederacy military, where many of its officers have acquired much experience from operating in less than optimal conditions as guerrillas during the Second Civil War. Thus, it was designed with much importance given to allowing it to be as maintenance-easy as possible for a destroyer without hindering its intended performance goals. First, unlike certain ships which rely on expensive and maintenance-intensive composites, it is built mostly with as a double-hulled vessel using the more conventional EH36 higher-strength ABS structural steel instead, with a few key points being reinforced by dielectric ceramic matrix composites intended to direct radar waves towards the inner portion between both layers of the hull, which inner sides are covered by ferrite plates intended to offer radar-absorbing capabilities as components of an anechoic chamber between its hulls, which is a more cost-effective solution than iron-ball paints or other commonly employed stealth technologies worldwide. On the other hand, a greater care was taken on the choice of its shape, streamlined, sloped, protuded, and aligned to an extent without vertical surfaces or right angles for the purpose of avoiding reflection of radar waves, with its turrets being covered by stealth cupolas. Nonetheless, it packs a much more elegant design than the arguably clumsy Zumwalt Class Destroyer, being more comparable to that of German vessels.

CIWS

For the intention of a cheap shore bombardment system, and to give an additional anti-air capability to it, the Spooner is armed with a single Bofors 57 mm Mk 3 dual purpose naval gun, featured by its stealth cupola, intended primarily for littoral combat roles, which is an exception to an otherwise mostly missile based main armament. Other than one of the Bofors 57 mm Mk 3 purposes, the primary close-in weapons system of the Andrés Nin is the duo of RIM-116 Sea RAM rolling airframe missile launchers. The entire system can engage up to two targets simultaneously, with a difference of split seconds in the time it takes to switch targets, and has a maximum range of engagement of 18 kilometers. To attend to the needs of the allied Community of Anarchilopolis and of littoral combat, it also finally is fitted with four remotely operated, navalized, ZM145 14.5mm heavy machineguns, capable of engaging close-by threats both terrestrial and aerial, and of serving as a defensive platform against frogmen, which can offer an additional support for amphibious operations.

Missiles

On missiles, it packs a considerable load chosen in expense of fitting additional guns First, further to its aft, a 50-cell Standard Medium Payload vertical launch system is located, which is usually packed with a total of 85 missiles, thanks to the use of quad-packed ESSM surface-to-air missiles and of the self-developed, dual-packing of AGM-84 Harpoon Block III anti-shipping missiles. Depending on the chosen payload, such capability might be lower or higher. Although of questionable utility, it could also structurally support a total of 200 evolved sea sparrow anti-air missiles, should a peculiar situation make such choice tactically useful.

However, the most significant of its capabilities, and one of the biggest contributors to its displacement, lie with the space-consuming 4-cell Slanted Vertical Launch System(SVLS), specifically tailored to hold the P-700 Granit cruise missile, or similarly sized ones, into a compact solution to boost the capabilities of smaller vessels, featured by a large 75 degrees inclination to allow it to be fitted into ships with at least 5.4 meters of draft. The longer than usual range of the P-700 is a new resource at the hands of a fleet commander, which allows it to, coupled with its stealth capabilities, be capable of engaging larger ships before they can detect and launch very-long range missiles like Khans against them.

Anti-submarine Warfare

Regarding anti-submarine warfare, the Spooner is equipped with a both passive and active sonar system installed on its hull which can survey by itself up to 700 meters of depth and has a 70 kilometers maximum range, an standard load of 10 RUM-139 Vertical Launch ASROC anti-submarine missiles armed on its SMP Vertical Launch System, and finally, three 325mm double-barreled torpedo launchers, which can benefit as well of cutting-edge guided torpedoes to increase its submarine-killer capabilities and are fully compatible with sonar targeting and torpedo lock technologies. It also has a single anti-submarine and anti-torpedo decoy rocket system for further protection, which can usually mean the difference between success and failure.

Electronics

Its electronics system, like all other systems of the Confederacy Navy, have a significant focus on network-centric warfare, with quantum encrypted Intranet which allows safe and immediate communication in fleets and between close-by fleets in combined operations, Satellite and Radio communication systems, an entire, decentralized mainframe of 60 integrated RISC architecture processors which is supplied with navigational, CIWS and radar softwares, and is connected with all the sensors of the ship, which include a surface and sea target acquisition radar, a 3D search radar, both offering a combination of 360º horizontal and vertical coverage, a primary fire control radar, a navigational radar with SLAG(Third Spanish States' GPS) support which can be adapted to similar systems, and two fire control radars for the RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile Sea RAM launchers, all operating as active phased array systems. Its passive and active sonar systems have a maximum detection depth of 700 meters, and can be supported and have their detection depth and range extended by the anti-submarine warfare capabilities of Kamov Ka-28 or AgustaWestland EH-101 helicopters it may carry inside its helicopter hangar which can also carry up to 2 medium-lift helicopters of similar dimensions, or a pair of medium unmanned aerial vehicles depending on mission needs. Using the ubiquitous FSoft Intelliview technology, which allows recreations of the environment surrounding the Spooner based on the available data, it offers an excellent network-centric warfare package which can benefit directly from the more complex command and control systems of the Haymarket Class Battlecruiser (http://z4.invisionfree.com/NSDraftroom/index.php?showtopic=2124) or alike.

Electronic Warfare

As a final facet of any modern fleet, electronic warfare is not something to be ignored, and is deeply related as well with its defenses against submarines, as the PK-3 decoy rocket launcher armed with 200 decoy rockets indicate. To add defensive electronic warfare capability, the Andrés Nin is equipped with a electronic suite built for screening vessels, which includes a single multi-purpose system with 2 antennas to counter Jammers, and considering its information heavy nature, its computerized systems have the protection of a layer of 3 firewalls on its networked computers and an active electronic warfare and computer specialists crew of 15 cyber-warfare technicians among its complement. For a truly offensive approach, five cells of the SMP VLS are usually armed with SLAM-ER versions of the AGM 88 HARM anti-radiation missiles featured by improved engines and a range of 180 kilometers.

Hatchet-class modular multi-role frigate

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb62/2821090/Hatchet-classFrigate.png

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb62/2821090/Hatchet-classsampleconfigurations.png

Dimensions
Length: 185.12m
Beam: 20.1m
Draught: 8m
Displacement (long tons) 14,400 t
Crew Complement: 200

Performance
Speed: 34 knots
Range: 4000 nautical miles at 15 knots

Weapons
2 x LY774 35mm naval autocannons
2 x 21 cell RIM-116B RAM launcher
2 x 2 cell launcher with RBS-15 Mk3 surface-to-surface missiles
1 x 8-cell Multirole torpedo launcher

Engines
2 x 40Mw turbines
2 shafts
2 screws

Modular options. One of the following mounted fore:
1 x LY366 L65/155mm gun
1 x 8-cell Multirole torpedo launcher
16 x GWLS.35M2 4-cell VLS (cell dimensions: 0.7 × 0.7 × 9m^3)
One medium-lift helicopter, and hangar
Underway stores module
12-bed Medical facility

Modular options. One of the following mounted aft:
One medium-lift helicopter, and hangar
24 x sea mines and launcher
Towed array sonar housing
16 x GWLS.35M2 4-cell VLS (cell dimensions: 0.7 × 0.7 × 9m^3)
AN/MPQ-71 Keep air defence radar and associated electrics and power supply
Underway stores module
12-bed Medical facility

Countermeasures
2 x TKWA/MASS decoy launcher
UL 5000K ECM suite
Prairie-Masker system

Electronics
AN/MPQ – 77 Vigilant radar (unless superseded by Keep.)
2 navigation radars
Cromwell II battlespace information warfare suite
MIRADOR electro-optical sensors
UL 5000 K ESM suite

Conceptualisation
The Hatchet-class frigate is the Lyran Protectorate's current whole-of-ocean modular multi-mission light warship. Designed to meet the Leafanistani modular multi-role combatant ship contract, Hatchet-class vessels operate within the Lyran Navy.and in non-Lyran forces in a wide number of roles, including, but not limited to: EEZ enforcement, maritime patrol, search and rescue, air defence, surveillance, ELINT, ASW, mine-laying, convoy escort, anti-ship and counter-piracy.

Modularity
The primary focus of the Hatchet-class vessels is the platform's extensive modularity. By extensive component interoperability, and maximising use of fore and aft deckspace, the ships can adjust roles seemlessly, selecting from a wide variety of available task suites.

Two primary locations are set aside for the use of the modules. The first is to the ship's fore, set just behind the LY774 autocannons, and the second is set far to the rear. Each location is itself able to accept a wide range of modules.

For the forward mount, options include a single LY366(N) L65/155mm gun, 16 GWLS.35M2 4-cell vertical launch systems, an underway stores module and a 12-bed medical facility.

Rear mount options are a medium-lift helicopter (and hangar), 24 x sea mines and launcher, towed array sonar (in housing), the same 16 GWLS.35M2 4-cell vertical launch systems as available to fore, the AN/MPQ-71 Keep air defence radar and associated electrics and power supply, an underway stores module, and the same 12-bed medical facility.

Networking, Sensory and Fire Control System
The Hatchet-class, as with all existing and planned Lyran vehicles across all areas of the battlespace, uses the Cromwell II fire control and battlespace integration system as the basis of its electronic and information warfare suite. Like the Cromwell before it, the Cromwell II system inputs and actively seeks information from a wide variety of sensory sources, not limited to those on the ship itself.

Cromwell II system follows on from its Inter-Vehicular Information System (IVIS) conceptual ancestor, and is part of an integrated and adaptive battlespace network that maximises combat lethality, and enables command and control on an unprecedented scale. Information is sourced not only from multiple sources on the individual aircraft, ship, vehicle or soldier, but from every Cromwell II equipped friendly platform within the battlespace, which provides constant informational updates across a broad spectrum of sources, both known to the operators, and operating below their awareness.

The Cromwell II system utilises this information to compute firing solutions, based upon analysis of the target and selected weapon. This is achieved in less time than it would take the operator to depress the firing stud or authorise the missile launch. The firing solution that Cromwell II generates ensures a near-perfect hit percent at standard ranges, across all conditions.

At the most basic level, the Cromwell II system aims to accelerate engagement cycles and increase operational tempo at all levels of the warfighting system. This acceleration is acheived by providing a mechanism to rapidly gather and distribute targeting information, and rapidly issue directives. Cromwell II's ultra-high speed networking permits error-free, high integrity transmission in a bare fraction of the time required for voice-based transmission, and permits transfer of a wide range of data formats, from a multitude of compatible sources.

As well as radar, the fire control system on the Hatchet-class also has an electro-optic channel with long-wave thermal imager and infrared direction finder, including digital signal processing and automatic target tracking.

The Cromwell II network coordinates the fire power of (utilising the greater computational power available to a warship, as opposed to the mobile, ground-based LY471 from which the system was derived) up to 80 other Cromwell-equipped vessels, spaced at distances of up to 900km. Any vessel can be the network master controller (although larger vessels with larger computational facilities, or dedicated task group command vessels, are of course more effective in this role) and the network can link with other command facilities, or even other networks, in real time, allowing for individual ships to control the anti-air coverage of taskgroups, and integrate the entirety into a cohesive whole, a system-of-systems approach, which has increasingly been prevalent globally.

The fully automatic real-time data exchange includes aerospace control data, weapon control orders and fire control orders, target identification data, individual system status and vehicle position, threat prioritisation and optimised weapon allocation, engagement status, weapon status and jammer triangulation data.
In an anti-aircraft role, when fielding the appropriate modular components, the warship's computational facilities can track and target up to 560 air or ground targets near simultaneously, a sixteen percent increase on its battery-level Skyguard predecessor, with the control point directing the network to ensure the right weaponry arrives at the right time. The system can also assign targets to other vehicles in the network that are operating with their radars in silent mode, maximising lethality while maintaining proportionally high levels of emission concealment. A network controller can also vector in extra weapons systems, in flight, if targets are missed or if the ships magazines have been depleted beyond its capacity to engage hostile force elements.
The Cromwell II links for the Hatchets, like the Skyguard and Shepherd, use frequency-agile radios or direct laser LOS transfer, satellite assisted if required. Over 4,000 frequencies with 20kHz channel spacing are used in the frequency agile radio link. The system architecture provides full duplex data exchange and simultaneous half duplex voice communications.
As with the LY471, the Hatchet's air defence sensor net is a multi-system package. By default, the Hatchet's anti-aircraft system is based on the AN/MPQ-77 Vigilant, a three-dimensional radar used to alert and queue Short-to-Medium Range Air Defense (STMRAD- pronounced “stem-rad”) weapons to the locations of hostile targets approaching front line forces. The Vigilant radar uses an X-band, range-gated, pulse-doppler system. The antennae use phase-frequency electronic scanning technology, forming sharp 3D pencil beams covering large surveillance and track volume. The radar automatically detects, tracks, classifies, identifies and reports targets, including cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, rotary and fixed-wing aircraft. It uses a high scan rate (40 RPM), is frequency agile, and operates at a range of 52 km.

When used primarily as an air defence variant, the Hatchet-class uses the far larger and more powerful AN/MPQ-71 Keep target tracking radar. Unlike purpose-built platforms or extremely large ships (such as the Longsword-class), the system detects at 450km and tracks at 350km, in normal conditions. The Keep radar also uses the X-band, and is like its smaller cousin a range-gated, pulse-doppler system. The antennae use electronic steering to direct the radar, and it sweeps at 40RPM. The radar. As with its Vigilant ancestor, automatically detects, tracks, classifies, identifies and reports targets, including cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, rotary and fixed-wing aircraft. Both radars are designed to incorporate extremely high resistance to electronic countermeasures (ECM), partly by way of GaAs circuitry, and can perform target acquisition, confirmation, tracking and identification in the absence of the other layers of radar coverage, should circumstances require.

Well implemented networking, using the Cromwell II system, can contribute to improved effectiveness in other ways as well. Rather than micromanage Cromwell-equipped platforms with close control via a command link tether (such as a radio), networked platforms are given significant autonomy, defined objectives, and allowed to take the initiative in how they meet these objectives. The size, integration and scope of the networked Cromwell II system enables all units across the battlespace to respond faster than their opposition, and this increased tempo generates increased lethality across all levels of the engagement spectrum.


The system, in its entirety, is fully insulated against electronic interference and data-hacking, and all communications and information exchange programs are 512-bit encrypted to ensure maximum network security.




Armament
Due to its modular nature, there are a wide variety of weapons systems that the class may employ.

For the GWLS.35M2 4-cell VLS, four weapon systems are available of compatible dimensions, namely the LY4031, LY4045 AShM, BGM-109 Tomahawk and LY589 Hellion.

In the anti-aircraft role, the Hatchet-class operates the Lyran-standard LY4031. The LY4031 missile is a medium range, high-acceleration, endoatmospheric interceptor missile, capable against a wide range of targets. The LY4031 is more than able to engage aircraft and air-launched weapons at ranges in excess of 210 km. The missile is small - similar in size to the 9M96M missile of the S-400, on which the LY4031 is based, and uses a hit-to-kill attack profile. The missile is equipped with an active homing head and has an estimated single shot kill probability of 0.98 for manned aircraft and 0.92 for unmanned maneuvering aircraft. A gas-dynamic control system enables the LY4031 missile to maneuver at altitudes of up to 65 km at positive g forces over 30, which permits engagment of non-strategic ballistic missiles. The LY4031 (modified) has become the basic long-range weapon of Lyran Protectorate Air Force's combat aircraft, and the standardised missile for medium-to-long range air defense SAM systems, ship-launched air defense missile systems, and fighter aircraft.
VLS cells on the Hatchet capable of firing the LY4031 are the same cells able to fire the LY589 Hellion, LY4045 AShM or BGM-109 Tomahawk, and exact loadout is variable. By convention, Lyran operational cruises detailing air defence as a given vessel's primary tasking will carry 32 LY4031 missiles in the fore modular (VLS) section, and an AN/MPQ-71 Keep radar system in the rear, where alternate radar coverage is unavailable. Should alternate radar coverage be available, either through another Hatchet or a different platform altogether, then it is entirely possible that both fore and aft modules will be composed of vertical launch tubes armed with the LY4031.

Length: 5.1 m
Diameter: 0.31 m
Wing span: 0.46
Weight: 355 kg
Propulsion: solid propellant boost and sustain
Guidance: inertial with command updates. Active radar terminal homing from AGAT. Alternate home-on-jamming modes.
Warhead: KE hit-to-kill
Speed: 3600 km/h
Range: 210 km
Altitude: 65,000 m

Where the anti-ship or surface-to-surface role is primary, three similar missile systems may form the primary armament, again located in either fore or aft modular sections.
The first is the near ubiquitous BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missile, which itself needs little by the way of introduction. The only remaining Tomahawks in Lyran service are the Block Vs, however the VLS cells themselves are backwards compatible.

Length: Without booster: 5.56 m
With booster: 6.25 m
Diameter: 0.52 m
Wing span: 2.67 m
Weight: 1440 kg
Propulsion: Williams International F107-WR-402 turbofan
using TH-dimer fuel and a solid-fuel booster
Guidance: GPS, TERCOM, DSMAC
Warhead: Conventional: 1,000 lb (450 kg) Bullpup, or submunitions dispenser with BLU-97/B Combined Effects Bomb, or a 200 kiloton of TNT (840 terajoule)
Speed: 880km/h
Range: 2500km

The second is the LY4045 anti-ship cruise missile. Itself developed from the BGM-109, and remarkably similar superficially, the LY4045 has undergone a series of minor modifications to optimise its performance in the anti-ship role. Having seen action in numerous theatres since its inception, at the hands of both Lyran forces and allies and clients, the LY4045 is a rugged, destructive and relatively cheap system that is generally fired in relatively large numbers to ensure target destruction. To date, the LY4045 is responsible for more naval tonnage destroyed than all other forms of offensive firepower employed by the Lyran Protectorate combined.

Length: Without booster: 5.6 m
With booster: 6.45 m
Diameter: 53cm
Wingspan: 2.7m
Launch mass: 1500kg
Propulsion: Lyran Arms AB112 turbofan with solid-fuel booster
Guidance: GPS/INS with mid-course command data-transfer via Cromwell system. IR, ARH, SARH or command terminal stage homing.
Warhead: 450kg Tandem-charge HEAS
Speed: 900kph
Range: 3000km

The third system is the LY589 Hellion advanced cruise missile. The LY589 Hellion is a long-range, all-weather, multi-role, fourth generation subsonic cruise missile. Designed and built by Lyran Arms for a wide variety of roles, it was designed primarily as a medium- to extreme-range, low-altitude, surface-to-surface missile that could be launched from a variety of platforms against a variety of targets. During initial concept development, the missile changed from a fairly conventional (albeit advanced) cruise missile into arguably the most intelligent and technologically sophisticated multi-role guided munition in the world. Warheads available to the Hellion include (but are not limited to) high-explosive anti-ship, unitary HE, unitary fragmentation, bomblet dispersal, WAGAV and thermobaric. Where mission flexibility or simultaneous anti-ship/ship-to-shore operations are anticipated, Hellion is usually the weapon of choice.
Diameter: 53cm
Length: Without booster: 5.6 m
With booster: 6.45 m
Motor: Lyran Arms AB112 turbofan with solid-fuel booster
Launch mass: 1510kg
Wingspan: 2.7m
Warhead: Variable
Guidance: GPS, INS, Cromwell 2 (if available), DSMAC, ARH, IR, TERCOM, IMU
Fuzes: Variable, depending on selected by missile.
Speed: 880kph
Range: 3000km

The GWLS.35M2 is also capable of delivering the Questarian P-900 Sea Scimitar Light AShM, which, while considerably shorter ranged than the BGM-109 (1/10th the range ), is rated as more likely to hit a given naval target, and has slightly more than twice the warhead yield. It is worth noting that while the platform can fire the missile system, the neither production rights to the missile nor individual missiles are avaiable from Lyras, and purchase, if applicable, must be arranged by communication with appropriate Questarian entities.

Diameter: 0.595m
Length: 6 m
Motor: Afterburning Turbojet
Launch mass: 1000kg
Wingspan: 0.965m (foldout)
Warhead: 200kg HE
Guidance: Active Home on RADAR; INS/GPS capable, mid course guidance
Speed: 1076.4kph cruise, 2160kph terminal
Range: 400km (max)
300km (effective)
Flight Altitude: 25-100m

For close range protection, the ship is armed with two LY774 35mm naval autocannons, mounted to the fore, port and starboard, which can be fired either manually, using remote weapons stations, or automatically, by Cromwell uplink to the vessel's central computer. The system, once more pursuant to any rules of engagement in effect, can automatically engage unidentified or hostile targets that enter firing envelope, as a means of automated self-defence. This feature can, of course, be overridden or deactivated, as the tactical scenario warrants. The system, in addition to naval craft, can also engage low-flying aircraft and ground targets. The LY774 is not a modular option, and unless expressly specified otherwise is maintained regardless of the vessel's primary tasking.

Also available for surface attack or naval fire support tasking is the versatile LY366(N), the navalised version of the LY366 L65/155mm gun-launcher. The LY366 was first developed for the LY2A3-2 Bull Mastiff Tank Destroyer, also saw action as main armament of the LY3 Warhound MBTseries, and later in the LY6 Werewolf assault gun. The LY366, while optimised for long-range, OTH engagements, is more than capable of being used in a direct-fire role, where it remains an accurate, cost-effective and sustainable means of placing firepower on-target. On the Hatchet-class vessels, when the LY366(N) is deployed, it is fitted to the forward modular section.
The chromium-plated barrel is a fraction over 8m long and is fitted with a slotted muzzle brake which yields increased muzzle velocity whilst reducing the degree of muzzle flash. The wedge-type breech block is integrated with an exchangeable primer magazine fitted with a standard conveyer assembly for automatic (but adjustable and controllable) primer transportation, loading and unloading.
Like the LY366, the LY366(N) carries 50 rounds of 155mm ammunition stored within the turret, and fed by an automatic loader. Unlike the weapon's ground-based counterpart, in the naval version additional shells are picked up from below the turret, and automatically stowed in the 50-round magazine in the centre of the chassis, to facilitate a more reliable firing rate, and generating a higher ammunition availability.
The shell loading system is driven by brushless electric servo motors supplied by Lyran Arms' Highcairn Manufacturing Zone. The automatic shell loading system has air-forced ram and Cromwell-backed automatic digital control, ammunition supply management and autonomous target-assessed fuze setting.
The LY366(N) is rated to fire out to 55km with standard ammunition, and 65km with rocket-assisted munitions.
The LY366(N) remains compatible with most 155mm ammunition, including both guided and unguided projectiles, both Lyran and non-Lyran.


Armour and Protection
Hatchet-class vessels employ a range of signature reduction techniques integral to their design, including extensive use of radar-absorbent materials and radar refractive angular surfaces. Active exhaust cooling and IR suppression also render the vessel harder to target or detect on infra-red than might otherwise have been thought, especially when operating in the littoral.

The NBC system follows Lyran standard, and features quite adequately as a climate control system, making for working temperatures easily adjustable to every national or personal need (operating temperature range -40C to 55C).

Two 21-cell RIM-116 rolling airframe missile launchers are carried for surface to air point defence. The RIM-116 RAM is a small, lightweight, IR-homing or HoJ surface-to-air missile designed as a point defence system for use against anti-ship cruise missiles. Aboard Lyran ships, and many others that utilise Lyran hardware, the system is integrated into the Cromwell II battlespace management suite. While designed primarily for the anti-missile and anti-aircraft defensive role, the weapon system can be employed against surface targets. The system uses a Mk49 launcher, with a total weight of 5.8 tons.

Designer: Raytheon, Diehl BGT Defence
Length: 2780 mm
Diameter: 127 mm
Fin span: 445 mm
Speed: Mach 2.0+
Warhead: 11.3 kg blast fragmentation
Launch Weight: 73.5 kg (162 lb)
Range: 7.5 km
Guidance System: tri-modal; Passive RF/IR, IR, or infrared dual mode enabled (radio frequency and infrared homing)

Propulsion and mobility
Borrowing again from ideas utilised on the LY6 Werewolf, the engines of the Hatchets are very well noise insulated, by means of rubber matting, lowering internal and external vibration and, thus, detectability. Noise levels outside the engine room are extremely low, both from inside and outside the ship.

Cruise speed is 15knots, granting the Hatchet-class a range of 4000 nautical miles. Top speed is 34 knots.

Batteries are integrated into the system, which allows the vessel to be driven yet more quietly for several hours with the engines shut down, a factor very likely to increase survivability in combat against hostile sub-surface force elements.

An innovation on ships, but now standard with Lyran armoured vehicles, the Hatchet-class is fitted with stern-mounted cameras for short range, in port or littoral operations.

Manning
The Hatchet as a highly automated, lightweight vessel, requires a relatively low number of crew to operate it. At full complement, the vessel will berth 71 personnel, of whom roughly 1 in 7 will be officers. The body of personnel enables limited combat redundancy, and allows the limited conduct of underway repairs. Given the highly modular nature of the platform, exact numbers of crew will, however, vary, both in number and in task. A ship fielding a helicopter will of course require flight crew and maintenance personnel, whereas a towed array sonar variant will need a larger number of sonar operators. The class is able to berth substantially more personnel than listed, should exceptional or emergency situations require.

Export
Executive Command, as is standard, retains complete oversight over the distribution of the above system. Further to that, amongst those to whom the class is available, acquisition of the role-specific production rights to the LY589 Hellion cruise missile is restricted. Indeed, given the sensitive nature of the LY589, and its AI and guidance packages, it would be the exception, rather than the rule, that DPR to that weapon be granted alongside purchase of one or more Hatchet-class vessels.
Upon purchase of one or more example of the class, the purchaser is, however, entitled to the following:
DPR to the LY4045 anti-ship cruise missile for use on-ship only
DPR to the LY4031 AA/ABM missiles for use on-ship only
DPR to the LY774 35mm naval autocannon for maintenance and resupply only
DPR to the LY366(N) L65/155mm navalised gun-launcher for maintenance and resupply only
DPR to the AN/MPQ-71 Keep air defence radar, for maintenance and repair only
DPR to the AN/MPQ-77 Vigilant radar system, for maintenance and repair
Peacetime clearance to dock at Lyran or Lyran-held ports, subordinate to Lyran Executive Command revocation.

All modules features are not included, but DPRs are granted to produce the modules for use aboard Hatchet-class vessels only.

Purchases and enquiries through Lyran Arms (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=541320&highlight=Lyras).

Standard purchase price is NS$960m per vessel.

[OOC: Argh! Conventional power D: Well, I have one more thing to offer you, though its hardly suitable for DD work, it is bloody cheap and can work with any of these other ships.]

Type 32 Auction Class Export Missile Frigate
Design: The Type 32 was designed specifically for cheap and competitive export. Not used in the Royal Navy, the Type 32 however does see service in Colonial Forces such as the East Continentian Colonial Army Navy, and the Seylon Local Colonial Defence Force, where it is classed as a Light Destroyer and Patrol Destroyer respectively. In these services it is renowned for its low maintenance needs and costs and for its cheapness in production and the space it affords its crew.

It's sensors and armament consist of a powerful yet simple 3D surveillance radar with a scanning and acquiring range of 250km. A total of 45 targets can be tracked either in the air or on the sea and engaged with gunfire or with the SA.38E missiles in the swing-arm launcher. It can engage submarines with its helicopter or torpedoes and can defend itself with the MG-50 mounts, capable of mounting any weapon imaginable short of a dual 50mm gun, and with the 'fast-fifty' CIWS autocannon. The 127mm gun can engage shore, ship and air targets.

A navy may consider the simple yet cheap Auction class frigate/light destroyer for purchase because of its use in coastal ASW and patrol operations and for its extreme simpleness in running, its speed, light displacement, low crew due to high automation and its general multipurpose capabilities, not as a fleet ship but as a capable littoral or patrol vessel.
Picture (COPYRIGHT MATT LABUNDA 2008): Link (http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk182/GB_Mattbucket/Warships/QUE_FFG_AUCTION.png)

Dimensions:
Length (Overall): 117.5m
Length (Waterline): 110.3m
Beam (Overall): 13m
Beam (Waterline): 12.5m
Draught: 4.5m
Depth: 10.1m

Tonnage:
Tonnage (Empty): 2,900t
Tonnage (Normal): 3,200t
Tonnage (Full): 3,750t

Propulsion:
Powerplant: 2 x Beaufort Gas Turbines
Shafts: 1 x Shafts
Screws: 1 x Jackson-Macdonald J.M W-30L Screw
Rudders: 1 x Rudder
Horsepower: 52,00SHP

Speed:
Speed (Cruise): 15 knots
Speed (Full Ahead): 31 knots
Range (Cruise): 12,000km

Complement:
Officers: 16
Sailors: 95
Aircrew: 18
Marines: 15
Endurance: 45 days
Boats: 2 x Rigid Inflatable Boat, 60x inflatable escape boats

Armament:
Guns: 1 x RP-12 127mm rapid-fire naval rifle, 2 x M-50 mounting
Missiles: 1 x Mk.160 Mod 1 Single Arm SA.38E Launcher with 56 missiles
Point Defence: 1 x dual 50mm 'fast-fifty' autocannon
Torpedoes: 2 x III 21in torpedo launchers
Countermeasures: 16 x 6-barrel Mk.120 CHAff/FLAre Countermeasure System with 10 reloads per barrel
Machine Guns: 2 x dual 13mm machine guns

Sensors:
R.A.D.A.R.: 3D Surveillance R.A.D.A.R.:[/ S.882
S.O.N.A.R.: S.505A Hull S.O.N.A.R
Navigation: N.11050 Navigation R.A.D.AR, N.11060 Navigation G.P.S System
Fire Control: S.875 Targeting R.A.D.A.R.
Electronic Warfare: E.95P Electronic Warfare Attack Coordinator, S.365EP EPM Defensive Hard/Software
Command & Control: Various C&C systems

Aircraft:
Hangar Space: 1 HELO
Fixed Wing Aircraft: None
Rotary Aircraft: 1 x Westland Lynx
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: None

Cost:
Per Unit: $250mn
Yearly Maintenance: $15mn

Type 35 Small Destroyer

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj146/Eeobroht/Ships/Type35Smallv15.png


Dear sir,

CotWep Export Ltd. would like to take this opportunity to offer to you the Type 35 Lett Eskortefartøy (eng: Light Escort Vessel, equivalent to small destroyer), a low-cost, lightweight but still fully capable warship capable of conducting operations either singlehandedly or alongside other combatants. While the Type 35 has an emphasis on anti-surface threats, it is equipped with a vast array of weaponry and sensor equipment that enable it to carry out both anti-surface warfare (ASuW), anti-aircraft warfare (AAW) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) with satisfactory results. With your permission, we will briefly describe the Type 35's weaponry.

The Type 35's principal armament is the highly capable Mk.51 Tactical Vertical Launch System, with which the Type 35 has been equipped with three 16-cell [4x4] blocks, totalling forty-eight cells on its forcastle. The Mk.51 TVLS' cells measure 0.6 x 0.6 x 7.6 meters, and can accept any munition that can fit inside it (assuming of course that you upload the relevant software for said weaponry to the CWBG Mk.IV Weapons Guidance Suite). Next, the Type 35 is equipped with two Mk.55 Quad Launcher mounts which can fit up to four anti-shipping missiles (AShM) each, with each cell in the launcher measuring 0.7 x 0.7 x 5.5 meters. This allows the Type 35 to fit most AShMs, such as the RGM-84 Harpoon, the MM40 Exocet or the Kh-35 Uran ("Harpoonski"), just to mention a few of the options. Also, the Type 35 is fitted with two Mk.59 Twin Launcher mounts, each being able to carry two of the exceptional SBM.63B Akkar heavy anti-shippin missile, a 9.4 meter long, 0.85 meter wide, 5 900 kg heavy anti-shipping missile with a 1 000 kg penetrating high-explosive warhead, a range of 250 kilometers and a speed of Mach 3.2 (Mach 4 terminal).

Against submerged threats, the Type 35 can in addition to carrying ASROC-type ASW weaponry in its VLS cells utilize its two Mk.47 triple torpedo launchers, each of which is capable of launching up to three 324 MM anti-submarine torpedos such as the Mark-46 or Mark-50 ASW torpedo towards the enemy submarine in one go.

For point-defense, the Type 35 is fitted with a vast array of weaponry. It has two OTO Melara 76 MM/62 caliber Super-Rapid cannons mounted fore and aft, one Mk.53 Point Defense Missile launcher facing aft which is fitted with 21 BLM.34E Grumpy point defense missiles, which are basically
RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missiles with better guidance and a range out to 12 kilometers, two of the highly capable Mk.55E Imperator-E combined gun/missile close in weapons system facing port/starboard, each being fitted with two 35x228 MM cannons and two reloadable four-cell Grumpy launchers with a total of eight Grumpy missiles loaded and twelve stowed in a below-deck automated magazine. This gives the Type 35 an exceptionally good point defense protection against the full spectrum of threats, ranging from pirate skiffs to cruise missiles.

For defense against any terrorist threats while in port or for providing cover during boardings of potential smugglers and pirates, the Type 35 is fitted with four heavy machine guns of the type M2HB Browning 12.7x99 MM, with two mounted facing port and the other two facing starboard, giving 360° close-in point-defense in-port coverage, meaning that any terrorist attack alá the USS Cole attack will be doomed to fail as the sailors on the HMGs can lay down swift and powerful fire against an approaching terrorist boat.

As you see, the Type 35 is an exceptional all-round surface combatant that can serve the needs of the Tallenpoint Navy for many years to come. For further information, we refer to the specifications list for the Type 35 Small Destroyer.


Length (overall): 126 meters
Length (waterline): 131.5 meters
Beam: 15 meters
Draught: 7.5 meters
Freeboard: 4.5 meters
Standard Displacement: 4 600 tons
Block Co-Efficient: 0.310
Complement: 15 Officers, 45 Non-Commissioned Officers, 60 Enlisted

Power Plant: Two LM2500+ Gas Turbines producing 28.6 MW each in COGAG arrangement (57.2 MW)
Shafts: Two shafts, two Controllable-Reversible Pitch Propellers, two rudders
Speed (maximum): 35 knots
Speed (cruise): 25 knots
Endurance (supplies): 30 days
Endurance (fuel): 12 000 km @ 20 knots

Armament
Gun
2x OTO Melara 76 MM/62 caliber Super Rapid cannons (one fore, one aft) with 900 rounds per gun
Missile
3x 16-cell [4x4] Mk.51 Tactical Vertical Launch Systems fore (cell dimensions: 0.6 x 0.6 x 7.6 meters)
2x Mk.55 Quad Launcher mount
Standard load: 8 BBM.30B AMESM anti-shipping missiles (can be replaced with RGM-84 Harpoon, MM40 Exocet or similar anti-shipping missile)
2x Mk.59 Twin Launcher mount
Standard Load: 4 BBM.63B Akkar heavy anti-shipping missiles
Point Defense
1x Mk.53 Point Defense Missile Launcher facing aft
Standard load: 21 BLM.34E Grumpy point defense missiles
2x Mk.55E Imperator-E combined gun/missile CIWS facing port/starboard
Standard load: 40 BLM.34E Grumpy point defense missiles
4x M2HB 12.7x99 MM heavy machine guns (two facing port, two facing starboard) with 2 000 rounds per gun
Torpedoes
Two Mk.47 324 MM Triple Torpedo Launchers facing port/starboard
Standard load: 18 Mk-50 anti-submarine torpedoes (or equivalent ASW torpedo) stowed

Aviation: Landing pad with room for one Merlin-sized helicopter or two Fire Scout-type UAVs
Landing Pad: 24 x 10 meters (240 m²)

Sensors & Electronics
CE/SSR.73E Surface Search Radar
CE/SNR.38 Navigational Radar
CE/ASR.74E Air Search Radar
CE/SFD.89E Fire Direction Finger
CWBG Mk.VI Weapons Guidance Suite
CE/EKS.44E Defensive Electronic Warfare Suite

Build Cost: $650 000 000
Annual Maintenance Cost: $25 000 000
Annual Crew Pay Cost: $3 375 000
Export Cost: $775 000 000

Draftroom Approved: Robert A. Heinlein class Destroyer

History and Abstract

The General Resources Conglomerate unveiled after 8 years of much lauded protracted development their entry into the Future Surface Combatant Program. The radical design and improvements over the other destroyers competing in the FSC Program meant the GRC design rapidly gained a production contract and the first units are entering service in the Saharistani Autonomous Colonial Navy which preordered several dozen of these ships, through backdoor dealings that are currently under investigation by the Autonomous Colonial Authority.

Description

The Robert A. Heinlein class Destroyer is a leap from previous monohull designs to the proven Trimaran hull used in so many other nation's ships. The 172m ship requires only 15 officers and 85 crew to operate thanks to increased automation.

The trimaran hull combined with azimuth thrusters and the two large gas turbines, diesel generators and diesel engines means the Heinlein can sustain speeds up past 47 knots, flanking the previous Delta class and Illium class destroyers in a flash, along with the competing Sung Heavy Industrial Concern's Epoch class Destroyer. The ship has an astounding range of 18,000 km.

The ship also heavily incorporates stealth elements in its designs and all aspects of the ship are shaped to help reduce RADAR cross-section. Despite its comparable size with the Illium and Delta class destroyers, its RADAR return is more similar to that of a fishing boat. Its advanced waterjets also reduce its SONAR signature to that similar to the Los Angeles class submarine currently in service with the Colonial Navies. Composite materials absorb RADAR waves, and a passive cooling system moving air along the mack helps reduce its thermal signature. The ship is designed to serve in all roles equally well, and demonstrates this with its varied armament.

Armament

The main gun of the Robert A. Heinlein class Destroyer is the 155mm Future Gun System, inspired by Kreigzimmer large guns currently on the Illium class Destroyer. The high speed autoloading gun can fire up to 10 rounds per minute through a liquid cooled barrel, and with Electrothermal Chemical firing capability the 155mm FGS can fire a GPS/INS guided Long Range Land Attack Projectile over 120km to hit ground targets with a CEP of 50 m or less. As part of the entire ship's overall stealthiness the Heinlein class can hide the turret of its gun into a special mounting to reduce RADAR signatures.

In front of the 155mm FGS is the Bofors Mk. 110 57 mm/70 gun which can fire salvos at up to 220 rounds per minute, and has a range of nine miles and with six programmable fuses supplements the CIWS system of 4 Phalanx and 2 RIM-116 launchers.

The ship also has a 32 cell VLS system designed primarily for the Sledgehammer II antishipping missile as its primary antishipping weapon. The VLS system is also prepared for the AS-57 "Kant" upcoming supersonic land attack cruise missile. Each cell is divided into a subcell of 8 cells, each one is shielded from each other so the loss of one does not sacrifice the entire ship. Extensive fire suppression systems including HALON systems help increase the survivability of the ship.

4 cells of VLS systems designed for the Praetorian II are located on each side of the ship, each one is built to be thin to the outside world and thick to the ship, allowing the destruction of each cell to not destroy the ship.

In between the 3 hulls, there are two batteries of multirole mine or torpedo launchers. Each hold either can drop 14 torpedoes out of 2 rotary launchers or can be rapidly swapped out for a mining module, each one supporting 30 antidreadnought mines designed to lay low and break the keel of a passing large ship.

The strangest offensive armament on board the Heinlein are the 2 CLM-01 Common LASER modules as part of the VICTORY II Defensive Suite. Under manual override, they can locate and detect enemy LASER rangefinders, the RADAR returns of enemy bridges, and even cockpits of enemy jets and fire a powerful coherent laser beam up to 50km to temporarily blind and in closer ranges permanently blind enemy soldiers. To protect against a similar attack, a series of solid state sensors over the bridge will automatically slide composite armored blast shields in front of the bridge and other plastic viewports being targeted.

Defensive Suite

Finally to complement the extensive defensive and offensive systems the Heinlein class provides, the VICTORY II Ship OminProtection Suite has been integrated with the CIWS system. Upon detection of an incoming torpedo, the VICTORY II expends up to 24 expendable SONAR decoys which replicate the SONAR signature of the Heinlein class all around the ship to distract the torpedo. A towed passive array goes out, along with two towed active decoys to distract the torpedo. The torpedo, confronted with a multiplicity of SONAR signatures, all suspiciously Heinlein like and the ship speeding up to its full flank speed and maneuvering greatly reduces chance of impact.

If an enemy shell or missile is detected the VICTORY II sounds an alarm and activates the Yankee II softkill system first. Using two infrared LASERs mounted on top of the ship, the Yankee II attempts to flood the enemy seeker head with a large thermal signature to convince it it has reached its target and to detonate. CLM-01 modules also mounted on top of the ship begin a multispectral dazzle of LASER beams to try to confuse the enemy LADAR systems. A heavy RADAR jammer will link with the RADAR on board the Heinlein and attempt to jam the enemy's radio guidance package by sensing its returns and predicting its frequency modulating. If the Yankee II does not get a softkill soon enough the Yankee II automatically deploys 60mm smoke mortars and obscures the ship in a cloud of smoke and speeds up to flank speed to try to dodge the missile at the last second.

It is during these last desperate moments the Heroic II is activated and sounds a second 'Imminent' alarm and puts down the blast doors and shields around the ship. Watertight bulkheads are sealed at this point and the ship braces for impact. The Heroic II will attempt to use its hard kill systems to destroy the oncoming projectile.

In case the VICTORY II fails to prevent the enemy missile from impacting, automated fire suppression systems, and intelligent bulkhead management software will try to move around fire control teams and minimize damage.

Aviation Wing

The Heinlein class destroyer has a rather large rear deck, capable of supporting a GLI-76 Jump Jet or an F-35 along with two MQ-8 Fire Scouts, but more commonly has two S-100 Naval Dualhawks to act as an antisubmarine picket and 1 MQ-8 Fire Scout to act as a recon drone.

Sensor Suite

The Heinlein class mounts a Monolith-K dual band common-phased conformal array on the deckhouse with S-band and X-band frequency systems and each band is processed separately and integrated into a coherent image of the battlefield. A powerful SONAR system along with the increased automation aboard the Heinlein class will control the system and help find enemy submarines and mines.

Automation

The Heinlein class is the first ship to support the heavy automation of all its systems via the TORQUE class N.I. An N.I. (Niche Intelligence) is an evolutionary genetic algorithm derived program that is designed specifically for various different types of fleet combat and the scenarios that the Heinlein will come under. It manages all the offensive and defensive systems on board the ship and helps direct and maintain them. It is also in charge of the Advanced Cargo Bay, which is designed to take in regular sized shipping containers autonomously and assist in the unloading and stowage of supplies, greatly reducing crew requirements. Along with the newest automated ship reloading mechanisms coming into service on new tender ships the Heinlein can be resupplied at sea and kept constantly at sea.

Specifications

Crew: 15 Officers, 100 enlisted (115 total)
Length: 172 m
Beam: 35.1 m
Draft: 8.7 m
Displacement: 8,400 metric tons
Propulsion: 2× Gas Turbines, 2× Diesel, 4× waterjets, retractable Azimuth thruster, 4× diesel generators
Speed: 47+ knot sprint, 19 knot most efficient cruise
Range: 18,000 km

Armament

Gun: 1x 57mm Mk. 110 57mm Gun, 1x 155mm ETC FGS, 4x Phalanx CIWS guns
Missile Armament: 4x 8 cell VLS Sledgehammer II, 4x Praetorian II, 2x RIM-116 RAM
Torpedo Armament: 14x Torpedoes or 30x antidreadnought mines
LASER Armament: 2x CLM-01 Common Laser Modules

Aviation

1x Large Aircraft (GLI-76 Jump Jet/F-35/V-22) and two MQ-8 Fire Scouts
OR MORE COMMONLY
2x S-100 Naval Dualhawks and one MQ-8 Fire Scout

Cost: $1.2 billion

The Cavalier it is!

Brian Bell
Columnist, Jutsham Post
March 4; 1:20 PM
_________________________

http://www.navymuseum.mil.nz/nr/rdonlyres/c8d58d73-28ec-4ac4-9773-75968be7586a/0/airealofdevonportnavalbasecalliopewharfs.jpg
An aerial view of Twebler Naval Base, where the first Cavaliers are predicted to go

All doubts were finally cast aside and the winner was chosen this afternoon in Tallenpoint: the Praetonian Cavalier-class would succeed the Arleigh Burke in the service of the Navy. The race came down to the Cavalier-class and the Hatchet-class modular frigate, but in the end the Cavalier came out on top. The Questarian Type 32 and CotWep's Type 35 were both eliminated based upon size requirements, although both designs have been set aside for a possible future frigate, when Tallenpoint decides that it is time to upgrade that area. The Spooner Class also made a good showing, but she was eventually ruled out, slightly after the Robert A. Heinlein class Destroyer.

When addressing the media, Minister of Defense Gene Perry mentioned that Tallenpoint was "very happy with her choice" and noted that he had already "been informed that many of the high ranking men within the Navy approved of the move." All that remains to be seen is if Congress will appropriate the money to the Navy necessary to buy a full twenty five destroyers rather than the ten that have already been designated. Perry stated that negotiations were underway with Randolph Maritime Defence Engineering Ltd. for the purchase of the ships, and that the number in the negotiations was assumed to be fifty, as it seems the majority of Congress has rallied around the new President's will.

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