REEF FFG-1 Tiger class Guided Missile Frigate:


The leaders of REEF Florida Base found a old United States frigate, the U.S.S. Tomilinson, which they used for a time for a base of operations. They later converted the ship, as much as possible, to more modern standard. Otherwise, the vessel was considered obsolete even by the time of the Great Cataclysm. Still, the vessel was found to be extremely useful by the REEF.


When it came time to look at expanding the navy of the REEF, it was only natural to look at the U.S.S. Tomilinson as a basis for new warships designs. While members of the REEF had advanced engineering knowledge when it came to aircraft, they had very little knowledge when it came to naval construction.


In most respects the vessel they build is an excellent first attempt when in comes to a warship. The Tiger, as they named the vessel, can be considered as advanced as most Coalition naval vessels although definitely lags behind the designs of the New German Republic. Some features the vessel design lacks are advanced sonar, advanced decoy systems, and any appreciable attempt at reducing the vessel’s radar cross signature.


So far only the Tiger has entered service. There is a second vessel, to be named the Lion, in the later stages of construction. A third has recently been laid down although there has been little work done at present. The eventual plan is for four frigates to be completed. There has been some consideration of constructing these ships for sales but at present the REEF is only constructing them for their own uses. In addition, there is also discussion of selling the U.S.S Tomilinson and replacing it with an additional Tiger class frigate.


Even though heavily based on the U.S.S Tomilinson and is even similar in general appearance, the Tiger has numerous improvement. Some are obvious while others are less so. These include the weaponry of the vessel, propulsion, and even electronics. One major change in appearance is that the flight deck was extended all the way to the rear of the vessel with no deck behind the flight deck. In order to support the extra weight of new systems, the hull has been both been lengthened and widened. This has increased the displacement of the Tiger by about 800 tons compared to the U.S.S Tomilinson.


Instead of the old 76 mm gun which dated from the late Twentieth Century, the frigate mounts an 80 mm hyper velocity rail gun and a powerful particle beam. The 80 mm hyper velocity rail gun was developed for a tank originally and the particle beam is from a USA-G14 Space Glitter Boy that the REEF was able to acquire. Both weapons cannot be fired together because it would overload the power systems. Otherwise, the particle beam has effectively unlimited blasts although has a limit on the number of shots that can be fired before needing to be recharged. At the same time, the rail gun is more power and has longer range.


New missile systems were developed for the frigate as well. The vertical launch system is replaced by a version with higher number of smaller cells. The ship can carry eighty long range missiles in the same space as the U S.S. Tomilinson can carry sixty-four long range missiles. Instead of the single RAM missile launcher carried on the fantail of the U.S.S. Tomilinson, the Tiger mounts two short range missile launchers of higher capacity with one on either side of the superstructure. A lighter weight version of the long range missile canisters was developed with the canisters moved to the superstructure.


A number of weapon systems are retained more or less unchanged. While more modern electronics are used, the ship retains the Phalanx CIWS weapon system with the Vulcan laser replacing the 20 mm auto cannon. Augmenting the Phalanx are four lighter laser mounts mounted in the superstructure. Based on the Kittani K-1000 Spider Defense Systems, these systems pull power directly from the ship instead of having independent power supplies. As the ship is meant for anti-submarine warfare, the triple 234 mm torpedo tubes are retained.


A more compact and lighter version of the SPS-49 was developed and it was decided to retain the radar to give the frigate long range radar capabilities. In addition to being mounted on the Tiger, the conventional radar is mounted on the Tarantula class corvette.


The radar is considered to have limited tracking ability however and a lightweight phased radar system based on the SPY-1 radar was also developed in order to augment the long range two dimensional radar system. It has been remarked that the radar is quite similar to the radar mounted on the Oliver Hazzard Perry class frigates refitted by Golden Age Weaponsmiths. Some have REEF of stealing the technology without paying the other company for the design of the system. However, the reality is that the REEF developed the system from the radar system that they mounted on the USS Salem.


Not having any better systems to based them on, the REEF developed the sonar system on the Tiger from those on the U.S.S. Tomilinson. More modern components are used although performance is little changed from the original systems. In general they are considered adequate although compared to the more advanced systems produced prior to the Great Cataclysm, they are comparatively primitive.


The REEF does not produce any fusion plants similar to what is mounted in the Coalition Death Head Transport. One item that the REEF does manufacture are fusion plants for various aircraft. It was decided to use those from transport aircraft modified to operate in a similar manner to gas turbine engines. In many ways the propulsion system is more similar to how the U.S.S. Tomilinson was prior to being refitted than the way the vessel is now. These engines produce even greater power than the refitted engines on the U.S.S. Tomilinson and the frigate can reach speeds of up to thirty-eight knots with the top speed still limited by a governor for safety reasons.


A number of features from the propulsion of the U.S.S. Tomilinson were retained on the Tiger. These include the frigate being twin screwed. With the propellers themselves, the Tiger retains variable pitch propellers from the U.S.S. Tomilinson, allowing the frigate to be able to go from full speed to reverse or any variation between them rapidly. Another old system that is retained is the Prairie bubble masking system to help reduce the ability to detect the frigate using sonar.


In order to reduce building times, the Tiger was designed to be build in modular sections. This design feature is believed to have been originally used for the Twentieth Century Oliver Hazzard Perry class frigate and used on all later United States naval warship designs. While the building of the Tiger was fairly lengthy, it is expected that construction time could be greater reduced in later vessels. Unlike the U.S.S. Tomilinson, the Tiger takes advantage of advanced composites and alloys from the start and can withstand far greater damage.


Compared to the U.S.S. Tomilinson, the Tiger has far greater automation. This allows for a considerable reduction in the crew even though the Tiger has additional electronics as well as being heavier armed. It was decided to fit the ship with a small flag facility with the idea that this ship could act as a flagship when the need arises.


Some have called the Tiger a destroyer due to the ship’s size and firepower although relatively small compared to United States destroyer classes that served prior to the Great Cataclysm. The frigates of some other navies were actually larger than the Tiger and definitely had greater firepower and more powerful electronics. Of course one could argue that those vessels were really destroyers themselves and frigates in name only.


If the REEF was to produce a sales version of the frigate, there would likely be a number of changes to the design. One of the most likely ones would be the replacing of the combinational rail gun and particle beam with a conventional gun mount. Likely candidates are the 76 mm cannon that is mounted on the U.S.S. Tomilinson or the flack cannons carried on the Tarantula class corvette although would likely be a twin mounting. In addition, the point defense batteries based on the Spider Defense System would likely be replaced by a different system or eliminated.


Model Type: FFG-1 class Guided Missile Frigate.

Vehicle Type: Ocean, Guided Missile Frigate.

Crew: Ships Crew: 76; 6 officers, 10 chief petty officers, and 60 enlisted (Has a high degree of automation.)

Flagship Staff (When acting as a Flagship): 24 personnel (6 officers, 6 senior enlisted, and 12 enlisted.)

Troops: 2 Logan Veritech fighter pilots, 12 pilots for Katana SAMAS power armors, and 30 soldiers in normal body armor.


Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:

Power Armor Compliment:

 

4

Aqua-Tech LEA-50 Deep Sea Power Armors.

 

12

REEF PA-03 Katana SAMAS Power Armors.

Fighter / Aircraft Compliment:

 

1

ADCAP Logan Veritech Fighter.


M.D.C. by Location:

 

Bridge:

500.

 

[1] RDR-2D Compact Two Dimensional Air Search Radar Mast (superstructure):

100.

 

[1] RDR-3PA Lightweight Phase Array Radar Panels (4, superstructure):

160 each.

 

[2] MI-80A 80 mm Hyper Velocity Rail Gun (1, gun mount):

120.

 

[2] PB-20B Particle Beam Cannon Barrel (1, gun mount):

80.

 

CX-2 Combination Rail Gun / Particle Beam Gun Mount (1, forward):

250.

 

Mk 15X Vulcan Laser Phalanx Gun CIWS (1, superstructure above hanger):

100.

 

[2] LPDS-1000 Light Point Defense Systems (4, Superstructure):

50 each.

 

VLS-1X Eighty Cell Vertical Launch System (1, forward):

220.

 

LRM-4-LW Long Range Missile Canisters (8 total, superstructure):

80 each.

 

SRM-36 Short Range Missile Launchers (2, superstructure):

120 each.

 

MTT-3 Triple 12.75 inch (324 mm) Medium Torpedo Launchers (2, sides):

50 each.

 

[2] CD-2 Chaff /Decoy Launchers (2, superstructure):

10 each.

 

Hanger (aft):

500.

 

VTOL / Helicopter Pad (aft):

400.

 

Outer Hull (per 40 foot / 12.2 meter area):

80.

 

[3] Main Body:

1,600.


Notes:

[1] Destroying the RDR-3PA phased array radar panels will destroy the ship’s fire control systems but guns have backup systems and panels can partially compensate for each other. The RDR-2D radar system is for long range tracking but can be used for crude targeting as well. Vessel still retains backup fire control sensors as well.

[2] These are small and difficult targets to strike, requiring the attacker to make a “called shot,” but even then the attacker is -4 to strike.

[3] Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body destroys the ship's structural integrity, causing it to sink. There are enough flotation devices and inflatable life rafts to accommodate everyone aboard.


Speed:

Surface: 43.8 mph (38 knots/ 70.4 kph).

Range: Unlimited due to fusion engines (needs to refuel every 20 years and requires maintenance as well). Ship carries four (4) months of supplies on board.


Statistical Data:

Draft:    17.6 feet (5.36 meters) hull and 26.7 feet (8.14 meters) including forward sonar array.

Length:  411.6 feet (125.46 meters) and waterline 445.2 feet (135.70 meters) overall.

Width:   56.1 feet (17.10 meters).

Displacement: 4,000 standard and 5,100 tons fully loaded.

Cargo: Can carry 200 tons (181.4 metric tons) metric tons) of nonessential equipment and supplies. Each enlisted crew member has a small locker for personal items and uniforms. Ship’s officers have more space for personal items. Most of the ship’s spaces are taken up by extra ammo, armor, troops, weapons, and engines.

Power System: Two nuclear fusion reactors, average life span is 20 years. Usually only goes 10 years between refueling.

Black Market Cost: Presently not for sale. Sales versions would likely 250 or more million credits each. Cost does not include embarked craft and power armors.


WEAPON SYSTEMS:

  1. One (1) CX-2 Combination Rail Gun / Particle Beam Gun Mount: Weapon mount combines the MI-80A 80 mm Hypervelocity Rail Gun and the PB-20B Particle Beam Cannon from the USA-G14 Space Glitter Boy. Payload for hypervelocity rail gun is four hundred rounds, mostly heavy high strength alloy darts which are capable of penetrating the heaviest armor. Loading system automatically loads rail gun. Having a higher payload and recharge rate than the power armor it was designed for, the particle beam itself has a capacitor for a total of 120 energy blasts with a recharge rate of two blasts a minute. The turret is very similar in appearance to that carried for the Pre-Rifts 76 mm gun mount. The gun mount can rotate 270 degrees and the barrel can tilt up to 85 degrees to hit targets almost directly overhead. The weapon mount is quite effective and can be used to engage both surface targets and aircraft.

    Maximum Effective Range: Hypervelocity Rail Gun: 3 miles (4.83 km) for direct fire and 7.5 miles (12 km) for indirect fire. Particle Beam: 11,000 feet (about 2 miles/3.2 km).

    Mega Damage: Hypervelocity Rail Gun: A single round inflicts 4D6x10+20 (optional rule is that cannon gets a critical on a natural 18, 19, or 20 due to its high penetration). Can use High Explosive rounds that inflict 1D4x10 with a blast radius of 20 feet (6.1 meters). High Explosive Anti Tank inflicts 1D6x10 with a blast radius of 10 feet (3.05 meters). Particle Beam: 4D6x10 per blast.

    Rate of Fire: Hypervelocity Rail Gun: Maximum of four (4) shots per melee round. Particle Beam: Equal to combined hand to hand attacks of the gunner (usually 5 or 6).

    Payload: Hypervelocity Rail Gun: 400 rounds (200 usually anti-armor darts.) Particle Beam: 120 blasts in a capacitor, recharges at the rate of one blast every 30 seconds for the particle beam.

    Bonuses: Has a special fire control computer that helps to aim the cannon mount. Gives +2 to strike with rail gun and particle beam. Vessel also does not have penalties to fire when the frigate is moving.

  2. One (1) Mk 15X Phalanx Block II (Laser replaced 20 mm Vulcan Cannon): The weapon is mounted on the top of the hanger. It has been modified with a powerful laser replacing the multiple auto cannon barrels of the CIWS. The laser itself is a knock off of the IH-44L Vulcan Laser mounted originally on the Iron Hammer heavy tank. It is excellent for both taking out missiles and aircraft and can be targeted at ocean level targets. The system has a 360 degree rotation and can elevate up to 90 degrees to fire at targets directly overhead. The laser system can fire on automatic at up to six targets per melee round (Has +3 to strike missiles and +2 to strike aircraft).

    Maximum Effective Range: 4,000 feet (1,212 meters).

    Mega-Damage: 3D4x10 MD for an instantaneous burst of six lasers.

    Rate of Fire: Six (6) attacks per melee round (Has +3 to strike missile and +2 to strike aircraft).

    Payload: Effectively Unlimited.

  3. Four (4) LPDS-1000 Light Point Defense Systems: Based on the K-1000 Spider Defense Systems although fixed in place instead of being mobile platforms. They are a fully automatic point defense system. Located on the superstructure, two are on the sides near the bridge while the others are forward of the Mark 15 Phalanx mount. The systems are connected to the ships power supply so that it has unlimited shots. Weapon system normally is used as an anti-missile defense. Instead of the system having its own independent power system, power is pulled from the ship and have effectively unlimited payload. Replacing the original smoke grenades, the mounts carry four prismatic aerosol grenades each for protection against lasers. Other grenades can be used as well but are rarely used.

    Maximum Effective Range: Laser: 4,000 feet (1,200 meters) for light blasts and 3,000 feet (915 meters) for heavy blasts. Electrical Blaster: 20 feet (6 meters). Grenades: 100 feet (30.5 meters).

    Mega Damage: Laser: 4D6 for light blasts and 1D4x10 for heavy blasts. Electrical Blaster: 3D6 S.D.C. Grenades: See writeups on grenades for further details on grenades.

    Rate of Fire: Autonomous: Six (6) attacks per melee round (+2 to strike) - grenades are fired on at a time. Manual: Equal to number of combined hand to hand attacks of the gunner (usually 4-6).

    Payload: Laser: Effectively Unlimited. Electrical Blaster: Effectively Unlimited. Grenades: Total of four (4) grenades - usually two smoke and two prismatic aerosol grenades.

  4. VLS-1X Eighty Cell Vertical Launch System: Vertical launch system that is designed to be more efficient with regard to space than the original Mk 41 vertical launch system. The launcher has a total of 80 cells for missiles. Unlike the original missile system, each cell can only hold a single long range missiles or two medium range missiles. Long range missiles are normally used against aircraft and other large targets, and medium range missiles are normally used against closer targets such as incoming missiles. Anti-Submarine rocket launched torpedoes also can be fired from the launcher (See revised Rifts torpedoes for details.)

    Maximum Effective Range: As per long or medium range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)

    Mega Damage: As per long or medium range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)

    Rate of Fire: Can fire missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2), four (4), eight (8), or twenty (20) missiles per launcher per melee round and can be fired at multiple target at the same time.

    Payload: Eighty (80) missile cells in launcher [Can carry a total of eighty (80) long range missiles or one hundred and sixty (160) medium range missiles.] One (1) long range missile or two (2) medium range missiles may be carried per cell. The frigate will often carry forty (40) cells in launcher with two (2) medium range missiles each [eighty (80) medium range missiles] and the other cells loaded with one long range missile each [forty (40) long range missiles.] Ship carries no reloads.

  5. Eight (8) LRM-4-LW Long Range Missile Canisters: These launchers are special canisters that are located on the superstructure of the ship in two groups of four. They mount on the deck of the vessel and are effectively bolted on. While the launchers are reusable, they are still inexpensive and are easily jettisoned if damaged. Close copy of the U.S. Mk 141 canisters originally designed for the RGM-84 Harpoon missile but adapted for a larger variety of ordnance and designed to be lighter weight. While any long range missile type can be carried, usually special surface skimming missiles will be carried in launchers and are used against surface targets only.

    Maximum Effective Range: As per long range missile type (Surface skimming missiles have 25% less range than normal long range missile, see revised bomb and missile tables for details.)

    Mega Damage: As per long range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)

    Rate of Fire: Can fire long range missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2), four (4), or eight (8) long range missiles with all launchers operating together.

    Payload: One (1) long range missile each launcher for a grand total of eight (8) long range missiles (Has no missiles in storage for reloads.)

  6. Two (2) SRM-36 Short Range Missile Launchers: Mounted on either side of the superstructure. Each launcher has a thirty-six short range missiles and fills a similar role to the old U.S. GDC Mk 49 Rolling Airframe Missile Launcher. Twelve missiles are ready to fire. This launcher’s primary purpose is to engage incoming missiles. Short range missiles are usually a mixture of 50% Armor Piercing and 50% Plasma. Launchers can lock onto multiple targets at the same. The system’s missile launchers can target up four targets simultaneously.

    Maximum Effective Range: As per short range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)

    Mega Damage: As per short range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)

    Rate of Fire: Each launcher can fire short range missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2), four (4), six (6), or twelve (12) short range missiles. Each launcher operates independently.

    Payload: Thirty-six (36) short range missiles in each launcher [Has an additional thirty-six (36) missiles for reloads kept in storage. Reloading launcher requires six minutes (10 seconds per missile); twice as long if the crew is not familiar with the loading procedure.)

  7. Two (2) MTT-3 Triple 12.75 inch (324 mm) Torpedo Launchers: There is one torpedo mount on each side of the ship. Each torpedo mount has three torpedo tubes and tubes are 12.75 in (324 mm) wide. Torpedoes are normally used against submarines but can be targeted on surface targets as well. Interceptor torpedoes are also available for launchers / tubes to use against incoming torpedoes. Ship carries thirty-six reloads for torpedoes. For the most part torpedo warheads are equal to medium range missile warheads.

    Maximum Effective Range: 20 miles (17.4 nautical miles / 32 km) for standard torpedoes.

    Mega Damage: By medium torpedo warhead type (See revised Rifts torpedoes for details.)

    Rate of Fire: Can fire torpedoes one at a time or in volleys of two (2) or three (3) torpedoes per side. Reloading tubes requires two (2) full melee rounds.

    Payload: Three (3) medium torpedoes each launcher for a grand total of six (6) medium torpedoes. Has a total of thirty-six (36) medium torpedoes for reloads.

  8. Two (2) CD-2 Chaff /Decoy Launchers: Located on the superstructure of the ship, they are designed to confuse incoming missiles. Both launchers must be operated or effects will be reduced. Rifts Earth decoys systems are assumed to not be effective against Phase World / Three Galaxies missiles due to technological difference. Reduce effects by 20% against smart missiles (Add +20% to rolls for smart missiles) and reduce effects of launchers by 10% per launcher not used (Add +10% to rolls per launcher not used.) Only useful against missiles, not useful against torpedoes underwater.

    Range: Around Ship.

    Mega Damage: None.

    Effects:

    01-35

    Enemy missile or missile volley detonates in chaff cloud - Missiles are all destroyed.

     

    36-60

    Enemy missile or missile volley loses track of real target and veers away in wrong direction (May lock onto another target.)

     

    61-00

    No effect, enemy missile or missile volley is still on target.

    Payload: Twenty-four (24) each for a total of forty-eight (48) canisters.

  9. Two (2) TDQ-1A Towed Decoys: A special decoy which is towed behind the ship. The Coalition has not seen a need for this system so has not equipped their ships with it. It generates a sound like the ships propellers in order to confuse incoming torpedoes. Only effective at speeds below 25 knots. Otherwise, the noise of the ship’s systems and propellers is too powerful to mask. Rifts Earth decoys systems are assumed to not be effective against Phase World / Three Galaxies guidance systems due to technological difference.

    M.D.C.: 5 each.

    Range: Not Applicable although decoy is deployed approximately 1,000 feet (304.8 meters) from the vessel.

    Effects: The decoy has a 65% chance of fooling ordinary non military sonars and non smart guided torpedoes, the decoy has a 35% chance of fooling military level sonars (like those of the Coalition) and non “smart” torpedoes, and the decoy has a 10% chance of fooling advanced military sonars (Like those of the New Navy and Triax) and “smart” torpedoes.

    Payload: One ready to use, with one more ready to deploy. It takes approximately three minutes (twelve melee rounds) to reel out another decoy.

Special Systems:

The ship has all systems standard on a robot vehicle plus the following special features:



[ Altarain TM, Bandito Arms TM, Brodkil TM, Chipwell Armaments TM, Coalition States TM, Cyber-Knight TM, Federation of Magic TM, Free Quebec TM, Golden Age Weaponsmiths TM, Horune TM, Iron Heart Armaments TM, Kankoran TM, Kittani TM, Kydian TM, Larsen’s Brigade TM, M.D.C. TM, Mechanoids TM, Mega-Damage TM, Megaversal Legion TM, Millennium Tree TM, Mutants in Orbit TM, Naruni Enterprises TM, Naut’Yll, New Navy TM, New Sovietskiy TM, NGR TM, Nog Heng TM, Northern Gun TM, Phase World TM, Psyscape TM, Rifter TM, SAMAS TM, S.D.C. TM, Shemarrian TM, Splugorth TM, Stormspire TM, Sunaj TM, Tolkeen TM, Triax TM, Wellington Industries TM, Wilk’s Laser Technologies TM, Xiticix TM, and Zaayr TM are trademarks owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc. ]

[ Beyond the Supernatural®, Heroes Unlimited®, Nightbane®, Ninjas & Superspies®, Palladium Fantasy®, and Rifts® are registered trademarks owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc. ]

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Picture by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).


Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).


Copyright © 1998 to 2001, 2010, & 2019, Kitsune. All rights reserved.



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