Chinese Type 006 Zhenyuan class Multi Role Aircraft Carrier:


In 1998, the China government purchased the unfinished Soviet carrier Varyag from the Ukraine through a number of shell companies. Due to the politics involved, it took several years to tow it to China including having to take it around Africa instead of through the Suez Canal. In addition, it took many more years to refit the carrier for Chinese service due to its poor condition when it finally reached China. In addition to extensive rebuilding, the entire electronic suite including radar, required replacing. Eventually however the carrier was commissioned in the Chinese navy.


In many ways the vessel might be considered a training carrier, allowing the Chinese navy to learn about carrier operations. When it first entered Chinese naval service, the Shenyang J-15 fighter was operated from the carrier. This fighter was derived from reverse engineering a Soviet Su-33 fighter also acquired from the Ukraine. Even though considered to be of reasonably good condition, it was decided to retire the carrier after the revolution in new materials. Any refit would have been extensive. Thus the new J-25N fighter never operated from the carrier.


The Varyag might also be considered the prototype for all future Chinese carriers. The vessel was extensively studied and later carriers were strongly based on the modified Soviet design. A major change was the replacement of the steam plan, which always had maintenance issues, with four gas turbines. The first two vessels were constructed before the revolution in super strong materials, they were constructed using conventional materials. Otherwise, the electronic suite was virtually identical to the refitted Varyag.


Each of the four gas turbines produced forty thousand horsepower for a total of one hundred and sixty thousand horsepower. Even though this was slightly less than the steam plant of the refitted Soviet vessel, the gas turbines were considered far more reliable. During these carrier’s service, top speed was considered to be around twenty-nine to thirty knots.


As they were newer, it was decided to refit these carriers with the new high strength materials and were given full refits. In addition, when they became available, the original gas turbines were replaced by fusion turbine engines to give them virtually unlimited range. Even so, it was decided to sell these carriers to other powers in order to finance two additional carriers that were build from the keel out from high strength composite and alloys. Initially only four had been planned with the two older converted conventional construction carriers remaining in service.


While the new carriers were constructed from high strength composites and alloys, otherwise the designs are quite conservative and little changed from the original modified Varyag design. This included that the initial design retained the gas turbine engines of the previous class. However, these vessels did have a number of minor improvements over previous Chinese carriers.


Known as the Zhenyuan class, these carriers became the backbone of the Chinese navy for many years. As described previously, originally only four were planned but later two more were added with the two converted carriers retired from Chinese service. During construction, fusion turbines became practical. While the first Zhenyuan class carrier entered service initially with gas turbines, all later carriers entered service with fusion turbines. The lead Zhenyuan was also refitted with fusion turbines. These fusion turbines produced around twenty-five percent additional power than the planned gas turbines and increased the top speed to around thirty-two knots. The fusion turbines gave almost unlimited range although they needed to be refueled every ten years approximately and required periodic maintenance as well.


Compared to Western carriers, the Zhenyuan class can be considered less sophisticated. This includes that the Chinese carriers mount using a ski-jump instead of catapults. The carrier design does have arrestor cables for aircraft landings and can operate conventional carrier aircraft designs from its flight deck. Similar to the Soviet design that it was developed from, the Zhenyuan class did not feature any kind of radar reduction or noise dampening systems. Still, one should not dismiss these carriers because when properly operated, they could be highly effective.


Construction was relatively slow with one vessel being completed every eight years. As they were building using high strength composites and alloys, all six remained in service when the Great Cataclysm occurred. Rumor is that the Chinese navy planned to built four additional carriers that would have been slightly larger but still of an overall similar design. It is believed none had been laid down prior to the cataclysm. Whether any Zhenyuan class carriers survived is unknown but it is not impossible. It is known that several lighter Chinese vessels did survive the coming of the Great Cataclysm.


Due to minor alterations in the design of the Zhenyuan class, the air group is slightly increased compared to the Varyag design. A total of thirty-eight fighters were usually embarked. This includes twenty-six heavy fighters, initially the Shenyang J-25N design but later the J-32 design. Due to delays in production of the J-32, the J-25N operated alongside the newer fighter for far longer than expected although it is believe that all J-25N were retired from Chinese naval service prior to the coming of the Great Cataclysm. In addition, twelve of a modified version of the Soviet Yak-141 design were usually carried. Unlike the J-25 and J-32, the Yak-141 (or the Hongdu JH-28N as the Chinese version was known) was designed for vertical take off and landing. In addition, usually four airborne electronic warfare helicopters and eight anti-submarine warfare / rescue helicopters were also embarked. Later, twenty-four Troll power armors were added.


The fighters and other embarked craft were considered the main weaponry of the carrier but it also was armed for self defense. This includes four HQ-24 Long Range Vertical Launch Systems for a total of thirty-two long range missiles. Theoretically, these missiles can be used against other ships but mainly designed for ship defense. In addition, the carrier has four Type 850 Combination Anti-Missile Systems. Each mounted a 30 mm auto-cannon and twenty-four short range missiles. With around ninety-six short range missiles are ready to fire for close range missile defense, the ship was quite well protected.


The Type 455 SAPARS Phased Array Radar was the main long range radar array. An active phased array system, the radar is the same system as the Type 65 Destroyer carried. Considered extremely effective, it was considered to have a range of greater than four hundred kilometers and was able to track over three hundred targets simultaneously. It was decided to mount a much more conventional Type 381 radar system, also known as “Sea Eagle.” Range of the Type 382 radar was considered to only around one hundred kilometers and was only designed to track up to twenty-four targets simultaneously.


In addition to the radar systems, the carrier mounted the MGK-345 hull sonar which is virtually unmodified from the original Varyag design. Otherwise, these ships were not designed with either a towed array sonar system or any other anti-submarine weaponry. This role was expected to be performed by either escorting vessels or embarked helicopters. As these ships are expected to operate as flagships, the Zhenyuan class have extensive communication suites. For actual flag personnel, these carriers had facilities for a flag staff of up to fifty officers and enlisted.


With respect to the actual crew, the ship’s crew itself was considered to be around one thousand personnel with an additional six hundred for the air crew. These carriers did not feature anything like the automation of Western designs. A troop compliment of two hundred could also be embarked aboard the Zhenyuan class. In general crew quarters were not considered up to Western standards but were still considered reasonably comfortable.


Author Note: With respect to time line, these designs may or may not reflect our modern time line. The time line of these writeups diverged from our time line starting around 1999. Consider the universe that these designs are created for to be an alternate universe not bound by ours.


Model Type: Type 006 Zhenyuan Multi-role Aircraft Carrier.

Class: Nuclear Aircraft Carrier.

Crew: Ship’s Complement: 1,050 personnel (104 officers, 106 chief petty officers, and 840 enlisted.)

Air Wing: 520 personnel (140 pilots / air crews, 60 flight deck officers, and 420 enlisted.)

Flagship Staff (When acting as a Flagship): 50 personnel (8 officers, 12 senior enlisted, and 30 enlisted.)

Troops: 200 personnel (40 pilots for Troll heavy power armors and 200 soldiers in body armor.)


Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:

Power Armor Compliment:

 

24

KRS-12 “Troll” Heavy Power Armors.

Aircraft Compliment:

 

8

Changhe Z-18ASW-N ASW / Search and Rescue Helicopters.

 

4

Changhe Z-18AEW-N AEW Helicopters.

 

12

Hongdu JH-28N VSTOL Fighters.

 

26

Shenyang J-32 Multi-Role Fighters.


M.D.C. by Location:

 

Type 850 Combination Anti-Missile Systems (4, hull):

225 each.

 

HQ-24 Eight Cell Long Range Vertical Launch Systems (4, hull):

120 each.

 

[1] Type 952 Chaff / Decoy Launchers (8, hull / superstructure):

10 each.

 

[2] Type 455 SAPARS Active Phase Array Radar Panels (4, superstructure):

225 each.

 

[2] Type 382 “Sea Eagle” Air Search Radar System (1, superstructure):

160.

 

[3] Arrester Cables (4):

40 each.

 

[4] Exterior Elevators (2):

300 each.

 

Hanger doors (2):

300 each.

 

[5] Flight Deck:

3,400.

 

[6] Bridge / Command Tower:

2,200.

 

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

65.

 

[7] Main Body:

9,500.


Notes:

[1] 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.

[2] Destroying the Type 455 SAPARS active phase array radar system will disable primary long range search and fire control systems; Type 381 “Sea Eagle” radar system acts as medium range radar but does not have the ability to track as many targets. In addition, standard robot sensors for the time period, not needing large antennas to be effective, were installed in well-protected points in the hull as secondary systems. As well, the Type 455 active phase array panels can partially compensate for each other.

[3] If arrester cables are destroyed, non VTOL or STOL aircraft cannot land until arrester cables are replaced.

[4] If both elevators are destroyed, no aircraft can be moved from the hangers to the flight deck, meaning that they cannot be launched unless already on the flight deck.

[5] If the flight decks are destroyed, only VTOL aircraft can be launched or land. VTOL aircraft are at -15% to piloting.

[6] If the bridge/ control tower is destroyed, the ship can still be piloted from engineering but with a -15% to piloting rolls. Communication and sensor equipment are not concentrated on the bridge to reduce the effectiveness of bridge hits.

[7] Destroying the main body causes the ship to lose structural integrity, causing the ship to sink. There are enough life preservers and inflatable life boats to accommodate everyone on the ship.


Speed:

Surface: 36.8 mph (32 knots/ 59.3 kph).

Range: Unlimited due to fusion engines (needs to refuel every 15 years and requires maintenance as well). Ship carries six months of supplies on board.


Statistical Data:

Draft:    34.4 feet (10.5 meters) including sonar dome.

Length:  900.6 feet (274.5 meters) waterline and 1011.2 feet (308.2 meters) overall.

Width:   116.5 feet (35.5 meters) waterline and 237.9 feet (72.5 meters) flight deck.

Displacement: 58,600 tons standard and 73,200 tons fully loaded.

Cargo: Can carry 4,000 tons (3,630 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: Original design was conventional gas turbine propulsion, converted to four nuclear fusion turbine reactors with an average life span of 15 years. Normally refuels every 10 years.

Market Cost: Not for sale but would cost around 1.4 billion credits to construct. If found and sold on the black market would likely cost between 3.5 to 7 billion credits. Cost does not include embarked craft and power armors.


WEAPON SYSTEMS:

  1. Four (4) Type 850 Combination Anti-Missile Systems: Close range anti-missile defense systems which combines both a seven barrel 30 mm Gatling Cannon and a short range missile launchers. Mounted on sponsons along the hull. While mounted in one system, both defense systems have separate fire control and tracking systems. Short range missiles are designed to be able to track and target multiple missiles simultaneously. Gatling cannon fires burst of 20 or 40 rounds at incoming air attacks, especially missiles, usually those which leak through the missile defense. While not the primary function, the system can be targeted against surface targets and ground targets.

    Maximum Effective Range: 30 mm Gatling Cannons: 9,840 feet (3,000 meters). Short Range Missiles: As per short range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)

    Mega Damage: 30 mm Gatling Cannons: 2D6x10 for a short burst of 20 round, 4D6x10 for a long burst of 40 rounds, and 3D6 for each round. Both bursts count as one attack. Range Missiles: As per short range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)

    Rate of Fire: 30 mm Gatling Cannons: Six (6) attacks per melee round (+2 to strike aircraft; +3 to strike missiles.) Short Range Missiles: Two (2) attacks per melee round, can fire short range missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2) or four (4) short range missiles.

    Payload: 30 mm Gatling Cannons: 500 Rounds (2 Drums of 250) - 25 short bursts / 12 long bursts. Short Range Missiles: Twenty-four (24) short range missiles per mount.

  2. Four (4) HQ-24 HQ-24 Eight Cell Long Range Vertical Launch Systems: Mounted on sponsons along the hull, launchers have eight cells each for a total of forty-eight cells mounted in octagonal patterns. Launcher is not as flexible as the Mk 41 launcher and can only fire long range missiles. Missiles are primarily anti-air missiles although ground attack is a secondary role of launcher. Similar multi-purpose missiles are used in both cases. As well, anti-submarine rocket launched torpedoes can also be fired although rarely carried. The launchers can launch at multiple targets simultaneously.

    Maximum Effective Range: Varies with long range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)

    Mega-Damage: Varies with 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 any amount up to twelve (12) long range missiles total in any combinations and at multiple targets at the same time (All launchers combined.)

    Payload: Thirty-two (32) long range missiles total [Eight (8) each launcher.]

  3. Eight (8) Type 952 Chaff / Decoy Launchers: Located on the sides of the hull of the ship, they are designed to confuse incoming missiles. All eight 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: Twelve (12) each for a total of ninety-six (96) canisters.

Special Systems:

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



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Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).


Copyright © 2012 & 2019, Kitsune. All rights reserved.



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