French Delpy class Pentamaran Guided Missile Frigate (Destroyer):


Developed initially as general purpose vessels, the Delpy class frigates were planned as replacements for a number of older vessels that had been converted using the new composites and alloys. By this time, even though refitted, these older vessels were seen as needing to be replaced. Two primary roles considered during development of the Delpy class was for escort and for flag showing missions.


Coming off of the success of the Jean Bart class amphibious support cruisers, a pentamaran design was again chosen. The five-hulled ship was able to reach much greater speeds with less power than conventional hulled designs, giving the vessel an advantage with respect to moving quickly into a combat zone. One of the important features as was that the vessel would be required to conduct both offensive and defensive duties without any support if necessary. It was required that as “Jack of all Trade” ships that they would be able to perform in the AAW, ASW, or surface warfare roles.


Even though they had designed the Jean Bart class as cruisers, they returned to the designation of frigate for the new design although in size it might be better compared to that of a destroyer. In the French navy, frigate means any missile armed ship up to cruiser sized. The prior Dupleix class frigates might be better to classify as destroyers as well.


The lead ship of the class was laid down at the Lorient Naval Dockyard in Twenty Eighty-Four after three years of development. Further ships were laid down at the rate of about one vessel every two years although there was some slippage during construction. Initial plans were for eight vessels to be completed with this later increased to twelve vessels.


In their basic concept, the Delpy class frigates might be considered a cut down version of the Jean Bart class amphibious support cruisers. At the same time as the Delpy class was being developed, the Charlemagne class command cruiser was also being developed. In comparison, the command cruiser however was basically a modification of the Jean Bart class amphibious support cruisers.


The designers wanted to keep the excellent ship handling characteristics of the class, and used the design of the larger ship as the basis of the new frigate. In basic design, the ship had a total of five hulls with a secondary and tertiary hull on either side of the primary hull. The two secondary hulls set about halfway the main hull and the tertiary hulls beginning at the same point and ending at half of their length. With an extremely wide hull, these vessels were incredibly stable and this was further enhanced with a number of fin stabilizers. Through the use of trainable engine pods and thrusters fitted to all five hulls, the ships were also extremely maneuverable.


As with the Jean Bart class, the superstructure is relatively boxy with the superstructure overlapping over the secondary hulls. There are forward and aft sections containing the bridge area forward and the hanger aft. While the Jean Bart class had a radar system on both the forward and aft part, the Delpy class only had a radar system mounted in the forward superstructure. Between the two main sections of the superstructure was located a Sylver MRX vertical launch system with thirty-two missile cells.


Forward of the superstructure was fitted a single barrel 155 mm electro thermal gun mount and a a Sylver MRX vertical launch system with forty-eight missile cells. The gun mount used the same barrel as the one on the Jean Bart class but carries a much smaller payload. However, it was still considered highly effective, able to be used in both the shore bombardment and anti-ship roles.


On either side of the forward superstructure was mounted a Sadral-AL sextuple short range missile launchers. It was chosen over rail guns because it was seen as more effective against incoming missiles. As this vessel is designed for anti-submarine warfare, it mounts a pair of torpedo catapults designed to fire 324 mm torpedoes. Both anti-submarine and interceptor torpedoes were usually carried. Optionally, a quad MM40 could be mounted on either side above the hanger to give greater long range firepower.


Unlike the Jean Bart class, the Delpy class frigates were considered more of a multi-role design. The DRBW 25L active phased array radar was a lighter version of the main radar system carried Jean Bart class with similar range but reduced tracking capabilities. Otherwise it was considered an excellent system. As described earlier, it was decided to delete the secondary radar system with the new radar system considered highly capable. While the Jean Bart class only carried a hull sonar, the Delpy class frigates added a towed array sonar for better anti-submarine warfare capabilities. A full electronic warfare suite was provided as well.


In common with virtually all warships at the time, the superstructure and hull were designed to reduce the frigate’s radar cross signature considerably. The design also featured the latest in radar absorbing materials to further reduce the ability of the vessel to be detecting with radar. These same materials were incredibly tough and able to withstand incredible abuse as well as being virtually impervious to the effects of the environment.


Power was provided by a pair of fusion reactors that are improved versions of the reactors carried aboard the older Dupleix class frigate, designed to produce slightly greater power while requiring less manning. As with the Jean Bart class, an electrical transmission system provided power to the thrusters, greatly reducing propulsion noises compared to geared turbine designs. In addition, the frigate used a bubble masking system to further reduce engine noises.


Five Delpy class frigates were completed before the Great Cataclysm with a sixth in the final fitting out stage. A seventh vessel had just been laid down and had been in the extremely early stages of construction. Four of the ships were at sea when the cataclysm occurred and the fate of the warships is unknown. With their construction from advanced composites, it is possible that a number of these frigates could have survived.


One ship was in dry-dock in a hardened bunker and is known to have survived the Great Cataclysm. The frigate Piccard was recovered by the New German Republic and used by their navy as a general purpose escort vessel where it has performed reasonably well. Even so, when it came to developing their own warships, they decided to go with a trimaran design due to being seen as less complex.


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: Delpy Class Guided Missile Destroyer.

Vehicle Type: Ocean, Guided Missile Destroyer.

Crew: 105; 7 officers, 15 Chief Petty officers, and 83 enlisted (Has a high degree of automation).

Troops: 12 Panthère crew members and 25 marines including Lafayette power armor pilots.


Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:

Power Armor Compliment:

 

15

Lafayette Power Armors.

Aircraft Compliment:

 

2

Panthère NH110 ASW Helicopters.

M.D.C. by Location:

 

Bridge:

450.

 

[1] Thompson-CS DRBW 25L Active Phased Array Radar Panels (4, superstructure):

320 each.

 

Giat 155 mm / 65 Electro Thermal Cannon Barrels (1, gun mount):

150.

 

Giat 155 mm / 65 Electro Thermal Single Barrel Gun Mount (1, forward):

300.

 

Sylver MRX 48 cell Vertical Launch Systems (1, forward):

330.

 

Sylver MRX 32 cell Vertical Launch Systems (1, amidships):

220.

 

MM40 Quad Long Range Missile Canister Launchers (2, above hanger):

250 each.

 

Sadral-AL Sextuple Short Range Missile Launchers (2, superstructure):

120 each.

 

Dual KD-73C 12.75 inch (324 mm) Fixed Torpedo Catapults (2, sides):

40 each.

 

[2] CSEE Sagaie AMBL-7G Chaff / Decoy Launchers (4, superstructure):

10 each.

 

Hangar (aft):

350

 

VTOL Pad (aft):

250.

 

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

80.

 

[3] Primary Hull (main body):

2,000.

 

[4] Secondary Hulls (2, either side of primary hull):

800 each.

 

[5] Tertiary Hulls (2, either side of primary hull):

400 each.

Notes:

[1] Destroying the DRBW 25L phased array air search system radar system will eliminate the ship’s long range air search ability but weapon systems have backup fire control systems and panels can partially compensate for each other.

[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] Destroying the main body causes the ship to lose structural integrity, causing the ship to sink. If the secondary hulls are still intact, the ship will sink very slowly and will take a full twenty four hours to sink. This may give the ships crew time to patch the damage to an extent that the ship will float but all propulsion will be destroyed but the ship may be repairable. There are enough life preservers and inflatable life boats to accommodate everyone on the ship.

[4] Destruction of one secondary hull will reduce stability and negate bonuses due to quiet design and for piloting. Destruction of both secondary hulls will give the ship a -20% penalty to piloting and give a bonus of +20% to be detected. Ship’s speed is also reduced to 34.5 mph (30 knots / 55.6 kph).

[5] Destruction of one tertiary hull will reduce stability and negate bonuses due to quiet design and for piloting. Destruction of both secondary hulls will give the ship a -10% penalty to piloting and give a bonus of +10% to be detected. Ship’s speed is also reduced to 46 mph (40 knots / 74.1 kph).


Speed:

Surface: 62.1 mph (54 knots / 100.0 kph).

Range: Effectively unlimited due to fusion engines (needs to refuel every 20 years and requires maintenance as well). Ship carries six (6) months of supplies on board.


Statistical Data:

Height:  105.64 feet (32.2 meters).

Length:  539.04 feet (164.3 meters) waterline 578.74 feet (176.4 meters) overall.

Width:   104.33 feet (31.8 meters).

Displacement: 6,220 tons standard and 8,140 tons fully loaded

Cargo: Can carry 400 tons (272.2 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: Not for sale but if found on the black market would probably cost 500 million or more credits. Cost does not include embarked craft and power armors.


WEAPON SYSTEMS:

  1. One (1) Single Barrel 155 mm Electro-Thermal Naval Gun Mount: The gun is mounted in the front of the vessel. Designed after the American gun of the same diameter and similar caliber, it replaced older designs for the main dual purpose gun system for the French navy. The projectile is loaded into the barrel, behind which there is a “propellant,” which is a dot of light metal. A powerful electromagnetic force is applied to the metal, which causes its atoms to "switch" directions. This happens so violently that the metal turns to plasma, and this expanding gas then drives the projectile forward. The reload system is fully automated and the rate of fire can be maintained as long as the system retains ammunition. While the projectiles have a lot greater range than standard 155 mm projectiles, they carry the same size warheads and inflicts about the same damage. Self guided projectiles can be used for pinpoint accuracy although G.P.S. satellite guided projectiles are no longer useful due to the elimination of the satellites. Guided projectiles are far more expensive. Both non rocket assisted and rocket assisted projectiles are available for the weapon system. Weapon is not designed to use extended range guided munitions and they were not seen as necessary with the great range of the electro-thermal projectiles. Gun mount can rotate 360 and has a 90 arc of fire.

    Maximum Effective Range: 31.1 miles (27 nautical miles / 50 km) for standard projectiles, and 49.7 miles (43.2 nautical miles / 80.0 km) for rocket assisted projectiles.

    Mega-Damage: Standard Projectiles: 2D6x10 to a blast radius of 25 feet (7.7 meters) for High Explosive, 3D6x10 to a blast radius of 6 feet (2 meters) for High Explosive Armor Piercing, and 4D6x10 to a blast radius of 25 feet (7.7 meters) for Plasma. Rocket Assisted Projectiles: 2D4x10 to a blast radius of 20 feet (6.1 meters) for High Explosive, 2D6x10 to a blast radius of 4 feet (1.2 meters) for High Explosive Armor Piercing, and 3D6x10 to a blast radius of 20 feet (6.1 meters) for Plasma.

    Use the statistics for 155 mm artillery warheads (Go to Battlefield Artillery for Rifts for more information - standard or rocket assisted as appropriate) when using artillery rounds.

    Rate of Fire: Up to five (5) single shots per melee.

    Payload: 400 rounds total

  2. Two (2) Sylver MRX Advanced Capacity Vertical Launch Systems: The ship has one launch systems with forty-eight cells and one launch systems with thirty two cells. A French design, the sixty-four cell forward launcher is located between the 155 mm gun mount and the superstructure while the thirty-two cell launch is located amidship between raised areas of the superstructure. The redesigned launchers were built to incorporate the same diversity of missiles that were being designed for the comparable American Mk 41 systems. Each cell could carry a single cruise missile, two long-range missiles, or four medium-range missiles. Cruise missiles are usually used against hardened fixed targets, 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 cruise, long range, or medium range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)

    Mega-Damage: As per cruise, long range, 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 volley of two (2), four (4), or sixteen (16) missiles per melee round and can be fired at multiple targets at the same time.

    Payload: Forty-eight (48) missile cells in the forward VLS launcher and thirty-two (32) missile cells in the midships VLS launcher for a total of eighty (80) missile cells (possible total of 160 long range missiles). One (1) cruise missile, two (2) long range missiles, or four (4) medium range missiles may be carried per cell. he ship would often carried twelve (12) cells loaded with cruise missiles, thirty-six (36) cells loaded with long range missiles (72 long range missiles) and thirty-two (32) cells loaded with medium range missiles (128 medium range missiles.)

  3. Two (2) MM40 Quad Long Range Missile Canister Launchers: These launchers are special canisters mounted in two quadruple mounts above the helicopter hanger but not always carried. These launchers are a slightly modified version of the French MM40 Exocet missile canisters. While the launchers are reusable, they are still inexpensive and are easily jettisoned if damaged although the whole quadruple mount has to be jettisoned. 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 missiles, 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: Long range missiles are mounted in two quad launchers with four (4) long range missiles for a total of eight (8) long range missiles.

  4. Two (2) Dual KD-73C 12.75 inch (324 mm) Fixed Torpedo Catapults: There are twin catapults for launching torpedoes on each side of the ship. Each catapult could launch 12.75 in (324 mm) torpedoes out to 492 feet (150 meters) from the ship. The torpedo’s motor would then take over, guiding it to its target. Torpedoes are normally used against submarines but can be targeted against surface targets as well. Interceptor torpedoes are also available for launchers to use against incoming torpedoes. Ship carries forty 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 medium torpedoes one at a time or in volleys of two (2) medium torpedoes per side. Reloading catapults requires two (2) full melee rounds.

    Payload: Two (2) medium torpedoes each launcher for a grand total of four (4) medium torpedoes. Has an additional forty (40) medium torpedoes for reloads.

  5. Four (4) CSEE Sagaie AMBL-7G Chaff / Decoy Launchers: Located on the superstructure of the ship, they are designed to confuse incoming missiles. All four 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 differences. 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: Six (6) canisters each for a total of twenty-four (24) canisters. One hundred and ninety-two (192) reloads are carried, reloading takes two melee rounds.

  6. Four (4) Dassault FRN-6F LAT Towed Torpedo Decoys: A special decoy which is towed behind the ship. It generates a sound like the ships propellers in order to confuse incoming torpedoes. Only effective at speeds 28.8 mph (25 knots / 46.3 kph) and below. 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 and targeting systems due to technological differences.

    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 three 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:

Bonuses:


[ 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. ]


Writeup by Kamikazi (co366thaw@hotmail.com) and Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).


Copyright © 2004 & 2018, Kamikazi & Kitsune. All rights reserved.


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