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Netherlands Navy Zeven Provinciën class LCF:


When at the end of the Twentieth Century the old Tromp class guided missile frigates of the Dutch Royal Navy were coming at the end of their life, a new class of ships had to be designed. This would not be an easy task, because the De Ruyter class had proven to be a truly excellent class of ships, capable of not only air defense, surface combat, but also anti submarine work and flotilla command. Any new class of ships needed to be capable of all that and more, because it also had to be stealthy and capable of naval gunfire support fire in littoral operations.


Ultimately it was decided that the main emphasis would lie on area air defense, naval gun fire support and, for the first two ships of the new class, flotilla command. Thus the designation of the class would be “Luchtverdedigings en Commando Fregat” (Air defense and Command Frigate) or LCF for short.


In order to lower the costs of the ships they would be build as part of a tripartite warship building program by the German Kriegsmarine, the Spanish Armada, and the Dutch Royal Navy, since all three had the need for an air defense ship with more or less similar capability. Unlike in the ill-fated Horizon project which cost the British so much trouble, the three countries cooperated mainly on the ship platform, and not as much on actual combat systems.


Even so, when the Dutch announced that they would employ a new type of radar which had yet to be designed, the Germans announced that they would also be part of that development program. The Spanish decided to play it safe, and bought the SPY-1 Aegis combat system for their ship. The new radar became one with an active phased array, operating on the x-band, and more advanced than virtually anything build up to that point. Known as APAR for Active Phased Array Radar, the Dutch company of Signaal in Delft took the lead in designing the new radar system.


In 2002 the first of the new LCF class was commissioned, following almost four years of construction. She was named HNLMS Zeven Provinciën (F802) and was namesake of the class. It was a proud name for a proud ship. During both the first and second Anglo-Dutch Wars, the ship of the line De Zeven Provinciën served as the flagship of Dutch Admiral Michiel de Ruyter. Over the next few years, she would be followed by HNLMS Tromp (F803), HNLMS De Ruyter (F804), and HNLMS Evertsen (F805). With the four ship LCF class, the Dutch had proven that they were still master shipbuilders.


At 6,000 tons and 144 meters length, the LCF might be better considered to be a destroyer and not a frigate. Even so, the vessel was designed with a very small radar cross signature, and provided the ship with the radar signature of a small corvette instead of very large frigate. In addition, there was room for a large helicopter in a roomy hangar. The propulsion was a mix of diesels and gas turbines, and could drive the ship at an economical speed of eighteen knots for more than 6,000 nautical miles, or at a top speed of twenty-nine knots.


The new Signaal APAR was often compared to the American SPY-1 radar. While the American system was a passive phased array, APAR was an active phased array. In addition, it was considerably small while having equal if not better performance. Unlike the American SPY-1 radar, the APAR system did not require separate designators. Backing up the APAR system, the LCF mounted the Signaal SMART-L long range air and surface surveillance radar. A rotating passive phased array radar, it was capable of limited targeting as well.


Also included were the Signaal Sirius IRST long range infrared surveillance and tracking system and a STN Atlas Elektronik DSQS-24C sonar in the bow. The various combat systems aboard the LCF were integrated by means of the Signaal Sewaco FD combat system. In general, these ships were considered to have a combat and sensor package at least equal or better than the contemporary Aegis system in use by the United States Navy.


For countermeasures, most important was probably the powerful Sabre ESM/ECM system build by Racal of England. When these ships were commissioned, it was considered one of the most powerful and extensive systems in its kind. Of course these frigates also carried missile decoy systems as well as towed anti-torpedo decoys to protect the vessels if an attack made it through all of the other defenses of the LCF.


These frigates were considered among the heaviest armed warships at the time of their commissioning. Only a few vessels were heavier armed, among them the American Arleigh Burke and Ticonderoga classes. As originally fitted, these ships carried a forty cell Mk 41 vertical launch system which was later upgraded to a forty-eight cell launcher. When first commissioned, a standard load out might be thirty-two quad-pack RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM) missiles for short to medium range air defense and thirty-two RIM-67/RIM-156 “Standard” missiles long range air defense.


Just forward of the Mk 41 vertical launch system was an Oto Melara 127 mm Lightweight Gun, capable of firing forty rounds of ammunition per minute. As inner defense against air threats, the frigate mounted a pair of 30 mm Goalkeeper CIWS systems. To engage enemy ships at longer ranges, aft of the bridge were eight Mk 141 canisters for the RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile. For anti-submarine uses there were twin 324 mm torpedo tubes mounted on each side of the ship. Rounding out the weaponry of the LCF, the frigate mounted a pair of 20 mm cannons for defense against small boats and similar threats.


While these ships were considered relatively old in the Twenty-Thirties when there was a revolution in high strength materials, the Dutch government decided to upgrade these ships. New composite and plastic armors were fitted to the vessels. In addition, the weapon systems were upgraded to use new ammunition types. Later upgrades replaced the original gas turbines with fusion turbines with the diesel engines being stripped at the same time.


Tensions worldwide continued to build and plans to retire the frigates were cancelled. When the Great Cataclysm came, HNLMS Tromp, HNLMS De Ruyter, and HNLMS Evertsen were all at sea, patrolling the North Sea and skirmishing with the Imperial American forces. Rifts and ley line storms swept over the North Sea, annihilated virtually all ships fighting there, including the LCFs.


The only survivor of the class was HNLMS Zeven Provinciën, which was had been resupplying and rearming in Hamburg at the time. Somehow, much of Germany was spared by the Rifts and ley line storms that devastated much of the world. For the remainder of the disaster she remained in port and was spared the fate of her three sisters. Germany lost much of her navy along with the Dutch navy and they needed every warship they could muster and HNLMS Zeven Provinciën was a welcome addition to the New German Republic Navy even with her age. What was left of the Netherlands became part of the New German Republic.


Even though the New German Republic navy has grown to be a force to be reckoned with, the Zeven Provinciën has been retained. Over the years, the vessel has received a number of refits although many systems aboard the frigate require custom parts. In some cases, new components and parts can be fitted and today she is a hodgepodge of old and new systems. The fusion turbines fitted to her while in Dutch service were replaced by new fusion turbines that can be maintained far easier than the originals. In addition, the hanger was refitted to enable the XM-270F “Mosquito” VTOL to be embarked instead of a helicopter.


While she is still on active duty, she is no longer considered a front line ship, and she currently serves as a training ship for New German Republic naval personnel. In this capacity she carries classes of up to 100 students, and her outdated command facilities have been transformed into extra bunks and a classroom. Even so, she still sets sail on a regular basis and is usually fully armed. Theoretically, the student classrooms could be converted into troop berthing in order to act as a combat transport, something that has been considered from time to time.


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: Zeven Provinciën class LCF.

Class: Air Defense and Command Frigate.

Crew: 180 total; 18 officers, 16 chief petty officers, and 146 enlisted. Has berthing for up to 100 ratings extra (Mainly for training purposes.)

Troops: 6 Helicopter or VTOL pilots and crew.


Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:

Aircraft Compliment:

 

1

XM-270F “Mosquito” VTOL Aircraft (Anti-Submarine Warfare variant.)

M.D.C. by Location:

 

Bridge:

275.

 

[1] APAR Active Phased Array Radar Systems (4, superstructure):

100 each.

 

[1] Signaal Smart-L Air / Surface Search Radar (superstructure):

150.

 

[2] Signaal Sirius Cameras (2, superstructure):

20 each.

 

Oto Melara 127 mm / 54 Barrel (1, gun mount):

80.

 

Oto Melara 127 mm Lightweight Gun Mount (forward):

240.

 

30 mm Goalkeeper CIWS (2, forward and aft superstructure):

130 each.

 

20 mm cannon (2, sides):

50 each.

 

Mk 41 Strike Length 48 Cell Vertical Launch System (1, forward):

360.

 

Mk 141 Missile Canisters (8 total, 4 on each side):

100 each.

 

Mk 32 Dual 12.75 inch (324 mm) Medium Torpedo Launchers (2, sides):

35 each.

 

[2] Mk 36 Super RBOC Chaff / Decoy Launchers (4, superstructure):

10 each.

 

Hangar (aft):

200.

 

VTOL Pad (aft):

150.

 

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

50.

 

[3] Main Body:

1,100.

Notes:

[1] Destroying both APAR and the Smart-L Air Search System radar system will eliminate the ship’s long range air search ability but weapon systems have backup fire control systems. Both air search systems are separate so both systems are not likely to be disabled from a single hit, and the four APAR panels can compensate for the loss of one or two panels.

[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:

On Water: 33.9 mph (29.5 knots / 54.6 kph).

Range: Effectively Unlimited due to fusion engines (needs to refuel every 15 years and requires maintenance as well). Ship carries four (4) months of supplies on board.


Statistical Data:

Draft: 17.1 feet (5.2 meters).

Length: 423.8 feet (130.7 meters) waterline and 473.1 feet (144.2 meters) overall.

Width: 62.3 feet (18.8 meters).

Displacement: 5,400 tons standard and 6,200 tons fully loaded.

Cargo: Can carry 400 tons (362.9 metric tons) of nonessential equipment and supplies. Each crew member had a small locker for personal items and uniforms, and junior ratings are housed in 6 berth cabins, with senior ratings sharing 2 berth cabins. Ship’s officers had more space for personal items and have individual cabins. Most of the ship’s spaces are taken up by extra ammo, armor, troops, weapons, and engines.

Power System: Originally conventional diesel and gas turbine propulsion (CODOG), converted to two nuclear fusion turbine reactors with an average life span of 15 years.

Black Market Price: Not for sale but if found on the black market would probably cost 250 million credits or more if intact and operational. Cost does not include embarked craft and power armors.


Weapon Systems:

  1. One (1) Oto Melara 127 mm Lightweight Gun Mount: Based upon an exceptional naval gun from the twentieth century, this design has changed little, except for a gun shield designed to reduce the mount’s radar cross signature. Fully automated, it weighed nearly twice that of contemporary U.S. cannon mounts, but had a tremendous rate of fire, and was very reliable. It is usually aimed by radar. The gun mount can be used against other ships, against ground targets, and against aircraft. The use of rocket assisted projectiles is also possible. The gun mount can rotate 360 and has a 70 arc of fire.

    Maximum Effective Range: 12 miles (10.4 nautical miles/19.3 km) for standard projectiles, 20 miles (17.4 nautical miles/32.2 km) for rocket propelled rounds.

    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 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 105 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: Ten (10) shots per melee round.

    Payload: 700 rounds total.

  2. Two (2) 30 mm Goalkeeper Seven Barreled CIWS: The ship has two mounts, one just aft and above the bridge, and one on top of the hangar. The system was designed in the late twentieth century and the weapon system was used for ship defense. It featured a more powerful cannon than the Mk 15 Phalanx system of the USN, and also provided better tracking capability. The Goalkeeper was fitted to use new ramjet ammo types that allowed the weapon to do enough mega-damage to destroy the new missiles types. While the system can be used against ships, it is normally used against missile or aircraft. Each gun mount can rotate 360 and has a 180 arc of fire. Each auto cannon can fire on automatic at up to six targets per melee round (Has +4 to strike missiles and +3 to strike aircraft).

    Maximum Effective Range: 7,000 feet (2,100 meters).

    Mega-Damage: 3D6 per round, and 4D6x10 for a burst of 40 rounds. Fires only bursts.

    Rate of Fire: Six (6) bursts per melee round for each mount (Has +4 to strike missiles and +3 to strike aircraft).

    Payload: 1120 rounds (28 bursts) each mount. Ship carries an additional 12,000 rounds of ammunition in magazines. Autocannon requires 3 minutes (12 melee rounds) to reload by properly trained personnel (Double for untrained crews).

  3. Two (2) 20 mm Cannons Mounts: Two 20 mm cannons were mounted just aft of the bridge, next to the main mast. These weapons had a reasonable range and rate of fire, but lack the punch to do effective damage to large targets. Since they are manually aimed, they are little good against missiles or aircraft, and experience shows that they are mostly good for defending the ship against lighter targets such as small boats. Each gun can rotate 360 and has a 90 arc of fire.

    Maximum Effective Range: 5,000 feet (1,524 meters).

    Mega-Damage: 2D4 per round, and 2D6x10 for a burst of 60 rounds.

    Rate of Fire: Equal to number of combined hand to hand attacks of gunner (usually 4-6).

    Payload: 600 rounds (10 bursts) each. Ship carries an additional 10,000 rounds of ammunition in magazines. Autocannon requires 2 minutes (8 melee rounds) to reload by properly trained personnel (Double for untrained crews).

  4. One (1) Mk 41 Strike Length 48 Cell Vertical Launch System: Mounted behind the five inch gun mount, this forward launcher has 48 cells able to fire a variety of missiles. As these are the longer strike version of the missile launcher, they can carry the longer cruise missile. From the beginning, the launchers have been found to be very flexible and adaptable. The launcher was originally design for the Tomahawk and Standard SM-2 Missile. In later service,, these launchers have been adapted to hold one cruise missile, two long range missiles, or four medium range missiles per cell. 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 volleys of two (2), four (4), sixteen (16), or twenty-four (24) missiles for both launchers per melee and can be fired at multiple targets at the same time.

    Payload: Forty-eight (48) cells for missiles in forward VLS launcher (possible total of 96 long range missiles). One (1) cruise missile, two (2) long range missiles, or four (4) medium range missiles may be carried per cell. Ship carries no reloads. The ship will often have thirty-two cells loaded with sixty-four (64) long range missiles and sixteen cells loaded with sixty-four (64) medium range missiles, for a total of one hundred and twenty-eight (128) missiles.

  5. Eight (8) Mk 141 Long Range Missile Canister Launchers: These launchers are special canisters with four on each side of the ship’s superstructure. 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. Originally designed for the RGM-84 Harpoon missile but adapted for a larger variety of ordnance. 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: 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) Mk 32 Dual 12.75 inch (324 mm) Medium Torpedo Launchers: There is one twin launcher on each side of the ship. Each twin torpedo launcher has two torpedo tubes and tubes are 12.75 in (324 mm) wide. Torpedoes are normally used against submarines but can be targeted against surface targets as well. Interceptor torpedoes are also available for launchers / tubes to use against incoming torpedoes. Ship carries 40 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 tubes 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.

  7. Four (4) Mk 36 Super RBOC 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: Eight (8) each for a total of thirty-two (32) canisters. Ninety-six (96) reload canisters are carried, reloading requires two melee rounds.

  8. Four (4) SLQ-25F Nixie 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 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:.


[ 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. ]

[Signaal, Signaal Smart-L, Signaal APAR, Signaal Sirius IRST, STN Atlas Elektronik DSQS-21B, and Racal Sabre are trademarked and copyright by their respective owners]


Image drawn and copyrighted Mischa (E-Mail Mischa). Click on line drawing for a better view.

Mischa has no art home page at present but many other items on my site.


Writeup by Mischa (E-Mail Mischa) and revised by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).


Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2003, & 2018, Mischa & Kitsune. All rights reserved.


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