U.S. CVN-78 Coral Sea class Nuclear Multi-Role Aircraft Carrier:


The Coral Sea class carriers were designed as replacements for carriers Enterprise (CVN-65) and Kennedy (CV-67). They were built as a follow-on design of the Nimitz class with several advancements to increase their capabilities. The island was designed to reduce the upper radar signature of the ship, increasing its stealth capability. Radar absorbent materials were extensively used on the outer hull of the ship to help lower the cross-section visible on surface search radars. The effects were excellent with the signature of the Coral Sea being a fraction of that of the Nimitz.


Massive automation was introduced into the design at an early stage, vastly decreasing the size of the crew. With over 70% of the Navy's budget going towards personnel costs, and the number of people joining the armed forces, the Navy implemented many of the “Smart Ship” systems tested on ships in the late Twentieth Century. The crew of the Coral Sea is 1,570 with an Air Wing of 1,140 compared to 2,900 personnel and an Air Wing of 2,100 on Nimitz. This made for a much more roomy ship, and later allowed for the berthing of 400 troops for power armor.


Also, many adaptive missions features in introduced on the new ships. The Coral Sea was capable of rapidly reconfiguring for missions other than those traditionally associated with "big deck" carriers. The changes included air wing enlisted berthing areas with extra personnel stowage (weapons, ammunition, etc.) required by Marine or Army personnel who might be embarked in place of the normal air wing. Additionally, air wing planning, control, and unit spaces were more capable for joint operations, so that special units like Army helicopter battalions or Marine Air Wings could use them with a minimum of modifications.


The four ships of the Coral Sea class were slowly constructed because there seemed little use for them to be hurried. Most of the world was at peace, and other nations were helping the US Navy patrol the seas to keep it that way. The U.S.S. Coral Sea (CVN-78) was completed in 2017, replacing the Navy's first nuclear carrier, U.S.S. Enterprise (CVN-65). The USS Midway (CVN-79) was completed in 2022 and replaced the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy. The U.S.S. Leyte Gulf (CVN-80) and U.S.S. Reprisal (CVN-81) were completed in 2027 and 2033 respectively. The last two replaced the first two carriers of the Nimitz class as they reached the end of their useful careers although the U.S.S. Nimitz and U.S.S. Dwight D. Eisenhower were kept in reserve for several years before they were scrapped.


The Coral Sea class were well constructed and sturdy vessels but were built before the discovery of the advanced alloys and composites that the United States Military became so fond of in the 2030s. The ships were refitted and reconstructed using these materials as they came in for extensive refitting. Afterwards they were less effected by corrosion. This greatly reduced further refit that the carriers required. Even so, they were not anywhere near as tough as new construction carriers. The vessels originally used two powerful fission reactors to achieve a top speed of 34 knots. These were replaced in the late 2030s and early 2040s during major refits with fusion reactors which increased the speed of the vessel to 36 knots.


While the Coral Sea class operated a slightly smaller sized air wing to older carriers, the ship had more efficient electromagnetic catapults that caused less stress on aircraft than the steam catapults on the Nimitz class carriers. Although the carriers were fitted with catapults and arresting gear, most later aircraft designs were VTOL capable and they were used less and less. Initially, the main craft of the air wing were a mix of F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and the F-35C Joint Strike Fighters. Later the FV-38 Panther II replaced the original fighters embarked. By the coming of the Rifts, the main fighter compliment was composed of the advanced FV-45 Sea Hawk fighter although often one squadron of the older FV-38 Panther II would still be embarked.


Theses ship used a SPY-3H active phased array radar system capable of tracking for both defense and air control. All weaponry on the vessels were defensive and primarily designed to protect from incoming missile strikes. Small eight cell self defense length Mk-41 vertical launch missile launcher system were included to launch missiles for medium range defense of the carrier. These was later upgraded to the Mk-55 vertical launcher during refits with further enlarged sponsons. The ships of the class initially carried four Mk-15 Phalanx point defense Gatling cannons and two short range Mk-49 RAM (Rolling Airframe Missile) launchers for inner point defense. These point defense mounts were replaced by four Mk 44 “Sea Sabre” combination rail gun and short range missile launchers in as the ships were upgraded during refits. Long range defense was normally performed by escort vessels but the carrier was well protected against missile strikes in general. However, these carriers were often escorted by older warships.


At least one of the ships survived the coming of the Rifts. The Midway battlegroup was laid over in Kure, Japan as it was returning to the United States mainland at the end of a long cruise. She was rifted through time along with the Japanese cities of Hiroshima, Kure, Iwakuni, and Ichto (and coincidentally the Saratoga class carrier U.S.S. Hornet) to the year 2305. The U.S.S. Reprisal was in the Indian Ocean, making sure that the Indian navy and air force stayed well away from the U.S.S. Kearsarge battle group during the strikes against the Middle East. The Tigershark class sub U.S.S. Steelhead was unaware of the whereabouts of the U.S.S. Reprisal when she made contact with the U.S.S. Ticonderoga. The U.S.S. Leyte Gulf was in the Mediterranean Sea. The close confines of the sea and the destructive nature of the Mediterranean Triangle have halted all attempts to find out what happened to her. The Coral Sea was in her berth in Bremerton, Washington. Attempts have not been made to find out her status.


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: CVN-78 Coral Sea class Multi Purpose Aircraft Carrier.

Vehicle Type: Ocean, Multi Purpose Aircraft Carrier.

Crew: Ships Crew: 1,570 (135 officers, 150 chief petty officers, and 1,285 enlisted [Has a high degree of automation]). 

Air Wing: 1,140 (200 Pilots, 85 flight deck officers, and 855 enlisted).

Troops: 400 (120 pilots for “Semper Fi” Power Armors, 120 pilots for SAMAS power Armor, and 160 soldiers in body armor).


Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:

Power Armor Compliment:

 

100

USA-PA-04A SAMAS Power Armors.

 

100

APA-15 “Semper Fi” Power Armors (with flight packs).

Fighter/Aircraft Compliment:

 

6

EV-84A Kingfisher Utility VTOLs - General Cargo / Search and Rescue Model.

 

6

EVE-84A Kingfisher Utility VTOLs - Electronics Warfare Model.

 

6

EVS-84A Kingfisher Utility VTOLs - Anti-Submarine Warfare.

 

12

FV-38 Panther II VSTOL Fighters.

 

24

FV-45 Sea Hawk VSTOL Jet Fighters.

 

12

FV-45-SW Sea Hawk VTOL Jet Stealth Fighters.

 

4

FV-45-EW Sea Hawk VTOL Jet Jamming Fighters.

 

8

V-22N Super Osprey Tilt Rotors - Transport / Search and Rescue Model.


M.D.C. by Location:

 

Mk 44 Combination Anti-Missile Defense System (4, flight deck):

200 each.

 

Mk 55 Medium Range 8 Cell Vertical Launch Systems (2):

300.

 

[1] USA-M31 Medium Defense Rail Guns (4, sides):

50 each.

 

[2] SPY-3H Phase Array Radar Panels (4, superstructure):

200 each.

 

[1] Chaff / Decoy Launchers (4, hull / superstructure):

10 each.

 

[3] Electromagnetic Catapults (4, flight deck):

100 each.

 

[3] Electromagnetic Arrester Cables (4, flight deck):

50 each.

 

[4] Elevators (3, sides):

350 each.

 

Hanger Doors (3, sides):

350 each.

 

[5] Flight Deck:

2,800.

 

[6] Bridge / Command Tower:

2,200.

 

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

80.

 

[6] Main Body:

9,250.

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 SPY-3 phased array radar panels will destroy the ship’s fire control systems but secondary systems have backup systems and panels can partially compensate for each other. All bonuses are lost if panels are destroyed.

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

[4] If all three elevators are destroyed, no aircraft can be moved from the hangers to the main 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 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 vessel to sink. There are enough life preservers and inflatable life boats to accommodate everyone on the ship.


Speed:

Surface: 41.5 mph (36 knots/ 66.7 kph).

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


Statistical Data:

Draft:    39 feet (11.9 meters).

Length:  1043 feet (317.9 meters) waterline and 1106 feet (337.1 meters) overall.

Width:   135 feet (40.8 meters) waterline and 256 feet (78.0 meters) flight deck.

Displacement: 78,243 tons standard and 107,500 tons fully loaded.

Cargo: Can carry 10,000 tons (9,072 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: 4 Fusion Reactors, average life span is 20 years. Originally powered by 2 nuclear (fission) reactors.

Black Market Cost: Not for sale but costs around 1.5 billion credits to construct. If found and sold on the black market would probably cost 5 to 8 billion credits. Cost does not include embarked craft and power armors.


WEAPON SYSTEMS:

  1. 1 Four (4) USA-M31 Medium Defense Rail Guns: Originally M2HB .50 Caliber Machine Guns were fitted in these locations. These weapons are mounted with two on either side of the hull for defense against small boats and similar threats. Not considered effective against aircraft or missiles. These rail gun mounts were identical to those carried on the USA-PA-04A SAMAS power armor although outfitted with a double sized ammunition drum. The rail gun has fewer bursts and is heavier but the rail gun inflicts more damage than the post Rifts C-40R.

    Weight: Rail Gun: 110 lbs (49.9 kg), Double Ammo Drum: 280 lbs (127.0 kg).

    Maximum Effective Range: 4,000 feet (1,200 meters).

    Mega-Damage: A burst of 40 rounds inflicts 1D6x10. One round inflicts 1D4+1.

    Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the gunner (usually 4 or 5).

    Payload: Each has a 4,000 round magazine for 100 bursts.

  2. Four (4) Mk 44 “Sea Sabre” Combination Point Defense Mounts: Replaces original Mk 15 Vulcan CIWS and Mk 49 RAM launchers. These weapons are sponsoned out on the sides of the hull below the carrier's flight deck. Two are forward on either side of the flight deck and the other two mounts are mounted toward the rear on either side of the rear of the carrier. This anti-missile defense system combines both a rapid fire rail gun and a short range missile launcher. While mounted in one system, both defense systems have separate tracking and fire control systems. The short range missile launchers can target up four targets and can fire a volley up to twice per melee. Quite powerful, the rail gun is capable of destroying any missile or inflicting serious damage on aircraft. The rail gun can fire on automatic at up to six targets per melee (Has +3 to strike missile and +2 to strike aircraft). In its design, the rail gun is very similar to those carried on the Sea King cruiser and it is likely that the Sea King’s rail guns came from a prototype of this system. The system also can be used against other ships and ground targets. The system has a 360 degree rotation and can elevate up to 90 degrees to fire at targets directly overhead.

    Maximum Effective Range: Rail Guns: 11,000 feet (2 miles / 3.2 km). Short Range Missiles: As per short range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)

    Mega-Damage: Rail Guns: 3D4x10 M.D. per burst of 40 rounds (Can only fire bursts). Short Range Missiles: As per short range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)

    Rate of Fire: Rail Guns: Six (6) attacks per melee round. 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: Rail Guns: 8,000 rounds (200 burst) each. Short Range Missiles: Sixteen (16) short range missiles each.

  3. Two (2) Mk 55 Medium Range Vertical Launch Systems: Replaces original self defense Mk 41vertical launch systems. Mounted in sponsons in the sides of the flight deck. Unlike most vertical launch systems, these launchers fire the missiles on a six degree angle to the side. This is because the system was initially designed for carriers and is to prevent a missile that fails on its launch from crashing into aircraft on the flight deck. The missiles are arranged in a two by four pattern, and each launch cell has six reloads. Launchers require much less deck space than a Mk-41 or Mk-49 vertical launch system. Each system can launch up to eight missiles simultaneously each and the launcher is automatically reloaded. These launchers often act as the ship’s middle point defense and are normally used to engage incoming air targets and missiles.

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

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

    Rate of Fire: Each launcher can fire medium range missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2), four (4), or eight (8) medium range missiles. Each launcher operates independently.

    Payload: Eight (8) medium range missiles in each launcher, with forty-eight (48) medium missiles in each magazine for automatic reloads, for a total of one hundred and twelve (112) medium range missiles for both launchers including missiles in launchers.

  4. Four (4) Chaff / Decoy Launchers: Located on the sides of the hull 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: Twenty-four (24) each for a total of ninety-six (96) canisters.

  5. Four (4) SLQ-52B Naiad Advanced Towed Torpedo Decoys: The vessel carries four advanced towed decoy drones. They are each a small automated vehicle that creates a false sonar image designed to mimic the vessels. The decoy is dragged behind the vessel using a cable. If decoys are not destroyed, they can be recovered and repaired. 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.: 20 each.

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

    Effects: The decoy has an 80% chance of fooling ordinary non military sonars and non smart guided torpedoes, the decoy has a 50% chance of fooling military level sonars (like those of the Coalition) and non “smart” torpedoes, and the decoy has a 25% chance of fooling advanced military sonars (Like those of the New Navy and Triax) and “smart” torpedoes.

    Rate of Fire: One can be deployed at a time and requires two (2) minutes to deploy (reel out) another decoy.

    Payload: Four (4) towed decoys.

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. ]


Writeup by Kamikazi (kamikazi_gm@hotmail.com) & Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).


Copyright © 2003 & 2017, Kamikazi & Kitsune. All rights reserved.


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