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Free Quebec Modified Halifax class Frigate:


The initial foundation of the Free Quebec Navy is rooted in the four Halifax class frigates that survived the coming of the Rifts. The frigates were fast, well armed, and capable of operating in severe weapon conditions. The Canadian navy had little money so had kept these ships in service far bast their expected useful lives. Each of the ships had been heavily modified by Canada and was further modified by the Free Quebec state and are still considered relatively modern vessels. They had been supplemented by vessels purchased from other Navies but were still considered a useful part of the Canadian Navy. Because the Free Quebec Navy is much older than the Navy of the Coalition, the Free Quebec Navy is far better trained and understands naval tactics far better than their opponents. Originally, it was planned that a new vessel design based of the Halifax would be Free Quebec's new frigate class but the German trimaran design was found to be far superior. With the explosive growth of the Free Quebec Navy, the present plan for the Halifax class is to replace them with the German designed Trimaran Frigate design as front line combatants. Still, there are no plans of scrapping the remaining Halifax class and they are to be retained as training vessels.


As stated previously, these ships have been heavily modified. These ships' hulls have been rebuilt using advanced composites and alloys. This allows the ships to take far more abuse than they could originally and are far more resistant to corrosion. Initially these vessels were noisier that was desirable. Over the years, the Halifax class frigates were slightly modified to eliminate noise. The rapid fire 57 mm cannons were retained but there was some discussion of replacing them with 5 inch (127 mm) guns but it would have required a lengthening of the design and was rejected as impractical. Each of the Sea Sparrow launchers had been modified to carry two medium range missiles in place of one original Sea Sparrow. The 20 mm Vulcan Cannon close in Weapon system was replaced by a close in missile launcher known as RAM. All of these modifications were finished by the Canadian Navy long before the coming of the Rifts. The ships retained all of the original sensor systems with some system upgrades and retained both the Harpoon tubes and torpedo tubes.


Free Quebec further modified these ships with respect to weapons and propulsion. The ships were originally propelled by a combination of Gas Turbines and diesel engines and these were replaced by two fusion turbine engines. The reduction in engine size (including the complete removal of the Diesel Engine used for economical cruising) and the removal of carried fuel greatly enhanced the space available. The Sea Sparrow launchers were completely removed and four medium range missile batteries were mounted on the sides of the ship. Two were mounted where the Sea Sparrow launchers were originally mounted and two were mounted on either side of the ships main mast structure. The ship now can launch up to 64 medium range missiles at one time and has a full set of reloads that automatically reloaded after the first volley is fired. The rear short range missile launcher was retained. The ship retained the torpedo tubes and long range missile tubes but the long range missile tubes were moved to just forward of the main superstructure. The ships' main sensor systems have had only minor modifications but there is presently discussion of replacing the main mast with a tower which mounts either a miniature phased array system similar to the Aegis system used on Golden Age Weaponsmiths' modified Perry class frigates or the Apar type system carried on many German vessels.


The modern vessel design based on the pre-rifts Halifax would have been surprisingly similar in appearance. The ship would have been lengthened for a long range vertical launch missile system which could hold forty long range missiles with one set of reloads and the 57 mm cannon replaced by a longer ranged 5 inch (127 mm) cannon. As well, a second short range missile launcher would have been mounted on the forward superstructure. As well, the radar system would have been some form of phased array radar system. Other than those, the design would have been virtually unaltered from the converted pre-rifts Halifax class frigates.


The Frigate can carry one VTOL Aircraft and can carry up to twenty-four power armors. The ship crew requirements have been reduced through the addition of some greater automation and the Halifax class now carries a crew of 145 crew members.


Model Type: Modified FFH-330
Class: Ocean, Helicopter Frigate (Modified to being a guided missile frigate)
Crew: 145 total; 14 officers, 16 chief petty officers, 115 enlisted.


Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:

24SAMAS Power Armors
1Helicopters or other VTOL Aircraft


M.D.C. by Location:

Bridge:450
[1] SPS-49 Search Radar Tower:400
Bofors 57 mm Mk 2 Cannon Mount (Forward):200
Grenade Launcher (2, Sides):100 each
Missile Canisters (8 total, forward of Superstructure):100 each
Side Medium Range VLS Missile Launcher (4, 16 Cell):300
GDC Mk 49 Rolling Airframe Missile Launcher (1):150
Torpedo Launchers (2, sides):35 each
Hanger (Aft):300
[2] Main Body:850


Notes:
[1] Destroying the SPS-49 Radar system eliminates long range radar coverage.
[2] 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: 40 mph (35 Knots/ 65 kph)
Maximum Effective Range: Effectively Unlimited due to fusion engines (needs to refuel every 10 years and requires maintenance as well). Ship carries 6 months of supplies on board.


Statistical Data:
Draft: 20.0 feet (6.15 meters) including sonar
Width: 53.8 feet (16.4 meters)
Length: 444.6 feet (135.5 meters)
Displacement: 4,800 tons light and 5,500 tons fully loaded
Cargo: Can carry 100 tons of nonessential equipment and supplies. Each enlisted crew member has a small locker for personal items and uniforms. Ships 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: Originally conventional combination gas turbine and diesel propulsion, converted to two nuclear reactors with an average life span of 10 years.
Black Market Price: Not for Sale but costs around 80 million credits to refit. If found and sold on the black market, it would probably cost 100 to 200 million credits.


Weapon Systems:

  1. One (1) Bofors 57 mm Mk 2 Cannon: A very rapid firing weapon, with a rate of fire of over 200 rounds per minute, but relatively short ranged. The cannon is mounted on the front of the vessel. This weapon is an original weapon system and was carried on many Naval vessels until well into the Twenty First century. The guns can be used against other ships, ground targets, aircraft, and even missiles. Has a +2 to hit on 10 round bursts when using high explosive or plasma on aircraft or missiles.
    Maximum Effective Range: 5.2 miles (4.5 nautical miles/8.3 km) for standard projectiles
    Mega-Damage: High Explosive: 5D6 with 6 ft (1.8 m) blast radius per single shot and 3D6x10 M.D.C. with 30 ft (9.1 m) blast radius for ten round burst. High Explosive Armor Piercing: 1D4x10 M.D.C. with 2 ft (0.6 m) blast radius per single shot and 4D6x10 M.D.C. with 10 ft (3 m) blast radius for ten round burst. Plasma: 1D6x10 M.D.C. with 8 ft (2.4 m) blast radius per single shot and 6D6x10 M.D.C. with 40 ft (12.2 m) blast radius for ten round burst.
    Payload: 600 rounds. Ship normally carries usually carries 200 High Explosive, 200 High Explosive Armor Piercing, and 200 Plasma.
  2. Automatic Grenade Launchers (2): Mounted on the sides of the bridge on the ship’s superstructure. The mounts have a 360 degree rotation of the mount is possible and the arc of fire for the grenade launcher barrel is a 60 degree angle. Weapon is WI-GL21 Automatic Grenade Launcher mounted on spindles and gunners are exposed when using the grenade launchers.
    Maximum Effective Range: 3,000 ft (914 m)
    Mega-Damage: 4D6 for Fragmentation with a blast area of 12 ft and 1D4x10 for Armor Piercing with a blast area of 3 ft, burst of 10 rounds does 2D6x10 for Fragmentation with a blast area of 40 ft and 3D6x10 for Armor Piercing with a blast area of 8 ft.
    Rate of Fire: Equal to combined hand to hand attacks of gunner
    Payload: 2000 Rounds each (4000 rounds total)
  3. Long Range Missile Launchers (8): These launchers are special canisters that are located on the forward part of the ship behind the 57 mm gun. These canisters were copied from Old United States Harpoon canister launchers. While the launchers are reusable, they are still inexpensive and are easily 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 missile, Go to 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 missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2), four (4), or eight (8) missiles (All launchers operate together)
    Payload: One missile each launcher for a grand total of eight long range missiles (Has no missiles in storage for reloads).
  4. Medium Range Missile Batteries (4): These Batteries are located on the sides of the ship. Two are more forward and are to either side of the main mast and two are located where the original Sea Sparrow launchers were mounted. Each system can launch up to 16 simultaneously each and automatically reload the launcher after each firing. This acts as the ships point defense and is normally used to engage incoming air targets and missiles. Launchers look like a vertical launch missile launcher similar to the Pre-Rifts Vertical Launch Sea Sparrow launchers.
    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: Can fire missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2), four (4), eight (8), or sixteen (16) missiles per launcher.
    Payload: 32 medium range missiles total for each launcher for a total of 128 medium range missiles.
  5. GDC Mk 49 Rolling Airframe Missile Launchers (1): Mounted on top of the rear hanger in place of the original Phalanx CIWS. The hanger was reinforced to carry the missile launcher. These are Pre-Rifts RAM missile launching system and have been modified to use 21 Short Range Missiles. These missile mounts main purpose are for inner anti-missile point defense and were originally designed to deal with cruise 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 missile launchers can target up four targets each and can fire a volley up to twice per melee.
    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: Can fire missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2) or four (4) missiles and can be used up to twice per melee per launcher
    Payload: 21 short range missiles.
  6. Two (2) Torpedo Launchers: There is one launcher on each side of the ship. Each torpedo launcher has 3 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. Ship carries 40 reloads for torpedoes. By Medium torpedo warhead type.
    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) torpedoes per side, Reloading takes 1 full melee
    Payload: 2 torpedoes each launcher for a grand total of 4 torpedoes (Has 40 torpedoes for reloads).


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. ]

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


Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).


Copyright © 2000, 2001, & 2010, Kitsune. All rights reserved.


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