Iron Heart Armament Triton II class Patrol Boat:


The Triton Patrol Boat had been one of the mainstay designs of Iron Heart Industries. While Many people think of the Sea King, much larger numbers of Triton class patrol boats were built. They are far cheaper to build and can be operated in much shallower water. As with many patrol boat designs, a number did find their way into the hands of pirates and smugglers. Even so, if Iron Heart Armament had stuck to designs which the Coalition considered less threatening, it is quite likely that the company would not have been attacked and their assets seized.


Several other companies produce vessels designed to serve similar roles to the Triton and the business is quite competitive. The biggest complaint about the Triton though is the vessel's lack of any kind of long range firepower. Except for with torpedoes, the Triton needs to be within a couple of miles to effectively engage an enemy craft. Because of this, sales of the Triton were beginning to falter compared to competing designs although until the end of the company, the design still sold extremely well.


The Triton remained popular and does have many strong points. The Triton is quite fast, while riding on foils is able to reach speeds of up to forty-three knots and able to reach over twenty knots even when not riding on foils. The fusion power plant also gives these vessels almost indefinite range. The Triton II class vessels are also quite well armored for their size and are pretty well armed as well. It has good sensor systems and requires a small crew to operate.


The light craft also has the ability to carry up to twelve power flying armors (although four is more common), extremely useful for patrolling and scouting purposes. Most common armors are the SAMAS, Flying Titan, and Predator power armors. Between crew and troops, a maximum of forty personnel can be embarked. There are two small staterooms which each are designed for two officers each although often the captain with snag one for himself or herself. Otherwise there are six berthing areas designed for six personnel each. A few vessels have had one of the quarters converted into a brig. This not for the crew but if they capture someone.


Still, it was decided that a modified version of the Triton would be developed which became known as the Triton II. Very little was changed in the design. Basically, the after mounted mini-missile launcher simply was replaced by a new launcher. This launcher carries twelve medium range missiles and sixty-four mini-missiles instead of the one hundred and sixty carried on the original Triton.


With ranges of up to around eighty miles, the medium range missiles are capable of engaging most targets. As well as being effective against surface targets at far longer ranges, the missiles give the craft a reasonable measure of air defense. They are able to be fired in volleys of up to six missiles at a time. The large number of mini-missiles still give the patrol craft an excellent short range punch.


This modification is easy to make to existing craft and a large number of owners have modified their vessels. Even after the destruction of the company, many have found ways of getting their vessels modified through Northern Gun and other companies. Many owners also remove the death charge rails becuase the weapon is of limited effectiveness. Some wonder if a new company will take over production of these craft and there most likely would be a ready market for them.


There was also some consideration towards building a version which is not fusion powered to built a less expensive version. In the end, this design was not proceeded with. It is unknown if this would have built if Iron Heart Armament remained in existence.


Author Note: This writeup included some modifications to the original writeup of the Triton class Patrol Boat including reduction of both torpedoes and depth charges. Addition missile payload (mini-missiles) is instead of any other cargo. Since the writeup states that it is a hydrofoil, a hit location for the foils is also added. As well, the width of the vessel does not seem to fit vessels of similar length and width is increased to twenty-eight feet as a result. Finally, the number of staterooms is changed to better fit how cramped such a vessel would likely be.


Model Type: IH-PB12B
Vehicle Type: Ocean & Waterway, Patrol Boat (Hydrofoil)
Crew: Six (6) to Seventeen (17)
Smallest Effective Crew (6) is Captain, Navigator, Communication Tech, Two Gunners, and an Engineer are the minimum which the boat can effectively operate with.
Complete Military Compliment (17) is Captain, Second Officer, Two Navigators, Three Communication Techs, Three Gunners, Two Engineers, Corpsman, and Four General Seaman.
In Emergency, the vessel can be operated by as few as three crew although only three weapon systems can be manned (missile launchers are considered a single mount) and ship with have -10% to all skill rolls (piloting, sensors, etc) and have -1 to strike and -2 to dodge penalties.
Troops: Maximum of twelve power armors (four armors common) or can carry up to forty between both the crew and passengers of vessel.


Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:

12Flying Power Armors (4 Common - Most often SAMAS, Flying Titan, or TRIAX Predator)


M.D.C. by Location:

Rail Gun Mounts (2, Bow and Superstructure):150 each
Multiple Missile Launcher (After Deck):150
Torpedo Tubes (2, Sides):100 each
Depth Charge Launchers (2, Sides):55 each
[1] Spotlight (4):20 each
[2] Hydrofoils (4):50 each
Bridge / Pilot House:225
[3] Radar System (Superstructure):100
[3] Primary Hull (Main Body):650


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 hydrofoils prevents the ship from using the hydrofoil propulsion system although it can still travel at a speed of 21.7 knots (25 mph/40.2 kph). The hydrofoils are very small targets, requiring a called shot at -4 to hit.
[3] Destroying Search Radar Tower will eliminate Air Search radar system but the vessel still has backup fire control sensors.
[4] Destroying the main body causes the vessel to lose structural integrity, causing the vessel to sink. There are enough life preservers and inflatable life boats to accommodate everyone on the vessel.


Speed:
Surface: 21.7 knots (25 mph/40.2 kph) using conventional propulsion system and 43.4 knots (50 mph / 80.5 kph) using the hydrofoil system.
Range: Unlimited due to fusion engines (needs to refuel every 15 years and requires maintenance as well). Ship carries six weeks of supplies and consumables on board.


Statistical Data:
Length: 130 feet (39.62 meters)
Draft: 8.4 feet (2.56 meters)
Width: 28 feet (8.53 meters) - Width from original writeup has been increase from 9 feet
Displacement: 250 tons fully loaded.
Cargo: Can carry 10 tons (9.07 metric tons) of nonessential equipment and supplies - addition missiles are stored instead of cargo. Each enlisted crew member has a small locker for personal items and uniforms. Vessel's officers have more space for personal items. Most of the vessel's spaces are taken up by extra ammo, armor, weapons, and engines. The ship has an armory with space for 24 energy pistols, 12 energy rifles, 6 heavy energy rifles, and six missile launchers.
Power System: Nuclear Reactor, average life span is 15 years
Black Market Cost: 200 million credits (Same as original Triton class Patrol Boat.) Since the destruction of Iron Heart Armament, these vessels have become far less available and can cost far more. Conversion of the vessel to Triton II standards is modest, about 10 million credits.


Weapon Systems:

  1. Long-Range Automatic Rail Gun Turrets (2): One turret is located in front of the bridge and the other is mounted on the bow. The rail guns are heavy weapons designed to knock down missiles and enemy aircraft, as well as to engage other seagoing vessels and land targets at a distance. The weapons can be used on surface targets as well as against missiles and aircraft. Mounts can rotate up to 360 degrees (forward mount limited to 270 degrees) and can engage targets at up to an 85 degree angle upwards.
    Maximum Effective Range: 11,000 feet (about two miles / 3.2 km).
    Mega-Damage: A burst is 40 rounds and inflicts 3D4 x 10 M.D.; can only fire bursts.
    Rate of Fire: Equal to the gunner's hand to hand attacks; each burst counts as one melee action.
    Payload: 8000 rounds in each turret (200 bursts).
  2. Medium Range Missile Battery (1): The Battery is located on the aft of the boat in a single mount combined with the mini-missile launcher. Combined mount can rotate 360 degrees and can angle upwards to 60 degrees. The system has a payload of twelve medium range missiles and can launch up to six simultaneously each firing. Weapon system can engage both surface targets and air targets (including missiles) and can target multiple targets simultaneous. Cargo hold can carry up to 40 medium range missiles at the expense of cargo but must be manually reloaded. Rocket boosted torpedoes can be carried instead of standard medium range missiles (See revised Rifts torpedoes for details.)
    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), or six (6) missiles.
    Payload: 12 medium range missiles in launcher (maximum 40 medium range missiles for reloads in cargo hold although requires 30 minutes to reload launcher - more common load out is 24 medium range missiles in cargo hold with 128 mini-missiles.)
  3. Mini-Missile Battery (1): The Battery is located on the aft of the boat in a single mount combined with the medium range missile launcher. Combined mount can rotate 360 degrees and can angle upwards to 60 degrees. A total of sixty four missiles are in launcher with volleys of up to sixteen mini missiles can be fired at one time. Weapon system is mostly used to engage surface targets at close range. Cargo hold can carry up to 320 mini-missiles at the expense of cargo but must be manually reloaded.
    Maximum Effective Range: Varies with mini-missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)
    Mega-Damage: Varies with mini-missile type. Typically armor piercing and plasma (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) mini-missiles.
    Payload: 64 mini-missiles in launcher (maximum 360 mini-missiles for reloads in cargo hold although requires 30 minutes to reload launcher - more common load out is 128 mini-missiles in cargo hold with 24 medium range missiles.)
  4. Two (2) Torpedo Launchers: Torpedo tubes fire forward. Torpedoes are effective against both surface targets and against submarines. Boat carries 25 reloads per tube for torpedoes. Treat torpedo warheads as medium range missile warheads.
    Maximum Effective Range: 20 miles (32.2 km)
    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. Weapon system has automatic reloading system and can fire up to twice per melee round.
    Payload: 25 torpedoes each launcher / tube (Payload has been reduced from 50 each)
  5. Depth Charge Launchers (2): One unobtrusive depth charge launcher is located at each side of the vessel. The weapon is designed to be used against submarines and underwater targets but in many ways is obsoleted due to being inaccurate. Some crews have removed these mounts or carry no depth charges onboard as a result. See Depth Charge Penalties for more details.
    Maximum Effective Range: Up to 2000 feet (610 meters)
    Mega-Damage: 2D4x10 M.D. - explosive canisters.
    Rate of Fire: Can drop / fire depth charges one at a time or volleys of two (2) depth charges per launcher. A single depth charge or a pair can be launched three times per melee round.
    Payload: 25 depth charges in each launcher (Payload has been reduced from 50 each)


Special Systems:
The vessel has all systems standard on a robot vehicle plus the following special features:



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Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).


Copyright © 2010, Kitsune. All rights reserved.


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