British Royal Navy Flower class Offshore Patrol Vessel:


While the River class vessels were considered excellent designs in most respects, the advent of high strength composites and alloys made the designs largely obsolete. In addition, the cost of refitted the vessels with the new materials would have cost almost as much as building new vessels using the new materials.


After a fair amount of discussion, it was decided to develop a new vessel class using the new high strength materials. Instead of developing a completely new design, it was decided to base the design on batch two models of the previous River class. Even so, the design incorporated major changes compared to the River class.


It was decided to name the class the Flower class after the famous World War class of corvettes. The lead ship of the class was the Hyacinth with an initial batch of twelve vessels. A later batch of twelve additional modified vessels were also ordered.


Compared to the batch two River class, the initial batch of Flower class vessels was slightly longer at around ninety-two meters. Otherwise the dimensions were similar although displacement increased to twenty-three hundred tons. Later upgrades slightly increased this displacement and early vessels also had a slightly increased displacements during service.


More powerful diesels also enabled the class to reach twenty-six knots compared to twenty-four knots. During development, there was some discussion around fuel cell design but was ultimately considered impractical. As with the River class, range was considered to be around five thousand nautical miles.


When the last of the first batch were being completed, practical lightweight fusion plants were entering service. Initially it was not considered practical to refit the batch one Flower class vessels with the new fusion plants. As a result, four batch two vessels using fusion plant in the place of the diesel engines were ordered.


Compared to batch one vessels, the fusion powered vessels had a top speed of twenty-eight knots and unlimited range. Batch two vessels also have slightly improved composites and alloys, allowing them to withstand greater damage. Otherwise the batch two vessels are near identical in appearance to the batch one vessels.


After the improved performance of the batch two vessels, it was decided to upgrade the batch one vessel vessels as well. Unlike vessels using gas turbine engines, there is no easy route to upgrade the vessels. For the batch one Flower class vessels, this involved cutting the patrol ships in half to replace the engines. Even though expensive, it was still cheaper than replacing the vessels.


Even though still considered relatively lightly armed, these vessels are far better armed than their predecessors, replacing the 30 mm gun with a 57 mm gun mount. The 25 mm chain guns were replaced by 30 mm Bushmaster II chain guns. Initially these were backed up with a pair of 12.7 mm machine guns although in later service was replaced by a pair of rail guns.


The Flower class patrol vessel replaced the original Terma Scanter 4100 2D radar of the River class with an improved Terma Scanter 4500 3D radar which uses a active phased array antenna in place of the original radar as well as have an extended range. Versions of the Sampson radar were ruled out due to cost and power requirements although mounting the Type 1065 “Sampson Ultra-Light” was proposed. The more powerful radar was also considered for the batch two vessels but was again rejected. For self defense, the patrol vessel does have a surprisingly capable electronic warfare suite as well as a missile decoy system. The vessel also was designed to mount a short range hull sonar although was not designed for anti-submarine warfare.


Standard crew is slightly decreased compared to batch two vessels the River class with a normal crew of fifty-four. These vessels retain the ability to carry up to fifty marines. In later years, this was cut to forty equipped with Gypsy Moth power armors. The vessel also has a flight deck that allows a single small helicopter to operate from the vessel. The vessel is not however designed to be able to embark a helicopter for extended periods due the fact that the vessel does not have a hanger.


The status of the vessels after the Great Cataclysm is unknown. All remained in service although there was discussion around selling them off to other navies. Even though older vessels, their construction form advanced materials means that they could still remain intact.


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: P-320 Flower class Offshore Patrol Vessel.

Vehicle Type: Ocean, Offshore Patrol Vessel.

Crew: 54 (4 officers, 6 chief petty officers, 44 enlisted [Has a high degree of automation.])

Troops: 50 maximum (40 with Gypsy Moth power armors.)


Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:

Power Armor Compliment (Maximum):

 

40

BA-V FPA-05D Gypsy Moth Power Armors (with Flight Packs.)

Aircraft Compliment (Embarked for short periods only):

 

1

Westland Merlin HM 1 helicopter.

M.D.C. by Location:

Batch One:

Batch Two:

 

Bridge:

270.

300.

 

[1] Terma Scanter 4500 Rotating Phased Array Radar System:

120.

120.

 

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

10 each.

10 each.

 

[2] BAE Systems Mk 110 Single Barrel 57 mm / 70 Barrel (1, gun mount):

60.

60.

 

BAE Systems Mk 110 Single Barrel 57 mm / 70 Gun Mount (forward):

200.

200.

 

30mm Mark 44 Bushmaster II Auto Cannon Mounts (2, sides):

50 each.

50 each.

 

British Aerospace / Vickers BAV-20 Rail Gun Mounts (2, sides):

45 each.

45 each.

 

[2] Sea Gnat Chaff / Decoy Launchers (2, superstructure):

10 each.

10 each.

 

VTOL Pad (aft):

120.

150.

 

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

80.

80.

 

[3] Main Body:

720.

780.

Notes:

[1] Destroying the Terma Scanter 4500 rotating phased array radar panel will destroy the vessel’s main fire control systems but the vessel has backup systems with a shorter range (Equal to robot vehicle sensors.)

[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 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: 32.2 mph (28 knots/ 51.9 kph).

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


Statistical Data:

Draft:    13.12 feet (4.0 meters) including hull sonar.

Length:  303.15 feet (92.4 meters).

Width:   44.29 feet (13.5 meters).

Displacement: 2,300 tons standard and 2,480 tons fully loaded.

Cargo: Can carry 35 tons (31.7 metric tons) of nonessential equipment and supplies. 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, troops, weapons, and engines.

Power System: Batch One: Originally conventional diesel propulsion, converted to two nuclear fusion reactors with an average life span of 20 years. Batch Two: Two nuclear fusion reactors with an average life span of 20 years.

Market Cost: Not for sale but if found on the black market would probably cost 250 to 300 million credits. Cost does not include embarked craft and power armors.


WEAPON SYSTEMS:

  1. One (1) BAE Systems Mk 110 Single Barrel 57 mm / 70 Gun Mount: 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 projectiles 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 foot (1.8 meter) blast radius per single shot and 3D6x10 M.D.C. with 30 foot (9.1 meter) blast radius for ten round burst. High Explosive Armor Piercing: 1D4x10 M.D.C. with 2 foot (0.6 meter) blast radius per single shot and 4D6x10 M.D.C. with 10 foot (3 meter) blast radius for ten round burst. Plasma: 1D6x10 M.D.C. with 8 foot (2.4 meter) blast radius per single shot and 6D6x10 M.D.C. with 40 foot (12.2 meter) blast radius for ten round burst.

    Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the gunner (Ten round bursts count as one attack.)

    Payload: 600 rounds. Vessel normally carries usually carries 200 High Explosive, 200 High Explosive Armor Piercing, and 200 Plasma.

  2. Two (2) 30mm Mk 44 Bushmaster II Auto Cannon Mounts: Two 30 mm cannons were mounted on the sides of the vessel. These weapons had a good range and rate of fire, but lacked the punch to do damage to large targets. Since they were manually aimed, they were little good against missiles, and the crew often joked that they were only good for “Shooting life boats and survivors in the water.” Primarily however, they are for defense against small boats and similar threats. Each gun can rotate 270 degrees and has a 90 degree arc of fire.

    Maximum Effective Range: 10,000 feet (3,048 meters).

    Mega-Damage: 2D6 per round, and 1D6x10 for a burst of 30 rounds.

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

    Payload: 600 rounds (20 bursts) each. Ship carries an additional 2,400 rounds of ammunition in magazines. Auto cannons requires 3 minutes (12 melees) to reload by properly trained personnel (Double for untrained crews.)

  3. Two (2) British Aerospace / Vickers BAV-20 Rail Gun Mounts: Mounted on the sides of the vessel, these rail guns replace the conventional 12.7 mm machine-guns originally mounted. While not quite as powerful as the rail gun carried on the American SAMAS, it is still quite powerful and long ranged. In damage, the weapon is effectively equal to the C-40R rail gun carried on the SAMAS power armor but is slightly heavier.

    Weight: Rail Gun: 104 lbs (47.2 kg), One Ammo-Drum: 190 lbs (85.5 kg).

    Maximum Effective Range: 4000 feet (1200 m)

    Mega-Damage: A burst is 40 rounds and inflicts 1D4x10 M.D.,one round does 1D4 M.D.

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

    Payload: Each has a 3,000 round magazine for 75 bursts.

  4. Two (2) Sea Gnat 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 difference. 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) each for a total of twelve (12) canisters. Forty-eight (48) reload canisters are carried, reloading takes two melee rounds.

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 © 2019, Kitsune. All rights reserved.


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