Canadian Yukon class Air Defense / Anti-Submarine Frigate:

While tensions continues to increase as the Twenty-First Century progressed, Canadian government leaders were resistant to any great increase to military budgets. However, eventually the tensions became too concerning and the leaders were persuaded that the nation’s military would need to be enlarged.

There was an extensive navy program which included the introduction of new escort vessels, submarine classes, and there were even plans for a new light carrier class. Even with increased budgets, it was decided to be relatively conservative with the designs of the new vessels. With the new frigate design, it was decided to go with a conventional design instead of a trimaran design.

Engineers looked towards the Ontario class as a basis for the new frigate design. It was considered a capable design and the frigates had served well for several decades. The two designs share many of the same weapon systems. Even so, the design of the new frigate was greatly upgraded compared to the older design including vastly improved sensors.

Initially eight of these new frigates were planned but later increased to twelve vessels. The lead ship of the class, HMCS Yukon, was laid down in the late Twenty-Sixties. New frigates were laid down at the rate of around two vessels per year with the final pair laid down in the mid Twenty-Seventies. With the three Daring class destroyers and ten Ontario class frigates, the surface force was considered as powerful as it had even been in the history of the Canadian navy.

All twelve Yukon class frigates continued to serve the Canadian navy until the coming of the Great Cataclysm. When the Magnificent class light carriers were commissioned, these frigates often acted as escorts for the carriers. It is commonly believed that most of these vessels were destroyed at that time. Still, there are a number of remote coastal areas where one or more of these might have survive. Over the years there have been a number of rumors of various vessels which might be surviving Yukon class frigates.

A major change in the design of the Yukon class frigates compared to the Ontario class frigates is the superstructure is designed with a reduced radar cross signature. Material science had improved between the development of the older frigate class and the Yukon class. As a result, the new frigates were considered a fair amount tougher generally.

When laid down, the Ontario class frigates used a conventional propulsion system with combined diesel and gas turbine engines. In later refits, the frigates were upgraded with fusion turbines replacing the gas turbines and the diesel engines deactivated and removed. From the beginning, the Yukon class frigates were designed using fusion power. Top speed was improved to thirty-six knots. As with the Ontario class frigates, the new frigates were designed with various noise reducing features.

For electronics, a vastly improved version of the Dutch developed APAR active phased array radar system was selected. Range of the improved system is over twice that of the original APA system and able to track vastly greater number of targets. Otherwise, most of the electronics were of Canadian designs including vastly improved sonar systems. In particular, the towed array was considered as good as the best systems carried on American warships.

One of the few major changes with weaponry was the replacement of the eight Mk 141 missile canisters with a pair of Mk 55 medium range missile launchers. With the ability to carry over a hundred missiles, this vastly improved the frigates ability to defend itself against missile attacks. As a result, a larger number of long range missile could be carried in the forty-eight cell Mk 41 launcher, more than replacing the number of missiles lost by the removal of the Mk 141 canisters.

While twin 12.75 inch torpedo tubes are retained, the torpedo system features an automatic reload system. Rate of fire was vastly increased although payload was not increased. An important reason for the vastly increased rate of fire was the ability to fire interceptor torpedoes against incoming torpedoes.

During development, some engineers wanted to mount a larger gun mount but in the end the same 57 mm Mk 3 gun mount on the Ontario class frigates was retained. With a high rate of fire, it was considered relatively effective against incoming missiles and other air threats. Compared to advanced rail gun systems, the 57 mm gun mount was also far easier to maintain.

As was common, additional automation allowed for further reduction in crew compliment. The fusion plant especially was designed to require little manning even compared to the fusion turbines on the Ontario class. Normal crew was right around one hundred and twenty. In addition to standard crew, the Yukon class frigates was designed to embark around twenty-four flying power armors and a single anti-submarine aircraft. Normally a single V-22N Osprey was embarked.

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: FFG-371 class Frigate.

Class: Ocean, Air Defense / Anti-Submarine Frigate.

Crew: 118 total; 12 officers, 14 chief petty officers, 92 enlisted (Has a high degree of automation.)

Troops: 4 Helicopter / VTOL pilots / crew and 24 Pilots for SAMAS Power Armors.

Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:

Power Armor Compliment:

USA-PA-04A “Silver Eagle” SAMAS Power Armors.

Aircraft Compliment:

Helicopters or other VTOL Aircraft (V-22N Osprey - Anti-Submarine Model.)

M.D.C. by Location:

	Bridge:	500.
	[1] APAR 6 Active Phase Array Radar Systems (4, superstructure):	100 each.
	[2] Bofors / BAE Systems 57 mm / 70 Mk 3 Barrel (1, gun mount):	60.
	Bofors BAE Systems 57 mm / 70 Mk 3 Gun Mount (1, forward):	200.
	Mk 44 “Sea Sabre” Combination Anti-Missile Systems (2, superstructure):	200 each.
	Mk 41 Strike Length 48 Cell Vertical Launch System (1, forward):	360.
	Mk 55 Medium Range 8 Cell Vertical Launch Systems (2, sides):	300 each.
	Mk 52 Dual 12.75 inch (324 mm) Medium Torpedo Launchers (2, sides):	35 each.
	[2] Plessey SHIELD II Decoys Launchers (2, superstructure):	10 each.
	Hangar (aft):	450.
	VTOL Pad (aft):	350.
	Outer Hull (per 40 foot / 12.2 meter area):	80.
	[3] Main Body:	1,500.

Notes:

[1] Destroying the APAR phased array air search system radar system will eliminate the ship’s long range air search ability but weapon systems have backup fire control systems and panels can partially compensate for each other.

[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:

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

Range: Effectively Unlimited due to fusion engines (needs to refuel every 10 years and requires maintenance as well). Ship carries six (6) months of supplies on board.

Statistical Data:

Draft: 24.0 feet (7.32 meters) including sonar dome.

Width: 54.5 feet (16.6 meters).

Length: 448.6 feet (136.7 meters) and 480.4 feet (146.4 meters) overall.

Displacement: 5,940 tons light and 6,880 tons fully loaded.

Cargo: Can carry 200 tons (181.4 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: Two nuclear fusion reactors, average life span is 20 years. Usually only goes 10 years between refueling.

Black Market Cost: Not for sale but if found on the black market would probably cost 350 million or more credits. Cost does not include embarked craft and power armors.

Weapon Systems:

One (1) Bofors / BAE Systems Single Barrel 57 mm /70 Mk 3 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 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: 1,000 rounds. Ship normally carries usually carries 350 High Explosive, 350 High Explosive Armor Piercing, and 300 Plasma.
Two (2) Mk 44 “Sea Sabre” Combination Anti-Missile Defense Systems: One system is mounted above the bridge and the hanger of the frigate. 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.
One (1) Mk 41 Strike Length 48 Cell Vertical Launch System: Mounted behind the 57 mm gun mount, this forward launcher has forty-eight 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.
Two (2) Mk 55 Medium Range Vertical Launch Systems: 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. One launcher is mounted on either side of the hull of the frigate and 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.
Two (2) Mk 52 Dual 12.75 inch (324 mm) 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. The tubes have an automatic reloading system and can be fired quickly. Ship carries twenty reloads for torpedoes per side. 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, launcher can fire a maximum of two (2) volleys of torpedoes per melee each launcher.

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.

Two (2) Plessey SHIELD II Decoys Launchers: Located on the superstructure of the ship, they are designed to confuse incoming missiles. Both 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 forty-eight (48) canisters.

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 frigate 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:.

Signaal APAR 6 Three Dimensional Active Phased Array Radar System: An incredibly advanced radar and computer system first developed before the coming of the Rifts and is the equal of the Aegis system on Coalition Navy vessels. Powerful and flexible active phased array radar system that is comprised of four panels that each emit radar waves. System can simultaneously track and identify up to 768 targets. As well, the system controls missiles launched from the missile launchers and the system can track and guide each individual missile to an individual target for up to 192 targets. If a target is eliminated, missiles are automatically guided to a new target. The system can also control missiles launched from other linked vessels as well and can also act as fire control for gun mounts. Active phased array radar systems are harder to detect and jam due to being able to rapidly jump across frequencies. Range: 497.1 miles (332.0 nautical miles / 800 km), subject to the radar horizon. Bonuses: The system gives +10% to Read Sensory Instrument skill rolls, +2 on initiative, and +1 to strike.
SQS-562 Advanced Hull Sonar: Mounted under the bow of the ship. This hull sonar system has both a passive and active system built in and sonar system can track up to 32 targets at one time. Range: 25 miles (21.7 nautical miles / 40.2 km).
SQR-540 CANTASS IV Advanced Towed Array Sonar System: The system is basically a long and very sensitive sonar system carried behind the ship on a long cable. This towed array sonar system has both a passive and active system built in. Sonar system can track up to 64 targets at one time. Range: 100 miles (86.9 nautical miles / 160.9 km).
SLQ-541 CANEWS IV / SLQ-545 Advanced Integrated Electronic Warfare Suite: Combination of radar / radio detection system (ESM) and an active jamming (ECM) system. The system can detect another radar system at around 125% of the range of the transmitting radar and is usually subject to radar horizon. This includes the ability to detect radar guided weapons. Can be used for limited targeting. In jamming mode, causes -25% to detection but when it is active, other vehicles/ bases can detect that it is jamming, and some missiles will home in on jamming signals. Some missiles also have AESA type radars themselves and/or have backup infra-red sensors. Jamming also causes a -4 penalty to all radar guided weapons. Can be used to jam a wide area or for focused jamming against several targets.
Sonar Masking System: The vessel uses general noise reduction features and an anechoic hull coating combined with special low acoustic propellers to mask the noise of the ship. Gives a -20% penalty to any Read Sensory Instrument skill rolls to detect this ship using sonar.
Radar Defeating Profile & Radar Absorbing Materials: The ship’s superstructure and hull are designed so that the radar profile of the ship is reduced and the ship is covered with radar absorbing materials. Because of this, attempts to detect the ship using radar are made with a -20% penalty to any Read Sensory Instrument skill rolls when attempting to detect this ship and vessel will appear to be smaller on radar than it would otherwise. Go to General Detection Penalties for more information on penalties and bonuses to use with stealth.

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Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

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