Chinese Type 058 class Advanced Guided Missile Frigate:

For several decades the Type 056 frigate could be considered the mainstay of the Chinese Navy. They were built in far larger than the Type 065 class destroyers. In general they were excellent vessels with the Chinese Navy entering the world stage, threatening the balance of power.

While built using modern advanced composites and alloys as well as having their original engines replaced by fusion power plants, they were designs based on older design built prior to the twin technological revolutions. As such, there began to be strong pressure to develop a far more advanced frigate as the Twenty-First Century continued.

A program for a new frigate class was started. At the same time, a twin program of a more advanced destroyer was also begun. These resulted in the Type 058 frigate and the Type 067 destroyers. The first of these new frigates were laid down in the mid Twenty-Sixties with the first of these new destroyers laid down soon afterwards.

As these new vessels entered service, the Type 056 frigates and Type 065 destroyers were relegated to more second line roles but were considered too useful to retire. A few of the older Type 056 frigates were however sold to other nations. The bulk of the Type 056 frigates remained in Chinese navy service. Unlike the Type 056, no Type 058 frigates are believed to have been exported.

Prior to the Great Cataclysm was a time of ratcheting tensions. As a result, warships were deployed often to hot spots with far more risk of incidents. The Chinese navy was no exception and there were several cases where serious incidents almost occurred just prior to the cataclysm. It is believed that much of the Chinese navy was out at sea when the Great Cataclysm occurred.

While it is believed that the bulk of the Chinese navy was destroyed when the magical energies erupted all over the world, it is known that a number fo their warships did survive. This includes at least three Type 058 frigates. One was discovered, apparently abandoned, by the Republic of Japan on an island. It is quite possible that other frigates might also have survived.

Even though a far more advanced design than the Type 056 frigate, the Type 058 has a more or less conventional hull design. The superstructure is however designed for better radar reduction compared to the previous class. Of course material sciences had further improved, allowing these new frigates to withstand even greater damage than the previous class.

As far as engines, these vessels were designed with fusion power from the beginning. Even so, top speed in only modestly increased with a top speed considered to be around thirty-six knots. As with the prior class, these boats were designed with an important measure of noise reduction for anti-submarine warfare roles including bubble masking similar to Western navies.

Even though prior sonar systems on surface craft were based on Soviet designs, those of the Type 058 were indigenously developed although not without the influences of other navies. Still, the sonar systems were vastly improved compared to the Type 056 class frigate. There was some consideration given towards at least refitting the older frigates with the towed array sonar from the Type 058 class but this was not done prior to the Great Cataclysm.

The radar systems were also indigenously developed with a surprisingly advanced active phased array system. In fact, it was considered more effective than those mounted on most smaller Soviet class although not quite as powerful as the SPY-6S mounted on the American Francis Darcey class frigate. A sophisticated electronic warfare suite was also fitted.

Replacing the Soviet based octagonal vertical launch systems of the Type 056 frigate was a more flexible vertical launch system that appear to be based on the French Sylver MRX vertical launch systems. Instead of being limited to long range missiles, the new system could fire cruise missile, long range missiles, and medium range missiles. With the ability to quad pack medium range missiles, the payload could be vastly improved. A single thirty-two cell vertical launch system was carried.

While considered a secondary weapon, the conventional 76 mm gun mount of the Type 056 was replaced by a 100 mm electro-thermal gun mount. It is believed to have been of indigenous Chinese design although has similar performance to similar Soviet weapon systems. Normal payload was believed to be modest with the frigate carrying around six hundred rounds.

There was debate around the development of an upgraded point defense system but in the end the Type 850 combination anti-missile system was retained. It combined a 30 mm seven barrel gun with short range missiles. Even up to the Great Cataclysm, there was debate about replacing the gun with either some form of energy weapon or a rail gun. A liquid propellant gun system was also considered. In the end however the gun systems were never replaced.

Upgraded versions of the triple 324 mm torpedo tubes carried on the Type 056 were retained although payload was increased to forty-eight. An automatic loading system meant that torpedoes could be fired far more rapidly than might be otherwise done. Of course anti-submarine missiles could also be fired from the vertical launch system, vastly increasing the range at which submarines could be engaged.

As far as crew, these frigates feature far more automation than prior classes. While they usually were operated by just over one hundred and ten crew, they could be operated by a far smaller crew if required. Crew quarters were not drastically improved with only slightly greater space per individual. Even so, these frigates were considered reasonably comfortable.

In common with the Type 056, the new frigate could embark a small naval infantry unit including a number of power armors. Power armor compliment was increased from six to ten Troll power armors. Troops in standard body armor however was decreased from thirty-two to twenty. A major role for these troops was to provide personnel for boarding parties.

During the design process, there was debate about a larger hanger but in the end a single small hanger was provided. Prior to the Great Cataclysm, the Chinese navy continued to operate helicopters instead of thrust based VTOL aircraft. Rumor was that one was under development just prior to the Great Cataclysm but is believed to have not yet reached even prototype stage.

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: Type 058 Frigate.

Class: Guided Missile Frigate.

Crew: 112 total; 9 officers, 10 chief petty officers, and 93 enlisted (Has a high degree of automation).

Troops: 4 helicopter pilots or VTOL pilots, 12 power armor pilots, and 20 troops in standard body armor.

Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:

Power Armor Compliment:

KRS-12 “Troll” Heavy Power Armors.

Aircraft Compliment:

Changhe Z-18ASW-N ASW / Search and Rescue Helicopters.

M.D.C. by Location:

	Bridge:	420.
	[1] Type 685 SAPARS III Active Phase Array Radar Panels (4, superstructure):	220 each.
	[2] Single Barrel 100-mm PER-100 Electro-Thermal Gun Barrel (1, gun mount):	85.
	Single 100-mm PER-100 Electro-Thermal Gun System (1, forward):	125.
	Type 850 Combination Anti-Missile Systems (2, superstructure):	225 each.
	HQM-48A 32 cell Vertical Launch System (1, forward):	220.
	B-542B Triple 324 mm Medium Torpedo Launchers (2, sides):	40 each.
	[2] Type 954 Chaff / Decoy Launchers (2, superstructure):	10 each.
	Hanger (aft):	385.
	VTOL / Helicopter Pad (aft):	280.
	Outer Hull (per 40 foot / 12.2 meter area):	80.
	[3] Main Body:	1,450.

Notes:

[1] Destroying the 685 SAPARS III active phase array radar system will disable primary long range search and fire control systems but guns have backup systems and the Type 455 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] Destroying the main body causes the ship to lose structural integrity, causing the ship to sink. There are enough life preservers and inflatable life boats to accommodate everyone on the ship.

Speed:

Surface: 41.46 mph (36 knots/ 66.72 kph).

Range: 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: 19.03 feet (5.8 meters) mean and 24.93 feet (7.6 meters) including sonar dome.

Length: 421.92 feet (128.6 meters) waterline and 467.19 feet (142.4 meters) overall.

Width: 53.15 feet (16.2 meters).

Displacement: 4,240 tons standard and 4,850 tons fully loaded.

Cargo: Can carry 220.5 tons (200 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: Nuclear fusion reactors, average life span is 15 years. Normally refuels every 10 years.

Black Market Cost: Rarely available, if found on the black market would probably cost 200 to 400 million credits. Cost does not include embarked craft and power armors.

Weapon Systems:

One (1) Single Barrel 100-mm PER-100 Electro-Thermal Gun System: Mounted on the bow of the vessel. Same caliber as of the cannon carried on the Type 065 destroyer but has better range than the standard cannon. Cannon has a special recoil system to reduce felt recoil. The projectile is loaded into the barrel, behind which there is a “propellant”, which is a dot of light metal. A powerful electromagnetic force is applied to the metal, which causes its atoms to “switch” directions. This happens so violently that the metal turns to plasma, and this expanding gas then drives the projectile forward. The mount has a 360 degree rotation and can elevate up to 85 degrees as well as depress 5 degrees. The gun can fire rapidly at the rate of 50 rounds per minute and is radar directed. Weapon inflicts large amounts of damage when rapidly fired on a single target. The weapon is useful on land, surface, and air targets. Plasma rounds are a late pre-Rifts innovation and are rare and expensive.

Maximum Effective Range: 12.4 miles (10.8 nautical miles / 20 km).

Mega-Damage: High Explosive: 1D4x10+10 with 12 foot (3.7 meter) blast radius per single shot and 3D4x10+30 with 25 foot (7.6 meter) blast radius for three round burst. High Explosive Armor Piercing: 1D6x10+10 with 5 foot (1.5 meter) blast radius per single shot and 3D6x10+30 with 10 foot (3 meter) blast radius for three round burst. Plasma: 2D6x10 with 15 foot (4.6 meter) blast radius per single shot and 6D6x10 with 30 foot (9.1 meter) blast radius for three round burst.

Rate of Fire: Up to four (4) single shots or bursts per melee round.

Payload: 600 rounds total.
Two (2) Type 850 Combination Anti-Missile Systems: Close range anti-missile defense systems which combines both a seven barrel 30 mm Gatling Cannon and a short range missile launchers. One is mounted on the forward and the other on the after part of the vessel’s superstructure. While mounted in one system, both defense systems have separate fire control and tracking systems. Short range missiles are designed to be able to track and target multiple missiles simultaneously. Gatling cannon fires burst of 20 or 40 rounds at incoming air attacks, especially missiles, usually those which leak through the missile defense. While not the primary function, the system can be targeted against surface targets and ground targets.

Maximum Effective Range: 30 mm Gatling Cannons: 9,840 feet (3,000 meters). Short Range Missiles: As per short range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)

Mega Damage: 30 mm Gatling Cannons: 2D6x10 for a short burst of 20 round, 4D6x10 for a long burst of 40 rounds, and 3D6 for each round. Both bursts count as one attack. Range Missiles: As per short range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)

Rate of Fire: 30 mm Gatling Cannons: Six (6) attacks per melee round (+2 to strike aircraft; +3 to strike missiles.) 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: 30 mm Gatling Cannons: 500 Rounds (2 Drums of 250) - 25 short bursts / 12 long bursts. Short Range Missiles: Twenty-four (24) short range missiles per mount.
One (1) HQM-48A 32-cell Advanced Capacity Vertical Launch Systems: Believed to be based on the French Sylver MRX design, this launchers was mounted between the 100 mm electro thermal gun mount and the superstructure. The redesigned launchers were built to incorporate the same diversity of missiles that were being designed for the comparable American Mk 41 systems. Each cell could carry a single cruise missile, two long-range missiles, or four medium-range missiles. 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 volley of two (2), four (4), or sixteen (16) missiles per melee round and can be fired at multiple targets at the same time.

Payload: Thirty-two (48) missiles cells in forward VLS launcher (possible total of 64 long range missiles). One (1) cruise missile, two (2) long range missiles, or four (4) medium range missiles may be carried per cell. he ship would often carried eight (8) cells loaded with cruise missiles, twelve (12) cells loaded with long range missiles (24 long range missiles) and twelve (12) cells loaded with medium range missiles (48 medium range missiles.)
Two (2) B-542B Triple 324 mm Medium Torpedo Launchers: Mainly design for anti-submarine warfare but can be used against surface targets as well. Interceptor torpedoes are also available for launchers / tubes to use against incoming torpedoes. Each torpedo launcher has three torpedo tubes and tubes are 12.75 in (324 mm) wide. The tubes have an automatic reloading system and can be fired quickly. Ship carries a total of forty-eight (48) reloads for torpedoes. 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 torpedoes one at a time or in volleys of two (2) or three (3) torpedoes per side. Launcher can fire a maximum of two (2) volleys of torpedoes per melee each launcher.

Payload: Three (3) medium torpedoes each launcher for a grand total of six (6) medium torpedoes. Has a total of forty-eight (48) medium torpedoes for reloads.

Two (2) Type 954 Chaff / Decoy 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 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: Twelve (12) each for a total of twenty-four (24) canisters.

Special Systems:

The ship has all systems standard on a robot vehicle plus the following special features:

Type 685 SAPARS III Active Phased Array Radar: While not as advanced as the most advanced United States pre-Rifts systems, the system could still be considered incredibly advanced. The system is a 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 512 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 96 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: 250 miles (217.4 nautical miles / 402.3 km), subject to the radar horizon. Bonus: The system gives +10% to Read Sensory Instrument skill rolls, +2 on initiative, and +1 to strike.
H/RQ8-122A Advanced Hull Sonar System: This hull sonar system has both a passive and active system built in. Sonar system can track up to 24 targets at one time. Range: 25 miles (21.7 nautical miles / 40.2 km).
T/RQ8-124A Advanced Towed Array Sonar: 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 48 targets at one time. Range: 100 miles (86.9 nautical miles / 160.9 km).
RW-22 Advanced Integrated ESM / ECM 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 ship uses air bubbles to form a barrier against sonar and protects both the hull and the propellers against detection. Gives a -10% penalty to any Read Sensory Instrument skill rolls to detect this ship using sonar and reduces ability to classify vessel.
Radar Defeating Profile: The ship’s superstructure is designed so that the radar profile of the ship is reduced. 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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