French Roselys class Multi-Role Frigate:


The La Fayette class frigate gave excellent service to the French Navy and r=the design was exported to a number of other countries as well. There were plans to built a replacement frigate design in the Twenty-Twenties but in the end the program never reached fruition.


Instead the La Fayette class frigates continues to soldier on even after the revolution in advanced composites. These light frigates received a limited refit however there were becoming obsolete. Being that they were powered by diesel engines instead of gas turbines, there was no easy way to convert them to fusion power. This, as much as anything, pushed for their replacement.


It was decided to develop a new frigate class. Drawing upon both the La Fayette class frigate design and the design of the replacement design that was later canceled, the Roselys class frigate was developed. The lead ship of the class was named after a Flower class corvette operated by the Free French forces with several other members of the class were also named from French operated Flower class corvettes.


This class was one of the first classes developed after the twin revolutions in materials and fusion power. In fact, the class predates the French government waking up to the tensions that marked the later part of the Twentieth First Century. First in class was laid down in Twenty Forty-Eight. Initially it was planned for only six frigates to be constructed however the program was later expanded to twenty-four frigates.


As with the La Fayette class frigates, several nations expressed an interest in the design. Some of these were built in French yards while others were licence built by other nations. In many cases these designs mounted their own weapon systems not the standard French systems. Other nations that operated these frigates included Taiwan and South Korea.


In appearance, the Roselys class frigate looked much like an enlarged La Fayette class frigate. There were some minor redesigns to the superstructure and hull to further reduce the radar cross signature. Of course the use of high strength composites and alloys meant that these frigates were virtually immune to the effects of the environment. As with the La Fayette class frigate, there is a hanger designed to be able to embark a single helicopter.


A major change was the replacement of the original rotating radar array with a four panel lightweight active phased array radar system. This gave the ship far better self defense and rivaled the much larger Horizon class frigates in capabilities. In addition the frigate was designed with a very capable towed array and hull sonar, making the frigate extremely capable in the anti-submarine warfare realm.


For weaponry, the Roselys class frigates replaced the original 100 mm gun mount with an OTO Melara 76 mm gun mount. Behind the gun mount was an enlarged version of the Sylver vertical launch system. With thirty-two missile cells and the ability to fire cruise missiles, the launcher was considered far more capable that the original Sylver system.


A number of secondary weapon systems were also fitted. Above the superstructure, amidships, pair of quad launchers for anti-ship missiles. In addition, above the main hanger was a Sadral-AL sextuple short range missile launcher, giving excellent close range defense against missile threats. Finally, unlike the La Fayette class frigates, these frigates featured a pair of torpedo catapults designed to fire 324 mm torpedoes.


As stated previously, one of the issues with upgrading the La Fayette class frigates was that to replace the diesel engines would have required virtual complete rebuilding. They were already old ships by this time and it was not considered cost effective. In prder to provide power, the Roselys class frigate mounts a pair of fusion reactors. The propulsion system is all electric and is both more efficient and produces less noise than a shaft driven propulsion system. Top speed is greatly improved over the La Fayette class frigates with a top speed of thirty-four knots.


With respect to crew, these frigates were designed to be operated by a relatively small crew. Normal crew was one hundred and eight with normally twelve officers. These vessels could embark a marine compliment of twelve marines but rarely embarked them in early service. In later service they were embarked more often but were still not always carried. In some cases four power armors might also be embarked.


At the time of the Great Cataclysm, these frigates were among the oldest still remaining in French Navy service. Even so, they were considered valuable assets. They more frequently operated in detached service than many of the larger frigate class. Still, many were assigned to battle groups and suffered similar fates to the rest of those groups. Even so, it is believed that several of these frigates survived with possibly others capable of being salvaged.


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: Roselys class.

Class: General Purpose Frigate.

Crew: 108 (12 officers, 10 chief petty officers, and 86 enlisted).

Troops: 8 Panthère helicopter crew members and 12 marines including Lafayette power armor pilots.


Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:

Power Armor Compliment:

 

4

Lafayette Power Armors.

Aircraft Compliment:

 

1

Panthère NH110 ASW Helicopters.

M.D.C. by Location:

 

Bridge:

300.

 

[1] Thompson-CS DRBW 15L Active Phased Array Radar Panels (4):

200 each.

 

[2] OTO-Melara Single Barrel 3 inch (76-mm)/62-cal DP Barrel (1, gun mount):

60.

 

OTO-Melara Single Barrel 3 inch (76-mm)/62-cal DP Gun Mount (1, forward):

180.

 

Sylver MRX 32 cell Vertical Launch Systems (1, forward):

220 each.

 

MM40 Quad Long Range Missile Canister Launchers (2, amidships):

250 each.

 

Sadral-AL Sextuple Short Range Missile Launchers (2, superstructure):

120 each.

 

Dual KD-73C 12.75 inch (324 mm) Fixed Torpedo Catapults (2, sides):

40 each.

 

[2] CSEE Sagaie AMBL-7G Chaff / Decoy Launchers (4, superstructure):

10 each.

 

Hangar (aft):

325.

 

VTOL Pad (aft):

225.

 

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

70.

 

[3] Main Body:

1,200.

Notes:

[1] Destroying the DRBW 15D 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: 39.2 mph (34 knots / 63.0 kph).

Range: Effectively unlimited due to fusion engines (needs to refuel every 20 years and requires maintenance as well). Ship carries about four (4) months of supplies on board.


Statistical Data:

Draft: 14.44 feet (4.4 meters) mean and 22.31 feet (6.8 meters) including sonar dome.

Length: 409.45 feet (124.8 meters) waterline and 435.04 feet (132.6 meters) overall.

Width: 72.74 feet (17.6 meters).

Displacement: 4,250 tons standard and 4,825 tons fully loaded.

Cargo: Can carry 100 tons (90.7 metric tons) of nonessential equipment and supplies. Each enlisted crew member has a small locker for personal items and uniforms, and junior ratings were housed in six berth cabins, with senior ratings sharing two berth cabins. Ship’s officers had far more space for personal items, and lived in individual cabins. 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 Price: Not for sale but if found on the black market would probably cost 200 million or more credits. Cost does not include embarked craft and power armors.


Weapon Systems:

  1. One (1) OTO Melara 3 inch (76mm)/62 Super Rapid Naval Gun: The ship mounts a single rapid fire three inch gun mount forward of the superstructure and missile launchers. Based upon a naval gun from the Twentieth Century, this design has changed little, except for a stealthy gun shield and improved reliability and firepower. It is fully automated, and is usually aimed by radar. The guns were very reliable and fired very rapidly (About 85 rounds per minute). The main weaknesses of the guns were their relatively short range and the fact they could not use rocket assisted projectiles. The guns could be used against other ships, ground targets, aircraft, and even missiles. These guns were among the smallest that could use a proximity fuse for their warheads.

    Maximum Effective Range: 4.9 miles (4.3 nautical miles/8.0 km) for standard projectiles

    Mega-Damage: High Explosive: 1D4x10 M.D.C. with 10 foot (3 meters) blast radius per single shot and 3D4x10 M.D.C. with 20 foot (6.1 meters) blast radius for three round burst. High Explosive Armor Piercing: 1D6x10 M.D.C. with 4 foot (1.2 meters) blast radius per single shot and 3D6x10 M.D.C. with 8 foot (2.4 meter) blast radius for three round burst. Plasma: 2D4x10 M.D.C. with 12 foot (3.7 m) blast radius per single shot and 6D4x10 M.D.C. with 25 foot (7.6 meter) blast radius for three round burst.

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

    Payload: 280 rounds total. Ship normally carries usually carries 100 High Explosive, 100 High Explosive Armor Piercing, and 80 Plasma rounds.

  2. One (1) Sylver MRX 32-cell Advanced Capacity Vertical Launch Systems: A French design, this launchers was mounted between the three inch 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.)

  3. Two (2) MM40 Quad Long Range Missile Canister Launchers: These launchers are special canisters mounted in two quadruple mounts between the forward and after parts of the superstructure. These launchers are a slightly modified version of the French MM40 Exocet missile canisters. While the launchers are reusable, they are still inexpensive and are easily jettisoned if damaged although the whole quadruple mount has to be 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 missiles, see 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 long range missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2), four (4), or eight (8) long range missiles with all launchers operating together.

    Payload: Long range missiles are mounted in two quad launchers with four (4) long range missiles for a total of eight (8) long range missiles.

  4. One (1) Sadral-AL Sextuple Short Range Missile Launchers: Mounted above the hanger to give the ship effective short range defense against incoming missiles. A modified version of the Sadral Mistral launcher which incorporated an automatic loading system and able to use a variety of short range missiles. The system is designed to be able to target multiple incoming missiles simultaneously. It can be fired against surface targets as well as against air targets.

    Note: SAM style missiles are missiles that sacrifice payload for higher speeds, see Chris Curtis’ modified missile table for specifics.

    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 short range missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2), four (4), or six (6) short range missiles and can be used up to twice (2) per melee round.

    Payload: Six (6) short range missiles. The vessel carries forty-eight (48) short range missiles as reloads for each launcher for a total of fifty-four (54) short range missiles total. If a launcher is damaged, those missiles cannot be accessed except manually. Sometimes additional missiles are carried in the cargo hold for reloads.

  5. Two (2) Dual KD-73C 12.75 inch (324 mm) Fixed Torpedo Catapults: There are twin catapults for launching torpedoes on each side of the ship. Each catapult could launch 12.75 in (324 mm) torpedoes out to 492 feet (150 meters) from the ship. The torpedo’s motor would then take over, guiding it to its target. Torpedoes are normally used against submarines but can be targeted against surface targets as well. Interceptor torpedoes are also available for launchers to use against incoming torpedoes. Ship carries thirty-six 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 medium torpedoes one at a time or in volleys of two (2) medium torpedoes per side. Reloading catapults requires two (2) full melee rounds.

    Payload: Two (2) medium torpedoes each launcher for a grand total of four (4) medium torpedoes. Has an additional thirty-six (36) medium torpedoes for reloads.

  6. Four (4) CSEE Sagaie AMBL-7G 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 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: Six (6) canisters each for a total of twenty-four (24) canisters. Ninety-six (96) reloads are carried, reloading takes two melee rounds.

  7. Four (4) Dassault FRN-6F LAT Towed Torpedo Decoys: A special decoy which is towed behind the ship. It generates a sound like the ships propellers in order to confuse incoming torpedoes. Only effective at speeds 28.8 mph (25 knots / 46.3 kph) and below. Otherwise, the noise of the ship’s systems and propellers is too powerful to mask. 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.: 5 each.

    Range: Not Applicable although decoy is deployed approximately 1,000 feet (304.8 meters) from the vessel.

    Effects: The decoy has a 65% chance of fooling ordinary non military sonars and non smart guided torpedoes, the decoy has a 35% chance of fooling military level sonars (like those of the Coalition) and non “smart” torpedoes, and the decoy has a 10% chance of fooling advanced military sonars (Like those of the New Navy and Triax) and “smart” torpedoes.

    Payload: One ready to use, with three more ready to deploy. It takes approximately three minutes (twelve melee rounds) to reel out another decoy.

Special Systems:

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


[ 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. ]

[ Beyond the Supernatural®, Heroes Unlimited®, Nightbane®, Ninjas & Superspies®, Palladium Fantasy®, and Rifts® are registered trademarks owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc. ]


Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).


Copyright © 2018, Kitsune. All rights reserved.


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