Japanese Amagi class Aircraft Carrier:

As the Twenty-First Century progressed, the Japanese Navy expanded at a rate that had not been seen since the Second World War. Immediately after World War II, severe restrictions were put on Japan's armed forces and were officially not a military but a “Self Defense Force.” The Japanese Navy was also restricted in size and carriers were specifically prohibited.

With the expansion of the Chinese Navy along with Japanese concerns about the new Soviet military and the already large Indian Navy, the Japanese government pushed to get the restrictions on their military lifted. Along with this, Japan made mutual defense treaties with Australia, South Korea, and Taiwan. There was strong concern by each of them that the United States could not protect the Far Eastern nations.

To that end, the Taiho class carriers were constructed during the Twenty-Forties. By the mid Twenty-Eighties however, the two carriers were not capable of handling all of the missions they were called on for. Though outstanding designs, they were needed in more places then they could possibly be. The Japanese therefore took a note from the Americans and began designing a series of small escort carriers. These ships were designed to provide convoy escort and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) search & destroy missions with only limited strike capability.

Named the Amagi class, these carriers were designed using much of the same technology from the planned American Saratoga class stealth carriers. Because they would not be as capable as the Taihos, the Amagis needed to rely on stealth much more than their predecessors. The hull was a streamlined racing-boat design to slide through the water and to reduce radar cross-section. Near the bow the bridge was built into the hull. Slanted windows on three sides gave an excellent view of the surrounding seas.

The ships had a straight flight deck configuration with a ski-jump at the forward edge of the flight deck. A small island structure on the starboard side housed the flight operations center. Both elevators were mounted on the starboard side with one directly in front of the island and the second behind the vertical launch system. These were inboard elevators as well. Although they cut into the available deck space, they were essential to giving the Amagi class a stealth profile.

The Amagi class mounted the SPY-6S light-weight radar system with the four fixed panels mounted in the superstructure. Ar first, designers planned to mount the panels similarly to the Saratoga class on the sides of the hull but water tanks test showed that spray during high speed cruising and during high seas would interfere with the panels. There were plans to upgrade this to the Japanese SPY-6J system, but those plans were lost on December 22, 2098. A hull sonar was planned into the initial design to ensure defensive submarine detection, but was deleted later on as it was deemed expensive and of limited utility. Howver, the position is retained for future use if it was later decided to mount a hull sonar.

The class mounted a single forty-eight cell Mk 59-B vertical launch system behind the island. This launcher used medium-range missiles almost exclusively to provide self-defense for the carrier. Four Mk 44 “Sea Sabre” combination short range missile and rail gun defense systems were mounted at the corners of the ship for close-in defense. At first, retractable mounts were considered but were dropped in later design phases. Of course the carriers carried decoy, chaff, and jamming systems for self-defense.

A pair of powerful fusion reactors powered the engines, which were mounted in trainable pods under the hull. Top speed was an incredible forty-one knots. The propellers were both variable pitch allowing for faster changes in speed and the ability to turn quicker. All this provided for incredible ship handling capabilities.

Both the hull and propellers were designed with a bubble masking system to reduce ship noise. This was combined with the hull being covered by a sound absorbing rubber material and the engines being specially mounted to reduce machinery noise. The entire hull was constructed of non-corrosive, super-strength materials to ensure protection from both weather and weapons.

Like the Taiho class, these carriers were not equipped with catapults or arrester gear. However, the escort carrier had a ski-jump on the bow to allow vertical take off and landing (VTOL) aircraft to carry heavier payloads on takeoff. The aircraft complement was much smaller than the larger Taiho and designed more for ASW and convoy escort than for strike missions. The vessels carried a single “light” squadron of ten fighters for attack and defense. Eighteen Kingfisher VTOLs were also stationed aboard for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Electronic Warfare (EW), Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), and general cargo missions. Additionally, a quartet of utility tilt-rotors were included for general missions. Forty SAMAS power armor were stationed aboard along with a security group of marines to defend against boarding and for dock-side defense while in port.. The Amagis were not intended to deploy troops during actual amphibious operations.

Construction began on the first ship in 2088, three years after the hull of the Saratoga was laid down. She was completed in 2091, a year behind her larger half-sister. The other three ships were completed over the next seven years with the Zuiho completed in October 2098. All of them were at sea when the Rifts shook the Earth to its core. The IJNS Amagi was escorting the HMAS Canberra near Singapore. The Shoho, along with the Amphibious Assault Ship IJNS Taiyo, was with a large POMA force in the Philippine Sea while the IJNS Unryu was returning from maneuvers in near the Aleutian Islands. The Zuiho was in the South China Sea on her shakedown cruise. It is unknown whether any of these vessels survived the Great Cataclysm, however, there has been no evidence of such.

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: Amagi class Escort Aircraft Carrier.

Vehicle Type: Ocean, Escort Aircraft Carrier .

Crew: Ships Crew: 395 (55 Officers and 340 Enlisted [Has a high degree of automation]) Air Wing: 345 (120 Pilots, 20 flight deck officers, 205 enlisted).

Troops: 150 (50 pilots for SAMAS power Armor, 100 soldiers in body armor).

Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:

Power Armor Compliment:

PA-04A SAMAS Power Armors.

Fighter/Aircraft Compliment:

	2	EV-84A Kingfisher Utility VTOLs - General Cargo / Search and Rescue Model.
	12	EVE-84A Kingfisher Utility VTOLs - Electronics Warfare Model.
	4	EVS-84A Kingfisher Utility VTOLs - Anti-Submarine Warfare.
	10	FV-45J Super Hawk VTOL Jet Fighters.
	4	V-22N Super Osprey Tilt Rotors - Transport / Search and Rescue Model.

M.D.C. by Location:

	Mk 44 Combination Anti-Missile Defense Systems (4, sides):	200 each.
	[1] USA-M31 Medium Defense Rail Guns (4, sides):	50 each.
	Mk 59-B Forty-Eight Cell Vertical Launcher System (1, behind island):	375.
	[2] SPY-6S Phase Array Radar Panels (4, superstructure):	200 each.
	[1] Chaff / Decoy Launchers (4, superstructure):	10 each.
	[3] Inboard Elevators (2):	250 each.
	Hanger Doors (2):	250 each.
	[4] Flight Deck:	2,250.
	[5] Forward Bridge	1,000.
	[5] Island / Command Tower:	1,750
	Outer Hull (per 40 foot / 12.2 meter area):	80.
	[6] Main Body:	6,200

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 SPY-6 phased array radar panels will destroy the ship’s fire control systems but secondary systems have backup systems and panels can partially compensate for each other. All bonuses are lost if panels are destroyed.

[3] If both elevators are destroyed, no aircraft can be moved from the hangers to the main flight deck.

[4] If the flight deck is destroyed, VTOL aircraft can be launched or land but at -15% to piloting.

[5] If the bridge/ control tower is destroyed, the ship can still be piloted from engineering but with a -15% to piloting rolls. Communication and sensor equipment are not concentrated on the bridge to reduce the effectiveness of bridge hits.

[6] Destroying the main body destroys propulsion and power systems, disabling the ship. The ship is fitted with additional floatation materials that allow the ship to withstand up to -1,500 M.D.C. before losing structural integrity and sinking. There are enough life preservers and inflatable life boats to accommodate everyone on the ship. sinking. There are enough life preservers and inflatable life boats to accommodate everyone on the ship.

Speed:

Surface: 47.2 mph (41 knots/ 76 kph).

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

Statistical Data:

Draft: 31.5 feet (9.6 meters) including sonar mount.

Length: 775 feet (232.5 meters).

Width: 184 feet (56.3 meters) including flight deck and 128 feet (39.0 meters) waterline.

Displacement: 22,200 tons standard and 27,900 tons fully loaded.

Cargo: Can carry 1,000 tons (907 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 Reactor, average life span is 20 years

Black Market Cost: Not for Sale but costs around 650 million credits to construct. If found and sold on the black market would probably cost 1.2 billion credits. Cost does not include embarked craft and power armors.

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

Four (4) USA-M31 Medium Defense Rail Guns: These weapons are mounted with two on either side of the hull for defense against small boats and similar threats. Not considered effective against aircraft or missiles. These rail gun mounts were identical to those carried on the USA-PA-04A SAMAS power armor although outfitted with a double sized ammunition drum. The rail gun has fewer bursts and is heavier but the rail gun inflicts more damage than the post Rifts C-40R.

Weight: Rail Gun: 110 lbs (49.9 kg), Double Ammo Drum: 280 lbs (127.0 kg).

Maximum Effective Range: 4,000 feet (1,200 meters).

Mega-Damage: A burst of 40 rounds inflicts 1D6x10. One round inflicts 1D4+1.

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

Payload: Each has a 4,000 round magazine for 100 bursts.
Four (4) Mk-44 “Sea Sabre” Combination Anti-Missile Defense Systems: Weapons are mounted on the sides of the ship with two on either side of the ski-jump and two on the sides just forward of the fantail. 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 missiles 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 59-B Vertical Launch Missile System: This launcher is mounted directly behind the island. The launcher is smaller and carries half as many missiles as the launcher on the American Francis Darcey and Raymond Fox class vessels. The system is similar to the vertical launch system employed on many ships in the late twentieth century to launch the SM-2 series missile but since the missiles are smaller they have a reload system that reloads from under the launcher and can reload within 15 seconds. The launcher has a total of forty-eight individual cells and is six missile cells longs by eight cells wide. The launcher can fire up to half its total payload per melee. The launcher can use a vast variety of missiles including surface skimming missiles and rocket propelled torpedoes (See revised Rifts torpedoes for details.) Each cell can carry one long range missile or two medium range missile. The reload for the cell must carry the same load as the main cell. Long range missiles are normally used against large targets and aircraft further out where the medium range missiles will normally be used to engage closer targets. About half of all long range missiles carried are fusion warheads and most missiles are normally smart missiles.

Maximum Effective Range: As per long or medium range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)

Mega-Damage: As per long 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), eight (8), sixteen (16), or twenty-four (24) missiles for the whole launcher per melee round. Missile cells are automatically reloaded and are ready to fire next melee round.

Payload: Forty-eight (48) missile cells in launcher with reload systems for each cell (one reload each cell). One (1) long range missile or two (2) medium range missiles may be carried per cell but reload must be the same load out as well. The ship will often carry all forty-eight (48) cells with two medium range missiles each and the other cells loaded with one long range missile each.

Four (4) Chaff / Decoy Launchers: Located on the sides of the hull 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: Twenty-four (24) each for a total of ninety-six (96) canisters.

Four (4) OLQ-4Y Advanced Towed 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 ecort carrier 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:

SPY-6S Three Dimensional Active Phased Array Radar System: Miniaturized version of the system carried on the Delaware class cruiser that is less powerful but still very capable. The incredibly advanced radar and computer system first developed before the coming of the Rifts and is similar to the system as that which is carried 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 track out to and can simultaneously track and identify up to 768 targets. As well, the system controls missiles launched from the missile launchers and the system 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: 600 miles (521.4 nautical miles / 966 km), subject to the radar horizon. Bonuses: The system gives +10% to Read Sensory Instrument skill rolls, +2 on initiative, and +1 to strike.
NOLQ-6D 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 ship uses air bubbles to form a barrier against sonar combined with general noise reduction features and an anechoic hull coating. Bubble masker protects both the hull and propellers against detection. Gives a -20% penalty to any Read Sensory Instrument skill rolls to detect this ship using sonar and bubble masker reduces ability to classify vessel.
Command and Control Facilities: The carrier carries extra communications equipment and command facilities, to enable the ship to operate as the flagship for a flotilla. When operating in a flotilla, all ships get an additional +5% on Read Sensory Instrument skill rolls, +5% on Weapon Systems skill rolls, +1 to strike with all weapon systems, and +10% on communication skill rolls.
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 -30% 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 / Bonuses for more information on penalties and bonuses to use with stealth.

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Vessel drawing is created and copyrighted by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune) & Mischa (E-Mail Mischa).

Mischa has no art home page at present but many other items on my site.

Writeup by Kamikazi (co366thaw@hotmail.com) & Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

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