Norwegian Ravn class Surface Effect Patrol Boat:


Before the coming of the Great Cataclysm, only the Soviet Union / Russia and Norway developed surface effect warship designs. The United States originally planned to develop a several thousand ton frigate design but the program was canceled. However, there were a variety of civilian designs of surface effect craft operated. Compared to the Soviet designs, the Norwegian designs were far smaller although still considered highly effective.


There were a number of reasons why surface effect ship designs were more popular with the Royal Norwegian Navy than virtually any other navy. One of the most important was these vessels abilities to operate in extremely shallow water due to their shallower draft than almost any other vessels. A common tactic was to have these vessels duck in and out of narrow bays and fjords.


Due to the fact that surface effect ships have far less hull in the water, they are usually much faster than most conventional craft. Speed in excess of 80 knots have been achieved in some designs. In comparison to more conventional air cushion designs, surface effect ships differ greatly because they have rigid sidewalls for stability and support instead of a flexible skirt to contain the lift air. However, the surface effect ship design does have flexible seals or “skirts” forward and aft and internal lift fans.


The Royal Norwegian Navy “Ravn” class, or “Raven”, were named after various birds. A total of sixteen vessels were constructed, starting in the Twenty-Sixties and the last boat not completed until the late Twenty-Seventies. While the navy had been advocating for a considerable naval expansion, the Norwegian parliament have refused to authorize any additional construction. It was only with increases in tension and the expansion of the new Soviet navy that parliament finally authorized a naval expansion program.


In addition to the Ravn class, a larger surface effect ship design was developed at the same time. This later became the Sleipner class While the Ravn class was considered a light corvette, the Sleipner class was considered a heavy corvette design. Compared to the Ravn class, the Sleipner class was also considered far more of a multi-role design. Originally the Norwegian Navy wanted a total of six of these larger vessels. However, the Sleipner class vessels were far more expensive and a total of only four of these vessels were constructed.


Due to a number of incidents, tensions further increased just before the coming of the Great Cataclysm. At that time, a further expansion of the Norwegian Navy was authorized. Included in the program were sixteen additional light corvette class surface effect ships. None were completed before the coming of the cataclysm however. At the same time, there were four additional heavy corvette class surface effect ships also authorized. Both classes were suppose to enter service around the 2105 time frame.


There would have been a number of significant changes in the design of both the light corvette and heavy corvette class surface effect ships. These included the replacement of the 76 mm gun mount with a rail gun, a 65 mm mount on the light corvette and a 100 mm mount on the heavy corvette . None of the systems on the new vessels were planned to be backfitted to the Ravn class.


While it is commonly believed that most of the Ravn class surface effect craft were destroyed during the common of the Great Cataclysm, it is quite possible that one or more survived the devastation. Along the coast of what was once the Scandinavian Peninsula, there are large numbers of narrow bays and fjords that are unexplored since the cataclysm. One of these vessels was able to be recovered by the New German Republic and served as the basis for their Falke class patrol boat.


In its basic design, the Ravn class was quite similar to the older Skjold class. Still, the design had quite a number of improvements over the older design. At the time of the Great Cataclysm, the plan had been to retire the remaining Skjold class vessels with the introduction of new light corvette class of surface effect ships in service. Some wanted a pair to remain in service as training craft. Of the six Skjold class originally built, two of these older craft had already been retired to provide repair parts and two had been already reduced to training status.


While the Skjold class used four fusion turbines after being upgraded, the Ravn class replaced these with a pair of far more powerful fusion turbine plants. A far more modern design, they were considered to have an excellent power to mass ratio. The Ravn class also featured improved water jets. Between the more powerful fusion plant and the improved water jets, the Ravn had a top speed of seventy-two knots on calm water. Even though not quite equal to the New Soviet designs, it was still far faster than the Skjold class vessel. In rougher seas, top speed is around fifty-two knots.


Due to being constructed from the beginning from high strength composites, the Ravn class light corvette were far tougher than the Skjold class vessels. Even so, the newer design did not sacrifice anything with regard to a reduced radar cross signature. One advantage of the construction of the corvette from advanced composites, beyond being extremely tough, is that the vessel is virtually immune to corrosion.


Compared to the Skjold class, the Ravn class light corvette design was slightly longer. As with the Skjold class, these boats were painted in camouflage to enable them to hide within the fiords and bays of the Scandinavian Peninsula. Most other vessels of the Royal Norwegian Navy, like those of most navies, were painted grey. The only other exception were the Sleipner surface effect heavy corvettes.


While the Ravn class corvette was greatly improved over the Skjold class in other areas, the main weaponry of the newer class was essentially the same as the previous class. This included a single rapid fire 76 mm gun on the bow and eight vertical launch missile systems in the stern of the vessel. In general, the 76 mm mount was expected to deal with the smaller vessels which the patrol boat might need to engage. Able to use a variety of rounds including high explosive, armor piercing, and plasma, it is also capable of engaging air targets, including missiles fired at the boat itself. The eight long range missiles were usually used to engage larger targets in fast strikes. Often high speed surface skimming missiles were carried. Few vessels could pursue these patrol boats, especially in shallow water.


A major weakness with the Skjold class corvette was against air threats, especially missiles. During the development of the Ravn class, mounting improved air defenses was considered a priority. The solution was to mount a pair of “Freya IV” box launchers for short range missiles. One is mounted on either side, just aft of the bridge. Each launcher has four short range missiles ready to fire with an automatic loading system. Twenty-four missile are carried for reloads for each launcher. A total of fifty-six missiles can be carried including both those in the launchers and those in the magazines. Higher speed surface to air missiles are often carried although other types can be carried. While primarily tasked with dealing with air threats, the missile systems can engage surface targets as well.


Even though the “Freya IV” short range missile launchers are the primary defense against missile threats, the Ravn class corvette also mount an anti-missile decoy system which can also fire anti-torpedo decoys. Otherwise, the electronic warfare suite of the corvette is improved omnly slightly over the previous class and in service there was litle difference in effectiveness.


In an effort to simplify development, it was decided to retain the same basic active phased array radar system from the Skjold class on the Ravn class. However, the radar system did feature a number of upgrades including greater tracking capabilities and a slightly improved range, around two hundred kilometers compared to around one hundred and eighty kilometers.


While anti-submarine warfare was not really considered a major role for the Ravn class corvette, it was still decided to mount a towed array sonar. In order to mount the array however, it was decided to position the water jets slightly further apart and mount the array between them. The sonar was more akin to a helicopter dipping sonar than a full sized towed array. In addition, the sonar system was not considered very effective when the corvette was operating at high speeds. Another problem is that the vessel did not normally carry any anti-submarine weaponry although missile launched torpedoes could theoretically be carried in the long range missile launchers.


Requiring a crew of only twelve, these corvettes actually further reduce the crew compared to the original Skjold class. This is due in part to additional automation. The original side mounted 12.7 mm machine guns and later rail guns were manned by gunners while the short range missile launchers are fully automated.


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: Ravn class Surface Effect Patrol Boat (Project 6290).

Class: Ocean, Surface Effect Ship (Light Corvette).

Crew: 12 (3 officers and 9 enlisted).


Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:

None.


M.D.C. by Location:

 

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

60.

 

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

180.

 

Vertical Long Range Missile Launchers (8, fantail):

80 each.

 

“Freya IV” Short Range Missile Launchers (2, Superstructure):

50 each

 

[1] “Soft Kill II” Chaff / Decoy Launcher (1, Bow)

10

 

[2] Thales MRR-3D-NX Rotating Multi-Role Phased Array Radar: 

60.

 

Bridge / Superstructure:

150.

 

[3] Propulsion Water-Jets (2, rear):

80 each.

 

[3] Skirts (2, forward and aft):

60 each.

 

[4] Main Body:

450.

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 Thales MRR-3D-NX rotating phased array radar panel will destroy the boat’s main fire control systems but the vessel has backup systems with a shorter range (Equal to robot vehicle sensors.)

[3] Destruction of a water-jet will reduce top speed by one quarter. Destruction of the skirt will reduce prevent the craft traveled on an air cushion and top speed is reduced to 13.8 mph (12 knots/ 22.2 kph).

[4] Destroying the main body destroys propulsion and power systems, disabling the boat. The boat is fitted with an advanced polymer armors that allow the boat to withstand up to -100 M.D.C. before losing structural integrity and sinking. There are enough life preservers and inflatable life boats to accommodate everyone on the boat.


Speed:

On Water, Hull Borne: 13.8 mph (12 knots/ 22.2 kph).

On Water, On Air Cushion: Calm Seas: 82.9 mph (72 knots/ 133.4 kph). Rough Seas: 59.9 mph (52 knots / 96.4 kph)

Range: Unlimited due to fusion engines (needs to refuel every 20 years and requires maintenance as well). Boat carries two weeks of supplies on board.


Statistical Data:

Draft:    Hull Borne: 8.53 feet (2.60 meters) and On Air Cushion: 3.61 feet (1.10 meters).

Width:   44.29 feet (13.50 meters).

Length:  158.3 feet (48.25 meters).

Displacement: 286 tons fully loaded.

Cargo: Can carry 8 tons (7.28 metric tons) of nonessential equipment and supplies. Each enlisted crew member has a small locker for personal items and uniforms. Boat’s officers have some more space for personal items. Most of the boat’s spaces are taken up by extra ammo, armor, troops, weapons, and engines.

Power System: Two nuclear fusion reactors with an average life span of 20 years.

Black Market Price: 150 to 250 million credits on the black market for an intact model.


Weapon Systems:

  1. One (1) OTO Melara 76mm/62 Super Rapid Naval Gun: The boat mounts a rapid fire three inch gun mount near the bow of vessel. The gun is very reliable and fires very rapidly (About 120 rounds per minute). The main weaknesses of the gun are its relatively short range and the fact it cannot use rocket assisted projectiles. The gun was carried on many ship classes around the world until well into the Twenty First century. The guns can 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: 85 Rounds ready to fire. Vessel normally carries usually carries an additional 85 rounds.

  2. Eight (8) Long Range Vertical Launch Tubes: On the deck near the fantail of the patrol boat are eight vertical launch tubes. The boat will usually race towards an enemy craft, fire off all of its missiles, and then race off as fast as possible before being engaged. 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: One long range missile each launcher for a grand total of eight (8) long range missiles. Has no additional long range missiles in storage for reloads.

  3. Two (2) “Freya IV” Short Range Missile Box Launchers: Mounted on each side of the superstructure are a pair of box launchers which automatically reload. The launchers can rotate 360 degrees and have a 90 degree arc of fire. The missile launchers reload extremely rapidly and are ready to be fire on the next attack. 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: Varies by short range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details - SAM style missiles normally.)

    Mega-Damage: Varies by short range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details - SAM style missiles normally.)

    Rate of Fire: Can fire short range missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2), or four (4) short range missiles each launcher. Launchers retract and are ready to fire for next melee attack.

    Payload: Four (4) short range missiles each launcher for eight (8) short range missiles total. The vehicle carries twenty-four (24) short range missiles as reloads for each launcher for a total of fifty-six (56) short range missile 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.)

  4. One (1) Multi Ammunition “Softkill II” System: Located on the bow of the boat, this system is designed to confuse incoming missile and torpedo threats. Launchers can fire either missile decoys / chaff or torpedo decoys at one time. Torpedo decoys work by firing patterns of decoys in the water and are noisemakers that act to confuse and decoy torpedoes. With both decoy systems, Rifts Earth decoys systems are assumed to not be effective against Phase World / Three Galaxies ordnance due to technological differences.

    Range: Around Boat.

    Mega Damage: None.

    Effects:

      Missile Decoys:

        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.

        For missile decoys, 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.) Missile decoys are only useful against missiles, not useful against torpedoes underwater.

      Torpedo Decoy / Noisemakers:

        50% of decoying normal torpedoes and 20% of decoying smart torpedoes. Reduce effects by 5% for each decoy launcher not firing torpedo decoys. Torpedo decoys are only useful against torpedoes, not useful against missiles in flight.

    Payload: Missile Decoys: Four (4) with launcher. Eight (8) reload canisters are carried. Torpedo Decoy / Noisemakers: Two (2) decoys / noisemakers with launcher. Four (4) additional decoy / noisemakers are carried. Reloading launchers requires 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 © 2011, 2017, & 2018, Kitsune. All rights reserved.


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