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Norwegian Valkyrien class Guided Missile Frigate:


Going into the second half of the Twenty-First Century, the deep water forces of the Norwegian Navy consisted of basically five Fridtjof Nansen class frigates. Otherwise, most of their fleet was composed of much smaller Surface Effect Ship (SES) designs. While these vessel could operate in deep water, they were considered more of coastal vessels.


After the revolution in super strong materials, the Fridtjof Nansen class frigate had been rebuilt extensively. Still, the vessels were aging and considered in need of replacement. As they were original built from conventional materials not the new high strength composites and alloys, they simply could not withstand the abuse that later designs could. As well, their electronics were becoming dated.


A new building program was decided on in order to replace older warships. Included in this program were plans to build sixteen of a smaller and four of a larger Surface Effect Ship (SES) design. These became known as the Ravn and Sleipner classes respectively.


While the Sleipner class vessels were extremely fast and powerful designs, they were also extremely expensive compared to more conventional designs. In fact almost two heavier armed conventional frigates could be built for the cost of a single one of these Surface Effect Ships.


As a result, it was decided that the fleet would be supplemented by a number of more conventional vessels. In order to simplify development, it was decided that these new frigates would be based on the Fridtjof Nansen design. With regard to appearance, the heritage of the new frigates from the early class is clear.


The Norwegian Navy decided on a building program of eight new frigates. In order to speed production, the first four were built in Spanish yards to speed production instead of in Norway. However, the last four of these vessels were built in Norwegian yards.


In common with most Norwegian naval designs, these new frigates used systems from a number of different nations. One of these was the United States. At the time, the United States was not real popular with many European nations both because wanted to be independent with regard to military hardware and because there was intense distrust of the foreign policies of the United States.


In order to reduce development and construction costs, these vessels mount few systems that might be considered cutting edge systems. As a result of being built to a relatively conventional design, these frigates could be build much more rapidly than the Surface Effect Ship designs. Even so, these vessels are considered comparable to the slightly older Richard E. Byrd class frigates operated by the United States navy. Unlike the surface effect ships, these frigates were often deployed on extended missions far from Norway.


These frigate, along with the new Surface Effect Ships, served the Norwegian Navy for the next four decades. In fact, it was not until they very end of the Twenty-First Century that the Norwegian Navy started planning additional ships. At that time, there were plans for additional frigates along with additional Surface Effect Ships.


Unlike the Valkyrien class frigates, the new frigate class was not based on the Fridtjof Nansen class. Instead it was almost a clean sheet design. The new frigate design was planned to mount new weapon systems and electronics including a rail gun instead of a conventional cannon, a more powerful radar system, and an improved missile battery.


Only four of these new frigates had been authorized before the coming of the Great Cataclysm although there was discussion of further construction. Unlike the Valkyrien class, these new frigates would have all been built in Norwegian shipyards. Just before the coming of the Great Cataclysm, the first of the class had been launched but not completed.


What happened to the eight frigates of the Valkyrien class with the coming of the Great Cataclysm is unknown. Five of them had been deployed, two were in port being prepared for being deployed, while the final frigate was under refit at the time. Even though it is likely that most of the vessels were destroyed, it is quite possible that one or more of the Valkyrien class might have survived.


Even though based on the Fridtjof Nansen class design, the Valkyrien class frigates were heavily modified over the original design and are a fair amount larger. Many naval experts considered them to be better described as destroyers than frigates due to size and firepower. When full loaded, these “frigates” displace almost seven thousand tons.


Being built from the keel from high strength composites and alloys, these vessels were considered extremely tough and were virtually immune to corrosion. In addition, the Valkyrien class design has considerable effort towards reducing their radar cross signature. Compared to the older Fridtjof Nansen class of frigates, the Valkyrien class had a much lower radar cross signature.


At the time of development of the Valkyrien class design, cost effective fusion engines had been developed. In fact, they had virtually replaced standard gas turbines on most vessels. On the Valkyrien class design, a pair of fusion reactors provided power for the frigate. These engines give vessels a top speed of thirty-four knots compared to only around twenty-nine for the rebuilt Fridtjof Nansen class frigates even though a fair amount larger. In addition, the fusion reactors also give the vessels virtually unlimited range and only requires refueling about every twenty years.


Because these vessels were designed around a fusion plant, the engineering systems are far better laid out compared to the rebuilt Fridtjof Nansen class frigates. The engines are designed for quiet operations and are designed with a bubble masking system. A bow thruster is also mounted on the large frigate. If the main propulsion is damaged, the boat can use the bow thruster for speeds up to eight knots in emergencies.


These large frigates were among the smallest vessels to ever mount the SPY-3 active phased array radar system originally developed for the American DD-21 Destroyer design. A lighter weight SPY-3M version had been developed privately with an eye towards exports. While developed in America, it was not adopted by the United States Navy where the SPY-6 radar system was developed as a lighter weight version of the SPY-5 radar system. The Francis Darcey class frigate is the best known class mounting the new SPY-6 radar system.


Unlike the radar, the hull and towed array sonar systems are of French designs. Compared to the prior Fridtjof Nansen class frigates, the hull sonar is far larger and has far greater range. However, the towed array sonar only has a relatively modest increase in capacity over the array mounted in the older frigate class.


Originally, the older Fridtjof Nansen class mounted only eight vertical launch shells in a Mk 41 vertical launch system. This was increased to sixteen cell when they were rebuilt although still of the shorter self defense length and not able to carry any missiles longer than medium range missile.


While it was decided to retain the Mk 41 vertical launch system, the Valkyrien class instead mounts a thirty-two cell launch system. In addition, the ship design was modified to be able to carry the far longer strike length launchers able to carry cruise missiles and long range missiles in addition to medium range missiles. Generally, several cells carry long range rocket boosted torpedoes for use against submerged targets. Otherwise, cruise missiles were rarely carried even though the vessel had the ability to carry them.


In addition to the Mk 41 launchers, the Valkyrien class mounted two Mk 55 medium range vertical launch systems. The compact nature of the fusion plant and the space freed up which were originally fuel tankage would have been carried enabled the mounting of the medium range missile systems. A total of over one hundred medium range missiles were carried between the two Mk 55 launchers. These launchers replace the anti-ship missile canisters mounted on the superstructure of the Fridtjof Nansen class.


One of the few weapon systems which was developed in Norway was the “Freya VIII” short range missile system. In effect, these systems replaced the single Mk 49 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) quad launcher on the Fridtjof Nansen class. A total of four are mounted on the frigate’s superstructure and give good close range missile defenses. Over three hundred missiles are carried as reloads for these short range launchers.


The original OTO Melara 76 mm “Super Rapid” naval gun from the Fridtjof Nansen class is retained on the Valkyrien class frigate. Commonly mounted on Norwegian Navy warships, this same weapon was also carried on the Ravn and Sleipner classes of Surface Effect Ships.


In comparison to warship classes of other navies, the 76 mm gun was considered a bit light. Many navies had replaced their 76 mm guns with 127 mm guns of their frigate classes. In some cases, similar sized vessels even mounted 155 mm gun systems. Still, the 76 mm gun system was considered highly effective and considered capable of engaging surface targets as well as being used against aircraft at close range and even useful against missiles.


For anti-submarine warfare as well as active torpedo defense, the Valkyrien class frigate mounts twin 324 torpedo tubes on either side. Unlike the Fridtjof Nansen class, the newer frigate class mounts an automatic loading system. Considered of limited effectiveness, depth charge launchers of the older frigate class are deleted in the Valkyrien class. For additional defense against both torpedoes and missiles, the Valkyrien class frigate mounted the “Softkill II” defense system.


While the Fridtjof Nansen class already required a relatively small crew, further automation further reduces the manning requirements of the Valkyrien class frigate. In fact, the Valkyrien class requires around twenty-five percent less personnel compared to the older frigate. In addition to the core crew, these vessels are designed to be able to embark up to forty additional personnel. Commonly, twenty power armor personnel make be embarked. In addition, the frigate has a single position hanger.


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: Modified F210 Valkyrien class Frigate (Project 6310).

Class: Guided Missile Frigate.

Crew: 96 total; 6 officers, 10 chief petty officers, and 90 enlisted.

Troops: 6 Helicopter or VTOL pilots and crew, 20 pilots for power armors (Gypsy Moth power armors in Norwegian navy service), and can embark up to 20 additional personnel.


Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:

Power Armor Compliment:

 

20

Flying Power Armors (Gypsy Moth Power Armors with flight pack in Norwegian service.)

Aircraft Compliment:

 

1

Helicopters or other VTOL Aircraft (NH110 Helicopter in Norwegian service.)

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.

 

Mk 41 Strike Length 32 Cell Vertical Launch System (1, forward):

220.

 

Mk 55 Medium Range 8 Cell Vertical Launch Systems (2, sides):

300 each.

 

“Freya VIII” Short Range Missile Launchers (4, superstructure):

120 each.

 

Dual 12.75 inch (324 mm) Medium Torpedo Launchers (2, sides):

35 each.

 

[1] SPY-3M Active Phase Array Radar Panels (4, superstructure):

200 each.

 

[2] “Soft Kill II” Chaff / Decoy Launchers (2, superstructure):

10 each.

 

Hangar (aft):

250.

 

VTOL Pad (aft):

200.

 

Bridge:

300.

 

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

75.

 

[3] Main Body:

1,600.

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-3M phase array radar panels will destroy the ship’s fire control systems but guns have backup systems and panels can partially compensate for each other.

[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.) Has a retractable electrical thruster in the bow which can propel the boat up to 9.2 mph (8 knots / 14.8 kph).

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


Statistical Data:

Draft:    19.19 feet (5.85 meters) hull and 25.75 feet (7.85 meters) including hull sonar.

Length:  434.38 meters (132.4 meters) and 474.08 feet (144.5 meters) overall.

Width:   55.77 feet (17.0 meters)

Displacement: 6,900 tons standard and 6,800 tons fully loaded.

Cargo: Can carry 300 tons (272.2 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 Price: Not for sale but if found on the black market would probably cost 325 million credits or more if intact and operational. 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 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. Ship normally carries usually carries an additional 240 rounds divided between 80 High Explosive, 80 High Explosive Armor Piercing, and 80 Plasma.

  2. One (1) Mk 41 Strike Length 32 Cell Vertical Launch System: The thirty-two cell launcher is mounted behind the 76 mm cannon. These are the longer strike version of the missile launcher and can carry the longer cruise missile. From the beginning, the launchers have been found to be very flexible and adaptable. The launcher was originally designed for the Tomahawk and Standard SM-2 Missile. In later service, the 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 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 (32) missile cells in 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. Ship carries no reloads.

  3. Two (2) Mk 55 Medium Range Vertical Launch System: 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.

  4. Four (4) “Freya VIII” Short Range Missile Box Launchers: Mounted on each “corner” of the superstructure are a total of four 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) four (4), or eight (8) short range missiles each launcher. Launchers retract and are ready to fire for next melee attack.

    Payload: Eight (8) short range missiles each launcher for thirty-two (32) short range missiles total. The vessel carries eighty (80) short range missiles as reloads for each launcher for a total of three hundred and fifty-two (352) 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 12.75 inch (324 mm) Medium 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 20 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, 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 twenty (20) medium torpedoes for reloads.

  6. Four (4) Multi Ammunition “Softkill II” System: Located on the front and rear of the superstructure of the ship, 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 Ship.

    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) each for a total of sixteen (16) canisters. Sixty-four (64) reload canisters are carried. Torpedo Decoy / Noisemakers: Two (2) decoys / noisemakers each for a total of eight (8) decoys / noisemakers. Thirty-two (32) additional decoy / noisemakers are carried. Reloading launchers requires two melee rounds.

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. ]


Image drawn and copyrighted by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune.) Based on Norwegian Fridtjof Nansen drawing by Mischa (E-Mail Mischa)

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


Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).


Copyright © 2011, 2017, & 2018, Kitsune. All rights reserved.


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