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New Sovietskiy Novik class Multi-Role Destroyer:


For almost four decades the warships of the former Soviet Union rusted in port with very little money was spend on the Russian Navy. Over the years, there were various new designs presented as a new generation in warship but they rarely actually reached fruition. As a result of the navy being starved for funds, very few warships were actually salvageable when the Soviet government reformed. As well, the “Mega-Damage” revolution, as some call the revolution in high strength materials and new weapon systems, started just a few years after the new government took power.


For the most part, it was decided that instead of trying to salvaging the old vessels and trying to refit them with new external armor plates that they would build new vessels. A few vessels which were in reasonable decent shape were retained and refitted with some high strength composite armor until significant numbers of new vessels could enter service. After significant numbers of new warships entered service, the older refitted warships were retired. Some were scrapped while others were sold.


One of the few exceptions was the carrier Kuznetsov. After the carrier was refitted, the ship was retained in service even after additional Soviet carriers entered service. This is due to the fact that the refitting became virtually a complete rebuilding. In addition, the carrier became something of a status symbol of the new Soviet navy.


One of the first classes that the new Soviet government approved developed on was a new destroyer class. In many respects, the destroyer forces were the worst hit while in the highest demand. Often considered the true workhorses of the navy, destroyers performed the duties of escorts for the carriers, performed anti-submarine warfare, and might even be called on for shore bombardment missions.


The first vessel of the new destroyer class, the Novik, was laid down in 2034. The American Rosette class was laid down around the same time and a number of naval scholars of the time considered the American class to have been constructed as a response to the Soviet design. This is unlikely due to the fact that the Rosette design is based on a class which was laid down two decades previously and was already planned before the plans on the Soviet destroyer design were released.


At least fifty of the Novik class were built over the next two decades in an attempt to match the American Navy and to replace vessels which were unserviceable. During this time, two to three new destroyers were completed every year. Later in the production run, construction slowed but the destroyers were still constructed at the rate of two vessels every three years.


These destroyers were consider fine vessels and preferred by their crews over most other Soviet designs, even a number of newer ones. Due to their construction from advanced alloys and composites which are virtually corrosion free, these vessels enjoyed long service lives. The Novik class were upgraded several times while in service and new construction incorporated some design changes but the whole class was still considered to be first line units until the coming of the Great Cataclysm. Two vessels of the class were lost in accidents but otherwise the whole class remained in service. None are known to have survived the coming of the Rifts. Still, the larger numbers produced of these destroyers make it likely that some vessels of the class could have survived.


Fusion power systems were still under development when the class was laid down and it was designed using four gas turbines to produce power. It is believed by some military analysts that the engines were actually not an indigenous Soviet designs with a lot of technology having been lost in the decades where the Russian navy was neglected. Instead, it is suggested that the engines are actually close copied of later versions of the American LM-2500 gas turbine systems. The United States had been continuously improving their gas turbine designs over the intervening decades, both increasing output and fuel efficiency.


These gas turbine did not power electric engines but instead used geared turbines to transfer power from the four engines to the twin variable pitch propellers. In later service, existing ships of the class hade gas turbines were replaced by fusion turbines and a few of the last vessels of the class completed were fitted with fusion turbines when they were laid down. The original gas turbine engines could drive the Novik class destroyer at thirty two knots and the new fusion turbines improved this to thirty five knots.


An important physical feature of the design is a long clipper bow but otherwise the vessel is squarish in terms of the vessel’s superstructure. Some have suggested that the superstructure is reminiscent of that from the Ticonderoga class cruiser. The revived Soviet navy did not concentrate on reducing radar cross signature as a feature of their design unlike the American Rosette class. Another distinguishing feature of the Soviet destroyer class are four diamond shaped active phased array radar panels which are the heart of an advanced defense systems. System has a better range than the system carried on the American Rosette class but does not have the ability to track as many targets. Originally, the Novik class was suppose to carry a secondary single rotating phased array radar system as well but these was deleted due to top-weight problems.


Compared to previous warship classes, the American navy had mounted much larger guns in their new destroyer and cruiser classes. On new warships, they had gone from 127 mm cannons to 155 mm cannons. The new caliber was also the same caliber as most NATO artillery and allowed for greater ammo compatibility. Once the Soviet government reformed, the Soviets decided to follow a similar line with the Novik class carrying a 152 mm cannon. This caliber cannon was last carried on the Sverdlov class cruiser which had all been retired with all but one scrapped before the end of the Twentieth Century.


The turrets mounted in the old cruiser were a triple barrel design while the new turrets in the Novik class were much lighter in design and were single barrel. In addition, they are designed for a higher rate of fire and are capable in both anti-surface and anti-aircraft roles. In general there were few development problems with the new gun systems.


Unlike the gun system, there were a number of teething problems with the main missile launchers of the new destroyer class during development. It got to the point where a number of designers suggested that they simple copy the American Mk 41 vertical launch system. After continuing to have problems, the Soviet navy decided to purchase the French Sylver missile launchers. While this was approved by the French government, it caused huge tensions with both France’s neighbors and the United States. In the end, the sale did not go through and they were never delivered. The official reason was due to labor problems but it has been argued that the sales were actually canceled due to political pressures but was basically a face saving explanation.


Finally, the Soviet designers had to make a crash development of a new missile launching system for the vessel. These were an enlarged version of the SA-N-6 “Grumble” rotary vertical launching system used for the Slava / Moskva class and were designed to be able to launch any type of long range missiles. It was decided to fit the destroyer with sixteen of these launchers, enabling the Novik class to carry one hundred and twenty-eight long range missiles total. Eight of these launchers are mounted forward of the superstructure and the same number are mounted aft.


Originally, the ship was designed to have one launcher which which carried both long range missiles and medium range missiles in the same launcher. Instead, the vessel was modified to carry separate launchers for long range missiles and medium range missiles. Similarly to the long range missile launchers, the medium range missile launchers are a modification of the rotary vertical launch system used for the SA-N-9 “Gauntlet” missile. The destroyer also carries a total of sixteen of these launchers, split between eight launchers forward of the superstructure and eight above the aircraft hanger. In total, the destroyer carries one hundred and twenty-eight medium range missiles.


The destroyer does not mount any cruise missile launchers with the assumption being that the long range missiles could fill the role formerly filled by large anti-ship missiles. Some larger Soviet warship classes built around the same time however do mount cruise missile launchers for use against other warships.


With regards to close range defense, these destroyers initially carried four CADS-N-1 close in weapon system which combined both a point defense Gatling cannon and short range missiles. These were later replaced by a combination short range missile and pulse laser weapon known as CADS-N-6. The laser is similar to soviet heavy combat rifles and fires a four blast burst. It is longer ranged than the rifle design but is much shorter ranged than the original auto-cannon carried in the CADS-N-1. Its unlimited payload was seen as its greatest advantage. The close in weapon system has greatly updated electronics compared to the original weapon system but looks similar.


Similarly to previous Soviet designs, the Novik class destroyer carries much larger torpedo tubes than American and European designs with five torpedo tubes on each side as well. In addition, the vessel carries a box style launcher for short range interceptor torpedoes on the bow forward of the main cannon. Mainly designed to intercept incoming torpedoes, these interceptor torpedoes are extremely fast but have very limited range.


Some moderate automation was fitted to the destroyer in order to reduce crew compliment with crew being around thwo hundred and sixty personnel total. Ship’s spaces were considered comfortable although the officers’ accommodations were not as luxurious as some previous classes such as the Kirov and Slava classes. These destroyers were not fitted with flag facilities and were not designed to be able to operate as flag ships.


One of the primary roles of the destroyer was for anti-submarine warfare. To this end, the Novik class was designed to be able to carry two helicopters or other VTOL aircraft designs. Even though a rather old design, initially updated Ka-27 Helix ASW helicopters were often embarked. Later, the Yak-228 “Minstrel” tilt rotor replaced these helicopters. There were some plans to replace these craft with smaller sky-cycle type designs which were able to fill both the anti-submarine role and combat support roles.


The Sovietsky did not develop power armor designs and generally preferred cyborg trooper over powered armor. As a result, the vessel has no provision for embarking power armors. Some experiments were done using cyborg soldiers using jet packs but the Novik class did not have the space to accommodate heavy cyborgs and was limited to light cyborgs.


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: Novik class Multi-Role Destroyer.

Vehicle Type: Ocean, General Purpose Destroyer.

Crew: 258; 30 officers, 228 petty officers and enlisted crew members.(Has a high degree of automation and can be run effectively by 150 crew members).

Troops: 8 helicopter crew members, 10 troops for shipboard defense (Including partial conversions and light cyborgs).


Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:

 

2

Helicopters or other VTOL Aircraft (Ka-27 Helix early service / Yak-228 “Minstrel” later service.)

M.D.C. by Location:

 

Bridge:

500.

 

[1] “Pod Hunter” Soviet AEGIS Phased Array Radar Panels (4, superstructure):

200 each.

 

152 mm Cannon Barrels (1, cannon mount):

100.

 

152 mm AK-152 Single Barrel Cannon Mount (1, forward):

250.

 

CADS-N-6 Combination Anti-Missile Defense Systems (4, corners):

225 each.

 

Octuple Rotary Long Range Vertical Launch Systems (16, 8 forward 8 aft):

150 each.

 

Octuple Rotary Medium Range Vertical Launch Systems (16, 8 forward 8 aft):

125 each.

 

21 inch (533 mm) Quintuple Mount Type Torpedo Launchers (2, sides):

100 each.

 

Killer Dart “Interceptor” Torpedo Launcher (1, forward):

80.

 

[2] Chaff / Decoy Launchers (4, superstructure):

10 each.

 

Hanger (aft):

400.

 

VTOL / Helicopter Pad (aft):

300.

 

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

80.

 

[3] Main Body:

2,600.

Notes:

[1] Destroying “Pod Hunter” AEGIS active phased array panels will disable primary search and fire control systems. However, standard robot sensors for the time period, not needing large antennas to be effective, were installed in well-protected points in the hull as secondary systems.As well, “Pod Hunter” phased array radar 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: 40.3 mph (35 knots/ 64.8 kph).

Range: Effectively unlimited due to fusion engines (needs to refuel every 10 years and requires maintenance as well). Ship carries two months of supplies on board.


Statistical Data:

Draft:    24.0 feet (7.3 meters) including sonar dome.

Length:  493.2 feet (150.3 meters) waterline and 543.0 feet (165.5 meters) overall.

Width:    67.3 feet (20.5 meters).

Displacement: 7,500 tons standard and 9,400 tons fully loaded.

Cargo: Can carry 200 tons (181.4 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: Originally conventional gas turbine propulsion, converted to four nuclear fusion turbine reactors with an average life span of 10 years.

Black Market Cost: Not for sale but if found on the black market would probably cost 500 to 600 million credits. Cost does not include embarked craft and power armors.


WEAPON SYSTEMS:

  1. One (1) Single Barrel 152 mm AK-152 Naval Gun: One single barrel turret is mounted in the front of the vessel and weapon is based on standard land based artillery systems. Weapon is single barrel but is preferred by most crews over the dual 130 mm cannon carried on many previous classes because while it has a slower rate of fire, it has a longer range using rocket propelled rounds and has the ability to inflict larger damage per round. Can use both standard rounds and rocket propelled rounds. Weapon does not have the extremely long range projectiles available to the American 155 mm cannon. The turret can rotate 360 and has a 90 arc of fire. The weapon mount is heavily automated and is capable against other ships, against ground targets, and against aircraft. Plasma rounds are a late pre-Rifts innovation and are rare and expensive.

    Maximum Effective Range: 15.3 miles (13.2 nautical miles / 24.7 km) for standard projectiles and 24.9 miles (21.6 nautical miles / 40.0 km) for rocket propelled rounds.

    Mega-Damage: Standard Projectiles: 2D6x10 to a blast radius of 25 feet (7.7 meters) for High Explosive, 3D6x10 to a blast radius of 6 feet (2 meters) for High Explosive Armor Piercing, and 4D6x10 to a blast radius of 25 feet (7.7 meters) for Plasma. Rocket projectiles: 2D4x10 to a blast radius of 20 feet (6.1 meters) for High Explosive, 2D6x10 to a blast radius of 4 feet (1.2 meters) for High Explosive Armor Piercing, and 3D6x10 to a blast radius of 20 feet (6.1 meters) for Plasma. Use the statistics for 155 mm artillery warheads (Go to Battlefield Artillery for Rifts for more information - standard or rocket assisted as appropriate) when using artillery rounds.

    Rate of Fire: Up to four (4) single shots per barrel/cannon per melee round.

    Payload: 450 rounds total.

  2. Four (4) Kashstan CADS-N-6 CIWS Systems: One is mounted on each of the four corners of the ship’s superstructure. Combination Anti-Missile Defense Systems which combines both a rapid fire laser and a short range missile launchers. While mounted in one system, both defense systems have separate tracking systems. Short range missiles are designed to be able to track and target multiple missiles simultaneously. Laser system fires four blast bursts and is capable of destroying missiles and inflicting serious damage on aircraft. Laser is similar to the S-500 Cyclone Pulse Laser Rifle with extended range. System can be targeted against surface targets and ground targets.

    Maximum Effective Range: Laser Cannons: 4,000 feet (1,220 meters). Short Range Missiles: As per short range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)

    Mega Damage: Laser Cannons: 1D6x10 for four blast burst. Short Range Missiles: As per short range missile type - Usually fragmentation warheads (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)

    Rate of Fire: Laser Cannons: Six (6) attacks per melee. (+2 to strike aircraft; +3 to strike missiles.) Short Range Missiles: can fire short range missiles one at a time or in volley of two (2), three (3), or four (4) short range missiles per launcher. Can fire up to two (2) times per melee round in place of gun fire.

    Payload: Laser Cannons: Effectively unlimited. Short Range Missiles: Thirty-two (32) short range missiles per mount.

  3. Sixteen (16) Long Range Octuple Rotary Vertical Launch Systems: These launchers are mounted with eight forward and eight launchers aft of the ship’s superstructure. Forward long range missiles are mounted forward of medium range medium range missile launcher and rear long range missiles are mounted on the fantail of the vessel below the helicopter deck. These launchers are modified versions of previous vertical launch missile systems. Each launcher has eight long range missiles in a rotary launcher. Missiles are designed for long range defense and against surface targets. They can launch on either ground, surface, or air targets. The launchers can launch at multiple targets simultaneously.

    Maximum Effective Range: Varies with long range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)

    Mega-Damage: Varies with long range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)

    Rate of Fire: Each launcher can fire a single long range missile at a time. Combined, the launchers can fire long range missiles one at a time or in volleys of any amount of long range missiles up to sixteen (16) long range missiles total in any combinations and at multiple targets at the same time. Can be fired up to twice (2) per melee round.

    Payload: Has eight (8) long range missiles per launcher for one hundred and twenty-eight (128) long range missiles total.

  4. Sixteen (16) Medium Range Octuple Rotary Vertical Launch Systems: These launchers are mounted with eight forward and eight launchers aft of the ship’s superstructure. Forward medium range missile launchers are mounted aft of the long range missile launchers and aft launchers are mounted on the top of the helicopter hanger. These launchers are modified versions of previous vertical launch missile systems. Each launcher has eight medium range missiles in a rotary launcher. Normal role for the missiles is to act as medium defense of the vessel. They can launch on either ground, surface, or air targets. The launchers can launch at multiple targets simultaneously.

    Maximum Effective Range: Varies with medium range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)

    Mega-Damage: Varies with medium range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)

    Rate of Fire: Each launcher can fire a single medium range missile at a time. Combined, the launchers can fire medium range missiles one at a time or in volleys of any amount of medium range missiles up to sixteen (16) medium range missiles total in any combinations and can be fired at multiple targets at the same time. Can be fired up to twice (2) per melee round.

    Payload: Has eight (8) medium range missiles per launcher for one hundred and twenty-eight (128) medium range missiles total.

  5. Two (2) Quintuple 533 mm Torpedo Launchers: Mainly design for anti-submarine warfare but can also be used against surface targets. There is one launcher on each side of the ship with five tubes each. They fire a heavy twenty-one inch (533 mm) torpedo, larger than those fired by the surface ships of the United States and allies. These are modern, variable option torpedoes that are about 25% faster than the latest U.S. torpedo designs of the time period. There is an automatic torpedo loading system which reduces time required to reload and fire. These torpedoes are considered the equivalent of smart missiles and have advanced tracking and avoidance systems that give them a +5 to strike, +3 to dodge, and two attacks per melee until they strike their target or run out of fuel.

    Maximum Effective Range: Conventional Torpedoes: 40 miles (34.8 nautical miles / 64 km). Rocket Boosted Torpedoes: Rocket: 120 miles (104.3 nautical miles / 193 km). Torpedo: 20 miles (17.4 nautical miles / 32 km).

    Mega-Damage: Conventional Torpedoes: By heavy torpedo warhead type (See revised Rifts torpedoes for details.) Rocket Boosted Torpedoes: By medium torpedo warhead type (See revised Rifts torpedoes for details.)

    Rate of Fire: Can fire heavy torpedoes one at a time or in volleys of two (2), three (3), or five (5) heavy torpedoes per side. Reloading all five tubes takes one full melee round.

    Payload: Five (5) heavy torpedoes/ missiles each launcher for a grand total of ten (10) heavy torpedoes/missiles [Has twenty (20) heavy torpedoes/missiles for reloads.]

  6. One (1) Killer Dart “Interceptor” Short Range Torpedo Launcher: The launcher is mounted on the bow of the vessel. These so called “Killer Darts” are a Russian interceptor torpedo, designed primarily for intercepting and hitting incoming torpedoes, with a secondary function against small submersibles and submersible power armors. They mount in a similar position to the ASW Rail launchers carried on late Twentieth Century Soviet vessels. In contrast, American and European designers prefer to fire interceptor torpedoes from their standard torpedo tubes. Launcher is primarily designed to intercept incoming torpedoes but can be used against other vessels, against large submarines, and even against underwater troops. Other torpedoes can be used but are very rarely used.

    Maximum Effective Range: 2,000 feet (609.6 meters) using interceptor torpedoes, other torpedoes use standard rules (See revised Rifts torpedoes for details.)

    Mega-Damage: By light torpedo warhead type (See revised Rifts torpedoes for details.)

    Rate of Fire: Each launcher can fire salvos of up to eight (8) light interceptor torpedoes per melee round.

    Payload: Sixty-four (64) interceptor torpedoes.

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

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. ]


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


Initial Concepts by Marina O'Leary (LusankyaN@aol.com ).


Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).


Copyright © 2002, 2003, & 2017, Kitsune. All rights reserved.


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