Larger View

New Sovietskiy Svietlana class Missile Cruiser:


The Svietlana class missile cruiser was one of the new vessels built by the revived Soviet Union after the communists took over the government in 2027. Most of the Russian Navy had been allowed to disintegrate while Russia was under the theoretically democratic government and were considered unsalvageable. The Russian government always talked about rebuilding the navy but it always remained that way, just talk.


In addition, there was a revolution in super strong materials and new weapon systems which is often called “The Mega-Damage Revolution.” Including both composites and alloys, these new materials were far stronger than those used before and made virtually all military designs obsolete practically overnight.


In a better state than the navy, the Soviet army refitted many of their existing designs with new armor materials and retained the old designs. Due to the sad state of the Russian Navy, this was an undesirable option and the Navy was able to convince the government that new vessels would be the best option.


Some older vessels were fitted with the new armor materials but they were simply stopgap methods until the new vessels could be brought into service. One of the first of the new Soviet vessels was the Novik class destroyer. This vessel was laid down in 2034 and served as the prototype for most Soviet surface warship designs built for the next several decades.


For the most part, the Svietlana class cruiser could be considered an enlarged and heavier armed version of the Novik class destroyer. The first of the class was laid down in 2038, just after the name ship of the Novik class was commissioned and went though sea trials. It had been designed soon after the Novik class was laid down but the Soviet Navy wanted operational experience with the systems before construction on the new cruiser class was begun. Only a few minor changes were made based on the trials of the Novik.


The Svietlana class cruiser incorporated many of the features which were originally planned for the Novik class. Due to a number of additional systems, these cruisers were quite a bit heavier than the destroyer. Unlike the destroyer, the missile cruiser class was planned from the early stages as a flagship of task forces and was fitted with full flag facilities.


Over the course of twenty years, a total of thirty two Svietlana class missile cruiser were constructed. At that point, construction slowed to one cruiser every two years. These cruisers, along with their sister destroyers, formed the core of most Soviet task forces until the coming of the Great Cataclysm. There was some discussion that the Russians were responding to the American Charleston and Concord class cruisers but it is more likely that the two navies simply needed vessels to fill a very similar role.


There were also a number of differences in the philosophies of the two navies. The United States produced a far greater number of cruisers than the Soviet navy but they did not operate large numbers of corvettes as the Soviet navy did. Neither of the American cruiser classes were designed with full flagship facilities and the vessels of the two Navies are designed from a different perspective generally.


As the Svietlana class cruisers were designed using high strength alloys and composites, their maintenance was greatly reduced and would have a much longer life span than previous naval ship designs. As with the Novik class destroyers, the Svietlana class cruisers were well liked by their crews. Over the years, their electronics were upgraded several times but the basic systems were retained. Still, these cruisers remained front line naval units when the Great Cataclysm occurred. Due to how tough these cruisers are, it is highly likely that one or more of these vessels may have survived the coming of the Rifts.


The Svietlana class cruiser initially carried the same gas turbine engines as the Novik class destroyer but due to the cruiser’s larger hull, it is slightly slower. The four original engines, which are believed to be copies of later versions of the American LM-2500 gas turbine by naval experts, could drive the at right around thirty knots. During the years where the Russian navy had suffered severe budget issues, gas turbine technology improvements had been neglected. American gas turbine engines had both gotten more powerful and more fuel efficient.


Later Svietlana class cruiser replaced these gas turbine engines with more powerful fusion turbine engines and upgraded the rest of the class with the same engines. This increased the cruiser’s top speed to over thirty two knots and had the added advantage that the power supply was virtually unlimited.


The Svietlana class cruiser’s appearance is very similar to the Novik class destroyer with a squarish superstructure and a clipper style bow. The missile cruiser is only slightly longer than the destroyer but is far wider to incorporate the additional weapon, sensor systems, and flag facilities. Contrary to United States naval doctrine, these cruisers were not designed with reducing radar cross signature as a major feature.


One of the most noticeable feature of the Soviet designs are four diamond shaped radar panels. These are the “Pod Hunter” active phased array radar system. These are supplemented by a single rotating phased array radar system known as “Morning Star.” While not as powerful as the main radar system, it is capable of accurate fire control if the main system is destroyed.


In common with the American Navy, the Soviet Navy went to larger guns on their warships. The American Navy went to a 155 mm cannon where the Soviet Navy went to a 152 mm cannon although performance is similar. The major NATO artillery howitzer was the 155 mm and the Soviets was the 152 mm howitzer. In addition, the retired Sverdlov class gun cruisers of the previous century were fitted with the 152 mm cannon as its main weaponry. Unlike the Novik, the Svietlana mounts a pair of 152 mm cannon mounts.


It was decided early in the development process of the missile cruiser that it would carry cruise missiles as the main anti-ship and anti-ground weapon although long range missiles are considered quite effective in performing this role as well. On either side of the hull are slightly raised platforms, inside of them and descending into the hull are eight cruise missile launchers on each side for a total of sixteen cruise missiles. These cruise missile launchers are one of the major reasons why the Svietlana class is quite a bit wider than the Novik class.


As far as the remaining weapon systems, they are identical to those of the Novik class destroyer. The Soviets had originally attempted to purchase the French Sylver missile launching system but was replaced by a Soviet vertical launch missile system in the Novik when the French weapon systems were not delivered. Sixteen long range rotary vertical launch systems with one hundred and twenty-eight missiles and sixteen medium range rotary vertical launch systems also with one hundred and twenty-eight missiles are fitted. Eight long range and eight medium range launchers are mounted forward and aft of the superstructure. The medium range launchers are actually mounted on the deck above the aft helicopter hanger. Both the long range and medium range launchers are based on older model rotary launched, the SA-N-9 “Gauntlet” missile launchers for medium and “SA-N-6 “Grumble” for long range missiles. Both are are modified to fire more modern missile types.


Similarly to other Soviet naval vessels laid down around the time of the Svietlana class, these cruisers initially mounted the CADS-N-1 close in weapon system which combined both a point defense Gatling cannon and short range missiles. A total of four mounts were carried with one mount on each corner of the superstructure. 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 over the original system and was considered to compensate for its reduced range. The systems have greatly updated electronics compared to the original weapon system but looks similar.


The 533 mm torpedo tubes are much heavier than those carried on American and European surface combatants and the cruiser mounts five torpedo tubes on each side. In addition, the missile cruiser carries a box style launcher for short range interceptor torpedoes on the bow forward of the 152 mm cannon turret. Mainly developed to intercept incoming torpedoes, these interceptor torpedoes are extremely fast but have very limited range.


These cruiser use greater automation than classes before the rebuilding on the Soviet Navy with a crew of around three hundred and forty crew members not including flag personnel and aviation compliment. Ship’s spaces were comfortable although the officer accommodations were considered to be not as luxurious as some previous warship classes such as the Kirov and Slava classes. Officer accommodations of those older classes actually include such things as a swimming pool for officers.


As mentioned previously, these cruiser were designed at the outset to be able to operate as a flagship and had full flag facilities. These flag facilities were updated during the cruiser’s careers including improving the communication suite. Maximum flag staff which can be embarked is thirty-two personnel with a luxury cabin for the admiral or other flag officer.


With regard to the aviation compliment, the Svietlana class cruiser is designed with a larger hanger than the Novik class destroyer. Instead of being able to embark two helicopters or other VTOL aircraft, the cruiser has hanger space for four of them. These embarked aircraft were primarily tasked with anti-submarine warfare. Initially updated versions the Ka-27 Helix ASW helicopters were embarked but larger replaced by the Yak-228 “Minstrel” tilt rotor. There were some plans to replace the Yak-228 “Minstrel” tilt rotor with smaller sky-cycle like craft which were designed to fill both the anti-submarine role and combat support roles but the concept was overtaken by the coming of the Great Cataclysm.


The Sovietsky did not develop power armor designs and generally preferred cyborg designs over powered armor. Some experiments were done using cyborg personnel using jet packs but, as with the Novik class destroyer, the Svietlana class cruiser simply did not have the space to accommodate heavy cyborg trooper and was limited to light cyborg personnel. However, a small number of troops would often be embarked and would often be fitted with jet packs as well.


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: Svietlana class Missile Cruiser.

Vehicle Type: Ocean, Missile Cruiser.

Crew: 342; 38 officers, 304 petty officers and enlisted crew members.(Has a high degree of automation and can be run effectively by 175 crew members) The ship also can carry a flagship staff of 32 personnel when acting as a flagship.

Troops: 20 helicopter crew members, 40 troops for shipboard defense (including partial conversions and light cyborgs.)


Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:

 

4

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

M.D.C. by Location:

 

Bridge:

600.

 

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

200 each.

 

[1] “Morning Star” Active Phased Array Radar (1, superstructure):

250.

 

152 mm Cannon Barrels (2, cannon mounts):

100 each.

 

152 mm AK-152 Single Barrel Cannon Mounts (2, forward & aft):

250 each.

 

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

225 each.

 

SS-N-40 Cruise Missile Vertical Launchers (16, 8 each side):

150 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):

600.

 

VTOL / Helicopter Pad (aft):

300.

 

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

80.

 

[3] Main Body:

3,400

Notes:

[1] Destroying “Pod Hunter” AEGIS active phased array panels will disable primary long range search and fire control systems. However, the “Morning Star” rotating active phased array radar acts as medium range radar but does not have the ability to track as many targets. In addition, 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: 37.4 mph (32.5 knots/ 60.2 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:    24.6 feet (7.5 meters) including sonar dome.

Length:  522.2 feet (159.2 meters) waterline and 571.9 feet (174.3 meters) overall.

Width:   74.8 feet (22.8 meters).

Displacement: 9,800 tons standard and 12,200 tons fully loaded.

Cargo: Can carry 400 tons (362.8 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 800 million to one billion credits. Cost does not include embarked craft and power armors.


WEAPON SYSTEMS:

  1. Two (2) Single Barrel 152 mm AK-152 Naval Gun: The ship carried two single barrel turrets with one mounted in the front of the vessel and the other is mounted on the aft section of the vessel. The weapon is based on standard artillery systems and was carried on a most soviet combatant vessels. 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 each for a total of 900 rounds.

  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) SS-N-40 Cruise Missile Vertical Launchers: Unlike the destroyer class that the Svietlana is based on, the missile cruiser was designed with cruise missile launchers as the main anti-ship and anti-ground weaponry. The launchers are located on either side of the superstructure on raised platforms with eight launchers on each side for a total of sixteen cruise missiles. The cruise missiles can be fired be fired at either ground or surface targets but cannot be targeted on air targets. The launchers can launch at multiple targets simultaneously.

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

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

    Rate of Fire: Can fire cruise missiles one at a time, or volleys of two (2), four (4), or eight (8) cruise missiles per melee round.

    Payload: One (1) cruise missile per launcher for sixteen (16) cruise missiles total.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.]

  7. 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.

  8. 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.


Return