< New Sovietskiy Tashkent class Modular Fast Attack Craft

New Sovietskiy Tashkent class Modular Fast Attack Craft:


Because coastal operations were always an important aspect of the Soviet Navy, they operated larger numbers of light attack craft than virtually any other navy. Before the fall of the first Soviet Union, they had several hundred corvettes and light patrol craft in operation.


When the Soviet Union reformed out of the ashes of the nominally democratic Russia, it is natural that one of the first designs they might develop would be a corvette type design. Unlike previous corvette construction, the Soviet Navy decided to see if they could develop a single vessel design to fill a variety of roles.


This was the impetus behind the development of the Tashkent class modular fast attack craft. As a modular design, weapon systems could be changed out so that it might fill both the anti-ship and submarine warfare roles. One of the earliest designed laid down after the revolution in advanced composites and alloys, it was developed to replace multiple older corvette designs.


Some of the vessels that the fast attack craft was developed to replace include the Tarantul and Nanuchka missile corvettes as well as the Grisha and Pauk class patrol corvettes / light frigates. Initially some of these older corvette classes were converted with the new advanced composites and alloys but this was considered strictly a stopgap solution.


While the converting of older corvettes would be cheaper, a new corvette design would both be far tougher and require far less maintenance. In addition, a large number had been scrapped over the decades of neglect of the Russian Navy and comparatively few remained in service. Many that did remain in service also were in quite rough shape making them not worth converting.


The first of the Tashkent class was not laid down until after the first Novik class destroyer. However, the first corvette was completed long before the first destroyer. The Tashkent was the first operation new warship class of the Soviet Union after the reformation. Soon, the Soviet Navy would begin construction of new frigate, cruiser, submarine, carrier, and even amphibious vessel designs. These vessels all share a great many systems with the Tashkent class.


Over the next few decades, large numbers of these light attack vessels were completed. It is believed that almost three hundred Tashkent modular fast attack craft were built in total. They were the single most numerous Soviet naval designs built and an extremely important component of the Soviet navy after its rebirth. For the longest time, the Western militaries did not know the actual name of the craft and it was given the of “Blade Runner”


While it is a relatively small craft and normally used for shallow water operations, the Tashkent was designed to be capable of operating in deep waters as well. In addition, the attack craft were relatively slow draft and could operate in many rivers as well. They were designed for use in both independent patrol work as well as escort duties. Comparisons of these vessels as far as roles in often made with American Coast Guard Cutters. Of course, Coast Guard Cutters were not expected to make fast missile strikes against larger warships like these vessels were designed for.


Due to the large number built, some of these vessels survived into the coming of the Rifts and a number are operated by the Warlords. New German Republic intelligence believes that between twenty and thirty of these vessels are operational. However, it is quite likely that there are additional Tashkent class vessels which could be recovered scattered along the coasts of what was once the Soviet Union.


In its general hull design, the Tashkent class can be considered relatively conventional. However, unlike most Soviet designs developed around the same time, the design incorporates various measures to reduce the radar cross signature. These include through the various angles of the superstructure and hull as well as through the use of radar absorbing composites.


The prototype and the first few flights of the vessel used gas turbine engines. Later vessels in the class were completed with fusion turbines. Many, although not all, older Tashkent class vessels were refitted with fusion turbines as well. It is believed that all of those older vessels that were not converted to fusion have been retired. However, it is possible that some remain in reserve at the time of the coming of the Great Cataclysm.


Conventional versions are not covered in any detail because none are known to have survived. However, normal maximum speed was considered to be just over forty knots for fusion powered models. The engines also featured an over boost system. This allowed the engines to produce four times greater power and allow the Tashkent to reach from fifty-five to sixty knots for a short time although the engines quickly overheat internally even with advanced cooling systems.


During the development of the Tashkent class, there was an attempt to design a lightweight single panel rotating phased array radar system however the program ran into a number of problems during the design phase. As a result, a crash program was initiate and a more conventional radar systems based on previous Soviet / Russian designs was substituted. It was always planned to back-fit a lightweight phased array system but the plan was never completed. Whether they would have eventually been fitted with a rotating phased array is one of those unanswered questions.


While most larger vessels were armed with 152 mm guns, the Tashkent class was armed with a 100 mm gun system mounted in the bow of the vessel. Even so, it was the largest gun that could be mounted with any practicality and larger than the gun on any modern United States Coast Guard vessels. Highly effective, the gun was considered useful against both air and surface targets.


With regard to missile systems, the vessel is armed with four octuple rotary medium range vertical launching systems. Capable of engaging both air targets and surface targets, the system is a modified version of an older missile system. The same weapon system was also used on the Novik class destroyer and a great number of other Soviet warship designs developed during the same time period. Originally the Soviet navy had been looking at the French Sylver missile launching system but was never delivered. A total of thirty-two medium range missiles are carried.


Early versions of the Tashkent class mount an updated version of the CADS-N-1 Close In Weapon with one mount forward and one mount aft. Later version of the Tashkent class replace this with the CADS-N-6 which substitutes a pulse laser for the 30 mm Gatling gun. Most older attack craft were refitted with the newer weapon system although it is believed that not all were refitted. As with conventional powered versions, there are none known to have survived with the older defense systems.


For defense against incoming torpedoes, the Tashkent class mount a short range interceptor torpedo system on the fantail behind the medium range missile launchers. While the payload is less than it is in larger Soviet vessels, the system is otherwise the same. In addition to being effective against incoming torpedoes, it is also considered effective against underwater attacks by power armors, cyborgs, and conventional divers.


In many ways the heart of the vessel design is the ability to mount a modular weapon system. It should be noted that these warships are rarely converted while in service and tyend to maintain the same weapon system that they are originally fitted with. Standard modular weapon systems include long range missile launchers and torpedo tubes. Long range missiles are carried for ground and surface attack roles. A common tactic is to run at high speed against surface vessels, fire missiles, and then run away at high speed. Torpedo tubes are normally carried for anti-submarine roles. Some of these vessels have been converted to other roles where the modular weapon system was replaced by research equipment of various types.


Even compared to Soviet designs of similar displacement, the Tashkent class is designed to be operated by a small crew. While the vessel was designed for a crew of thirty six, it can be operated effectively with a crew of twenty. The vessel was not designed to carry troops although often some additional personnel troops are carried for customs roles. In some case, these personnel would have been light cyborg types. Occasional, up to four heavy cyborg troopers carried outside for short periods of time. These vessels were quite cramped and the corridors of the Tashkent class are simply not large enough for heavy cyborg types to enter the interior of the patrol craft. The Tashkent class carries no embarked aircraft and does not have a helicopter deck.


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: Project 2.3435 - Tashkent (NATO designation “Blade Runner.”)

Vehicle Type: Modular Fast Attack Craft.

Crew: 36; 6 officers, 30 petty officers and enlisted crew members (Has a high degree of automation and can be run effectively by 20 crew members.)

Troops: 8 troops for shipboard defense / boarding (including partial conversions and light cyborg personnel / not often carried). Can carry up to four heavy cyborg troops on the outside of the vessel for short periods.


Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:

None.


M.D.C. by Location:

 

Modular Heavy Weapon Mounts:

 

 

 

Octuple Rotary Long Range Vertical Launch Systems (2, midships - optional):

150 each.

 

 

21 inch (533 mm) Twin Mount Type Torpedo Launchers (2, sides - optional):

100 each.

 

[1] Single Barrel 100 mm / 70 AK-100 Gun Barrel (1, gun mount):

80.

 

Single Barrel 100 mm / 70 cal AK-100 Gun System (1, forward):

120.

 

CADS-N-6 Combination Anti-Missile Defense Systems (2):

225 each.

 

Octuple Rotary Medium Range Vertical Launch Systems (4, forward):

125 each.

 

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

80.

 

[2] MR-1050 “Stiletto Blade” Radar System:

80.

 

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

10 each.

 

Bridge / Superstructure:

350.

 

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

80.

 

[3] Main Body:

950.

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 “Stiletto Blade” radar system will destroy the vessel’s main fire control systems but the vessel has backup systems with a shorter range (Equal to robot vehicle sensors.)

[3] Destroying the main body causes the vessel to lose structural integrity, causing the vessel to sink. There are enough life preservers and inflatable life boats to accommodate everyone on the vessel.


Speed:

On Water: Maximum cruise is 41.4 mph (36 knots /66.7 kph) which can be sustained indefinitely, can travel at 48.3 mph (42 knots / 77.8 kph) for twelve hours before engine overheat, and can travel at a maximum of 66.7 mph (58 knots / 107.4 kph) for two hours before engine overheat.

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


Statistical Data:

Draft:    13.2 feet (4 meters) including sonar dome.

Length:  195.2 feet (59.5 meters) waterline and 211.2 feet (64 meters) overall.

Width:   39.6 feet (12 meters).

Displacement: 898 tons standard displacement, 1,105 tons full load displacement, and 1,380 tons maximum displacement.

Cargo: Can carry 20 tons (18.1 metric tons) of nonessential equipment and supplies. Each enlisted crew member has a small locker for personal items and uniforms. Vessel’s officers have more space for personal items. Most of the vessel’s spaces are taken up by extra ammo, armor, troops, weapons, and engines.

Power System: Nuclear with 2 Mini Nuclear Fusion Reactors, average life span is 10 years. If engines are often pushed to maximum speed, duration is halved. Older vessels mounted two gas turbine engines originally but were later refitted.

Black Market Price: 150 to 275 million credits on the black market for an intact model.


Weapon Systems:

  1. 1 One (1) Single Barrel 100 mm / 70 cal AK-100 Gun System: Mounted on the forward part of the vessel. Older weapon system but very effective with new ammunition types. The mount has a 360 degree rotation and can elevate up to 85 degrees as well as depress 5 degrees. The gun fire rapidly at the rate of 50 rounds per minute and is radar directed. Weapon inflicts large amounts of damage when rapidly fire. The weapon is useful on land, surface, and air targets. Plasma rounds are a late pre-Rifts innovation and are rare and expensive.

    Maximum Effective Range: 8.1 miles (7.04 nautical miles / 13 km).

    Mega-Damage: High Explosive: 1D4x10+10 with 12 foot (3.7 meter) blast radius per single shot and 3D4x10+30 with 25 foot (7.6 meter) blast radius for three round burst. High Explosive Armor Piercing: 1D6x10+10 with 5 foot (1.5 meter) blast radius per single shot and 3D6x10+30 with 10 foot (3 meter) blast radius for three round burst. Plasma: 2D6x10 with 15 foot (4.6 meter) blast radius per single shot and 6D6x10 with 30 foot (9.1 meter) blast radius for three round burst.

    Rate of Fire: Up to four (4) single shots or bursts per melee round.

    Payload: 200 rounds total.

  2. Two (2) Kashstan CADS-N-6 CIWS Systems: One is mounted on the forward and aft parts of the vessel’s superstructure. One is mounted on either side of the frigate’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 MD 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. Four (4) Medium Range Octuple Rotary Vertical Launch Systems: These launchers are mounted on the forward part of the vessel’s superstructure. 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 four (4) 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 thirty-two (32) medium range missiles total.

  4. One (1) Killer Dart “Interceptor” Short Range Torpedo Launcher: The launcher is mounted on the fantail 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: Forty-eight (48) interceptor torpedoes.

  5. Modular Weapon System Mounts: The Fast Attack Craft can mount one of these weapons systems on either side of the hull near the middle of the vessel. Both weapon's mounts must be of the same type due to fire control and system compatibility.

    1. Two (2) Long Range Octuple Rotary Vertical Launch Systems: These launchers are mounted on the midships section of the vessel. 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 two (2) 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 sixteen (16) long range missiles total.

    2. Two (2) Twin 21 inch (533 mm) Torpedo Launchers: Twin launchers are mounted on either side of the vessel amidships. Mainly design for anti-submarine warfare but can be used against surface targets. 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) heavy torpedoes per side. Reloading both tubes takes one full melee round.

      Payload: Two (2) heavy torpedoes/ missiles for launcher for a grand total of four (4) heavy torpedoes/missiles [Has eight (8) heavy torpedoes/missiles for reloads.]

  6. Two (2) Chaff / Decoy Launchers: Located in the superstructure of the vessel, they are designed to confuse incoming missiles. Both 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 Vessel.

    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: Twelve (12) each for a total of twenty-four (24) canisters.

Special Systems:

The vessel 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).


By Marina O'Leary (LusankyaN@aol.com ) and Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).


Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2017, & 2019, Marina O'Leary & Kitsune. All rights reserved.


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