New Sovietskiy Tigr (Tiger) class Light Guided Missile Frigate:


The Tigr (or Tiger) class light guided missile frigate can be considered in many ways a transitional ship design. While the light frigate does not have many of the more advanced features which were featured in later Soviet warship class, it does have a number of features that are more advanced than warship designs developed soon after the reformation of the New Soviet Union. Warship classes laid down in the Twenty-Eighties and afterward were in general far more advanced than the Tigr class. In general, frigates were not built in large numbers with the New Soviet Navy preferring either the smaller attack craft or more capable destroyers.


Prior to the Tigr class light frigate being built, a relatively small number of larger Burkut class frigate were built. Almost destroyer sized, a total of twenty-three of the larger frigate class were build. The first Tigr class light frigate was laid down in Twenty Forty-Nine and completed in Twenty Fifty-Two. A total of thirty-eight more of these light frigates followed this light frigate. While the Tigr class light frigate was developed as a less expensive replacement for the Burkut class, they turned out to be almost as expensive.


Towards the end of the Twenty-First Century, the Redkiy class surface effect frigate was developed. While they filled a very similar role to the Tigr class light frigate, the new surface effect design was far more advanced. However, only fourteen Redkiy class surface effect frigates were completed before the destruction of the New Soviet Union with the coming of the Great Cataclysm. The New Soviet Navy had planned to build hundreds of these surface effect frigates .


As far as is known, no Tigr class light frigate had been lost before the coming of the Rifts although much behind the New Soviet curtains were unknown. Still, several of these light frigates were known to have been damaged in service. Most of these appear to have been during accidents and are believed to have been repaired. How many survived the coming of the Great Cataclysm is unknown. Still, these light frigates were quite tough and several Tigr class light frigates could have easily survived. It is believed that at least a handful are in the hands of various Russian warlords.


Unlike the previous Burkut class frigate, the Tigr class light frigate was developed with a reduced radar cross signature and uses mostly newer and more advanced composites. Previously, the Tashkent class attack craft was designed in a similar manner but was also only about one third the displacement of the light frigate. Displacement of the Tigr class was just over 3,600 tons when fully loaded and around 3,300 standard displacement. In addition to have a reduced radar cross signature, the advanced composites make the light frigate incredibly tough and virtually immune to corrosion.


A second change of the Tigr class compared to the Burkut class is that the light frigates were designed around fusion power as build. Instead of gas turbines, a pair of fusion turbines provide power with a top speed of around thirty-six knots. These engines also give decades of service between needing to be refueled. The only real limitation on range is with crew supplies and the light frigate only carry about two months of supplies onboard. It uses variable pitch propellers instead on an electrical propulsion system carried on most Western designs.


Weaponry is similar to the larger Burkut class frigate although with a lower payload for most weapon systems. In the bow of the light frigate was mounted a 100 mm AK-100 gun mount. In addition to being mounted in the Burkut class, the gun system was mounted in the Tashkent class attack craft. First developed in the late Nineteen-Sixties, new ammunition was developed for the weapon system effective. Rapid firing, the weapon system was designed to engage both surface and air targets. There is enough magazine space for a total of three hundred and sixty rounds of ammunition to be carried.


Behind the main gun and slightly off to the starboard side, a torpedo interceptor system known as “Killer Dart” is mounted. Considered highly effective, the weapon system was designed to fire patterns of high speed light torpedoes against larger incoming torpedoes. However, the weapon system was also considered useful against power armors and divers.


Behind the gun and torpedo interceptor mounts, the light frigate carried two long range missile vertical launch systems and six medium range missile vertical launch systems. With eight missiles per launcher, these rotary vertical launch systems were considered the light frigate’s main firepower. Sixteen long range missiles and forty-eight medium range missiles were carried. These launchers were developed from weapon systems developed even before the collapse of the original Soviet Union. The launchers were derived from the vertical launch system from the SA-N-6 “Grumble” and SA-N-9 “Gauntlet” missile systems.


Five 533 mm torpedo tubes are mounted together on the center line of the light frigate aft of the main superstructure but forward of the helicopter hanger. Able to be trained to either side, these are larger than the tubes normally carried on Western surface craft. A total of ten reloads are carried for the torpedo tubes with an automatic reload system. Both conventional torpedoes and long range rocket boosted torpedoes are available to engage submarines at longer distances. While primarily designed to engage submarines, the heavy torpedoes are also quite capable in engaging surface targets.


Finally, the light frigate mounted two point defense weapon mounts with one on the forward superstructure and the other on the helicopter hanger. Unlike the older Burkut class frigate, the light frigate mounted the newer Kashstan CADS-N-6 CIWS Systems instead of the CADS-N-1 design as built. These weapon systems have the ability to five volleys of up to six missiles when engaging air targets and has a payload of thirty-two missiles. In addition, they also mounted a powerful pulse laser which is an extended range version of the S-500 Cyclone Pulse Laser Rifle.


As built, radar was the “Morning Star” rotating and steerable active phased array radar. The light frigate was considered too small for a multi array type phased array system even though previous smaller vessels had mounted such systems including the American Francis Darcey class frigate which mounted a quite powerful multi-array system. Several other vessels mounted the “Morning Star” system as their primary radar system, including the Burkut class frigate and the Marshal Isachenkov class amphibious warfare ship. In addition, the radar array was also mounted as a backup radar system on several carrier and cruiser classes.


One of the frigates, the Yaguar, was used as a test platform for the newer “Flail Eye” radar system. The radar system was also a single rotating active phased array, but had longer range and greater tracking ability. In addition, the system was lighter weight. Later, two Tigr class light frigates had their radar systems damaged during a storm. Instead of rebuilt the radar array, the were simply replaced by the “Flail Eye” radar system. If the radar system on other light frigates had been damaged, they might have been replaced as well, but there was no systematic plans to replace the radar systems on the frigates.


Otherwise, these light frigates mounted a full electronics warfare suite as well as having chaff and flare decoys as a last ditch missile defense. Similar to the larger Burkut class, the Tigr class was designed as much for anti-submarine warfare as a guided missile frigate. As a result, the light frigate mounted both a capable hull and towed array sonar system.


Instead of the two helicopters hanger of the Burkut class, the light frigate was designed with hanger with space for only a single helicopter or similar aircraft. Normally anti-submarine helicopters or similar craft are embarked. In early service the Ka-27 Helix helicopter was mostly embarked but later replaced by the Yak-228 “Minstrel” tilt rotor. As is common with New Soviet vessels, there was no provision for flying power armors to be embarked aboard. While the Tigr class was designed to carry troops, including cyborg troops, they were rarely embarked aboard in normal service.


Compared to older vessels, crew compliment was reduced to around one hundred and twenty-five through greater automation of a number of key systems aboard the frigate. Still due to the heavy weaponry, the light frigate was considered just a little cramped. These light frigates definitely lacked the luxury of some of the old Soviet ships before the end of the first Cold War. Even so, most crews did consider the Tigr class reasonably comfortable.


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: Tigr class Light Guided Missile Frigate.

Vehicle Type: Ocean, Light Guided Missile Frigate.

Crew: 125; 12 officers, 113 petty officers and enlisted crew members.(Has a high degree of automation and can be run effectively by 50 crew members.)

Troops: 4 helicopter crew members, 8 troops for shipboard defense (Including partial conversions and light cyborgs. Not often embarked.)


Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:

 

1

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

M.D.C. by Location:

 

Bridge:

300.

 

[1] “Morning Star” Active Phased Array Radar (1, all but three vessels):

250.

 

[1] “Flail Eye” Active Phased Array Radar (1, three vessels):

150

 

[2] 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, superstructure):

225 each.

 

Octuple Rotary Long Range Vertical Launch Systems (2, forward):

150 each.

 

Octuple Rotary Medium Range Vertical Launch Systems (6, forward):

125 each.

 

21 inch (533 mm) Quintuple Mount Type Torpedo Launchers (1, midships):

100 each.

 

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

80.

 

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

10 each.

 

Hanger (aft):

300.

 

VTOL / Helicopter Pad (aft):

200.

 

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

80.

 

[3] Main Body:

1,200.

Notes:

[1] Destroying the “Morning Star” / “Flail Eye” rotating active phased array radar panel will destroy the ship’s main 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.

[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: 41.46 mph (36 knots/ 66.72 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:    15.09 feet (4.6 meters) including sonar dome.

Length:  371.4 feet (113.2 meters) waterline and 408.46 feet (124.5 meters) overall.

Width:    45.60 feet (13.9 meters)

Displacement: 3,310 tons standard and 3,620 tons fully loaded.

Cargo: Can carry 100 tons (90.72) 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 (2) Nuclear Fusion Reactors, average life span is 10 years

Black Market Cost: Not for sale but if found on the black market would probably cost 250 to 350 million credits. Cost does not include embarked craft and power armors.


Weapon Systems:

  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: 360 rounds total.

  2. Two (2) Kashstan CADS-N-6 CIWS Systems: 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 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. Two (2) Long Range Octuple Rotary Vertical Launch Systems: The light frigate mounts two of these launchers forward of the ship’s superstructure. 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.

  4. Six (6) Medium Range Octuple Rotary Vertical Launch Systems: The light frigate mounts six of these launchers forward of the ship’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 six (6) 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 forty-eight (48) medium range missiles total.

  5. One (1) Quintuple 21 inch (533 mm) Torpedo Launchers: Mounted amidships instead on the side with five tubes total. 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), three (3), or five (5) heavy torpedoes for launcher. Reloading all five tubes takes one full melee round.

    Payload: Five (5) heavy torpedoes/ missiles for launcher [Has ten (10) 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 behind the 100 mm gun mount and slightly off to the starboard side. 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: Twelve (12) each for a total of forty-eight (48) 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. ]


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


Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).


Copyright © 2011, 2017, & 2019, Kitsune. All rights reserved.


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