New Sovietskiy Tserigo Advanced Destroyer:


Initially during the Twenty-Eighties, the Soviet navy decided to concentrate on the Admiral Timoshenkova class cruiser and a number of far smaller surface effect ship designs. In fact, there was debate if a new destroyer class should even be constructed. The Soviet navy already operated a large number of the older Novik class destroyer


Eventually however, a design for a destroyer based on the Admiral Timoshenkova class cruiser was developed, incorporating quite a number of features first developed for the cruiser design. This was to become the Tserigo class destroyer. Even once developed, the laying down of the lead ship was delayed due to a number of navy leaders arguing for cancelling the destroyer and increasing the number of cruisers built.


As it happened, the lead ship was not actually laid down until 2093 and was not completed until 2096. Production was comparatively slow with many navy leaders continuing to argue against the destroyer class. One of their major criticisms was that these destroyer was only marginally less expensive to built than the sister cruiser class. It is believed that only four Tserigo class destroyers were completed before the coming of the Great Cataclysm with a fifth unit being fitted out.


As these destroyers were not fitted out as flagships, they never did not have the prestige of the Admiral Timoshenkova class cruisers. Still, they were new ships and got some of the better captains but often not quite the best captains in Soviet navy. Because they were not fitted as flagships, the Tserigo class destroyers were more often assigned to independent command however. The new cruisers were often assigned to carrier task forces.


Several Tserigo class destroyers are believed to have been operating independently at the time of the Great Cataclysm. As is all too common, the locations of none of these destroyers after the coming of the Great Cataclysm is known. Most likely at least most of these destroyers were destroyed during the actual cataclysm. Still, it is quite possible one or more might have survived those horrible events due to being constructed from high strength composites and alloys making them virtually immune to corrosion.


In many ways, the Tserigo class destroyer could be considered a shrunken version of the Admiral Timoshenkova class and the two vessels share many of the same features. A number of naval experts commented that it might be better to describe the class as a cruiser due to size. In fact, the destroyer’s displacement is greater than the Svietlana class cruiser. Still, the Soviet navy classified the new vessel as a destroyer.


The main propulsion system of the destroyer is the same twin podded propulsion system driven electrically from a pair of powerful fusion reactors. These take the place of the four fusion turbines on the Novik class destroyer. While it retains essentially the same beam, the Tserigo class destroyer is slightly shorter than its sister cruiser. An effect of this is to slightly increase resistance. With a maximum speed of around thirty-five and a half knots, it is slightly slower than the Admiral Timoshenkova even though they have identical engineering plants.


Unlike the previous Novik class destroyer class, the Tserigo class was designed with a reduced radar cross signature. As with the previous destroyer, the Tserigo class destroyer mounts only a single long range air search and fire control radar system. The Admiral Timoshenkova class on the other hand mounted a pair of long range radar systems. Still, the “Owl Hunter” active phased array radar system is extremely capable system comprising of four phased array panels. In many ways, the system is similar to United States Aegis systems.


A major role of the Tserigo class destroyer is anti-submarine warfare. New sonar systems were developed for the Admiral Timoshenkova class cruiser were and these were retained aboard the new destroyer class. While developed from previous systems, they have a number of improvements in key areas. Still, Soviet electronics generally lagged behind similar Western systems. Even though they had similar range, the new Soviet sonar systems lacked the ability to distinguish certain low frequency sounds and could not track as many targets.


While the destroyer only mounts the one long range air search and fire control radar system, the Tserigo class destroyer still carries the same missile load-out as the Admiral Timoshenkova class cruiser. There are two sixty-four “strike length” cell vertical type launchers, one forward and one aft of the main superstructure. In addition, there are a pair of eight cell “tactical length” vertical type launchers with one on each side of the superstructure amidships on slightly raised platforms. Compared to the missile vertical launchers on the previous Novik class destroyer, these launchers are more advanced and flexible.


In design, these missile launchers are extremely similar to the American Mk-41 vertical launch systems and many in naval intelligence believed them to be copies of the American system. The “strike length” forward and aft launchers can fire virtually any common missile type with the “tactical length” are limited to long range and medium range missile types. While there is a “self defense length” limited to medium range missiles, the destroyer does not mount the smallest launcher type. Even so, the “tactical length” launchers are normally loaded with medium range missiles exclusively and are used for middle point defense.


Normally, the destroyer usually carries one hundred and ninety-two medium range missiles with sixty-four of the missiles carried in the side launchers. As well, the normal load is one hundred and twenty-eight long range missiles and thirty-two cruise missiles. Depending on mission, the exact missile load out might be changed. For example, if used to support amphibious landings, a larger number of cruise missiles could likely be carried in the place of long range and medium range missiles.


The same basic Kashstan CAD-N-6 Point Defense System which is mounted on virtually every Soviet military vessel forms the inner point defense of the destroyer. The United States “Sea Sabre” system filled a similar role. A total of four are mounted on the superstructure. Each mount combines both a short range missile launchers and a rapid fire point defense laser. The laser is similar to soviet heavy combat rifles and fires a four blast burst. While the weapon is fairly short ranged, it is still quite effective. While generally used for missile point defense, the weapon system can engage surface targets including small boats.


Compared to the Admiral Timoshenkova class cruiser, the Tserigo class destroyer only mounts a single twin 152 mm gun mount. Mounted forward of the main superstructure but behind the forward vertical launch system, the weapon system is an electro-thermal instead of conventional gun system. As a result, it is longer ranged than the gun mount on previous Novik class destroyer. Both conventional and rocket propelled rounds can be carried with a total of eight hundred rounds usually carried in the magazine. Interestingly, the magazine is slightly smaller than that of the Novik class destroyer but due to far smaller propellant charges, a greater number of rounds can be carried. The gun system is designed primarily to engage surface targets and shore bombardment but is also considered effective against aircraft.


In common with the Admiral Timoshenkova class cruiser, the Tserigo class destroyer carries five twenty-one inch torpedo tubes on each side. These are aft of the side vertical launch missile system and just forward of the rear hanger. Compared to the sister cruiser design, the torpedo magazines are smaller on the destroyer but the launchers themselves are identical. These tubes are larger than tubes on most Western surface ship designs and are considered more effective against surface ships. Additionally, a single “Killer Dart” short range torpedo launcher is mounted on the bow. It is designed to fire interceptor torpedoes for use against close targets and against incoming torpedoes. Interceptor torpedoes are very fast but have limited range.


Even though further automation reduces crew requirements compared to previous Soviet warship classes, the Tserigo class destroyer is still designed around operating with a crew of around two hundred and forty. Crews generally considered these destroyers to be comfortable but lack the extreme luxury of the officer’s quarters aboard the Kirov and Slava classes from before the first Soviet collapse. Ship systems are designed for easy maintenance and the ship does not require regular hull maintenance due to being constructed from advanced composites and alloys. As previously listed, these destroyer were not fitted with any flag facilities. Interestingly, many crew actually preferred Tserigo class destroyers over Admiral Timoshenkova class cruisers because they did not need to deal with flag officers as often.


The hanger aboard the Tserigo class destroyer is slightly smaller than its sister cruiser class with the ability to embark two VTOL aircraft. Usually anti-submarine warfare aircraft were embarked while in service. Most commonly embarked was the Yak-228 “Minstrel” tilt rotor with most anti-submarine warfare helicopters having been retired. Troop compliment is for self defense only. Usually a dozen troops total are embarked. These are limited to light cyborg personnel with no heavy cyborg soldiers.


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: Tserigo class Missile Destroyer

Vehicle Type: Ocean, Missile Destroyer

Crew: 242; 25 officers, 217 petty officers and enlisted crew members (has a high degree of automation and can be run effectively by 120 crew members.)

Troops: 8 helicopter crew members, 12 troops for shipboard defense (including partial conversions and light cyborg personnel.)


Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:

 

2

Yak-228B“Minstrel” ASW / Utility Tilt-Rotor Aircraft.

M.D.C. by Location:

 

Bridge:

750.

 

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

250 each.

 

152 mm Electro-Thermal Cannon Barrels (2, cannon mounts):

100 each.

 

152 mm ERK-152-2 Twin Barrel Electro-Thermal Cannon Mounts (1, forward):

250

 

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

225 each.

 

Strike Length 64-Cell Vertical Launch Missile Systems (2, forward & aft):

450 each.

 

Tactical Length 8-Cell Vertical Launch Missile Systems (2, sides):

150 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):

100.

 

[3] Main Body:

3,500.

Notes:

[1] Destroying “Owl Hunter” AEGIS active phased array panels will disable primary long range 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, “Owl 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: 40.85 mph (35.5 knots/ 65.75 kph).

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


Statistical Data:

Draft:    25.26 feet (7.7 meters) including sonar dome.

Length:  533.14 feet (162.5 meters) waterline and 577.43 feet (176.2 meters) overall.

Width:   75.13 feet (22.9 meters)

Displacement: 10,100 tons standard and 14,200 tons fully loaded.

Cargo: Can carry 500 tons (453.6 metric tons) of nonessential equipment and supplies. Each enlisted crew member has a small locker for personal items and uniforms. Ship’s officers have more space for personal items. Most of the ship’s spaces are taken up by extra ammo, armor, troops, weapons, and engines.

Power System: Two nuclear fusion reactors, average life span is 20 years. Usually only goes 10 years between refueling.

Black Market Cost: Not for sale but if found on the black market would probably cost 900 million to 1.0 billion credits. Cost does not include embarked craft and power armors.


WEAPON SYSTEMS:

  1. One (1) Double Barrel 152 mm ERK-152-2 Electro-Thermal Naval Gun: The ship carried a single double barrel turret mounted in front of the main superstructure. Cannon has a special recoil system to reduce felt recoil. The projectile is loaded into the barrel, behind which there is a “propellant”, which is a dot of light metal. A powerful electromagnetic force is applied to the metal, which causes its atoms to “switch” directions. This happens so violently that the metal turns to plasma, and this expanding gas then drives the projectile forward. The weapon has greater range than conventional 152 cannons. The gun mounts 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: 22.9 miles (19.9 nautical miles / 36.9 km) for standard projectiles and 37.3 miles (32.4 nautical miles / 60.0 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 (Can fire up to 8 shots per turret per melee round.)

    Payload: 800 rounds for turret.

  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. Two (2) Strike Length 64-Cell Vertical Launch Systems: Launchers are mounted with one forward of the superstructure and the other aft of the superstructure. Believed to be virtually a copy of the very reliable American Mk-41Vertical Launch System which dated back to the previous century and was exported to numerous allied nations. The strike length launcher can carry cruise missiles, long range missiles, and medium range missiles. Anti-Submarine rocket launched torpedoes can be fired from the launcher (See revised Rifts torpedoes for details.)

    Maximum Effective Range: As per cruise, long range, or medium range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)

    Mega-Damage: As per cruise, long range, or medium range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)

    Rate of Fire: Can fire missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2), four (4), sixteen (16), or thirty-two (32) missiles for both launchers per melee and can be fired at multiple targets at the same time.

    Payload: Sixty-four (64) cells for missiles in forward VLS launcher and sixty-four (64) cells for missiles in aft VLS launcher (possible total of 256 long range missiles.) One (1) cruise missile, two (2) long range missiles, or four (4) medium range missiles may be carried per cell. The destroyer normally carries one hundred and twenty-eight (128) medium range missiles, one hundred and twenty-eight (128) long range missiles, and thirty-two (32) cruise missiles total in these launchers. Ship carries no reloads.

  4. Two (2) Tactical Length 8-Cell Vertical Launch Systems: Mounted on the sides of the destroyer on slightly raised platforms. Believed to be virtually a copy of the very reliable American Mk-41Vertical Launch System which dated back to the previous century and was exported to numerous allied nations. These are too short to be able to fire cruise missiles but have been adapted to be carry two long range missiles or four medium range missiles per cell. Destroyer normally carries sixty-four medium range missiles in launchers. Anti-Submarine rocket launched torpedoes can be fired from these launchers (See revised Rifts torpedoes for details) but are rarely carried.

    Maximum Effective Range: As per long range or medium range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)

    Mega-Damage: As per long range or medium range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)

    Rate of Fire: Can fire missiles one at a time or in volley of two (2), four (4), or sixteen (16) missiles for both launchers per melee and can be fired at multiple targets at the same time.

    Payload: Eight (8) missile cells in each VLS launcher for a total of sixteen (16) cells (Can carry a total of 32 long range missiles.) Two (2) long range missiles, or four (4) medium range missiles may be carried per cell. Usual missile load is sixty-four (64) medium range missiles. Ship carries no reloads.

  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. ]


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


Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).


Copyright © 2012 & 2017, Kitsune. All rights reserved.


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