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Spanish Almirante Miranda class Advanced Guided Missile Frigate:


Largely based on the hull of earlier Álvaro de Bazán class frigate, although mounting more advanced electronics, the Almirante Miranda class formed the backbone on the Spanish fleet during the later half of the Twenty-First Century. Like the older frigate class, the were considered large for frigates and considered by many navies to be more destroyer class than frigate class. It could also be argued that their weaponry was better described as that of a destroyer than a frigate as well.


Originally it was planned for eight of these frigates to be build with an additional four frigates added to the building program later. This second batch was modified slightly from the original design. It was decided to use the older frigate design to simplify development. A follow up heavier vessels, designated as destroyers instead of frigates, were planned before the coming of the Great Cataclysm. While not quite a “Clean Sheet” design, they were significantly modified compared to the original Almirante Miranda design.


Even though the revolution in advanced composites and alloys occurred in the Twenty-Thirties, the first of the Almirante Miranda class was not laid down until the early Twenty-Forties. Each frigate took approximately four years to completed. Laid down about a year and a half apart, the last vessel of the first batch was not completed until towards the later part of the Twenty-Fifties.


There was a small delay between the first and second batch with the first vessel of the second batch not being laid down until the beginning of the Twenty-Sixties and the last of the second batch not being completed until almost the Twenty-Seventies. At the same time as the Almirante Miranda class were being built, the Spanish shipyards were also building several Norwegian Valkyrien class frigate as well.


While the older Álvaro de Bazán class frigates were either retired or put in reserve towards the end of the Twenty-First century, all twelve of the Almirante Miranda class frigates remained in commission when the Great Cataclysm occurred. How many of these frigates were at sea at the time is unknown. It was a time of tension and the militaries of the world were at a heightened state of alert. Many people feared possible global war at the time.


Even though there have no reports of these ships, it is considered quite possible that one or more survived intact. There are plenty of places that are quite remote that few have ventured to where one of these ships might have ended up. Being built from high strength composites and alloys, they are considered virtually immune to corrosion if properly sealed. Of course, being also build from the keel up with these same materials, these frigates were extremely tough as well.


As one might expect, these filled a similar role to the previous Álvaro de Bazán class, They were armed mainly for air defense and mounted a powerful phased array radar system and carried a large number of long range and medium missiles for air defense. Unlike many European nations, the Spanish military continued operating a large amount of American military hardware. These frigates were no exception with the core of these vessels being American weapon and sensor systems although they did mount a number of systems produced by other nations including mounting a French hull sonar.


An older “Off the Shelf” radar systems was chosen, the American developed SPY-3M active phased array radar system. Compared to the SPY-1D mounted on the older Álvaro de Bazán class, the radar system had a longer range and greater tracking capability. Original the SPY-3 radar system was developed for the American DD-21 destroyer program, the SPY-3M was a lighter weight version develop for frigates and destroyers. Mainly developed for export purposes, it was never adopted by the United States Navy even though developed there. When the Francis Darcey class frigate was designed, the newly developed SPY-6 radar system was chosen. The SPY-6 radar was considered for the second batch of Almirante Miranda class but was rejected due to cost.


Identical to the older Spanish frigate class, Almirante Miranda class mounted a forty-eight cell strike length Mk-41 vertical launch system. This was augmented however by a pair of Mk 55 medium range vertical launch systems. Mounted on either side of the hull where fuel tanks were mounted on the older class, over a hundred medium range missiles could be carried in the medium range launchers. As a result, the Mk-41 missile cells could be loaded with long range missiles if required. In addition, moving the medium range missiles left more space to carry anti-submarine rocket boosted torpedoes and cruise missiles. One weapon system deleted from the Almirante Miranda class were the eight Harpoon missile canisters that were carried on the Álvaro de Bazán class.


Instead of mounting a modified American Mk 49 RAM quad short range missile launcher, two Norwegian “Freya VIII” short range missile launchers were mounted on the superstructure of the frigate to act as inner point defense. The older frigate Álvaro de Bazán class could not be refitted with the Freya system without rebuilding the superstructure and so retained the Mk 49 quad missile launchers. A total of eighty short range missiles are carried for each of the “Freya VIII” launchers. The Spanish navy leaders considered it more effective than the Mk 44 “Sea Sabre” combination defense system which was mounted on most American classes and adopted by many other navies as well.


Also identical to the Álvaro de Bazán class, early Almirante Miranda class vessels mounted a single Mk 45 five inch gun on the bow. On the second batch, this is replaced by a hyper velocity 100 mm rail gun. For the most part, the five inch gun mounted carried on the first batch were from retired American vessels. As a new weapon system however, the 100 mm rail guns are all new manufacture weapon systems. Payload for the hyper velocity rail gun was double that of the five inch gun mount.


While there was consideration given towards replacing the Mk 45 gun mounts with hyper velocity 100 mm rail guns on early vessels, it was decided that it simply would not be cost effective. The issue was not so much the cost of the rail gun mount itself but instead adding the power conduits in order to be able to charge and fire the rail gun. There were a number of other issues such as reinforcing the mounting although those were considered less prohibitive.


In the early design phase, these ships were planned to have mounted diesel and gas turbine engines. However, the introduction of fusion turbines enable these ships to have effectively unlimited range and also enabled the mounting of the Mk 55 vertical launch systems. With the first batch of the Almirante Miranda class, these fusion turbines were basically identical to the fusion turbines which replaced the original gas turbines on the rebuilt Álvaro de Bazán class frigates. Having a slightly greater displacement than the older frigate class, the first batch of the Almirante Miranda class were considered marginally slower than the Álvaro de Bazán class as rebuilt. The later batch had slightly more powerful reactors and were slightly faster as a result.


Crew was reduced by about a third compared to the Álvaro de Bazán class due to additional automation. As these ships might be expected to act as flagships, there was space for a twenty personnel flag group. Often these vessels were expected to act as flagships for smaller vessels. In addition to the crew, a small number of troops were also normally embarked. A dozen American SAMAS power armor were usually carried with the same number of troops in body armor. While the hanger was comparative roomy, these vessels were only designed to carry a single VTOL aircraft.


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: F200 Almirante Miranda class Advanced Guided Missile Frigate.

Vehicle Type: Ocean, Guided Missile Frigate.

Crew: 120; 15 Officers, 15 chief petty officers, and 90 enlisted (Has a high degree of automation.) Has space for a 20 personnel flag group.

Troops: 6 Helicopter / VTOL pilots and crew, 12 pilots for SAMAS power armors, and 12 soldiers in body armor that are retained on board the ship.


Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:

Power Armor Compliment:

 

12

USA-PA-04A SAMAS Power Armors (or other power armors.)

Aircraft Compliment:

 

1

Helicopters or other VTOL Aircraft (V-22N Osprey - Anti-Submarine Model in Spanish service.)

M.D.C. by Location:

 

Bow Gun Mount:

 

 

 

Mk 45 Five Inch (127 mm) Barrel (1, gun mount - First Eight Vessels):

80.

 

 

Mk 45 Five Inch (127 mm) Gun Mount (1, forward - First Eight Vessels):

200.

 

 

Mk 205 100 mm Heavy Rail Gun Barrel (1, gun mount - Last Four Vessels):

150.

 

 

Mk 205 100 mm Heavy Rail Gun Mount (1, forward - Last Four Vessels):

300.

 

Mk 41 Strike Length 48 Cell Vertical Launch System (1, forward):

360.

 

Mk 55 Medium Range 8 Cell Vertical Launch Systems (2, sides):

300 each.

 

“Freya VIII” Short Range Missile Launchers (2, superstructure):

120 each.

 

Dual 12.75 inch (324 mm) Medium Torpedo Launchers (2, sides):

35 each.

 

[1] SPY-3M Phase Array Radar Panels (4, Superstructure):

200 each

 

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

10 each.

 

Hanger (aft):

400.

 

VTOL / Helicopter Pad (aft):

300.

 

Bridge:

500.

 

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

80.

 

[3] Main Body:

1,800.

Notes:

[1] Destroying the SPY-3M Active Phase Array radar panels will destroy the ship’s fire control systems but guns have backup systems and 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] Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body destroys the ship’s structural integrity, causing it to sink. There are enough flotation devices and inflatable life rafts to accommodate everyone aboard.


Speed:

Surface: First Eight Vessels: 36.27 mph (31.5 knots/ 58.38 kph.) Last Four Vessels 38.58 mph (33.5 knots/ 62.08 kph.)

Range: Effectively Unlimited due to fusion engines (needs to refuel every 20 years and requires maintenance as well). Ship carries twelve (12) months of supplies on board.


Statistical Data:

Draft:    16.40 feet (5.0 meters) mean and 24.28 feet (7.4 meters) including sonar array.

Width:   61.68 feet (18.8 meters).

Length:  446.52 feet (136.1 meters) waterline and 482.94 feet (147.2 meters) overall.

Displacement: 4,800 tons standard and 6,200 tons fully loaded.

Cargo: Can carry 400 tons (362.9 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 Price: Not for sale. First Eight Vessels: 380 million credits. Last Four Vessels: 400 million credits. Vessels might cost several times more potentially. Cost does not include embarked craft and power armors.


Weapon Systems:

  1. 1 One (1) Bow Gun Mount: On the first eight members of the class (First batch), the vessel mounts a Mk 45 five in gun similar to the weapon system mounted on many later Twentieth Century United States vessels. The last four members of the class (Second Batch) mount a 100 mm rail gun instead. This rail gun is identical to the rail gun carried on the American Francis Darcey class frigate.

    1. One (1) Mk 45 Mod 4 Single Barrel Five Inch (127 mm) / 62 Naval Gun: The first batch of these ships mount a five inch naval gun on the bow of the ship. The gun is very reliable although it fires at a relatively slow rate (20 rounds per minute). The gun was carried on many ship classes until well into the Twenty First century. The guns can be used against other ships, against ground targets, and against aircraft. The weapon can use special artillery rounds, rocket assisted rounds, and can even fire Extended Range Guided Munitions.

      Maximum Effective Range: 12 miles (10.4 nautical miles/19.3 km) for standard projectiles, 20 miles (17.4 nautical miles/32.2 km) for rocket propelled rounds, and treat Extended Range Guided Munitions as medium range missiles (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)

      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. Extended Range Guided Munitions: Treat as medium range missiles (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.) Use the statistics for 105 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: Normal Projectiles: Five (5) shots per cannon per melee round. Extended Range Guided Munitions can be fired at the rate of one (1) shot per melee round.

      Payload: 500 rounds - Each Extended Range Guided Munitions round takes up space for two (2) normal rounds. Ship normally carries usually carries 100 High Explosive, 100 High Explosive Armor Piercing, 100 Plasma, 50 Rocket Propelled High Explosive, 50 Rocket Propelled High Explosive Armor Piercing, and 50 Rocket Propelled Plasma rounds, and 50 Extended Range Guided Munitions. The ship will carry special rounds when employed in artillery roles.

    2. One (1) Mk 205 Single Barrel Hyper Velocity 100 mm Heavy Rail Gun: The second batch of these ships mount a 100 mm rail gun on the bow of the ship instead of a five inch naval gun. The 100 mm heavy rail gun has better range than comparable sized standard cannons, inflicts greater damage to armored targets, and has a higher payload due requiring to no storage of propellant charges. While this rail gun normally fires a solid dart of high strength alloy material that does massive damage to targets that it hits, it can also fire explosive warheads for softer targets and against aircraft. The rail gun mount has the ability to rotate 360 and can tilt up to 90 degrees and is considered useful against both ground and air targets. In addition, the weapon system is also gyro-stabilized and has an advanced fire control computer. However, using solid dart rounds, the cannon is less effective at targeting fast moving targets such as aircraft, missiles, and flying power armors.

      Maximum Effective Range: 15 miles (24.1 km).

      Mega-Damage: A single solid dart round inflicts 5D6x10+20 M.D.C. (optional rule is that cannon gets a critical on a natural 18, 19, or 20 due to its high penetration). Can also use Standard High Explosive rounds that inflict 1D4x10 with a blast radius of 16 feet (4.88 meters). High Explosive Armor Piercing inflicts 2D4x10 with a blast radius of 8 feet (2.44 meters).

      Rate of Fire: Maximum of four (4) shots per melee round.

      Payload: 1,000 rounds. Ship normally carries 500 solid dart rounds, 300 high explosive rounds, and 200 high explosive armor piercing rounds.

      Bonuses / Penalties: +2 to strike against ground / surface targets. Solid dart rounds have -2 to strike against aircraft, missiles, and flying power armors. No penalties for explosive rounds against fast moving targets.

  2. One (1) Strike Length 48 Cell Vertical Launch System: Mounted behind the five inch gun mount or 100 mm rail gun mount, this forward launcher has 48 cells able to fire a variety of missiles. As these are the longer strike version of the missile launcher, they can carry the longer cruise missile. From the beginning, the launchers have been found to be very flexible and adaptable. The launcher was originally designed for the Tomahawk and Standard SM-2 Missile. In later service,, these launchers have been adapted to hold one cruise missile, two long range missiles, or four medium range missiles per cell. Cruise missiles are usually used against hardened fixed targets, long range missiles are normally used against aircraft and other large targets, and medium range missiles are normally used against closer targets such as incoming missiles. Anti-Submarine rocket launched torpedoes also 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 twenty-four (24) missiles for both launchers per melee and can be fired at multiple targets at the same time.

    Payload: Forty-eight (48) cells for missiles in forward VLS launcher (possible total of 96 long range missiles). One (1) cruise missile, two (2) long range missiles, or four (4) medium range missiles may be carried per cell. Ship carries no reloads.

  3. Two (2) Mk 55 Medium Range Vertical Launch Systems: Unlike most vertical launch systems, these launchers fire the missiles on a six degree angle to the side. This is because the system was initially designed for carriers and is to prevent a missile that fails on its launch from crashing into aircraft on the flight deck. The missiles are arranged in a two by four pattern, and each launch cell has six reloads. One launcher is mounted on either side of the hull of the frigate and require much less deck space than a Mk-41 or Mk-49 vertical launch system. Each system can launch up to eight missiles simultaneously each and the launcher is automatically reloaded. These launchers often act as the ship’s middle point defense and are normally used to engage incoming air targets and missiles.

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

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

    Rate of Fire: Each launcher can fire medium range missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2), four (4), or eight (8) medium range missiles. Each launcher operates independently.

    Payload: Eight (8) medium range missiles in each launcher, with forty-eight (48) medium missiles in each magazine for automatic reloads, for a total of one hundred and twelve (112) medium range missiles for both launchers including missiles in launchers.

  4. Two (2) “Freya VIII” Short Range Missile Box Launchers: Mounted on the front and back of the superstructure are a pair of box launchers which automatically reload. The launchers can rotate 360 degrees and have a 90 degree arc of fire. The missile launchers reload extremely rapidly and are ready to be fire on the next attack. The system is designed to be able to target multiple incoming missiles simultaneously. It can be fired against surface targets as well as against air targets.

    Note: SAM style missiles are missiles that sacrifice payload for higher speeds, see Chris Curtis’ modified missile table for specifics.

    Maximum Effective Range: Varies by short range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details - SAM style missiles normally.)

    Mega-Damage: Varies by short range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details - SAM style missiles normally.)

    Rate of Fire: Can fire short range missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2) four (4), or eight (8) short range missiles each launcher. Launchers retract and are ready to fire for next melee attack.

    Payload: Eight (8) short range missiles each launcher for Sixteen (16) total. The vehicle carries eighty (80) short range missiles as reloads for each launcher for a total of one hundred and seventy-six (176) short range missiles total. If a launcher is damaged, those missiles cannot be accessed except manually. (Sometimes additional missiles are carried in the cargo hold for reloads.)

  5. Two (2) Dual 12.75 inch (324 mm) Torpedo Launchers: There is one twin launcher on each side of the ship. Each twin torpedo launcher has two torpedo tubes and tubes are 12.75 in (324 mm) wide. Torpedoes are normally used against submarines but can be targeted against surface targets as well. Interceptor torpedoes are also available for launchers / tubes to use against incoming torpedoes. The tubes have an automatic reloading system and can be fired quickly. Ship carries twelve reloads for torpedoes per side. For the most part torpedo warheads are equal to medium range missile warheads.

    Maximum Effective Range: 20 miles (17.4 nautical miles / 32 km) for standard torpedoes.

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

    Rate of Fire: Can fire medium torpedoes one at a time or in volleys of two (2) medium torpedoes per side, launcher can fire a maximum of two (2) volleys of torpedoes per melee each launcher.

    Payload: Two (2) medium torpedoes each launcher for a grand total of four (4) medium torpedoes. Has an additional twenty-four (24) medium torpedoes for reloads.

  6. Two (2) Chaff / Decoy Launchers: Located on the superstructure of the ship, 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 differences. 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 forty-eight (48) canisters.

  7. Four (4) SLQ-52B Naiad Advanced Towed Torpedo Decoys: The vessel carries four advanced towed decoy drones. They are each a small automated vehicle that creates a false sonar image designed to mimic the vessels. The decoy is dragged behind the frigate using a cable. If decoys are not destroyed, they can be recovered and repaired. Rifts Earth decoys systems are assumed to not be effective against Phase World / Three Galaxies guidance and targeting systems due to technological differences.

    M.D.C.: 20 each.

    Range: Not Applicable although decoy is deployed approximately 1,000 feet (304.8 meters) from the vessel.

    Effects: The decoy has an 80% chance of fooling ordinary non military sonars and non smart guided torpedoes, the decoy has a 50% chance of fooling military level sonars (like those of the Coalition) and non “smart” torpedoes, and the decoy has a 25% chance of fooling advanced military sonars (Like those of the New Navy and Triax) and “smart” torpedoes.

    Rate of Fire: One can be deployed at a time and requires two (2) minutes to deploy (reel out) another decoy.

    Payload: Four (4) towed decoys.

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. ]


Image drawn and copyrighted by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune.) Based on Spanish Álvaro de Bazán class Guided Missile Frigate drawing by Mischa (E-Mail Mischa)

Mischa has no art home page at present but many other items on my site.


Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).


Copyright © 2011 & 2018, Kitsune. All rights reserved.


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