Spanish Juan Carlos I Amphibious Carrier (L61):


At the time it was built, Juan Carlos I amphibious assault ship was the largest warship ever build for the Spanish Navy and no larger warships were built for several decades. The ship was laid down in 2005, launched in 2009, and commissioned in 2011. It could be considered to have been the flagship of the Spanish Navy for several decades as well.


When it was developed, the vessel was expected to fill the roles of both an aircraft carrier and amphibious support ship. Unlike United States amphibious carriers, the vessel was fitted with a ski jump so that aircraft might take off and land with heavier payloads. In the carrier role, it was originally designed for up to thirty aircraft originally including the AV-8B Harrier, V-22 Osprey, and various helicopters.


For the amphibious role, it was designed to be able to carry up to nine hundred troops and almost fifty tanks. Four LCM or a single LCAC could also be launched from the stern well deck. As it was expected to support amphibious operations, the ship also was fitted with extensive medical facilities including a full operating room. Finally, the vessel was also designed to be able to act as an evacuation and disaster relief ship.


Capable of twenty-one knots, propulsion was combined gas turbine and diesel connected to electrical propulsion pods. This vessel was the first surface vessel of the Spanish Navy to feature diesel-electric propulsion. When operating on pure diesel propulsion, the vessel had a range of 9,000 nautical miles at fifteen knots. Built with a high degree of automation, the vessel required an extremely small crew for its size.


The sensor suite was relatively basic. Main air search radar was the Indra Lanza-N 3D search radar. Initially there were a number of issues with the radar but they were able to be resolved. However, the vessel did mount a sophisticated defensive ECM suite. Usually this vessel would be escorted by one or more vessels mounting Aegis as well. No sonar systems were fitted aboard the vessel, relying on escorts to perform the function. To give some measure of defense against torpedoes, the vessel did have towed decoys.


While initially armed only with four point defense mounts to reduce costs, space was set aside for additional defensive weaponry. During the early and mid Twenty-Twenties, the vessel was fitted with additional point defense weaponry during refits. This include a single Mk 49 launchers for the RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM). In most cases, the vessel relied on its escorts to defend it.


During the Twenty-Twenties, the AV-8B Harrier aircraft were retired and replaced by the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter. While the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter was larger than the AV-8B Harrier and air wing had to be reduced, the fighter was also far more capable. The F-35B was a fifth generation fighter design that was stealthy, had AESA radar, capable of mach speed, and was far longer ranged. Due to the larger size of the F-35B, embarked aircraft compliment was reduced to twenty-four from the original thirty.


Originally, there had been some consideration given towards building a second amphibious carrier but never came to fruition. At the time, the Spanish navy also had the aircraft carrier Príncipe de Asturias. Still, the carrier was quite a bit smaller and could carry a more limited aircraft compliment especially the larger F-35B when it replaced the AV-8B Harrier. However, the Príncipe de Asturias was faster, around twenty-six knots compared with only twenty-one knots for the Juan Carlos I.


When the revolution in material technology in the Twenty-Thirties, the Spanish Navy found itself virtually obsolete. It was decided that the Juan Carlos I amphibious assault ship would be rebuild while the much older Príncipe de Asturias aircraft carrier would be retired. Newer ships were generally retained and rebuilt while older vessels were retired. Similarly, the Álvaro de Bazán class frigates were retained while the less capable Santa María class would be retired.


The initially rebuilding was quite austere. For the most part, the rebuilding simply considered of rebuilding the hull with high strength composites and alloys and replacing the ordinance with the far more powerful new explosives. However, a second Mk 49 Rolling Airframe Missile launcher was fitted at the same time in order to somewhat improve the ship’s ability to defend itself against missile threats.


Over the years, there were a number of other major refits. One of these was what was effectively a complete rebuilding of the propulsion system. The diesel engines and gas turbine were replaced by a single fusion turbine which produced around twice as much power as the original propulsion system. At the same time, the electrical propulsion pods were rebuilt so that they could handle the far greater power of the fusion plant. Once refitted, top speed went from twenty-one knots up to twenty-six knots. More important was the face that the fusion turbine gave virtually unlimited range. There was a smaller emergency fusion turbine also fitted in case the primary power plant went down. Under the emergence fusion turbine, the vessel could still operate at twenty knots.


Around the same time as the ship’s power plant was rebuilt, the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter was replaced by the FV-38 Panther II fighter. In addition, new fusion powered versions of the Osprey tilt rotor replaced conventional versions of the aircraft embarked. Part of the rebuilding of the vessel included the virtually removal of fuel tankage and magazine space was able to be greatly increased, allowing for a greater number of air operations before requiring resupply. Eventually, two hundred PA-04A SAMAS power armors were also embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship.


As tensions around the world increased, it was decided to add a new carrier to the Spansih navy, in effect finally replacing the retired Príncipe de Asturias. The new carrier was still far smaller than most of the American carriers although a fair amount larger than the Príncipe de Asturias. Often compared to the American Avenger class escort carrier, this new carrier was in part developed from the Juan Carlos I design. It was considerably enlarged however and had the well deck and amphibious facilities deleted.


Named the Princessa Isabel, this new carrier was laid down in the late Twenty-Fifties and completed in the early Twenty-Sixties. It took over the main flagship role from the amphibious assault ship. A second carrier of the same design was later ordered as well and completed around Twenty-Seventy.


When the second carrier was completed, the Juan Carlos I was relegated to reserve status as well as being used for training. Still, it was considered too useful to retire completely and was kept well maintained. With no amphibious vessels in the Spanish Navy as capable as the Juan Carlos I, there were roles that it was suited for that no other vessels were really well suited for.


Just before the coming of the Great Cataclysm however a new amphibious assault ship able to perform much the same tasks had been laid down. If the Great Cataclysm had not occurred, it was planned that the Juan Carlos I would have finally have been retired. When the cataclysm occurred, the new amphibious assault ship had not yet even reached launch stage and was almost certainly destroyed.


What happened to the Juan Carlos I amphibious assault ship with the Great Cataclysm is unknown. At the time she had been at sea in the Mediterranean Ocean. Even though it is most likely she was destroyed, there is at least a remote chance that she survived. If she remained properly sealed, the amphibious assault ship might be brought back to life.


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: L-61 Juan Carlos I class Multi Role Amphibious Assault Ship

Vehicle Type: Ocean, Assault Vessel / Carrier.

Crew: Core Crew: 243 Personnel (20 officers, 25 chief petty officers, and 193 enlisted [Has a high degree of automation.])

Air Wing (Not including pilots): 122 Personnel (10 officers, 12 chief petty officers, and 100 enlisted.)

Command Staff: 103 Personnel (8 officers, 10 senior enlisted, and 85 enlisted.)

Troops: 200 pilots for SAMAS power armor, 50 aircraft pilots / crew, 200 vehicle crew members, and 900 soldiers.


Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles (Standard):


Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles (Standard):

 

Assault

Control

 

Power Armor Compliment:

 

200

300

USA-PA-04A SAMAS Power Armors.

Fighter/Aircraft Compliment:

 

6

12

FV-38 Panther II VSTOL Fighters.

 

2

5

V-22N Super Osprey Tilt Rotors - Airborne Radar Model.

 

4

4

V-22N Super Osprey Tilt Rotors - Anti-Submarine Model.

 

12

4

V-22N Super Osprey Tilt Rotors - Transport / Search and Rescue Model.

Landing Craft:

 

1

0

Air Cushion Landing Craft.

Tanks & Other Vehicles:

 

30

0

German Leopard III Heavy Tank

 

30

0

Other Vehicles

M.D.C. by Location:

 

Meroka SPG-M2B CIWS (3, flight deck):

100 each.

 

GDC Mk 49 Rolling Airframe Missile Launchers (2, flight deck):

150 each.

 

[1] USA-M31 Medium Defense Rail Guns (4, sides):

50 each.

 

[2] Indra Lanza-N 3D Search Radar (superstructure):

200.

 

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

10 each.

 

[3] Elevators (2, forward of superstructure & fantail):

250 each.

 

[4] Main Flight Deck:

1,500.

 

Rear Vehicle / Well Deck Doors:

300.

 

[5] Main Bridge / Superstructure:

800.

 

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

50.

 

[6] Main Body:

4,000.

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 long range radar system will destroy the ship’s main fire control and tracking systems but the vessel has backup systems with a shorter range (Equal to robot vehicle sensors.)

[3] If both elevators are destroyed, no aircraft can be moved from the hangers to the main flight deck.

[4] If the flight deck is destroyed, VTOL aircraft and helicopters can be launched or landed although at -15% to piloting.

[5] If the bridge/ control tower is destroyed, the ship can still be piloted from engineering but with a -15% to piloting rolls. Communication and sensor equipment are not concentrated on the bridge to reduce the effectiveness of bridge hits.

[6] Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body destroys the ship’s structural integrity, causing it to sink. There are enough life preservers and inflatable life boats to accommodate everyone on the ship including marines.


Speed:

Surface: 29.94 mph (26 knots/ 48.18 kph).

Range: Unlimited due to fusion engines (needs to refuel every 15 years and requires maintenance as well). Ship carries six months of supplies on board.


Statistical Data:

Length: 757.2 feet (230.8 meters).

Draft: 23.0 feet (7.0 meters).

Width: 105.0 feet (32.0 meters) including flight deck.

Displacement: 23,500 tons standard and 27,200 tons fully loaded.

Cargo: Can carry 4,000 tons (3,628.7 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. Extra ammo, armor, troops, weapons, and engines take up most of the ship’s spaces.

Power System: Originally conventional diesel and gas turbine propulsion (CODOG), converted to a single main nuclear reactor with a small backup reactor (both have an average life span of 15 years.)

Black Market Cost: Not for sale but if found on the black market would probably cost 500 million or more credits. Cost does not include embarked craft and power armors.


Weapon Systems:

  1. Three (3) Meroka SPG-M2B 20 mm Close In Weapon Systems: Mount is unusual in that it uses twelve fixed barrels instead of a rotary barrel like the M61 Vulcan Gatling gun auto cannon mounted in the Mk 45 Phalanx CIWS. Modified to fire 20 mm Ramjet Rounds instead of standard round, the weapon systems are quite effective at destroying incoming missiles and are fully automated. The weapons can be used on surface targets as well as against missiles and aircraft. Each auto cannon mount can fire on automatic at up to six targets per melee round (Has +3 to strike missiles and +2 to strike aircraft.)

    Maximum Effective Range: 5,000 feet (1,524 meters).

    Mega-Damage: 2D6x10 for a burst of 60 round (2D4 for each round but gun always fires in bursts).

    Rate of Fire: Six (6) bursts per melee round for each mount (Has +3 to strike missiles and +2 to strike aircraft).

    Payload: 720 rounds (12 bursts) each. Ship carries an additional 12,000 rounds of ammunition in magazines. Auto Cannon requires 2 minutes (8 melees) to reload by properly trained personnel (Double for untrained crews.)

  2. Four (4) USA-M31 Medium Defense Rail Guns: Originally M2HB .50 Caliber Machine Guns were fitted in these locations. These weapons are mounted with two on either side of the hull for defense against small boats and similar threats. Not considered effective against aircraft or missiles. These rail gun mounts were identical to those carried on the USA-PA-04A SAMAS power armor although outfitted with a double sized ammunition drum. The rail gun has fewer bursts and is heavier but the rail gun inflicts more damage than the post Rifts C-40R.

    Weight: Rail Gun: 110 lbs (49.9 kg), Double Ammo Drum: 280 lbs (127.0 kg).

    Maximum Effective Range: 4,000 feet (1,200 meters).

    Mega-Damage: A burst of 40 rounds inflicts 1D6x10. One round inflicts 1D4+1.

    Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the gunner (usually 4 or 5).

    Payload: Each has a 4,000 round magazine for 100 bursts.

  3. Two (2) GDC Mk 49 Rolling Airframe Missile Launchers: This is a Pre-Rifts missile launcher originally designed to fire the RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) but later modified to fire a wider variety of short range missiles. Has a total capacity for twenty-one short range missiles and designed to act as inner anti-missile point defense and is considered effective in dealing with incoming cruise missiles. Short Range Missiles are usually a mixture of 50% Armor Piercing and 50% Plasma. Launchers can lock onto multiple targets at the same. The systems missile launchers can target up four targets and can fire a volley up to twice per melee round.

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

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

    Rate of Fire: Can fire short range missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2) or four (4) short range missiles and can be used up to twice (2) per melee round.

    Payload: Twenty-one (21) short range missiles each.

  4. Four (4) Chaff / Decoy Launchers: Located on 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 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 ninety-six (96) canisters.

  5. 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 amphibious carrier 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. ]


Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).


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


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