Spanish Princessa Isabel class Light Carrier:


When the revolution in high strength materials occurred, it was decided that the light carrier Principe de Asturias would not be rebuilt due to age. The Principe de Asturias, which first commissioned in the late Nineteen-Eighties had trouble operating new aircraft such as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter due to the growing size of aircraft. Instead, it was decided that only the Juan Carlos I amphibious assault ship would be rebuilt to act as a carrier while the older light carrier would be retired.


While there were some tensions even back then, most Spanish government leaders were hoping for peace so had no plans to replace the Principe de Asturias. While Communists had taken control in Russia and reformed the Soviet Union, leaders around the world were cautiously hopeful after decades of Russia under the thumb of corrupt Oligarches. Over time however, the reformed Soviet Union became more of a threat as their military continued to grow.


Along with government leaders around the world, the leaders in Spain began becoming concerned. Suddenly they were willing to authorize large increases in the military, including the navy. It was decided to authorize the construction of a new light carrier to finally replace the Principe de Asturias. Other building programs such as eight new frigates of the Almirante Miranda class were authorized around the same time.


The name Princesa Isabel was selected for the new light carried. Ordered in Twenty Fifty-Five, the light carrier was laid down two years later. Launched in Twenty Sixty-One, it became the largest warship ever built in Spain. Commissioned in Twenty Sixty-Three, it was considered the flagship of the Spanish navy.


As time went on, tensions continued to escalate. With these further tensions, a second light carrier was authorized by the Spanish government. Along with the second carrier, four additional Almirante Miranda class frigates were authorized. This second carrier became the Princesa Sofía and the class is sometimes called the “Princess class” as a result.


While there was some discussion of modifying the design, in the end the new light carrier was laid down as a near duplicate of the Princesa Isabel. She was authorized in Twenty Sixty-Six and laid down in Twenty-Sixty-Eight. Launched in Twenty Seventy-Two, Princesa Sofía was commissioned in Twenty Seventy-Four.


When Princesa Sofía joined active service, it was decided that the Juan Carlos I amphibious assault ship would be placed in an active reserve and training status. As an older vessel, it required far more maintenance than the newer light carriers and limiting deployments would reduce operating costs. Even so, the old amphibious assault ship was kept well maintained and deployed periodically.


In the early Twenty-Nineties, a new amphibious assault ship was authorized and it was planned to replace the Juan Carlos I when it entered service. It would have been slightly larger than the Princesa Isabel class light carriers and would have become the largest warship even built in Spain. As fate would have it, the new amphibious assault ship was under construction at the time of the Great Cataclysm as is believed to have been completely destroyed.


As far as the two light carriers of the Princesa Isabel class, the Princesa Isabel was in prot in Rota while Princesa Sofía was deployed. It is unclear what happened to either vessel. However, the two vessels were built out of high strength composites and alloys that are highly resistant to corrosion as well. As a result, there is at least a chance that one of the vessels survived. There have been a number of sightings of vessels that could have been one of these light carriers but none have ever been confirmed.


While about the same size as the American Avenger class escort carriers, the Princesa Isabel was based more on the design of the Juan Carlos I amphibious assault ship. Using high strength composites and alloys from the keel out during construction, the light carrier was far tough than the amphibious assault ship. There were other significant changes to the design as well. These included the removal of the well deck, hull is reshaped for higher speed, and a completely new propulsion plant.


Instead of mounting a single fusion turbine as the Juan Carlos I did after her conversion, the Princesa Isabel used a pair of fusion reactors. While these fusion plants were identical to the reactors carried on the Almirante Miranda class frigates, the larger sized of the light carrier mean that the top speed was less that the frigates. Still, top speed was considered to be approximately thirty knots with the fusion plant gives decades of service between refueling.


Even though the light carrier did carry weaponry for self defense, the true weaponry of the light carrier was the fighter and aircraft compliment. In common with the amphibious assault ship design there were based on, the light carrier used a ski jump so that aircraft could carry greater ordinance loads when taking off. The ski jump also reduced airframe stresses so that less maintenance would be required.


The Princesa Isabel was designed to embark two squadrons of FV-38 Panther II fighters. While there were some political tensions between the United States and Spain, the Spanish military still used a fair amount of American military hardware. Even so, the later FV-45 Sea Eagle would have greatly reduced fighter compliment and the carrier retained the older fighters as a result. There was discussion of the Spanish military purchasing surplus Panther II fighters from the United States when they were retired.


In addition to the fighter compliment, the light carrier usually embarked sixteen Osprey tilt rotors. These included four electronic warfare, eight anti-submarine warfare models, and four transport models of the Osprey. Finally, up to two hundred flying power armors could be embarked. The American SAMAS design was chosen by the Spanish military over several European designs.


To give some measure of long range defense, a single eight cell Mk 41 vertical launch system was mounted on a raised deck in front of the superstructure. While a variety of ordinance could be carried, usually sixteen long range missiles were carried. In addition, the light carrier also mounted a pair of Mk 55 medium range vertical with one on each side of the hull. A total of over a hundred medium range missiles can be carried between the two launchers.


Finally, to deal with threats that managed to get through long and medium range defenses, there were four “Freya VIII” short range missile box launchers. These launchers were considered far more effective in the anti-missile role than the RAM missile launcher carried on the Juan Carlos I amphibious carrier. Each launcher had eighty short range missiles for a payload of almost four hundred missiles.


While not the most advanced radar system, the still quite effective SPY-3M active phased array radar system was selected for the light carrier. Designed in the United States as a lighter export version of the original SPY-3 system, the same radar was fitted on the Almirante Miranda class frigates. Originally, some argued for the Indra Lanza-N carried on the Juan Carlos I was to be mounted as a cost saving measure in spite of its age and limited capabilities.


In the end, the far more capable fixed active phased array system was chosen. Beyond the age and obsolete nature of the Indra Lanza-N, the older radar system could not effectively control the long and medium range missiles of the light carrier. In addition, having both the Almirante Miranda class frigates and the Princesa Isabel would reduce logistics.


While the carrier was not designed for anti-submarine warfare, it was decided to mount a hull sonar of the same design as fitted on the Almirante Miranda class frigates. However, there was not consideration given towards mounting a towed sonar array. For addition defense against missile threats and torpedoes, the light carrier also mounted both decoy launchers and towed decoys.


As built, the Princesa Isabel was designed to be able to act as a flag ship and as a result was built with extensive flag facilities. Otherwise, the light carrier was designed to have a quite small crew with extensive automation to reduce crew workloads. Ship’s crew was about two fifty personnel and air crew was around one hundred and fifty personnel not including pilots. While there was not the huge troop compliment of the amphibious carrier, the light carrier was designed with extensive medical facilities including a complete operating room.


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: R-212 Princesa Isabel Light Carrier.

Vehicle Type: Ocean, Light Carrier.

Crew: Core Crew: 265 Personnel (22 officers, 28 chief petty officers, and 210 enlisted [Has a high degree of automation.])

Air Wing (Not including pilots): 146 Personnel (12 officers, 14 chief petty officers, and 120 enlisted.)

Command Staff: 120 Personnel (8 officers, 12 senior enlisted, and 100 enlisted.)

Troops: 200 pilots for SAMAS power armor, 80 aircraft pilots, and 50 soldiers (shipboard security.)


Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:

Power Armor Compliment:

 

200

USA-PA-04A SAMAS Power Armors.

Fighter/Aircraft Compliment:

 

24

FV-38 Panther II VSTOL Fighters.

 

4

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

 

8

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

 

4

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

M.D.C. by Location:

 

Mk 41 Tactical Length 8 Cell Vertical Launcher System (front of superstructure):

120.

 

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

300 each.

 

“Freya VIII” Short Range Missile Launchers (4, sides of flight deck):

120 each

 

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

50 each.

 

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

200 each

 

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

10 each.

 

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

300 each.

 

[4] Main Flight Deck:

2,500.

 

[5] Main Bridge / Superstructure:

1,500.

 

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

80.

 

[6] Main Body:

7,200.

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 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.

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

[4] If the flight deck is destroyed, only VTOL aircraft can be launched or land. VTOL aircraft are 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: 35.12 mph (30.5 knots/ 56.52 kph).

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


Statistical Data:

Draft:    33.14 feet (10.1 meters).

Length:  738.19 feet (225 meters) waterline and 762.80 feet (232.5 meters) overall.

Width:   110.89 feet (33.8 meters) waterline and 152.56 feet (46.5 meters) including flight deck.

Displacement: 30,200 tons standard and 38,600 tons fully loaded.

Cargo: Can carry 2,000 tons (1,814.4 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: Two Nuclear 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 1.5 billion or more credits. Cost does not include embarked craft and power armors.


Weapon Systems:

  1. Four (4) USA-M31 Medium Defense Rail Guns: 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.

  2. One (1) Mk 41 Tactical Length 8 Cell Vertical Launch System: Mounted in front of the superstructure, this launcher has eight cells for missiles. A very reliable vertical launcher system, dating back from the previous century, made in the USA, and exported to numerous countries. The tactical length version could not carry cruise missiles, and on the Princessa Isabel class was used almost exclusively to house long range surface to air missiles. From the beginning, the launchers have been found to be very flexible and adaptable and the launcher can carry two long range missiles or four medium range missiles per cell. Anti-Submarine rocket launched torpedoes also can be fired from the launcher (See revised Rifts torpedoes for details) although are rarely carried.

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

    Mega-Damage: As per long 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), or eight (8) missiles per melee round and can be fired at multiple targets at the same time.

    Payload: Eight (8) cells missiles in VLS launcher (possible total of 16 long range missiles).Two (2) long range missiles or four (4) medium range missiles may be carried per missile cell. Ship carries no reloads.

  3. Two (2) Mk 55 Medium Range Vertical Launch Systems: One launcher is mounted on either side of the hull of the carrier 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. Launchers 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. Four (4) “Freya VIII” Short Range Missile Box Launchers: Two of these launchers are mounted on either side of the flight deck, one on either side of the sky-jump and two on the fantail. These are 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) missiles as reloads for each launcher for a total of three-hundred and fifty-two (352) 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. 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.

  6. 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.