Santa María class Guided Missile Frigate:


Based heavily on the United States Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates, a total of six Santa María class frigates were eventually constructed. Constructed during the Nineteen-Eighties and early Nineteen Nineties, these frigates formed the backbone of the Spanish Navy in many respects. The first Alvaro de Bazán class guided missile frigate did not commission until almost ten years after the last of the Santa María class.


In most respects, they were similar to the standard Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates with the same SPS-49 radar and Mk 13 single missile launcher. Many other systems were shared by the American and Spanish frigates. Otherwise, these frigates were slightly wider than the American version of the guided missile frigate. In addition, the original Mk 15 Phalanx CIWS were replaced by the Meroka 12 barrel CIWS in early service.


Starting in the Twenty-Twenties, it was planned to give these frigates a mid life update. This update was to have included replacing outdated electronics, upgrading fire control, upgrading the electronic warfare suite, along with general habitability improvements. Of course the updated included repairing worn and stressed out equipment as well in order to extend these frigate’s service lives.


When the first frigate was being updated, it was decided to more comprehensively upgrade these frigates. Various upgrades were looked at including those of the Australian and Turkish navies. Even the Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates operated by Taiwan were looked at. However, it was decided to more ambitious upgrade the Spanish frigates than any of the prior Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates.


Probably the single most important difference with the updated Santa María class compared to other upgrades was that instead of simply adding an eight cell Mk 41 missile launcher forward of the Mk 13 single missile launcher, the Mk 13 was replaced with twenty-four self defense length Mk 41 launchers. With ninety-six RIM-162 Block 2 Enhance Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM), the ability of these frigates to defend both themselves and other vessels was vastly improved.


In order to improve close in defense, it was decided to replace the Meroka 12 barrel CIWS with the American SeaRAM system. Firing the RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile, the missile system used the basic Mk 15 Phalanx system although with a capacity for eleven missiles. Infra-Red homing, these missile were both longer ranged and far more effective than the gun system that they replaced.


With the removal of the Mk 13 launcher, these frigates would lose their ability to fire the RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile. In order to restore the ability to fire anti-ship missiles, it was decided to mount Mk 141 missile canisters on either side of the superstructure. Their positions were similar to those of the Hsiung Feng missiles carried on the Cheng Kung class operated by the navy of Taiwan.


In common with the Turkish frigates, the original SPS-49 was replaced by the Smart-S radar system. While shorter ranged, the Smart-S was a rotating phased array design with far better tracking and targeting ability than the radar it replaced. The hull sonar also received minor upgrades which improved the performance slightly. Initially the towed array sonar was deleted from the frigates but were later replaced by a French designed towed sonar array.


Otherwise, most of the basic plans for the class with regard to the mid life update were made part of the upgrade program. While the electronic warfare suite was of already of Spanish design, the new system was a significant improvement over the prior system. Propulsion controls were also updated, making the frigates slightly more fuel efficient as well as making the engines easier to manage.


When in the Twenty-Thirties and the revolution in new high strength materials, these frigates became effectively obsolete even though just having gone through major upgrades. There was some consideration given toward retiring these vessels due to age but it seemed a shame to waste the money spent on upgrading these vessels. As a result, even though the Santa María class frigates were relatively old, it was decided to refit them with the new advanced materials. New ordinance types replaced the original ordinance at the same time. Even so, they tended to serve in secondary roles to the refitted Alvaro de Bazán class frigates.


Later there was a second revolution when the promise of fusion power was final realized. Small compact fusion reactors to power aircraft were soon developed as well. Even though there were arguments for retiring these older frigates, it was decided to refit them with fusion turbines replacing the original LM-2500 gas turbine engines. Even over the course of a few years, fusion engines would pay for themselves in terms of fuel consumption compared to conventional engines. Limiters needed to be put on the fusion engines so not to destroy the shafts. Still, top speed was improved to around thirty-two knots with the new engines.


Still, these frigates were old and only served a handful of more years before being retired. With tensions continuing to rise, it was decided to mothball them to reserve status instead of scrapping them. Carefully preserved, there they sat for many years. At various times there were proposals to reactivate them and at other times there were proposals to scrap them.


Eventually the Great Cataclysm occurred and took the fate of these frigates out from the hands of the Spanish government. It is unknown how many, if any, of these frigates survived the destruction that followed. Still, the refitting of these vessels using advanced composites and alloys means that they would be virtually immune to the effects of the environment and even some accidental damage. It is quite possible that one or more might be able to be restored back to service.


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: Upgraded F81 Santa María class Frigate.

Class: Guided Missile Frigate.

Crew: 215 total; 18 officers, 20 chief petty officers, and 177 enlisted.


Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:

Power Armor Compliment:

 

10

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

Aircraft Compliment:

 

2

Helicopters or other VTOL Aircraft.

M.D.C. by Location:

 

Bridge:

420.

 

[1] Signaal Smart-S Air / Surface Search Radar (superstructure):

150.

 

[2] OTO-Melara Single Barrel 3 inch (76-mm)/62-cal DP Barrel (1, gun mount):

60.

 

OTO-Melara Single Barrel 3 inch (76-mm)/62-cal DP Mount (1, superstructure):

180.

 

Mk 41 Self Defense Length 24 Cell Vertical Launch System (1, forward):

180.

 

Mk 141 Missile Canisters (8 total, 4 on each side of superstructure):

100 each.

 

Mk 15 SeaRAM Short Range Missile System (1, above hanger):

100.

 

Mk 32 Triple 12.75 inch (324 mm) Medium Torpedo Launchers (2, sides):

35 each.

 

[2] Mk 36 Chaff /Decoy Launchers (2, superstructure):

10 each.

 

Hanger (aft):

250.

 

VTOL / Helicopter Pad (aft):

200.

 

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

50.

 

[3] Main Body:

775.

Notes:

[1] Destroying the Smart-S rotating phased array radar panel will destroy the ship’s main fire control systems but the vessel has backup systems with a shorter range (Equal to robot vehicle sensors.)

[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: 36.8 mph (32 knots/ 59.3 kph).

Range: Effectively Unlimited due to fusion engines (needs to refuel every 15 years and requires maintenance as well). Ship carries six (6) months of supplies on board.


Statistical Data:

Draft:    18.7 feet (5.7 meters) hull and 28.2 feet (8.6 meters) including forward sonar array.

Length:  408 feet (124 meters) waterline and 455.38 feet (138.8 meters) overall.

Width:   46.91 feet (14.3 meters)

Displacement: 3,710 tons light and 4,350 tons fully loaded.

Cargo: Can carry 80 tons (72.6 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: Originally conventional gas turbine propulsion, converted to two fusion turbines reactors with an average life span of 15 years.

Black Market Price: Not for sale but if found on the black market would probably cost 150 million credits or more if intact and operational. Cost does not include embarked craft and power armors.


Weapon Systems:

  1. 1 One (1) OTO-Melara 3 inch (76-mm) 62-cal DP Naval Gun: The ship mounts a rapid fire three inch gun mount at approximately in the middle of the superstructure. The gun is very reliable and fires very rapidly (About 85 rounds per minute). The main weaknesses of the gun are its relatively short range and the fact it cannot use rocket assisted projectiles. The gun was carried on many ship classes around the world until well into the Twenty-First century. The guns can be used against other ships, ground targets, aircraft, and even missiles. Theses guns were among the smallest that could use a proximity fuse for their warheads.

    Maximum Effective Range: 4.9 miles (4.3 nautical miles/8.0 km) for standard projectiles

    Mega-Damage: High Explosive: 1D4x10 M.D.C. with 10 foot (3 meters) blast radius per single shot and 3D4x10 M.D.C. with 20 foot (6.1 meters) blast radius for three round burst. High Explosive Armor Piercing: 1D6x10 M.D.C. with 4 foot (1.2 meters) blast radius per single shot and 3D6x10 M.D.C. with 8 foot (2.4 meter) blast radius for three round burst. Plasma: 2D4x10 M.D.C. with 12 foot (3.7 m) blast radius per single shot and 6D4x10 M.D.C. with 25 foot (7.6 meter) blast radius for three round burst.

    Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the gunner (Three round bursts count as one attack.)

    Payload: 360 rounds. Ship normally carries usually carries 135 High Explosive, 135 High Explosive Armor Piercing, and 90 Plasma.

  2. One (1) Mk 41 Self Defense Length 24 Cell Vertical Launch System: This forward launcher has twenty-four cells for medium range missiles and replaces original Mk 13 single rail launcher. These launchers are the short launchers only able to fire medium range missiles. The launchers were originally designed for the RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) which could be quad packed. In later service, these launchers have been adapted to hold four medium range missiles per cell. Missiles are used primarily for defense against aircraft 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: Can fire medium range missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2), four (4), four (4), or twelve (12) medium range missiles per melee round and can be fired at multiple targets at the same time.

    Payload: Twenty-four (24) missile cells in the VLS launcher (Can carry a total of 96 medium range missiles). Only medium range missiles can be carried with each cell able to carry four (4) medium range missiles. Ship carries no reloads.

  3. Eight (8) Mk 141 Long Range Missile Canister Launchers: These launchers are special canisters with four on each side of the ship’s superstructure. They mount on the deck of the vessel and are effectively bolted on. While the launchers are reusable, they are still inexpensive and are easily jettisoned if damaged. Originally designed for the RGM-84 Harpoon missile but adapted for a larger variety of ordnance. While any long range missile type can be carried, usually special surface skimming missiles will be carried in launchers and are used against surface targets only.

    Maximum Effective Range: As per long range missile type (Surface skimming missiles have 25% less range than normal long range missiles, see revised bomb and missile tables for details.)

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

    Rate of Fire: Can fire long range missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2), four (4), or eight (8) long range missiles with all launchers operating together.

    Payload: One (1) long range missile each launcher for a grand total of eight (8) long range missiles (Has no missiles in storage for reloads.)

  4. One (1) Mk 15 SeaRAM Rolling Airframe Missile Launcher: Mounted above the hanger and replaces the Meroka 12 barrel 20 mm point defense mount. This weapon system is a modification of the Mk 15 Phalanx CIWS which replaces the 20 mm Vulcan cannon with eleven short range missiles. Originally designed to fire the RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) but later modified to fire a wider variety of short range missiles. Pont defense mount can engage up to six targets per melee round. Short Range Missiles are usually a mixture of 50% Armor Piercing and 50% Plasma.

    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: Fires short range missiles one at a time but is able to fire short range missiles up to six (6) times per melee round.

    Payload: Eleven (11) short range missiles.

  5. Two (2) Mk 32 Triple 12.75 inch (324 mm) Torpedo Launchers: There is one torpedo mount on each side of the ship. Each torpedo mount has three torpedo tubes and tubes are 12.75 in (324 mm) wide. Torpedoes are normally used against submarines but can be targeted on surface targets as well. Interceptor torpedoes are also available for launchers / tubes to use against incoming torpedoes. Ship carries thirty-six reloads for torpedoes. 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 torpedoes one at a time or in volleys of two (2) or three (3) torpedoes per side. Reloading tubes requires two (2) full melee rounds.

    Payload: Three (3) medium torpedoes each launcher for a grand total of six (6) medium torpedoes. Has a total of thirty-six (36) medium torpedoes for reloads.

  6. Two (2) Mk 36 Super RBOC 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 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 forty-eight (48) canisters.

  7. Two (2) SLQ-25F Nixie Towed Torpedo Decoys: A special decoy which is towed behind the ship. The Coalition has not seen a need for this system so has not equipped their ships with it. It generates a sound like the ships propellers in order to confuse incoming torpedoes. Only effective at speeds below 25 knots. Otherwise, the noise of the ship’s systems and propellers is too powerful to mask. Rifts Earth decoys systems are assumed to not be effective against Phase World / Three Galaxies guidance systems due to technological difference.

    M.D.C.: 5 each.

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

    Effects: The decoy has a 65% chance of fooling ordinary non military sonars and non smart guided torpedoes, the decoy has a 35% chance of fooling military level sonars (like those of the Coalition) and non “smart” torpedoes, and the decoy has a 10% chance of fooling advanced military sonars (Like those of the New Navy and Triax) and “smart” torpedoes.

    Payload: One ready to use, with one more ready to deploy. It takes approximately three minutes (twelve melee rounds) to reel out another decoy.

Special Systems:

The ship has all systems standard on a robot vehicle plus the following special features:


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Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).


Copyright © 2018, Kitsune. All rights reserved.


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