U.S. Coast Guard Harriet Lane class Medium Endurance Cutter:


During the second and third decades of the Twenty-First Century, the older Reliance and Bear class cutters were replaced with a new medium cutter class. The design was known as the “Offshore Patrol Cutter” and these vessels were quite a bit larger than those classes and rivaled high endurance cutters in size. A total of around two dozen of these vessels were built.


The Twenty-First Century was a time of military tensions with the Soviet state being reborn along with problems in the Asian Pacific theater. With the United States navy becoming stretched with its various commitments, it was decide to expand the Coast Guard forces in order deal with the domestic realm. Along with high endurance cutters, a number of medium endurance were built. There were plans for new advanced designs under development but there had been a number of delays. As a result, it was decided to base the new class off the previous cutter designs.


 The class of medium coast guard cutters was named for Harriet Lane, niece and official hostess of President James Buchanan. Several previous cutters had been named for her. Even though several new coast guard classes had entered service since these medium cutters had been built, there were no real plans to retire this twenty-five strong class of medium cutters. As a result, they all remained in service when the Earth was transformed with the coming of the Rifts.


As far as engineering, there had been one major development since the construction of the new cutters. This was in the high strength composites and alloys. This allowed vessels to withstand far more damage as well as being virtually immune to corrosion. As a result, there was some delays incorporated these new materials in the new medium coast guard cutter design.


Initially, these medium cutters were powered by four powerful diesel engines. The four turbo charged diesel engines gave a range of almost ten thousand nautical miles at economical speeds and with a top speed of around twenty-six knots. Later, with the introduction of fusion power plants, a pair of light fusion plants replaced the four diesel engines. Producing similar power, the speed of the cutter is basically unchanged. Still these fusion plants gave the cutter virtually unlimited range, further blurring the line between high endurance and medium endurance cutter designs.


As built, these vessels were comparatively lightly armed when compared to most naval vessels. Weaponry was limited to a single 57 mm cannon in the bow and a single 20 mm Phalanx CIWS above the hanger. On the sides of the cutter, a pair of .50 caliber machine guns are also often mounted as well. While the 57 mm cannon was not replaced, the 20 mm Phalanx mount was replaced in later upgrades with the more effective “Sea Sabre” mounts. This mount carries a rail gun along with short range missiles. The .50 caliber machine guns were replaced with medium rail guns as well. These rail guns are identical to the main of the SAMAS power armor. Of course, the crew is also usually armed with small arms and body armor, usually U.S. Navy surplus gear.


Electronics are more sophisticated than previous vessels with the EADS 3D TRS-16 (SPS-75) Air Search Radar being the heart of the new systems. A phased array medium range radar, it has a range of up to around two hundred kilometers. Other system include an SLQ-32 electronic warfare suite and a missile decoy system. In the stern, a container can be carried with a towed array sonar for anti-submarine warfare although is rarely carried in service. Otherwise, the boat is limited to a comparatively short range hull sonar. The cutter has a pair of towed torpedo decoys as an additional self defense system.


Compared to older vessels, these are designed to operated with much smaller crew compliments. They are designed to operate with a crew of around sixty. In addition, they are designed to carry a troop compliment of thirty-two, usually coast guard personnel as well. In later services, six power armors were often embarked. Semper-Fi power armors were usually reserved for active U.S. Navy vessels. As a result, usually PA-04A SAMAS power armors embarked when power armors are embarked. However, though the more advanced marine power armor may be embarked on occasion. In addition to a single place hanger, the medium cutter is designed to carry a large number of small boats. In early service, a helicopter was embarked but in later service was replaced by a Kingfisher VTOL. Rarely were drones embarked instead of manned 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: WMEC-1050 class Medium Endurance Cutter.

Vehicle Type: Ocean, Light Frigate.

Crew: 62; 6 officers, 6 Chief Petty officers, and 50 enlisted (Has a high degree of automation)

Troops: 3 to 6 Kingfisher Crew members, 6 Power Armor Pilots (Usually PA-4A SAMAS Power Armors), and up to 26 troops for boarding parties.


Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:

Power Armor Compliment:

 

6

USA-PA-04A SAMAS Power Armors (Optional APA-15 “Semper Fi” with flight packs.)

Aircraft Compliment:

 

1

EV-84A Kingfisher Search and Rescue or EVS-84A Kingfisher Anti-Submarine Warfare.

M.D.C. by Location:

 

Bridge:

280.

 

[1] EADS 3D TRS-16 (SPS-75) Rotating Phased Array Radar System:

120.

 

[2] BAE Systems Mk 110 Single Barrel 57 mm / 70 Barrel (1, gun mount):

60.

 

BAE Systems Mk 110 Single Barrel 57 mm / 70 Gun Mount (forward):

200.

 

[2] USA-M31 Medium Defense Rail Guns (2, sides):

50 each.

 

Mk 44 “Sea Sabre” Combination Anti-Missile Defense System (1, above hanger):

200.

 

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

10 each.

 

Hanger (aft):

200.

 

VTOL Pad (aft):

160.

 

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

80.

 

[3] Main Body:

750.

Notes:

[1] Destroying the TRS-16 (SPS-75) rotating phased array radar panel will destroy the vessel’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 vessel to lose structural integrity, causing the vessel to sink. There are enough life preservers and inflatable life boats to accommodate everyone on the vessel.


Speed:

Surface: 29.9 mph (26 knots/ 48.2 kph).

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


Statistical Data:

Draft:    13.5 feet (4.1 meters) including hull sonar.

Length:  324.4 feet (98.9 meters).

Width:   44.6 feet (13.6 meters).

Displacement: 2,400 tons standard and 2,550 tons fully loaded.

Cargo: Can carry 50 tons (45.3 metric tons) of nonessential equipment and supplies. Each enlisted crew member has a small locker for personal items and uniforms. Vessel’s officers have more space for personal items. Most of the vessel’s spaces are taken up by extra ammo, armor, troops, weapons, and engines.

Power System: Originally conventional diesel propulsion, converted to two nuclear fusion reactors with an average life span of 20 years.

Market Cost: Not for sale but if found on the black market would probably cost 250 to 300 million credits. Cost does not include embarked craft and power armors.


WEAPON SYSTEMS:

  1. One (1) BAE Systems Mk 110 Single Barrel 57 mm / 70 Gun Mount: A very rapid firing weapon, with a rate of fire of over 200 rounds per minute, but relatively short ranged. The cannon is mounted on the front of the vessel. This weapon is an original weapon system and was carried on many Naval vessels until well into the Twenty First century. The guns can be used against other ships, ground targets, aircraft, and even missiles. Has a +2 to hit on 10 round bursts when using high explosive or plasma projectiles on aircraft or missiles.

    Maximum Effective Range: 5.2 miles (4.5 nautical miles/8.3 km) for standard projectiles.

    Mega-Damage: High Explosive: 5D6 with 6 foot (1.8 meter) blast radius per single shot and 3D6x10 M.D.C. with 30 foot (9.1 meter) blast radius for ten round burst. High Explosive Armor Piercing: 1D4x10 M.D.C. with 2 foot (0.6 meter) blast radius per single shot and 4D6x10 M.D.C. with 10 foot (3 meter) blast radius for ten round burst. Plasma: 1D6x10 M.D.C. with 8 foot (2.4 meter) blast radius per single shot and 6D6x10 M.D.C. with 40 foot (12.2 meter) blast radius for ten round burst.

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

    Payload: 880 rounds. Vessel normally carries usually carries 260 High Explosive, 260 High Explosive Armor Piercing, and 260 Plasma.

  2. Two (2) USA-M31 Medium Defense Rail Guns: Originally M2HB .50 Caliber Machine Guns were fitted in these locations. These weapons are mounted with one on either side of the superstructure 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. One (1) Mk 44 “Sea Sabre” Combination Anti-Missile Defense Systems: Replace the original 20 mm Phalanx CIWS mount. Mounted above the hanger, this anti-missile defense system combines both a rapid fire rail gun and a short range missile launcher. While mounted in one system, both defense systems have separate tracking and fire control systems. The short range missile launchers can target up four targets and can fire a volley up to twice per melee. Quite powerful, the rail gun is capable of destroying any missile or inflicting serious damage on aircraft. The rail gun can fire on automatic at up to six targets per melee (Has +3 to strike missiles and +2 to strike aircraft). In its design, the rail gun is very similar to those carried on the Sea King cruiser and it is likely that the Sea King’s rail guns came from a prototype of this system. The system also can be used against other ships and ground targets. The system has a 360 degree rotation and can elevate up to 90 degrees to fire at targets directly overhead.

    Maximum Effective Range: Rail Guns: 11,000 feet (2 miles / 3.2 km). Short Range Missiles: As per short range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)

    Mega-Damage: Rail Guns: 3D4x10 M.D. per burst of 40 rounds (Can only fire bursts). Short Range Missiles: As per short range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)

    Rate of Fire: Rail Guns: Six (6) attacks per melee round. Short Range Missiles: Two (2) attacks per melee round, can fire short range missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2) or four (4) short range missiles.

    Payload: Rail Guns: 8,000 rounds (200 burst) each. Short Range Missiles: Sixteen (16) short range missiles each.

  4. Two (2) Chaff / Decoy Launchers: Located on the superstructure of the vessel, 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 Vessel.

    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.

  5. Two (2) SLQ-52B Naiad Advanced Towed Torpedo Decoys: The vessel carries two 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 vessel 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: Two (2) towed decoys.

Special Systems:

The vessel 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 © 2014, 2017, & 2018, Kitsune. All rights reserved.


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