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U.S. ADCN-26 Yosemite class Ammunition / Stores Vessels:


By the later half of the Twenty First Century, all new vessels being constructed by the United States Navy used nuclear power and all older vessels that the Navy planned to retain for any length of time were being converted to use fusion reactors as well.


Due to this, there was no longer any need for supply vessels which provided fuel. Even most aircraft used fusion based systems. However, the Navy still needed vessels to carry ammunition and various other supplies, including food, to support combat units.


It was decided that a whole new class of vessel would be built instead of trying to convert an older class. The designation of this new class was ADCN for Auxiliary, Dry Cargo, Nuclear.


One of the requirements for the new vessels was that the ships had a top speed in excess of thirty knots so that they could keep up with most battle groups. A second requirement was that the vessels would have the ability to carry more stores than previous classes. The third feature of the vessel is that it would integrate as many stealth features as possible.


Various other features were important as well including the fact the vessel would have weapons for self defense but they were less important than the main features. Unlike previous Navy dry stores vessels, it was expected that these ships may get caught in combat zones and these ships were designed around that concept.


Twenty of these vessels were produced before the coming of the Rifts. Several are known to have been destroyed when the Rifts came. Some of these were in ports known to have been destroyed while others are with battle groups that simply disappeared. Many of the other vessels were scattered in out of the way locations and very likely might have survived. Just before the coming of the Rifts, there were plans to build eight more supply ships of similar construction although they would have been about 50 feet longer to incorporate a Mk 59 vertical launch system in the bow.


The Yosemite class is really just huge cargo vessels with special replenishment systems to enable them to resupply other vessels while at sea. The ship has the ability to carry 10,000 tons of ammunition along with 15,000 tons of other non-refrigerated cargo and 2,500 tons of refrigerated cargo. Even non-refrigerated cargo compartments are climate controlled. This is to prevent stores from spoiling or ammunition from degrading.


These ships can handle all types of ordnance up to cruise missile sized but cannot reload anything larger than a medium range missile into vertical launch missile systems of ships while underway. The United States Navy, and most navies for that matter, have always had problems loading the launchers while underway. The ship does have a heavy crane which allows the vessel to load missile cells while in port although both vessels must be tied up together. All long range missiles and cruise missiles can only be loaded into vertical launch missile systems while the vessels are tied together either at anchor or alongside a pier.


Like the vessels they were designed to support, the Yosemite class use fusion reactors for main power. These engines produced incredible amounts of power and allowed the vessels to reach a top speed of 32 knots at full power. While not quite as fast as the latest generation of naval vessels, they were considered extremely fast for support auxiliaries. The ships were designed with variable pitch propellers for greater maneuverability and so that the vessels can change speed faster than would otherwise be possible. In addition they were fitted with maneuvering thrusters.


The hull and superstructure were constructed from high strength alloys, composites, and ceramics but were constructed for the most part to civilian standards to reduce costs. Even so, any vessels that survived the coming of the Rifts may still be intact if sealed. The superstructure and hull were designed to reduce the vessel’s radar cross signature although it was far less effective than that of most combat vessels at the same time. The cargo carrying equipment is designed from radar invisible materials although they are still one of the main items that increases the vessel’s radar cross signature.


The ship was designed originally with four Mk 49 RAM (Rolling Airframe Missile) launchers but these were replaced by four Mk 44 “Sea Sabre” combination rail gun and short range missile launchers during construction. This gives the vessel the ability to protect itself from missiles leaking through the defenses of escort vessels. There was some consideration of mounting a system to launch medium range missiles but this was discarded due to cost and that it would cut into the ship’s cargo carrying capabilities. The ship does carry a reasonably capable air search radar system using a single rotating active phased array radar system. This same system is carried on the Cape Lobos class amphibious vessel and the Hazard class coast guard cutter. The system is similar to Sampson systems carried on several British vessels. The ship carries towed decoys to protect against torpedoes as well as having chaff and decoy launchers to attempt to deceive missiles.


Due to the fact that these ships are expected to get caught in combat areas and that the ships are armed, the vessels of the class were crewed by naval personnel instead of civilian merchant mariners. Also due to the fact that the ships might be called on to carry nuclear weapons, there was space set aside for carrying a compliment of marines. The policy of surface vessels not carrying nuclear warheads had been rescinded and the vessels had to equipped for the possibility. In addition, the vessel is designed with a hanger for a cargo aircraft. These are used to carry cargo to vessels the ship is supporting. Usually two Kingfisher VTOL aircraft are carried although originally nuclear converted Osprey VSTOL were embarked.


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: ADCN-26 Yosemite Class Dry Cargo Vessel.

Vehicle Type: Ocean, Auxiliary (Stores / Ammunition Vessel).

Crew: 186 (16 officers, 14 chief petty officers, 156 enlisted [Has a high degree of automation]).

Troops: 8 Kingfisher Crew members, 12 Power Armor Pilots (Generally flight capable “Semper Fi” Power Armors), and up to 20 troops for protection of special cargo.


Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:

Power Armor Compliment:

 

8

APA-15 “Semper Fi” Power Armors (with flight packs / Sometimes replaced by PA-04A SAMAS).

Aircraft Compliment:

 

2

EV-84A Kingfisher General Cargo / Search and Rescue.

M.D.C. by Location:

 

Hanger (Aft):

500.

 

[1] Rear Flight Deck

500.

 

[2] Main Bridge / Superstructure:

750.

 

[3] SPX-1A Rotating Active Phased Array Radar System:

200.

 

Cargo / Ammo Gantries (10, 5 on each side)

100 each.

 

Cargo / Missile Crane (1, center)

400.

 

Mk 44 Combination Anti-Missile Defense System (4, sides):

200 each.

 

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

10 each.

 

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

80.

 

[5] Main Body:

4,800.

Notes:

[1] If the flight deck is destroyed, no aircraft can be launched or land.

[2] If bridge / superstructure 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.

[3] Destroying the SPX-1A 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)

[4] 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.

[5] 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 20 years and requires maintenance as well). Ship normally carries years of supplies on board (Most of cargo is for the resupply of other vessels but can be used by the crew in an emergency.)


Statistical Data:

Draft:    36 feet (11.0 meters) fully loaded.

Length:  721.5 feet (219.9 meters) waterline and 755 feet (230.1 meters) overall.

Width:   105 feet (32 meters).

Displacement: 22,100 tons empty and 52,500 tons fully loaded.

Cargo: Can carry 10,000 tons (9,072 metric tones) of ammunition, 15,000 tons (13,608 metric tones) of non refrigerated dry stores, and 2,500 tons (2,268 metric tons) of refrigerated dry stores.

In addition, each enlisted crew member has a small locker for personal items and uniforms. Ship’s officers have more space for personal items.

Power System: Four nuclear fusion reactors, average life span is 20 years. Usually only goes 10 years between refueling.

Black Market Cost: Not for sale but costs around 350 million credits to construct. If found and sold on the black market would probably cost 1 to 2 billion credits. Cost does not include embarked craft and power armors.


WEAPON SYSTEMS:

  1. Four (4) Mk 44 “Sea Sabre” Combination Anti-Missile Defense Systems: One is mounted on the front of the superstructure, a second is mounted on the rear of the superstructure, and there are two mounted to either side of the superstructure. 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.

  2. Four (4) Chaff / Decoy Launchers: Located on the sides of the hull 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.

  3. 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 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: 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). & Mischa (E-Mail Mischa). Click on line drawing for a better view.

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


Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).


Copyright © 2002, 2003, & 2017, Kitsune. All rights reserved.


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