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U.S. CVN-82 Ranger class Nuclear Multi-Role Aircraft Carrier:

New Navy Intelligence Report 2320.25
Top Secret

Before the Coalition was able to recover three carriers from the remnants of the pre-Rifts Norfolk Naval Base, the conclusion had been that all United States surface carriers had been destroyed when the Rifts were triggered. When the Rifts appeared, the United States Navy operated a total of sixteen carriers including five carriers of the Ranger class.


While our personnel has done some searching for the Saratoga class stealth carriers because it was thought that these ships would have a greater chance of survival, it had been thought that none of the other carriers had a reasonable chance of survival. The two most promising locations are the bunkers built on the West Coast of the United States to house carriers. These bunkers are similar to those that had been built in Norfolk and were located in both Alameda California and Bremerton Washington.


These bunkers were built just before the coming of the Rifts and are constructed of advanced materials and like the bunkers in Norfolk, they are likely to have survived. This report recommends the search is widened to these locations and have the Ranger class carrier class be added to our list of carriers we are searching for. Like the Saratoga class carriers, these vessels would make a good basis to form a surface fleet around and could be used as flagship.


The Ranger class carriers were initially designed as replacements for the Nimitz class carriers which were being decommissioned. Due to a series of delays, the first of the Ranger class was not completed until ten years after was initially planned. One of the major reasons for the delay were alterations during the design phase including replacing the standard nuclear reactors with fusion reactors.


CVN-82, U.S.S. Ranger, was completed in 2051 and was the first vessel of the class completed. The next four carriers of the class were completed approximately three years apart. USS Constellation (CVN-83) was completed in 2054, U.S.S. Kitty Hawk (CVN-84) was completed in 2057, U.S.S. Lexington (CVN-85) was completed in 2061, and U.S.S. Intrepid (CVN-86) was the final carrier of the class and was commissioned in 2065. The class was stopped at five carriers because little need was seen for more carriers by the government due to there being comparative peace worldwide. Eventually this changed when tensions increased however new carrier designs were developed instead of constructing additional Ranger class carriers. Still, the Ranger class carriers were an important element in the fleet and even though the lead carrier was close to fifty years old, there were no plans for decommissioning these carriers.


The Ranger class was well constructed and sturdy vessels that have several advantages over previous classes. The Ranger class carrier took advantage of advanced alloys and composites from the beginning and would be less effected by corrosion than previous carrier class. This should greatly reduce any refit that the carriers require. While the carrier includes some radar cross signature reduction, it is far less than was incorporated into the Saratoga class carrier.


The design also included more automation when compared to previous carrier classes as well and require far fewer crew members. In comparison, the Ranger class required about sixty percent less crew than the old Nimitz class carrier. The vessels used four powerful fusion reactors which gave the vessel a top speed of 36 knots.


While the Ranger had a similar sized air wing to older carriers, the ship had powerful electromagnetic catapults that were more efficient than the steam catapults on the Nimitz class carrier. The ship was fitted with catapults and arresting gear even though most aircraft designs under development were VTOL designs. Initially, ungraded versions of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter were carried but were soon replaced by more advanced designs including the FV-38 Panther II. By the coming of the Rifts, the main fighter compliment was composed of the advanced FV-35 Sea Hawk fighter.


The Ranger class used a phased array radar system capable of tracking for both defense and air control. The carrier design carried a hull sonar system so that the carrier was not completely dependent on its escorts in that regard. All weaponry on the vessels were defensive and mostly designed to strop incoming missile strikes. The Mk 55, a new vertical launch missile launcher system with a multiple reload system was designed to launch missiles for medium range defense of the carrier. The first two ships of the class initially carried four Mk 15 Phalanx point defense Gatling cannons and two short range Mk 49 RAM missile launchers for inner point defense. These mounts were replaced by four Mk 44 “Sea Sabre” combination rail gun and short range missile launchers in later ships and upgraded in the first two ships of the class during refits. Long range defense was normally performed by escort vessels but the carrier was well protected against missile strikes in general.


The status of the carriers recovered by the Coalition is interesting. The Coalition recovered two Ranger class carriers, CVN-82 U.S.S. Ranger which they renamed C.S.S. Quebec and CVN-85 U.S.S. Lexington which they renamed C.S.S. Lone Star. In some cases, the Coalition has reverted weapon systems that are derived from older systems. A careful check of records has revealed the reasoning behind this. The two Ranger class carriers, U.S.S. Ranger and U.S.S. Lexington, were being refitted at the time the Rifts appeared and the point defense rail gun / short range mounts had been removed to be upgraded at a nearby maintenance facility that was likely destroyed. Some reports indicate that the Coalition has mounted long range missile launchers with huge payloads for defense weaponry but this is false. Intelligence indicates that the standard Mk 55 medium range vertical missile launchers have been retained. The sonar systems appears to have been replaced by older systems as well. A likely reason for this is that like the point defense guns, the sonar systems had been sent to a maintenance facility for updating.


As with the point defense weaponry and sonar system, it appears that the Coalition has not recovered any FV-45 Sea Hawk class fighters. No reserve FV-38 Panther II fighters appear to have been recovered either. It is believed that Naval Air Station Oceania, where the air wings would have been located, was completely destroyed.


Instead, the Coalition uses a combination of old Pre-Rifts fighter designs and new designs that the Coalition developed. It is believed that the older United States fighters are mostly a stopgap measure. The use of sky cycles is interesting because while a large number can be carried, the aircraft are slow and have a fraction of the capabilities of a real fighter. There have also been reports of the vessels carrying four Death Bringer class armored personnel carriers. These craft are massive, far heavier than any aircraft ever operated from the carriers, and the flight deck of the carriers simply could not support them.


The size of the crew has been increased in Ranger class carriers in service in the Coalition. This is believed to be because the crew is less well trained than United States Navy crews were in shipboard operations. The Coalition also has placed a huge number of marines on the vessel. The Coalition carriers carry a vast number of different power armor and fighter designs. This is believed to impede the general operations of the carrier due to a lack of similar capabilities in embarked vehicles. As a result, the added personnel have caused the carriers to be far more cramped than the vessels had been in United States Navy service.


A secondary note is on CVN 73, U.S.S. George Washington which they renamed C.S.S. Joseph Prosek. The vessel was commissioned in 1992 and had been used as a training carrier while most of the Nimitz class carriers had been scrapped. The carrier had been decommissioned in 2072 and put into mothball status. The carrier had been scheduled for scrapping but plans for scrapping had been delayed after the Guada Marta incident. Refitting the vessel was considered but never actually authorized. After the commissioning of the U.S.S. Ticonderoga, the ship was again scheduled to be scrapped but the carrier was still in United States Navy custody. All weapon systems, radar systems, and aircraft gear such as catapults were either removed or deactivated. The ship also lacks many of the new systems carried on the Ranger class carriers.

End of report

Authors Notes: This is an expansion of the vessels presented in Coalition Navy, correcting some errors and expanding on the vessels in other ways.


In addition 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: CVN-82 Ranger class Multi Purpose Aircraft Carrier.

Vehicle Type: Ocean, Multi Purpose Aircraft Carrier.

Crew:

United States Navy: Ships Crew: 1,420 (125 officers, 135 chief petty officers, and 1160 enlisted [Has a high degree of automation]) Air Wing: 1,060 (250 Pilots, 50 flight deck officers, and 760 enlisted).

Coalition Navy: Ships Crew: 1,650 (140 officers, 160 chief petty officers, and 1,350 enlisted [Has a high degree of automation]) Air Wing: 1,170 (220 Pilots, 80 flight deck officers, and 870 enlisted).

Troops:

United States Navy: 520 (160 pilots for “Semper Fi” Power Armors, 160 pilots for SAMAS power Armor, and 200 soldiers in body armor).

Coalition Navy: 752 (Includes 480 flying power armor pilots, 40 underwater power armor pilots, 6 Sea Spider Pilots, 20 Hellraiser pilots, one company of 160 Sea Dogs, squad of 10 Nautical Commando troops, and 36 Naval Infantry RTL Commandos).


Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:

United States Navy:

Power Armor Compliment:

 

120

USA-PA-04A SAMAS Power Armors.

 

120

APA-15 “Semper Fi” Power Armors (with flight packs).

Fighter/Aircraft Compliment:

 

6

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

 

6

EVE-84A Kingfisher Utility VTOLs - Electronics Warfare Model.

 

6

EVS-84A Kingfisher Utility VTOLs - Anti-Submarine Warfare.

 

36

FV-45 Sea Hawk VSTOL Jet Fighters.

 

24

FV-45-SW Sea Hawk VTOL Jet Stealth Fighters.

 

6

FV-45-EW Sea Hawk VTOL Jet Jamming Fighters.

 

12

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

Coalition Navy:

Power Armors Compliment:

 

24

PA-06A “Death’s Head” SAMAS Power Armor.

 

24

PA-07A “Smiling Jack” Light Assault SAMAS Power Armor.

 

20

PA-08A Special Forces “Striker” SAMAS Power Amor.

 

180

PA-09A Super SAMAS Power Armor.

 

120

PA-10A Amphibious “Sea SAMAS” Power Armor.

 

40

PA-20B Trident Light Amphibious Power Armor.

Fighter/Aircraft Compliment:

 

24

F-14D+ Super Tomcats Interceptors / FA-18E/F Super Hornet Multi-Role Fighters.

 

24

CSN-115 “Sea Striker” Jet Fighters.

 

12

CSN-117 “Shrike” Interceptors.

 

12

CSN-118 “Dagger”Stealth Bombers.

 

6

CSN-120 “Eagle” Unmanned Drone.

 

6

CH-10N Sea Storm helicopters.

 

4

CH-12N Sea Wasp helicopters.

 

24

AFC-023 Sky Cycles.

Other Vehicles:

 

2

CSN-0006 Sea-Spider Walkers.

 

10

IAR-4 Hellraiser Infantry Assault Robots.

M.D.C. by location:

 

Point Defense Mounts:

 

 

 

Mk 44 Combination Anti-Missile System (4, flight deck - US Navy):

200 each.

 

 

CIWS C90R Rail Gun Mounts (4, flight deck - Coalition):

120 each.

 

Light Gun Mounts:

 

 

 

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

50 each.

 

 

[1] C-40R Medium Defense Rail Guns (4, sides - Coalition):

50 each.

 

Mk 55 Medium Range 8 Cell Vertical Launch Systems (2, flight deck):

300 each.

 

[1] Chaff / Decoy Launchers (4, hull / superstructure - US Navy):

10 each.

 

[2] SPY-4C Phase Array Radar Panels (4, superstructure):

200 each.

 

[3] Electromagnetic Catapults (4, flight deck):

100 each.

 

[3] Electromagnetic Arrester Cables (4, flight deck):

50 each.

 

[4] Elevators (4, sides):

400 each.

 

Hanger Doors (4, sides):

400 each.

 

[5] Flight Deck:

4,000.

 

[6] Bridge / Command Tower:

3,200.

 

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

80.

 

[7] Main Body:

12,000.

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 SPY-4 phased array radar panels will destroy the ship’s fire control systems but secondary systems have backup systems and panels can partially compensate for each other. All bonuses are lost if panels are destroyed.

[3] If the catapults are destroyed, non VTOL or STOL aircraft cannot be launched. If arrester cables are destroyed, non VTOL or STOL aircraft cannot land until arrester cables are replaced.

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

[5] If the flight decks are destroyed, only VTOL aircraft can be launched or land. VTOL aircraft are at -15% to piloting.

[6] If 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.

[7] Destroying the main body destroys propulsion and power systems, disabling the ship. The ship is fitted with advanced polymer armors that allow the ship to withstand up to -2,000 M.D.C. before losing structural integrity and sinking. There are enough life preservers and inflatable life boats to accommodate everyone on the ship.


Speed:

Surface: 41.5 mph (36 knots/ 66.7 kph).

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


Statistical Data:

Draft:    40 feet (12.2 meters).

Length:  1,057.5 feet (322.3 meters) waterline and 1,110 feet (338.3 meters) overall.

Width:   135.5 feet (41.3 meters) waterline and 240 feet (73.2 meters) flight deck.

Displacement: 82,500 tons standard and 112,600 tons fully loaded.

Cargo: Can carry 10,000 tons (9,072 metric tons) [6,000 tons (5,443 metric tons) on Coalition vessels] 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: 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 1.5 billion credits to construct. If found and sold on the black market would probably cost 5 to 8 billion credits. It is believed that Golden Age Weaponsmiths sold the carriers to the Coalition for about 2 billion credits each although still partially stripped. Cost does not include embarked craft and power armors.


WEAPON SYSTEMS:

  1. Four (4) Defensive Gun Mounts: Originally M2HB .50 Caliber Machine Guns were fitted in these locations. These gun mounts are designed to give defense primarily against attacking small boats and similar threats. Not considered effective against aircraft or missiles. Mounted on the sides of the hull, they are often unmanned when the carrier is actually underway.

    1. Four (4) USA-M31 Medium Defense Rail Guns (U.S. Navy): 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. Four (4) C-40R Medium Defense Rail Guns (Coalition Navy): These are the same basic rail guns as are carried by the Coalition PA-06A “Death’s Head” SAMAS Power Armor. Unlike the U.S. Navy mounts, they only have the normal ammo drum although a second ammo drum is read to use

      Weight: Gun: 92 lbs (41.4 kg), Ammo-Drum: 190 lbs(85.5 kg).

      Maximum Effective Range: 4000 feet (1200 meters)

      Mega-Damage: A burst is 40 rounds and inflicts 1D4x10 M.D.,one round does 1D4 M.D.

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

      Payload: Each has 3,000 round drum for 75 bursts. A second ammo drum is mounted next to the rail gun and is ready to use.

  2. Four (4) Point Defense Mounts: Replaces original Mk 15 Vulcan CIWS and Mk 49 RAM launchers. These weapons are out on the sides of the hull below the carrier’s flight deck. Two are forward on either side of the flight deck and the other two mounts are mounted toward the rear on either side of the rear of the carrier.

    1. Four (4) Mk 44 “Sea Sabre” Combination Anti-Missile Defense Systems (U.S. Navy): These mounts are carried on the United States version of the carrier. 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) Coalition CIWS C90R Gatling Rail Guns (Coalition Navy): Carried on the Ranger class carriers operated by the Coalition. This is a close copy of the original pre-rifts weapon system but the tracking system has been improved and refined to have better hit probability against missiles. The most obvious modification is that the auto cannon has been replaced by a six-barrel rapid fire rail gun that fires 20 mm special discarding sabot rounds. Like the original Mk 15 Phalanx, the system is unmanned and fully automated. It is designed to have a much greater payload than the original pre-rifts auto cannon CIWS system. The weapons can be used on surface targets as well as against missiles and aircraft. Each rail gun can fire on automatic at up to six targets per melee (Has +4 to strike missiles and +2 to strike aircraft).

      Maximum Effective Range: 6,000 feet (1,828 meters).

      Mega-Damage: 3D4x10 for a burst of 60 rounds.

      Rate of Fire: Six (6) bursts per melee for each mount (Has +4 to strike missiles and +2 to strike aircraft).

      Payload: 6,000 rounds (100 bursts) each.

  3. Two (2) Mk 55 Medium Range Vertical Launch Systems: 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) Chaff / Decoy Launchers (US Navy Only): 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.

  5. Four (4) SLQ-52B Naiad Advanced Towed Torpedo Decoys (US Navy Only): 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. ]

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Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).


Copyright © 2001, 2002, & 2017, Kitsune. All rights reserved.


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