Australian Swan class Frigate:

In the beginning of the Twentieth-First Century, the combat arm of the Australian navy was composed of strictly frigates. For most of the Twentieth Century, the Australian navy was far larger and included a battle cruiser, carriers, cruisers, and destroyers. The Australian navy had shrunk greatly over the years. The frigate forces of the Australian consisted of six Adelaide class frigates, a copy of the American Perry class frigate, and eight Anzac class frigates, a derivative of the German MEKO 200 class. The Anzac class frigates were lightly armed but were designed to be upgraded with additional weapon systems and additional electronics. These vessels served the Australian navy faithfully but the Australian navy was still a fraction of its former glory. With the revolution in super strong materials, it was decided that the Anzac class would be upgraded but the older Adelaide class would be taken out of service. Two of the old frigates had already been taken from service to provide parts for the remaining vessels. Instead of upgrading the Adelaide class, it was decided that a new class of frigates would be developed. Initially, the design was planned to be simply a maximum armed version of the Anzac class with some limited updates. The Anzac class had been upgraded through their service lives and had their electronics and weaponry greatly increased.

It was decided that the frigate would be more capable than the Anzac design with greater missile defense. While the Anzac class was used as the basis for the new frigate class, the design would require many changes and would be virtually unrecognizable as being developed from the Anzac class. The design was longer and had the superstructure greatly altered. At first only four of these new frigates were planned but this was later increased to six. The first ship was laid down in Twenty-Thirty Three and was commissioned three years later in Twenty-Thirty Six. Four additional frigates were built for New Zealand. A new destroyer class was planned in the Twenty-Forties but was later dropped in favor of five more Swan class frigates. These eleven frigates form the bulk of the Australian naval forces until Australia became an unofficial member of POMA (Pacific Ocean Military Alliance) with Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, in 2053. At that point, a massive expansion program was begun and the importance of the eleven Swan class frigates was greatly reduce. The Swan class frigates were still considered an important component of the Australian fleet and were upgraded to extend their service lives. All eleven were still serving at the time of the coming of the Rifts. The Starling is rumored to have run aground at Christmas Island and may be salvageable. The Sea Eagle is also rumored to have survived trapped in Antarctic ice. There is nothing known about the status of the other vessels but it is possible that others have survived.

The hull of the frigate is basically that of a modified Anzac class frigate but has been lengthened giving the ship an improved length to beam ratio and to add additional volume for electronics and weaponry. The hull and superstructure are both designed with a reduced radar cross signature but are not considered true stealth vessels. Originally it was planned that the propulsion system would be four diesel engines for efficient cruising and a single gas turbine engine for high speed as well. This was change to two gas turbine engines while being designed. The latest gas turbine engines were almost as efficient as diesel engines and the HMAS Swan did greater than thirty-three knots in builder's trials. Later in service, the gas turbines were replaced by fusion turbines giving the frigate virtually unlimited range and increased top speed by two knots. One of the changes in the Swan class over the Anzac class was that power is transferred to the twin propellers through electrical transmission. The frigate features variable pitch propellers and both the hull and propellers are protected by a bubble masking system. Instead of the SPS-49 radar system carried on the Anzac, the Swan carries the SPS-88 Single Array Phased Array Radar System which allows for greater target tracking but with a reduced range compared to the SPS-49. The SPS-88 was also carried on the American Richard E. Byrd class frigates. The Swan class carries both a hull sonar and towed array sonar of British design.

Forward of the superstructure, the Swan carries a five inch gun which is a modified version of the American Mk 45 mount. Originally, it was planned that mounts from decommissioned American Spruance class destroyers would be used with only additional armor added but it was decided that the mounts would be modified to be able to take advantaged of extended range guided munitions. Behind the five inch turret, four missile canisters are mounted. Originally the missile canisters were designed to fire harpoon missiles but were modified to be able to fire a variety of different long range missiles although anti-ship sea skimming missiles were almost always carried. Behind the frigate's exhaust stacks, the Swan class carries a twenty-four cell tactical length Mk 41 missile launcher. The original Anzac class frigate was designed with only a single eight cell tactical length Mk 41 launcher which could be upgraded to a sixteen cell launcher. Normally, medium range missiles are carried in the vertical launching system on the Swan. Instead of Phalanx CIWS point defense mounts, a RAM (Rolling Airframe Missile) box launcher was mounted above the helicopter hanger. These mounts were purchased from the United States and came from decommissioned American vessels, especially Spruance class destroyers. These were later upgraded to Mk 44 Combination Anti-Missile Defense Systems when the gas turbine engines were replaced by fusion turbines. The Australia frigate also carries three torpedo tubes on either side for anti-submarine warfare but is also useful against surface ships at close range.

The hanger on the Swan class is designed to only carry a single helicopter. The hanger was slightly enlarged compared to the Anzac class to be able to incorporate a single Osprey tilt rotor or larger helicopters. Further automation was introduced in the Swan class to decrease crew requirements to just over a hundred compared to over one hundred and sixty for the Anzac class. No facilities were incorporated for carrying troops or flag personnel.

Model Type: Swan class Frigate
Vehicle Type: Ocean, Guided Missile Frigate
Crew: 105; 10 officers, 12 Chief Petty officers, and 83 enlisted (Has a high degree of automation)
Troops: 4 Helicopter Pilots or VTOL Pilots.

Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:
1Helicopters or other VTOL Aircraft

M.D.C. by location:
Bridge:400
[1] SPS-88 Active Phased Array Radar System:160
Mk 45 Five Inch (127 mm) / 62 Barrel (1, Turret):80
Mk 45 Five Inch (127 mm) / 62 Mount (Forward):200
Mk 141 Missile Canisters (8 total, behind Mk 45 Mount)100 each
Mk 41 24 Cell Tactical Vertical Missile Launchers (1, Aft):180
Mk 44 Combination Anti-Missile Defense System (1, Hanger):200 each
Torpedo Launchers (2, sides):40 each
Chaff Launcher (2, Superstructure):10 each
Hanger (Aft):400
VTOL Pad (Aft):250
[2] Main Body:1,100

Notes:
[1] Destroying the Phase 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] 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: 40.3 mph (35 knots/ 64.8 kph)
Range: Unlimited due to fusion engines (needs to refuel every 20 years and requires maintenance as well). Ship carries about four months of supplies on board.

Statistical Data:
Length: 404 feet (123.1 meters) overall and 375 feet (114.3 meters) waterline
Draft: 15.1 feet (4.6 meters)
Width: 48.6 feet (14.8 meters)
Displacement: 3,550 tons standard and 4,120 tons fully loaded
Cargo: 100 tons of nonessential equipment and supplies. Each enlisted crew member has a small locker for personal items and uniforms. Ships 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: Nuclear Reactors, average life span is 20 years
Market Cost: Not for Sale but if found on the black market would probably cost 150 million credits.

Weapon Systems:

  1. One (1) Mk 45 Mod 4 Single Barrel Five Inch (127 mm) / 62 Naval Gun: The ship mounts a five inch gun on the bow of the ship. The gun is very reliable although it fires at a relatively slow rate (20 rounds per minute). The gun was carried on many ship classes until well into the twenty first century. The guns can be used against other ships, against ground targets, and against aircraft. The weapon can use special artillery rounds, rocket assisted rounds, and can even fire Extended Range Guided Munitions.
    Maximum Effective Range: 12 miles (10.4 nautical miles/19.3 km) for standard projectiles, 20 miles (17.4 nautical miles/32.2 km) for rocket propelled rounds, and treat Extended Range Guided Munitions as medium range missiles (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
    Mega-Damage: Standard Projectiles: 2D6x10 to a blast radius of 25 ft (7.7 m) for High Explosive, 3D6x10 to a blast radius of 6 ft (2 m) for High Explosive Armor Piercing, and 4D6x10 to a blast radius of 25 ft (7.7 m) for Plasma. Rocket projectiles: 2D4x10 to a blast radius of 20 ft (6.1 m) for High Explosive, 2D6x10 to a blast radius of 4 ft (1.2 m) for High Explosive Armor Piercing, and 3D6x10 to a blast radius of 20 ft (6.1 m) for Plasma. Extended Range Guided Munitions: Treat as medium range missiles (Go to Revised bomb and missile table). Use the statistics for 105 mm artillery warheads (Go to Battlefield Artillery for Rifts for more information - standard or rocket assisted as appropriate).
    Rate of Fire: Normal Projectiles: Five shots per cannon per melee. Extended Range Guided Munitions can be fired at the rate of one shot per melee
    Payload: 500 rounds - Each Extended Range Guided Munitions round takes up space for 2 normal rounds. Ship normally carries usually carries 100 High Explosive, 100 High Explosive Armor Piercing, 100 Plasma, 50 Rocket Propelled High Explosive, 50 Rocket Propelled High Explosive Armor Piercing, 50 Rocket Propelled Plasma rounds, and 25 Extended Range Guided Munitions. The ship will carry special rounds when employed in artillery roles.
  2. One (1) Mk 44 "Sea Sabre" Combination Anti-Missile Defense Systems: One system is mounted on the hanger of the frigate and replaces the RAM (Rolling Airframe Missile) launcher. 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 systems. The short range missile launchers can target up four targets and can fire a volley up to twice per melee. 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 missile and +2 to strike aircraft). The rail gun is very similar to those carried on the Sea King Cruiser and it is likely that the Sea Kings 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 (Go to Revised bomb and missile table). Mega Damage: Rail Guns: 3D4x10 MD per burst of 40 rounds (Can only fire bursts). Short Range Missiles: As per short range missile type (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
    Rate of Fire: Rail Guns: 6 attacks per melee. Short Range Missiles: 2 attacks per melee, can fire one at a time or in volleys of two or four.
    Payload: Rail Guns: 8000 rounds (200 burst). Short Range Missiles: 16 short range missiles.
  3. MK-41 Tactical Length 24 Cell Vertical Launch Missile System (1): 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 Swan class was used almost exclusively to house medium 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.
    Maximum Effective Range: As per long or medium range missile type (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
    Mega-Damage: As per long or medium range missile type (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
    Rate of Fire: One at a time or in volley of 2, 4, or 12 per melee and can be fired at multiple targets at the same time.
    Payload: 24 missile cells in the VLS launcher (Can carry a total of 96 medium range missiles). Two long range missiles or four medium range missiles may be carried per missile cell with normally medium range missiles carried in all launchers.
  4. Long Range Missile Canister Launchers (8): These launchers are special canisters amidships on the ship's superstructure. These canisters were copied from Old United States Harpoon canister launchers. While the launchers are reusable, they are still inexpensive and are easily jettisoned if damages. 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 missile, Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
    Mega Damage: As per long range missile type (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
    Rate of fire: One at a time or in volleys of two, four, or eight (All launcher operates together)
    Payload: One missile each launcher for a grand total of eight long range missiles (Has no missiles in storage for reloads).
  5. Two (2) Torpedo Launchers: There is one launcher on each side of the ship. Each torpedo launcher has 3 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. Ship carries 60 reloads for torpedoes. For the most part torpedo warheads are equal to medium range missile warheads.
    Maximum Effective Range: 20 miles (32 km)
    Mega Damage: By Medium torpedo warhead type (See Revised Rifts Torpedoes).
    Rate of fire: One at a time or in volleys of 2, or 3 per side, Reloading takes 1 full melee
    Payload: Three torpedoes each launcher for a grand total of six torpedoes (Has 60 torpedoes for reloads)
  6. Super RBOC Chaff Launcher (4): Located on the superstructure of the ship, they are designed to confuse incoming missiles. In addition to chaff these launchers also fired flares to decoy IR guided missiles. Rifts Earth decoys systems are assumed to not operate on Phase World missiles due to technological difference. Reduce effects by 20% against smart missiles (Add +20% to rolls for smart missiles.)
    Range: Around Ship
    Mega Damage: None Payload: 8 each for a total of 32. 96 reloads are carried, reloading takes two melees.
  7. SLQ-25A Nixie Towed torpedo decoy (1): A special decoy which is towed behind the ship. It generates a sound like the ship's propellers in order to confuse incoming torpedoes. Only effective at speeds below 18 knots. Otherwise, the noise of the ship's systems and propellers is too powerful to mask. Rifts Earth decoy systems are assumed to not operate on Phase World missiles due to technological difference.
    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 the decoy has a 10% chance of fooling advanced military sonars (Like those of the New Navy and Triax) and smart torpedoes.
    Decoys have a duration of 30 minutes (120 melee rounds)
    Payload: One, with eight more as reloads. It takes three minutes (twelve melees) to reel out another decoy.

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

[Golden Age Weaponsmiths and Triax are trademarks owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc. ]
[ Rifts® is a registered trademark owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc.]

Image drawn and copyrighted by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune) & Mischa (E-Mail Mischa).

By Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

Copyright © 2003, Kitsune. All rights reserved.

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