French Dupleix class Air Defense Destroyer:

The refit of the French Horizon frigates in the mid-2040s gave them a new lease on life. New super-strength, non-corrosive materials better protected the ships from damage and nuclear replaced the gas turbines, giving them nearly unlimited range. When built, their armament and sensor suites were state of the art and were still considered adequate even after forty years of service. Even so, in the 2060s it was evident that the ships needed to be replaced by newer more capable ships that could provide air defense for the new aircraft carriers and other national assets against the growing Soviet threat. The French again partnered with the Italians to reduce the costs of development and production. The Spanish Navy also required a new air-defense ship and joined the program in 2064.

Even before the first plans hit the drawing board, a specific set of capabilities and requirements had been set. As with the Horizon class ships area defense was the main concern and the rest of the ship was designed around that. In addition, enhanced survival (aka. stealth features) and strong anti-ship capabilities were required. To that end a much larger ship was planned to incorporate an additional vertical launch system for expanded munitions capacity. Additionally, sixteen dedicated launchers for anti-ship missiles were carried for added punch. A pair of 3-inch guns was also included as well as three CIWS mounts and twin torpedo catapults. A hanger in the aft superstructure could accommodate a single helicopter or VTOL aircraft with additional room for a small squad of power armor. However, only a very small contingent of troops was stationed aboard for ship-boarding and repulsion purposes. An advanced electronic suite, including the latest French phased array radar system, was incorporated over comparable British and American systems. A bow sonar was fitted but no towed array was carried.

From the onset, the ships were planned with nuclear propulsion. The most advanced fission reactors that the French had designed to date were incorporated into the design at an early stage. There was some chiding from the Italians and Spanish, but in the end the French design proved to be the most economical choice. The reactors powered electric turbines that ran to a pair of propellers, making for an extremely quite ship.

The hull of the vessel was designed based on the highly successful Lafayette frigates, but with weapons placement similar to the Horizon class destroyers. The forward VLS was in the bow of the ship with a pair of 3-inch guns closer to the superstructure. The aft VLS was aft of the flight deck. The superstructure was divided into to sections with the anti-ship launchers in-between them for additional protection. Every aspect of the ship was designed to help reduce detection. The extremely boxy superstructures of the Lafayette class were kept to reduce radar cross section, and the antenna mast was enclosed like the American Delaware cruisers. Of course, the latest in super-strength, non-corrosive materials were used in construction with radar absorbing materials (RAM) coating the outside of the hull for improved detection resistance.

The design proved to be extremely effective and reliable. They proved to be excellent offensive and defensive platforms. During the French embassy evacuation of Congo in 2068, the Dupleix repelled an attack by terrorist forces in both aircraft and surface ships. The single destroyer accounted for 13 aircraft downed, 34 missiles intercepted and destroyed, and 8 small surface vessels sunk. Similar smaller occurrences happened for Italy and Spain as well, the ships proved their worth many times over.

A total of fourteen of these vessels were constructed under the joint program. Six of the vessels were built for France and four were each constructed for Spain and Italy . At least two of the French ships were with the carrier Provence in the North Atlantic and were sunk along with her by Soviet Backfire bombers. Two more were with the Bretagne as she was scrambling to get underway from her port in Brest . As the continent of Atlantis returned to Rifts Earth, an enormous title wave struck them both as they were leaving the port city. They capsized and ran aground with a lose of all hands. The final two were unaccounted for. One was with each amphibious group centered around the L'Indomptable and L'Inflexible in the Mediterranean Sea and Horn of Africa respectively. It is known just how many of the ships survived the Great Cataclysm, however their super strong hulls could have helped them remain intact.

Model Type: Dupleix Class
Class: Air Defense Missile Destroyer
Crew: 220 (22 officers, 198 enlisted)
Troops: 8 Panthère helicopter crew members, 12 Marines including Lafayette PA pilots

Vehicle Compliment:
4Lafayette Power Armor
1Panthère NH110 ASW Helicopter

M.D.C. by Location:
OTO 3 inch (76-mm) 62-cal DP Naval Gun:150 each
Creusot-Loire Railgun CIWS (3):150 each
Sylver MRX 48 cell VLS (2, Forward & Aft):220
Missile Canisters (16 total, 4x4 amidships):100 each
Torpedo Catapults (4, Sides):70 each
[1] Thompson-CS DRBW 15D Phased Array Radar Panels (4):250 each
[1] Thompson-CS DRBJ 19C Air Search Radar:350
Hangar (aft):200
Bridge:300
Outer Hull (per 80 ft area):50
[2] Main Body:1,800

Notes:
[1] Destroying both DRBW 15D and DRBJ 19C Air Search System radar system will eliminate the ship's long range air search ability but weapon systems have backup fire control systems. Both air search systems are separate so both systems are not likely to be disabled from a single hit.
[2] Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body destroys the ship's structural integrity, causing it to sink. There are enough flotation devices and inflatable life rafts to accommodate everyone aboard.

Speed:
On Water: 36 knots (41.5 mph / 66.7 kph)
Range: Unlimited due to fusion engines (needs to refuel every 20 years and requires maintenance as well). Ship carries six months of supplies and consumables on board.

Statistical Data:
Draft: 23 feet (7 meters)
Width: 72.2 feet (22 meters)
Length: 606.8 feet (185 meters)
Displacement: 6,200 tons standard and 7,500 tons fully loaded
Cargo: Can carry 400 tons of extraneous cargo. Each enlisted crew member had a small locker for personal items and uniforms, and junior ratings were housed in 6 berth cabins, with senior ratings sharing 2 berth cabins. Ships officers had far more space for personal items, and lived in individual cabins. Most of the ship's spaces are taken up by extra ammo, armor, troops, weapons, and engines.
Power System: Nuclear Turbines, average life span is 20 years
Market Price: Not available.

Weapon Systems:

  1. Two (2) OTO 3 inch (76-mm) 62-cal DP Naval Gun: The ship mounts a pair of rapid fire three inch guns side by side forward of the bridge. Based upon a naval gun from the twentieth century, this design has changed little, except for a stealthy gun shield and improved reliability and firepower. It is fully automated, and is usually aimed by radar. The guns were very reliable and fired very rapidly (About 85 rounds per minute). The main weaknesses of the guns were their relatively short range and the fact they could not use rocket assisted projectiles. The guns could be used against other ships, ground targets, aircraft, and even missiles. These 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 MDC with 10 ft (3 m) blast radius per single shot and 3D4x10 MDC with 20 ft (6.1 m) blast radius for three round burst. High Explosive Armor Piercing: 1D6x10 MDC with 4 ft (1.2 m) blast radius per single shot and 3D6x10 MDC with 8 ft blast radius for three round burst. Plasma: 2D4x10 MDC with 12 ft (3.7 m) blast radius per single shot and 6D4x10 MDC with 25 ft (7.6 m) blast radius for three round burst.
    Rate of Fire: Equal to Gunners Hand to Hand (Three round bursts count as one attack).
    Payload: 500 rounds. Ship normally carries usually carries 200 High Explosive, 200 High Explosive Armor Piercing, and 100 Plasma.
  2. Sylver MRX 48-cell Advanced Capacity VLS (2): A French design, these launchers were mounted forward of the dual 3-in guns and aft of the flight deck. The redesigned launchers were built to incorporate the same diversity of missiles that were being designed for comparable American and British systems. Each cell could carry a single cruise missile, two long-range missiles, or four medium-range missiles.
    Maximum Effective Range: As per cruise, long-range, or medium-range missile type (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
    Mega-Damage: As per cruise, long-range, or medium-range missile type (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
    Rate of Fire: One at a time or in volleys of any amount up to 8 in any combination and at multiple targets at the same time.
    Payload: 48 missiles cells in each VLS launcher for a total of 96 cells. One cruise missile, one long-range missiles, or two medium-range missiles may be carried per cell. The ship would often carried 16 cells loaded with cruise missiles, 48 cells loaded with long range missiles (48 LRMs) and 32 cells loaded with medium range missiles (64 MRMs).
  3. Long Range Missile Canister Launchers (16): These launchers are special canisters mounted in four quadruple mounts between the two superstructures. These canisters were copied from old United States Exocet canister launchers. While the launchers are reusable, they are still inexpensive and are easily jettisoned if damaged. 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 volley of two, four, eight, twelve, or sixteen. (All launcher operates together)
    Payload: 1 missile in each launcher for a grand total of 16 long range missiles (Has no missiles in storage for reloads).
  4. Creusot-Loire Railgun Close-In-Weapon Systems (3): Designed from the United States as a replacement for aging CIWS, this is a close copy of the MK 15 Phalanx weapon system but the tracking system has been improved and refined to have better hit probability against missiles. Two were mounted over the bridge, while the other one located over the hanger of the ship. The most obvious change was that the auto cannon was 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 was unmanned and fully automated. It was designed to have a much greater payload than the original auto cannon CIWS system. The weapons could be used on surface targets as well as against missiles and aircraft. Each rail gun could fire on automatic at up to six targets per melee (Has +4 to strike missiles and +2 to strike aircraft). The system had a 360 degree rotation and could elevate up to 90 degrees to fire at targets directly overhead.
    Maximum Effective Range: 11,000 feet (2 miles/ 3.2 km).
    Mega-Damage: 3D4x10 MD per burst of 40 rounds (Can only fire burst).
    Rate of Fire: 6 attacks per melee.
    Payload: 8000 rounds (200 burst) each.
  5. KD-73C Fixed Torpedo Catapults (4): There are twin catapults for launching torpedoes on each side of the ship. Each tube could launch 12.75 in (324 mm) torpedoes out to 150 meters from the ship. The torpedoÆs motor would then take over, guiding it to its target. Torpedoes are normally used against submarines but can be targeted on surface targets as well. Ship carries 40 reloads for torpedoes. Treat warheads as 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 per side. Reloading takes 2 full melees.
    Payload: 2 torpedoes each catapult for a grand total of 4 torpedoes (Has 40 torpedoes for reloads)
  6. CSEE Sagaie AMBL-7G Chaff Launcher (4): Located on the superstructure of the ship, they are designed to confuse incoming 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: 6 each for a total of 24. 192 reloads are carried, reloading takes two melees.
  7. Dassault FRN-6F LAT Towed torpedo decoy (1): A decoy which is towed behind the ship. It generates a sound like the ships propellers in order to confuse incoming torpedoes. Only effective at speeds below 18 knots. Otherwise the noise of the ships systems and propellers is to powerful to mask. Rifts Earth decoys systems are assumed to not operate on Phase World missiles due to technological difference.
    M.D.C.: 10
    Effects: The decoy has an 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.
    Range: Not Applicable
    Payload: 1, with four more as reloads. It takes three minutes (twelve melees) to reel out another decoy.

Special Systems:

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By Kamikazi (kamikazi_gm@hotmail.com).

Copyright © 2004, Kamikazi. All rights reserved.

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