French Jean Bart Class Amphibious Support Cruiser:
During the French evacuation of the Congo embassy in 2068 the Air Defense
Destroyer Dupleix did an admirable job repelling an attack by aircraft,
surface ship, and land based anti-ship missiles. However, some of the faults
of the design were brought to the surface by the engagement. In shallow
water, the ship was not as maneuverable as projected in the design phase.
More importantly, the gun armament was deemed insufficient for shallow
water defensive operations and incapable of sufficiently supporting amphibious
assaults. With the British, American, Russian, Indian and Chinese navies
growing faster than ever and with the re-emergent of those nations as near
colonial powers, the French decided that they could not afford to increase
the size of their armed forces, although they had decreased their forces
to near pre-WWI levels. A new design for a pair of shallow water amphibious
support ship was developed during the last years of the 2060's with the
first materials cut for the hull in 2073.
French designers had paid close attention to the designs of the British
Hood and Thatcher ships and their trimaran hulls. With those plans in mind,
the French designers took their new design to a new level with the first
operational pentamaran ship hull. The ship had a total of five hulls with
a secondary and tertiary hull on either side of the primary hull. The two
secondary hulls set about halfway the main hull and the tertiary hulls
beginning at the same point and ending at half of their length. This hull
design combined with a series of fin stabilizers made for one of the most
stable ships ever built. With the help of trainable engine pods and thrusters
fitted to all five hulls, the ships were amongst the most maneuverable
in the world despite their long length. As with the Bretagne class carriers,
the French designers created a pair of ships larger than their British
cousins to save face.
The superstructure was divided into two sections with the VTOL hanger
separated from the rest of the superstructure with a VLS system in between
the two boxy structures. A second large VLS system was located at the front
of the ship in between the main turret and the bridge. These launchers
were primarily used for amphibious support and house cruise and long-range
missiles. A pair of smaller capacity VLS launchers were mounted in the
superstructure (one over each secondary hull) for close-range anti-aircraft
defense. These were backed up by a quartet of Creusot-Loire railgun CIWS
turrets mounted over the bridge, hanger and superstructure wings. For anti-submarine
warfare, a pair of twin torpedo catapults were included as well. As alluded
to the main turret was located at the front of the ship. A triad of large
caliber French designed 155mm electro-thermal cannons were housed for amphibious
fire support.
The electronics fit was also designed for shallow water operations rather
than blue water operations. The main radar was the Thompson-CS DRBW 15D
phased array radar, which had excellent range and power. Complementing
this was the DRBJ 19C air search radar, with good tracking capabilities.
There was a Thomson-Sintra bow sonar, but no towed array was fitted. A
good ECM suite was also fitted. All of this made the ship well equipped
for both anti submarine operations and air defense if needed.
The extremely boxy superstructures of the class kept the ship's radar
cross section to a minimum, 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. Designed
to work very close to shore, no aspect of the ship's stealth was overlooked.
The ships were designed with the same advanced fission reactors of the
Dupleix class. The reactors powered electric turbines that ran to a pair
of propellers mounted in pods on either side of the hull, making for an
extremely quite ship.
Only two of these ships were constructed for the French Navy. The Jean
Bart was completed 2079 and the Lorraine was laid down in 2075 and completed
in 2081. They gave an excellent account of themselves over the course of
their lives. During several minor skirmishes, the ships' guns were fired
in anger, much to the dismay of those on the receiving end of them. They
proved to be deadly accurate and powerful enough to destroy just about
anything they came in contact with. The ships' maneuverability was remarkable
and allowed them to navigate very close in shore despite their large draft.
Both ships were at sea, supporting the amphibious assault carriers Bearn
near the Horn of Africa and Verdun in the Mediterranean respectively. It
is not known if either survived the Great Cataclysm, however their super
strong hulls could have helped them remain intact.
Model Type: Jean Bart Class Amphibious Support Cruiser
Vehicle Type: Ocean, Amphibious Support Cruiser
Crew: 210; 14 officers, 26 Chief Petty officers, and 170 enlisted
(Has a high degree of automation)
Troops: 12 Panthère crewmembers, 40 Marines including
Lafayette PA pilots
Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:
| 20 | Lafayette Power Armor |
| 2 | Panthère NH110 ASW Helicopter |
M.D.C. by location:
| Bridge: | 450 |
| 155 mm Electro Themal Cannon Turret: | 400 |
| 155 mm Electro Themal Cannon Barrels (3): | 150 each |
| Sylver MRX 32-cell VLS (1, Midships): | 350 |
| Sylver MRX 64-cell VLS (1,Forward): | 500 |
| Sylver LTR 16-cell VLS (2, Midships): | 250 each |
| Torpedo Catapults (2, sides): | 50 each |
| Creusot-Loire Railgun CIWS Turrets (4): | 150 each |
| [1] Thompson-CS DRBW 16C Phased Array Radar System: | 500 |
| [1] Thompson-CS DRBJ 19C Air Search Radar: | 350 |
| Hanger (Aft): | 400 |
| Outer Hull (per 80 ft area): | 85 |
| [2] Primary Hull (Main Body): | 2,500 |
| [3] Secondary Hulls (2, either side of Primary Hull): | 1,000 each |
| [4] Tertiary Hulls (2, either side of Primary Hull): | 500 each |
Notes:
[1] Destroying both DRBW 16C 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] Destroying the main body causes the ship to lose structural integrity,
causing the ship to sink. If the Secondary Hulls are still intact, the
ship will sink very slowly and will take a full twenty four hours to sink.
This may give the ships crew time to patch the damage to an extent that
the ship will float but all propulsion will be destroyed but the ship may
be repairable. There are enough life preservers and inflatable life boats
to accommodate everyone on the ship.
[3] Destruction of one secondary hull will reduce stability and negate
bonuses due to quiet design and for piloting. Destruction of both secondary
hulls will give the ship a -20% penalty to piloting and give a bonus of
+20% to be detected. Ships speed is also reduced to 30 knots (34.5 mph
/ 55.6 kph)
[4] Destruction of one tertiary hull will reduce stability and negate
bonuses due to quiet design and for piloting. Destruction of both secondary
hulls will give the ship a -10% penalty to piloting and give a bonus of
+10% to be detected. Ships speed is also reduced to 40 knots (46 mph /
74.1 kph)
Speed:
Surface: 45 knots (51.8 mph / 83.3 kph)
Range: Unlimited due to fusion turbines (needs to refuel every
20 years and requires maintenance as well). Ship carries six months of
supplies and consumables on board.
Statistical Data:
Length: 633.3 feet (190 meters)
Height: 120 feet (36 meters)
Width: 110 feet (33 meters)
Displacement: 10,000 tons standard and 12,500 tons fully loaded
Cargo: 600 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 ships spaces
are take up by extra ammo, armor, troops, weapons, and engines.
Power System: Nuclear Turbines, average life span is 20 years
Market Cost: Not available.
WEAPON SYSTEMS:
- Triple Barrel 155 mm Electro-Thermal Cannon Mount (1):
These
guns were mounted in a single turret in the front of the vessel. Designed
after the American gun of the same diameter and caliber, it replaced older
designs for the main dual purpose gun system for the French navy. The projectile
is loaded into the barrel, behind which there is a "propellant," which
is a dot of light metal. A powerful electromagnetic force is applied to
the metal, which causes its atoms to "switch" directions. This happens
so violently that the metal turns to plasma, and this expanding gas then
drives the projectile forward. The reload system is fully automated and
the rate of fire can be maintained as long as the system retains ammunition.
While the projectiles have a lot greater range than standard 155 projectiles,
they carry the same size warheads and inflicts about the same damage. Self
Guided projectiles can be used for pinpoint accuracy although G.P.S. Satellite
guided projectiles are no longer useful due to the elimination of the satellites.
Guided projectiles are far more expensive. Both non rocket assisted and
rocket assisted projectiles are available for the weapon system. Weapon
is not designed to use extended range Guided Munitions and they were not
seen as necessary with the great range of the electro-thermal projectiles.
The turret can rotate 360 and has a 90 arc of fire.
Maximum Effective Range: 31.1 miles (27 nautical miles / 50
km) for standard projectiles, and 49.7 miles (43.2 nautical miles / 80.0
km) for rocket propelled rounds.
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. Use the statistics for 155 mm artillery warheads
(Go to Battlefield Artillery for Rifts for more information - standard or rocket assisted as appropriate) when using artillery rounds.
Rate of Fire: Up to five single shots per melee.
Payload: 1500 rounds total.
- Creusot-Loire Railgun Close-In-Weapon Systems (4):
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. The
two were mounted on either side of the aft superstructure 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 autocannon 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.
- Sylver MRX 32-cell Advanced Capacity VLS (1):
A French design,
this launcher was mounted in-between the two superstructures. 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, one long-range missile, or two medium-range
missiles. However, the launcher was used almost exclusively for Cruise
missiles for amphibious landing fire support.
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: 32 missiles cells in the VLS launcher. One cruise missile,
one long-range missile, or two medium-range missiles may be carried per
cell. The ship usually carried all 32 cells loaded with cruise missiles.
- Sylver MRX 64-cell Advanced Capacity VLS (1):
A French design,
this launcher was mounted behind the main turret. 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, one long-range missile, or two 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: 64 missiles cells in the VLS launcher. One cruise missile,
one long-range missile, or two medium-range missiles may be carried per
cell. The ship would often carry 32 cells loaded with cruise missiles,
16 cells loaded with long range missiles (16 LRMs) and 16 cells loaded
with medium range missiles (32 MRMs).
- Sylver LTR 16-cell VLS (2):
The redesigned launchers were
built to incorporate the same diversity of missiles that were being designed
for comparable American and British systems. These launchers act as the
ships middle point defense and are normally used to engage incoming air
targets and missiles. Each cell could carry a single cruise missile, one
long-range missile, or two medium-range missiles. The launchers are located
on the superstructure, just above the secondary hulls.
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: 16 missiles in each launcher, with 64 missiles in each
magazine for automatic reload, for a total of 160 Medium Range Missiles
including missiles in launcher.
- 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 torpedo's
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)
- 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
01-35 Missile or Missile volley detonates in chaff
36-60 Missile or Missile volley loses track of target, may lock onto
another target
61-00 No Effect; Missile Still on target
Payload: 6 each for a total of 24. 192 reloads are carried,
reloading takes two melees.
- 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:
The ship has all systems standard on a robot vehicle plus the following
special features:
- Thompson-CS DRBJ 19C Air Search Radar: Long range air search radar
system. Radar system has a range of 445 nautical miles (512.1 miles / 824.1
km). Radar system can track up to 720 targets simultaneously.
- Thompson-CS DRBW 16C Phased Array Radar Panels: Powerful and flexible
radar system which is comprised of a single array on top of the mainmast.
It is controlled by a powerful computer. If allowed by the horizon, the
system can track out to 175 nautical miles (201.4 miles / 324.1 km) and
can simultaneously track and identify up to 480 targets at one time. The
system controls missiles launched from the VLS launchers and the system
tracks and guides each individual missile to a individual target for up
to 120 targets. If a target is eliminated, missiles are automatically guided
to a new target. The system can also control missiles launched from other
linked vessels as well and can also act as fire control for gun mounts.
- Thomson-Sintra DUBV 56 Sonar: Mounted under the bow of the ship.
Sonar system has a range of around 32 nautical miles (36.8 miles / 59.4
km). This hull sonar system has both a passive and active system built
in. Sonar system can track up to 32 targets at one time.
- Sonar Masking System: The hull is designed to minimize noise from
the hull and uses water bubbles to form a barrier against sonar as well.
Gives a -20% penalty to any Read Sensory Instrument rolls to detect this
ship using sonar.
- Radar Defeating Profile: The ship superstructure is designed so
that the radar profile of the ship is reduced. Because of this, attempts
to detect the ship using radar are made with a -20% penalty to read sensor
rolls when attempting to detect this ship. Go to
General Detection Penalties
for more information on penalties and bonuses to use with stealth.
- Combination Radar Detectors and Active Jamming System: Combination
of radar detection system (ESM) and an active jamming system. The system
can detect another radar system at 125% of the range of the transmitting
radar. In jamming mode, causes -25% to detection but when it is active,
other vehicles/ bases can detect that it is jamming, and some missiles
will home in on jamming signals. Jamming also causes a -4 penalty to all
radar guided weapons.
- Command and Control Facilities : The cruiser carries extra communications
equipment and command facilities, to enable the ship to operate as the
flagship for a flotilla. When operating in a flotilla, all ships get a
+1 on sensor rolls, +1 to strike on all weapons, and +10 % on communications.
Bonuses:
[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.]
By Kamikazi (kamikazi_gm@hotmail.com).
Copyright © 2004, Kamikazi. All rights reserved.
