The Coral Sea class carriers were designed as replacements for carriers Enterprise (CVN_65) and Kennedy (CV-67). They were built as a follow-on design of the Nimitz class with several advancements to increase their capabilities. The island was designed to reduce the upper radar signature of the ship, increasing its stealth capability. Radar absorbent materials were extensively used on the outer hull of the ship to help lower the cross-section visible on surface search radars. The effects were excellent with the signature of the Coral Sea being 1/20th that of the Nimitz.

Massive automation was introduced into the design at an early stage, vastly decreasing the size of the crew. With over 70% of the Navy's budget going towards personnel costs, and the number of people joining the armed forces, the Navy implemented many of the "Smart Ship" systems tested on ships in the late 20th century. The crew of the Coral Sea is 1570 with an Air Wing of 1140 compared to 2900 personnel and an Air Wing of 2100 on Nimitz. This made for a much more roomy ship, and allowed for the berthing of 400 troops for power armor. Also, many adaptive missions features in introduced on the new ships. The Coral Sea was capable of rapidly reconfiguring for missions other than those traditionally associated with "big deck" carriers. The changes included air wing enlisted berthing areas with extra personnel stowage (weapons, ammunition, etc.) required by Marine or Army personnel who might be embarked in place of the normal air wing. Additionally, air wing planning, control, and unit spaces were more capable for joint operations, so that special units like Army helicopter battalions or Marine Air Wings could use them with a minimum of modifications.

The four ships of the Coral Sea class were slowly constructed because there seemed little use for them to be hurried. Most of the world was at peace, and other nations were helping the US Navy patrol the seas to keep it that way. The Coral Sea (CVN-78) was completed in 2013, replacing the Navy's first nuclear carrier, USS Enterprise (CVN-65). The USS Midway (CVN-79) was completed in 2018 and replaced the USS John F. Kennedy. The USS Leyte Gulf (CVN-80) and USS Reprisal (CVN-81) were completed in 2024 and 2030 respectively. They replaced the first of the Nimitz class as they reached the end of their useful careers athough the USS Nimtz and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower were kept in reserve for sveral years before they were scrapped.

The Coral Sea class were well constructed and sturdy vessels but were built before the discovery of the advanced alloys and composites that the US Military became so fond of in the 2030s. The ships were refitted and reconstructed using these materials as the came in for extensive refitting. Afterwards they were less effected by corrosion. This greatly reduced further refit that the carriers required. The vessels used four powerful fission reactors to achieve a top speed of 34 knots. These were replaced in the 2030s with fusion reactors which increased the speed of the vessel to 36 knots.

While the Coral Sea had a smaller 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, although later aircraft designs were VTOL capable. Initially, the main craft of the Air Wing were a mix of F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and early versions of the Joint Strike Fighters. Later versions of the F-35 replaced them. By the coming of the Rifts, the main fighter compliment was composed of the advanced Sea Hawk fighter. The ship used a phased array radar system capable of tracking for both defense and air control. All weaponry on the vessels were defensive and mostly designed to strop incoming missile strikes. Small scale MK-41 vertical launch missile launcher system were included to launch missiles for medium range defense of the carrier. These was later upgraded to the MK-55 vertical launcher. The ships of the class initially carried four Phalanx point defense Gatling cannons and two short range RAM missile launchers for inner point defense. These mounts were replaced by four combination rail gun and short range missile launchers in as the ships were upgraded during refits. Long range defense was normally performed by escort vessels but the carrier was well protected against missile strikes in general.

At least one of the ships survived the coming of the Rifts. The Midway battlegroup was laid over in Kure, Japan as it was returning to the US at the end of a long cruise. She was rifted through time along with the Japanese cities of Hiroshima, Kure, Iwakuni, and Ichto (and coincidentally the Saratoga class carrier Hornet) to the year 2305. The Reprisal was in the Indian Ocean, making sure that the Indian navy and air force stayed well away from the USS Kearsarge battle group during the strikes against the Middle east. The Tigershark class sub Steelhead was unaware of the whereabouts of the Reprisal when she made contact with the Ticonderoga. The Leyte Gulf was in the Mediterranean Sea. The close confines of the sea and the destructive nature of the Mediterranean Triangle have halted all attempts to find out what happened to her. The Coral Sea was in her berth in Bremerton, Washington. Attempts have not been made to find out her status.

Model Type: CVN-78 Coral Sea class Multi Purpose Aircraft Carrier
Vehicle Type: Ocean, Multi Purpose Aircraft Carrier
Crew:
Ships Crew: 1570 (135 officers, 150 chief petty officers, 1285 enlisted [Has a high degree of automation]) 
Air Wing: 1140 (200 Pilots, 85 flight deck officers, 855 enlisted)
Troops: 400 (120 pilots for Semper Fi Power Armors, 120 pilots for SAMAS power Armor, 160 soldiers in body armor)

Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:
Power Armors:

	100	Semper Fi Power Armors (With Flight Packs)
	100	PA-04A SAMAS

Fighter/Aircraft Compliment:

	6	EV-84A General Cargo / Search and Rescue
	6	EVS-84A Anti-Submarine Warfare
	6	EVE-84A Electronics Warfare
	30	FV-45 Sea Hawk VTOL Jet Fighters
	14	FV-45-SW Sea Hawk VTOL Jet Stealth Fighters
	6	FV-45-EW Sea Hawk VTOL Jet Jamming Fighters
	10	Utility Tilt Rotors

M.D.C. by location:

	[1] Electromagnetic Catapults (4):	100 each
	[1] Arrester Cables (4):	50 each
	[2] Elevators (4):	350 each
	Hanger Doors (4):	350 each
	[3] Flight Deck:	3,000
	Mk 44 Combination Anti-Missile System (4, Flight Deck):	200 each
	Mk 55 Eight Cell Vertical Medium Range Missile Launchers (2):	300 each
	Chaff Launchers (4, Superstructure):	10 each
	[4] Phase Array Radar Panels (4, Superstructure):	200 each
	[5] Bridge / Command Tower:	2,500
	Outer Hull (per 40 foot / 12.2 meter area):	80
	[6] Main Body:	9,250

Notes:
[1] 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.
[2] If all three elevators are destroyed, no aircraft can be moved from the hangers to the main flight deck.
[3] If the flight decks are destroyed, only VTOL aircraft can be launched or land. VTOL aircraft are at -15% to piloting.
[4] If Forward Control Bridge and Rear Control Tower are 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.
[5] Destroying Phase Array radar panels will destroy the ship's fire control systems but secondary systems have backup systems and panels can compensate for each other. All Bonuses are lost if panels are destroyed.
[6] Destroying the main body destroys propulsion and power systems, disabling the ship. The ship is fitted with an advanced polymer armors that allow the ship to withstand up to -3000 MDC 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)
Maximum Effective Range: 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:
Length: 1116 feet (340.1 meters) overall
Draft: 39 feet (11.9 meters)
Width: 251 feet (76.5 meters)
Displacement: 78,243 tons standard and 107,500 tons fully loaded
Cargo: 10,000 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: 4 Fusion Reactors, average life span is 20 years
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.

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

1. Mk 44 "Sea Sabre" Combination Anti-Missile Defense Systems (4): 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. These anti-missile defense systems combine 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 too 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 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 burst). 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) each. Short Range Missiles: 16 short range missiles each.
2. Mk 55 Vertical Medium Range Missile Launchers (2): Unlike most vertical launch systems, these launchers fire the missiles on a 6 degree angle to the side. This is to prevent a missile that fails on its launch from crashing into aircraft on the flight deck. The missiles are arranged in an 2 by 4 pattern, and each launch cell has six reloads. One launcher is mounted on the front port side of the hull and the other is mounted on the rear starboard side of the hull of the carrier. Each system can launch up to 8 missiles simultaneously each and the launcher is automatically reloaded. These launchers act as the ships middle point defense and are normally used to engage incoming air targets and missiles. Outer point defense is performed by the air compliment or escorting vessels.
   Maximum Effective Range: As per medium range missile type (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
   Mega Damage: As per medium 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 (Each launcher operates independently)
   Payload: 8 missiles in each launcher, with 48 missiles in each magazine for automatic reloads, for a total of 112 Medium Range Missiles including missiles in launcher.
3. Chaff Launcher (4): 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. Reduce effects of launchers by 50% per launcher not used. Rifts Earth decoy 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.)
   Maximum Effective 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: 24 each for a total of 96
4. Advanced Towed Decoys (4): 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 carrier using a cable. If decoys are not destroyed, they can be recovered and repaired. Rifts Earth decoy systems are assumed to not operate against Phase World weapons due to technological difference.
   M.D.C.: 20
   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 the decoy has a 25% chance of fooling advanced military sonars (Like those of the New Navy and Triax) and smart torpedoes.
   Maximum Effective Range: Not Applicable
   Rate of fire: One can be deployed at a time and requires 2 minutes to deploy (Reel Out) another decoy
   Payload: 4 Decoys.

Special Systems:

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

• SPY-3H Three Dimensional Search Radar System: The Coral Sea class was fitted with the same SPY-3H AEGIS array that the Concord class cruisers and Nicole Rosette class destroyers carried. The incredibly advanced radar and computer system first developed before the coming of the Rifts and is similar to the system as that which is carried on Coalition Navy vessels. Powerful and flexible radar system that is comprised of four panels that each emit radar waves. If allowed by the horizon, the system can track out to 250 miles (402.3 km) and can simultaneously track and identify up to 512 targets at one time. The system controls missile launched from the long range missile launchers and the system track and guide each individual missile to an individual target for up to 128 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. The system gives a +10% to read sensory rolls, +2 on initiative, and +1 to strike.
• Command and Control Facilities: The carrier 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.
• Radar Defeating Profile & Radar Absorbing Materials: The ship superstructure is designed so that the radar profile of the ship is reduced and the ship is covered with radar absorbing materials. Because of this, attempts to detect the ship using radar are made with a -10% 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.

[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 © 2003, Kamikazi. All rights reserved.