Throm class cruiser

GVNS Throm, as outfitted in 2017
Class overview
Name:	Throm class
Builders:	Fortuna Ironworks
Operators:	Grand Navy of Velikoslavia
Preceded by:	Vesper class
Succeeded by:	None
Built:	1990-2000
In service:	1993 to present
In commission:	1994 to present
Planned:	3
Completed:	3
Active:	3
General characteristics
Class and type:	Throm class
Type:	Cruiser
Displacement:	25,201 tons
Length:	200 metres
Beam:	26.3 metres
Draft:	8.5m
Installed power:	140,000 shp
Propulsion:	CODAG 3x Pantra Marine class diesel engines for cruising 1x DSU S400 35.5 MW marine gas turbine for highspeed running 3x DSU 220X series gearboxes driving three controllable pitch propellers 2x retractable bow thruster 4x 1 MW Pantra diesel generators
Speed:	32 knots (full speed) 27 knots (diesel cruising)
Range:	12,600 nmi at 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph)
Complement:	670
Sensors and processing systems:	2x MPSSFC9 radars 2x Bulwark 62 fire control radars 1x Navigator 67 navigation radars 1x CSS53C "Giant Squid" sonar suite 1x Painter 60 tracking radar 1x MP1 Radar Complex
Armament:	168x Dracal VLS cells 1x AK-130 dual barrel naval gun 4x Terrier Fleet Defense Emplacements 4x AK-630 emplacements 10x deck rail mounted MG1938 machine guns
Armor:	68mm plating around engine compartment 14.5mm splinter protection
Aircraft carried:	1x helicopter

The Throm class cruiser is a class of cruiser designed, built, and in service with the Grand Navy of Velikoslavia. They are classified as guided missile cruisers in Velikoslav navy service but are often referred to as battlecruisers by defense analysts due to their primary role of long range missile strikes and escort duties for the Majestic class battleship. Initially conceived in 1976 to escort the planned class of Velikslav supercarriers that Nicholas I instructed the navy to pursue, they were repurposed in 1982 when the carrier program was formally cancelled by Nicholas II and the design was revised to allow them to serve as flagships and primary strike vessels on missions. When the Splendor entered service in 2020 as the Velikoslav flagship, a plan to refit and refurbish the Throm class was put forward to be completed between 2020 and 2025 and equip the vessels with the new MP6 Radar complex. The last remaining ship is currently being refurbished at Fortuna Ironworks. In March of 2024, it was announced that all ships in the Velikoslav navy would undergo a light refit and combat load out adjustment to provide more weaponry to combat drones.

History

The Throm class was conceived in 1976 under the Cruiser XX Initiative that Nicholas I initiated to escort his Carrier XX Initiative, which was designed to create a nuclear powered supercarrier for the Grand Velikoslav Navy. The initial design proposed by the Imperial Shipwrights Guild called for two lead-cooled fast reactors for the primary propulsion with a heavy emphasis on supporting nuclear carriers against surface and submerged threats and a significant complement of the new Dracal VLS. A design study was conducted throughout 1977 and 1978 and the Central Procurement Board received budgetary approval from the Synod Naval Committee to allocate procurements funds from 1980 to 1982 to build the first vessel. These were to coincide with the construction of the first Carrier XX that was to be commissioned by 1985.

When Nicholas I died in 1980, his great-nephew Nicholas II ascended the throne, om the advice of several more sensible voices in the Synod, he ordered a reassessment of the naval budget with the procurement plan for the 1980s, which highlighted that Velikoslavia did not have good use for a large aircraft carrier. There were no real foreign threats that required projection of power and an aging fleet of surface vessels left over from the Great Republican War and older, many of which were woefully dated. It was determined that these were needed to enforce local control over the Nordic Sea and other key corridors more than project power and the Carrier XX Initiative was cancelled in 1980 with the keel of the new carrier quickly scrapped. As a result of changing priorities, the Cruiser XX Initiative was repurposed and the Imperial Shipwrights Guild was commissioned to redesign the new cruiser class.

A new design was presented in June of 1987 and approved by the Board for the 1988 fiscal budget year. The first keel was technically laid down in 1988 but construction was halted once it was determined that the propulsion pack would not be available until 1990 at the earliest. As a result, the CPB restructured the proposed budgetary timeline and construction began officially in 1990 with the first vessel launched in 1993. In order to spread out the costs, the ships were constructed between 1990 and 2000 with the final vessel entering commission in 2000.

In 2020, it was announced that the vessels would undergo a refit process, modernizing the sensor systems with the installation of the MP6 Radar Complex, which would allow the Velikoslav surface fleet to operate under the new Midas Battlefield Networking System, which represented a major upgrade to the Ravelin Fleet Defense System.

In 2024, it was announced all vessels in the Velikoslav navy would undergo a minor refit and minor loadout adjustment to strengthen their capability to intercept suicide drones and other types of close range attack drones.

Design and development

Though initial changes to the design were minute, the Central Procurement Board rejected the new design submitted in 1982, citing that the nuclear propulsion system was deemed unnecessary once Nicholas II outlined the new direction that the navy would take. The design was also over 300 meters long which was deeemd far too expensive and material intensive to maintain and construct overtime. The Shipwright made the decision to partially redesign the vessel, proposing a new CODAG propulsion system that was under development at DSU.

Construction

Initially promised to be ready by 1990, problems with the new main drive engines, which used advanced technologies, caused delays and DSU and the CPB made the decision to utilize two older designs provided by Pantra Industries Limited while keeping their own diesel generators, gas turbine, and gearboxes in order to keep the construction schedule.

Service

Machinery

The Throm class was constructed with a newly developed CODAG propulsion system utilizing Pantra MD12 Marine diesel engines as the primary propulsion. This engine is mated to three DSU 220X series gearboxs which drive three shafts connected to three controllable pitch screws. For full speed running, a S400 35.5 MW marine gas turbine can be engaged in order to augment the diesel engines. The engineering compartment was given a shield of 68mm plating in order to protect sensitive components. The DSU D1600 diesel engines that were specially developed for the cruiser were unable to be prepared in time, meaning that older, less powerful Pantra diesel engines were utilized, which required an additional engine to meet the speed requirements.

Though its role changed, the speed requirements of the design did not and the vessel can cruise at 32 knots with the entire propulsion package engaged. Top cruising speed with just the three diesel engines is 27 knots. Owing to its original role, the Throm class has a range of 12,600 nmi at a regular cruising speed of 18 mph. Depending on the mission loadout, the vessel can be loaded with additional fuel to add a small amount to the range.

The cruiser contains all the modern creature comforts and safety systems with fire suppression systems, damage warning systems, and other key components.

Armament

The primary armament of a Throm class vessel is 168 Dracal VLS cells, each situated in groupings of eight. The cells are configurable in port to be able to launch multiple types of weapons and are primarily equipped with ASM60 surface to air missiles, ASHM440 Anti-ship missiles, or ASUM670 anti-submarine missiles depending on the mission profile. Deck depth for the VLS system was built to the specifications of the longest available munition. This configuration allows the vessel to serve a defensive role for the flagship or an offensive role should a Throm be deployed on its own.

For attacking at closer ranges, the Throm possesses a forward mounted AK-130 twin-barrel turret that carries 500 rounds and can fire up to 40 rounds per minute. The guns are versatile and can be used against surface or aerial targets. For defense, the Throm carries four Terrier fleet defense emplacements which can engage incoming targets with both RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile for point defense interceptions or twin 30mm cannons, which are useful for point defense and engaging small surface targets. Four AK-630 gun emplacements at the center of the vessel provide further point defense and support the Terrier emplacements against large barrages.

Sensors

The Throm class is equipped with a sensor suite that consists primarily of the MP1 radar complex, which is integral to the Ravelin Fleet Defensive Network. The system consists of an electronically scanned array that is computer controlled and uses four complementary antennas to provide 360-degree coverage. Additional surface search and gun targeting is provided by two MPSSFC9 radar emplacements. These are two dimensional surface-search radars that provide only range and bearing but not elevation. They are intended primarily to detect and track targets at sea level, on the surface of the water for either gun fire engagement or navigation. They can however, also detect and track low altitude (below 2000 ft) air targets. Complementing the MPSSFC9 is the Painter 60 tracking radar, which provides primary tracking for the main weapon. A Navigator 67 navigation radar provides information for navigating the vessel.

As of 2020, all ships are in the process of getting the new MP6 radar complex fitted, which is a significant upgrade over the MP1 and will allow the vessels to remain in service for several more decades.

Ships

Construction data

Name	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Commissioned	Status
Jarl	Levograv Imperial Shipyard, Levograv	27 March 1990	26 December 1993	30 December 1994	In service in the Great Nordic Fleet
Hrafn		27 July 1993	26 May 1996	31 October 1997	In service in the Great Nordic Fleet
Langscip		17 May 1996	25 April 1998	30 December 2000	In service with the Imperial Northern Fleet