Crusader class destroyer

File:CrusaderClass.png
Class overview
Name:	Crusader class destroyer
Builders:	Vasari Solutions
Operators:	Etruria
Preceded by:	Chaplain
Planned:	6
Building:	1
Completed:	2
Active:	United Etrurian Navy 2
General characteristics
Type:	Guided Missile Destroyer
Displacement:	9,450 long tons
Length:	176 m (577 ft) (overall)
Beam:	19 meters
Draft:	6.5
Propulsion:	CODOG 2 DN80 / 2 QC-280 gas turbines each generating 30 MW / 30 MW and 2 TETRU AAV 12V 1163TB83 diesels each generating 8 MW
Complement:	215
Sensors and processing systems:	Type 348 Radar Type 517HA VHF search radar Anti stealth radar with Yagi antenna MR 331 fire control radar Type 344 Radar LR66/TR47C radar Type 364 Radar DUBV-23 (SJD-8/9) medium-frequency hull-mounted radar DUBV-43 (ESS-1) towed medium-frequency VDS
Armament:	1 x H/PJ-38 130mm dual purpose gun 1 x 9 Cell T880 CIWS 1 x 24 Cell FL3000N CIWS 140 VLS for surface-to-air missiles, cruise missiles, anti-submarine missiles, anti-ship missiles, some of which can be quad packed Type 095V ASW missiles KR-50 LACM T-330 or QR-50 anti-ship missiles HHQ-9 series long range SAM DK-10A (possibly quad-packed) medium range SAM 2 x 30 mm remote controlled gun 6 torpedo tubes 4 x 18-tube decoy rocket launcher
Aircraft carried:	1 x Faverra D-19
Aviation facilities:	Helipad and hangar

The Crusader class destroyer (Etrurian: Crociato; also dubbed Capellano-III) is a class of guided missile destroyers being deployed by the United Etrurian Navy. Currently two are in active service with a third currently under construction. The vessel has seen numerous improvements on the Chaplain class, with improved AESA radar, armaments and engines.

The layout of the Crusader is similar to the earlier Chaplain, but the superstructure of the Crusader slopes inward at a greater angle, providing superior stealth. The helicopter hangar on the Crusader is moved to the center, as opposed to being on the left like on the Chaplain. A pair of enclosed boat/raft launching systems similar to that of the Spear class frigate is added, with one on each side of the helicopter hangar. The Type 517HA VHF radar mast is moved toward the stern of the ship. There are several mounting sites for a new single barrel 30 mm stealthy gun mount that is fully automated. The addition of this small caliber weapon is presumably for the need to counter non-conventional threats such as potential terrorist attacks and anti-piracy operations.

Design

The Crusader class is the successor to the Chaplain class destroyer and is primed to become the mainstay of the UEN's destroyer fleet. The Crusader's layout is similar to that of the Chaplain, however the helicopter hangar on the Crusader is moved to the center, as opposed to being on the right like on the Chaplain. A pair of enclosed boat/raft launching systems similar to that of the Spear class frigate is added, with one on each side of the helicopter hangar. The Type 517HA VHF radar mast is moved toward the stern of the ship. There are several mounting sites for a new single barrel 30 mm stealthy gun mount that is fully automated. The addition of this small caliber weapon is presumably for the need to counter non-conventional threats such as potential terrorist attacks and anti-piracy operations. More space was made available for the active phased array radar (APAR) and one key difference to the Chaplain is that the APAR aboard the Crusader is liquid cooled rather than air cooled as on the Chaplain, with greater curvature to the APAR mounts, the Crusader also has 50% more transceivers than the Chaplain.

Vertical Launch System

The Crusader has a brand new vertical launching system (VLS) for surface-to-air missiles, cruise missiles, anti-submarine missiles, and anti-ship missiles, and is capable of quad-packing missiles and cold launch. The VLS system on the Crusader is rectangular compared to the circular system found on Chaplains, the United Etrurian Navy commented that the decision to utilise rectangular VLS tubes was taken after comparing data on launches from both systems and that rectangular offered greater specifications. Moreover, this box-like VLS lacks exhaust vents, with confirmation that cold launch is still being used aboard Etrurian vessels.

File:HHSCruciat.png

The ENS Crociato on trial runs in 2013.

However later comments by the UEN, confirmed that the Crusader utilises a more advanced method of concentric canister launch (CCL) system, when using CCL method, the flame produced in hot launch is diverted through the space between the inner and outer canisters within each individual VLS cell, so no specially dedicated exhaust shared by several cells are needed, and this is why CCL VLS can be mistaken for cold launch due to the lack of dedicated exhaust sandwiched between two rolls of cells in traditional VLS, while in reality, the exhaust of CCL VLS is within each individual cell, as explained by the UEN confirmation of the CCL method being used aboard the Crusader class.

It has also been confirmed that the VLS on Crusaders are built to NMS 5860-2006 standard (SMN = Nuovo Principio Militari, "New Military Standard"), so that different types of missiles can be launched by a single launching system. According to some of the publicized examples of SMN 5860-2006 requirement, there are 3 types of VLS that differs in length: 9 meter, 7 meter and 3.3 meter respectively, but the diameter is same for all, 850 mm maximum, with each launching tube filled with either dry air or nitrogen inside, and with higher internal pressure. Each launching model has a launching control unit, which can simultaneously launch up to 4 missiles of different kind. The launching control unit must have built-in test/diagnostic function.

Ships in class

Navy	Name	Launched	Commissioned	Status
United Etrurian Navy	Crociato	2011	2013	Active
United Etrurian Navy	Furia	2013	2015	Active
United Etrurian Navy	Vendetta			Under construction