Farbanti Class Stealth Carrier
 BCNS Greyhammer at sea near Caledonia
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Farbanti-class stealth aircraft carrier |
| Builders: | Neucom Incorporated |
| Operators: |
 Blackhelm Confederacy |
| Subclasses: | |
| Cost: | Approximately US$8.5 billion |
| In commission: | 23rd March, 1994 |
| Planned: | 7 |
| Completed: | 7 |
| Active: | 7 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Aircraft carrier |
| Displacement: | Approx. 57,000 tons full load |
| Length: | 1,330 feet |
| Beam: | 134 feet (40.84 meters) |
| Propulsion: |
Two Nuclear Power Plant (A4W Pressurized Water Reactor) Three shafts, two propellers, with five blades each |
| Speed: | 30+ knots (34.5+ miles per hour) |
| Complement: |
Crew Ship's Company: 2,200 Air Wing: 1,480 |
| Crew: | 3,680 (including airwing) |
| Aircraft carried: | 56 |
The NQA 1 Farbanti-class stealth aircraft carrier is the Neo-Erusean Navy's primary carrier. Four are known to be in sevice with the NERN and one in the Neucom Emergancy Unit. The vessel resembles the Sea Shadow in design but is much bigger and serves a different purpose. Two additional Farbanti class carriers are currently in service with the Blackhelm Confederate Navy
History
Design of the NQA 1 began in 23rd March, 1994, by the former NEMI, the NQA 1 was a troubling vessel to create. The government made an order for a stealth aircraft carrier that was nimble, and was easy to operate. NEMI answered with the NQA 1 Farbanti-class aircraft carrier, that met all theri expectations. The NERN quiclky purchased three and planned on buying a fourth. When NEMI merged with Keryan Inc to form Neucom Inc, the corporation built its own carrier for use in the Neucom Emergancy Unit.
Overview
The Farbanti-class carriers are a floating airport, capable of launching as many as four aircraft a minute. The ship's four catapults and four arresting gear engines enable her to launch and recover aircraft rapidly and simultaneously. The ships carry seven different types of aircraft with a total complement of 56 planes. During flight operations, the flight deck of 4 acres is a scene of almost no activity, with crew and other equipment functioning as a well-rehearsed and carefully choreographed team to ensure both efficiency and safety from within the vessel. Four aircraft elevators, each the size of two average city lots, bring the aircraft to the flight deck from the hangars below. Small tractors spot the planes on the flight deck. Aviation fuel is pumped up from tanks below, and bombs and rockets are brought up from the magazines. Powerful steam catapults similar to those on western carriers can accelerate 37-ton jets from zero to a safe flight speed of up to 180 miles per hour in about 300 feet and in less than three seconds. The weight of each aircraft determines the amount of thrust provided by the catapult. When landing, pilots use a system of lenses to guide the aircraft "down the slope," the correct glide path for landing. The four arresting wires, each consisting of two-inch thick wire cables connected to hydraulic rams below decks, drag landing aircraft going as fast as 150 miles per hour to a stop in less than 400 feet. Lacking an island, the "Air Boss" and his staff coordinate the entire operation, which is carefully monitored from the flight deck level as well as by the Captain on the ship's deck. The only time crews get on the deck is during aircraft operations.
The Farbanti-class self-defense measures include: stealth, missiles, guns, and electronic warfare. The NQA 1 uses modified SA15 Gauntlet missiles that are resistant to sea water, which is comprised of two launchers with eight missiles each. SA-15 is a command-guided, short-to-medium range missile capable of engaging aircraft and cruise missiles. Farbanti-class also has Close-In Weapon System mounts for short range defense against aircraft or missiles. Each mount has its own search and track radar, and a six-barrel, 20-millimeter Gatling gun capable of firing 3,000 rounds per minute. These weapons are retracted when not in use, as to keep the vessel stealth. The carrier's two nuclear reactors give her virtually unlimited range and endurance and a top speed in excess of 30 knots. Four steam turbine generators each produce 6,000 kilowatts of electrical power, enough to serve a small city. The ship has enough electrical generating power to supply electricity to a city of 90,000. The ship normally carries enough food and supplies to operate for 70 days. Three distilling units enable Farbanti-class engineers to make over 300,000 gallons of fresh water from seawater a day, for use by the propulsion plants, catapults and crew. The ship carries approximately 2 million gallons of fuel for her aircraft and escorts, and enough weapons and stores for extended operations without replenishment. These ships also have extensive repair capabilities, including a fully equipped Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department, a micro-miniature electronics repair shop, and numerous ship repair shops. Keeping a Farbanti-class carrier ready at all times requires repair shops to maintain machinery and aircraft, heavy duty tailor shops to repair parachutes and other survival gear, and electronic ships that keep communication, navigation and avionics equipment in good condition. Farbanti-class carriers almost boast all the amenities that would be found in any Neo-Erusean city with a sizeable population, including a post office with its own ZIP code, TV and radio station, a newspaper, a limited fire department, a decent library, a hospital, a general store, a barbershop, and vending machines.
Specifications
Specifications:
Power Plant Two Nuclear Power Plant (A4W Pressurized Water Reactor)
Three shafts, two propellers, with five blades each
Length, overall 1,330 feet
Flight Deck Width 242 feet
Beam 134 feet (40.84 meters)
Displacement Approx. 57,000 tons full load
Speed 30+ knots (34.5+ miles per hour)
Aircraft 56
Aircraft elevators: Four
Catapults: Four
Crew Ship's Company: 2,200
Air Wing: 1,480