Elbrus-class Light Cruiser

Elbrus Class Light Cruiser
Class Overview
Class name:	Elbrus-class Light Cruiser
Namesake:	Geographic Features
Builders:	Deimos Steel Works, Enlis Drive Yards, and others
General characteristics
Type:	Light Cruiser
Displacement:	92,000 tonnes
Length:	360 m
Beam:	32.2 m (Hull)
Height:	58 m (Superstructure) 100 m (Mast)
Complement:	671
Power Generation:	8x Beranek Mk IV LP Furnaces Unibank Kampon-Wahl Coronatite Expansion Engine
Propulsion:	4x D-a4c Impellers
Maximum FTL Speed:	35.7 Kempes
Sensors Systems:	1x KW/SQ-10E Artemis Integrated Electronics Array
Electronic Warfare Systems:	1x KW/SQ-10E Artemis Integrated Electronics Array 4x Flight 5C 'Dixie' Decoys
Armament (Elbrus):	8x Mk IX 40 kg DP Reinhold Guns (8x1) 24x L/30 Torpedo Tubes (8x3) 28x 8.8 cm FlaK-80 (14x2)
Armament (Kilimanjaro):	10x Mk X 22 kg QF Reinhold Guns (5x2) 12 x Mk IX 40 kg DP Reinhold Guns (10x1) 28x 8.8 cm FlaK-80 (14x2) 6x 8 cell Point Defence Missile Launchers
Shielding:	Mk IX Priwen Ravelin Array
Armor:	Hull: 75 cm Citadel: 130 cm
Small Craft carried:	N/A

The Elbrus-class light cruiser is one of the most common vessels in the Imperial & Federal Navy, and along with its Kilimanjaro subclass, serves a wide variety of purposes, from destroyer or convoy leader, escort, and even independent scouting operations. Ships of the Elbrus class are named for geographic features, like mountains or rivers, of the various worlds within the Imperial & Federal Union. The primary mission of the light cruiser in the R.u.B Navy is that of the escort or destroyer leader. In both roles, the Elbrus class cruiser is intended to co-ordinate the action of a destroyer or frigate flotilla in pursuit of its wider mission. As such, it is intended to be capable of keeping pace with such vessels, while also featuring necessary support equipment that would be too large to fit on a destroyer or frigate. Light cruisers thus serve as key points in both screening capital ships of the fleet, or in the skirmishing phase of any major engagement.

Development

The Elbrus class light cruiser was designed as a general hull form to fulfill the various form needed by the Imperial & Federal Navy under the role title of 'light cruiser', and so was designed in both a torpedo and gun cruiser variant. Both versions would share a hull, reactors, and electronic systems, that would enable both to fulfill the general roles of a light cruiser, such as escort and squadron duties in which the vessel will generally serve as the flagship for a destroyer squadron, or otherwise be assigned to a larger formation of ships for escort or offensive missions. In addition, the vessel is intended to be capable of operating independently, both as a long range scout for the fleet and as a raiding vessel. As a light cruiser, the design was always intended to emphasise speed, range, and maneuverability over firepower and armour. The Elbrus class was developed with the use of new technologies in mind, and so is exceptionally advanced in terms of the technologies used to construct it. The armament between the two variants of the class are designed for two different situations, with the Elbrus variant focused on a destroyer leader role, while the Kilimanjaro class is more focused on close range engagements with lasbolt fire.

Kilimanjaro Class

Kilimanjaro class Light Cruiser

The Kilimanjaro subclass is a significant departure from the design of the Elbrus class in general. Whereas the Elbrus is intended for long range combat, the Kilimanjaro is optimised extensively for close ranged combat, including point defence and escort duties. The Kilimanjaro exchanges the torpedoes and particle cannon for a large number of lasbolt cannons. The removal of the torpedo systems has allowed the volume and energy needed to support the additional weapons, while also allowing a vastly increased space for other items, such as crew amenities, supplies, and improved computer systems. The Kilimanjaro class is intended for more independent operations, especially deep space patrol and functioning as a destroyer and frigate leader. In other situations, the Kilimanjaro class is used as a 'superfrigate' to provide close escort for large capital ships. In these situations, the large number of lasbolt weapons can be used to provide additional point defence against small craft and other munitions, and also to head off any hostile light ships which have penetrated the main escort screen. The Kilimanjaro is also intended to be capable of atmospheric operations, with its large amounts of excess power being used to support extensive antigrav repulsors. As the largest vessel in the Imperial & Federal Navy capable of atmospheric operations, the Kilimanjaro is used extensively to provide close range naval support for Common Army troops operating on the surface.