Rourke-class cruiser
 Rourke, in her 2018 configuration.
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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders: |
Manley Shipyards, Smith Island,  Meridon |
| Operators: |
 Meridonian Navy |
| Preceded by: | Tamblin-class cruiser |
| Succeeded by: | CG-MA |
| Built: | 1988-TBD |
| In service: | 1992-present |
| Planned: | 6 |
| Completed: | 6 |
| Active: | 6 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Guided missile cruiser |
| Displacement: | 16,600 tons, full load |
| Length: | Overall: 557 ft |
| Beam: | Overall: Around 70ft |
| Draught: | 20ft |
| Propulsion: | 4x COGAG turbines powering 2 shafts, 100,000 shp total |
| Speed: | In excess of 35 knots |
| Range: | In excess of 6,000 nm at 18kts |
| Complement: | 300, with accomodations for up to 360. |
| Sensors and processing systems: |
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| Electronic warfare & decoys: |
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| Armament: |
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2x Goalkeeper 40 25mm CIWS 16x MSS-33 anti-ship missiles 2x triple torpedo tubes for MSU-90 anti-submarine torpedoes |
| Armour: | Kevlar over vital spaces |
| Aircraft carried: | 2x H50M5 normally carried |
| Aviation facilities: | Enclosed hangar for up to 2x H50M5 Hawk |
The Rourke-class is a class of six guided missile cruiser in service with the Meridonian Navy. Designed from an optimized and enlarged Otapara-class hull to fill a need for a surface action group flagship, it utilized some of the materials from the twelve cancelled ship of that class. It was designed to act primarily as an offensive platform for strikes on sea and land targets and to coordinate one or multiple surface action groups during offensive and defensive operations. While its procurement was considered controversial due to a lack of perceived need, its flexibility has proved highly valuable to deployed Meridonian Navy groups. While capable of air warfare defense, Rourke-class deployments are typically as part of a surface action or amphibious ready group, and it is uncommon for it to be attached to a carrier task group. The class is named after major mountain peaks within the islands. The first ship, Rourke, was commissioned in 19XX and the last, Pinecrest, in 20XX.
Description
Design
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The Otapara-class was originally conceived as a standardized class of destroyer able to perform all necessary functions expected of a future surface combatant, including provisions for flag facilities as leaders of surface action groups. Replacing older Mystere-class vessels, they offered a substantially increased capability in anti-ship and land attack warfare, the latter being the first introduction of the capability from a surface ship with the introduction of VLS tubes. 20 ships were originally planned, however due to the high cost related to fitting and arming an Otapara-class destroyer and its percieved inadequacy in the air defense role, the Helena-class destroyer was designed to specialize in air warfare and form the bulk of a surface action group. This lead to the emergence of the semi-formal designation of the Otapara-class as a 'general purpose' destroyer, as opposed to the 'air wafare' destroyer Helena-class.
Construction
Propulsion
Armament and protection
Flight deck and aircraft facilities
Strike groups
Design differences within the class
Ships in class
| Ship | Pennant number | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRS Otapara | D30 | 23 March 1985 | 12 April 1988 | 33 November 1988 |
| MRS Kaimai | D31 | 10 July 1985 | 24 December 1988 | 30 August 1989 |
| MRS Kaihiku | D32 | 2 June 1986 | 30 March 1989 | 20 February 1990 |
| MRS Ohikati | D33 | 13 November 1986 | 20 March 1989 | 11 March 1990 |
| MRS Rotoma | D34 | 24 July 1987 | 14 July 1990 | 2 January 1992 |
| MRS Whitikau | D35 | 18 February 1988 | 2 January 1991 | 11 January 1992 |
| MRS Pipiroa | D36 | 2 March 1989 | 3 March 1992 | 16 December 1992 |
| MRS Anamaru | D37 | 20 December 1989 | 14 December 1992 | 3 May 1993 |
