Project 15470 frigate

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15471.png
Rainfall, c.2000
Class overview
Name: Project 15470 frigate
Operators: Itayana Navy
Preceded by: Project 10705 frigate
Succeeded by: Project 15580 frigate
In service: 2004-present
Completed: 32
Cancelled: 24
Active: 32
General characteristics
Type: Frigate
Displacement: 4,900 tonnes
Length: 138.1m
Beam: 14.6m
Draught: 8.6m
Propulsion:
  • 2-shaft COGAG system:
  • 2 x cruise gas turbines, 10,000 kW each
  • 2 x boost gas turbines, 28,500 kW each
Speed: +32kn
Range: 4,000 nautical miles at 18 knots
Boats & landing
craft carried:		 2 Type 440 cutters or 4-6 RIB boats
Complement: 193
Sensors and
processing systems:
  • Project 15471:
    • Fregato-M3 3D air search radar
    • Klingo-95 SAM guidance radar
    • Leono-145 fire control radar
  • Project 15471 MLU:
    • Type 2132 3D air search radar
    • Type 3100 SAM guidance / gunnery radar
    • Type 2677 gunnery radar
  • Navigation radar
  • Optronic suite
  • Sonar suite:
    • Hull-mounted sonar
    • Towed array sonar
Armament:
  • Project 15471
    • 2 missile mounts (8 missiles)
    • 36 SAM VLS cells
    • 1x1 130mm gun
    • 4x1 76mm guns
    • 4x2 25mm automatic cannons
    • 2 RBU-6000 bomb throwers
    • 2x2 533mm torpedo tubes
    • 4 decoy launchers
  • Project 15471 MLU
    • 2 missile mounts (8 missiles)
    • 36 SAM VLS cells
    • 1x1 130mm gun
    • 4x1 76mm guns
    • 4 25mm rotary automatic cannons
    • 2 24-barrel multi-purpose launchers (MLU)
    • 2x4 324mm torpedo tubes (MLU)
    • 4 decoy launchers
Aircraft carried: 2 helicopters

The Project 15470 also known as the Rainfall-class frigate is a class of frigates in service with the Unifying Navy. Conceived as the primary unit of the Navy in 1990s, the ship was designed with extensive assistance of Redisan and Elatian shipbuilders. The first two batches were constructed on the foreign shipyards or with foreign supervision, while further batches were entirely domestic. The lead ship was commissioned in 2000 and the initial plans to build sixteen vessels eventually expanded, making the family the mainstay of the Unifying Navy and its most numerous surface combatant.

General characteristics

The layout of the Project 15470 vessels is characterized by relatively low and extensive superstructure, several antenna masts, two funnels and a wide helicopter hangar. The hull is 138.1 m long overall, with a beam of 14.6 meters and the draught of 8.6 meters, including a 4-meter bulb housing the bow sonar array. The hull shape was reportedly modeled using computer simulations to optimize hydrodynamic performance.

Ships of the class are powered by the COGAG propulsion system, with two 10kW cruise gas turbines and two 27.5kW boost gas turbines. The top speed is estimated to be in excess of 32 knots, while the operational range of 4,000 nautical miles at 18 knots is typical for contemporary frigates. Electrical power is provided by a set of steam generators using heat from cruise turbines, as well as backup diesel generators. The ships carry two 12-meter boats, standard minimum for the blue-water vessels of the Autocracy Navy; vessels post mid-life upgrade have been known to use 7-meter RIB boats on several occasions. Each ship has a crew of 193, with 11 officers and 37 warrant officers.

The primary offensive weapon of the class is comprised of the two missile mounts amidships that allow variety of missile container launchers to be fitted. Initial ships used exclusively the imported Moskit anti-ship missiles, but at some point around 2008 further launchers were developed for other types of missiles, apparently including the modified Moskit derivative and the Kalibr cruise missile family. For anti-air defence, the ships carry 36 vertical-launch cells in three groups of 12 for various medium and short-range surface-to-air missiles. The exact types of SAMs in service of the Solar Autocracy are unknown, but are likely derived from Rezese, Redisan and Elatian systems.

Contrary to the contemporary naval design trends, ships of the Project 15470 carry an extensive artillery suite. A single dual-purpose 130mm gun is installed fore of the VLS cells, coupled with its own fire control radar and optical targeting module. It is known that the gun itself is licensed from Elatia, and is capable of firing 60 rounds a minute, but not much information is available on the targeting equipment. For close-range air defence, four 76mm guns of the Sante Reze origin are installed in pairs midships, fore of the missile launchers; those are capable of 120 rounds per minute.

As build, ships were equipped with eight 25mm guns in twin manned powered mounts, two at the fore superstructure behind the fire control radar, and two on top of the hangar. Those were later replaced by 3-barrel rotary 25mm guns in remote weapon stations. For the anti-submarine warfare, ships of the class carry two sets of torpedo tubes below the main deck fore of the hangar, and two RBU bomb throwers. When first commissioned, ships of the Project 15471 carried two twin 533mm torpedo tubes with several reloads. Over the mid-life upgrade program those were replaced with quad 324mm torpedo tubes, unified with standard Navy torpedoes.

Two helicopters are housed in the hangar at the stern of the ship, complementing search capabilities and offensive power of the vessel.

The electronic equipment of the class consists of a 3D air search radar, a missile control radar, a gunnery radar, a navigational radar, and an electronic warfare suite mounted below the air search radar. Conceived in 1990s, the ships relied primarily on foreign electronic equipment. The mid-life upgrade replaced most of the sensors on those of domestic origins. Additionally, four optronics stations are mounted at the fore mast. The sonar suite consists of the bow array and the towed array; the exact specifications or the place of origin of those are unknown. The communication tower on the hangar carries the signals complex, including several types of datalinks. The capabilities of the combat integration suite are unknown but are assumed to have evolved over time.

Notable deployments

As the main surface combatant of the Autocracy Navy, Project 15470 frigates have been used to represent the Solar Autocracy whenever and wherever needed, either by themselves or escorting the few capital ships of the Navy. Their first deployments were happened in August 2005, shortly after the first four units were commissioned from Redisan yards. The ships were frequently seen on joint exercises with Zacapine, Redisan, Rezese and Elatian navies, as well as representing the Autocracy as far as Velikoslavia, M'Biruna and Elatia.

The success of the design prompted the Solar Temple of Yanbango to massively expand their Star-2 Naval Program, contributing to the expansion of the shipbuilding plants No.75 and No.87. By the time of the Central Karana War, 16 frigates of the Project 15471 were commissioned, another two were finishing sea trials, 14 were on varying stages of construction and 24 more were scheduled. Their role in the land war was limited to screening territorial waters of the Autocracy, although #31, forced to stay behind behind docked due to the engine trouble, was towed to Karana River where it scored two confirmed aircraft kills.

The 2009-2011 economic downturn impacted the shipbuilding programs of the Autocracy negatively; nevertheless, it appears that all effort was made to finish the frigates already laid down, regardless of the stage of construction.

Starting 2020, the Navy initiated a mid-life refit program for the first batch, including complete overhaul of electronics, sensors and support systems, as well as efforts to reduce the radar cross section. It is expected that modified frigates will remain the mainstay of the Navy until 2040s, by which point they will be supplemented by newer designs.

Ships in class

Project 15471, Batch 1
Name Translation Shipyard Laid down Launched Commissioned Status
<name> Rainfall some Redisan yard 07.05.1998 25.10.1999 27.12.2000 Active
<name> <Translation> Rain some Redisan yard 09.05.1998 27.10.1999 27.12.2000 Active
<name> <Translation> Rain some Redisan yard 11.05.1998 29.10.1999 27.12.2000 Active
<name> <Translation> Rain some Redisan yard 13.05.1998 31.10.1999 27.12.2000 Active
<name> <Translation> Rain some Redisan yard 28.10.1999 15.03.2000 15.05.2001 Active
<name> <Translation> Rain some Redisan yard 30.10.1999 17.03.2000 15.05.2001 Active
<name> <Translation> Rain some Redisan yard 01.11.1999 19.03.2000 15.05.2001 Active
<name> <Translation> Rain some Redisan yard 03.11.1999 21.03.2000 15.05.2001 Active
Project 15471, Batch 2
Name Translation Shipyard Laid down Launched Commissioned Status
<name> <Translation> Cloud Shipbuilding Plant No.87 05.04.2002 15.09.2004 25.03.2007 Active
<name> <Translation> Cloud Shipbuilding Plant No.87 06.04.2002 17.09.2004 27.04.2007 Active
<name> <Translation> Cloud Shipbuilding Plant No.87 19.01.2002 25.12.2004 03.07.2007 Active
<name> <Translation> Cloud Shipbuilding Plant No.87 18.02.2002 11.06.2005 21.09.2008 Active
<name> <Translation> Cloud Shipbuilding Plant No.75 23.02.2002 03.08.2004 13.05.2007 Active
<name> <Translation> Cloud Shipbuilding Plant No.75 26.03.2002 26.11.2005 04.06.2007 Active
<name> <Translation> Cloud Shipbuilding Plant No.75 22.04.2002 30.01.2006 10.08.2009 Active
<name> <Translation> Cloud Shipbuilding Plant No.75 12.05.2002 30.01.2006 12.10.2009 Active
Project 15472, Batch 1
Name Translation Shipyard Laid down Launched Commissioned Status
<name> <translation> Shipbuilding Plant No.87 23.03.2007 30.03.2012 22.09.2015 Active
<name> <translation> Shipbuilding Plant No.87 24.04.2007 30.04.2012 16.10.2015 Active
<name> <translation> Shipbuilding Plant No.87 10.02.2008 14.03.2014 01.02.2016 Active
<name> <translation> Shipbuilding Plant No.87 12.02.2008 02.03.2014 14.05.2016 Active
<name> <translation> Shipbuilding Plant No.87 03.03.2008 01.04.2014 10.07.2016 Active
<name> <translation> Shipbuilding Plant No.87 15.03.2008 16.04.2014 29.03.2017 Active
<name> <translation> Shipbuilding Plant No.87 27.12.2008 23.01.2015 13.06.2017 Active
<name> <translation> Shipbuilding Plant No.87 05.01.2009 27.01.2015 17.12.2017 Active
<name> <translation> Shipbuilding Plant No.75 04.07.2007 23.10.2012 23.07.2015 Active
<name> <translation> Shipbuilding Plant No.75 26.12.2007 18.12.2012 18.10.2015 Active
<name> <translation> Shipbuilding Plant No.75 10.08.2008 25.01.2013 11.12.2015 Active
<name> <Translation> Shipbuilding Plant No.75 16.08.2008 30.04.2013 01.08.2016 Active
<name> <Translation> Shipbuilding Plant No.75 18.11.2008 25.07.2013 11.09.2016 Active
<name> <Translation> Shipbuilding Plant No.75 23.11.2008 16.12.2013 24.10.2016 Active
<name> <Translation> Shipbuilding Plant No.75 25.12.2008 15.01.2014 31.11.2016 Active
<name> <Translation> Shipbuilding Plant No.75 30.12.2008 17.01.2014 12.01.2017 Active
Project 15472, Batch 1
Name Translation Shipyard Laid down Launched Commissioned Status
<name> <translation> Shipbuilding Plant No.87 23.03.2007 30.03.2012 22.09.2015 Active
<name> <translation> Shipbuilding Plant No.87 24.04.2007 30.04.2012 16.10.2015 Active
<name> <translation> Shipbuilding Plant No.87 10.02.2008 14.03.2014 01.02.2016 Active
<name> <translation> Shipbuilding Plant No.87 12.02.2008 02.03.2014 14.05.2016 Active
<name> <translation> Shipbuilding Plant No.87 03.03.2008 01.04.2014 10.07.2016 Active
<name> <translation> Shipbuilding Plant No.87 15.03.2008 16.04.2014 29.03.2017 Active
<name> <translation> Shipbuilding Plant No.87 27.12.2008 23.01.2015 13.06.2017 Active
<name> <translation> Shipbuilding Plant No.87 05.01.2009 27.01.2015 17.12.2017 Active
<name> <translation> Shipbuilding Plant No.75 04.07.2007 23.10.2012 23.07.2015 Active
<name> <translation> Shipbuilding Plant No.75 26.12.2007 18.12.2012 18.10.2015 Active
<name> <translation> Shipbuilding Plant No.75 10.08.2008 25.01.2013 11.12.2015 Active
<name> <Translation> Shipbuilding Plant No.75 16.08.2008 30.04.2013 01.08.2016 Active
<name> <Translation> Shipbuilding Plant No.75 18.11.2008 25.07.2013 11.09.2016 Active
<name> <Translation> Shipbuilding Plant No.75 23.11.2008 16.12.2013 24.10.2016 Active
<name> <Translation> Shipbuilding Plant No.75 25.12.2008 15.01.2014 31.11.2016 Active
<name> <Translation> Shipbuilding Plant No.75 30.12.2008 17.01.2014 12.01.2017 Active
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