Prowler Class Corvette
 Prowler Class Corvette
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Prowler Class Corvette |
| Builders: | Gaeges Imperial Aquanautics |
| Operators: | Imperial Huvakian Navy |
| Preceded by: | Charge Class Corvette |
| Building: | 3 |
| Completed: | 5 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Corvette |
| Displacement: | 640 Tons |
| Length: | 72.7 m (239 ft) |
| Beam: | 10.4 m (34 ft) |
| Draught: | 2.4 m ( 7.9 ft) |
| Installed power: | 5 PC 2–5 V400 diesels, 2 × 5-blade props |
| Speed: | 35 Knots |
| Range: | 3,000 Nautical Miles |
| Complement: | 43 |
| Sensors and processing systems: | Jaengel 9VL Combat Management system |
| Armament: |
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| Aircraft carried: | Landing and refueling pad for 1 KH-27 |
The Prowler class corvette is the next generation coastal patrol craft in use by the Imperial Navy. Designed to replace the aging Charge Class Corvettes the Prowler is smaller, faster, and more heavily armed. The hull is constructed with a sanwich deisgne consisting of a PVC core with a carbon fibre and binyl lamniate. There are multiple advantages to using composite materials in ships hulls. Good conductivity and surface flatness means a low radar signature, while good heat insulations lowers the infrafed signature and increases survivability in case of fire. The composite sandwhich used is also non magnetic, which lowers the magnetic signature. Composites are also very strong for their relative weight, and less weight means a higher top speed and better maneuverability. The composite weights roughly 50% less than the equivalent steel strength. The Prowlers angular tumblehome design reduces its radar signature by 99%. The 57mm cannon barrel can be folding into the turret to reduce its cross section. There are plans for additional improvements in this area, especially for the deck rails and masts.
History
Much of the dsigne was based on experiences learned from foreign concepts and allied designes. The class was originally designed to be divided into two subcategories though budget constraints led to the eventual abandonment of one class. A helicopter such as the KH-27 can land, take off, and refuel on the upper deck. A helicopter hangar was originally planned but was considered to small to be operationally feasable and was removed.