Crusader class destroyer
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| File:CrusaderClass.png | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Crusader class destroyer |
| Builders: | Vasari Solutions |
| Operators: |
 Etruria |
| Preceded by: | Chaplain |
| Planned: | 6 |
| Building: | 1 |
| Completed: | 2 |
| Active: |
United Etrurian Navy 2 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Guided Missile Destroyer |
| Displacement: | 9,450 long tons |
| Length: | 176 m (577 ft) (overall) |
| Beam: | 19 meters |
| Draft: | 6.5 |
| Propulsion: |
CODOG 2 DN80 / 2 QC-280 gas turbines each generating 30 MW / 30 MW and 2 TETRU AAV 12V 1163TB83 diesels each generating 8 MW |
| Complement: | 215 |
| Sensors and processing systems: |
|
| Armament: |
2 x 30 mm remote controlled gun 6 torpedo tubes 4 x 18-tube decoy rocket launcher |
| Aircraft carried: | 1 x Faverra D-19 |
| Aviation facilities: | Helipad and hangar |
The Crusader class destroyer (Etrurian: Crociato; also dubbed Capellano-III) is a class of guided missile destroyers being deployed by the United Etrurian Navy. Currently two are in active service with a third currently under construction. The vessel has seen numerous improvements on the Chaplain class, with improved AESA radar, armaments and engines.
The layout of the Crusader is similar to the earlier Chaplain, but the superstructure of the Crusader slopes inward at a greater angle, providing superior stealth. The helicopter hangar on the Crusader is moved to the center, as opposed to being on the left like on the Chaplain. A pair of enclosed boat/raft launching systems similar to that of the Spear class frigate is added, with one on each side of the helicopter hangar. The Type 517HA VHF radar mast is moved toward the stern of the ship. There are several mounting sites for a new single barrel 30 mm stealthy gun mount that is fully automated. The addition of this small caliber weapon is presumably for the need to counter non-conventional threats such as potential terrorist attacks and anti-piracy operations.
Design
The Crusader class is the successor to the Chaplain class destroyer and is primed to become the mainstay of the UEN's destroyer fleet. The Crusader's layout is similar to that of the Chaplain, however the helicopter hangar on the Crusader is moved to the center, as opposed to being on the right like on the Chaplain. A pair of enclosed boat/raft launching systems similar to that of the Spear class frigate is added, with one on each side of the helicopter hangar. The Type 517HA VHF radar mast is moved toward the stern of the ship. There are several mounting sites for a new single barrel 30 mm stealthy gun mount that is fully automated. The addition of this small caliber weapon is presumably for the need to counter non-conventional threats such as potential terrorist attacks and anti-piracy operations. More space was made available for the active phased array radar (APAR) and one key difference to the Chaplain is that the APAR aboard the Crusader is liquid cooled rather than air cooled as on the Chaplain, with greater curvature to the APAR mounts, the Crusader also has 50% more transceivers than the Chaplain.
Vertical Launch System
The Crusader has a brand new vertical launching system (VLS) for surface-to-air missiles, cruise missiles, anti-submarine missiles, and anti-ship missiles, and is capable of quad-packing missiles and cold launch. The VLS system on the Crusader is rectangular compared to the circular system found on Chaplains, the United Etrurian Navy commented that the decision to utilise rectangular VLS tubes was taken after comparing data on launches from both systems and that rectangular offered greater specifications. Moreover, this box-like VLS lacks exhaust vents, with confirmation that cold launch is still being used aboard Etrurian vessels.
However later comments by the UEN, confirmed that the Crusader utilises a more advanced method of concentric canister launch (CCL) system, when using CCL method, the flame produced in hot launch is diverted through the space between the inner and outer canisters within each individual VLS cell, so no specially dedicated exhaust shared by several cells are needed, and this is why CCL VLS can be mistaken for cold launch due to the lack of dedicated exhaust sandwiched between two rolls of cells in traditional VLS, while in reality, the exhaust of CCL VLS is within each individual cell, as explained by the UEN confirmation of the CCL method being used aboard the Crusader class.
It has also been confirmed that the VLS on Crusaders are built to NMS 5860-2006 standard (SMN = Nuovo Principio Militari, "New Military Standard"), so that different types of missiles can be launched by a single launching system. According to some of the publicized examples of SMN 5860-2006 requirement, there are 3 types of VLS that differs in length: 9 meter, 7 meter and 3.3 meter respectively, but the diameter is same for all, 850 mm maximum, with each launching tube filled with either dry air or nitrogen inside, and with higher internal pressure. Each launching model has a launching control unit, which can simultaneously launch up to 4 missiles of different kind. The launching control unit must have built-in test/diagnostic function.
Ships in class
| Navy | Name | Launched | Commissioned | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Etrurian Navy
|
Crociato | 2011 | 2013 | Active |
| United Etrurian Navy
|
Furia | 2013 | 2015 | Active |
| United Etrurian Navy
|
Vendetta | Under construction |