Ardent Class Frigate
| File:RNEnsign2copys.png | |
| Ardent class | |
|---|---|
| Design details | |
| Type | Frigate |
| Hull type | Monohull |
| Manufacturer | FDI Group Burnington Devon other yards |
| Preceded by | Marquis Class Frigate |
| Followed by | Broadsword Class Frigate |
| Service dates | 2004 (SC) to Present |
| Status | In Active Service |
| Operators | |
| File:Freethinker.png The Freethinker Commonwealth | |
The Ardent class is a large, multi-role frigate of the Freethinker Royal Navy, primarily intended as a battle group and amphibious expeditionary force escort optimised for the destruction of enemy surface combatants and submarines. They are amongst the most numerous Freestian naval vessels, the number of commissioned ships matches the size of several rival navies in their entirety. As with most FRN vessels, they are larger than traditional ships of their designation, and indeed are more capable platforms than many nation's destroyers and cruisers. Like most Freestian vessels of their period, they have undergone extensive redesigns and refits since the class' inception.
Most of the vessels were built by various FDI Group yards, though maintenance is heavily shared over a number of engineering concerns. A substantial number of ships remain on order, particularly to replace losses from the Fargon Crisis. They are frequent sights in almost any Freestian naval base or operation.
Being one of the most ubiquitous vessels in Freethinker service, the ships have seen action in a large number of conflicts, particularly as they possess excellent land-attack capabilities. They are known colloquially as Captain-makers as assignment to these vessels as commanding officer is generally perceived, thanks to their sheer number, as a standard stepping stone up the ranks. Ships are named in an alphabetical pattern, all ships possess an 'A' name, though their sheer number means some later members of the class have some unusual or obscure reference.
Origin and Manufacture
Design
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Displacement: | tbc tons (Normal load) |
| Dimensions: | tbc (l) x tbc (w) x 5.2m (d) |
| Crew: | 144 (Ship's Complement) 24 (Onboarded Specialists) |
| Propulsion: | - |
| Performance: | - 32 kts (Sustainable) - tbc Miles |
| Armament: | - 1 x BI 155mm/52 Mk 3 ETC Naval Gun - 2 x 64-cell (8x8) Falltech Mk 72 VLS - 2 x Twin Torpedo Catapults - 2 x 25mm Cannons |
| Aircraft: | - 1 light/medium helicopter - Support facilities for UAVs/drones |
| No. Ships in Class: | - 4,480 |
Armament
The primary gunnery system of the Ardent class is a BI D/P 155mm/52 Mk 3 ETC Naval Gun. This powerful gunnery system is ubiquitous in the Freestian navy, and provides effective surface engagement and ground attack capability alongside a limited AAW function. Each weapon can fire 30 rounds a minute, utilising a mixture of varied ammunition types out to a range of 22 miles (conventional) or 120 miles (ERGM) rounds. Based on the principals of ETC gunnery, larger stocks of ammunition can be carried more safely. Though it varies by round, a CES of 40 metres at 10 miles (16 km) is stated for unguided munitions. The weapon is housed in a moderately stealthy, radar absorbent fibreglass housing with an armoured lining behind for defence. The positioning of the weapon allows for almost a 360 degree firing arc regardless of the ship's orientation.
Guidance is provided by the Falltech IronEye targeting system attached to the GSCC, which integrates the gun into the sensor and control systems of the vessel. Each weapon is powered electronically and controlled remotely, with backup remote manual control as a reserve system.
There are two BI 25mm guns for manual close in defence. These are crewed, sensor-directed weapons designed for anti-surface and anti-air work, though their reclined housing, intended for improved stealth, means they are more effective in the former role. In addition, 4 retractable machine gun mounts, for either 7.7mm GPMG or 6 x 7.62mm Miniguns are installed for port defence work. It is envisioned these will be replaced by automated mounts in the next round of refits.
Additionally, two twin 324mm Torpedo Tubes, magazine launched, are mounted either side of the vessel below the flight deck.
Active decoy systems are detailed in the protection section below.
Sensors
As a dedicated surface and submarine warfare vessel,
The Combat Management Suite is the Falltech General Surface Tactical Defence Control system. This is the standard escort control system installed on Freestian warships, and combines all sensory input and weapon control modules to provide an integrated system management function. Primary control is located in a hardened Command Centre amidship.
The Falltech PAR-SX is the primary radar system, with one quadruple fixed set of the phased arrays being deploy at a +8^ angle to the horizon on the main mast.
The sonar suite is equally formidable. Aside from on-boarded helicopters and UAVs, the ship is equipped with a hull mounted Falltech SS-24A Medium-range sonar suite and the Falltech SS-30B (mod 2) Towed Array sonar.
For electronic warfare, the Mk 605 ECM/ESM suite, the standard ECM/ESM suite for most Freestian warships is in place.
Propulsion
Like most modern Freestian warships, the Ardents' utilise a Integrated Electrical Propulsion system supplied by Falltech, which vastly improves the efficiency of power transfer from the turbines and reserve power units to the engines and other systems.
Protection
2 x Falltech Mk 9 Decoy Launchers,
Passive defence against submerged targets is provided by a number of systems. The Falltech Universal Towed Decoy System is the main decoy carried, deploying an active towed platform.
Argus Defence Technologies installed degaussing and acoustic sweeping gear, specifically the ASDS and the AD Mk.1 Magnetic/Acoustic sweeping system. Both installed sets are sized for the vessel and designed to provide effective passive defence against numerous underwater threats.
Service History
The class has had a extensive operational career, deployed for Special Operations and Naval Gunfire Support during the Outback Insurrection and the Great Southern Invasion, and have also been very active in numerous anti-pirate and anti-Ork operations around the Commonwealth.
They are frequently deployed alongside other vessels during the Outback Scourings, and numbers have deployed in every naval component since the class was introduced.
A large number of vessels were part of the Northern Fleet, and were involved in both the Shelter raid and the Battle of the Bay. Fifty-six vessels were lost, with a further twenty heavily damaged over the course of the two actions, their performance compromised by the activities of rogue elements of the CNIO. Vessels of this class were deployed in the 2nd and 13th Expeditionary Fleets as part of Operation In Scarlet Clad.