Imperator class cruiser
| File:Imperator.png Imperator class missile cruiser (Block II) with sensor refit
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Imperator class |
| Builders: | Anacom Heavy Industries |
| Operators: |
 Holy Aegenic Navy |
| Built: | 1991 to present |
| In service: | 1992 to present |
| In commission: | 1993 to present |
| Planned: |
9 |
| Completed: |
7 |
| Cancelled: | 2 |
| Active: |
7 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Cruiser |
| Displacement: | 51,332 tons |
| Length: | 272.6 metres |
| Beam: | 28.6 metres |
| Draught: | 11.3 metres |
| Installed power: | 200,000 shp |
| Propulsion: | |
| Speed: | 32.7 knots |
| Range: | Theoretically Unlimited |
| Endurance: | Four Months |
| Boats & landing craft carried: |
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| Crew: |
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| Sensors and processing systems: |
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| Armament: |
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| Aircraft carried: | 1x helicopter |
| Aviation facilities: | 1x hangar |
The Imperator class cruiser is a heavy cruiser designed by the Holy Empire of Aegion in compliance with the Deterrence Doctrine of 1987. The ship is designed to accurately and efficiently destroy supercarriers.
Origin
The Imperator was birthed after a period of design study regarding naval supremacy against massed carrier strikes. With the government putting monetary emphasis on the Imperial Legion and the Imperial Air Legion, the navy was often left third in line for funding. While still better equipped than many other nations, the navy was behind in numbers and carrier strength when compared to the Arthuristan People's Navy and the Unified Navy. Proposed doctrines to increase carrier strike power were deemed too expensive to maintain for long periods of time. A cheaper, less complex solution to dealing with enemy navies that relied heavily on aircraft carriers was decided a necessity. Several designers undertook the challenge, the students at the Imperial College of Naval Architecture among them. ICNA undertook a seven month design study regarding modern carrier tactics and effective counters to them.
Birthed out of this study was several established truths. Carriers could engage enemies from a very long distance. The new vessel would need to be equipped with missiles that have the capable range to engage enemy carriers from a similar distance. Rodarion made T-900 missiles were proposed for the primary armament. These missiles could travel for long distances and hit targets from far away. The next issue was that, even if the carrier was hit, the aircraft could already be on the way. Plenty of smaller escort vessels would fill the role of air defense but it was necessary for the proposed vessel to be able to engage aerial targets as well. Carriers also were relatively quick. It was decided that a counter vessel would have to be just as quick or quicker to get it within range of a carrier before the air cover could effectively engage. Length was also to be kept relatively short so the vessel could quickly turn. Carriers were often long and had a wide turning radius. Giving the counter vessel the ability to outmaneuver them was considered a must.
Early designs also had the capability to support large caliber main guns. A mock up of the vessel with 280mm main guns was crafted out of wood and tested via several simulations. Two separate schools of thought dominated the navy. One study released showed conclusive evidence supporting the use of large caliber guns. Another study was published to argue a case for the continued use of missiles. Guns could be an option to support amphibious operations, engage smaller vessels for anti-piracy operations, and offer an alternative when the missiles were expended during combat. On the downside, space was considered at a premium and extra space for missile armament was considered a necessity. In the end, the Sea Legion rejected the proposal for a gun cruiser and opted for more missile armament and VLS.
The design study concluded with a successful design being drawn up by Merlo Heavy Industries.
Design
The Imperator is designed as a comprehensive aircraft carrier countermeasure with the capability to deal with a wide a variety of threats. Technology on board the vessel is top of the line. The most prominent feature of the design is the long hull of the vessel. The superstructure itself takes up as little of the hull as possible. This makes room for the comprehensive armament. This is also be ideal for using the hull for future upgrades and refits as it does not require much disassembly to access the ship's bowels. The vessel's frame is constructed out of high grade industrial steel that is treated against corrosion from the harsh elements of the sea. Decisions were made early on to construct a series of flood compartments in the lower portion of the vessel to enable it to survive hits without sinking outright. Provisions storage sits under the middle section of chambers with the exception of the reactor chamber and extends through the bottom of the vessel.
The next consideration was the primary reactor chamber. With Lead-Bismuth cooled reactors serving as the primary powerhouse aboard the vessel, the reactor chamber was cheaper and easier to engineer into the design. The lead bulkhead that separates the reactor chamber from the rest of the vessel could be half as thick. No access to energy needed to be installed either, as power was not required upon reactor shutdown. The chamber wall was fireproofed to prevent issues in case of the vessel catching fire. A layer of empty space sits between the reactor chamber and its neighbor. The planned rear VLS deck, which sits next to the reactor chamber, was also armored with a thick layer of protection against explosions. The gas system for the cold launch VLS was placed around each bank of VLS. Cold launching made it unnecessary to have vents for rocket exhaust and more VLS and bulkhead protection could be established. The bulkheads are rated to be able to contain the explosions of several or all of the missiles and keep the vessel from breaking in half.
An empty chamber with fire suppression chemicals and another armored bulkhead separates the VLS chamber from the crew quarters, which are in the center of the vessel underneath the superstructure. A full dining hall, bunk room, and other living necessities are in this section. A backup station to control the vessel in the event of the bridge being hit also resides here. In front of that sits the forward ammunition storage back in between another heavily armored bulkhead. This area contains all the reloads for the CIWS as well as a personal arms and armament storage area. A few extra T-900 reloads are stored here as well, though most are to be delivered through a provisions vessel. At the very front of the vessel sits the forward VLS deck, where the remainder of the VLS are stored behind two armored bulkheads. The bulkheads themselves are a part of what makes the vessel so heavy. Within the superstructure sits all of the control stations as well as space for more crew. More provisions can also be stored in various storage areas. A formal captain's quarters and several additional rooms for transporting dignitaries can also be found here. This was envisioned for the Imperator's role as a flagship vessel. A helicopter hangar sits at the very stern of the vessel. It was determined this would be necessary for transporting crew and dignitaries to land without docking the vessel and transferring people and provisions between ships. The helicopter is also capable of antisubmarine duties. A measure of fuel, ammunition, and weapons are carried for use with the helicopter. With the stern hangar, it is easy to get rid of the helicopter in the event it is destroyed on the deck.
Armament
The primary armament is six missile launchers that fire T-900 antiship missiles. The vessel carries additional missiles which can be loaded by the deck crew. This is allowed by the advanced HML23 modular quad launcher developed specially for the Imperator. The launchers are capable of elevating 23 degrees with an elevation platform under the launcher, allowing them to clear the deck. The forward two launchers can rotate a full 180 degrees, allowing firing solutions without the vessel needing to turn. Twenty-eight T-330 missiles in VLS launchers allow for shorter range strikes with more missiles if distance is closed. The vessel has a powerful VLS load of 280 cells that can hold a variety of missiles. Six Mark 23 standard CIWS are mounted on the port and starboard sides of the vessel. These provide a potent web of defence against incoming threats.
Propulsion
The Imperator is propelled by two Griphon Lead-Bismuth cooled reactors. These are the most common type of reactor used by the Imperial Sea Legion. They have a high thermal efficiency because the coolant has a boiling point of over 1750 Celsius. Reactors can be ran much hotter and more efficiently. This permits the system aboard the ship to produce over 400 megawatts of energy on only two reactors. The Griphon reactor, due to its coolant, also has the advantage of being able to replace the entire core after the operational life is exceeded instead of refueling, allowing for the lifetime of the reactor to be longer. The expense involved in this is greater but the reactor makes up for it with less expense involved in creating the containment and the heat exchanger system because lead does not react with oxygen or water. The density of the lead coolant also provides a shield against gamma radiation from the reactor, allowing for safer operation. No electricity is required after shutdown, increasing efficiency and making connections to an outside source unnecessary. The coolant quickly solidifies in the event of a leak, further improving the safety rating. Lead's nuclear properties allow it to prevent a positive void coefficient, which is difficult to prevent in large sodium fast reactor cores.
Upgrades and Future Service
Block II
Block II was initially proposed in 2000 after a series of live combat operations against pirates around Seukatan. It was found that the lack of point defense weaponry was a disadvantage. The Fortress softkill system was upgraded to the Fortress II standard as a result. The Forteress II features powerful frequency jamming capabilities with an even more advanced emitter system. The most conclusive upgrade would be to the hardkill missile systems. Two Mark 18 RAM launchers provide point defence against missiles and are mounted near the VLS banks. The previous Block I had a slight gap in the CIWS coverage due to the locations of the guns. The RAM covers this gap as well as provides active defence for the mid section VLS. An extra SILAS FG2 tracking and fire control unit provides active, real time guidance for the RAM system. The Block II also features the Mark 21 CIWS system. This system upgrade features a software update for the tracking and targeting radars and adds increased ammunition capacity. The Block II upgrade will be completed on all vessels by the end of the year.
Future Weapon Test Platform
The Future Weapon Test Platform is a planned Imperator class to be named the Flavius Decius II after Emperor Flavius Decius Pravus who ruled from 1460 to 1501.
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The vessel is under construction in Marvius Naval Yard and will not be placed into service and operated in the foreseeable future. It will strictly be built as a skeleton crewed test platform. Discussion of bringing the ship up to full operational capacity will be discussed should its weapons prove successful. The vessel is equipped with Laser CIWS, which are in the prototype stage. The primary armament are two megawatt 300 Railguns. These guns have the theoretically capability to launch a projectile well over 300 nautical miles but have yet to be tested. The turrets themselves each have their own nuclear reactors to provide the massive power needed for each gun. An experimental liquid hydrogen barrel cooling system will be installed as well. The Flavius Decius II will be ready in 2019 when it will be decided if the Imperator class is still fit for service. Should the test ship be a success, all eight ships in service and the two ships planned will be outfitted with railguns and be put back into service as Imperator II class vessels.
Units
| Original Ship Name | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augustus Julius | May 15, 1991 | March 23, 1993 | December 25, 1994 | The Augustus Julius is currently assigned to the 6th Heavy Surface Combatant Squadron in the Marvius Sea Cohort. It is under refit and receiving Block III CIWS. |
| Diocetus I | July 2, 1991 | September 12, 1993 | October 24, 1994 | Currenty assigned to the 6th Heavy Surface Combatant Squad. Currently under refit and will receive Block III CIWS. |
| Romulus IX | August 22, 1992 | January 8, 1994 | December 15, 1995 | Assigned to the 15th Heavy Surface Combatant Squadron in the Napola Sea Cohort. Scheduled to receive Block III CIWS. |
Test Ships
| Original Ship Name | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flavius Decius II | March 4, 2014 | Expected 2019 | Unknown | Currently under construction at the Advanced Laboratory of Naval Engineering in Marvius. |