Reliable Class Modular Frigate
| File:CNS Reliable Escort.png A Reliable Class Frigate with an Escort Module
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders: | North Veluna Naval Yard, Vesper Naval Yard, Verde Naval Yard |
| Operators: |
list error: mixed text and list (help) |
| Preceded by: | Arleigh Burke Class Freedom Class, Independence Class |
| Succeeded by: | None |
| Cost: | $750 million (Including mission modules) |
| Built: | 45 |
| In commission: | 40 |
| Completed: | 45 |
| Cancelled: | 45 |
| Active: | 40 |
| Lost: | 5 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Multi-mission Modular Frigate |
| Displacement: | 4,300 tonnes |
| Length: | 120 m |
| Beam: | 16 m |
| Draft: | 6.8 m |
| Propulsion: | 2 AE Shipboard Diesel Engines, 1 Propeller |
| Speed: | 30 knots |
| Range: | 8,000 km |
| Complement: | 5 Officers, 9 E-7+ Petty Officers, 110 Enlisted (Escort Module), 6 Officers, 8 E-7+ Petty Officers, 130 Enlisted (Patrol Module), 7 Officers, 9 E-7+ Petty Officers, 140 Enlisted (Helicopter Carrier Module) |
| Sensors and processing systems: | AE/RA-47C Compact Air and Sea Search Radar, AE/RA-47 Fire Control Radar, AE/SO-47 Sonar Suite |
| Electronic warfare & decoys: | AE/EW-43 Electronics Warfare Suite, AE/DE-43 Infrared and Radar Decoy Suite |
| Armament: |
list error: mixed text and list (help)
76mm Autocannon 24 MkIII SRSAM Launchers (Arm Launcher) 3 Mars CL3 Laser CIWS 4 MG3R1 on CIWS Mount (Escort Module) 124 500mm VLS Cells armed with
1 Mars CL3 Laser CIWS (Patrol Module) 12 MkIII SRSAM Launchers (Arm Launcher) 2 MG3R1 on CIWS Mount |
| Aircraft carried: |
(Escort Module) 2 Ember 223 Scout UAV (Patrol Module) 1 UV-24 Swiftfox VTOL (Helicopter Carrier Module) 2 UV-24 Swiftfox VTOL |
| Aviation facilities: |
(Escort Module) 1 Drone Launchpad, Small Hangar in the Rear Superstructure (Patrol Module) 1 VTOL Launchpad, Small Hangar in the Rear Superstructure (Helicopter Carrier Module) 2 VTOL Launchpad, Small Hangar in the Rear Superstructure |
The Reliable Class Frigate is a medium sized frigate in service of the North American Socialist Commonwealth. It is currently the main escort vessel in the Commonwealth Navy's coastal fleets. The Reliable Class serves as a major workhorse in those fleets, much like the larger Typhoon Class ships in Commonwealther overseas fleets. The names of various Reliable class vessels depends on the year of construction, and the constructing shipyards.
Background & Service
Conceived in the late 2030s, the Reliable Class frigate was part of the mass upgrading of the Commonwealther military at the end of the "Hermit" period. Initially designed as a multipurpose light destroyer for the much more coast oriented pre-opening Commonwealth Navy. The project was quickly drafted and pushed through the War Ministry's acquisition boards, being approved for construction of a forty ship class in 2045. Initial ships of the class were commissioned out as early as 2048 shortly after the opening.
The Opening forced a major paradigm shift in Commonwealther Naval doctrine. The much larger sea space operated in by the Commonwealth Navy presented a new challenge to Doctrinal Planners and organizers in the Navy. With it emphasis was shifted from limited endurance designs to long range nuclear designs, even among Destroyers in the Commonwealth's fleet. As a stopgap Naval Authorities purchased the rights to Pharthanian Whitepoint Destroyer, to be produced in the Commonwealth as the Typhoon Class. This purchase hailed another major reorganization of the Commonwealth Navy.
Nuclear powered destroyers (the recently incoming Typhoon Class), would be considered destroyers, and would serve as the escort and general purpose vessels in new "expeditionary fleets" that would serve in international and foreign waters. Low endurance diesel designs would be reclassified as Frigates and would serve in the new "home fleets" that would serve close to the Commonwealth's cost. This shift also saw the cancellation of most in progress Reliable Class vessels.
Still, there was a time in between the adoption of the Typhoon and the completion of Commonwealther Naval reorganization which saw the deployment of Reliable Class vessels to foreign shores. Most notably Reliable class vessels served in the Phonencian Conflict, protecting the carrier at the time from hostile attack. In the course of the Reliable Class' service five vessels have been lost or forcibly retired and scrapped due to enemy action. These vessels have been replaced by the Commonwealth Navy.
Design
The Reliable Class is a multi-mission frigate class. A central part of the ship provides for basic elements of the ship's function. However, the mission of the ship is ultimately determined by which mission module is being used at the moment. That being said, the Reliable Class is still capable of serving multiple roles while in Commonwealther service.
Powerplant & Propulsion
The Reliable Class is powered by a pair of Heavy Duty AE Shipboard Diesel engines which power a singular propeller shaft and provide for all of the ship's on-board power. This configuration allows the Reliable Class to operate to a range of 8,000km. To better provide logistically for the Reliable Class, there is talk of exchanging each ship's engine with a biodiesel replacement, which would sacrifice some operating range for less taxation on the Commonwealth's somewhat limited oil supply.
Armament
The Reliable Class is always armed with 124 500mm VLS 5cells which can accept the standard arrangement of missiles available to the Commonwealth. The Ship's secondary armament is provided by a 75mm automatic cannon which provides close range firepower while also being capable of acting as an impromptu CIWS if needs be. To repel borders, several MG3R1 Turrets are mounted along the sides, which are mounted on CIWS mounts but can be manually controlled if required. Further armament varies depending on the mission module installed on the Reliable Class vessel in question.
Defenses
The Reliable Class has modest defenses. On a vessel with no mission module defenses are provided by VLS cells, as well as short range SAMs mounted on the vessel. A second line of defense is provided by the main cannon as well as several machine guns mounted on the hull which can be set to fire automatically at incoming targets. If all else fails a Reliable Class does have an ECM system and physical countermeasures however it is unarmored and only has damage control measures if it sustains a hit.
Electronics
The Reliable Class had the most advanced electronics suite in Commonwealther service when it was unveiled and has remained fairly advanced throughout its service. As a general purpose escort vessel the Reliable Class has sensor suites capable of detecting and tracking from several different attack vectorys, and is capable of limited independent operation. The Reliable Class is keyed into the Commonwealther Battle Net as an independent & escort vessel, as it cannot rationally serve as a flagship in all but the most dire circumstances but is capable of serving both as an escort and as an independent vessel.
Air Wing
The Reliable Class, by default does not have an indigenous Air Wing. However, each of the mission modules available to the Reliable Class is equipped with means to transport VTOLs or UAVs as necessary. Therefore the Air Wing of an individual vessel is dependent upon which mission module is installed on a ship. Likewise facilities for Air Wings are dependent upon individual mission modules.
Mission Modules
The capabilities and role of each ship of the Reliable Class is dependent on the mission module installed on the Reliable Class. Mission modules are easily installed and interchanged on a Reliable Class by simply placing a module on and bolting it into place. Readying a module on the other hand, may be a significantly more involved process. Mission modules cost around $125 million dollars, independent of the cost of the vessel. As of 2066, there are three mission modules available to be installed on the Reliable Class. Currently, in preparation for future equipment transference of equipment to Coastal Defense, more modules of a less strictly military nature are in development. The three mission modules in service currently are as follows:
Escort Mission Module: The Escort Mission Module is used on ships whose primary mission is escort of a fleet's carriers or of transport convoys. It is equipped with another 124 VLS cells, though these cells are only capable of mounting shorter defensive missiles, as a result of the module's low profile, and a CIWS turret. The mission module also includes operating space and hangar storage for a 2 UAV Air Wing. Some additional crew is required for the mission module, but no additional berthing space is provided, with additional crew being placed into excess berthing on the main ship.
Patrol Mission Module: The Patrol Mission Module is intended for a ship to carry out intermediate range independent patrols. The Module is equipped with two additional Machine Gun Turrets as well as an Additional SAM launcher. Storage and operating space for a single VTOL is also included as well as berthing for the additional crew below decks.
Helicopter Carrier Mission Module: The Helicopter Carrier Mission module is strictly to have a substantial air wing launched from the craft. The mission module has no additional mounted weaponry, eschewing it for access to a larger hangar bay, allowing for a 2 VTOL Air Wing. Additional crew berthing is located below decks. In a pinch the module is capable of sustaining up to 6 UAVs instead of the usual VTOL compliment or 3 UAVs and 1 VTOL.
Future of the Reliable Class
Like many other limited endurance warships, the Reliable Class does still have a future in Commonwealther service. However, major developments are underway which could threaten the continued service of the Reliable Class. A major naval reorganization and doctrinal shift is being debated among the High Command of the Naval Office, and should the shift occur the role of the Reliable Class is likely to be removed from the Commonwealth Navy's plans. That being said Coastal Defense has expressed interest in the fleet of Reliable Class vessels in Naval service and talks are underway to shift all Coastal Fleet assets to Coastal Defense in the event of a policy shift.
Ships in Service
| Ship Name | Hull Number | Shipyard | Launched | Commissioned | Home Port | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Completed | ||||||
| CNS Reliable | FF-1 | North Veluna Naval Yard | 17. March. 2048 | 3. May. 2048 | Boston, New England | In Service |
| CNS Des Moines | FF-2 | Vesper Naval Yard | 18. March. 2048 | 15. May. 2048 | Boston, New England | In Service |
| CNS Custodian | FF-3 | North Veluna Naval Yard | 18. May. 2048 | 9. August. 2048 | San Fransisco, Vesper | In Service |
| CNS Santa Monica | FF-4 | Vesper Naval Yard | 20. May | 15. August 2048 | San Fransisco, Vesper | In Service |
| CNS Guardian | FF-5 | North Veluna Naval Yard | 20. August. 2048 | 21. November. 2048 | Corazón del Río, Isla Verde | In Service |
| CNS Fall River | FF-6 | Vesper Naval Yard | 28. August. 2048 | 30. November. 2048 | Corazón del Río, Isla Verde | In Service |
| CNS Harrow | FF-7 | North Veluna Naval Yard | 17. August. 2049 | 15. November. 2049 | None | Damaged, Retired, and Scrapped in 2057 |
| CNS Fall River | FF-8 | Vesper Naval Yard | 20. August. 2049 | 20. November. 2049 | Port Fairhaven, Veiled Isle | In Service |
| CNS Eagle | FF-9 | North Veluna Naval Yard | 27. November. 2049 | 8. February. 2050 | None | Damaged Retired and Scrapped in 2051 |
| CNS New Haven | FF-10 | Vesper Naval Yard | 30. November. 2049 | 12. February 2050 | Port Fairhaven, Veiled Isle | In Service |
| CNS Ironclad | FF-11 | North Veluna Naval Yard | 15. January. 2050 | 8. March. 2050 | Boston, New England | In Service |
| CNS San Jacinto | FF-12 | Vesper Naval Yard | 20. January. 2050 | 10. March. 2050 | Boston, New England | In Service |
| CNS Tiger | FF-13 | North Veluna Naval Yard | 15. March. 2050 | 5. May. 2050 | San Fransisco, Vesper | In Service |
| CNS Cambridge | FF-14 | Vesper Naval Yard | 21. March. 2050 | 8. May. 2050 | San Fransisco, Vesper | In Service |
| CNS Lynx | FF-15 | North Veluna Naval Yard | 19. May. 2050 | 20. July. 2050 | Corazón del Río, Isla Verde | In Service |
| CNS Bismark | FF-16 | Vesper Naval Yard | 21. May. 2050 | 23. July. 2050 | None | Damaged, Retired and Scrapped in 2059 |
| CNS Panther | FF-17 | North Veluna Naval Yard | 30. July. 2050 | 18. October. 2050 | Corazón del Río, Isla Verde | In Service |
| CNS Vendetta | FF-18 | Vesper Naval Yard | 2. August. 2050 | 20. October. 2050 | Port Fairhaven, Veiled Isle | In Service |
| CNS Juan Carlos | FF-19 | North Veluna Naval Yard | 26. October. 2050 | 5. January. 2051 | Port Fairhaven, Veiled Isle | In Service |
| CNS Flint | FF-20 | Vesper Naval Yard | 28. October. 2050 | 10. January. 2051 | None | Sunk by Phonencian Imperial Navy in 2057 |
| CNS Tucson | FF-21 | Vesper Naval Yard | 11. January. 2051 | 4. March. 2051 | Boston, New England | In Service |
| CNS La Mancha | FF-22 | Verde Naval Yard | 12. January. 2051 | 5. March. 2051 | None | Sunk by Phonencian Imperial Navy in 2057 |
| CNS Ruination | FF-23 | North Veluna Naval Yard | 15. January. 2051 | 14. March. 2051 | Boston, New England | In Service |
| CNS Heavenfall | FF-24 | North Veluna Naval Yard | 30. March. 2051 | 6. June. 2051 | San Fransisco, Vesper | In Service |
| CNS Imperio Verde | FF-25 | Verde Naval Yard | 5. April. 2051 | 11. June. 2051 | San Fransisco, Vesper | In Service |
| CNS Defender | FF-26 | Vesper Naval Yard | 11. April. 2051 | 20. June. 2051 | Corazón del Río, Isla Verde | In Service |
| CNS Misery | FF-27 | North Veluna Naval Yard | 11. June. 2051 | 10. September. 2051 | Corazón del Río, Isla Verde | In Service |
| CNS Oathkeeper | FF-28 | Verde Naval Yard | 18. June. 2051 | 21. September. 2051 | Port Fairhaven, Veiled Isle | In Service |
| CNS Warrior | FF-29 | Vesper Naval Yard | 29. June. 2051 | 30. September. 2051 | Port Fairhaven, Veiled Isle | In Service |
| CNS Springfield | FF-30 | North Veluna Naval Yard | 17. September. 2051 | 29. December. 2051 | Boston, New England | In Service |
| CNS Protectora del Verde | FF-31 | Verde Naval Yard | 28. September. 2051 | 3. January. 2052 | Boston, New England | In Service |
| CNS Los Angeles del Rey | FF-32 | Vesper Naval Yard | 8. October. 2051 | 9. March. 2052 | San Fransisco, Vesper | In Service |
| CNS Revenant | FF-33 | North Veluna Naval Yard | 20. March. 2052 | 19. May. 2052 | San Fransisco, Vesper | In Service |
| CNS Queen Anne's Revenge | FF-34 | Verde Naval Yard | 25. March. 2052 | 23. May. 2052 | Corazón del Río, Isla Verde | In Service |
| CNS Proctor | FF-35 | Vesper Naval Yard | 27. March. 2052 | 28. May. 2052 | Corazón del Río, Isla Verde | In Service |
| CNS Solemn Proclamation | FF-36 | North Veluna Naval Yard | 30. May. 2052 | 18. October. 2052 | Port Fairhaven, Veiled Isle | In Service |
| CNS Ardent Declaration | FF-37 | Verde Naval Yard | 3. June. 2052 | 25. October. 2052 | Port Fairhaven, Veiled Isle | In Service |
| CNS Tuskeegee | FF-38 | Vesper Naval Yard | 7. June. 2052 | 31. October. 2052 | Boston, New England | In Service |
| CNS El Paso | FF-39 | North Veluna Naval Yard | 15. December. 2053 | 19. August. 2054 | Boston, New England | In Service |
| CNS Rio Grande | FF-40 | Verde Naval Yard | 19. May. 2057 | 20. September. 2057 | San Fransisco, Vesper | In Service |
| CNS Mississippi | FF-41 | Vesper Naval Yard | 19. December. 2060 | 18. March. 2061 | San Fransisco, Vesper | In Service |
| CNS Potomac | FF-42 | North Veluna Naval Yard | 22. December. 2060 | 25. March. 2061 | Corazón del Río, Isla Verde | In Service |
| CNS Forntinbaas | FF-43 | Verde Naval Yard | 18. April. 2061 | 19. June. 2061 | Corazón del Río, Isla Verde | In Service |
| CNS Vale | FF-44 | Vesper Naval Yard | 27. April. 2061 | 30. June. 2061 | Port Fairhaven, Veiled Isle | In Service |
| CNS Rio Espada | FF-45 | North Veluna Naval Yard | 18. May. 2061 | 7. July. 2061 | Port Fairhaven, Veiled Isle | In Service |