Veros class light cruiser
 | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Veros class |
| Builders: | Central Ironworks |
| Operators: | |
| Built: | 1995 to present |
| In service: | 1997 to present |
| In commission: | 1997 to present |
| Planned: |
 10 |
| Completed: |
|
| Active: |
|
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Light Cruiser |
| Displacement: | 15,381 tons |
| Length: | 186 metres |
| Beam: | 20.8 metres |
| Draught: | 8.4 metres |
| Installed power: | 140,000 shp |
| Propulsion: |
|
| Speed: | 33 knots |
| Range: | 8,200 nautical miles |
| Endurance: | Three months |
| Boats & landing craft carried: |
1x Patrol Boats 150 x inflatable life boats |
| Crew: |
30 Officers 370 enlisted |
| Sensors and processing systems: | |
| Armament: |
|
| Aircraft carried: | 1x helicopter |
| Aviation facilities: | 1x hangar |
The Veros class light cruiser is a light cruiser produced in the Orun Redisus. It was designed to serve as the primary attack role and escort for the Royal Redisan Navy. While specified as a cruiser, it often serves as a destroyer as well.
Origin
The Veros class emerged from an early 1990s requirement put out by the Admiralty for a new strike cruiser that could replace aging Taurus class destroyers in multiple roles. The unit would need to be able to effectively provide support against aircraft, ships, and be able to perform naval strike and escort roles. Intial designs called for a vessel under 10,000 tons that could be built quickly and with relatively little complication. The initial proposal came in at 11,000 tons and lacked the armament package that the Admiralty desired on such a ship. It was proposed that the Veros be upgraded to a light cruiser, a classification that had fallen out of fashion with the advent of modern naval technology. In order to meet requirements, Fortuna Ironworks officials stated that they would need to move up to 15,000 tons. This was approved in 1994 and the first vessels were ordered.
Design
The Veros class is a light cruiser designed around the T-900 antishipping missile. The platform is under 15,000 tons and is roughly 186 meters long. The vessel contains many experimental features at the time of construction. The interior is laid out in three sections; the front from the prow to the front of the superstructure features the main storage for all of the vessel's munitions. These sit behind fireproof, armored bulkheads inside the vessel's interior that protect them from fire and direct hits from warheads. The bulkheads also help balance out the weight of the superstructure and the central and rear sections of the vessel. From the front of the superstructure to the end of the superstructure sits the crew quarters. Living quarters, facilities, a mess hall, and other rooms to accommodate crew are in the central section. Paired with that are several other areas in the upper superstructure. Crew bunks are specifically placed below deck to protect crewmen from direct hits. The final section covers the engineering chambers with bunks for on duty and off duty engineers. The engines and other key vessel components sit behind armored fireproof bulkheads to keep engines and generators safe. These bulkheads also serve to contain fires from hitting the crew quarters if a direct hit is served.
Propulsion
The Veros class is equipped with two Graphos series gas turbines, the latest generation of smaller vessel gas turbine propulsion developed in Orun Redisus. These are combined with two Delmore series diesel generators, which power the backup electric drives and the ship's electrical systems.The primary gas turbines produce 140,000 shp, propelling the vessel to speeds in excess of 33 knots. The drive system is equipped with a power redirection system, which can redirect power from the primary electrical system into the backup electrical drive to supplement the existing system and allow sprinting speeds in excess of 38 knots. This quickly burns through fuel, however and greatly limits the vessel's range. Fuel is stored behind two armored bulkheads in to large sections behind the engine compartment. The bulkheads are fireproof and can withstand the explosive blast from a warhead. They cannot withstand a direct hit, however but are positioned so that the likelihood of a penetrating warhead hitting the fuel chamber is low.
In 2005, several Veros class ships were retrofitted with four smaller solar batteries with accompanying panels to take advantage of sunlight to assist in powering the vessel's systems and use less fuel for the generators. The project was dubbed the Veros Block II Update. Additional propulsion modifications included the addition of a fire protection system for the engine department that could automatically control smaller fires and prevent major engine damage from a fire spreading from another compartment. Further upgrades included the addition of a new cooling unit that allowed the turbines to run at hotter temperatures and achieve greater efficiency, allowing an additional 5,000 shp to be gained.
Armament
The Veros is equipped with 28 T-330 anti shipping missiles launched from the Dracal VLS system. These are designed for short to medium range engagements against enemy ships. The primary long range armament consisted of two quad launchers that fired T-900 missiles for engaging enemy ships. An additional 180 VLS cells for surface to air missiles and other missile types were included in the design, rendering the ship a formidable adversary. Envisioning the ship's escort roles and future use, the designers developed the armament to be installed on modular mounts that could easily be replaced and swapped out for newer systems to avoid having to recycle the entire hull. For close rage defense, three Scarecrow CIWS Platforms were placed in appropriate places for a full defensive web. As a primary weapon for close range anti-ship fire, a 160mm main cannon was included that could rapidly engage smaller targets such as patrol boats and slow flying aircraft. The ship carries an extensive weapons storage deck where reloads are stored for use during extended combat patrols.