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DDGN-168 Raymond Fox Nuclear Guided Missile Destroyer:

In the dangerous years before the coming of the Rifts, there was a need for small combatants as well as larger combatants. This included both Frigates and Destroyers for the United States Navy as well as other nations. One important need was for multi-role escorts. Anti-Submarine warfare was very important along with air defense. The Japanese had a need for new destroyers as well to escort the carrier that they had under construction and they were also interested in the destroyer. It was decided that the new destroyer would be designed by the United States and Japan together. Later, Australia decided to buy several of these fine vessels from the United States and eventually constructed several of their own as well.

The design incorporated the ability to carry a large compliment of Vertical Take Off and Landing aircraft for anti-submarine warfare. For this, the vessel carried a large flight deck aft and a hanger under the flight deck In this respect, the vessels were similar to the long decommissioned Italian Vittorio Veneto class cruiser and French French Jeanne D`Arc. The destroyers are large and would likely be considered cruisers in many post Rifts navies. The design was also constructed for stealth and the superstructure looked much like the Spanish F-100 class frigate. While the destroyer carries fewer missiles than the Delaware class cruiser, it still carried a large number of missiles and was quite capable of task force protection. The vessel was designed to carry the same long Aegis type radar system as was carried on the Delaware class cruiser to direct the missiles.

The construction of this destroyer class was started before the Darcey class guided missile frigates and several were in service before the Darcey class frigate entered service. Some member of congress wanted to terminate production but production was continued after a long and drawn-out debate in the United States Congress. Slightly over one hundred of these fine destroyers were constructed by all nations involved in production. The Fox class destroyers were often used as flagships for anti-submarine warfare groups. It is known that several of the Japanese constructed destroyers survived and it is quite possible that some of the other destroyers survived as well.

The American Fox class destroyers are named for historic officers and enlisted personnel of the United States Navy and other historic individuals such as Secretaries of Defense and friendly Prime Ministers. Many were named for admirals and captains. This follows the standard naming conventions for destroyers and frigates since the first destroyer was commissioned. The Japanese named their destroyers for famous naval vessels. The first of the Japanese class was named Hyuga and the second vessel was named Ise with both being named after the hybrid battleship-carrier.

Like other American designs of the time, the Fox class destroyer used a conventional hull design. The next frigate and destroyer classes were planned as tri-hull designs but they were never started before the coming of the Rifts. The destroyers were wide hulled and were fitted with hull stabilizers. The destroyers were both smooth riding and very seaworthy. This allowed for both high speeds and VTOL operations in heavy weather. Both the hull and superstructure were constructed from advanced alloys, composites, and ceramics. This gave the ships the ability to withstand huge amounts of punishment and were radar absorbent to increase stealth. The angles on the faces of the ship's superstructure combined with the special materials gave these vessels excellent stealth characteristics.

The first several vessels of the class originally carried a gas turbine propulsion system but this was replaced by adapted fusion turbines after several years of service. The fusion turbines were both more powerful and had a longer operational period. Later vessels of the class were fitted with fusion turbines before completion. The vessels used electrical drive but were also fitted with variable pitch propellers. This made the ships more maneuverable and cable of radical speed changes. The destroyer carried bubble masking systems for both the hull and propellers to improve quiet operation.

The destroyer carries a similar sensor fit to the Delaware class guided missile cruiser. This included the powerful and advanced Aegis type radar system. This system acts as both a search and fire control radar. The destroyer also carried both a powerful towed array and hull sonar for anti-submarine warfare. All sensor systems integrated in a powerful computer system. The sensor systems of the embarked craft and other vessels could be linked in as well.

The ships are lighter armed than the Delaware class cruiser but the vessel is still well armed and very capable in both surface and submarine warfare. The first group of Fox class destroyers carried a 155-mm cannon when they were first commissioned but there were later replaced with 100 mm high velocity rail guns. Electro-Thermal cannons were initially considered for the main gun but the rail gun was considered more effective and longer ranged. The 100-mm rail gun primarily fires high velocity solid projectiles but may also fire explosive rounds for bombardment. The main gun mount is in front of both the superstructure and the main missile battery. The missile battery is mounted on a slightly raised deck behind it. It is a vertical launch system with 96 missile cells but the destroyer only carries one vertical launch system. Each cell can carry one long range missile or two medium range missiles. Normally these launchers carried mostly anti-surface and anti-air missiles but several anti-submarine missiles were carried as well. The ship carries four combination short range missile launcher and rail gun systems for point defense. Normally the missiles are fired first at incoming missiles and the rail gun is the last ditch weapon to destroy any that leak through or when the short range missile launchers run out of missiles. These guns could also be used against small surface targets. The first several ships of the class carried a standard Vulcan CIWS and RAM missile launchers but they were replaced with the newer systems when they became available. The ship has torpedo tubes on either side for use against submarines and has anti-missile chaff to confuse remaining incoming missiles.

The ship is designed with a moderate crew and is fairly comfortable due to the ship having a fair amount of automation. Unlike most smaller naval vessels, the Fox class destroyer was designed to carry a compliment of marines. This put a squeeze on space available for the crew but the ability to use the vessels large flight deck for assault missions was not lost on the designers. The ship has hanger space to carry six helicopters or other VTOL aircraft. The hanger was designed under the flight deck and had a central elevator to move aircraft into the hanger. Normally, the Kingfisher class VTOL aircraft were carried. The usual compliment was four anti-submarine variants and two electronic warfare variants. These would normally be replaced by transport versions when the ship was used for assault roles.

Model Type: DDGN-168 class Destroyer
Vehicle Type: Ocean, Guided Missile and Air Capable Destroyer.
Crew: 185; 15 officers, 22 Chief Petty officers, and 148 enlisted (Has a high degree of automation)
Troops: 56 Kingfisher Crew members, 60 Power Armor Pilots (Flight capable Semper Fi Power Armors), and 220 marines.

Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:
Power Armors:
40Semper Fi Power Armors (Has Flight Packs / Sometimes replaced by PA-04A SAMAS)
Aircraft Compliment:
4EVS-84A Anti-Submarine Warfare
2EVE-84A Electronics Warfare

M.D.C. by location:
Bridge:550
[1] Phase Array Radar Panels (4, Superstructure):400 each
100 mm Heavy Rail Gun Turret (1, Forward):300
Combination Anti-Missile Defense System (4, Superstructure):200 each
Mk 59 VLS Missile Launchers (1, Forward):750
Torpedo Launchers (2, sides):50 each
Chaff Launcher (2, Superstructure):10 each
Hanger / Flight Deck (Aft):800
[2] Main Body:3,000

Notes:
[1] Destroying Phase Array radar panels will destroy the ship's fire control systems but guns have backup systems and panels can compensate for each other.
[2] Destroying the main body causes the ship to lose structural integrity, causing the ship to sink. There are enough life preservers and inflatable life boats to accommodate everyone on the ship.

Speed:
Surface: 46 mph (40 knots/ 74.1 kph)
Range: Unlimited due to fusion engines (needs to refuel every 20 years and requires maintenance as well). Ship carries six months of supplies on board.

Statistical Data:
Length: 680 feet (207.3 meters)
Draft: 28.5 feet (8.9 meters)
Width: 70 feet (21.3 meters)
Displacement: 10,150 tons standard and 12,400 tons fully loaded
Cargo: 1,200 tons of nonessential equipment and supplies. Each enlisted crew member has a small locker for personal items and uniforms. Ships officers have more space for personal items. Most of the ship's spaces are taken up by extra ammo, armor, troops, weapons, and engines.
Power System: Nuclear Reactor, average life span is 20 years
Market Cost: Not for Sale but if found on the black market would probably cost 500 million credits.

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

  1. Hyper Velocity 100 mm Heavy Rail Gun (1): Main weapon mounted in turret in front of ship and replaced previous 155 mm artillery on the first few of the class. The rail gun has better range than comparable sized standard cannons, inflicts greater damage to well armored targets, and has a higher payload due to no storage of propellant charges. This rail gun normally fires a solid dart of MDC materials that does massive damage to targets that it hits but can also use explosive warheads for softer targets and against aircraft. The rail gun turret can rotate 360 and can tilt up to 90 degrees and is useful against both ground and air targets although using solid slug rounds, the cannon has -2 to strike fast moving targets such as aircraft, missiles, and flying power armors. The weapon system is also gyro-stablised and has an advanced fire control computer.
    Maximum Effective Range: 15 miles (24.1 km)
    Mega Damage: A single round does 3D6x10+20 MDC (optional rule is that cannon gets a critical on a natural 18, 19, or 20 due to its high penetration). Can use Standard High Explosive rounds that do 1D4x10 with a blast radius of 16 ft. High Explosive Armor Piercing does 2D4x10 with a blast radius of 8 ft.
    Rate of Fire: Maximum of four per melee.
    Payload: 600 rounds.
  2. Four (4) Combination Anti-Missile Defense Systems: One system is on the front of the superstructure, one system on the rear of the superstructure, and one is on either side of the superstructure. This anti-missile defense system combines both a rapid fire rail gun and a short range missile launcher. While mounted in one system, both defense systems have separate tracking systems. The short range missile launchers can target up four targets and can fire a volley up to twice per melee. The rail gun is capable of destroying any missile or inflicting serious damage on aircraft. The rail gun can fire on automatic at up to six targets per melee (Has +3 to strike missile and +2 to strike aircraft). The rail gun is very similar to those carried on the Sea King Cruiser and it is likely that the Sea Kings rail guns came from a prototype of this system. The system also can be used against other ships and ground targets. The system has a 360 degree rotation and can elevate up to 90 degrees to fire at targets directly overhead.
    Maximum Effective Range: Rail Guns: 11,000 feet (2 miles / 3.2 km). Short Range Missiles: As per short range missile type (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
    Damage: Rail Guns: 3D4x10 MD per burst of 40 rounds (Can only fire burst). Short Range Missiles: As per short range missile type (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
    Rate of Fire: Rail Guns: 6 attacks per melee. Short Range Missiles: 2 attacks per melee, can fire one at a time or in volleys of two or four.
    Payload: Rail Guns: 8000 rounds (200 burst) each. Short Range Missiles: 16 short range missiles each.
  3. MK 59 Vertical Launch Missile Launcher (1): Launching cells are located forward behind the 100 mm rail gun mount on a raised deck. The system is similar to the vertical launch system employed on many ships in the late twentieth century to launch the SM-2 series missile but since the missiles are smaller they have a reload system that reloads from under the launcher and can reload within 15 seconds. The launcher have a total of 96 individual cells and is eight missile cells longs by twelve cells wide. The launcher can fire up to half its total payload per melee. The launcher can use a vast variety of missiles including surface skimming missiles and rocket propelled torpedoes (See Revised Rifts Torpedoes). Each cell can carry one long range missile or two medium range missile. The reload for the cell must carry the same load as the main cell. Long range missiles are normally used against large targets and aircraft further out where the medium range missiles will normally be used to engage closer targets. About half of all long range missiles carried are fusion warheads and most missiles are normally smart missiles.
    Maximum Effective Range: As per long or medium range missile type (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
    Mega Damage: As per long or medium range missile type (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
    Rate of fire: One at a time or in volleys of 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, or 48 missiles for the whole launcher per melee. Missile cells are automatically reloaded and are ready to fire next melee.
    Payload: 96 missile cells in launcher with reload systems for each cell (1 reload each cell). One long range missile or two medium range missiles may be carried per cell but reload must be the same load out as well. The ship will often carry 24 cells with two medium range missiles each and the other cells loaded with one long range missile each.
  4. Two (2) Medium Torpedo Launchers: Mainly design for anti-submarine warfare but can be used against surface targets. There is one launcher on each side of the ship with four tubes each. The tubes have an automatic reloading system and can be fired quickly. The ships carries a total of 80 torpedoes for reloads. By Medium torpedo warhead type.
    Maximum Effective Range: 20 miles (32 km)
    Mega Damage: By Medium torpedo warhead type (See Revised Rifts Torpedoes).
    Rate of fire: One at a time or in volleys of 2 or 4 per side, launcher can fire a maximum of two volleys per melee each launcher
    Payload: Has 80 torpedoes for reloads
  5. Chaff Launcher (2): Located on the superstructure of the ship, they are designed to confuse incoming missiles. Both launchers must be operated or effects will be reduced. Reduce effects of launchers by 50% per launcher not used. Rifts Earth decoys systems are assumed to not operate on Phase World missiles due to technological difference. Reduce effects by 20% against smart missiles (Add +20% to rolls for smart missiles.)
    Range: Around Ship
    Mega Damage: None Payload: 24 each for a total of 48
  6. Advanced Towed Decoys (4): The vessel carries four advanced towed decoy drones. They are each a small automated vehicle that creates a false sonar image designed to mimic the vessels. The decoy is dragged behind the submarine using a cable. If decoys are not destroyed, they can be recovered and repaired. Rifts Earth decoy systems are assumed to not operate against Phase World weapons due to technological difference.
    M.D.C.: 20
    Effects: The decoy has an 80% chance of fooling ordinary non military sonars and non smart guided torpedoes, the decoy has a 50% chance of fooling military level sonars (like those of the Coalition), and the decoy has a 25% chance of fooling advanced military sonars (Like those of the New Navy and Triax) and smart torpedoes.
    Range: Not Applicable
    Rate of fire: One can be deployed at a time and requires 2 minutes to deploy (Reel Out) another decoy
    Payload: 4 Decoys

Special Systems:

The ship has all systems standard on a robot vehicle plus the following special features:

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Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune ).

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