Gun cruiser challenge, hm yeah, I did it a little bit different, but hey... it's me
Caledonia Navy command ordered a design for a class of vessel that could protect those many Islands Caledonia consist off. For that the Navy wanted a vessel that could force other hostile forces to change their priorities by just be there, but also could land forces, attack/bombard land or escort forces, this class of vessel was to be operated by the Navy but have soldiers from either the "East-West Commandos" or the "ICE Special forces North" onboard, supplemented with ordinary soldiers.
The Royal Navy Shipyard responded with the design of F-class, an overloaded and cramped design, that had the firepower to give excellent artillery support but also excellent AA-protection with multiple layers, it also carried a rocket launcher mounted on the nr. 2 main turret, used in shore bombardment.
F-class
Helicopter carrier, gun cruiser escort
Build: 1948-1955
in service: 1950 to 1980
In class: 6
decommissioned: 6
museum: 1
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Displacement: around 15000 tons fully loaded estimated
Length: 184.5 m
Beam: 22 m
draft: 7,62 m
Powerplant: 2 Diesel engines and 2 large boilers, 3 small boilers powering two combined high and low pressure turbines. for total of 68000 hp
Speed: 27 knots, 30 knots for short periods of time.
Crew: Naval crew: 600 + 50 air crew; Special forces/commandos/soldiers: up to 150. max; emergency capacity of additional 800.
Armor:
from non to shrapnel protection over vital areas, except small armor belts over vital areas.
Passive protection systems
Armarment:
- 3 twin 155mm Mk23 LW, dual purpose, was later upgraded to fire experimental ASW shells
- 10 twin 56mm Mk8 LW full automatic, dual purpose (can be operated in manual mode, if the automatic failed) (by Havok industries)
- 16 single 40mm Bofors AAW (build and modified by Havok industries on license)
- 2 twin torpedo launchers (rarely used!)
Aviation facility:
below deck hangar with limited workshop facility.
Hangar with space for: 8 small helicopters or 5 small seaplanes (occasionally would carry seaplanes loaded with rockets and bombs to supports landings of troops)
Are also carrying 3 landing craft on aft aviation deck
The class was never a good seaboat, but they did what they was supposed to do and that was good enough for the commandos, they liked the "raw" firepower it delivered. But then the commandos was a bit ruff on the edges....
This class would see extensive modification during it's carriere, where many guns would be replaced with either manpads or mortars/grenade throwers and also missile launchers.