Macha-class Aviation Support Ship
Specifications for Muireann through Murchadh, as-retired 2017-18.
After a reappraisal of commitments and general requirements I decided it was time for a change, time to invest in something smaller and non-nuclear than the just going with the big Clíodhna-style vessels. As such a take on the Vertical Support Ship (VSS) concept with cues from Chakri Naruebet.
In wartime the Macha-class is tasked primarily as an anti-submarine and anti-surface convoy escort as well as being able to provide flagship functionality for task forces. Other functions capable of being undertaken outside of the core roles are those of air-assault and area air defence. In peacetime the Macha-class undertake humanitarian functions such as disaster relief and medical evacuation duties as well as counter-narcotics and fisheries protection.
The Macha-class is the culmination of several preliminary designs for air-capable ships smaller than the large and expensive fleet carrier, able to be fielded in relatively large numbers (when compared with the fleet carrier) to escort widely separated convoys in a time of war. Of the designs proposed the Macha-class was the most costly but also most capable, built to warship rather than commercial standards and outfitted with defensive and offensives systems similar to those that would be found on a frigate or destroyer.
As-built the Macha-class differs from the initial concept in that it moved to a twin-shaft arrangement with power being provided by two gas turbines and four diesel generators in a CODLAG arrangement, allowing for a sustained sea speed of 28 knots.
Internally the Macha-class is divided into three totally separate damage control zones with auxiliary diesel generators outside of the main machine spaces capable of powering hotel load and the ship’s auxiliary / emergency propulsors. To improve fuel economy and lessen resistance at speed a stern wedge was incorporated into the final design.
General Specifications:
Displacement: 18,750t light, 27,735t full load
Length: 212.75m WL (including stern wedge)
Beam: 26.5m WL 38.5m Max.
Draft: 7.75m Mean
Propulsion: CODLAG, twin-shaft with two auxiliary propulsors
-2x Rolls Royce Marine Rb.211, 21,250kW ea.
-4x Wärtsilä 12V32 diesel generators, 6,960kW ea.
-4x Paxman V12 Valenta auxiliary generators, 2,015kW ea.
Speed: 28 knots sustained, 14 knots cruise
Range: 20,000km @ 14 knots
Accommodation and Complement: 1,030-1,060
-Ship: 45 Officers, 635 Enlisted
-Aviation: 55 Officers, 295 Enlisted
-Flag: 30
-EMF: 140
-Total Berthing: 1,200
Sensors:
-1x Notional half-size SMART-L 3D D-band VSR
-1x SMART-S Mk2 3D E/F-band MFR
-2x I-band navigation sets
-1x SPN-720 precision approach radar
-2x CEAMOUNT phased-array illuminators
-Type 2050 passive/active LF sonar
-ARISE-derived infra-red missile-warning system
-Mentor-derived ESM suite coupled to two active ESM intercept / jamming arrays
Armament:
2x 30mm Mk44 with side-mounted LMM canisters
2x 30mm SAMOS CIWS
2x Seastreak CIWS
8x ASSLM AShMs
24x Tactical-length Mk41 cells, ostensibly with 12x VL-ASROC and 48x VL-S225
Aviation:
ASW
6x Goshawk
6x Wildcat
12x Merlin
Strike
12x Goshawk
4x Wildcat
4x Merlin ASW
3x Merlin Utility
Air Assault
6x Goshawk
4x Apache
4x Wildcat
4x Merlin
6x Merlin Utility
Max, inc. deck-park
20x Goshawk
10x Merlin
4x Wildcat
Consumables
2,800t F-44
300t Ordnance