done with the MLU version of Lambda class!
MLU of the Nuclear Heavy cruiser force of the Caledonian Navy
By the late 1990 to early 2000, Lambda class and Sherif class was closing into there midlife and re-fuling periode. The Admiralty decided that it would be to expensive to operate Sherif class and Lambda class at the same time. And the MLU needed for Sherif class, would be to expensive for the value they get in return. But Lambda class was to be upgraded and partially rebuild/redesigned, for a new era.
New light carrier would replace some of the task performed by Sherif class, while the destroyers and frigates would take over the other roles. Also the Navy's strategy was changing to focus more around smaller vessel, and less relay on large combatant, with smaller combatant, the Navy could cover a larger area then with a few big combatant, but at the same time the Navy couldn't deny the message sendt, by parking a large combatant close to any country's port.
Lambda class MLU
Of Caledonia Navy's Heavy cruiser, only Lambda class was to be upgraded. all other nuclear heavy cruiser was to retire early, to free up resources. Lambda class new role is to no longer be an escort for carriers, but a force by it self, in it's own battle group. Thus the Admiralty gave the Navy's "research and strategy", task to develop a new design on the Lambda class, with following requirement:
- Independent operation, with firepower in all teater.
- improved missile system
- improved electronics
- Improvement to powerplant to reduce operation cost
- upgrade to sonars
- new armament
- Increased automation, to reduce crew
What R&S come up with was almost a new class, thus they called the new version of Lambda class for the Mark 2. The class was devided up in several departments, each with there own budget, what they did:
- replacing GMLS with VLS
- replacing some of the Carousel VLS with Mark 92 type L VLS, for ASuW weapons
- Replaced the entire radar and combat system for a new and stronger system. Of all the things done to the class, including new reactors, this was the most expensive undertaking, but in return they got a much more powerful ship
- The new combat system gave the class ability to fully control all weapon system on any ships in the navy, so long they are running the same system. What a ship 100 miles away see, Lambda class do also see.
- new improved reactors, more efficient.
- new diesel generators (they wanted to replace them with jet turbines, but cost prevented such an ekstensiver redesign of auxiliary engine rooms!)
- Automation on almost all systems. Reactor, guns, missiles, sonars, radars, etc. thus the crew could be reduced in peacetime.
----------------------
Class:Lambda class "Mark 2"[/b]
Builders: Havok Heavy industries; Rambert Naval shipyard
Operators: Caledonia Navy, 3th, 4th and 6th Battle squadron
Build: 1977 (1980)-1992
MLU: 1998-2004; 2000-2005; 2004-2009
Ordered: 5
Build: 5 (2 never finished)
MLU: 3
in reserve: 2
Active: 3
Retired: 2
Moto: "Protector"
----------------------
Type: Heavy guided missile cruiser, Nuclear
Displacement: 22,000 tons standard; 27,000 tons full load
Length: 231.50 meter (759 feet)
Beam: 29,56 meter (97 feet)
Draft: Hull: 8,83 meter (29 feet); Sonar: 14,02 meter (46 feet)
Propulsion: 2 X HC3N Reactors powering 2 propulsion turbines powering 2 electric motors and 2 small electric motors: 150,000 shp.
4 x Diesel generator mounted forward and aft, port and starboard. to increase the ships electricity production but also function as backup.
Speed: Officially in excess of 31 knots
Range: Classified, Unlimited
Expected reactor life: 40+ years
Complement: Due to automation, reduced to 450 in peactime, life raft for up to 1500
Sensors and processing systems
Combat system:
- HALIAR 6 Combats system
- DELAR 3 Combat system (backup)
Radars:
- ACX3-A: Long range 3D radar (multi function, Search and target, illuminate)
- ACX3-F: Light Short range 3D radar (Multi function, navigation, Search, flight deck control)
- ACE5 and ACE 7: passive 2D radar
- SD3-F: Secondary 3D radar
- Cf11 long Range Navigation radar
- 3 x of the shelf standard navigation radar
- 2 large and 2 small illumination radars (due to this ship can take control of all weapon system in the fleet, so having the extra guidance is always good to have!)
- Several Communications systems
Sonars:
- Type-3402-D Havoc: Upgraded Heavy sonar (active-passive) (extremely powerful, limited in operation during peace time, due to it's power)
- Type- 2811-Sonic: light sonar (active-passive) (The sonar that is always in use)
- Towed cable sonar, (length: classified; detection method: sound, wave, magnetism, radiation, electronic)
Electronic warfare and decoys:
- Mark 5, decoy launcher: ASW/AAW
- Nulka derivative
- 2 quad, grenade depth charger launcher
Armament:
Missiles:
- 3 x Mk41 VLS, 64 cell
- 4 x Type-28 R-VLS twin Carousel (firing standard NATO-AAW missiles + Caledonia AAW missiles and ASuW missiles) (ASuW missiles from the inner carousel, since it's a full lenght)
- 4 x Mark 92 type L: 6 cell VLS capable to fire large VLS (loaded with NSM)
- 8 x short in defense missile launcher
- 3 x RAM
Guns:
- 6 x Fast Forty/70 Type15
- a number of stored HMG, mortar and rocket launcher.
Torpedoes and others:
- 2 x twin light weight torpedo launcher (can fire electronic warfare torpedo)
- 2 x twin heavy weight torpedo launcher (can fire electronic warfare torpedo) (fire standard torpedo and ASW missile) (can fire nuclear warhead torpedo)
Armor: 70-80mm plating around reactor, with Kevlar over vital areas. Composite armor protection over vital area including reactor area. Splinter protection.
(reactor compartment can have it walls filled up with water or other type of fluid)
Aircraft carried: Normal: 2 heavy; 3 medium Flight deck build to handle Chinook or similar.