Shipbucket

Update time for my babies (the super twenties)

First-Line Frigate Force

Paladin Class
HMGS Paladin
HMGS Paragon
HMGS Pegasus
HMGS Peregrine
HMGS Phoenix
HMGS Prometheus

The Paladin class as stated previously are the most prestigious frigates in service with the RGN. Offering extensive command facilities as well as substantial land-attack and electronic-warfare capabilities they have been and continue to be at the forefront of naval operations undertaken by the RGN.
They are fitted for but not with a fine line towed array rather than the more expensive, complex and heavy CAPTAS 4. They like the Deity class carry a complement of commandos for impromptu landing or boarding operations via helicopter or RHIB.
Given the lack of a full-length VLS they do not carry TseTse Fly but instead are fitted with Marte-ER (Replacing Marte 2). Other weapons in their quiver include Fire Shadow loitering munitions, Griffin-ER light SSMs, GL-SDB / Sea Spear, ESSM, HVM and LMM as well as LWTs for ASW work.


Walker Class
HMGS Walker
HMGS Warrior
HMGS Watchman
HMGS Waterwicce
HMGS Whirlwind
HMGS Wivern
HMGS Wuldor

The Walker class are the half sisters of the Wildfire class and share the same basic layout and machinery, built following the final Type 23s in Britain they embody improvements in construction techniques as well as updated interior layouts. Like their precursors they are CODLAG vessels but feature WR-21s in place of Speys (as discussed in the parent thread).
As ASW orientated vessels the Walkers are equipped with the CAPTAS 4 variable-depth sonar and usually a Merlin in place of the usual Lynx. Up until recently they were equipped with the Sea Lance system but this has since been cascaded onto the ASW orientated Gemstones. Like the Paladins they feature an extended array of surface-to-surface munitions consisting of those mentioned above as well as Spike-NLOS in trainable launchers amidships.
It has been proposed to convert some or all of the Walkers into 'littoral combat mother ships' with unmanned surface and sub-surface vehicles as well as UAVs and an enlarged landing complement. This however is probably not going to happen in the foreseeable future.

Wildfire Class
HMGS Wildfire
HMGS Werwulf
HMGS Windflower
HMGS Wolverine
HMGS Wræc
HMGS Wraith
HMGS Wryneck

The Wildfires are the newest class of first line frigates in RGN service. They are nearly identical to their precursors other than they are LO boats and as such have some minor topside modifications to facilitate that. They as well unlike the Walkers are general-purpose vessels not being fitted with CAPTAS-4. They do however now have a multi-purpose hangar with side doors for the deployment of unmanned payloads or boats depending on the requirements due to their having a full width hangar now.
Despite being general-purpose vessels they also primarily ship a Merlin in place of a Lynx for the added flexibility and capability that they bring. They are armed much the same as the Walkers with the exception that due to their director layout they now ship a pair of Seastreak launchers aft and their Millenium forward giving them a quite comprehensive point-defence capability.

The Paladins are currently going to be retired between 2020 and 2025, during which time their replacements will be entering service. Aforementioned replacements will need to either keep the same capabilities or enhance upon those offered by the Paladins IE (high transit speed, extensive ELINT gear, embarked military force and command facilities).
The Walkers and Wildfires are to go between 2033 and 2039 currently though the Wildfires might well receive a SLEP to extend that date until 2045 depending on how things go.

Current programs of interest revolve around the integration of unmanned systems both surface and aerial on all three platforms. Boeing Insitu's Scan Eagle has already been successfully integrated onto the Wildfires and has seen active service. The MLG-27 is being phased out of service and being supplanted by MSI Seahawk LWs and in some cases by Seahawk Sigmas or Seahawk A2s. These mounts are to become standardised across the entire RGN with the aim of reducing maintenance costs and reducing training workload.

The Seahawk LW retains the 27mm armament in the form of a BK27 whereas the Sigma and A2 are equipped with a 30mm Bushmaster and in the Sigma's case they are also capable of firing HVM/LMM.

The Merlin fleet is in the process of being upgraded with new engines and flight systems as well as being prepared for new offensive systems in the shape of Sea Venom, Martlet and Spike-NLOS. The legacy Lynx fleet is on the way out with their replacement (The Wildcat) being phased in actively on a one for one basis. Like the Merlins they will be able to employ Sea Venom and the like.

Finally, a note on TseTse Fly. Looking at them, there is space for a full length Mk41 on the Walker/Wildfires. Whether that extend to all 48 cells is not clear (I have concerns about weight) but at least 8 cells are to be set aside for either TseTse Fly or Sea Lance due to their importance in the RGN as a whole (like USN vessels and TLAMs).

ETA: More updates with more new parts!

Destroyer Force

Gemstone Class

Tranche 1
HMGS Alexandrite
HMGS Amazonite
HMGS Amethyst
HMGS Aquamarine
HMGS Bloodstone

The first Tranche of Gemstones were like for like replacements of the elderly Type 82 spinoffs still in service. Unlike their predecessors they posses a truly long range SAM in the form of SM-6 (formerly SM-2ER). They like most other major combatants are equipped with TseTse Fly giving them a hefty surface strike capability in addition to their area defence capabilities.

Tranche 1A
HMGS Corundum
HMGS Diamond
HMGS Emerald
HMGS Hematite
HMGS Moonstone

The Tranche 1A vessels despite their designation are in fact the youngest vessels in the class being outfitted from the beginning with BMD capabilities. They are broadly the same as the earlier vessels except for the equipment and software changes required to enable their BMD role.

Tranche 2
HMGS Morganite
HMGS Nephrite
HMGS Onyx
HMGS Ruby
HMGS Sapphire
HMGS Sérandite

The Tranche 2 vessels replace (conceptually) an earlier proposal for a through deck DDH for the anti-submarine warfare role. They differ from the AAW vessels in that they lack SAMPSON and S1850M, instead being fitted with Artisan.
They mount a larger gun in the form of an Oto Melara 127mm/54 (now /64) and possess a substantial land-attack capability in addition to their ASW one. Unlike other vessels in the class they are equipped with CAPTAS-4 (the GP boats are fitted for but not with a thin line towed array).

Tranche 3
HMGS Sunstone
HMGS Tigereye
HMGS Tourmaline
HMGS Turquoise

The Tranch 3 vessels are general purpose vessels with enhanced command and control facilities to act as flotilla leaders for the rest of the class. They are usually to be found allocated to carrier groups with the Paladins providing support for the carrier itself as well as the rest of the group.
Like the ASW vessels they have a larger gun than the AAW vessels and like the ASW vessels they also feature a dual hangar (two Wildcats or Lynxes - or one Merlin and several UAVs).
As general purpose vessels they possess a substantial land-attack capability in the form of GL-SDB/Sea Spear, Fire Shadow, Griffin, TseTse Fly and guided 127mm rounds.

Cruiser Force

Deity / Goddess Class

HMGS Alala
HMGS Astarte
HMGS Eris
HMGS Freyja
HMGS Taranis
HMGS Victoria

The Deity or Goddess Class were the long awaited replacement for the Counties to fulfil the role of command cruisers. They are a quantum leap ahead of their predecessors in both performance and combat capability. They were envisaged primarily to operate as part of a carrier group but with the upgraded Paladins still in service they more often than not find themselves operating singularly around the world on global policing and humanitarian operations.
They pack a comprehensive and impressive punch ranging all the way from the positively petite Griffin all the way up to the Galenian big stick - The TseTse Fly. They have recently gained under a retrofit of systems the ability to act as BMD nodes for the NATO BMD shield in addition to the carriers and Tranche 1 A Gemstones this gives the RGN a substantial BMD umbrella to deploy should it be required.
Like the Paladins and the Bedlams before them they embark a landing force of commandos deployable either by RHIB or helicopter.

Bedlam Class (Retired)
Whilst none of the Bedlam class remain in active service they are all still laid up awaiting their inevitable fate and I have updated the drawing so they can get some sunshine too.


Aircraft Carriers / Heavy Aviation Cruisers
HMGS Inæqual
HMGS Indiscoverable
HMGS Incoercible
HMGS Inconvincible

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/942 ... s_CVGN.PNG

The Inæqual class drawing breaks the forum template so follow the hyperlink! The main changes to the drawing are to do with sensors and changing the scheme of the EA-18Gs to a Have Glass one.

Submarine Force

Nuclear Force

Agasaya Class
HMGSm Agasaya
HMGSm Agrona
HMGSm Athena
HMGSm Andraste
HMGSm Artemis
HMGSm Atalanta

The Agasaya class are the current fleet standard SSN. Broadly comparable to either the Yassen or Seawolf and newer than either in terms of design philosophy they represent a step change in capability for the RGN. They are quieter, deeper diving and possess a bigger punch than any previous class of boat in RGN service and rival even the SSGNs for land-attack capability.

Revenge Class
HMGSm Revenge
HMGSm Retribution
HMGSm Relentless
HMGSm Restless

The Revenge class SSGNs replace earlier SSBN style conversions and adaptations in the land-attack - conventional deterrent and special operations roles. They are deployed globally, and have routinely beem called upon for contingency operations in the Middle East of late. The hump abaft the sail houses a wet/dry shelter for various vehicles whilst the hollow stern maintains the same capabilities but adds to them wit the ability to deploy larger AUV/UUVs.
The use of TseTse fly allows them to strike anywhere within a thousand kilometre radius in under 10 minutes giving an envied time-critical strike capability not possessed by friendly navies and as such they have been called on several times to strike targets of opportunity in various parts of the world.
HMGSm Relentless grabbed headlines in the summer of 2014 when she was employed to sink a foundering merchantman in the Indian Ocean with Spearfish after attempts to tow her by the patrol vessel Serni had failed.

The conventional boats are slightly in disarray at the moment as some dates and things need to be realigned which might throw some classes out the window but these are them as they currently stand.

U Class SSK

HMGSm Ultraviolet
HMGSm Ultramarine


U Class SSP

HMGSm Unalienable
HMGSm Unshaken
HMGSm Undaunted
HMGSm Unaffirmable


U Class (II) SSP

HMGSm Unknowing
HMGSm Unicorn
HMGSm Undine
HMGSm Unbroken


<Notional> Z Class SSP
Proposed Names
Zadok
Zealous
Zenith
Zephyr
Zior
Zodiac

Being mooted to replace the two non-AIP U class boats as well as the cold-war era nuclear-interceptors within the next 5-10 years.

Regards. ~Mark

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AU Projects: | Banbha et al. | New England: The Divided States
Blood and Fire

Great set of drawings, BB.

I completely concur. FANTASTIC drawings Mark.

I love them

_________________
https://discord.gg/5PHq8Dk
My artwork is posted here: https://www.deviantart.com/adenandy/gallery/all

One of the best AU threads. These modern ships are not my forte, but are non the less expertly thought out and beautifully drawn.
Maybe will some older ships?

_________________
Thank you Kim for the crest

"Never fear to try on something new. Remember that the Titanic was built by professionals, and the Ark by an amateur"

At some point I will but my forte is the opposite being a lot better read in modern equipment.

ALSO! The post with the frigates has been updated with every up-to-date drawing I've managed to update over the past day or so, enjoy.

_________________
AU Projects: | Banbha et al. | New England: The Divided States
Blood and Fire

Great drawings!

Are you planning on doing an overhead view of the Inequal?

What a mouth-watering post of awesomeness...

_________________
Hood's Worklist
English Electric Canberra FD
Interwar RN Capital Ships
Super-Darings
Never-Were British Aircraft

one of the best

Cheers for the kind words!

There's not much chance of a top-down on the CVGNs in the near future as I despise trying to draw them, suffice to say they are somewhat of an amalgam of CVF and PA2 but embiggened.

More things for people's perusal, this time the Gelion (AKA Galenian River class - Modified Khareef class corvettes rather than basic Rivers) They feature a pair of EXLS launchers in place of the existing launchers for a total of six cells. These are used for Griffin and ESSM. They are expected to be able to defend themselves against any threat with which they may be thrown against and as such are also fitted out with 27mm and 30mm guns and for HVM/LMM.
The Batch 1 and 2 vessels are fitted with roll compensated davits for their main boats on the quarterdeck as well as a secondary crane for the small boat mounted abaft the larger boats. The Batch 3 vessels lack the roll compensated davits due to the physical inability to mount them die to the hangar and flight pad that are present. Of note the Batch 3 vessels are also outfitted with four tubes for Marte which has been specified as a requirement for the Far East basing.

They are capable of around 28 knots and have a cruising range of some 4,500 nautical miles which although small compared to some other OPVs is offset by their dash speed to unfolding incidents .

Batch 1

HMGS Gelion
HMGS Ascar
HMGS Thalos
HMGS Brilthor


Batch 2
Adurant
Angren
Glanhír
Celon


Batch 3
HMGS Rivil
HMGS Serni


The pennants are as yet unallocated in my spreadsheet hence the P-XXX for now.

~Mark.

_________________
AU Projects: | Banbha et al. | New England: The Divided States
Blood and Fire

Certainly they are attractive. The electronics fit feels like it might be overkill, though. What sonar and air search radar are you portraying?