Before the coming of the Rifts, only the Soviet Union / Russia and Norway developed surface effect warship designs. The United States originally planned to develop a three thousand ton frigate design but the program was canceled. There were a variety of civilian designs of surface effect craft operated however. The Soviet surface effect warship designs were far larger than the Norwegian designs however the smaller vessels were still extremely effective.
Part of the reason why the surface effect ship design was extremely popular with the Royal Norwegian Navy was that their low draft made them able to operate in extremely shallow water. The vessels were expected to duck in and out of narrow bays. Because they have far less hull in the water, surface effect ships are usually much faster than most conventional craft. Speed in excess of 80 knots have been achieved in some designs. In comparison to more conventional air cushion designs, surface effect ships differ greatly because they have rigid sidewalls for stability and support instead of a flexible skirt to contain the lift air. However, the surface effect ship design does have flexible seals or "skirts" forward and aft and internal lift fans.
The Royal Norwegian Navy "Ravn" class, or "Raven", are named after various birds. A total of sixteen vessels were built, starting in the Twenty-Sixties and completed in the Twenty-Seventies. It took a massive increase in nationals tensions for the Norwegian Parliament to authorize construction of the class even though the navy had been advocating for these new vessels for years. At the same time, a heavier design known as the Sleipner surface effect heavy corvette was built although only four of these boats were built.
Authorize just before the coming of the Rifts, there was a plan for a total of sixteen more similar vessels to the Ravn although none of these were ever completed. Major changes in the weaponry of these new vessels were planned although there were no plans on rebuilding any of the Ravn class. There were also four more of the larger vessels planned. Both classes were suppose to enter service around the 2105 time frame. There were to be a number of modifications including the replacement of the main gun with a medium rail gun mount. It is believed that most of the Ravn were destroyed with the coming of the Rifts but it is quite possible that one or more survived hidden in the narrow bays of the Scandinavian Peninsula. One was recovered by the New German Republic and served as the basis for their Falke class patrol boat.
In its basic design, the Ravn class is extremely similar to the older Skjold class although as a new construction design is improved in various ways. It was planned with the second batch of Ravn class that the remaining Skjold class would be retired except for perhaps a pair of training craft. Of the six originally built, two of these older craft had already been retired to provide repair parts and two had been already reduced to training status.
The main power plant of the Ravn class are two fusion turbine power plants. These plants are far more modern than those used for the Skjold class, and with improved water jets as well, the Ravn has a top speed of seventy-two knots on calm water, not quite equal to the New Soviet designs but much faster than the Skjold. In rougher seas, top speed is around fifty-two knots. Due to being constructed from the beginning from high strength composites, the Ravn is tougher than the Skjold while not sacrificing and of the patrol boat's stealth. These boats were just slightly longer than their predecessors. Like the Skjold class, these boats were painted in camouflage to enable them to hide within the fiords and bays of the Scandinavian Peninsula. Most other vessels of the Royal Norwegian Navy, like those of most navies, were painted grey. The only other exception was the Sleipner surface effect heavy corvette.
Main weaponry of the Ravn class is essentially the same as the Skjold class, a single rapid fire 76 mm gun on the bow and eight veridical launch missile systems in the stern. In general, the 76 mm cannon was designed to deal with the smaller vessels which the patrol boat might engage. Able to use a variety of rounds including high explosive, armor piercing, and plasma, it is also capable of engaging air targets including missiles fired at the boat itself. The eight long range missiles were usually used to engage larger targets in fast strikes. Few vessels could pursue these patrol boats especially in shallow water.
A major change is a much better air defense system. In the superstructure are two box launchers for short range missiles. Each one has four short range missiles read to fire with an automatic loading system. Twenty-four missile are carried for reloads for each launcher. A total of fifty-six missiles can be carried including both those in the launchers and those in the magazines. Higher speed surface to air missiles are usually carried but other types can be carried and the weapon system can engage surface targets as well as aircraft and missiles. Often high speed surface skimming missiles are carried.
The boats also carry an anti-missile decoy system which can also fire anti-torpedo decoys. No active jamming equipment was mounted and the vessel could only detect the electronic signatures of other vessels. In general, the radar system from the Skjold class was considered adequate so an only marginally modified version was retained. Range is around two hundred kilometers compared to around one hundred and eighty and can track more targets simultaneously. Some of the modifications were later worked into the radar systems mounted in the older boats as well. The twin water jets are slightly wider apart than those mounted in the Skjold class and the boat mounts a small towed array sonar system. The sonar is not very effective when the boat is operating at high speeds. These boats usually mounted no anti-submarine weaponry although missile launched torpedoes could theoretically be carried in the missile launcher. These boats have a reduced crew compared to the original Skjold class, requiring a crew of only twelve due to additional automation.
Model Type: Ravn class Surface Effect Patrol Boat (Project 6290)
Class: Ocean, Surface Effect Ship Light Corvette
Crew: 12 (3 officers and 9 enlisted)
Vehicle Compliment: None.
M.D.C. by Location:
| OTO-Melara 3 inch (76-mm)/62-cal Super Rapid (1, Bow): | 200 | |
| Vertical Long Range Missile Launchers (8, fantail): | 80 each | |
| "Freya IV" Short Range Missile Launchers (2, Superstructure): | 50 each | |
| "Soft Kill II" Chaff / Decoy Launcher (1, Bow): | 10 | |
| [1] Thales MRR-3D-NX Multi-Role Radar: | 60 | |
| Bridge / Superstructure: | 150 | |
| [2] Propulsion Water-Jets (2, Rear): | 80 each | |
| [2] Skirts (2, Forward and aft): | 60 each | |
| [3] Main Body: | 450 |
Notes:
[1] Destroying Search Radar Tower will eliminate long range radar system.
The ship still has backup systems equal to those on robot vehicles.
[2] Destruction of a Water-Jets will reduce top speed by one half by
each water-jet destroyed. Destruction of a Skirt will reduce top speed
to 20 knots (23.0 mph / 37.1 kph)
[3] Destroying the main body destroys propulsion and power systems,
disabling the ship. The ship is fitted with an advanced polymer armors
that allow the ship to withstand up to -100 M.D.C. before losing structural
integrity and sinking. There are enough life preservers and inflatable
life boats to accommodate everyone on the ship.
Speed:
On Water, Hull Borne: 13.8 mph (12 knots/ 22.2 kph)
On Water, On Air Cushion: Calm Seas: 82.9 mph (72 knots/
133.4 kph) Rough Seas: 59.9 mph (52 knots / 96.4 kph)
Range: Unlimited due to fusion engines (needs to refuel every
20 years and requires maintenance as well). Boat carries two weeks of supplies
on board.
Statistical Data:
Draft: Hull Borne: 8.53 feet (2.60 meters), On Air
Cushion: 3.61 feet (1.10 meters)
Width: 44.29 feet (13.50 meters)
Length: 158.3 feet (48.25 meters)
Displacement: 286 tons fully loaded
Cargo: Can carry 8 tons (7.28 metric tons) of extraneous cargo.
Each enlisted crew member has a small locker for personal items and uniforms.
Ships officers have some more space for personal items. Most of the ship's
spaces are taken up by extra ammo, armor, troops, weapons, and engines.
Power System: Two nuclear reactors with an average life span
of 20 years.
Black Market Price: 150 to 250 million credits on the black
market for an intact model.
Weapon Systems:
Special Systems:
The ship has all systems standard on a robot vehicle plus the following
special features::
[Golden Age Weaponsmiths and Triax are trademarks owned by Kevin Siembieda and
Palladium Books Inc. ]
[ Rifts® is a registered trademark owned by Kevin Siembieda and
Palladium Books Inc.]
Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).
Copyright 2011 Kitsune. All rights reserved.
