When the revolution in high strength materials occurred, it was decided that the Principe de Asturias would not be rebuilt due to age. The Principe de Asturias, which first commissioned in the late Nineteen-Eighties had trouble operating new aircraft such as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter due to size. Instead, it was decided that only the Juan Carlos I amphibious carrier would be rebuilt and that the older carrier would be retired.

At first there were no plans to replace the retired carrier but eventually a replacement carried was authorized. This carrier became the Princessa Isabel. At around the same time, large increases in the Spanish Navy were authorized including eight new frigates of the Almirante Miranda class. The Princessa Isabel was laid down in the late Twenty-Fifties and completed in the early Twenty-Sixties.

Eventually it was decided to add an additional carrier, the Princessa Sofía, of the same design as the Princessa Isabel. Along with the second carrier, four additional Almirante Miranda class frigates were authorized at the same time. Construction on this second carrier was started in the late Twenty-Sixties and completed in the early Twenty-Seventies. There was some consideration given towards building an upgraded version but it was decided that it would be built to the same design.

When the second carrier was completed, it was decided that the Juan Carlos I amphibious carrier would be placed in an active reserve and training status. There were plans for a new amphibious carrier but was not completed before the coming of the Rifts and was mostly wreck by the apocalypse which remade the world. Both carriers of the Princessa Isabel remained in service until the coming of the Rifts. There is a high likelihood that one or both of the carriers survived.

While about the same size as the American Avenger class escort carriers, the Princessa Isabel was based more on the design of the Juan Carlos I amphibious carrier. Using high strength composites and alloys from the keel out during construction, there were significant changes including the removal of the well deck, hull is reshaped for higher speed, and a completely new propulsion plant. The power plant are twin fusion plants instead of a single fusion turbine. These plants are identical to the reactors carried on the Almirante Miranda class frigates but ship is not as fast due to greater size. Top speed is approximately thirty knots and the fusion plant gives decades of service between refueling.

Even though armed for self defense, the main weaponry of the light carrier is the fighter compliment. Like the amphibious carrier design it is based on, the carrier has a sky jump for easier take offs even though aircraft can take off vertically. It is designed to embark two squadrons of FV-38 Panther fighters. The later FV-45 Sea Eagle would have greatly reduced fighter compliment and the carrier retained the older fighters as a result. In addition, sixteen Osprey tilt rotors are usually embarked with four electronic warfare, eight anti-submarine warfare models, and four transport models. Finally, up to two hundred flying power armors could be embarked. The American SAMAS design was chosen by the Spanish military over several European designs.

To give some measure of long range defense, a single eight cell Mk 41 vertical launch system is mounted on a raised deck in front of the superstructure. While a variety of ordinance can be carried, usually sixteen long range missiles are carried. The light carrier also mounts a pair of Mk 55 medium range vertical with one on each side of the hull. A total of over a hundred medium range missiles can be carried between the two launchers. Finally, for inner point defense, there are four Freya VIII short range missile box launchers. These launchers are far more effective in the anti-missile role than the RAM missile launcher carried on the Juan Carlos I amphibious carrier. Each launcher has eighty short range missiles for a payload of almost four hundred missiles.

The extremely effective SPY-3M radar system was selected for the light carrier. Designed in the United States as a lighter export version of the original SPY-3 system, the same radar was fitted on the Almirante Miranda class frigates. Originally the Indra Lanza-N carried on the Juan Carlos I was strongly considered but the far more capable fixed phased array system was chosen. Part of the reasoning was to better be able to utilize the long and medium range missile arrays. A secondary reason was to simplify logistics. Unlike the amphibious carrier, the light carrier class were fitted with a hull sonar. The carrier had both missile and torpedo decoys.

These ships were designed to be able to act as flag ships and have extensive flag facilities. These ships are designed to otherwise have small crews and have extensive automation. Ship's crew is about two fifty personnel and air crew is around one hundred and fifty personnel not including pilots. While there is not the huge troop compliment of the amphibious carrier, the light carrier does have extensive medical facilities including a complete operating room.

Model Type: R-212 Princessa Isabel Light Carrier
Vehicle Type: Ocean, Light Carrier
Crew: 265 (22 officers, 28 chief petty officers, 210 enlisted [Has a high degree of automation]) not including Air Wing. Air Wing is 146 not including pilots (12 officers, 14 chief petty officers, 120 enlisted.) Also has the ability to embark 120 personnel (8 officers, 12 senior enlisted, 100 enlisted) for a command staff.
Troops: 200 pilots for SAMAS Power Armor, 80 Aircraft Pilots, and 50 soldiers (shipboard security.)

Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:
Power Armors:

200

PA-04A SAMAS

Fighter/Aircraft Compliment:

	24	FV-38 Panther II VTOL Jet Fighters
	4	V-22N Osprey "Transport Model"
	8	V-22N Osprey "Anti-Submarine Model"
	4	V-22N Osprey "Airborne Radar Model"

M.D.C. by location:

	[1] Elevators (2):	300 each
	[2] Main Flight Deck	2,500
	[3] Main Bridge / Superstructure:	1,500
	[4] SPY-3M Phase Array Radar Panels (4, Superstructure):	200 each
	Mk 41 Missile Launchers (8 Cell, Superstructure):	60
	Mk 55 Eight Cell Vertical Medium Range Missile Launchers (2):	300 each
	"Freya VIII" Short Range Missile Launchers (4, Sides of Hull):	120 each
	Chaff Launchers (4, Superstructure):	10 each
	Outer Hull (per 40 foot / 12.2 meter area):	80
	[5] Main Body:	7,200

Notes:
[1] If all both elevators are destroyed, no aircraft can be moved from the hangers to the main flight deck.
[2] If the flight deck is destroyed, only VTOL aircraft can be launched or land. VTOL aircraft are at -15% to piloting.
[3] If Bridge / Superstructure is destroyed, the ship can still be piloted from engineering but with a -15% to piloting rolls. Communication and sensor equipment are not concentrated on the bridge to reduce the effectiveness of bridge hits.
[4] Destroying the SPY-3M Phase Array radar panels will destroy the ship's fire control systems but the vessels have backup systems (equal to robot sensors) and panels can compensate for each other.
[5] Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body destroys the ship's structural integrity, causing it to sink. There are enough life preservers and inflatable life boats to accommodate everyone on the ship including marines.

Speed:
Surface: 35.12 mph (30.5 knots/ 56.52 kph)
Range: Unlimited due to fusion engines (needs to refuel every 20 years and requires maintenance as well). Ship carries twelve months of supplies on board.

Statistical Data:
Length: 762.80 feet (232.5 meters) overall and 738.19 feet (225 meters) waterline
Draft: 33.14 feet (10.1 meters)
Width: 152.56 feet (46.5 meters) including flight deck and 110.89 feet (33.8 meters) waterline.
Displacement: 30,200 tons standard and 38,600 tons fully loaded
Cargo: 2,000 tons (1,814.4 metric tons) of nonessential equipment and supplies. Each enlisted crew member has a small locker for personal items and uniforms. Ship's officers have more space for personal items. Extra ammo, armor, troops, weapons, and engines take up most of the ship's spaces.
Power System: Two Nuclear Reactors, average life span is 20 years. Usually only goes 10 years between refueling.
Market Cost: Not for sale but if found on the black market would probably cost 1.5 billion or more credits.

Weapon Systems:

1. One (1) Strategic MK 41 Vertical Launch Missile Launcher: Mounted in front of the superstructure, This the launcher has eight cells for missiles. These are the longer strategic version of the missile launcher and can carry the longer cruise missile. From the beginning, the launchers have been found to be very flexible and adaptable. The launcher was originally design for the Tomahawk and Standard SM-2 Missile. On Rifts Earth, the launchers have been adapted to hold one cruise missile, two long range missiles, or four medium range missiles per cell. Cruise missiles are usually used against hardened fixed targets, long range missiles are normally used against aircraft and other large targets, and medium range missiles are normally used against closer targets such as incoming missiles. Anti-Submarine rocket launched torpedoes are also can be fired from the launcher althought usually none are carried (See Revised Rifts Torpedoes if carried.)
   Maximum Effective Range: As per cruise, long range, or medium range missile type (Go to Revised bomb and missile table.)
   Mega Damage: As per cruise, long range, or medium range missile type (Go to Revised bomb and missile table.)
   Rate of Fire: One at a time or in volleys of 2, 4, or 16 for launcher per melee and can be fired at multiple targets at the same time.
   Payload: Eight (8) cells missiles in VLS launcher (possible total of 16 long range missiles). One cruise missile, two long range missiles, or four medium range missiles may be carried per cell. Ship carries no reloads.
2. Two (2) Mk 55 Vertical Medium Range Missile Launchers: Unlike most vertical launch systems, these launchers fire the missiles on a 6 degree angle to the side. This is because the system was initially designed for carriers and is to prevent a missile that fails on its launch from crashing into aircraft on the flight deck. The missiles are arranged in an 2 by 4 pattern, and each launch cell has six reloads. One launcher is mounted on either side of the hull of the carrier and require much less space than a Mk-41 or MK-49 VLS. Each system can launch up to 8 missiles simultaneously each and the launcher is automatically reloaded. These launchers often act as the ships middle point defense and are normally used to engage incoming air targets and missiles.
   Maximum Effective Range: As per medium range missile type (Go to Revised bomb and missile table.)
   Mega Damage: As per medium range missile type (Go to Revised bomb and missile table.)
   Rate of Fire: One at a time or in volleys of two, four, or eight (Each launcher operates independently)
   Payload: 8 missiles in each launcher, with 48 missiles in each magazine for automatic reloads, for a total of 112 Medium Range Missiles including missiles in launcher.
3. Four (4) "Freya VIII" Short Range Missile Box Launchers: Two of these launchers are mounted on eaither side of the flight deck, one on either side of the sky-jump and two on the fantail. The launchers can rotate 360 degrees and have a 90 degree arc of fire. The missile launchers reload extremely rapidly and are ready to be fire on the next attack. The system is designed to be able to target multiple incoming missiles simultaneously. It can be fired against surface targets as well as against air targets.
   Note: SAM style missiles are missiles that sacrifice payload for higher speeds, see Chris Curtis' modified missile table for specifics.
   Maximum Effective Range: Varies by short range missile type (Go to Revised bomb and missile table - SAM style missiles normally.)
   Mega-Damage: Varies by short range missile type (Go to Revised bomb and missile table - SAM style missiles normally.)
   Rate of Fire: One at a time or in volleys of two (2) four (4), or eight (8) each launcher. Launchers retract and are ready to fire for next melee attack.
   Payload: Eight (8) short range missiles each launcher for Sixteen (16) total. The vehicle carries eighty (80) missiles as reloads for each launcher for a total of three-hundred and fifty-two (352) missiles total. If a launcher is damaged, those missiles cannot be accessed except manually. (Sometimes additional missiles are carried in the cargo hold for reloads.)
4. Four (4) Chaff Launcher: Located on the superstructure of the ship, they are designed to confuse incoming missiles. Both launchers must be operated or effects will be reduced. Reduce effects of launchers by 25% per launcher not used. Rifts Earth decoy systems are assumed to not operate on Phase World missiles due to technological difference. Reduce effects by 20% against smart missiles (Add +20% to rolls for smart missiles.)
   Range: Around Ship
   Mega Damage: None
   01-35 Missile or Missile volley detonates in chaff
   36-60 Missile or Missile volley loses track of target, may lock onto another target
   61-00 No Effect; Missile Still on target
   Payload: 24 each for a total of 96.
5. Four (4) Advanced Towed Decoys: The vessel carries four advanced towed decoy drones. They are each a small automated vehicle that creates a false sonar image designed to mimic the vessels. The decoy is dragged behind the destroyer using a cable. If decoys are not destroyed, they can be recovered and repaired. Rifts Earth decoy systems are assumed to not operate against Phase World weapons due to technological difference.
   M.D.C.: 20
   Effects: The decoy has an 80% chance of fooling ordinary non military sonars and non smart guided torpedoes, the decoy has a 50% chance of fooling military level sonars (like those of the Coalition), and the decoy has a 25% chance of fooling advanced military sonars (Like those of the New Navy and Triax) and smart torpedoes.
   Range: Not Applicable
   Rate of Fire: One can be deployed at a time and requires 2 minutes to deploy (Reel Out) another decoy
   Payload: 4 Decoys.

Special Systems:
The ship has all systems standard on a robot vehicle plus the following special features:

• SPY-3M Three Dimensional Search Radar System: Lightweight version of the original system. While not consider to be as powerful as those systems design for true missile cruisers, the system is still quite effective. The system is a powerful and flexible phased array radar system that is comprised of four panels that each emit radar waves. If allowed by the horizon, the system can track out to 250 miles (402.3 km) and can simultaneously track and identify up to 512 targets at one time. The system controls missile launched from the long range missile launchers and the system track and guide each individual missile to an individual target for up to 128 targets. If a target is eliminated, missiles are automatically guided to a new target. The system can also control missiles launched from other linked vessels as well and can also act as fire control for gun mounts. The system gives a +10% to read sensory rolls, +2 on initiative, and +1 to strike.
• Thomson-Sintra DUBV 56 sonar: Mounted under the bow of the ship. Sonar system has a range of around 32 nautical miles (36.8 miles / 59.4 km). This hull sonar system has both a passive and active system built in. Sonar system can track up to 32 targets at one time.
• Sonar Masking System: The ship uses water bubbles to form a barrier against sonar as well as a shrouded propellor. Gives a -10% penalty to any Read Sensory Instrument rolls to detect this ship using sonar.
• Command and Control Facilities: The vessel carries extra communications equipment and command facilities, to enable the ship to operate as the flagship for a flotilla. When operating in a flotilla, all ships get a +1 on sensor rolls, +1 to strike on all weapons, and +10 % on communications.
• Combination Radar Detectors and Active Jamming System: Combination of radar detection system (ESM) and an active jamming system. The system can detect another radar system at 125% of the range of the transmitting radar. In jamming mode, causes -25% to detection but when it is active, other vehicles/ bases can detect that it is jamming, and some missiles will home in on jamming signals. Jamming also causes a -4 penalty to all radar guided weapons.

[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.