Phlegethon-class frigate

De Ruyter-class Battlecruiser (click to enlarge).

The de Ruyter class Battlecruiser is an example of one of the older pre-Ondeugd class ships that still makes up the mainstay of the heavy firepower of the Marine of the Knootian Defence Force. With a full-load displacement of 44,600 tons and a length of 232.1 metres, the ship is 31.5 metres wide and has a maximum draft of about 10.5 metres. After decades of service, the de Ruyters are slowly being reassigned to secondary roles as General Purpose Escorts and Patrol/Station Guardships assigned to Knootian Colombia, Ale-Yarok and (during Operation Tempo Doeloe) Tanah Burung where they serve in larger battlegroups. Additionally, they may also be deployed in Land Attack roles in support of Amphibious operations.

The de Ruyter was designed shortly before the first Vogels administration, and it served as Knootoss' 'poor man's battleship' in that era. With budget cuts mounting, they were nearly mothballed to be taken out of service in favour of real battleships such as the KDF Sirithil nos Feanör – but they were saved this fate when defence spending increased from the second van der Laan administration on, and since then they have recieved many refits to make them suitable for the modern era: The VLS was upgraded from tactical to strike length, the secondary guns recieved significant upgrades, a new radar system was backfitted and the armor on the majority of ships was refitted to incorporate new reactive armour panels.

Its European build with two NBC-proof citadels, two masts, and a lower-than-average profile give the ship its distinctive appearance. While the class may lack in fancy weaponry, it is still able to perform decently for her assigned roles and the ships can accompany the Knootian Defence Force in expeditionary missions if supported by auxiliaries. While they generally have a few rusty spots here and there, they are still capable of taking on modern fleets when functioning inside a modern Knootian battlegroup.

Statistics

Armament

Main Guns

Missiles

Self Defence

ASW

Electronics

Radar systems

Sonar

Command/Control

Command and Control is also to be enhanced by a follow-up to the old CAESAR system developed by Caesar SuperComputer Inc The software for the CAESAR 2.0 computer system is to feature revolutionary new capabilities.

Electronic Warfare

Propulsion

Engines

Performance

Top Speed: kts

Cruising Speed: kts

Maximum Range: km @ kts

Armour

Basic Composition

Armour Thickness (RHA equivelant @ HE Munitions)

Naming practices

In Greek mythology, the river Phlegethon ("[river of] fire") was one of the five rivers of the underworld. It flowed with fire that burned but did not consume fuel. In the Divine Comedy the river is made of boiling blood and is part of the seventh circle of hell, containing the shades of tyrants, murderers, robbers and those guilty of sins involving violence against others.