FAC-36 Crocodile (Fast Attack Craft)

Displacement: 330 tonnes fully loaded
Length: 48.9 meters
Beam: 15.1 meters
Draught: 2.1 meters
Speed: 64 Knots Top Speed Calm Waters, 50 knots Rough Waters.
Propulsion: 4 x 4,000 kilowatt gas turbines, two water jets.
Range: 800 nautical miles at 40 knots.
Compliment: 2 Officers, 10 Enlisted
Armament:
4 x NGL-79 79mm Rapid Fire Guns. (220 rounds total in five round 'magazines'.)
12 x VLS Cells. (Up to a grand total of 48 missiles- number depends on type of missile used)
2 x 4-tube Torpedo Revolver Launcher. (16 total torpedoes)

Abstract

The FAC-36 Crocodile is a heavily armed Patrol Boat/Fast Assault Craft designed to support anti-ship operations using its high degree of armaments. Used in conjunction with the RCB-32 Paraya which proves lighter, more protective firepower in support of fleet operations and coastal defense, the FAC-36 is the most heavily armed Fast Assault Craft in the world today, made all the deadlier by its advanced stealth features and swift movement.

Construction and Radar Cross Section

Based off of the popularity of Lamia-class destroyer in Marshite service, the FAC-36 utilizes some of the construction methods, even if it is a notably different design. The FAC-36 is a surface effect craft, constructed of DMR-249A, a low carbon micro-alloyed high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steel which has been calculated to absorb an impact of 78 Joules at negative 60 degrees Celsius. This hard yet tough alloy is used in the construction of warship hulls, and will form the basis for future Lamonian warship hulls(and as a result most Marshite vessels as well), allowing for longer periods at sea than the composite hulls seen on some other classes of warship. With the FAC-36 expected to take dozens of small three day patrols between full docking, reliability was a major factor in the design.

Buoyancy is augmented underway by a fan-blown skirted compartment between the two rigid catamaran-type hulls. This provides an alternative solution to the planing hull/vee hull compromise: the air cushion reduces wave slam at high speeds while presenting a low-drag flat planing profile at the waterline. To ensure stealth capabilities, anechoic coatings of radar absorbent materials (RAM) have been used in the load-bearing structures over large areas of the ship. This strategy leads to significant weight saving compared to the conventional construction technique of applying RAM cladding to the external surfaces. The ship's profile has a faceted appearance with no right angle structures and few orientations of reflective panels. Doors and hatches are flush with the surfaces.

The most defining visual feature of the FAC-36 is the lack of a superstructure of any sort. All required operations are moved below to the Operations Room, while sensors and imaging equipment allow the crew full view and information of where the FAC-36 is going and what is in the area. Important sensors are placed strategically around the sides of the ship in RCS safe containers. The lack of a superstructure and methods used allow for it to maintain a superior naval signature to any comparable vessel.

Armament

The FAC-36 is meant to provide a substantial amount of firepower for a ship of its size. While missiles are the primary form of firepower, it was seen that a pure missile offensive faces many issues. Anti-Missile countermeasures of many types mean that weight of fire is needed to pierce defenses. Meanwhile, the cost of missiles makes them inefficient against pirates ad many smaller targets. Guns and torpedos have their own issues, but it was decided that a Tri-Attack Agenda was the best course of action by the FAC-36.

The primary armament of the FAC-36 is the 12 VLS Cells located on the aft of the ship. Each set of four cells is 2.3 meters wide by 4.5 meters long, at a height of 7.9 meters. There is one meter of space between the three cells. This allows the Crocodile to engage targets regardless of whether they are in the air, on land, or at sea. A non-exhaustive list of munitions commonly fielded are:

LY589B Hellion-II
LA-1330 Contrado Cruise Missile
Tempest surface-to-air/Typhoon anti-ballistic missile
Muraena AShM
Sea Krait PD-SAM (Quad Packed)
MA-14RLP (Quad Packed)
Mercury Multipurpose ATGM (Dual Packed)

Each Crocodile also comes equipped with one of two Torpedo setups. The most common setup is the 4-torpedo 'revolver', of which a Crocodile has two. Located near the bow of the ship, each revolver- called the MTR-01- allows rapid deployment of the
four LA-92 Instigo Lightweight ASW Torpedos, which are contained in four dual sectioned containers, and are 'chambered'. The revolver is normally sunk into the sides of the vessel. When combat is initiated, the revolver pokes out of the side of the
ship at an angle. A torpedo is fired, and then the next torpedo is put into firing position.

Each revolver is 6 meters long, with each chamber containing two torpedos. This gives the FAC-36 eight such torpedos. The second set-up is the same concept revolver- called the MTR-02- used to contain and fire the LA-91 Iaculum Heavyweight Torpedo, three to a revolver. Because of the size of the Iaculum, only one torpedo is placed in each container. Because of the size of the Iaculum and the resultant increase in size of the MTR-02, a FAC-36 may be constructed to use one or the other, but is incapable of switching between them unless undergoing modifications at a drydock.

The next weapon system are two turrets of guns, one placed on the bow and the other amidship. Called the Naval Gun Light (NGL)-79 RFG, it fires a variety of ammunition. Utilizing a stealth cupalo and barrel covering the NGL-79 is paired so as to bring a high quantity of fire to the targets without warning It uses guided ammunition, and an RF guidance system, which allows the gun to fire ammunition at ranges of up to 40 kilometers, up to 16 kilometers with standard ammunition. The gun has a maximum elevation of 85 degrees, a maximum depression of 15 degrees, and a 360 degree movable arc.. Controlled by the FCS of the ship, it is capable of engaging surface ships, helicopters, airplanes, ground targets, and incoming missiles.

The lack of a superstructure allows for the use of two such turrets, and help the system make up for the lower rate of fire of eighty rounds per minute compared to other compact rapid firing guns. Two guns are in the turret, and are controlled by the FCS so as to not fire at the same time. This steady stream of fire allows it to engage a large number of targets: Close range ships, helicopters, aircraft, missiles, and ground targets.

The existence of two turrets gives the FAC-36 an immense capability in naval gunfire support compared to its size. The firepower and speed of the system also allows to deal with swarms of small enemy ships and reduce light enemy forces quickly, while the amount of fire a single Crocodile can give to ground troops makes the FAC-36 a common sight in support of allied forces.

The FAC-36 has additional armaments as well. FAC-36s operating in a non-stealthy environment can have several weapons stations on top for multiple machine guns. The rear can be modified to drop naval mines or drop charges.

Propulsion

The FAC-36 needed the ability to move at a quick clip to earn the name of 'fast' assault craft. With a three day patrol limit set out from the start, it was decided that stealth and performance would supersede any concerns over fuel consumption or endurance.

The FAC-36 utilizes four 4,000 kw turbines two to a side, combined by COGAG gear units built in a lightweight design helping power two high powered Marshite Industrial Naval Facility Tskia (MINFT) water jets.

Electronics

The FAC-36's electronics are focused on imaging elements as well as FCS and detection equipment for its weapons. As part of a wider battlenet and information battlespace, the FAC-36 is able to receive extreme loads of data from other sources. It was decided that some elements commonly found on similar platforms were unneeded as a result, since the information that those elements collected could be shared with the FAC-36 and used by the Crocodile without them.

The main radar in use is the MSS-49 Bushil X/S Band AESA Radar System. The MSS is split into two parts, with the X-Band and S-Band kept on the bow, partially submerged and with RCS features. The S-band radar system is to provide volume search, tracking, ballistic missile defense discrimination, and missile communications; while the X-band radar system is to provide horizon search, precision tracking, missile communication and terminal illumination of targets. The S-band and X-band sensors will also share functionality including periscope detection, as well as missile guidance and communication. The use of both X and S-band in the multi-functional radar system also increases the system's resistance to jamming. The transmit-receive modules will use new gallium nitride semiconductor technology, allowing for higher power density than previous gallium arsenide radar modules.

The usage of AESA radars for missile tracking and guidance allows for up to twenty-eight separate SAMs to be controlled at the same time, improving the ship's ability to survive missile saturation attacks. The system is estimated to be capable of tracking up to 450 aerial targets at up to 260 km, and up to 500 km against ballistic missiles. While there exists superior AESA radars, the MMS-49 gives it the ability to share information with other vessels in the battlespace, helping create a sensory envelope that dwarfs the capabilities of the FAC-36 alone.

The QuadEye long-range electro-optical/Imaging Infrared (EO/IIR) system is used for sea surveillance, detection, recognition, and tracking of targets both with or without radar assistance.. The QuadEye system pairs a zoom-able, high-sensitivity CCD color camera with zoom-able MWIR and SWIR infrared cameras, as well as a 6 Hz eye-safe laser range finder, in a high-performance gyrostabilized lightweight sensor head.

The QuadEye system EO/IIR cameras are bolted to the outside of both radar housings where one camera unit can provide complete three-hundred sixty degree vision in both day or night, as well as all weather conditions. Two additional cameras are placed, one port, one starboard, with one rear attached to the housing of the MAS-67 Mini Sonar. The system has a detection range of 49 kilometers, a recognition range of 30 kilometers, and an identification range of 26 kilometers against both helicopters and small boats. When coupled together with other sensors, it allows the FAC-36 the ability to exist without the need of a superstructure and bridge up top.

The MAS-67 Mini is the Sonar used by the FAC-36. Placed on the stern of the vessel in a stealth profile, it is able to locate and track submarines in the local space and is out-worked conceptually and operationally by other sonars. The MAS-67 was designed to work in conjunction with other sensors- those used by larger combatants, ASW aircraft, or land-based – to locate submarines at great depth and range. Alone, it works in conjunction with the FAC-36's considerable stealth profile to allow it to get close enough to enemy submarines to detect and fire the ship's weaponry. Since a Crocodile is rarely, if ever, operated outside of range of blue water sensor input or Brown or Green Water land sensor input, it was seen as a worthy compromise.

For navigational purposes, the FAC-36 utilizes one X-band Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave, Low Probability of Intercept Mini navigational radars. The radar is less likely to be detected by enemy ESM, and can also be used to gather short range targeting information on enemy surface units and low-flying aircraft. It has a range of 31 kilometers.

The FAC-36 includes a GPS/INS unit, which is tied into both the Combat Management System, and an Electronic Chart Display & Information System. Navigational charts are also used, with the ship's navigator using time, speed, and course in order to keep track of the ship's position manually, which is still useful when all electronic measures fail.

Closer to shore, LORAN and other navigational methods can also be used.

The Fire Control System is the Marshite-standard SACHERI Battlespace Network. SACHERI is the most advanced computer system employed thus with Marshite territory, and while designed for the mainland ground forces, continues in service in many other platforms. It incorporates a vast array of intelligence and communication systems and makes it functionally a single operating system, creating a networked information battlespace. This allows the FAC-36 to connect to the vast battlespace network and get up to the nanosecond information about the geography of the area, movements of the enemy, type of enemy, number of enemy, targeting information, automatic command and control communication and relay systems, and other efforts to give the FAC-36 all the information it needs. It allows an engagement envelope at the maximum range and beyond of its weapons.

For naval vessels, SACHERI is a sensory force multiplier that allows lesser sensors to plug and use more advanced sensors, in effect making the sensory overlap continious across the fleet. The FAC is able to penetrate space around with unceasing clarity and vigilance. It not only receives data from SACHERI but adds its own data to it. During blue water naval operations, a FAC-36 can utilize SACHERI to target and engage forces far outside of the range of its own sensors. This is also coupled with an UL 5000K ECM suite, MIRADOR electro-optical sensor share suite which shares the visual information considered pertient to the crew from the suites of other ships, and the HOLY AVENGER Information Passive-Active Counter-Missile System.

Crew Amenities and Control

The FAC-36, owing to its many armaments and unique design, is by necessity a very cramped vessel even with only a crew of twelve. It is not expected to be a vessel out on patrol for more than a day or three at a time away from replenishment, and as such, crew comforts and quarters are kept to the bare minimum. A single small room is devoted to crew quarters, which also double as where they eat and spend their free time. Four bunk beds are built into the walls of the room, allowing eight of the twelve crew to sleep at once. Two large lockers allow for personal effects as well as additional food stuffs and games, though again, patrols rarely last longer than a few days.

Connected to the crew quarters is the Operations Room, where the vessel is commanded and the weapons are primed and controlled. The magazine for the amidship turret is in the middle of the Operations Room. The only bathroom on the ship is here as well. Three hallways make up the passageways of the ship. One in the middle terminates at the crew section, starts up the operations room. The other two run the length of the ship. This allows crew to access engines and all weapons swiftly.

The same seats used in the Chattle series of automobiles are used in the Crocodile, giving world class comfort and back support to every crew member. There is a small 2X2 area for food and drinks in the crew quarters; there is a an area for hot foods that are ready to eat out of the bag and for drinks. Though small, this offers the crew enough food and drink besides their rations to improve troop morale. The passenger and cargo compartment can be outfitted with additional food stations and even shift-resistant bedding.

The T1 connection used for SACHERI can separately be used to surf the internet, check their e-mail, and make online phone calls. SACHERI also keeps a constant temperature of 65 degrees, keeping the crew comfortable. The system can be set to any temperature if needs be.

Variants

The FAC-36 Crocodile is by most definitions perfectly capable for a ship of it's size of accomplishing almost any task set forward for it. However, certain tasks may require more specialized variants, while some navies prefer their ships of this size to undertake specialized roles.

FAC-36A- The standard model as described.
FAC-36B- The standard model modified to use the LA-91 Iaculum Heavyweight Torpedo.
FAC-36C- Similar to the standard model but the four NGL79s are replaced by four MSW-19 35mm Smart Guns in two turrets.

FAC-36D Crocodile Defender- Uses four MSW-19 35mm Smart Guns in two turrets. A device at the muzzle end of the barrel measures the exact speed of each round as it is fired, and automatically sets the fuse to detonate the round as it approaches a pre-set distance from the target. Each round disperses 152 small tungstenprojectiles to strike the incoming target. Whilst these are too small to do major damage in themselves, the accumulation of damage from multiple strikes is expected to destroy wings and control surfaces, sensors and aerodynamics, causing the target to crash. Other firing modes are designed to be effective against surface targets such as small fast attack boats. These guns are very effective against incoming missiles, and the VLS cells are designed for anti-air and anti-missile purposes, while the torpedoes are removed and additional ECM features are installed.

FAC-36G Crocodile Gunboat- The Crocodile is stripped of Torpedo tubes and all VLS systems, and instead houses four turrets containing two NGL-79 RFGs, giving the vessel eight guns. Much of the ship is converted into holding ammunition for the guns. The Gunboat is useful in fishery protection as well as providing a relatively heavy weight of fire for naval gunfire support missions. A squadron of FAC-36Gs could support ground forces for considerable lengths of time. The use of guns makes it ideal for anti-piracy missions as well as close-range fights, as rare as they are.

FAC-36H Crocodile Aquatic Helipad- All weapons except for torpedoes are removed, and topside becomes the home of anywhere from one to three helipads, depending on the order- and even then, modification is generally simple. Thirty meters of space is graded out for landing of various helicopters, allowing the Crocodile to be highly modifiable in that role. Underside is taken up by maintenance facilities and additional crew quarters for crew of helicopters, as well as quarters for potential passengers, depending on the type of helicopter in use.

FAC-36M Crocodile Missile Boat- Torpedoes and guns are removed, with additional VLS Cells on the bow doubling the amount of missiles the Crocodile can carry. This makes the FAC-36M a potent surface combatant, cruise missile support vessel, or a highly effective anti-air element. A fleet of FAC-36Ms have significant weight of fire on their side and can prove to punch well above their weight class in blue water engagements. The lack of guns or other elements useful in taking down pirates, protecting fisheries, or other smaller engagements makes the FAC-36M an expensive addition that is limited in scope, if still very effective in its role.

FAC-36S Crocodile Small Ship Defense- Removes all torpedoes and VLS, as well as one turret. One NGL-79 RFG turret is placed on the very bow of the ship, while light arm emplacements- in Marshite use, the MA-300, MA-340, SAGL-25, LY65, or the MATW-9EB Alsertan Punch- take up eleven position. Five sets of two on opposite sides of the ship, and one on the stern. This makes the FAC-36S uniquely well suited to drug interdiction, anti-piracy operations, and in support of the RCB-32 Paraya.

FAC-36To Crocodile Torpedo Boat- Four MTR-01s and two MTR-02s are fitted to the vessel, while removing the VLS and guns allows a significant amount of munitions to be stored. The FAC-36To is a brutally effective ASW craft whose small size and stealth allows it to be an dangerous surface combatant. It lacks cost-effective measure of fighting piracy or engaging in other actions, but the FAC-36To most assuredly succeeds in it's role.

FAC-36Tr Crocodile Special Transport- An unusual design that tosses away the weaponry sans the NGL-79s, the FAC-36Tr houses up to two RCB-32 Parayas in its open 'belly'. The NGL-79 turret is redesigned to house additional ammunition topside, but none on the underside, and all the space down below used for ammunition of the various weapon systems is instead used as a troop transport. Up to fifty Marines can be placed in the cramped confines of the vessel, and will make their way down into the opening provided for the RCB-32s. They will board the Parayas and move out while the Crocodile provides short-duration supporting fire from the guns. Because of its stealth, this version is highly useful for special operations.

Export
The FAC-36 is without a doubt the most powerful vessel of its size in existence and also the fastest and stealthiest. The many variants and modifications possible allow a fleet of FAC-36s to form the firepower-backbone of brown water forces while enabling it to play a significant role in Blue Water operations.

FAC-36A-C cost $149 million per vessel. DPRs cost $14.9 billion.
FAC-36D Crocodile Defender costs $161 million per vessel. DPRs at $16.1 billion.
FAC-36G Crocodile Gunboat costs $120 million per vessel. DPRs at $12 billion.
FAC-36H Crocodile Aquatic Helipad costs $89 million per vessel. DPRs at $8.9 billion.
FAC-36M Crocodile Missile Boat costs $160 million per vessel. DPRs at $16 billion.
FAC-36S Crocodile Small Ship Defense costs $100 million per vessel. DPR at $10 billion.
FAC-36To Crocodile Torpedo Boat costs $134 million per vessel. DPR at $13.4 billion.
FAC-36Tr Crocodile Special Transport costs $98 million per vessel. DPR at $9.8 billion.
Sales are made through Covenant Arms.