Samar
The Samar and Surigao class Destroyer Escorts (DE) constitute the bulk of the UNIN Fleet. Designed to be built from the same yard tooling, both ship classes are largely identical save for their active search sensors and processing systems. The Samar class sensor suite is geared for long range ship-to-ship combat, while the Surigao’s are optimized for missile interception and close range fire support. A total of 12 Samar and 8 Surigao class ships were constructed until production ceased in February 2034. The Samar class underwent an extensive modernization program in 2033 following the Battle of Mars, all Sarmar class ships currently in service have been refitted to the Samar IIb standard. Although largely succeeded by the new Cape Town class Destroyer, the Samar and Surigao class continue to play an important role in escorting survey and logistics ships, maintaining pickets, and carrying out extra-solar operations.
Contents
Development
By mid-2029 the Federation of European and Asian Nations had launched its 9th Moskva-30 class corvette. By comparison, the UN fleet existed in name only, with the first Berlin class cruiser hull having just been laid down in the EADS-Astrium shipyards over Versailles. With growing panic over what had quickly become a Federation monopoly on military power in the Solar system, the UN Executive Council rushed to complete construction on three additional shipyards and authorized a crash program (codenamed Valkyrie) to develop a sub-capital ship to fill out the UNIN Fleet.
Under Project Valkyrie, the Bureau of Ships began to design studies on how to re-utilize existing technologies for a smaller-sized warship. The primary goal was to develop a ship which could defend UN installations and commercial traffic from Moskva attacks, and to support the large Berlin cruisers in fleet actions. A brief debate ensued over whether to arm the proposed ship with the M128 100mm Meson Cannon developed for the “Ghostbuster” global ICBM shield, or the ATK SML-1 MK. I Point Defense Launch Tube developed for the Berlin Cruiser. The additional range and tactical flexibility offered by the missile launch system won out over the logistical simplicity and armor penetration of the meson beam cannon, and the preliminary design for the Samar class DE was selected.
The initial Samar design re-utilized the existing Pratt & Whitney 25000M-E100 Nuclear Thermal Engine, Honeywell UN/SGM-3 Aegis missile fire control system, and Raytheon UN/SGY-5 Overwatch Tracking Array developed for the Berlin cruiser. However, construction would be delayed for Pratt & Whitney to finish completion of the new 40000M-E100 Nuclear Pulse Engine, effectively increasing its engine output by 60%.
A design for a sister class specializing in point defense was also selected. Replacing the Overwatch tracking array with the Honeywell UN/SGS-4 Warbler Missile Warning Sensor was a minor enough change that both ship classes could be produced without any costly changes in shipyard tooling. In an unusual turn of events, six of these Surigao class variants would be commissioned before the lead-ship UNS Samar would be completed.
Operational History
Battle of Mars
- See also: Mars Crisis
The Samar class first saw combat in the Mars crisis of 2033, following the seizure of the UN troop transports UNS Lictor and UNS Venti by elements of the Federation’s 1st and 2nd Battle Divisions. Aboard the transports were the 79th, 80th, and 81st Mobile Infantry Battalions totaling 1,500 ground combat and 6,000 support personnel. Task Group (TG) Phalanx, consisting of 6 Samar and 3 Surigao class DEs, was dispatched to establish control over Mars orbit and force return of the captured UN ships and personnel. Upon arrival, the Federation blockade rejected UN demands to hold position and prepare for boarding, and began to withdraw from Mars orbit. A detachment from TG Phalanx pursued, and launched a total of 6 warning shots spread across 2 salvos. With no response from the Federation ships, the detachment opened fire on the 3 Moskva-31 corvettes (FEK Jakarta, FEK Islamabad, FEK Ulan Bataar), firing a total of 54 SIM-10A Mosquito Interceptor Missiles and registering 36 confirmed hits. Intelligence analysis suggests that the Moskva-31 active sensor (UN reporting name: BACK YARD) may have had insufficient resolution to detect the missiles in flight. All three Moskva-31s suffered total propulsion failure after missile detonations penetrated their armor and destroyed fuel and/or engine systems. 65 survivors were transferred aboard from the Islamabad and 44 from the Ulan Bataar prior to both ships being scuttled by their command crews.
As rescue operations began on the Jakarta, an active BACK YARD sensor signature was detected 4 million km out, and TG Phalanx’s Overwatch tracking array picked up three additional Moskva-31 corvettes and a Skory-33 class cruiser. Shortly after, TG Phalanx’s “Warbler” anti-missile sensor registered 4 incoming missiles (UN reporting name: Bowyer) 5 seconds prior to impacting the UNS Negros. All 4 missiles penetrated the ship’s armor belt causing 49 casualties and knocking out most essential functions. Unable to return fire, the task group executed a full burn away from the Skory-33 class cruiser, slightly reducing the relative velocity of the incoming missiles. This maneuver allowed enough time for TG Phalanx’s automated point defense systems to attempt to intercept the next Bowyer missile salvo, however all 8 Mosquito-B’s failed to hit their targets. The second wave of Bowyers impacted the UNS Panay, causing 60 casualties and rending the ship combat ineffective. Automated defenses succeeded in intercepting one Bowyer in the third wave, however 2 still impacted the UNS Visayas, causing 18 casualties and knocking out one engine and her fire control. Having demonstrated local space superiority, Federation forces offered a cease-fire, which was quickly accepted.
In the aftermath of TG Phalanx’s defeat, the UN would cede all territorial claims on Mars. UNS Negros would prove to be too damaged to repair, and was scuttled to prevent later analysis by Federation intelligence. All captured crews and ships were released back to their respective governments. An extensive modernization program was undertaken to refit all Samar class vessels to the Samar IIb specification, replacing the Overwatch tracking array and Aegis fire control. These new systems would be capable of tracking a Skory-sized target out to 11.6 million km, and directing fire up to 19.1 million km if being fed sensor data from another ship. New munitions were developed to make use of these increased ranges. However, upgrading the ineffectual Warbler Missile Warning Sensor proved to be technologically infeasible.
Tactical Analysis
Though outclassed by most known combat ships, the Samar and Surigao destroyer escorts will continue to play an important role in the UNIN fleet for some time to come. As one of the few UN warships capable of transiting jump points with the Turing-class jump tender, they remain an important asset for force projection outside of the Solar System.
With only a single belt of duranium armor, these vessels can be expected to withstand only light weapons fire before losing combat effectiveness. Any warhead rated strength 4 or above will fully penetrate the armor layer and cause internal damage to the ship.
Missile range allows them to continue to be useful in combating craft armed with short-range directed energy weapons such as the Federation Moskva-31 or the extra-terrestrial Hoplite class. However, they should not be expected to combat superior missile ships. If forced to engage a combatant with superior range and speed, these ships are best deployed at the exit of a jump point, where enemy range advantages can be mitigated as much as possible.
Ships in Class
Samar
| Hull Number | Name | Laid Down | Commissioned | Construction Shipyard | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE-7 | UNS Samar | 1st January 2031 | 18th March 2031 | BC Void Shipbuilding | Refit to Samar II |
| DE-8 | UNS Leyet | 18th March 2031 | 10th June 2031 | BC Void Shipbuilding | Refit to Samar II |
| DE-9 | UNS Biliran | 28th May 2031 | 16th August 2031 | Valhalla Naval Yard | Refit to Samar II |
| DE-10 | UNS Cebu | 6th July 2031 | 25th September 2031 | Victoria Naval Yard | Refit to Samar II |
| DE-11 | UNS Bohol | 28th August 2031 | 15th November 2031 | BC Void Shipbuilding | Refit to Samar II |
| DE-12 | UNS Romblon | 4th November 2031 | 20th February 2032 | Valhalla Naval Yard | Refit to Samar II |
| DE-13 | UNS Mindoro | 15th November 2031 | 7th July 2032 | BC Void Shipbuilding | Refit to Samar II |
| DE-14 | UNS Visayas | 23rd January 2032 | 15th September 2032 | Victoria Naval Yard | Refit to Samar II |
| DE-15 | UNS Panay | 2nd August 2032 | 24th March 2033 | Valhalla Naval Yard | Refit to Samar II |
| DE-16 | UNS Negros | 15th September 2032 | 6th May 2033 | Victoria Naval Yard | Scuttled at Mars 28th May 2033 (See Martian Crisis) |
| DE-19 | UNS Sulu | 12th August 2033 | 7th February 2034 | Valhalla Naval Yard | Under refit to Samar II |
| DE-20 | UNS Midway | 12th August 2033 | 7th February 2034 | Valhalla Naval Yard | Under refit to Samar II |
Samar II
| Hull Number | Name | Laid Down / Refit Begun | Commissioned / Refit Completed | Construction / Refit Shipyard | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE-11 | UNS Bohol | 26th March 2033 | 24th April 2033 | Victoria Naval Yard | Active duty (TF training not complete) |
| DE-12 | UNS Romblon | 25th April 2033 | 23rd May 2033 | Victoria Naval Yard | Destroyed by Kaavi Khopesh warship 16 Jun 2037 |
| DE-13 | UNS Mindoro | 23rd May 2033 | 20th June 2033 | Victoria Naval Yard | Active duty (TF training not complete) |
| DE-14 | UNS Visayas | 3rd June 2033 | 30th June 2033 | Victoria Naval Yard | Active duty (TF training not complete) |
| DE-7 | UNS Samar | 1st July 2033 | 28th July 2033 | Victoria Naval Yard | Active duty (TF training not complete) |
| DE-15 | UNS Panay | 22nd July 2033 | 19th August 2033 | Victoria Naval Yard | Active duty (TF training not complete) |
| DE-8 | UNS Leyet | 16th August 2033 | 14th September 2033 | Victoria Naval Yard | Active duty (TF training not complete) |
| DE-10 | UNS Cebu | 19th August 2033 | 16th September 2033 | Victoria Naval Yard | Active duty (TF training not complete) |
| DE-9 | UNS Biliran | 19th September 2033 | 15th December 2033 | Valhalla Naval Yard | Active duty (TF training not complete) |
| DE-19 | UNS Sulu | 7th February 2034 | Under refit, est. 23rd May 2034 | Victoria Naval Yard | Under refit to Samar II |
| DE-20 | UNS Midway | 7th February 2034 | Under refit, est. 3rd May 2034 | Victoria Naval Yard | Under refit to Samar II |
| UNS Taranto |
Design Specifications
Samar
Samar class Destroyer Escort 1,400 tons 147 Crew 166 BP TCS 28 TH 80 EM 0 2857 km/s Armour 1-11 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 5 Maint Life 8.26 Years MSP 74 AFR 15% IFR 0.2% 1YR 2 5YR 29 Max Repair 20 MSP Magazine 35 Pratt & Whitney 40000M-E100 Nuclear Pulse Engine (2) Power 40 Fuel Use 100% Signature 40 Armour 0 Exp 5% Fuel Capacity 50,000 Litres Range 64.3 billion km (260 days at full power) ATK SML-1 Mk. 1 Point Defense Launch Tube (R30) (5) Missile Size 1 Rate of Fire 30 Honeywell UN/SGM-3 Aegis Missile Defense Control (D3-R50) (1) Range 3.0m km Resolution 1 MBDA SSM-6A Hornet Anti-Ship Missile (35) Speed: 11,200 km/s End: 13.3m Range: 9m km WH: 1 Size: 1 TH: 37 / 22 / 11 Raytheon UN/SGY-5 Overwatch Tracking Array (D4.5-R1000) (1) GPS 400 Range 4.5m km Resolution 20 Missile to hit chances are vs targets moving at 3000 km/s, 5000 km/s and 10,000 km/s This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
Samar II
Samar II class Destroyer Escort 1,450 tons 155 Crew 182.5 BP TCS 29 TH 80 EM 0 2758 km/s Armour 1-11 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 5 Maint Life 7.03 Years MSP 79 AFR 16% IFR 0.2% 1YR 3 5YR 42 Max Repair 42 MSP Magazine 35 Pratt & Whitney 40000M-E100 Nuclear Pulse Engine (2) Power 40 Fuel Use 100% Signature 40 Armour 0 Exp 5% Fuel Capacity 50,000 Litres Range 62.1 billion km (260 days at full power) ATK SML-1 Mk. 1 Point Defense Launch Tube (R30) (5) Missile Size 1 Rate of Fire 30 Voidex UN/SGM-10 Gimlet Torpedo Director (D11.5-R1500) (1) Range 11.5m km Resolution 30 MBDA SSM-6A Hornet Anti-Ship Missile (35) Speed: 11,200 km/s End: 13.3m Range: 9m km WH: 1 Size: 1 TH: 37 / 22 / 11 Voidex UN/SGY-9 Jove Tracking Array (D11.6-R1500) (1) GPS 1275 Range 11.6m km Resolution 30 Missile to hit chances are vs targets moving at 3000 km/s, 5000 km/s and 10,000 km/s This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
Samar IIb
Samar IIb class Destroyer Escort 1,450 tons 154 Crew 185.5 BP TCS 29 TH 80 EM 0 2758 km/s Armour 1-11 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 5 Maint Life 6.79 Years MSP 80 AFR 16% IFR 0.2% 1YR 3 5YR 45 Max Repair 42 MSP Magazine 35 Nuclear Pulse Engine E10 (2) Power 40 Fuel Use 100% Signature 40 Armour 0 Exp 5% Fuel Capacity 50,000 Litres Range 62.1 billion km (260 days at full power) Size 1 Missile Launcher (5) Missile Size 1 Rate of Fire 30 UN/SGM-16 Auger Fire Control Gradar (D19.1-R2000) (1) Range 19.1m km Resolution 40 Voidex UN/SGY-9 Jove Tracking Array (D11.6-R1500) (1) GPS 1275 Range 11.6m km Resolution 30 This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
