Author Notes:
Well, I guess I was fancying another OBOM release, got caught in the groove and all that jazz. But yeah, I have to say, some of your military buffs will be enjoying these chapters quite a lot. Again, they are made with love and brain cells from the collective over on my Patreon and Discord server.
If you want to offer me some wonderful inputs on pretty much anything, then don't hesitate to check out the links below~! I heard that the Patreon page is running an extremely steep discount for all newcomers~! Pretty please?
https://www.patreon.com/Heartbreak117
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/Heartbreak117
https://discord.gg/cVZxJ29ruh
https://www.webnovel.com/book/reich-marshal-of-the-belkan-reich_23809095505377305
https://www.webnovel.com/book/in-the-grimdark-sector-with-a-system_31596105108346205
https://www.webnovel.com/book/my-soul.-occupied-body---please-the-other-me...!_35377211308783905
https://www.scribblehub.com/series/2271569/reich-marshal-of-the-belkan-reich/
https://photos.app.goo.gl/waZgkRa3UQhqKQBi9
OBOM Visual Guide:
https://postimg.cc/gallery/5fQs4Fv
Pearl-class Patrol Boat:
https://postimg.cc/Sj8h6zxP
Admiral Talulah-class Guided Missile Frigate (FFG):
https://postimg.cc/3WpTXDxs
https://postimg.cc/s1SrYZ2F
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The redesign of the White Pearl for military use is done surprisingly swiftly. As a proper military vessel, the new Pearl-class patrol boat loses some amenities to reclaim the capabilities of its predecessor, the Mark VI patrol boat. However, because the Pearl-class is larger than the Mark VI, it allows the Pearl-class to possess some additional strength in the form of a longer combat range, more space to be modified, and potentially heavier armaments.
It's expected that the Pearl-class will be our cheapest vessels to be built. Hence, Iris is thinking about mass-producing them in large batches to act as our eyes and ears in the green water and brown water region. Still, since most of our industries aren't exactly up to speed just yet, our first vessels, not just the Pearl-class alone, will not be as modern as they can be. Cheaper analog and faster-to-produce alternatives are to be used to press them into service as quickly as they can.
Well, as long as they're reliable, they will be suitable as a stopgap measure until we can produce higher-end systems to upgrade them with. Can't have us developing in peace if some erstwhile raiders suddenly appear on the horizon one day and we're defenseless.
With the Pearl-class patrol boat and the Thomas-class Modular Support Ship out of the way, we move on to designing the mainstay surface combatant of the Ascendancy Navy.
"Considering that we're in a fantasy world," Iris starts, giving us her honest input. "There's no such thing as having too much firepower, and no such thing as too big a displacement."
I smile, adding. "All fears come from insufficient firepower."
"Well, ain't that a familiar quote." Iris comments. "But as much as I like to have an entire Navy of nothing but battleships and carriers, it's obviously a pipe dream. We have neither the manpower nor the resources to maintain a fleet of all capital ships, at least not yet."
"So we go smaller, but capable. Something that is a jack-of-all-trades but not necessarily master-of-all." Reizen says from the side. "It must be something that can be fielded en masse for an extended period of time."
"Then we are looking at a guided missile frigate, and it must have the same kind of modularity the Thomas-class is built around. It's the only way we can reasonably make a one-size-fits-all solution." I offer my two cents. "Something in the 6000 to 8000 tons range would do."
"A large frigate, then." Iris hums, nodding a couple of times. "Yeah, I can work with that. In fact, I think I've got something that can be adapted for the role. It's technically a second-generation guided-missile destroyer from the Belkan Reich era, but no one is stopping us from adopting it as a general-purpose frigate."
Iris then gives us the visual representation of the new frigate after a few seconds of preparation.
"It may look like a stealth vessel because it technically was designed to be one, but I think we can do away with the stealth aspect by removing the need for radar-reflective material and whatnot."
"That's a big-ass frigate." I comment, seeing the glaring 9000-ton tag in the characteristic sheet. "I only throw the number 8000 out as a potential maximum; it doesn't mean that we really need to reach or even exceed that number."
"Hey, if you really need something done on this planet, then this is your ship. Originally, it has unlimited range and a massive weapon payload due to its Void Reactors. However, since we are looking to fit this with a conventional powerplant, we are still looking at an operational range in excess of 7000 nautical miles or 13000 kilometers. This still equates to a massive patrol range and uptime. The only downside to a conventional propulsion system is the reduced weapon payload compared to the original Reich destroyer. But even then, we are still looking at at least 36 VLS cells in addition to weapon turrets."
"Fair enough. You had me at range and VLS, Iris." I chuckle, nodding as I look at the proposed ship class that looks damn similar to an enlarged
Frégate de Défense et d'Intervention, FDI-class, which is also known by the simpler name of Amiral Ronarc'h-class frigate.
But still...
"A wave-piercing bow? Do you think the added technical complexity is worth it?" I ask, reminded of the quite horrendously expensive Zumwalt-class destroyer and Independence-class littoral combat ship.
"Modern problem requires modern solution." Iris shrugs. "The original destroyer platform was built around simplified modular architecture and consolidated sensors. My proposal, other than the powerplant and armaments, mirrors the original in every other way. Alongside the health monitoring system, predictive maintenance or upgrades can be carried out simply by swapping out the old for the new. Instead of scattered antennas and mechanical radars that require complex upkeep, the ship encapsulates sensors, communication suites, and radar systems... inside a single, streamlined, climate-controlled integrated mast. This layout eliminates many moving mechanical parts, reducing physical wear and tear and simplifying the piping and cable layout for the rest of the vessel. You won't need to tear through half of the hull to get to that one bolt that failed to be tightened properly."
"And that means...?" I raise an eyebrow when I see Iris hasn't really answered my question.
"That means, compared to the traditional ship that is in the same 9000-ton displacement, this proposal is actually way, way simpler to service and run. The inverted bow, while being a bit tougher and more expensive to maintain per maintenance cycle, is considered a good trade-off in exchange for a highly stable, efficient, and agile hull over a long period of time. Considering that we will be fielding these things en masse, reducing the consumption of diesel and the negative impact of long voyages on the crew are mighty important."
"Well then, you have successfully made your case." All of us, even Vi, nod in Iris' direction. "Do continue to give us a rundown of this class of ship."
Iris gives a thumbs-up before going on to show us some spreadsheets and 3D blueprints.
"Since this frigate is something I adapted from the original destroyer, I reserve the right to name this class of frigate Admiral Talulah, an Admiral of the Belkan Reich era who commanded the battleship Bismarck in pivotal engagements." Iris then simply adds the new name before the FFG acronym for guided-missile frigate in the proposal's technical spreadsheet. "The Admiral Talulah-class is made for a 60-day patrol and a top speed of 32.5 knots. It's slower than the original version by 3 knots, but it's a loss we need to take to ensure reliability, as we don't have access to an infinite power source."
"Void Reactors are that powerful, huh?" I comment idly, earning nods from everyone around me.
"That goes without saying," Iris explains. "A Void Reactor is able to generate infinite mana to then convert into propulsion power or another source of energy. It's limited only by the size, generation rate, and the need for redundancy on naval warships. A 100000-ton supercarrier will be powered by 3 such Void Reactors, giving it not just unlimited range but also outstanding reliability and agility. Unfortunately, the making of such Void Reactors is inaccessible to us, limited by both skill and material requirements. This is not to mention the fact that we need the acceptance of higher powers if we are to use a Void Reactor."
"Then can't we make the ships run on mana?" I ponder.
"Again, we are lacking the skill and material. Given time, I guess I can train Reizen here to produce the necessary parts by hand if we have the more magical materials, but do we really want to lock our dearest in a basement?" Iris smirks, winking at me.
"Good point. That will be a gross misallocation of her talent as a cuddle buddy." I play along with the joke at Reizen's expense. Our antic earns a wry shake of the head from Reizen.
Resuming her introduction of the frigate design, Iris says.
"In its most capable form with high automation, you are looking at a vessel that requires a crew of only 100 personnel."
"That's remarkably low for something of this size." I comment with obvious appreciation of the ship class.
Vi interjects from the side. "That's because we are using Dolls as crew members. Dolls are widely considered the perfect crew for a warship, as we handle tasks more efficiently, don't require much training time, only production time, and we can learn. Only when it comes to field command or high-intensity combat do we require high-spec Dolls to lead the way for us common Dolls. This doesn't mean common Dolls aren't able to do the jobs if it comes down to it."
"I think the Navies from my old universe would wage a pan-universal war just to acquire the technologies to produce you, girls." And that comes out as a sincere compliment, to which the Dolls in the room preen at the praise.
Iris giggles at the way the girls act before continuing.
"Currently, there's no provision for an electronic warfare suite or missile decoys to save on cost, but there is room to install them if we somehow come across a nation with an actual working radio network and beyond. Armament-wise, of the 36 VLS cells in its base form, each VLS cell can be fitted with either a single cruise missile, a single vertical-launch anti-sub rocket, a single high-end anti-air missile, or a quad-packed short-to-medium range anti-air missile. The main gun for the Admiral Talulah-class is slated to be a 76 mm gun with the capability to fire semi-armor-piercing shells for anti-armor and guided projectiles for anti-air and multi-purpose duties."
"For close-in protection, each side of the frigate will have one 35 mm Millennium turret and one multi-purpose and modular launch system with reloads for MANPAD missiles and guided rockets. Additionally, there are two RC-27 remote-controlled weapon stations mounted above the helicopter hangar to further enhance the flanks and aft protection of the frigate. Technically, there are rooms for a few manually operated heavy machine guns if needed. Near the aft and by the hangar are two twin ASW 13-inch torpedo launchers, with one set of launchers on each side of the vessel."
"Lastly, just behind the main gun turret and fore-end VLS cells, and right in front of the bridge, is a raised platform for either a Matchbox-styled Anti-Submarine Rocket launcher turret with reloads beneath it, an additional 76 mm gun turret, another Millennium turret, or two MPLSs. For utility, the hangar can carry two MH-1 Knighthawks with readily available parts and ordnance for them. The helipad is rated for an MH-2 Queen Stallion for landing, loading, unloading, and takeoff. Between the frigate's engine room and the hangar is a modular mission bay. The mission bay can accept additional cargo, containerized systems and facilities, while still capable of deploying small boats plus potential unmanned vehicles."
"No wonder this thing is displacing 9000 tons." I chuckle wryly. "You literally packed it with everything you could think of."
"Technically, you have a 15% In-Service Growth Margin." Iris smirks. "In the future, we may get a 10000-ton Admiral Talulah."
I suck in a breath of cool air. "That's literally 1000 tons short of the standard displacement for the second-biggest DDG I know of in the 21st century."
"Oh really? What's its weight class?" Iris asks with curiosity.
"11000 tons, standard. Full load is 13000 tons." I reply, talking about the Chinese Type 055 destroyer.
Iris comments. "Huh, why the hell do you need that much displacement? That's literally in the ballpark of being a cruiser already. Back in the same time period, our two classes of light and heavy cruisers amount only to 11000 and 13000 tons respectively."
"Well, you can take it up to the Commies. They even classified a 28000 tons vessel as a heavy cruiser, but in actuality it's a battlecruiser in all but name." I shrug with a wry expression and stretch out my hands, as if adding What can you do in a wordless manner. "Still, if the Admiral Talulah-class is already so capable, do we even need a destroyer or a cruiser?"
Iris rolls her eyes.
"Of course we do; otherwise, where will we even have a flagship for a Squadron? You can consider a single destroyer or cruiser as leader for a Frigate Squadron or Flotillas. Larger vessels like the Thomas LPD-class or even an aircraft carrier can lead a Strike Group consisting of multiple Squadrons and Flotillas. But given the massive ocean we will have to cover and the potential ludicrous military upkeep that comes with it, I imagine we will be fielding primarily destroyer-led Frigate Squadrons for maritime patrol and convoy escort missions. When our Squadrons encounter something too big for them to handle, it's when we will send in the bigger cruiser-led Floatillas or Capital Strike Groups to tackle."
Reizen nods. "Reasonable. If we are to divide things into tiers, then our Navy should have at least 3 tiers:
- Tier one is a standard Frigate Squadron consisting of seven vessels: 1x destroyer as Squadron Commander, 1x sub-leader frigate specialized in ASuW, 2x AA frigates, 2x ASW frigates, and 1 Thomas-class AOE.
- Tier 2 is a Flotilla that consists of two Squadrons or more, with a cruiser as the Flotilla Commander and another cruiser or destroyer as sub-commander.
- Tier 3 is a Capital Strike Group consisting of two Flotillas or more, with either an aircraft carrier, an amphibious warfare ship, or another large surface combatant as Strike Group Leader. If we have them, a Capital Strike Group is to be reinforced by up to two attack submarines and additional support ships."
Kokona makes a comment at last after not being an active participant for some time.
"I don't know about you all, but just to fill up all three tiers alone will require a lot of Doll frames. This is not mentioning the requirements for backend logistics, air wings, and auxiliary support. This is gonna take a ten-year investment, at least."
"The one thing we ain't lacking is time, apparently." I respond to her worry. "And don't forget we can offload much of the construction to the GAD Module. We really only need the manpower to uphold ship maintenance."
"That's true. Well, if you need more manpower, then we in the Marines and Military Police are more than capable of picking up the slack." Kokona offers with a smile, one that I return.
"Reizen and Vi will take you up on that promise when the need arises." The two being named nod in Kokona's direction.
It won't be the first time the combat Dolls are requested to be miners for one day.
Iris then claps her hands together. "Ok, with the Admiral Talulah-class and the initial fleet organization out of the way, it's high time we get to work on the rest of the ships. We still have what, at least five ships to go: a destroyer, a cruiser, a submarine, another amphibious warfare ship, and a dedicated aircraft carrier."
Aww shit, here we go again...