Type: Fast Attack Craft
SB-22
OS Specht (SB-4-class).
Length: 57.6 metres
Width: 7.8 metres
Draught: 2.6 metres
Displacement: 390 tons
Maximum Speed: 40 knots/74.08 kilometres per hour
Operating Time: two weeks
Crew: 4 officers, 25 enlisted
Sensors: Oberflächenradar MAXI (Surface Search Radar), Schnellboots-Luftverteidigungsradar Schäferhund (Air Defense Radar)
Armament: 1x 76 mm Gauss gun, 4x missile pods, 1x Laser Close Range Defensive System, 2x EFWS-11S machine guns, Mine laying capability
Usage: Convoy raids, fleet protection
The SB-4-class or Steinlöwe-class (a Steinlöwe/stone lion is a large predator on Arbores, grey as stone, hence the name) is the most rudimentary type of ship you will ever meet: Relatively cheap to built, upkeep and maintain, small crew and still packing a punch.
It is a classic Faast Attack Craft, with the capability of attacking larger units effectively and defending own large units.
Their speciality however is attacking enemy convois using the 76 mm Gauss Gun, capable of firing relatively cheap ammunition (while iron-tungsten-rods are recommended, simple iron rods can be fired to devestating effect). The gun is capable of punching through 45 centimetres of steel equivalent armour, so freighters and tankers aren't a problem.
What problems are, are the relatively short operating time (two weeks), which can be extended via replenishment ships like the ones of the Packpferd-class below, and the uncomfortable living quarters of the crew and their officers.
SensorsOberflächenradar MAXI (Surface Search Radar)The Oberflächenradar MAXI is the newest iteration of the classical Surface Search Radar (SSR), coupled with targetting computers for all weapons onboard the ship except the two heavy machine guns and the Laser Close Range Defensive System.
With an effective range of detection of around 4,000 kilometres, the MAXI can detect targets from over the horizon, which enhances the effective combat range of the anti-ship missiles (see below) to around 3,500 kilometres.
MAXI is also capable of detecting targets on solid ground as long as a line of sight to the target to be detected can be established - it won't work if the target 'hides' behind a mountain.
The system can not be purchased independently.
Schnellboots-Luftverteidigungsradar Schäferhund (Air Defense Radar)The Schäferhund Air Defense Radar (Schäferhund means shepherd's dog) is a small, quite effective system with a detection range of 3,000 kilometres in any direction except below the surface (it therefore can be used as supplementary SSR if the MAXI is taken out). Airborne targets can be detected and tracked up to a height of 6,000 kilometres, making them a valuable addition to the low-orbit defensive radar systems.
It can track up to 10,000 targets at the same time and identify them at the same time.
The Schäferhund-System is connected to the Laser Close Range Defensive System and can not be purchased independently.
Armament76 mm GSK C/01 Gauss gunThe 76 mm GSK C/01 Gauss gun (76 mm Gauss-Schnellfeuerkanone/Gauss Rapid Fire Gun Construktionsjahr 2001/Constructionyear 2001 - we don't have any clue how the C goes in there) is the centrepiece of the SB-4-class' armament.
Connected to the MAXI Surface Search Radar, the gun with six 76 mm coils (hence the name) has an effective combat range of 44,264 metres without tailwind but with a tungsten-iron-rod of 36 mm diametre.
The maximum rate of fire can be cranked up to 100 rounds per minute, but we do not recommend it: The coils tend to overheat very fast at a rate of fire higher then 60 rounds per minute. Due to that, we also not recommend using explosive ammunition, because those like to detonate prematurely while still being in the barrel, which isn't as good aas it sounds.
Usually, the SB-4-class has around 1,500 of ammunition onboard.
76 mm GSK C/01 Gauss gun can be purchased independently at a price of 25 million Lunar Silver without any targetting systems.
Schäfer Laser-Kurzstreckenverteidigungssystem (Laser Close Range Defensive System)The Schäfer Laser Close Range Defensive System (Schäfer means shepherd) is the newest close-in weapon system in service. Capable of attacking a target, be it a missile, an airplane or even space-descending enemy ships at a range of 8,000 metres (if enemy ships can be destroyed is an entirely different matter), it is the ideal system for air defense against smaller airborne targets.
The real threat for those is the Schäfer coupled with a Schäferhund ASR (see above), which leads to a deadly combination of firepower, radar and the not-need for ammunition refills except hydrogen for the small nuclear fusion reactor powering the whole FAC (see below).
The Schäfer LCRDS can not be purchased independently.
Missile PodsThe four missile pods are a general term for the four holders for missiles onboard an SB-4-class FAC.
As long as they fit into the delivered interchangeable pods and can be connected to the Schäferhund ASR or the MAXI SSR, any type missile can be used. We however recommend the following:
- Luftabwehrrakete Eule-III (SAM Owl-III): SAM for the defense against any kind of flying target, three per pod. Range 65km, maximum ceiling 20km. Price: 25,000 Lunar Silver per missile.
- See-Boden-Rakete Seeadler VI (Sea-Ground-Missile Seaeagle VI): Missile for the attack of solid-ground/shore targets, smaller cruise missile. One per pod. Medium-Range Hypersonic. Warhead of 500kg. Range 400km. Price: 800,000 Lunar Silver per missile.
- Seezielrakete Harpune I (Sea-Target Missile Harpoon I): Missile for the attack of sea-surface targets, four per pod. Subsonic. Warhead of 500kg. Range 350km. Price: 30,000 Lunar Silver per missile.
- Ausbildungsrakete Farbeimer II (Training Missile Colour Bucket II): Missile for training purposes. Price: 10,000 Lunar Silver per missile.
The missile pods can not be purchased independently.
Additional WeaponryFor information about the two EFWS-11S machine guns, refer to the
Personal Weaponry and Equipment section of this catalogue, under the topic of machine guns.
In addition to all of that, the SB-4-class FAC is equipped with mine rails, which can be repurposed to be used for depth charges. Since Sea Mine Deployment does not need any specialized technology, the Mine Rails work without any technological limitations.
Power SourceMain pwer source of the SB-4-class FAC is the small Winzling (Dwarf) Nuclear Fusion Reactor, supplying enough power for the sensors, engines, weapons and everything else and then some.
It is a Hydrogen Fusion Reactor, rather hard to maintain and very expensive.
From the fuel side of things, the SB-4-class FAC does not have any operating time limitations (Hydrogen is a part of water after all), but the problems begin with food and other necessary supplies.
ResumeeOverall, the SB-4-class FAC is small warship of many uses, many possibilities and purposes. It can be used to control rivers and close-to-shore areas of oceans, but it isn't fit for high seas.
With the range limits in place, the SB-4-class FAC is an excellent addition to any fleet.
Price per unit: 200 million Lunar Silver