The Lucifers were designed in 2033 in response to needs of the Republic
of Texas Navy for a reasonably powerful patrol boat for use along the Gulf
Coast. After some initial problems caused by faulty electronics, the Lucifer
entered full production in 2035. Starting in late 2039 they began to be
offered on the open market. In early 2048, a revised protoype began testing;
final evaluation is not expected before March, 2049. The Lucifer has a
crew of 12, although in practice two mechanics can be omitted. Additional
bunkroom is provided for up to six customs officials or marines, though
only one is provided with a computer terminal. In some cases, small Special
Ops teams have been carried for insertions in hostile regions. Generally,
Lucifers on long patrols opt to carry extra bridge crewmen, providing a
second shift and relieving fatigue. The rather generous cargo hold is for
seized
contraband and prisoners, though it can be used for additional sleeping
space for more soldiers.
There are several optional turrets available; the guns and missiles mix on the standard ship below are most typical. In particular, the variety of missiles and rockets available for the 203mm launcher (mounted rear) make it very useful. The fore-deck mounted 75mm turret (the same cannon as used on the Bobcat light tank), is useful for use against smugglers and pirates, especially their shore bases. Finally, the smaller gun turrets, mounted port and starboard, provide close-in defense against small craft and a very basic form of anti-aircraft defense (although the 75mm can, and has, been fired at aircraft). While the optional turrets are normally installed during construction, they can be switched out after several hours work in most ports. Exact turrets installed depend on the needs of the particular user (Lucifers used for convoy duty usually mount a SAM turret in place of the 75mm gun, for example). Note that many poorer nations shy away from adding missile turrets, since the ordnance can be rather expensive.
Subassemblies: Body +6, Superstructure (bridge) +4, two large
full rotation Turrets +2, two small full rotation Turrets +1
P&P: 2800 kW turbo ceramic w/2x1350 kW hydrojets, 5 rE-cells,
3600 gallons diesel (fire chance: 7) in four 900 gallon self-sealing tanks,
1100 miles range
Occ: 8 BCS (captain, helmsman, navigator, sensor/comm operator,
4 gunners) on bridge, 4 NCS (4 mechanics) in body
Cargo: 480 cf
| Armor | F | R/L | B | T | U |
| Body/Bridge | 4/50 | 4/50 | 4/50 | 4/50 | 4/50 |
| Turrets, Large | 4/100 | 4/100 | 4/100 | 4/100 | 0/0 |
| Turrets, Small | 4/50 | 4/50 | 4/50 | 4/50 | 0/0 |
Weaponry
75mm cannon [Turr1:F] (100 HEDP)
3x203mm launcher [Tur2: F] (10 inertial guided missiles, 5 unguided
rockets)
2x15mmC rotary MG [Tur3:F, Tur4:F] (4000 rounds each)
2x30mmC autocannon [Tur3:F, Tur4:F] (1000 rounds each)
Equipment
All Turrets: 5 mile laser rangefinder, HUDWAC
Bridge: hardened miniframe, 8x terminals, IFF x2, military GPS,
precision navigation instruments, 2x scrambled medium range radios, 3x
short range laser comms, 2x advanced laser/radar detector, 50 mile primary
radar (Scan 21), 15 mile secondary radar (Scan 18), 40 mile thermograph
(Scan 20), chaff discharger x16, blackout gas discharger x16
Hull: extra driver controls, scrambled medium range radio, military
GPS, 10 mile active/passive sonar (Scan 17), sonar discharger x8, small
hardened computers x3, terminals x5, full fire suppression, 800 man/days
rations, environmental controls (18 man), bunks x16, cabins x2
Statistics
| Size: 12'x15.5'x37' | Payload: approx. 42,400 lbs | Lwt: 99,739 lbs (49.87 tons) |
| Volume: 6750 cf (Size Mod: +6) | Maint.: 12.5 hours | Price: $2,520,000 |
HT: 11
HP: 2873 [body], 776 [bridge], 194 [each large turret], 77 [each
small turret]
| wSpeed: 43 | wAccel: 11 | wDecel: 5 | wMR: 0.25 | wSR: 5 | Draft: 6.2' |
Design Notes
Frame is expensive medium for 5700 cf body, two 100 cf turret, two
25 cf turrets and 50 cf bridge. All weapons except the 203mm launchers
are fully stabilized and universal. Surface features include waterproofing,
basic stealth and basic IR cloaking. The boat has fine hydrodynamic lines.
Alternate Turrets
Light Missile: 25 cf, 4x 4.5" launchers, 8x HEDP guided, 8x HEDP unguided
Anti-Aircraft: 100 cf, 4x 127mm launchers, 16x 127mm HEPF-ABF SAMs
Anti-Ship: 100 cf, 4x SeaStreak launchers, 12x SeaStreaks
Multi-Purpose: 100 cf, 2x 127mm launchers, 8 x 127mm HEPF-ABF SAMs,
1x SeaStreak launcher, 8x SeaStreaks
New Weapons
SeaStreak: 254mm anti-ship missile, 6dx51(5) HEDP, Max 80,600
yds (46 miles), BALH, skill 15, SS 20, Speed 350 yds/sec; 400 lbs, $152,000
each