Imeall-Class Interceptor

Imeall Imeall-Class 4237
Ship
FNV-I6 Rowan Caldwell
Role		Fast Interceptor
National Origin		Aontas
Production History
Produced
2193 - current
Designer		Kering Corporation
Unit Cost		85,971(√)
Number Built		8
Service History
In Service
2193 - ongoing
Used By		Tekkia (8)
Vessel Characteristics
Displacement		285 Tons
Length		23.1 m
Beam		7.7 m
Height		9.9 m
Draft		2 m
Propulsion		2x Alkan-3516C V16 Hydrate-Electric
Max Speed		37.3 kn (19.2 m/s)
Operational Range		375 km
Complement		12 (8 Operators, 4 Special)
Sensors and Processing Systems		SNOOP-R(V)4 Phased Radar LOCK-R(V1) Phased Radar
Armament		x1 30mm CROWS x4 Small Diameter Launch Tubes
Boats Carried		x1 6.6m Cosain-Type

The Imeall-class Interceptor is a subclass of patrol boat built by Kering for the Federal Naval Service. 8 of the class were built, all of which remain in commission. These fast interceptors are designed for various maritime operations, primarily for homeland security, defense operations, and drug interdiction.

Kering vessel designs' names include a digit code where the digits are the vessel's length and width in metres and a generational marker that denotes the design’s version.

Design

Structure

Imeall-class vessels feature a pointed, axe-style bow that improves stability and maneuverability in open seas, which was a critical issue with the previous Imia III-Class constructed for the Grestian Navy. The design has a steel hull with an aluminum superstructure.

The Imeall-class is powered by two Alkan-3516C V16 Hydrate-Electric Engines which feed both the radar system and propulsive engines. Each vessel is powered by two ducted Gladia Fleetworks P-20 Minnow propellers, delivering a top speed of 37.3 knots and a range of 375 nautical miles.

Defenses

An Imeall firing upon small boats.

The standard Imeall-class is armed with:

• 1x 30mm CROWS: A remote-controlled gun system designed for rapid-response engagements against small, fast-moving targets.
• 4x Small Diameter Launch Tubes: These tubes can launch various types of small, high-velocity projectiles, primarily Brimstone missiles for use against small surface targets.

Alternative armament options include:

• 1x 30mm KP-41 Cannon: High impact anti-armor gun typically deployed on infantry fighting vehicles for use against hardened surface targets.

To support its tactical operations, the Imeall-class is equipped with advanced radar and sensor technologies:

• SNOOP-R(V)4 Phased Radar: A long-range radar system designed for surface and air surveillance. It enables the detection of multiple targets simultaneously, with a high degree of accuracy.
• LOCK-R(V1) Phased Radar: A short-range radar system providing precise tracking and targeting capabilities, complementing the SNOOP-R radar system for close-range threat identification and targeting.

Carriage

Inspection of an Imeall slipway at Port Oligach - 2198

A 7-meter (23 ft) RHIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat) can be launched from the stern slipway, typically of the Cosain V-Type, with a total of one carried per vessel. This boat is used for personnel deployment, typically involving boarding operations. It can carry up to 5 personnel and is fast enough to be used for intercepting smaller vessels or conducting search-and-rescue operations in challenging environments.

Variants

The Imeall-class is a single-variant class among all commissioned vessels, with no immediate sub-variants or different configurations to note.

Development

The Imeall-Class Interceptor was developed as a follow-on design to the Imia-III class, which had faced significant operational issues. The Imia-III class, though initially effective, suffered from instability in blue-water environments. These issues, alongside a collaborative project with Gladia Fleetworks on the Hervol-Class Corvette, provided key insights leading toward the design of the Imeall-class.

The Dhugarnoc Shipyards were selected for construction due to their availability of smaller drydocks. This allowed the shipyards to focus on the Imeall-class while the larger facilities in Parp were busy with the lengthy construction of the Rhudbeal-Class Carrier.

Design Challenges and Solutions

The Pointed Prow allows the Imeall to cut through rough waves but resulted in numerous challenges.

During the design process, it was discovered that the vessel's pointed hull had a tendency to be nose-heavy, which posed significant challenges for weight distribution. The standard ballast tanks, typically used in vessels of this size, had difficulty fitting in the prow. As a result, weight and control systems were shifted towards the vessel's rear.

Another significant issue encountered during the design phase was the jamming of certain door mechanisms, which required adjustments to the structural layout of the vessel.

Technological Considerations

Initially, the Imeall-class was designed to feature the larger 30mm KP-41 Cannon. However, due to concerns about the vessel's weight distribution and ability to track airbourne threats, these guns were ultimately reduced to the current, smaller-fitting CROWS system while utilising existing ammunition stores.

The Imeall-class also benefited from advanced radar technology. Compared to the simpler and weaker radar systems used on its predecessor, the design was planned with requirements for a more sophisticated system, providing enhanced detection and targeting capabilities against smaller or more distant targets.

Future Developments

There are plans to develop a variant of the Imeall-class optimized for anti-drone operations. This future variant would include an expanded powerplant capable of supporting a prow-mounted laser system for targeting small, fast-moving threats like drones. Additionally, the current armament would be replaced with radar-guided anti-air missiles, making it a more versatile vessel capable of addressing a broader range of threats.

Ships in Class

Name	Pennant	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Commissioned	Notes
Federal Naval Service
IMEALL 4237 design
FNV Eoghan Kerman	I1	Dhugarnoc Shipyards, Mullach	18 February 2193	9 October 2193	22 February 2194
FNV Edward Finnegan	I2		22 March 2193	15 November 2193	2 April 2194
FNV Siofra Whitman	I3		10 April 2193	5 December 2193	18 April 2194
FNV William Archer	I4		3 October 2194	28 May 2195	13 September 2195
FNV Maeve Kerman	I5		17 November 2194	8 July 2195	21 November 2195
FNV Rowan Caldwell	I6		29 January 2195	15 September 2195	2 February 2196
FNV Ronan Kerman	I7		6 August 2196	27 March 2197	9 August 2197
FNV Jonathan Doyle	I8		20 September 2196	13 May 2197	27 September 2197