Rhonda Reguwu-Class

Reguwu-Class Rhonda Reguwu-Class Destroyer
Ship
CKNS Rhonda Reguwu makes her way to the port of Bown on her delivery trip, c.2206
Role		Destroyer
National Origin		Central Kafrica
Production History
Designed
2205 - 2206
Produced
2206 - Present
Designer		Freetowne Shipyards, Bayl Ironworks, Bayl, Schrschnell
Unit Cost		270,000(√)
Number Built		13
Service History
In Service
2206 - ongoing
Used By		Central Kafrica Central Kafrican Navy
Vessel Characteristics
Displacement		1,664 Tons
Length		91.1 m
Beam		13.8 m
Height		27 (Keel to Radar) m
Draft		2.6 m
Propulsion		2x Kaxual-Valentina V16 – 16RP200[2] or 2x Logi diesel engines
Max Speed		29 kn (14.5 m/s)
Operational Range		classified km
Complement		95 (10 officers, 85 enlisted)
Sensors and Processing Systems		Detection 1x SIMPSON RADAR Locking 4x STIR Locking Radar Defense 2x AN/ALQ-131 ECM Jammer
Armament		x1 57mm Autocannon x3 Phalanx x96 VLS

The Rhonda Reguwu-Class Destroyer (also known as the Reguwu-Class) is a Guided Missile Destroyer designed by Diosca Drafting and initially built by Freetowne Shipyards. Designed around the need for a small scale destroyer to defend the Bay of Kafrica. As of 2207, 10 ships are active, with at least 10 more planned to join the fleet by 2210. The warship class is named after Rhonda Reguwu, the first President of the United States of Central Kafrica.

Background

From the period between 2190 and 2205, Central Kafrica saw its naval defense as a trivial matter that would nominally be handled by the Imperial Union. In the widespread mutiny of the Central Kafrican Army at the start of the Big Beautiful War. The subdepartment of the Department of Offense, the Central Kafrican Coastal Defense Force became superseded by the Central Kafrican Navy. No longer was its confidence well placed in the Imperial Royal Navy's ability and willingness to cooperate with Central Kafrica on naval defense matters.

The lack of a shipbuilding heritage became the major concern of the CKN after the release of the initial contract requirements returned one acceptable bid from Diosca Drafting, with no adequite shipyard bidding prompted the Navy to reach out to Freetowne Shipyards, Cyten-Ward Industries and its newfound ally Zokesia. These discussions resulted in a commitment for Zokesia to build 10 Reguwu-Class destroyers and oversee the construction of a further 5 in Kafrica, in an effort to build indigenous shipyard expertise.

Characteristics

Structure

The Rhonda Reguwu-Class ships are among the smallest destroyers built for any Navy on Kerbin; only the Blokha class is shorter. The class was designed triangular vertical surface bow, made of steel composite material. Its design incorporates the experience of Zokesian and Imperial shipbuilding, with both the IRN and the Zokesian Royal Navy being consulted on the design. Taking lessons from draftsmen who trace their careers back to the shipyards of Vocavium.

For these Destroyers, the use of both Aluminum and Steel construction was supported by simulations of the earlier, planned Kellen Kerman-Class Frigate of the late 22nd Century, computer models finding the design to be top heavy and liable to tip over under any rough sea state, or any dramatic maneuvering of the vessel. This decision was made despite the known susceptibility of Aluminum to cracking and fire. Lessons learned from the Big Beautiful War, led to the decision to add armored bulkheads to the Class, strengthening the hull against torques created by waves. An added effect of this structural strengthening is the creation of a buffer against anti-ship missiles (AShMs).

Passive Defenses

Rhonda Reguwu Destroyers are equipped with dual decoy launchers and dual bubble curtain launchers to confuse sonar and torpedo based systems. The class also features 2 ECM Jamming systems to support the future planned Kafrican Airforce Naval Arm (KANA), this system will work in conjunction with SRA-404 Electronic Warfare systems to jam any enemy radars attempting to attack the fleet.

Weapon Systems

The Rhonda Reguwu-Class are multi-purpose vessels, expected to perform a wide range of roles from coastguard duties to Carrier Strike Group combined operations. To fulfil this role, the class feature numerous combat weapon systems, including anti-air, land attack, ship-to-ship missiles. These are stored and fired in Vertical Launching System cells; with 48 cells on the front raised superstructure, and another set of 48 either side the two engine ventilation stacks. The Rhonda Reguwu-Class ships are more heavily armed than other ships of its size, yet is heavier than comparably sized ships, coming in at a heavy 1.664 thousand tones. The Class features a state of the art terminal defense system, incorporating medium range terminal defense capabilities using RIM-162 ESSM Missiles and 3 Phalanx CWIS 30mm guns. With two guns on the rear upper superstructure, next to the second smokestack, and a third just forward of the radar tower, the class features a capability to continuously fire its CWIS for over 2 minutes.

On the bow the Rhonda Reguwu-Class Destroyer features a singular 57mm autocannon, capable of firing 220 rounds per minute, much like with the CWIS system it is also capable of firing continiously for over 2 minutes.

Its main radar is based on the design of the Prometheus-Class Destroyer ship of the IRN, featuring a Kafrican designed "Brass Eyeball" Detection Radar. With secondary CWI STIR Locking Radars at all aspects of the vessel. Tertiary radar capability is provided by the 3 CIWS systems, though this system is usually only utilized during terminal missile defense.

Aircraft

The Rhonda Reguwu-Class does not currently have the capability to stow any aircraft, however it features the capability to land and refuel Z-40 Mantis aircraft currently in service with the CKAF. It is expected that in the future, that Reguwu Class vessels will contain a single well-deck hangar to fit a Z-40 Airframe for Combat Air Patrol capabilities when not part of a CSG.

Development

Originally the CKN requested the use of a Missile-Only defense system, seeing it fit for the 23rd century as a distinctively modern trait. Signaling a new era in shipbuilding. Following initial studies these plans were dropped for the use of RIM-162 ESSM Missiles in conjunction with a dual layout Phalanx CWIS, this was later updated to a triple CWIS arrangement, when it was discovered that the Rhonda Reguwu-Class was susceptible to bow-on missile engagements. This modification also required the raising of the forward facing STIR Locking Radar on the Radar Tower.

Operational History

The class saw its first action through Sea Trials between Freetowne Shipyards and its delivery in the port of Bown. Over January 24th to January 30th, CKNS Rhonda Reguwu and CKNS Tanya Rose conducted initial sea trials and delivery trips for the Rhonda Reguwu-Class Destroyers as part of the Kafrican-Zokesian comprehensive arms deal. Following the successful delivery trip and subsequent commissioning ceremony, the Reguwu-Class Destroyer was initially deployed into the Bay of Kafrica in 2 groups of 3. This deployment was in response to IRN fleet movements, when the Empress Elanor III and Emperor Horatius I CSGs were moved to defensive operations in proximity to Rhudbeal. The CKN stated that this defensive patrol, headed by the CKNS Rhonda Reguwu and the CKNS Tanya Rose was to ensure the safety of Kafrican waters should a conflict break out in the region. Fearing a potential spillover of what could end up being a regionally isolated conflict that the Kafrican Government in Rinn felt it need not be involved in.

CKNS Rhonda Reguwu shoots down a missile fired at her from the CKNS Tanya Rose, November 2207

During this first patrol, in November 2207, the Rhonda Reguwu and the Tanya Rose partook in a live fire exercise, with the former firing a single RIM-162 ESSM upon the latter, before the latter successfully utilized its Fire Control Computer to destroy the singular ESSM Missile.

Contractors

• Builders: 10 units constructed by Freetowne Shipyards, Bayl Ironworks

Ships in class

Name	Namesake	Builder	Commissioned	In Service	Home Port
CKNS Rhonda Reguwu	1st President Rhonda Reguwu	Freetowne Shipyards	2207	2207-	Bown
CKNS Tanya Rose		Freetowne Shipyards	2207	2207-	Angus
CKNS Alpha Minor	Alpha Minor	Freetowne Shipyards	2207	2207-	Bown
CKNS Billy Tomsed Derbus Sergil Bobson		Freetowne Shipyards	2207	2207-	Bown
CKNS Unni Kerman		Freetowne Shipyards	2207	2207-	Bown
CKNS Kellen Kerman	Kellen Kerman	Freetowne Shipyards	2207	2207-	Bown
CKNS Super Grunt	Super Grunt	Freetowne Shipyards	2207	2207-	Angus
CKNS Jabe Kerman		Freetowne Shipyards	2207	2207-	Bown
CKNS Peter Kerman	Peter (Artifical Kerbal)	Freetowne Shipyards	2207	2207-	Angus
CKNS Estrel		Freetowne Shipyards	2207	2207-	Angus
CKNS Yuri Kerman		Freetowne Shipyards	2207	2207-	Angus

Image Gallery

CKNS Rhonda Reguwu, CKNS Tanya Rose and CKNS Estrel make steam for their Kafrican homeports, c.2206