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KNS Rosha PG4-5

The Rosha-class gunboats are heavily armed vessels of the rendel (also known as flat-iron) type designed for coastal bombardment in support of amphibious and riverine operations. After the success of the Uriel and Solaventus-class destroyers, the Khertland navy wanted to continue the trend in order to recover its reputation among the government. The government has been skeptical of navy projects ever since their cost far outstripped their proposed capabilities. The Khertland navy's funding was made conditional on their ability to bring the required capabilities at a reasonable time and cost. In practice, it meant the navy are to take less risks on their new designs.

The navy decided to order a class of new monitors for coastal bombardments in support of amphibious operations. Due to army advisers overseeing the navy modernization program, navy leadership wanted to appease them by proposing a design that would also benefit the army. The navy was also confident in the success of their new monitor design in this role. The order would include a total of 24 ships, 18 for the navy and 6 for the army. However, due to budget limitations, the amount of monitors had to be cut back to 12 ships. A cheaper alternative was proposed to make up the difference. A rendel gunboat which could carry a similar sized armament, albeit one gun instead of two. The smaller vessel and simpler design meant it will dramatically cut cost bringing the 24 NGFS platforms within budget constraints. The army will order 6 gunboats, the navy will have another 6. While the 12 monitors will all be operated by the navy.

Like the monitor, the Rosha-class gunboats were designed with very thick armor protection due to the dangers of operating near hostile coastlines where enemy ships, coastal fortifications, ground forces, and more can attack it. In particular, the gunboat features a heavily protected casemate near the middle of the ship to keep the center of mass balanced. Furthermore, as the casemate faced only one direction, it allowed the protection to be focused on that single side, significantly saving weight. The ship also features a small pedestal mounted gun at the stern for self defense from other angles and also capable of firing star shells for illumination at night. The bridge structure is simple and small located atop the casemate. The boats feature a small fire control radar for its main gun on the main mast.

The Rosha-class features a extremely powerful 406 mm naval gun. It is developed off of the 460 mm battleship gun the navy has developed for its future battleship classes. The smaller bore allows it to be more readily mounted on small vessels such as on rendel gunboats. The gun is mounted in a central forward facing casemate. It is directly crewed by 9 men. A gun layer, 6 loaders. two for handling the projectiles, two for handling the propellants, one for controlling the rammer, and one to open and close the breach. This is rounded off with one communications officer, and the chief gunner's mate who coordinates the main gun crew. While there are 6 loaders, 4 handling the actual projectile and propellant, they only move the rounds from the elevator to the cart, then onto the loading tray. Below deck, there are 8 people in two teams. One team for handling the propellant and one for the projectile. 2 person from each team is responsible for craning the projectile or propellant onto roller racks. A third person will push it to the powder/projectile passing scuttle. The forth person on the otherside of the flashtight bulkhead will then load it onto the elevator to be sent up to the gun crew.
In total, there are 17 people needed to keep the main gun firing.

The aft gun is manned by 2 gunners (traverse and elevation), 2 loaders (loader and assistant loader), and a commander. The diesel engine is managed by 4 people consisting of two mechanics, an engineer and a officer in charge. Below deck also houses the radar operator, a fire control officer, and two radio operator. The upperworks is manned by a helmsman, a navigator, two spotters on watch, and the captain of the vessel. In total, the boat is manned by 35 personnel with about half for the 406 mm main gun alone. There are enough boats onboard for the entire crew to safely evacuate in case of an emergency. During regular operations, there are three shifts, of 12 people per shift for 24/7 operations when necessary. The captain and the chief gunner's mate switch positions every 12 hours for commanding the boat during normal operations. In combat, the captain is always in charge. 4 of the 12 people are required to for manning the bridge, and another 4 for the engine. The remaining three on duty will act as a skeleton crew manning the aft gun. The crew consisting of two gunners and a single loader in case of an emergency. When entering combat, the entire crew is required to be on station.

Due to the large crew for such a small vessel, the living quarters is generally regarded as poor. Additionally, the lack of space mean there are no back up crew for shift rotation. Half the crew needs to know how to do at least two different jobs, increasing the overall burden on the individual. However, fortunately for the crew of these gunboats, they are mostly reserved for offensive coastal action and rarely goes out to sea otherwise, meaning vast majority of the time, they are at port or conducting riverine patrols. So majority of the time, things are pretty simple, and uneventful. When in combat however, the crew is pushed to their limits. Due to their coastal bombardment nature, their missions tend to last relatively short periods compared to long range patrol missions of other larger vessels. Relatively short can still be quite long if things ends up becoming a siege however where months long bombardment may ensue but those are the exception rather than the rule.

[Ship Overview]
Operators: Khertland Navy
Ordered: March 11, 2025
Commissioned: March 24, 2025

[Class Overview]
Class: Rosha-class
Planned: 12
Completed: 12
Preceded by: Rosha-class (2019)
Succeeded by: None

[General Characteristics]
Type: Rendel Gunboat
Displacement: 43,938
Volume: 2,362 m^3
Blocks: 1,166
Cost: 22,217
Overall Length: 48 meters
Waterline Length: 47.5 meters
Between Perpendiculars: 42.5 meters
Beam: 13 meters
Draft: 4 meters
Freeboard: 2 meters
Propulsion: Single shaft powered by diesel engines
Speed: 14 knots
Endurance: 5,040 km
Turn radius: 73 meters

Sensor and Processing Systems:
>2x FCA-2 m0 Mk.1 Fire Control Radar

Armament:
>1x1 406mm L/37 ASG-10 Mk.1A
>1x1 05m L/8 SS-2 Mk.4A Illumination gun

Other:
>4x 9m Rowing Cutter

Armor:
>Deck: 1m metal or alloy
>Belt: 2m metal + 1m alloy
>Casemate: 11m metal + 7m alloy

Ships:
Rosha, Geb, Litusmare, Ignismons, Vadurupes, Aestus, Litusunda, Calidusmons, Saevio, Peignis, Grando, Autuat