C-class destroyer

The C-class were a series of ten destroyers authorized by the 3rd Budget in 8AF (1930). A development of the earlier Uu-class destroyers, the subsequent C-class destroyer demonstrate the rapidly improving technical competency of the grecken's naval engineers and shipbuilding capabilities, and the close attention paid to foreign design theories.

Contents

 * Background
 * Design
 * General Machinery
 * Armament
 * Service History
 * Launched Units (TBD)

Background
The C class is, in a certain light, a direct response to the introduction of the Wakokuji Fuyuki class destroyers in 4AF. This attention may seem odd given the substantial distance between these two nations and the lack of rivalry that existed between them at the time, but indicates the dramatic impression the new 'special type' destroyers had on the destroyer-centric GCK navy. However, the C class is not as technically aggressive in terms of its specifications due to the more conservative design parameters issued by the Allkommand; while duly impressed, naval architects opted to be more gradual with their introduction of new technologies so as to allow for smoother production.

General Machinery
The previous Uu class destroyer had been well received by the grecken, particularly after the glaring inadequacies of the original S class destroyers introduced by the navy during their first years of operation. However, the introduction of the radically more powerful 'special destroyers' of the IWN in 4AF demonstrated the potential capabilities of future destroyer designs. It was believed that rival foreign powers would likewise see this radically more powerful design as the new benchmark for destroyer construction, which further motivated the navy to commission further, more powerful designs.

However, a key difference began to manifest between the IWN and grecken in terms of their destroyer philosophy; the GCK considered the overall specifications of the prior destroyer class (which, barring the new special destroyers, was remarkably unparalleled for the time) acceptable, if more technologically behind in light of these new innovations. Laurentin brass during their arms race with the Aerah Empire prior to the foundation of the GCK had had their fair share of designs abruptly over-shadowed by new, larger foreign classes; but they had also noted how unevenly technical innovations were often applied (glaringly for instance how slow Aerah was to adopt all-big gun configurations), and so put greater emphasis on holistic efficiency rather than statistical novelty. Accordingly, the subsequent C class design had identical armament requirements to the preceding class, but instead put greater emphasis on utilizing the tonnage and armaments already effectively mounted on the Uu class in a superior configuration.

Utilizing the same hull as the prior design, the C class implemented remarkable advances, many of which were directly inspired by the Wakokuji special destroyers. Namely, for the first time armored torpedo boxes and reloads were utilized to help improve combat stamina and reduce susceptibility to splinter damage; additionally her quartet of single open 127mm guns were replaced by a pair of twin mounts; enclosed turrets were considered but ultimately delayed to the subsequent class out of concern for throwing too much complexity into one design. These two changes alone allowed for remarkably improved weapons arrangements, which dramatically improved the class in relation to its predecessor and freed up deck space to allow for improved depth charge operations.

Other changes included increased streamlining of the superstructure and her funnels, which were reduced in height to help further reduce weight. Engineering advancements facilitated the introduction of both superheaters and economizers  into the type's machinery arrangement, increasing the types' speed and operating range considerably. Combined with the use of higher grade steel and electric welding, the C class succeeded in its objective to introduce major technical advancements into the grecken. The class was subject to a modernization in the late 10sAF when they were refitted to incorporate surface search radar equipment and ASDIC equipment; additionally at this time one of the two 75mm AA guns was replaced by the new 2/50mm AA gun to give the class a more well rounded AA defensive ability.

Armament
The C-class replaced the single mount Type 4 1/127mm guns with the more modern Type 8 2/127mm configuration, allowing the type to streamline its weapons arrangement considerably; numerically however the type's armament remained identical to the preceding Uu-class. However, the use of double barrel gun mounts as opposed to single barrel positions allowed a much more effective placement of the AA batteries, improving the type's protection against aerial attacks accordingly.

Service History
In identical form to the earlier ten Uu class destroyers ordered in 4AF, ten C class destroyers were ordered in 8AF, and have similarly played a vital role in grecken naval operations since then. Specifically, the navy capitalized on the type's increased range in relation to its predecessor, lending it to see favoritism on farther stations and longer range operations.

Three of the class were involved in the annexation of the Maktak and Pongatar Islands during Operation Adroit in April 19AF; SCK Charbydis and SCK Centicore were both assigned to Deputy Admiral Ader's Northern Element tasked with conducting landings in the Pongatar Islands, while SCK Cyclops operated with Commodore Avery's Uuestern Element tasked with securing the Maktaks.

Two ships, SCK Centaur and SCK Chimera, operated under Commodore Dagney's Uuest Aerah Expeditionary Squadron as part of Operation Deliverance in June 19AF. These two ships oversaw the naval infantry landing at Kluknumpivickzuimvitlm, with Chimera going further west and landing a scouting party of speznavinf at Sausvek under cover of darkness on 24 June, before returning again to the now renamed Proletariaburg.

Launched Units (TBD)
SCK Charbydis (Adroit)

SCK Centicore (Adroit)

SCK Cyclops (Adroit)

SCK Chimera (Deliverance)

SCK Cerberus

SCK Centaur (Deliverance)

SCK Chromandi

SCK Caladrius

SCK Campe

SCK Chupacabra