Inspired by the Royal Navy's Black Swan-class sloop-of-war concept.

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The Lapwing-class sloop is small, modular warship, with twenty-two ordered for the Saltwater United Guard Corps. They are multirole guided missile sloops, capable of operations in a wide range of roles thanks to their extensive modularity.

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Development:

The Lapwing-class was first designed in 2033 to augment the small escort fleet of the SWUGC, which consisted of just six second-hand frigates. The new vessels were to be much smaller, more efficient and versatile, in order to provide a cost-effective but deadly warship for the low-budget navy. The fifty-metre-long ship sails with a core crew of just three officers and five men, with an additional three sailors when helicopter operations are to be supported. There is room for a maximum of twenty-six men.

The new class was based on the hull of the Fury-class corvettes that had been retired 13 years prior, but shrunken down and extensively reshaped for more efficient cruising. The hull uses composite materials to reduce vulnerability to magnetic mines and lower the acoustic signature, as well as providing weight saving benefits.

The first Lapwing-class, the SWS Lapwing, was laid down in February that year and launched later in the year. In sea trials the new vessel proved its worth, working in concert with the SWS Campbeltown. She successfully demonstrated the use of seven mission packs in just ten weeks.

Twenty-two ships of the class are planned, with the first six just fitting out. Each ship is projected to cost just $68 million.

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Design:

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At under 50m in length the Lapwing-class is substantially smaller than the navy's other warships and features a very small crew and massively increased autonomy, as well as a stealthy design and advanced countermeasures suite which render it less vulnerable to anti-ship missiles.

The Lapwing-class is propelled by two 23,000hp gas turbines driving two shafts. They allow the ship to reach speeds of up to 36 knots, and it can endure at sea for up to 25 days without resupply.

For general purpose operations, the Lapwing-class is equipped with thirty VLS launchers, one 57mm naval gun, an Arrowhead CIWS system and one 30mm cannon. The VLS launchers can be replaced by modular mission packs to suit the operation type. The vessel is also able to support helicopter operations, although no hanger is available for long-term embarkation.

One feature of the Lapwing-class sloop is that the VLS tubes can be removed and replaced with modular mission packs for a variety of different missions, including mine countermeasures, troop transport, anti-piracy, sea control, anti-submarine warfare and land-attack.

Changing out each mission pack takes between three to four days, and can involve not only the changing of the central mission bay, but also the replacement of the RIM-178 Arrowhead launcher with another system, such as an anti-submarine rocket launcher or another 30mm cannon.

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Armament:

General-purpose operations (as shown here):
- x1 57mm naval gun, rate of fire 220rpm;
- x1 30mm remote-operated autocannon, 1350rpm;
- x1 RIM-178 Arrowhead launcher, 18 missiles;
- x9 VLS cells with Sea Ceptor surface to air missiles;
- x8 VLS cells with SPEAR 3 cruise missiles;
- x8 VLS cells with VL-ASROC anti-submarine missiles;
- x 5 additional crew.

Anti-submarine operations:
- x1 57mm naval gun, rate of fire 220rpm;
- x1 30mm remote-operated autocannon, 1350rpm;
- x1 multipurpose rocket launcher, mix of land attack and anti-submarine rockets;
- x9 VLS cells with Sea Ceptor surface to air missiles;
- x16 VLS cells with VL-ASROC anti-submarine missiles;
- x6 additional crew.

Sea-control operations:
- x1 57mm naval gun, rate of fire 220rpm;
- x1 30mm remote-operated autocannon, 1350rpm;
- x1 RIM-178 Arrowhead launcher, 18 missiles;
- x9 VLS cells with Sea Ceptor surface to air missiles;
- x16 VLS cells with SPEAR 3 cruise missiles;
- x4 additional crew.

Advanced sea-control operations:
- x1 57mm naval gun, rate of fire 220rpm;
- x1 30mm remote-operated autocannon, 1350rpm;
- x4 High Speed Multirole Missile launchers, 8 missiles total;
- x11 VLS cells with Sea Ceptor surface to air missiles;
- x12 VLS cells with SPEAR 3 cruise missiles;
- x7 additional crew.

Anti-piracy operations:
- x1 57mm naval gun, rate of fire 220rpm;
- x2 30mm remote-operated autocannon, 1350rpm;
- x1 Pacific 24 sea boat, with x1 .50 calibre machine gun;
- x8 marines with full equipment;
- x6 additional crew.

Mine-countermeasures operations:
- x1 57mm naval gun, rate of fire 220rpm;
- x1 30mm remote-operated autocannon, 1350rpm;
- x1 multipurpose rocket launcher, with anti-submarine rockets;
- x3 unmanned underwater vehicles for mine disposal;
- x10 additional crew.

Littoral combat operations:
- x1 57mm naval gun, rate of fire 220rpm;
- x1 30mm remote-operated autocannon, 1350rpm;
- x1 RIM-178 Arrowhead launcher, 18 missiles;
- x1 76mm naval gun, rate of fire 85rpm;
- x12 additional crew.

Amphibious operations:
- x1 57mm naval gun, rate of fire 220rpm;
- x1 30mm remote-operated autocannon, 1350rpm;
- x2 Pacific 24 sea boats, each with x1. 50 calibre machine gun;
- x14 marines with full equipment;
- x9 additional crew.

Electronic Warfare:
- x1 57mm naval gun, rate of fire 220rpm;
- x1 30mm remote-operated autocannon, 1350rpm;
- x12 VLS cells with SPEAR-EW anti-radiation cruise missiles;
- x8 electronic warfare stations for surveillance and jamming operations;
- x13 additional crew.

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Electronic systems:

• SkySweeper multipurpose radar;

• Multiple IRST systems;

• Navigational radar;

• Electronic countermeasures;

• Satcom, Datalink, radio, GPS and other antennas;

• Fixed and towed sonar;

• Torpedo decoys;

• Infra-red countermeasures;

• Chaff.

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Specifications:

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Name: Lapwing-class sloop
Role( s ): Anti-submarine warfare, land attack, anti-surface warfare, mine-countermeasures, troop transport
Number built: 297, including SPMRP and NWRP.
Crew: 8 + 3 air group + up to 15 mission specialists
Passengers: 14 marines or 10 wounded (transport configuration)
Maximum speed: 36 Knots ( 40mph )
Builder: SMC Marine
Propulsion: Split shaft gas turbines
Operational ratius: 4300 nautical miles
Endurance: 22 days
Price per unit: 68 million USD per unit
Project cost: 2.3 billion USD

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Controls:

AG-1: Activate RIM-178 Arrowhead launcher
- VTOL+TRIM to aim.

AG-2: Activate 30mm autocannon
- PITCH+ROLL to aim.

AG-3: Activate 57mm naval gun
- VTOL+TRIM to aim.

THROTTLE and YAW for movement.

Credit to Strikefighter04 for the 30mm cannon, NFIGMT for the 57mm naval gun and Lahoski107 for the baseline hull.

Gallery:

SWS Lapwing and SWS Wild Goose, on patrol.

SWS Woodpecker on anti-submarine exercises with an Islander-class hydrofoil.

SWS Starling destroys a target USV during sea trials.

SWS Lapwing conducts an air defence exercise with the SWS Campbeltown.

SWS Magpie and SWS Flamingo tied up in Basin City.