Skua class MRHC

The Skua class Multi-Role Hovercraft (MRHC – “Merc”) is a joint venture between Eurusia and the NADC, designed for amphibious operations and coastal defence. Able to do a great variety of tasks, ranging from transport or Medevac missions to coastal patrol and amphibious assault, the Skua is used by both the Eurusian Navy and the NADC Coastal Defence.

The Skua MRHC has a large passenger compartment in front, where it can carry up to 16 fully equipped soldiers or cargo. The soldiers can enter/exit through the large bay door and/or smaller doors on both sides of the hovercraft. To enable maximum carrying capacity the large horizontal lift fans found on decks of other hovercrafts, which would have occupied much space in the Skua’s passenger compartment, have been replaced by a number of air scoops on the top deck and large side vents on each side. The air flows from the scoops down through canals in the hovercraft’s sides to the skirt. A portion of the air from the main engines’ air intakes is also directed down to the skirt.
Further back is the Skua’s bridge and command centre, where the four man crew has their stations. The captain and navigator sit side by side on the bridge, and on the deck below are the two weapons operators located.
Aft we have the hovercraft’s main engines; two gas turbines producing 2500 hp each, pushing the Skua to a top speed of 60 knots in calm sea.

For self defence the Skua has two bow turrets sporting twin AW-640N2 20mm Gatling guns, and two surface-to-air missile launchers mounted at the stern. The 20mm Gatlings’ main purpose is defence against anti-ship missiles, and other precision guided weapons. However, they can also be employed against fixed/rotary wing aircraft, ships and other small craft, coastal targets and floating mines. For long range defence against incoming anti-ship missiles, the Skua’s missile launchers fires quick-manoeuvring missiles. These can also be used against aircraft and helicopters.

Specification for Skua-class Multi-Role Hovercraft:
Type: Multi-Role Hovercraft
Manufacturer: Joint Defence Industries (JDI)
Crew: 4 (Captain, Navigator, 2 weapons operators)
Carrying capacity: 16 fully equipped troops or cargo
Engines: 2x 2500 hp gas turbines
Performance: 60 knots (in calm sea) Normal cruising speed: 45 knots
Armament: AW-640N2 20mm Gatling guns, surface-to-air missiles
Status: In service
Operators: Eurusia (navy), NADC (navy)

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items are from between 11 Jun 2008 & 12 Jun 2008.