Shaw class destroyer
The Shaws were a twelve ship class of destroyers meant to compliment the Erin class leaders. Like other post-World War destroyers, the Shaws were fundamentally carrier escort ships, providing both air-defense and ASW protection to the fleet. However during the construction of the vessels, the yet to enter mass production of the RGM-1 anti-ship cruise missile had created a divide in the navy, one which threatened the doctrine of carrier supremacy. The missile, as many had argued, was believed to render the aircraft carrier obsolete as an anti-ship force. This sentiment was not only found among admirals in the Freyatic Fleet, whose experience from the World War had taught them the trouble the carrier had in operating in the Freyatic theater. Half the admiralty, and a great deal many politicians wanted the navy to outright phase out the use of large and extremely expensive carriers in favor of anti-ship missile armed destroyers, cruisers, and some had even argued, capital ships.
The Shaws, now under construction, became the subject of political squabble. The Scyllic Fleet wanted their carrier escort ships, while the Freyatic Fleet wanted them armed with cruise missiles. As the class was already going to be split 50/50 between both fleets, a compromise was met. The Scyllic Fleet got their destroyers as designed, why the remaining six vessels that went to the other navy sat in the yards longer to outfit with the then experimental MkG1 launchers, capable of firing RGM-1s. The Freyatic Shaws, often called the Stark-class destroyers, traded their aft 127mm mounts for the launcher, maintaining at least most of the original armament of the as designed Shaws.
The MkG3 cruise missile tube system replaced the space hungry and clunky MkG1 in the 60s. The Stark group thus had their MkG1 replaced with a MkS1 AAM launcher and later the MkS3, a feature shared with the destroyers from the other fleet. The MgG3 tubes were placed forward behind the #1 gun turret, and later replacing it outright. The cruise missiles were always meant to compliment the firepower of a cruiser or battlecruiser through saturation fire.
Haishang Conflict/War
The Haishang Conflict of 1364 saw the Republic of Qingzhou contest the Antaran occupied islands in the Haishang Sea, who the Qings claimed ownership of following their loss to Osora in the World War. The Antarans refused to surrender the islands, stating the Qings no longer had any claim (given the constant change of hands throughout the years and that the original owners no longer existed.
Years of overly aggressive naval maneuvers, shows of force, and political squabbling finally boiled over when the Qingzhou attempted for forcefully wrestle the Antarans over the territory. Qingzhou, the initiator of the conflict, was supported by many who wished to see Antara's dominance challenged after the World War. The Qings received a great deal many equipment, training and men from foreign nations - as well as early missile defense systems in case of a nuclear response. As the Antarans, and by extension the rest of the world, had no idea as to the after effects of nuclear explosions - they did make use of some forms of nuclear weaponry.
The conflict lasted three weeks and only one actual land invasion that went on for five days. Most of the war was fought at sea, and despite the massive numbers of warships and vessels present on both sides, 'only' six warships were sunk. The Antarans lost the destroyer Sayo to a ship launched cruise missile. The loss of Sayo and the damaging of the carrier Umbara caused mass panic the fleet, creating doubts into the effectiveness of their air defense - with systems like the MkT and Mk76 CIWS being a direct result of this panic.
Nuclear weaponry would be a highlight for many. The Antaran destroyer Navarro, in pursuit of Qing submarines No.45 and No.46, fired a RUR-2 torpedo from her MkU2, of which was armed with a nuclear warhead. It's not known which submarine was struck by the torpedo, but the resulting detonation had eliminated both vessels one way or the other. Several cruisers and two battleships were present throughout the conflict had some stock of nuclear ammunition for their artillery, however friendly fire concerns meant they were never used for shore bombardment - regular artillery rounds were used instead. The heavy cruiser Shiloh fired her nuclear rounds at the Qing destroyer Shenzhou at a range of 28 kilometers - none struck - but Shenzhou retired thereafter. Most vessel destructions came as a result of air-launched missiles or submarine torpedoes.
Specifications
Tonnage - 3000 tonnes standard
Speed - 32 knots
Range - 8000 tonnes at 14 knots
Main battery - 2xII 127mm/52 Mk51 (as launched)
Torpedoes - 2xII 324mm Mk56 (as launched)
Ships in class
Shaw - scrapped, 1393
Johnson - sunk as target ship, 1392
Singleton - scrapped, 1391
Gray - scrapped, 1391
Navarro - scrapped, 1393
Burnett - scrapped, 1392
Stark - sold to Bahtia, 1387
Slatesword - scrapped, 1390
Jennings - sold to Bahtia, 1387
McDowell - scrapped, 1390
Costa - sunk as reef ship, 1392
Pierce - sunk as target ship, 1387
