Ardent Class Missile Destroyer — (DDG-1034)

Introduction

The Ardent-class represents a new generation of multirole stealth destroyers designed for precision strike, strategic deterrence, and advanced fleet defense. Built with an emphasis on versatility and survivability, the class combines low observable geometry, modular weapon systems, and all-directional propulsion to dominate across surface, air, and subsurface domains.
Serving as both a frontline combatant and a mobile operations base, the Ardent-class can conduct long-range attacks, provide air and missile defense coverage, support amphibious raids, and coordinate UAV and helicopter operations. Advanced sensors and electronic warfare suites enable the ship to operate independently in high-threat environments, disrupt enemy targeting systems, and maintain tactical superiority through superior situational awareness.

I spent extensive time designing and editing this post however, creating time for it was not easy because I am preparing for the university exam and had to deal with health problems. However, I am here with a new project to crown my reaching 25k in Simpleplanes. I hope you enjoy.

Capabilities

The Ardent is a multirole stealth guided-missile destroyer designed as a forward-operating platform with the following capabilities:
• Strategic deterrence: Three prow-mounted ballistic missiles provide a stern strategic option.
• Precision strike & long-range attack: VLS cruise missiles deliver standoff anti-ship and land-attack capability.
• Air defense: Dedicated SAM pods and CIWS coverage provide layered interception.
• Anti-submarine: Torpedo tubes allow lightweight ASW operations.
• Mobile operations base: Flight deck, hangar and landing craft facilities support helicopters, UAVs and raiding craft.
• Nuclear Deterrence: Carries intercontinental nuclear strike potential with 100kt warheads mounted on ballistic midsiles.
• Electronic warfare: Raid Industries Radar Jammer for lock denial — prevents npc ships from establishing a lock on the vessel.

• Omnidirectional mobility: Four vectored thrusters enable lateral and omnidirectional station keeping and maneuvering (move in all directions without traditional tacking).
• Embarked small assault capability: The forward landing-craft hangar contains an armored raiding craft armed with twin .50 cal machine guns for fast coastal raids.

• Flight/air facilities: Helicopter deck and hangar are located aft (aircraft not included).

Armament:

Unguided:

• 2 × SPS-7 (CIWS) — stealth, compact, barrel-based CIWS modules with integrated radar. Located at the lowered rear of the superstructure (aft). These provide close-in point defense against missiles and incoming ordnance.

• 2 x LPS-4 (Laser Weapon) — Cheap, short-range laser defense for drones and loitering munitions; mounted on deployable platforms hidden behind hatches on the superstructure to preserve stealth.

• 1 × EGS-1 (Electromagnetic Gun System / Railgun) — forward-mounted railgun turret: a long-range, armor-piercing kinetic weapon kept hidden under a stealth casing that opens only during operation. Extremely high power draw; used for long-range direct-fire engagements and ship-to-ship disabling shots. (Uses camera aim.)

Guided:
• 28 × MarinER 1 (MARN01) — Extended-Range, sea-skimming supersonic cruise missiles launched from Vertical Launching System (VLS) located at the elevated missile deck forward of the superstructure.

• 12 Mariner 2 (MARN02) — Medium Range and small payload variant of Mariner Missiles launched from VLS located at the missile deck.

• 40 × Stormdike (STRD01) — SAM/anti-missile interceptors carried in two stealth SAM pods on the missile deck. Designed as fast, agile missiles for anti-air and anti-missile roles; also capable of engaging light armored surface targets at short range. (Due to SimplePlanes limitation: mid-air missile vs. missile engagements are not possible)

• 3 × Colossus (COLS03) — Prow-mounted vertical launch ICBM tubes, each carrying a Colossus ballistic missile armed with a 100 kt thermonuclear warhead. These three missiles are located at the nose of the ship and are presented here as a strategic deterrent. Warheads detonate above the surface realisticly. Causes severe & intermediate destruction within ~5 km radius. These weapons are intended as a strategic layer for the ship’s role and are not meant for routine combat use.

• 4 × Harpoon (HRON02) — Hull-mounted torpedo tubes on the ship’s sides provide anti-surface and anti-submarine guided torpedo capability.

Controls:

• AG1 > Activates Guided Weapons
• AG2 > Open/close Hangar Doors
• AG3 > Release Raiding Craft
• AG4 > Activate Jammer (Don't use default orbit view while operating jammer)
• Throttle / Brake > Ship Throttle Forward / Backward
• Roll > Rudder / Steering Thrusters
• Yaw > Steering Thrusters
(Pitch and roll in opposite directions move the ship sideways without turning)
• VTOL > Raiding Craft Throttle
• Railgun > Camera aim