Flottenbegleiter 1941

A "fleet escort ship" with an emphasis on convoy protection and AA duties (the same role as a British frigate or American destroyer escort). Lightly armed for direct surface combat, but with a heavy ASW/AA loadout. I originally created this hull before I started building small hulls, so it has the same hullform as my larger cruisers. After working on the 1944 Minesweepers, I realized I needed a small convoy escort class, and with a little modifaction it fit the bill. The LAMS is strong enough to deal with expert level craft, but it doesn't have enough power to run shields simultaneously (size limitations). The rear depth charge launchers will also damage the ship if the ship isn't moving (mines don't work properly with IFF). The Tacoma class frigates were the basic and conceptual inspiration, but all the design work was done by myself (aside from a few elements listed below). ASW Mortar racks: BB_Assam by 焔重鋼業所 and 紅茶 (https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1152491713&searchtext=assam+BB) Depth Charge racks: Crystal Class Frigate by _coronal_ (https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=915537540) Engine from the FTD_JP Engine Pack MK2 (https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=799282045) Armament: 3x1 12. 8cm L/61 SK C/28 (Primary, A,B,X layout) 4x2 5cm FlaK 42 (AA, Amidships) 3x1 2cm FlaK 38 (AA, Amidships) 10x2 Ubootabwehr-Granatwaffe (ASW, Amidships) 2x5 Wasserbombenwerfer (ASW, stern)