Designed as the standard heavy cruiser in French Service, the Orléans-Class Heavy Cruiser is a capable, advanced ship, designed to serve as a screening, raiding, commerce protection and recconnaissance ships. Substantially upgraded over previous designs, they're far more capable in their armament and armor, serving the Republic well in their intended role.

The Orléans are 210 meters long, 20 meters wide, and have a draft of 8 meters. This creates a tonnage of approximately 15,000 tons, when it is normally loaded. This can be several thousand more tons when it is loaded to fully capacity. This length to width ratiom akes for a rather fast and speedy ship.

Main armament for the Orléans-Class consists of 203mm/55, which allows for a high muzzle velocity reaching well over 850 meters per second. There are 9 of these guns onboard, arranged in three triple turrets, with two turrets forward and one turret to the rear. These guns can be used in ship to ship combat, land bombardment, or even against aircraft (Albeit not overly succesfully in most cases).

A secondary battery of 130mm guns is included as well. This has 12 130/50mm guns, arranged in dual turrets. 6 of these turrets are positioned around the ship, and they can effectively engage enemy aircraft, ships, or participate in bombardment.

The tertiary battery is composed of the Republic's 37mm guns and 13.2mm machine guns. There are 18 37mm guns, and 12 dual 13.2mm machine guns. These are used to deal with enemy aircraft as well, or to defend the ship against small craft.

Six 550mm torpedo tubes are a final addition. These are arranged in two triple mounts, and can be used effectively against enemy surface warships. They are of course, carefully protected and can be jettisoned if necessary.

Protection was vital for the Heavy Cruiser, so it could resist enemy attacks. A main armored belt of 175mm is provided, along with deck armor of 90mm, 160mm frontal turret protection, 100mm side protections, 127 mm top protection and 76mm rear protection, and 200mm conning tower armor. Torpedo bulkheads are provided as well.

Propulsion comes from the onboard turbines and shafts of the ship. The provided power is 124,000 horsepower, which drives 4 shafts, permitting a maximum speed of 31 knots. There are two smokestacks for the ship.

Tonnage: 15,000 tons normal, 17,000 tons full load.

Length: 210 meters

Beam: 20 meters

Draft: 8 meters

Armament:

Main Battery:
3 triple gun 203/55mm gun turrets

Secondary Battery:
6 dual 130/50 mm gun turrets

Tertiary Battery:
18 37mm guns
12 dual 13.2mm machine guns

Torpedoes:
2 triple 550mm torpedo launchers

Armor:

Belt:
175mm armored belt

Turrets:
175mm frontal turret armor
100mm side turret armor
127mm top turret armor
76mm rear turret armor

Deck: 90mm armor

Conning Tower:
200mm armor

Torpedo Bulkhead

Maximum Speed: 31 knots

Range: 16,000 kilometers @ 16 knots

Propulsion: 120,000 horsepower, 4 screws

Complement: 1,000 men