Chinese Type 097 class Nuclear Fast Attack Submarine:


The Chinese Type 091 submarine was the first indigenously developed Asian nuclear submarine. Even though the submarines did not enter service until the Nineteen-Eighties, the submarine was largely based on Nineteen-Fifties technology. It was considered noisy and did not have the radiation shielding of Western nuclear submarines.


Compared to the Type 091, the Type 093 was vastly improved. While not up to American and British nuclear submarines, it was far safer and was much quieter than the previous Chinese submarine class. In turn these submarines were superseded with the further improved Type 095. The Type 095 was the most advanced Chinese submarine when the revolution in advanced composites and alloys made most military hardware obsolete.


Instead of developing an all new submarine design, the Chinese navy decided to introduce an upgraded version of the Type 095 known as the Type 095B and later the Type 095C. These submarines formed the backbone of the Chinese navy for the next few decades.


Eventually however the Chinese decided to develop a new submarine class that was almost a clean sheet design. Later becoming the Type 097, this design was a vast improvement on the previous design and was considered a serious threat by American, Soviet, and several Western Pacific navies. They were considered far more hunter-killers than previous classes. A total of twenty-four Type 097 were ordered. With the introduction of the Type 095, it was decided to put the conventional nuclear powered Type 095B submarines into reserve.


The Type 097 submarines were considered the most advanced Chinese submarines in service when the Great Cataclysm occurred. At the time it is believed a new Chinese submarine class, known as the Type 099, was under developed although none had been laid down. There were concerns that this new submarine would close the remaining gap between Chinese and Western submarine designs.


Due to the rising tensions, it is believe that most or all of the Type 097 submarines were deployed when the Great Cataclysm occurred. Whether any survived is unknown although al least one of the older Type 095C class submarine survived with no crew aboard and was recovered a few years after the cataclysm by the U.S.S. Bullhead. These submarines were extremely tough and these is a strong possibility that one or more of these submarines could be found intact.


Unlike the previous Type 095C class submarines, these submarines were designed to take advantage of advanced composites and alloys. This allows these submarines to dive far deeper than the previous class. In addition, these submarines were designed around its fusion reactors. Top speed is far greater with a top speed of around thirty-eight knots. These submarines also included improved noise reduction, allowing for far quieter operations at higher speeds.


While many people concentrate on the weaponry of the submarine, far more important is the improvement in sonar systems. By the time of the Type 097 was developed, the Chinese navy had developed their own advanced sonar systems rivaling those of other navies. The designs of these advanced Chinese sonar systems have more in common in design with Western systems than Soviet designs.


Interestingly, the weaponry of the Type 097 was relatively conservative. Like the previous class, the Chinese submarine mounted six super heavy 650 mm torpedo tubes although payload is increased to forty-two torpedoes as reloads. The new submarine class also mounted vertical launch systems similar to the Type 095C although the number of cells was increased from twelve to twenty-four cruise missiles. As with the Type 09C, the new submarine class could carry additional missiles in the place of torpedoes.


Unlike the previous class, the Type 097 was designed with a short range missile system in the sail from the beginning. Payload however was unchanged. Another change was the additional of a pair of retractable ion beam cannon in the hull of the submarine forward and after of the main sail. Unlike the short range missiles, the ion beam could also be used against incoming torpedoes. It was decided not to mount an interceptor torpedo system as was mounted on most Soviet submarines. Instead the Chinese submarine relied on decoy systems and noise makers.


A major change compared to previous classes was the addition of advanced automation. This allowed a reduction in the crew from around one hundred and twenty in the Type 095C to just over eighty in the Type 097 class. Crew comforts were still considered sparse but reasonable. Each crew had slightly greater space than the previous class although still considered cramped. A slightly larger naval infantry unit could also be embarked although there was no real provisions for power armors.


Author Note: With respect to time line, these designs may or may not reflect our modern time line. The time line of these writeups diverged from our time line starting around 1999. Consider the universe that these designs are created for to be an alternate universe not bound by ours.


Model Type: Type 095C class Nuclear Fast Attack Submarine.

Class: Ocean, Fast Attack Submarine.

Crew: 82 total; 9 officers, 10 chief petty officers, and 63 enlisted crew.

Troops: 24.


Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:

None.


M.D.C. by Location:

 

25.6 inches (650 mm) Super Heavy Torpedo Tubes (6, sides of submarine):

150 each.

 

Vertical Cruise Missile Launchers (12, bow of submarine):

125 each.

 

Short Range Missile Launcher (1, sail):

80.

 

Retractable Ion Beam Mount (2, forward and aft of sail):

50 each.

 

Main Sail:

780.

 

[1] Bow Planes (2):

250 each.

 

[2] Pump Jet Propulsor (1):

500.

 

[3] Main Body:

3,250.

Notes:

[1] Destroying the submarine’s bow planes will reduce the submarine’s ability to change depths but will not eliminate it. It also makes it difficult for the submarine’s crew to control the submarine giving a penalty of -25% to all underwater piloting rolls.

[2] Destroying the submarine’s pump jet propulsor causes serious problems. The submarine will no longer be able to use forward momentum and the bow planes to keep the submarine level. It is recommended that ballast tanks are immediately blown so submarine comes to the surface.

[3] Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body destroys the submarine’s structural integrity, causing it to sink. If the submarine is underwater, the entire crew will die unless protected by environmental armors that can withstand the pressure that the submarine is under. If on the surface, there are enough flotation devices and inflatable life rafts to accommodate everyone aboard.


Speed:

Surface: 28.8 mph (25 knots/ 46.3 kph).

Underwater: 43.7 mph (38 knots /70.4 kph).

Maximum Depth: 9,843 feet (3,000 meters).

Range: Effectively unlimited due to fusion engines (needs to refuel every 15 years and requires maintenance as well). Boat carries eight (8) months of supplies on board.


Statistical Data:

Draft:    30.18 feet (9.2 meters).

Width:   40.68 feet (12.4 meters).

Length:  402.23 feet (122.6 meters).

Displacement: 7,800 tons surfaced and 9,200 tons submerged.

Cargo: Submarine is very cramped, 12 tons (10.9 metric tons) of nonessential equipment and supplies (normally used for equipment for Naval Infantry / Special Forces.) Each enlisted crew member has a small locker for personal items and uniforms. Boat’s officers have a bit more space for personal items although still extremely cramped. Most of the boat’s spaces are taken up by extra torpedoes, weapons, and engines.

Power System: Nuclear fusion reactors; average energy life of 15 years. Normally refuels every 10 years.

Black Market Price: Not for sale; many nations and organizations would pay hundreds of millions of credits for a new and undamaged Type 097 class fast attack submarine.


Weapon Systems:

  1. Two (2) Retractable Ion Beam Mounts: This cannon is mounted forward and aft of the main sail and fully retractable under concealing deck plates so that they do not disrupt water flow at high speeds. They are considered useful both underwater and on the surface. While the United States Navy and several others went with a blue-green laser, the Chinese navy decided to go with a shorter ranged ion beam type weapon. The weapon system is used mainly as close defense against torpedoes underwater and against aircraft when on the surface.

    Maximum Effective Range: In Atmosphere: 1,600 feet (488 meters). Under Water: 800 feet (243.8 meters).

    Mega-Damage: Each Ion Beam inflicts 2D6 for single blast and 6D6 for three blast burst.

    Rate of Fire: Each mount has six (6) attacks per melee round.

    Payload: Effectively Unlimited.

  2. Six (6) 650 mm Super Heavy Torpedo Tubes: On the sides of the submarine are six torpedo tubes. Located behind the bow sonar array, these tubes are 25.6 inches (650 mm) wide and torpedoes can be used against both surface ships and submarines. Along with standard torpedoes, torpedo tubes can also fire missiles (long range or cruise missiles) in special canisters, rocket boosted anti-submarine (ASW) torpedoes, and mines. Submarine carries forty-two reloads for torpedoes.

    Maximum Effective Range: 40 miles (34.8 nautical miles / 64 km) to 60 miles (52.1 nautical miles / 96.6 km), depending on torpedo type (See revised Rifts torpedoes for details.)

    Mega-Damage: By heavy torpedo or super heavy torpedo warhead type (See revised Rifts torpedoes for details), fire missiles (long range or cruise missiles) in special canisters as well (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)

    Rate of Fire: Can fire torpedoes one at a time or in volleys of two (2), three (3), four (4), or six (6) torpedoes. Reloading takes one full melee round.

    Payload: Six (6) torpedoes total [Has forty-two (42) additional torpedoes and missiles for reloads.]

  3. Twenty-Four (24) Vertical Launch Cruise Missile Launchers: In the front of the submarine but behind the sonar dome, the submarine has a vertical launch missile system for launching missiles. Launchers are outside of the pressure hull. Missiles are launched in special canisters that enable the missiles to be used in depths down to around 150 feet (45.7 meters.) Most missiles warheads normally carried are fusion as well as being smart missiles.

    Maximum Effective Range: As per cruise missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)

    Mega-Damage: As per cruise missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)

    Rate of Fire: Can fire cruise missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2), four (4), six (6), or twelve (12) cruise missiles and can be fired at multiple target at the same time.

    Payload: Twenty-four (24) cruise missiles total. Submarine carries no reloads.

  4. One (1) Sail Mounted Short Range Missile Launcher: The submarine has a retractable short range missile launcher on the sail for defense against aircraft although is effective against incoming missiles as well. Launcher can be used while the submarine is up to 80 feet (24 meters) deep and is useful against aircraft hunting the submarine while the submarine is underwater. Short range missiles are usually a mixture of 50% Armor Piercing and 50% Plasma. Launchers can lock onto multiple targets at the same. The systems missile launchers can target up four targets simultaneously and can fire a volley up to twice per melee.

    Maximum Effective Range: As per short range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)

    Mega-Damage: As per short range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)

    Rate of Fire: Can fire short range missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2) or four (4) short range missiles and can be fired up to two (2) times per melee round.

    Payload: Thirty-two (32) short range missiles.

  5. Twelve (12) Decoys Drones: The submarine carries fourteen decoy drones. They are a small automated vehicles that creates a false sonar image designed to mimic the submarine’s sonar signature. It has a small propulsion system that can simulate movement [has a maximum speed of 13.8 mph (12 knots / 22.2 kph)] and maneuvers. In addition to be able to be used to decoy torpedoes, they can sometimes be used to trick another vessel while the submarine moves into position. If decoys are not destroyed, they can usually be recovered and repaired if they can be retrieved. Rifts Earth decoys systems are assumed to not be effective against Phase World / Three Galaxies guidance and targeting systems due to technological differences.

    M.D.C.: 10.

    Range: Not applicable. Decoys do however have a duration of 30 minutes (120 melee rounds) once launched.

    Effects: The decoy has an 65% chance of fooling ordinary non military sonars and non smart guided torpedoes, the decoy has a 35% chance of fooling military level sonars (like those of the Coalition), and the decoy has a 10% chance of fooling advanced military sonars (Like those of the New Navy and Triax) and smart torpedoes.

    Rate of Fire: Boat can launch one decoy drone per melee round.

    Payload: Twelve (12) decoys drones.

  6. Noisemakers: The submarine carries noisemakers in order to decoy torpedoes. They are most effective against normal torpedoes and less effective against “smart” torpedoes. Considered in many ways to be the last line of defense against incoming torpedoes and similar systems are carried on most submarines. The noisemakers are launched from the middle of the submarine.

    Effects: 50% of decoying normal torpedoes and 20% of decoying smart torpedoes.

    Rate of Fire: Two (2) noisemakers at a time (Can be reloaded in one melee round).

    Payload: Twenty (20) noisemakers.

Special Systems:

The submarine has all systems standard on a robot vehicle plus the following special features:


[ Altarain TM, Bandito Arms TM, Brodkil TM, Chipwell Armaments TM, Coalition States TM, Cyber-Knight TM, Federation of Magic TM, Free Quebec TM, Golden Age Weaponsmiths TM, Horune TM, Iron Heart Armaments TM, Kankoran TM, Kittani TM, Kydian TM, Larsen’s Brigade TM, M.D.C. TM, Mechanoids TM, Mega-Damage TM, Megaversal Legion TM, Millennium Tree TM, Mutants in Orbit TM, Naruni Enterprises TM, Naut’Yll, New Navy TM, New Sovietskiy TM, NGR TM, Nog Heng TM, Northern Gun TM, Phase World TM, Psyscape TM, Rifter TM, SAMAS TM, S.D.C. TM, Shemarrian TM, Splugorth TM, Stormspire TM, Sunaj TM, Tolkeen TM, Triax TM, Wellington Industries TM, Wilk’s Laser Technologies TM, Xiticix TM, and Zaayr TM are trademarks owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc. ]

[ Beyond the Supernatural®, Heroes Unlimited®, Nightbane®, Ninjas & Superspies®, Palladium Fantasy®, and Rifts® are registered trademarks owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc. ]


Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).


Copyright © 2019, Kitsune. All rights reserved.


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