Golden Age Weaponsmiths Sea Wolf class Fast Attack Submarine:


The Sea Wolf class submarine can be considered a cumulation of five decades of Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. Even after the first fall of the Soviet Union, the class could be considered state of the art for several decades. Originally almost thirty submarines were planned but with the end of the Cold War as well as costs, this was cut to just three boats.


These submarines introduced many new technological innovations and were incredibly quiet, fast, heavily armed, and were designed to dive deeper than previous fast attack submarine classes. A number of new systems were first introduced in the Sea Wolf class. They were also the largest fast attack submarines developed until late in the Twenty-First Century. The Virginia class fast attack submarine was far closer in dimensions to the previous Los Angeles class.


With the twin introductions of high strength materials and fusion power, these boats were considered obsolete. Initially two of the three Sea Wolf class submarines were refitted with the new materials and continued to serve. They continued in front line roles until enough modern submarines were developed to replace them.


Afterwards the submarines were transferred to operate as test platforms. In this role, these submarines continued to operate even after a number of the later Virginia class submarines had been retired. When the Great Cataclysm occurred, these submarines had not yet been scrapped although finally were considered out of service.


One of these submarines was found by Golden Age Weaponsmiths, most likely in one of the shipyards where Norfolk Virginia once stood. Even though neglected since the cataclysm, the engineers found the submarine worth refitting and had the submarine towed to their shipyards. While the submarine was still under refit, the Coalition already expressed an interest in the submarine and decided to purchase it.


An irony is that the Coalition decided to name the submarine “Sea Wolf” after the name of the class even though the actual submarine was originally SSN-22 U.S.S. Connecticut. Besides the Sea Wolf, the Coalition operates a number of Virginia class submarines and a single Los Angeles class submarine. It is believed that the Los Angeles class submarine, which they renamed the Thresher, will soon be retired.


Otherwise, it is believed that the Sea Wolf along with the Virginia class submarines will remain in service until sufficient numbers of new Coalition submarines enter service. There have been a number of issues with the new submarine class and there has been considerable delays. Some leaders in the Coalition Navy have suggested a close copy of either the Sea Wolf or Virginia classes due to the delays.


Unlike previous submarine classes, the Sea Wolf class was designed with a high degree of modularity although less so than the Virginia class. In addition, the submarine was to be more efficient in terms of space than the previous Los Angeles class. A number of improvements meant that these submarines could operate quietly at higher speeds than older fast attack submarines. Until the Virginia class entered service, no submarines matched the Sea Wolf class in terms of quietness.


Even though comparatively old, the sonar systems on the Sea Wolf class are some of the most advanced on the Earth since the Great Cataclysm. Only navies that retained their technology from before the cataclysm have more advanced sonar systems. Chief among these are Triax / New German Republic, the New Navy, and the Republic of Japan.


While little was lost in terms of technology with respect to weapon systems, there was huge technological loss in terms of sensor systems, especially sonar. The Coalition is considered to be far behind that of the United States just prior to the Great Cataclysm. Both the Sea Wolf and the Virginia class submarines taught the Coalition much about sonar system deigns.


Compared to submarines constructed from high strength composites and alloys, the submarines refitted by Golden Age Weaponsmiths are considered comparatively fragile. These include the Virginia class, the remaining Los Angeles class submarine, and the Sea Wolf. Even though refitted with high strength ceramic and plastic armors, a more modern submarine can withstand far greater damage. What may be even more significant is that submarine’s maximum depth is essentially although they can dive deeper than the Los Angeles class.


As designed, these submarines were fitted with a conventional fission reactor. A major issue with refitting this submarine was the replacement of the original reactor with a fusion reactor. Even so, the refit was considered worth the issues. In addition to few people being trained to operate a conventional reactor, fusion reactors are more efficient, safer, and easier to refuel. Besides, the original reactor had already been defueled when the submarine taken out of service. Even though horsepower is slightly increased, top speed is considered unchanged with a top speed of around thirty-six knots.


Later Los Angeles class submarines mounted four twenty-one inch torpedo tubes and twelve vertical launch systems. The Virginia class submarines returned to this arrangement. For the Sea Wolf class however, the designers decided to have the submarine carry eight twenty-six inch torpedo tubes. Payload of torpedoes was vastly increased with missiles also being able to be fired from the torpedo tubes.


Even though these submarines were incredibly advanced for their time, the Sea Wolf class were still extremely cramped in terms of crew spaces. These boats had tiny staterooms which officers shared and the enlisted crew did not actually have enough bunks for the entire crew. Similar to older submarines, the crew has to hot rack where a crew members have to share bunks. Still, these submarines did introduce new automation in order to reduce crew requirements. Still, there have been a number of issues with Coaltion crews adjusting to the quarters aboard their new submarines.


Author Note: The author suggests that this writeup is used in place of the writeup done by Palladium Books in the Coalition Navy Source Book. This writeup is more complete and is based on greater research and a better general knowledge of the United States Navy by the author.


Model Type: Modified SSN-21 Class.

Class: Fast Attack Submarine.

Crew: 134 total; 12 officers, 12 chief petty officers, and 110 enlisted.

Troop Capacity: None.


M.D.C. by Location:

 

660 mm (26 inch) Super Heavy Torpedo Tubes (8, sides of submarine):

60 each.

 

Main Sail:

300.

 

[1] Bow Planes (2):

100 each.

 

[2] Pump Jet Propulsor (1):

200.

 

[3] Main Body:

1,100.

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: 41.5 mph (36 knots /66.7 kph).

Maximum Depth: 2,000 feet (609.6 meters).

Range: Effectively Unlimited due to fusion engines (needs to refuel every 20 years and requires maintenance as well). Boat carries six (6) months of supplies on board.


Statistical Data:

Draft:    35 feet (10.6 meters).

Width:   40 feet (12 meters).

Length:  353 feet (107.9 meters).

Displacement: 7,500 tons standard and 9,300 tons submerged.

Cargo: Submarine is very cramped, 10 tons (9.1 metric tons) of nonessential equipment and supplies. 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: Originally one pressurized-water S6W reactor, converted to more modern fusion reactor system (20 year duration).

Black Market Price: Not available but it is rumored that Golden Age Weaponsmiths sold the SSN-22 U.S.S. Connecticut / Sea Wolf to the Coalition for a cost of 550 million credits.


Weapon Systems:

  1. Eight (8) 660 mm Super Heavy Torpedo Tubes: On the sides of the submarine are eight torpedo tubes with four on each side. Unlike torpedo tubes on most United States submarines, these tubes are 26 inches (660 mm) wide in order to fire larger torpedoes. While able to fire super heavy torpedoes, these tubes fired normal 21 inch torpedoes in United States naval service. Able to engage 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 fifty reloads for torpedoes and can carry up to one hundred mines in place of 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), can 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 eight (8) torpedoes. Reloading takes one full melee round.

    Payload: Eight (8) torpedoes total [Has fifty (50) additional torpedoes and missiles for reloads.]

  2. Twelve (12) Decoys Drones: The submarine carries twelve 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.

  3. 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:


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Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).


Copyright © 1998, 1999, 2001, & 2018, Kitsune. All rights reserved.


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