REEF-PTB-25 Super Piranha Submersible Hydrofoil:


Since the Great Cataclysm, the oceans of the world have been extremely deadly. The surface can be even more deadly than underwater. As such, many residents of the oceans largely operate under water. The REEF had a number of encounters that have shown the dangers of operating on the surface. While no vessels were lost, several boats were badly damaged.


The REEF developed the Tarantula class attack boat but it is a purely surface craft. Plans were to produce a large number of these vessels due to being comparatively cheap to mass produce, but this is currently being reconsidered.


During exploration of the oceans, the REEF was able to find a number of intact Piranha class vessels. Of extremely late pre cataclysm design, the boat combines the features of a hydrofoil with a submersible design. Even so, the vessel is relatively small and the REEF saw that the boat would be relatively easy to mass produce. While the production of Tarantula class attack boat were not cancelled, it was decided to switch resources over to producing a version of the Piranha over the attack boat.


There was a process of reverse engineering the original Piranha and it was decided that the new vessel would be slightly larger than the original design. When possible, already in production components were used in order to simplify production as well. While some did not like the name, it was decided to call this new design the “Super Piranha.”


So far production of these boats have been for the REEF forces although a pair have been sold to the New Navy for experimental purposes. As well, one original Piranha found by the REEF was also transferred to the New Navy and the other three to Columbia. There has been discussion around producing an export version of the upgraded Piranha although nothing has been decided. Several groups have shown an interest however including Columbia. In fact, the REEF is considered a joint Southern Cross Manufacturing and Republic of Columbia shipyard in South America.


In general the REEF has operated these boats mostly in coastal operations due to their comparative small size. Still, these boats have been found to be effective in deeper waters as well. While the crews of these boats generally like these vessels, the REEF is still working out the best tactics to use these boats effectively. One change that the REEF has made is to increase the crew in order to improve performance.


Even though the Piranha design is considered relatively old, the electronics are still considered quite advanced. This is especially the case with the sonar systems. Even though far smaller than those on Coalition submarines, they are still considered to give comparable, and in some cases superior, performance. These systems were retained on the Super Piranha and the REEF is looking for ways to incorporate these systems in other designs.


Early designs tried to extend the length to add a pair of forward firing 21 inch torpedo tubes. Unfortunately, this was found to be impractical. It would change the center of balance so much as to require virtually a complete redesign. Eventually a solution was come in the form of six externally mounted torpedo tubes along the midships. In flush mountings that create a slight bulge, no additional torpedoes could be carried and they can only effectively be reloaded in port. Otherwise the system is completely self contained.


Another major change was the replacement of the rail gun with the PB-20 particle beam cannon from the Space Glitter Boy. The particle beam has far greater range and is far more powerful than the original rail guns. The particle beam requires too much power to power directly from the fusion reactor and instead a capacitor stores energy in order to power the weapon. As far as replacement weapons for an export version, a pair of pulse lasers are being considered.


The medium range missile and torpedo launchers were retained from the original Piranha design. Engineers at the REEF were able to modify the launchers with a slightly greater payload than the original design. One issue has been that the missiles which are able to be used as torpedoes as well are extremely noisy. As a result, in some cases standard medium range torpedoes are carried as part of the vessel’s payload.


Model Type: REEF-PTB-25.

Class: Submersible Hydrofoil / Attack Boat.

Crew: Seven (7), pilot, copilot, communications/sensor officer, two (2) weapons operators, and two (2) engineers.

Troops: Six (6) power armor pilots. Can accommodate up to four (4) additional passengers/troops.


Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:

 

2

Aqua-Tech LEA-50 Deep Sea Power Armors.

 

4

REEF PA-03 Katana SAMAS Power Armors.

M.D.C. by Location:

 

Cockpit / Bridge:

250.

 

[1] RDR-3R Retractable Compact Three Dimensional Air Search Radar (superstructure):

100.

 

[2] PB-20S Heavy Particle Beam Cannon Barrel (1, gun mount):

80.

 

PB-20S Heavy Particle Beam Gun Mount (1, forward):

225.

 

HTT-6-SS 533 mm (21 inch) Heavy Torpedo Tubes (6, amidships):

60 each.

 

MMT-20 350 mm (13.78 inch) Medium Range Missile/Torpedo Launchers (2)

120 each.

 

Towed Sonar Array Housing (aft):

100.

 

[3] Hydrofoils (3):

60 each.

 

[4] Bow Planes (2):

80 each.

 

[5] Pump Jets (2):

100 each.

 

Outer Hull (per 40 foot / 12.2 meter area):

80.

 

[6] Main Body:

680.

Notes:

[1] Destroying the RDR-3R mounting eliminates all the radar and targeting bonuses; pilot and gunner are now limited to their own senses. Retracts when the submersible vessel is underwater although can be raised above the surface while the boat is just barely underwater. The sensor system is a small target, requiring a called shot at -3 to hit. Sonar systems are mounted in the hull and are unaffected.

[2] These are small and difficult targets to strike, requiring the attacker to make a “called shot,” but even then the attacker is -4 to strike.

[3] Destroying the hydrofoils prevents the vessel ship from using the hydrofoil propulsion system although it can still operate both on the surface and underwater normally. The hydrofoils are very small targets, requiring a called shot at -4 to hit.

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

[5] Destroying both of the submersible vessel’s pump jet propulsors causes serious problems. The vessel will no longer be able to use forward momentum and the bow planes to keep the vessel level. It is recommended that ballast tanks are immediately blown so the boat comes to the surface. Destruction of one pump jet propulsor reduces the vessel’s top speed by one quarter.


Speed:

Water Surface: Conventional Propulsion: 40 mph (34.8 Knots / 64 kph). On Hydrofoils: 80 mph (69.5 knots / 128 kph).

Underwater: 40 mph (34.8 Knots / 64 kph)

Maximum Depth: 2,624.7 feet (800 meters) - Usually does not operate below 1,640.4 feet (500 meters).

Range: Effectively Unlimited due to fusion engines (needs to refuel every 20 years and requires maintenance as well). Vessel carries two (2) months of supplies on board.


Statistical Data:

Height:  25.6 feet (7.80 meters).

Width:   24.5 feet (7.47 meters) hull and 28.6 feet (8.75 meters) including torpedo tube bulges.

Length:  108.6 feet (33.10 meters).

Displacement: 78.5 tons (71,210 kg) surface and 96.8 tons (87,820 kg) submerged.

Cargo: Boat is very cramped, ; up to 2 tons (1,800 kg) of nonessential equipment and supplies. Each enlisted crew member has a small locker for personal items and uniforms. Boat’s officers have slightly more space for personal items although still cramped. Most of the boat’s spaces are take up by extra torpedoes, weapons, and engines.

Power System: Nuclear fusion; average energy life of 20 years. Normally refuels every 10 years.

Black Market Cost: It is believed that the REEF sold a pair of the advanced Piranha to the New Navy for 400 million credits each. If an export version is developed, it is quite likely that the boat may sell for 500 or more million credits each. Cost does not include embarked craft and power armors.


Weapon Systems

  1. One (1) PB-20S Heavy Particle Beam Gun Mount: This powerful gun is mounted in the deck above the prow of the vessel in a streamlined mount. Unfortunately, the mount cannot be retracted when the vessel is underwater. The original rail gun of the Piranha is replaced by a copy of the particle beam cannon off the USA-G14 Space Glitter Boy. The weapon is modified to have has a higher payload and recharge rate than the original weapon carried by the power armor. The cannon mount can rotate 270 and the barrel can elevate up to 85 degrees in order to engage airborne targets. Controlled remotely from the cockpit, the weapon mount can be used under water as well as on the surface.

    Maximum Effective Range: On the Surface: 11,000 feet (about 2 miles/3.2 km). Under Water: 5,500 feet (about 1 mile /1.6 km).

    Mega Damage: 4D6x10 per blast.

    Rate of Fire: Equal to combined hand to hand attacks of the pilot / gunner (usually 5 or 6).

    Payload: 40 blasts in a capacitor, recharges at the rate of one blast every 30 seconds for particle beam.

  2. Six (6) HTT-6-SS 533 mm (21 inch) Heavy Torpedo Tubes: These are mounted amidships in streamlined bulges. These 21 inch torpedo tubes are designed for a single torpedo a piece and are not designed to be reloaded while underway. Tubes are 21 inches (533 mm) wide and torpedoes can be used against both surface ships and submarines. For warheads, heavy torpedoes should be treated as having long range missile warheads. While theoretically missiles in canisters could be carried, these have never been carried in service.

    Maximum Effective Range: 40 miles (34.8 nautical miles / 64 km) for standard torpedoes.

    Mega-Damage: By heavy torpedo warhead type (See revised Rifts torpedoes for details), could theoretically 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 heavy torpedoes one at a time or in volleys of two (2), four (4), or six (6) heavy torpedoes.

    Payload: Six (6) heavy torpedoes total (Has no heavy torpedoes in storage for reloads and cannot effective reload torpedo tubes while underway.)

  3. Two (2) MMT-20 350 mm (13.78 inch) Medium Range Missile/Torpedo Launchers: This system is from the original Piranha design although has been modified to slightly increase payload. These side-mounted launchers can fire either regular medium-range missiles, regular medium torpedoes, or special amphibious missiles. Costing double the cost of normal missiles, these special amphibious missiles act as normal medium range missiles when fired as missiles. When used as torpedoes however, their speed underwater is 120 mph (104.3 knots / 192 kph) and have a range of 20 miles (17.4 nautical miles / 32 km). They also have +2 to strike. In service of the REEF, these boats carry thirty-two amphibious missiles and eight normal medium torpedoes. The eight normal torpedoes are carried because they are far quieter underwater than the amphibious missiles.

    Maximum Effective Range: Medium Range Missiles: As per medium range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.) Medium Torpedoes: 20 miles (17.4 nautical miles / 32 km) for standard torpedoes. Special Amphibious Missiles: See description above.

    Mega Damage: Medium Range Missiles: As per medium range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.) Medium Torpedoes: By medium torpedo warhead type (See revised Rifts torpedoes for details.) Special Amphibious Missiles: See description above.

    Rate of Fire: Can fire medium range missiles / medium torpedoes one at a time or in volleys of two (2), four (4), or eight (8) medium range missiles / medium torpedoes.

    Payload: Forty (40) medium range missiles / medium torpedoes total; twenty (20) per medium range missiles / medium torpedoes launcher. Vessels in REEF service usually carry sixteen (16) special amphibious missiles and four (4) conventional torpedoes per launcher.

  4. Noisemakers: The submersible vessel 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 vessel.

    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 vessel 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, & 2019, Kitsune. All rights reserved.


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