French Algérie class Fast Attack Submarine:


During the first half of the Twenty-First Century, the French government resisted any major increases in the nation’s military. By the middle of the century, their forces might be better compared to a third world nation. A major issue was that very little equipment had been replaced and much of it was old, worn-out, and outdated.


In the mid Twenty-Fifties, Great Britain began to restore their status as a colonial power. This “woke up” the French Government and made them realize that they had lost their status as a world power. To make up on lost ground, the French government funded and enormous military build-up program to re-equip its military in all areas. The army, navy, and air force all received funding for projects, especially those dedicated to colonial expansion and enhancing global presence.


However, with the enormous costs of developing and building over a dozen new military designs as well as upgrading many older designs with new weapons, sensors, and new materials, funds for new programs were very tight in the Twenty-Fifties through the Twenty-Seventies. As a result, the French navy had opted to produce a dedicated fast attack submarine for its fleet with plans to build a new line of multi-mission submarines when sufficient funding was available. The results were a dozen excellent Saphir class attack submarines.


Unfortunately, these boats were not ever intended for littoral combat operations or special forces support. In fact, they were considered so ill-equipped to handle these missions that they were never assigned them. As a result, the French navy lagged behind the other major powers of the world when it came to these sensitive missions for two decades. Finally in the Twenty-Eighties, funding came available for the development of a new class of submarines with far greater littoral combat capabilities. Christened the Algérie class, these submarines were to be highly capable boats with intended use in both coastal regions and open seas areas of operation.


Learning from the previous Saphir class as well as the British Ursula, and American Swordfish classes, the Algérie class was large, well armed with significant advancements to reduce maintenance, operating costs, and manning requirements. In common with the Saphir class, the hull of the Algérie class were tear drop shaped although slightly elongated in comparison. They were only slightly shorter than the British Ursula and US Tigershark classes, making them among the largest fast attack submarines built.


Like most advanced submarines, stealth was the most important feature of the vessel. These submarines were fitted with a pump jet propulsion system along with a variety of propulsion noise reduction systems to reduce the noise in the water of these boats. To further reduce these submarine’s noise signature, these boats were clad in sound absorbing materials. All weapon systems were designed to either retract or are covered to reduce any drag that they would cause.


While it might have been easier just to use the same sonar systems as were mounted in the Saphir class, it was decided to develop a new generation of sonar systems for the Algérie class. The sonar systems are considered among the most advanced sonar systems ever developed. Both a both a hull mounted active and passive array as well as a very sensitive towed sonar array are carried.


Weapon systems can be considered roughly similar to those carried in most late Twenty-First Century submarines. Three twenty-one inch torpedo tubes were located along each side of the hull for a total of six tubes. Reloading itself was done by a fully automated magazine. With no human assistance normally needed, the torpedo room was only accessible to humans for the unlikely event that maintenance was needed during deployment or if the system broke down. A total of forty-eight torpedoes could be carried as reloads for the tubes.


In addition to torpedoes, these submarines carried four cruise missile launchers for use against ground targets and four long range missile launchers against both air targets and ground targets. A total of forty-eight long range missiles and sixteen cruise missiles could be carried. For self-defense, the submarines had pair of retractable blue-green laser mounts forward of the long-range missile launchers and aft of the cruise missile. These mounts are the same laser mount designs that were first mounted in the Saphir class submarines although moved from the sail. As defense against incoming torpedoes, these submarines also carried torpedo decoys and noisemakers.


The Algérie class were designed for supporting special forces operations and was designed to carry twenty troops with the Lafayette power armor or thirty-five troops in standard body armor. A special lock system was devised in order to launch troops with as little betraying noise as possible.


In order to reduce crew requirements as much as possible, these submarines were fitted with far more extensive automation than the prior Saphir class. Even so, they require a slightly larger crew due to additional weaponry and other systems. Normal crew is considered to be sixty-four with forty-two enlisted, twelve chief petty officers, and ten officers. Still, the relatively small crew meant for more space per crew member although the boats were still very cramped compared to surface vessels.


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: Algérie class Submarine.

Class: Ocean, Fast Attack Submarine.

Crew: 64; 10 officers, 12 chief petty officers, and 42 enlisted (Has a high degree of automation.)

Troop Capacity: 20 (With Lafayette power armors) to 35 (Without power armors.)


Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:

Power Armor Compliment:

 

20

Lafayette Power Armors.

M.D.C. by Location:

 

533 mm (21 inch) Torpedo Tubes (6, sides of submarine):

120 each.

 

Vertical Launch Long Range Missile Batteries (4, bow of submarine):

225 each.

 

Vertical Launch Cruise Missile Batteries (4, aft of sail):

275 each.

 

Retractable Blue-Green Laser Cannon Mount (2, forward and aft of sail):

125 each.

 

Main Sail:

750.

 

[1] Bow Planes (2):

240 each.

 

[2] Pump Jet Propulsor (1):

480.

 

[3] Main Body:

3,400.

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:

Water Surface: 38 mph (33 knots / 61.2 kph).

Underwater: 46 mph (40 knots / 73.6 kph).

Maximum Depth: 9,842 feet (3,000 meters).

Range: Effectively Unlimited due to fusion engines (needs to refuel every 25 years and requires maintenance as well). Vessel carries ten (10) months of supplies for crew on board.


Statistical Data:

Height:  68.24 feet (20.8 meters) not including periscopes and antenna.

Width:   35.43 feet (10.8 meters).

Length:  377.95 feet (115.2 meters).

Displacement: 8,200 tons surfaced and 9,400 tons submerged.

Cargo: Submarine is very cramped, 50 tons (45.35 metric tons) of nonessential equipment and supplies (normally used for equipment for marines). 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; average energy life of 25 years. Normally refuels every 15 years.

Market Cost: Not for sale; many nations and organizations would pay hundreds of millions of credits for a new and undamaged Algérie class submarine. Cost does not include embarked craft and power armors.


Weapon Systems:

  1. Two (2) Retractable Blue/Green Laser Cannon Mounts: These laser mounts are mounted in front of the main sail and behind the main sail and fully retractable under concealing deck plates so that they does not disrupt water flow at high speeds or add to the noise of the submarine. The laser cannon is useful both on the surface and underwater at low speeds [5.8 mph (5 knots / 9.3 kph) or less]. As a blue-green laser, they have a greater range underwater than they would otherwise. The weapon system is used mainly as close defense and against aircraft when on the surface. It can also be used to engage incoming torpedoes. The mount is controlled by a separate gunner and can rotate 360 degrees and had a 90 degree arc of fire.

    Maximum Effective Range: In Atmosphere: 2 miles (3.2 km). Under Water: 1 mile (1.6 km).

    Mega Damage: Each laser mount inflicts 1D6x10 M.D. per single blast.

    Rate of Fire: Each laser mount can fire four (4) attacks per melee round.

    Payload: Effectively Unlimited.

  2. Six (6) 533 mm Heavy Torpedo Tubes: On the sides of the submarine are six torpedo tubes with three on each side. Tubes are 21 inches (533 mm) wide and torpedoes can be used against both surface ships and submarines. Torpedo tubes have a special automated reloading system to reduce noise. For warheads, heavy torpedoes should be treated as having long range missile warheads. Along with standard torpedoes, the launcher can also fire missiles (long range or cruise missiles) in special canisters and rocket boosted ASW torpedoes. Missiles are rarely carried however. Submarine normally carries forty-eight reloads for torpedoes (in addition to six torpedoes in the tubes) and can carry up to ninety-six mines in place of torpedoes.

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

    Mega-Damage: By 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 heavy 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) heavy torpedoes total [Has forty-eight (48) additional heavy torpedoes for reloads.]

  3. Four (4) Cruise Vertical Launch Missile Batteries: These are mounted with two on either side of the hull aft of the sail and are located outside of the main pressure hull. With a limited payload, they are considered extremely powerful but of limited effectiveness with long range missiles being more flexible and inflicting almost comparable damage. Cruise missiles have minuses to hit small targets although the system can engage more than one target simultaneously. Missiles can be fired while the submarine is underwater with a maximum depth of around 150 feet (45.7 meters.)

    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), three (3), or four (4) cruise missiles per melee round and can be fired at multiple target at the same time.

    Payload: Four (4) cruise missiles per launcher for sixteen (16) cruise missiles total. Submarine does not carry any additional cruise missiles for reloads.

  4. Four (4) Long Range Vertical Launch Missile Batteries: Located forward of the main sail, As with the cruise missile batteries, the long range missile batteries are located outside of the pressure hull. While developed mainly to engage surface and land targets, the system is also effective at engaging aircraft. Anti-Submarine rocket launched torpedoes also can be fired from the launchers (See revised Rifts torpedoes for details.) Designed to be able to engage one than one target at the same time. Long range missile batteries can be used on the surface or fired while the submarine is underwater with a maximum depth of around 150 feet (45.7 meters.)

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

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

    Rate of Fire: Can fire long range missiles one at a time or volleys of two (2) or four (4) long range missiles per launcher per melee round. Maximum total between launchers is thirty (32) long range missiles per melee round and can be fired at multiple target at the same time.

    Payload: Twelve (12) long range missiles per launcher for a total of forty-eight (48) long range missiles.

  5. Four (4) Advanced Decoy Drones: The submarine carries four advance decoys 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 23.0 mph (20 knots / 37.0 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.: 20.

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

    Effects: The decoy has an 80% chance of fooling ordinary non military sonars and non smart guided torpedoes, the decoy has a 50% chance of fooling military level sonars (like those of the Coalition) and non “smart” torpedoes, and the decoy has a 25% 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: Four (4) decoy 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 Kamikazi (co366thaw@hotmail.com) and Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).


Copyright © 2004 & 2018, Kamikazi & Kitsune. All rights reserved.


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