Netherlands Navy Bruinvis (Porpoise) class Fast Attack Submarine:


For much of the Twenty-First Century, the submarine force of the Netherlands Royal Navy consisted of four Zeehond class attack submarines. They were laid down as conventional submarines using fuel cells to enable long underwater operations. However, they were later converted to fusion power through a rebuilding process that took around two years per boat.


Tensions continued to simmer as the century progressed and in the late Twenty-Seventies, the Netherlands navy was finally able to get authorization to expand their navy. An additional eight submarines were authorized. Unlike the previous Zeehond class, these submarines were quite a bit larger with fusion powered planned from the start. As a result, these new submarines were far faster than the older submarines. Known as the Bruinvis, Dutch for porpoise, the first boat was laid down in the early Twenty-Eights.


When the Great Cataclysm occurred, five of the eight boats had entered service with an additional boat being near completion. There was discussion of authorizing four additional boats of a slightly modified design as replacement for the Zeehond class submarines but no decision had been made prior to the cataclysm.


Four of the five operational boats were deployed at the time of the cataclysm. One of these Dutch submarines is believed to have sunk a New Soviet ballistic missile submarine during the chaos through intelligence the New Navy was able to discover. It was however then trapped by New Soviet attack submarines and is believed to have been sunk although the location of its wreckage is unknown.


While the surface ships of the world were largely destroyed, a far higher percentage of submarines survived. With the loss of one of the Dutch submarines at the hands of New Soviet forces, two out of three of the Bruinvis class boats are known to have survived although the fate of the other deployed boat is unknown. Of the survivors, one was able to join up with surviving German submarine forces. The other was disabled and was rescued by the New Navy.


As with the prior Zeehond class, German shipbuilding assisted with the development of the Bruinvis class. There are a number of similarities between the Bruinvis class and the German Type 402 class submarine. One of the most notable is that both classes shared the same Atlas Elektronik DBQS220 sonar suit. Most considered the sonar on par with the best American sonar systems.


Compared to contemporary American and Soviet submarine designs, the Bruinvis class had a relatively modest top speed. Still, these boats were able to reach thirty-two knots, over fifty percent greater than the Zeehond class. Fusion technology had advanced greatly between the two designs and even though the fusion reactor of the Bruinvis class could produce greater than two and a half times the power, it was little larger than the fusion plant on the Zeehond class.


The Bruinvis class had most of the silencing features in common with most submarine designs. These included a pump jet instead of a conventional propeller, electrical transmission to the propeller, the machinery specially isolated from the hull, and the hull itself covered with sound absorbing rubber tiles. At below five knots, there was not much difference in noise levels between the old Zeehond class and the new Bruinvis class but the Bruinvis class could operate at much greater speeds while running silently.


Even though built from first generation high strength alloys and composites, the Zeehond class was considered a deep diving design compared to other conventionally derived designs. It could dive several hundred meters greater than many submarines developed in around the same time period. Using more modern alloys and composites, the Bruinvis class improved on that with a maximum depth of around two kilometers. These same materials also made the Bruinvis class extremely tough and virtually immune to corrosion.


As far as weaponry, the Bruinvis class was far heavier armed than the previous Zeehond class. While the older class had six 533 mm torpedo tubes, the Bruinvis class was designed with eight torpedo tubes. At the same time, the number of additional torpedoes was increased from eighteen to twenty-four. Even so, most New Soviet and American submarines carried much larger torpedo payloads.


During the later part of the Twenty-First Century, relations between the United States and many of the nations of Europe had become strained. While the Zeehond class carried six cruise missile tubes of American design in the bow behind the sonar dome, the Bruinvis class mounted twenty-four long range missile tubes of German design along the sides of the submarine. Even though cruise missiles have greater range than long range missiles, in practice rarely were targets engaged as such extended ranges anyway.


Finally, the submarine mounted a blue-green laser of German manufacture in the sail. The laser was designed to be able to engage aircraft and missiles while on the surface as well as engage torpedoes and divers while underwater. In general, the weapon was not considered effective against larger targets. When not being used, the laser was designed to fully retract so that it does not disrupt water flow.


As described previously, there was discussion around building a slightly modified design to replace the Zeehond class submarines. It was planned for these boats to be around eight meters longer. Much of the additional length would have been enlarging the torpedo room. This would have allowed these submarines to carry a total of forty-eight torpedoes as reloads. In addition, the submarine would have had an additional two long range missile launchers on each side and have been able to carry a total of twenty-eight long range missiles outside the pressure hull.


It was decided to slightly increase manning of these submarines over the previous Zeehond class. This was in part due to these submarines being expected to be deployed for longer periods than the older submarines. Normal crew compliment was forty-six enlisted crew with ten officers. In addition to the crew, these submarines could deploy with a small special forces contingent aboard.


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: Bruinvis class submarine.

Class: Ocean, Fast Attack Submarine.

Crew: 56; 10 Officers, 10 chief petty officers, and 36 enlisted (Has a high degree of automation.)

Troop Capacity: 12 (Special Forces personnel.)


Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:

None.


M.D.C. by Location:

 

533 mm (21 inch) Torpedo Tubes (8, sides of submarine):

100 each.

 

Vertical Long Range Missile Launchers (24, sides of submarine):

100 each.

 

Retractable Blue-Green Laser Cannon Mount (1, mounted on aft quarter of sail):

100.

 

Main Sail:

480.

 

[1] Sail Planes (2, sail):

120 each.

 

[2] Pump Jet Propulsor (1):

320.

 

[3] Main Body:

2,100.

Notes:

[1] Destroying the submarine’s sail 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 sail 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: 18.4 mph (16 knots/ 29.6 kph).

Underwater: 36.8 mph (32 knots /59.3 kph).

Maximum Depth: 6,562 feet (2,000 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:    24.11 feet (7.35 meters).

Length:  309.71 feet (94.40 meters).

Beam:    31.00 feet (9.45 meters).

Displacement: 5,380 tons surfaced and 5,840 tons submerged.

Cargo: Submarine is very cramped, 12 tons (10.88 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: Nuclear fusion; average energy life of 20 years. Normally refuels every 15 years.

Black Market Cost: Not for sale; many nations and organizations would pay hundreds of millions of credits for a new and undamaged Bruinvis class submarine.


Weapon Systems:

  1. One (1) Retractable Blue Green Laser Cannon Mount: This laser mount is mounted on the aft part of the sail and is fully retractable so that it 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: 6,000 feet ( 1,828.8 meters). Under Water: 3,000 feet (914 meters).

    Mega-Damage: 5D6 M.D. per single blast.

    Rate of Fire: Five (5) blasts per melee round.

    Payload: Effectively Unlimited.

  2. Eight (8) 533 mm Heavy Torpedo Tubes: On the sides of the submarine are eight torpedo tubes with four on each side. 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. Along with standard torpedoes, the launcher can also fire missiles (long range or cruise missiles) in special canisters and rocket boosted ASW torpedoes. Submarine normally carries twenty-four reloads for torpedoes (in addition to six torpedoes in the tubes) and can carry up to forty-eight 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 eight (8) heavy torpedoes. Reloading takes one full melee round.

    Payload: Eight (8) heavy torpedoes total [Has twenty-four (24) additional heavy torpedoes for reloads.]

  3. Twenty-Four (24) Vertical Launch Long Range Missile Launchers: Mounted on the sides of the submarine with twelve on each side, these launchers actually fire at a slight forward angle. Long range missiles were chosen instead of cruise missiles because a larger payload could be carried while still having similar range. Launchers are 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.) 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 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 in volleys of two (2), four (4), or eight (8) long range missiles with all launchers operating together.

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

  4. Eight (8) Advanced Decoy Drones: The submarine carries four advanced 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 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: Eight (8) decoy drones.

  5. 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. ]


By Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).


Copyright © 2018, Kitsune. All rights reserved.


Return