Norwegian Kjell class Nuclear Attack Submarine:


The Kjell class submarine is one of the smallest attack submarines built prior to the Great Cataclysm powered using nuclear power. In general, the Norwegian Navy preferred small submarine designs for coastal operations over larger submarines. Norway’s coast is long and rocky with a large number of fiords to protect.


Just prior to the revolution in high strength materials, the Skolpen class submarines had entered service and there was initial reluctance to replace them. These submarines were based on the German Type 212 design and were considered excellent boats with a fuel cell system giving them far greater underwater range compared to previous purely diesel-electric designs.


A stopgap solution had been to refit the submarines with the new advanced composites and alloys but that was never a popular solution with the navy. Unfortunately, the Norwegian Navy was unable to get the parliament interested in a new submarine building program due to the Skolpen class being relatively new boats. Even though Communists had taken control of Russia once more, they were initially not considered a major threat. In fact, some politicians considered the situation an improvement with the oligarches that had been in power prior to the takeover.


Over the next decade, the Soviet navy began to be considered a threat once more. As a result, the Norwegian Navy was finally able to press upon the parliament a need to replace their submarine forces. Some initial designs showed the new class being powered through diesel-electric and fuel cells. However, small fusion power systems had finally became practical.


Even though good boats, the Norwegian Navy often considered the Skolpen class to be a little on the large size. They wanted a design better suited for coastal operations than the Type 212 based design. Because these submariners were expected to often be operating in tight coastal waters, every effort was made to make these submarines as maneuverable as possible.


Development of the Kjell class began in the Twenty-Forties but the first boat was not actually laid down until the beginning of the Twenty-Fifties. Final assembly of the first few boats in Germany although the hull sections were produced in Norway. Later boats were completed in Norway. From the beginning, there was extensive German assistance involved in the design and development.


Over the next two decades, a total of twenty-four of these submarines were built. The last boat was not completed until almost Twenty-Seventy. Prior to the Kjell class, the largest class of submarines operated by the Norwegian Navy had been the Kobben class submarine of the Nineteen-Sixties where there were a total of fifteen boats completed.


As the Kjell class entered service, the Skolpen class submarines were retired. Initially a pair of these older boats were retained for training purposes. Soon they too were retired. There was some effort given towards selling off the old boats but due to the fact that submarines were completed prior to the revolution in new materials, this was met with failure. In the end the six older boats ended up being scrapped.


Until just a few years prior to the Great Cataclysm, no other Norwegian submarine classes were planned. While there continued to be tensions, it had not yet reached a fever pitch. A series of incidents however stoked the tensions higher than they had even been before.


Feeling threatened, the Norwegian parliament authorized a further twelve submarines to be constructed to augment the Kjell class. Concurrent with this was parliament authorized an expansion in the surface navy. These new submarines would have been to an all new design. Although still smaller than most submarine designs, these new submarines would have been slightly larger than the Kjell class. Part of the additional size was that these submarines would have been heavier armed including a greater torpedo payload and mounting a vertical launch missile system. In addition, these new boats would have had improved sound reduction technology.


The Norwegian Navy did not want to replace the Kjell class. Instead, it was expected that the two classes would work together. While the new submarines would prowl deeper waters, the Kjell class would prowl closer to the coast. During to the coming of the Great Cataclysm, how well this would work in practice was never tested however. None of these new boats were completed prior to the cataclysm.


Even though nuclear powered, these boats were rarely deployed far from Norwegian territories. Protected by small inlets and fiords, they had a better chance than most to survive the destruction of the world. It is known that at least a couple of Kjell class submarines survived, washing up on shore. One of those known to have survive seemed to have been completely abandoned while the other was found with the crew dead.


It is speculated that additional boats may have survived. Many areas along the Norwegian coast have not been explored and it is quite possible that some might have ended up aground hidden along the Scandianian coastline. Due to their construction from high strength composites and alloys, they are virtually immune to corrosion. If they survived the initial cataclysm, there is actually a high likelihood of them having survived until the present day.


The two Kjell class submarines that are known to have survived have found their way into the hands of mercenaries. Compared to many larger boats, they require relatively small crews making it easier to be operated by a mercenary crew. In addition, their small size allows them to operate from smaller ports than most other submarine designs.


The fusion plant powering these submarines was actually one of the first developed for use in submarines. Of a German design, the compact fusion plant served as the basis for a number of more powerful fusion reactor designs used in later submarine classes including the German Type 402 and further improved for the Australian Farncomb class submarine.


In order for the fusion plant to be as compact as possible, the plant was only designed to operate up to ten years between refueling. Normal refueling was every fire or six years however. Still, range was actually limited by crew endurance with the boat only able to carry a maximum of four months of supplies onboard.


With a top speed of twenty-five knots underwater and twelve knots on the surface, these submarines were considered on the slow speed for fusion powered submarines. As they were designed primarily for coastal operations, the Kjell class were not designed to dive as deep as most attack submarine designs operated by other nations. Still, the used of advanced composites and alloys meant that these submarines could still dive far deeper than previous submarines operated by the Norwegian Navy.


When the Kjell class was developed, most submarines had gone to pump jets over conventional propellers. Combined with the electrical power transmission meant that these submarines were extremely quiet. In order to further reduce the submarine’s underwater noise signature, these submarines were coated in advanced sonar absorbing materials.


For weaponry, the submarine’s primary armament are eight 533 mm heavy torpedo tubes. Although the submarine is fitted with an automatic reloading system, the submarine only carries an additional eight possible additional torpedoes. Some had criticized the class as being able to fire large volleys of torpedoes but simply not carry enough torpedoes for follow up attacks. Commonly, six tubes would be loaded with standard heavy torpedoes with two tubes loaded with long range anti-ship missiles in canisters. Part of the reason why these submarines usually carry a number of anti-ship missiles in the torpedo tubes was that these boats lacked a vertical launch system for missiles.


Other than the torpedo tubes, the only weapon that the Kjell class mounted was a single blue-green laser mount. Located just forward of the main sail, the mount could fully retract into the hull so that it did not create drag. Pulling power from the fusion reactor, the laser could be used both underwater and on the surface. Underwater, it was most effective as a last ditch defense against incoming torpedoes.


While these submarines were designed with both bow and flank sonar arrays, the comparative small size of the submarine means that the arrays were actually smaller than those mounted on the prior Skolpen class. Of German design and manufactured by Atlas Elektronik, these sonar system were still extremely sophisticated but lacked the range of larger sonar arrays.


Instead of mounting the towed array sonar in the hull, the Kjell class submarine mounted its towed array in the sail. The Norwegian Navy tended to use its towed array sonar less often than many other navies. With the rocky coastline of Norway, there was always a danger that the towed array would get snagged and several were lost in such a manner.


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: S-500 Kjell class Submarine.

Class: Ocean, Attack Submarine.

Crew: 24; 4 Officers, 3 Chief Petty Officers, and 17 Enlisted (Has a high degree of automation.)

Troop Capacity: None.


Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:

None.


M.D.C. by Location:

 

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

80 each.

 

Retractable Blue-Green Laser Cannon Turret (1, forward of sail):

100.

 

Main Sail:

300.

 

[1] Bow Planes (2, bow):

100 each.

 

[2] Pump Jet Propulsor (1):

200.

 

[3] Main Body:

1,200.

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: 13.82 mph (12 knots/ 22.24 kph).

Underwater: 28.79 mph (25 knots /46.33 kph).

Maximum Depth: 3,280.8 feet (1,000 meters).

Range: Effectively Unlimited due to fusion engines (needs to refuel every 10 years and requires maintenance as well). Boat carries a maximum of one hundred and twenty days of supplies on board.


Statistical Data:

Length:  184.88 feet (56.35 meters)

Beam:    19.19 feet (5.85 meters)

Draft:    15.26 feet (4.65 meters)

Displacement: 1,100 tons surfaced and 1,250 tons submerged.

Cargo: Submarine is very cramped, 4 tons (3.63 metric tons) of nonessential equipment and supplies. Each enlisted crew member has a small locker for personal items and uniforms. Boat’s officers have more space for personal items. Most of the boat’s spaces are taken up by extra ammo, armor, weapons, and engines.

Power System: Nuclear fusion; average energy life of 10 years. Normally refuels every 5 years.

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


Weapon Systems:

  1. One (1) Retractable Blue Green Laser Cannon Mount: Developed in Germany, this laser mount is mounted on the deck forward 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. Six (6) 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. 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 eight reloads for torpedoes (in addition to eight torpedoes in the tubes) and can carry up to thirty-two 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 / missiles total (Has 8 addition torpedoes / missiles for reloads) - Usually ordnance load out is twelve (12) heavy torpedoes and four (4) anti-ship long range missiles.

  3. Two (2) Advanced Decoys: The submarine carries two 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: Two (2) decoy drones.

  4. 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. ]

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Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).


Copyright © 2011 & 2017, Kitsune. All rights reserved.


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