New Sovietskiy Iskra class Fast Attack Submarine:


During the initial rebuilding of the Soviet fleet, the new naval designs were relative conventional in design and this included submarines. Designs included the Drakon class fast attack submarine, Vyper class cruise missile submarine, and Ossetyr class ballistic missile submarine classes. While there were significant differences when compared to Western submarine designs, they filled generally similar roles.


Once enough submarines were completed to fill the most pressing needs of the Soviet navy however, the navy began experimenting with more unconventional designs. Among these were a submersible troop transport and an extremely fast interceptor submarine known as the Pantera class. Smaller than most nuclear submarines, the interceptor submarine also was very expensive compared to its capability. As a result, the number of these interceptor submarines was cut to just under a dozen hulls.


Instead of simply returning to production of the Drakon class fast attack submarine, it was decided to develop a new submarine design incorporating a number of improvements. In addition, the Soviet engineers had been impressed by the fact that the British Ursula class carried a total of ten torpedo tubes and it was decided that the new design would have even more torpedo tubes than the British submarine design. Even before the first fall of the Soviet Union, Soviet leaders have always been famous for one upmanship and this is yet another example of this.


As Western military experts gathered intelligence on the design of the new Soviet submarine class, there were mixed feelings on the submarine’s effectiveness. Some considered it to be extremely dangerous and a threat to the submarine forces of the Western world while others considered it to be little more effective than the previous Drakon class fast attack submarine. In addition, there were some who argued that the design of the new submarine appeared to be overly complicated.


Of course, the Soviet media promoted the new submarine as the most advanced and effective submarine design in the world. Even when under nominally democratic leadership, the Russian media had often been little more than a mouthpiece for the government. Under Soviet rule, the media had become even more of a mouthpiece for the government.


Laid down in 2076, the first of the Iskra class was commissioned in 2081. However, there were a number of initial issues with the design and it took almost a year and a half to get it to fully operational status. Further submarines of the class were laid down at the rate of one submarine per year. A number of early boats had issues similar to the first of the class.


Even with the issues with early boats, production of the Iskra class replaced both the older Drakon fast attack submarines and smaller Pantera class interceptor submarines. Because of the large number of older submarines already in service, large scale production was not seen as a high priority. Just before the Great Cataclysm however tensions reached a boiling point and production was drastically increased. Plans were for three boats a year to be produced.


It is believed that all boats under construction were destroyed during the Great Cataclysm along with the shipyards that they were being built in. New Navy intelligence indicates that a total of twenty-four of the Iskra class fast attack submarines were in commission before the coming of the cataclysm. At the time, they were the most advanced Soviet combat submarines with the exception of the secret submersible carrier.


In the days prior to the Great Cataclysm, all operational Iskra class submarines had been deployed with the mission to intercept United States submarines. Several of these submarines survived both engagements with United States and British submarines as well as the mystic storms which engulfed the planet. Of them, a number managed to join the submersible carrier in the Soviet secret base under Antarctica. As well, one submarine was unable to get in contact with any remaining Soviet submarine forces and decided to surrender to what became the New Navy.


When compared to other Soviet submarine classes, these submarines are slightly larger than the previous Drakon class fast attack submarine classes but were not anywhere near as large as Ossetyr ballistic missile submarine and Vyper cruise missile submarine classes. Taking advantage of more advanced composites and alloys, the Iskra class were even tougher than the Drakon class. In addition, the new materials enable the Iskra class to dive to depths down to 4,000 meters. While the Iskra class cannot dive quite as deeply as the Pantera class submarine, it is greater than twice the maximum depth of the Drakon class.


Fitted with two powerful fusion reactors, the Iskra class was designed for a top speed of forty-five knots underwater. While this is the equal of the American Swordfish class, it is slightly slower than the much smaller Pantera class submarine. Sound reduction is further improved compared to previous Soviet submarine designs and rivals American submarine designs at slow speeds. The Iskra class is fitted with both a pump jet propulsor and acoustic rubber tiles to reduce sonar signature further.


Sonar systems are improved compared to previous Soviet submarine classes, especially with respect to the towed array. With a range of almost three hundred kilometers under certain conditions, it rivals American towed array sonar systems. Some Western military experts have suggested that it is a copy of an American sonar system in fact. The bow array of previous designs was abandoned and instead the Iskra class is fitted with flank sonar arrays. In part this appears to have been necessary due to the large number of torpedo tubes mounted in the bow.


As previously described, the main weaponry of the Iskra class submarine are twelve 650-mm torpedo tubes mounted in the bow of the submarine. Most United States submarines torpedo tubes are more mounted along the sides and the immediate bow is the main sonar array. However, the Iskra class mounts its torpedo tubes directly in the bow. A total of almost a hundred torpedoes total are able to be carried. Many Iskra submarine captains preferred to carry eight regular torpedoes and four interceptor torpedoes ready to fire in the tubes.


Replacing the cruise missile launchers of the Drakon class, the Iskra class has six octuple long range missile launchers on either side of the hull outside of the main pressure hull. Compared to cruise missiles, the long range missiles could be stored more efficiently. While still having an extremely long range, they were also effective against aircraft and even missiles. Almost one hundred long range missiles are carried as well aboard the Iskra class submarine.


In common with older Soviet submarine classes, the Iskra class mounts a pair of “Killer Dart” torpedo interceptor systems mainly for self defense against incoming torpedoes. They are also useful against attacking divers. In addition, the vessel has a short range missile launcher in the superstructure for use against aircraft and missiles. These can be fired at targets in the air even when the submarine is at periscope depth.


Unlike previous Soviet submarine classes, the Iskra class mounts two retractable pulse laser mounts. These mounts are used as a last ditch defense against both missiles and torpedoes which leak through the other defense systems. Powered from the submarine’s fusion reactors, these mounts are a modification on the S-500 Cyclone Pulse Laser carried on both surface vessels, armored vehicles, and aircraft. The main modification to the pulse laser is to give it greater range as well as being more effective underwater. It was considered not cost effective to modify older submarine classes to carry the new weapon system.


As a reverse of previous Soviet practices, it was decided that these submarines would be designed for longer effective deployments. As a result, crew size was increased although still smaller than most Western submarine classes. In common with the Drakon and Pantera class ast attack submarines, the Iskra class were designed to be manned by an entirely officer crew.


Soviet education standards remained behind those of most Western nations. In order to properly trained enlisted crew would require much of an enlisted crew member’s short term enlistment. Soon after completing training, they would be discharged. The most cost effective solution was the all officer crew where they were expected to make the navy a career.


Even with a larger crew and well trained officer crew, there was the potential for a crew to be overwhelmed. As a result, these vessels have improved automation compared to the older classes. Due to both the larger crew and additional weapon systems compared to the Drakon class, the crew spaces are less comfortable aboard the Iskra class. However, they do remain more comfortable than those on American submarines.


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: Iskra class Fast Attack Submarine.

Class: Ocean, Fast Attack Submarine.

Crew: 62; All Officers (Has a high degree of automation).

Troop Capacity: None.


M.D.C. by Location:

 

25.6 inches (650 mm) Super Heavy Torpedo Tubes (12 - front of submarine):

150 each.

 

Octuple Long Range Missile Launchers (12, sides)

150 each.

 

Short Range Missile Launcher (1, sail):

100.

 

Killer Dart “Interceptor” Torpedo Launcher (2, sides):

80 each.

 

Retractable Pulse Laser CIWS Turrets (2, forward and aft):

100 each.

 

Towed Array Sonar Housing (aft):

320.

 

Main Sail:

950.

 

[1] Bow Planes (2):

300 each.

 

[2] Pump Jet Propulsor (1):

500.

 

[3] Main Body:

3,500.

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: 25 knots (28.8 mph/ 46.3 kph).

Underwater: 45 knots (51.8 mph/ 83.3 kph).

Maximum Depth: 2.5 miles (4 km).

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


Statistical Data:

Height:  55.4 feet (16.9 meters) not including periscopes and antenna.

Width:   46.5 feet (14.2 meters).

Length:  380.3 feet (115.9 meters).

Displacement: 9,500 tons standard and 15,800 tons submerged.

Cargo: Submarine is very cramped, 12 tons (10.9 metric tons) of nonessential equipment and supplies. Each junior officer has a small locker for personal items and uniforms. Senior boat’s officers have more space for personal items. 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 10 years

Black Market Price: Not for sale; many nations and organizations would pay hundreds of millions of credits for a new and undamaged Iskra class fast attack submarine.


Weapon Systems:

  1. Two (2) Retractable Pulse Laser CIWS Mounts: One mount is forward of the main sail and the other is aft of the main sail. The mounts are fully retractable to reduce drag. These Close-In Weapon Systems fire four rapid-pulse laser pulse against missiles or low-flying aircraft if not picked off by other defense systems. The weapon is also useful against attacking underwater troops and torpedoes. The weapons are automated and track missiles with radar sensors (+4 to strike missiles and aircraft.) Laser is similar to the S-500 Cyclone Pulse Laser Rifle with extended range.

    Maximum Effective Range: In Atmosphere: 4,000 feet (1,220 meters) Under Water: 2,000 feet (609.6 meters)

    Mega-Damage: 1D6x10 for four blast burst.

    Rate of Fire: Each mount has six (6) attacks per melee round.

    Payload: Effectively unlimited.

    Bonuses: +4 to strike flying targets with radar guidance.

  2. Twelve (12) 650 mm Super Heavy Torpedo Tubes: On the immediate bow of the submarine are twelve torpedo tubes. Tubes are 25.6 inches (650 mm) wide and torpedoes can be used against 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. These are modern, variable option torpedoes that are about 25% faster than the latest U.S. designs of the time period. Submarine carries ninety-six reloads for torpedoes. Soviet submarines normally carry a number of interceptor torpedoes where the standard Soviet tactic is to fire an interceptor torpedo down the path of a torpedo fired at the submarine.

    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) 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), six (6), or twelve (12) torpedoes. Reloading takes one full melee round.

    Payload: twelve (12) torpedoes total [Has ninety-six (96) additional torpedoes and missiles for reloads with sixteen (16) “Interceptor” torpedoes normally carried.]

  3. Twelve (12) Octuple Vertical Launch Long Range Missile Launchers: On either side of the submarine’s hull, the Iskra has six octuple Vertical Launch Missile System for launching long range missiles. Missiles are launched in special canisters that enable the missiles to be used in depths down to 150 feet (45.7 meters.) Most missiles normally carried are fusion warhead with smart missile guidance. Launcher can fire at multiple targets simultaneously and are designed to be used against surface ships and against land targets.

    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: Each launcher can fire a single long range missile at a time. Combined, the launchers can fire long range missiles one at a time or in volleys of any amount of long range missiles up to twelve (12) long range missiles total in any combinations and at multiple targets at the same time. Can only be fired once per melee round.

    Payload: Has eight (8) long range missiles per launcher for ninety-six (96) long range missiles total. Submarine carries no reloads.

  4. One (1) Sail Mounted Short Range Missile Launcher: The submarine has a retractable short range missile launcher on the sail for defense against aircraft although is effective against incoming missiles as well. Launcher can be used while the submarine is up to 80 feet (24 meters) deep and is useful against aircraft hunting the submarine while the submarine is underwater. Short Range Missiles are usually a mixture of 50% Armor Piercing and 50% Plasma. Launchers can lock onto multiple targets at the same. The systems missile launchers can target up four targets simultaneously and can fire a volley up to twice per melee.

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

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

    Rate of Fire: Can fire short range missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2) or four (4) short range missiles and can be fired up to two (2) times per melee round.

    Payload: Sixty-four (64) short range missiles.

  5. Two (2) Killer Dart “Interceptor” Short Range Torpedo Launchers: These launchers are mounted on the sides of the submarine. These so called “Killer Darts” are a Russian interceptor torpedo, designed primarily for intercepting and hitting incoming torpedoes, with a secondary function against small submersibles and submersible power armors. They are mounted outside of the submarines pressure hull in retractable mounts. The launchers can only be reloaded in port. American and European designed prefer to fire interceptor torpedoes exclusively from their standard torpedo tubes. Launcher is primarily designed to intercept incoming torpedoes but can be used against other vessels, against large submarines, and against underwater troops. Other torpedoes can be used but are very rarely used.

    Maximum Effective Range: 2,000 feet (609.6 meters) using interceptor torpedoes, other torpedoes use standard rules (See revised Rifts torpedoes for details.)

    Mega-Damage: By light torpedo warhead type (See revised Rifts torpedoes for details.)

    Rate of Fire: Each launcher can fire salvos of up to eight (8) light interceptor torpedoes per melee round.

    Payload: Forty-eight (48) Interceptor Torpedoes each for ninety-six (96) interceptor torpedoes total.

  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. ]

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Vessel drawing is created and copyrighted by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).


Initial Concepts by Marina O'Leary (LusankyaN@aol.com ).


Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).


Copyright © 2002, 2003, & 2017, Kitsune. All rights reserved.


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