NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: If you can only whine don't post here. I want some constructive criticism. If something doesn't make sense please say so in a polite manner.

Lich Class Submarine - SECRET CONCEPT DESIGN

Before we started with designing this fine new vessel we asked ourselves this question: what can possibly so special and diffirent people will fear it?
The answer lies between an ICBM submarine and a normal anti-ship submarine. We combined both ideas and come up with a special design built to withstand the massive pressure and to lay waste on the enemies fleet. The reasoning simple, why lauch a torpedo horizontally when it's also possible vertically?

http://members.lycos.co.uk/manhattanproject120/s1.jpg
This was our first concept. The design was simple yet advanced. Stylish, yet deadly.

http://members.lycos.co.uk/manhattanproject120/s2.jpg
A view from above.

Specifications
Maximum missile capacity: 70, including normal torpedoes
Maximum crew capacity: 85
Builders: Barrow & Spencer HP Shipbuilding.
Power Plant: One nuclear reactor, one shaft
Length: 377 feet (114.91 meters)
Beam: 34 feet (10.36 meters)
Displacement: Approx. 7,800 tons (7,925.18 metric tons)
Speed: 25+ knots (28+ miles per hour, 46.3+ kph)

The almost 95% with foam covered exteriour of the submarine is coated with a special foam wich absorbs roughly all of the radar waves directed at them. It works the same as a normal stealth bomber, only this one is under water.

Costs: Not yet for sale

OOC: If you can only whine don't post here. I want some constructive criticism. If something doesn't make sense please say so in a polite manner.

[The entire contents of this message are OOC since we're at war IC.

I think the concept of a hybrid SSBN and SSN sub is a great idea if it has not already been applied IRL or in the NS world. However, it seems to me that the idea behind a pure attack submarine is for it to be able to hit and run, so to speak. I see it as more of a fast strike vessel. The ballistic missile launcher is one I'd see as more of a weapons platform and not quite built for the speed attacks of the SSN. Thus, it's hard to have the best of both worlds.

I think if you try to create a fast SSBN with striking capabilities, you take away some of its abilities to bomb coastal targets. If you try to create a powerhouse SSN with missile launch capabilities, you take away some of the usefulness of the SSN in terms of its primary mission.

Then again, it's been a long time since I studied my book(s) on naval technology so I could be totally off base.]

Unfortunately, I'm mostly a surface ship warfare type of guy, but I do see one potential flaw. If I've read that right, you have torpedoes launching vertically?

Now, torpedoes are mostly direct-fire weapons. They shoot out the front or back of the sub and then activate, using active sonar to home in on the nearest target.

If the torpedo is launched vertically, it'll more than likely hit the water at an odd angle. If that thing goes active the wrong way, you'll be hitting yourself. If it goes active while facing downward, wont it just hit the bottom? I don't even want to think about what would happen if it hit facing upwards.

However, the merging of an SSN and an SSBN is an interesting concept. Just lose the vertically-firing torpedoes.

I think HP is just using conventional torpedo tubes oriented vertically. Thus, unless the submarine was nearly surfaced, the torpedoes wouldn't breach the surface, and would simply engage the target normally.

ooc: I think the Soviets tried something sort of similar in what NATO designated the Oscar class SSGN, guided missile nuclear submarines. Basically, I don't know the exact numbers as I'm going strictly from memory, but the sub was double hulled and had both torpedo tubes for standard torpedoes and 'light' or 'small' anti-ship cruise missiles and then between its double hulls, again I think that's how it was designed, were larger launch silos for large anti-ship cruise missiles with nuclear warheads, primarily it was an anti-carrier force submarine... So, as long as you're not launching torpedoes vertically and are using missiles instead, I think you'd be fine... hope you or someone finds this useful.

Well the whole idea is to disable the enemy fleet. Shooting the rudder or to blast holes in the hull. The torpedoes have some similarities with the ICBM but are fired under water vertical.

The vertical firing is just what it makes so special. Instead of being behind the ship you're beneath so it that depth bombs are ineffective.

bump for the edit