NationStates Jolt Archive

[SSN378 Skana Class Nuclear Attack Submarine]

Design
The aging Orca was a great submarine, an invaluable part of the UCSNE navy. But as time went on, the Orca aged and other nations began to salvage them for their equipment. Thus, it was decided to replace the Orca with the Skana, a similar but completely overhauled version of the Orca. The Skana's hull is a massive upgrade from the Orca's: At the center of the vessel is a reinforced titanium and high-grade steel hull. Then there is a layer of fibercomposites and quieting material to reduce the noise coming from inside the hull. After that, Alumina Casing and similar high-strength ceramics help increase the crush depth. Finally, another layer of fibercomposites and sound absorbent material are laid over the hull, with a coating of 'sharkskin' mounted over them. The Sharkskin functions both to reduce sonar signature and drag. All heavy machinery is mounted in four-dimensional equipment to reduce their vibration. The 'fin' of the sub is arrayed in a teardrop style to reduce drag. The vessel has an array of modern damage control systems (NBC, pressure control, many bulkheads, so on, so forth), and additional armor to important systems or facilities throughout the vessel. It's submerged displacement is around 10,000 tons. Crew is 104; 10 Officers, 14 Chief Petty Officers, and 80 Enlisted (Has a high degree of automation).

Propulsion
The boat is powered by a Guenther PB9CS Nuclear Pebblebed Reactor, powering a special hybrid propulsor. The propulsor sheath contains a single 6 bladed propeller. However, it also has a water pumpjet, with MHD assistance. The unique thing about this arrangement is that the propeller can link to the sonar, and match approximate the background flow to a degree, compensating for the 'black hole' created by MHD. The maximum speed for this vessel is about 45 knots, but this is rarely used outside of sea trials. Two 'azipod' miniwaterjets are mounted near the bowplanes for manuvering in ports or making quick evasion manuvers. In this respect, the Skana is most similar to the Orca, though newer materials are incorporated in the propulsor sheath.

Armarment660mm Torpedo Tubes
The Skana mounts eight forward 660mm torpedo tubes, making it capable of launching all torpedo in the UCSNE arsenal. Smaller torpedo, like the Mk58 MADCAP (Most ADvanced CAPability), are fired in sabots. The boat has eight forward tubes. The tubes are of standard format, but have EM assistance. The vessel can carry up to 64 torpedos, cruise missiles, or 128 mines. The torpedo launch system itself uses an Elastomer Membrane Water Slug, which is powered by using a large, very strong, and stretchable plastic disk inside a tank within the submarine to store the potential energy of ambient sea pressure itself. This technique can be less noisy than current alternatives using electric or hydraulic turbines, or compressed air, to drive the slug of water which gives the torpedo a starting shove on its way. (The torpedo’s own engine then propels it to the target.)
Thanks to Joe Buff for the EMWS writeup

VLS System
The Skana mounts a 24 tube VLS system. Usually, land/sea attack missiles like the long ranged Wolverine or hypersonic Quick Jab are mounted. The VLS uses a cold fire launch system, using gasses and EM assistance to accelerate the missiles out with a minimum of hull damage and a bit more silence. SAMs like the RIM-95D or RIM-112 Super Spearhawk can be launched as well. The VLS is modular, meaning it can be replaced with up to 8 1000mm tubes for the UCSNE's dreaded ultraheavy torpedo. Generally these are used against surface ships, as few nations use the large subs that have been seen in UCSNE fleets.

AHSUM
A MkX Adaptable High-Speed Undersea Munitions retractable turret is mounted on each side of the hull with a streamlined cover. When torpedoes have been fired, this gun fires 30mm supercavitating kinetic kill rounds.

203mm Countertorpedo

A stock of these weapons are mounted in launchpods amidships. They are designed to also fire out of the Skana's decoy tubes. Generally the 203mm Countertorpedo are used against torpedoes that the AHSUM gun cannot easily track, or torpedoes moving at extremely high velocities.

Sensors, Systems, and Countermeasures

The Skana has a large spherical passive array with a low frequency passive array structure surrounding it. A truncated active array is mounted under it. This, the SBSY-5, has a range of about 70nm. The SBOG-10 Hull Mounted Sonar system also has an 70nm range, and provides extended coverage of the area. A STBX-20 Mod Bravo Towed Array provides a 185nm range of detection. The system is reinforced, so it can be dropped into the thermocline to extend the range. L/SQS-15 Naval LIDAR provides silent active search capability. All sonar systems are linked by carbon computers and fiberoptic networks, the main difference from the older Orca. The sonars have databases of friendly and enemy sound patterns, and can easily identify the number of blades or shafts on an enemy's propulsor to quickly identify targets. The sonar can also be set up to use mulitiple recievers as a method of identifying targets illuminated by another vessels pinging. While difficult to do, it makes the Skana deadly tool against wolfpacks of vessels.

In addition, the A/SQS-13 Acoustic Daylight System is mounted, in both a towed array and wrapped around the hull. This system looks for objects illuminated by 'acoustic daylight', that is, objects changing the ambient noise of the ocean. This incident sound is collected by the 'acoustic lens' array, giving the operators the actual shape of the target, even when it is completely silent! The Acoustic Lens can be adjusted to pick out different types of objects, depending on composition and the type of incident sound. The range of this system roughly equals that of the equivalent hull and towed arrays, though the size of an object can effect the range it is detected at.

SAN/BPS-8 Surface Search Radar with a 200 mile range is used for the detection of enemy aircraft, and has -Taiwanese NPI programming. A SAN/BPS-19 Fire Control and navigation radar is also mounted.

The Skana utilizes the SCM-1 "SeAthena", as the crews have dubbed it, for defense against torpedo. Powered by a supercomputer, "SeAthena" works like it's aerial counterpart by analyzing incoming signals, and sending out signals to make the user appear to be somewhere else. SCM-1 listens in on a torpedo's ping cycle, and activates several transmitters. The computer calculates what the signal would sound like coming from a different location (usually closer to the torpedo so the thing detonates prematurely), and factors in distortion. It sends the signal at the proper time, based on the torpedo range and bearing.

The boat mounts two Photonic masts instead of periscopes, SAN/BVS-2 model.

20 "Loudmoth" noisemakers are mounted for sonar jamming. 8 "Mimic" Advanced decoys can be mounted, 20 knot capable noisemakers that are designed to provide more in depth decoy work. Four 'Minnow' USVs can be used for reconissance, and are controlled via fiberoptic line.

Export Cost: Estimated at 2 billion per submarine.

The Most Honorable Sultan Mohammed bin Al Deeb has sent this written enquirey.

"It is with great curiosity that I veiw this weapon, while we are traditionally a desert people we hold much coastal land and travel between colonies most frequently.

My question lays in the effectiveness of this weapon in the role of defensive patrol and interdiction of enemy submarines.

If this particular weapon is not your choosen model for this specific purpose I would be most interested in discussing what is that model you most reccomend.

Peace Favor your Nation,
All-h's blessings be upon your People,
Sincerely
Sultan Mohammed bin Al Deeb"

[The Skana is designed to fill the role of a standard SSN: It can be used as defensive patrol, but not in littoral operations (those close to shore), where it would have significant disadvantages due to its size. The Skana is best used in 'blue water' operations, patrolling your nation from farther out. As a defensive escort to surface ships, it can work very well with long sensor range and a high complement of ASW weapons. For the same reasons, and for its speed, it is also an excellent sub interdictor.]

The Havenite Navy would like to upgrade its sub fleet from the Orca's we've been using to these new Skana's. If these are indeed the next generation of Orca's then we have no doubt they will perform beautifally.

The Fujishima Corporation would like to invest in one of these machines for testing purposes, for say, USD$2,000,000,000. Also, if possible, we would like to license the rights to this design.

Tenmangu Fujishima
PR Officer
Fujishima Corp.

tag.

[This all depends. Agulhas Dynamics and General Electromagnetics, like all other corporations of the UCSNE, are very strict about liscencing production rights. If any of the technology from the vessel was found in another product or that the vessel was being sold by Fujishima, serious legal and alternative* actions would be taken to ensure the production rights contract was kept intact.]

OOC:

*The vast majority of UCSNE corporations have subsidized mercenary groups and private military contractors. Previous infractions of contract (on NS) have lead to surgical strikes, information warfare attacks, and market disruption.

In other words, don't break the contract.

IC:
[SafeHaven2: As an ally of the UCSNE and a prolific customer of its corporations, we will gladly offer you production rights for a sum of 500 billion USD. While the cost is high, this is to account for the fact that the Skana project was built by a larger body of corporations than most other UCSNE ship designs.]

Written response.

"Given that the Bedou Empire is in a current economic valley, as it were, we make an initial order of two of the Skana weapons. We hope this proves to be a profitable venture for both the Bedou people and the UCSNE corporations.

Payment will be made in any prescribed manner in keeping with the customs of the UCSNE providing they do not breach Bedou law."
Signed
Sultan Al Deeb

[This all depends. Agulhas Dynamics and General Electromagnetics, like all other corporations of the UCSNE, are very strict about liscencing production rights. If any of the technology from the vessel was found in another product or that the vessel was being sold by Fujishima, serious legal and alternative* actions would be taken to ensure the production rights contract was kept intact.]

OOC:

*The vast majority of UCSNE corporations have subsidized mercenary groups and private military contractors. Previous infractions of contract (on NS) have lead to surgical strikes, information warfare attacks, and market disruption.

In other words, don't break the contract.


SIC:

Rest assuredly, the Fujishima Corporation is not committed to theft of intellectual property. We understand the consequences; we have seen the results. This does mean, of course, that we are committed to obeying the contract.

One thing though. We are committed to developing an atomic power program, for solely peaceful purposes and for domestic use only. May we study the reactor technology inside of said submarine for this purpose? If this is not acceptable, then this part may be ignored.

Tenmangu Fujishima
PR Officer
Fujishima Corp.

While it is more expensive than usual we are sure that it will prove its worth. It is like always a plessure doing bussiness with the UCSNE.

[All payments are to be wired via a secure, encrypted account transfer line]

[Fujishima: The Skana's Guenther series Pebblebed reactor is an excellent choice for your program. Pebblebed reactors cannot melt down, and they are much cleaner and safer than other reactors in many respects. The Pebblebed Reactor is an integral part in the UCSNE's alternative-fuel based economy.]

*Clap clap* Beautiful sub.

Looks good. I doubt the speed of the thing though, even with all the waterjets and such, this thing has to weigh a lot.

OOC: 10,000, actually. But the PB9CS is bigger than any RL attack sub reactor, and it's more thermally efficient. Since it can't meltdown without outside intervention (like, say, a thermite lance), the crew can push it harder than any USN reactor could be, without risk of blowing the sub to bits. It's not recommended, but a good reactor crew can pull it off easily.

I will use a quote by CSJ:

For starters, lets look at the things that they have in common. Both types use geared steam turbines to turn the propeller, as well as for powering electrical systems, and both use seawater as the standard coolant. They have the same speed limitations and endurance (those are products of hull and other factors unrelated to the engines themselves). This means that nuclear power plants are not faster or more efficient than then conventional ones, and you will gain no increase in top speed by using them. They have similar survivability as well, with the nuclear plant being better protected but conventional being far easier to repair.

The full thread is found here: Link (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=292413)

OOC: I've read that thread, and you really have no idea what the argument is...

This is pebblebed nuclear reactor versus the standard USN nuclear reactors. You're talking about conventional nukes versus conventional engines.

(On second thought, the Alfa's Liquid Metal Nuke might be faster than this, but I'd rather not have my subs engines explode)

[All payments are to be wired via a secure, encrypted account transfer line]

[Fujishima: The Skana's Guenther series Pebblebed reactor is an excellent choice for your program. Pebblebed reactors cannot melt down, and they are much cleaner and safer than other reactors in many respects. The Pebblebed Reactor is an integral part in the UCSNE's alternative-fuel based economy.]

SIC:

Payment has been wired via Secure Credit Suisse Account #0932u5-tgdev0E83wE. Thanks!

As for the reactor, I thank you for your suggestions. If I interpret this correctly, this means that permission is granted to begin back-engineering?

Junichiro Fujishima
CEO
Fujishima Corp.

[You may back-engineer the reactor components. A team of Guenther Ltd. engineers will be sent to your nation for assistance and monitoring.]

[You may back-engineer the reactor components. A team of Guenther Ltd. engineers will be sent to your nation for assistance and monitoring.]

SIC:

Thank you. You will not be forgotten.

Junichiro Fujishima
CEO
Fujishima Corp.

OOC: Do we RP your guys coming, or do I just say they've arrived? And would this need a seperate thread?

OOC: You can assume they've arrived, unless you want to make an RP about your nuclear program.

OOC: You can assume they've arrived, unless you want to make an RP about your nuclear program.

OOC: Well, I have an intro thread going up. Might as well RP the reactor going up there.

EDIT: Here's the link. (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=434602)

The argument still applies. This thing aught to have a very big reactor to propell this thing at those speeds. The bigger reactor would also make more nosie than a smaller one. The thing might be very well armed, but it will lose some stealth if you want to go at high speeds. This is one thing that SSBNs have trouble with.

Uh, you think I don't know that already? Of COURSE the reactor is bigger. The sub is bigger than any SSN the USN has in the water right now. And no, this reactor will not make much more noise than a smaller one: The amount of coolant pumps on a Pebblebed reactor is significantly less than needed on a Pressurized Water Reactor that the RL world uses for its nuclear submarines. Furthermore, I can push my reactor harder than any RL Pressurized Water Reactor because Pebblebeds have a higher thermal efficiency, and there is no threat of a reactor going critical, even with weapons-grade uranium in the fuel spheres.

I am very aware that it will be noisier if it goes faster. That happens on all subs, with any type of engine. That's a basic principle of machinery. And SSBNs don't have that problem. SSBNs never go fast, nor are they designed to. If you look at USN SSBN tactics, the entire point is that their reactors are designed for quiet, and since the SSBN can launch on its target from virtually anywhere in the world, speed is not of necessity.

However, my SSN has to have the capability for high speeds, when necessary. Obviously it would sacrifice stealth to do so. Unlike an SSBN, an SSN that is designed to combat other submarines may need speed when it engages in combat, or to move to intercept another submarine.

Please don't lecture me on this. I've done my research, and I know what I'm doing. This isn't my first sub design.

[SSN378 Skana Class Nuclear Attack Submarine]

Propulsion
The maximum speed for this vessel is about 45 knots, but this is rarely used outside of sea trials.

That covers speed versus noise volume.
However, I want to say somehting to this stupid argument.

The volume is not nor has it ever been a problem, it is the sound signature.

There is plenty of LOUD noise underwater--it is the distinct sounds that SSNs and SSBNs cause which is the problem.

NE addressed those problems
1. "Sharkskin" coating. obviously not real sharkskin but a substance designed to minimize the acoustic refraction caused by sound bouncing off the hull exterior.

2. Using the prop noise and processors to match background noise in comination with the Mag drive--the Black Hole effect.

3. Then standard acoustic shielding of internal noise.


If someone claims ot have a truly silent sub they are an idiot--so is anyone who argues from the position it is possible.
His sub utilizes the soundest theories on Acoustic Stealth--Not Acoustic Invisibility.

His Sub would be seen last--not never--just last.
I have not seen many subs on this board as well thought out.
Most have much more jargon--but far less thought. His lack of cut and paste crap from acoustic sites and sub sites, while his clear demonstration of grasping the concept of underwater stealth wins his end of the arguement--as in his post, the top speed was rarely used--outside of time trials.
Duh. Everyone knows the faster you go the louder you are--he never denied that.

Nice Sub.

It still is to fast in my mind. It out performs any RL sub by at least 10 knots.

No.

Russian Alfa class went between 45-55 knots depending on who you believe (normal sized nuclear reactor on a diesel sized sub).

And again, you don't understand the concept of 'sea trials'. That's the fastest the sub has ever gone. While overworking the reactor. In optimal waters. With no regard for stealth.

If it's too fast in your mind, then you must be minding a different idea of 'sea trials' and a different real world than I am.

wait, were the trials with or without full weapons load and full crew?

Full crew, standard weapons load, straight line, took it a long time to hit it with reactor on over 100% safe limit. (Like all ships, it takes a long time to hit fullspeed, and can only sustain it for so long).

Like I said, Sea Trials. Test the limits of the boat.