Defense Corporations
15-01-2009, 20:57
Introduction: The Rambler is a revolutionary submarine for us, using three technologies for the first time in our designs - Air Independent Propulsion, which uses hydrogen fuel cells to provide almost totally silent propulsion, the Mk.42U VLS designed for the CM-8 Speargun small cruise missile, and the UAM-97 undersea anti-air missile, a modified AAM design that can be fired from ordinary torpedo tubes and used to attack small targets, from ASuW choppers to barges to coastal bunkers. This sub is designed for local defense, as a silent, nearly-undetectable weapons platform; it can also support naval offensives as a scout for enemy ships and subs, using its mast-launched UAVs in support of this mission. The MS-5 variant, which carries up to 24 additional cruise missiles in place of some decoys and torpedo tubes, can fire its weapons off more quickly than the PS-5, making it well-suited for coastal defense.
Hull: The Rambler is a twin-hull design, carrying its fuel and oxidizers between the hulls. Its stern planes are arranged in an 'X', allowing operation in depths as small as 25m. On the sail, we fit two photonics masts, antennas for the XR/UNR-8 submarine navigation I-band radar, FL1800U radar warning receiver and undersea communications systems, the TB-29 passive thin-line towed-array sail-mounted sonar (currently used on the SSN-774 Virginia-class sub), and the snorkel. Stealth is built into the design, from the use of photonics masts in place of periscopes to prismatic hull cross-sections and smoothly-faired transitions from hull to sail, along with extensive use of demagnetized and nonmagnetic materials in constructing the ship and its interior.
Sensors: The Rambler has two photonics masts, each fitted with a GPS, a laser rangefinder, a FLIR and modern high-resolution cameras, connected by fiber optic cables to the control center inside the pressure hull, and an aviation mast, capable of launching up to four EMT Aladin light recon drones (or similar drones). It uses the MS/USS-40U sonar suite, based on DBQS40 sonar suite found on the Type 212; the MS/USS-40U comprises hull- and sail-mounted passive sonars (the FAS-3 flank array and TB-29 thin-line towed array) and a mine detection sonar (the MOA 3070). The ISUS-90 in the control center integrates data from the various sensor systems to provide a coherent picture of the outside world.
Countermeasures: Countermeasures come in three types. First, inherent resistance to enemy sensors, provided by the stealthy, nonmagnetic design of the ship itself. Second, passive detection of enemy sensors, provided by the FL1800U radar warning receiver and MT-70 sonar intercept receiver. Third, active decoying of enemy sensors, provided by the Tau decoy launchers. In the PS-5, four launchers, each with 10 decoys, are fitted; in the MS-5, two launchers, each with 8 decoys, are fitted.
Propulsion: The Rambler's propulsion consists of two separate mechanisms. First, for low-speed operations, the sub features 6 large 150kW polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) hydrogen fuel cells, which convert hydrogen and oxygen into electrical power and water. To prevent a short-circuit or gas cross-over, a thin, 50 micrometer membrane is used; we chose to use a membrane derived from polybenzimidazole, which does not need liquid humidification (unlike Nafion, the typical membrane for PEM fuel cells) and can thus operate at higher, more efficient temperatures, up to 220 degrees C. Second, for high-speed operations, the Rambler uses a more conventional diesel-electric motor generating 1700kW and driving a seven-bladed skewback propellor specially designed to reduce cavitation while preserving thrust efficiency.
Weaponry: The PS-5 has eight 660mm torpedo tubes in two compartments, one behind the other. Each compartment can carry up to 8 conventional torpedoes, 9 supercavitating torpedoes, 10 anti-sub standoff missiles or sub-launched cruise missiles, or 12 naval mines or UAM-97 sub-launched missiles (3 missiles per tube). The MS-5 replaces the two torpedo rooms with a single room about two-thirds the size of both rooms combined, with six 660mm torpedo tubes carrying up to 12 conventional torpedoes, 13 supercavitating torpedoes, 15 anti-sub standoff missiles or sub-launched cruise missiles, or 18 naval mines or UAM-97 sub-launched wire-guided missiles. It also contains a 24-cell Mk.41LU undersea vertical launch system; each cell can contain a CM-8 cruise missile or up to 3 UAM-97 wire-guided missiles. An additional 24 naval mines can be deployed from external mounts.
Specifications
Displacement: 1700 tonnes surfaced, 2000 tonnes submerged
Length: 68.5m
Beam: 7m
Draft: 6m
Propulsion: MTU 16V 396 diesel generator for a Permasyn 1700kW electric motor driving a 7-blade skewback propellor; also, 6 PEM fuel cells, 150kW each
Submerged speed: on AIP - 14.5 km/h (7.8 knots); on diesel & AIP - 37.04 km/h (20 knots)
Surface speed: 22.25 km/h (12 knots)
Range: 15000km at 14.5 km/h
Endurance: on AIP, 3 weeks; overall, 12 weeks
Depth: 25m-625m
Crew: 6 officers, 23-28 enlisted
Armament: PS-5 - up to 16 conventional torpedoes or 18 supercavitating torpedoes or 20 anti-ship standoff missiles or sub-launched cruise missiles or 24 UAM-97s or 48 naval mines. MS-5 - up to 12 conventional torpedoes or 13 supercavitating torpedoes or 15 anti-sub standoff missiles or sub-launched cruise missiles or 42 naval mines or 66 UAM-97 sub-launched wire-guided missiles; up to 16 CM-8 small sub-launched cruise missiles.
Countermeasures: PS-5 - 40 Tau decoys; MS-5 - 16 Tau decoys
Aviation: 4 EMT Aladin (or similar) light recon drones
Variants: PS-5, MS-5
Price: PS-5 - $360 million, MS-5 $395 million
OOC - see NSD (http://z4.invisionfree.com/NSDraftroom/index.php?showtopic=5229) for discussion
Hull: The Rambler is a twin-hull design, carrying its fuel and oxidizers between the hulls. Its stern planes are arranged in an 'X', allowing operation in depths as small as 25m. On the sail, we fit two photonics masts, antennas for the XR/UNR-8 submarine navigation I-band radar, FL1800U radar warning receiver and undersea communications systems, the TB-29 passive thin-line towed-array sail-mounted sonar (currently used on the SSN-774 Virginia-class sub), and the snorkel. Stealth is built into the design, from the use of photonics masts in place of periscopes to prismatic hull cross-sections and smoothly-faired transitions from hull to sail, along with extensive use of demagnetized and nonmagnetic materials in constructing the ship and its interior.
Sensors: The Rambler has two photonics masts, each fitted with a GPS, a laser rangefinder, a FLIR and modern high-resolution cameras, connected by fiber optic cables to the control center inside the pressure hull, and an aviation mast, capable of launching up to four EMT Aladin light recon drones (or similar drones). It uses the MS/USS-40U sonar suite, based on DBQS40 sonar suite found on the Type 212; the MS/USS-40U comprises hull- and sail-mounted passive sonars (the FAS-3 flank array and TB-29 thin-line towed array) and a mine detection sonar (the MOA 3070). The ISUS-90 in the control center integrates data from the various sensor systems to provide a coherent picture of the outside world.
Countermeasures: Countermeasures come in three types. First, inherent resistance to enemy sensors, provided by the stealthy, nonmagnetic design of the ship itself. Second, passive detection of enemy sensors, provided by the FL1800U radar warning receiver and MT-70 sonar intercept receiver. Third, active decoying of enemy sensors, provided by the Tau decoy launchers. In the PS-5, four launchers, each with 10 decoys, are fitted; in the MS-5, two launchers, each with 8 decoys, are fitted.
Propulsion: The Rambler's propulsion consists of two separate mechanisms. First, for low-speed operations, the sub features 6 large 150kW polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) hydrogen fuel cells, which convert hydrogen and oxygen into electrical power and water. To prevent a short-circuit or gas cross-over, a thin, 50 micrometer membrane is used; we chose to use a membrane derived from polybenzimidazole, which does not need liquid humidification (unlike Nafion, the typical membrane for PEM fuel cells) and can thus operate at higher, more efficient temperatures, up to 220 degrees C. Second, for high-speed operations, the Rambler uses a more conventional diesel-electric motor generating 1700kW and driving a seven-bladed skewback propellor specially designed to reduce cavitation while preserving thrust efficiency.
Weaponry: The PS-5 has eight 660mm torpedo tubes in two compartments, one behind the other. Each compartment can carry up to 8 conventional torpedoes, 9 supercavitating torpedoes, 10 anti-sub standoff missiles or sub-launched cruise missiles, or 12 naval mines or UAM-97 sub-launched missiles (3 missiles per tube). The MS-5 replaces the two torpedo rooms with a single room about two-thirds the size of both rooms combined, with six 660mm torpedo tubes carrying up to 12 conventional torpedoes, 13 supercavitating torpedoes, 15 anti-sub standoff missiles or sub-launched cruise missiles, or 18 naval mines or UAM-97 sub-launched wire-guided missiles. It also contains a 24-cell Mk.41LU undersea vertical launch system; each cell can contain a CM-8 cruise missile or up to 3 UAM-97 wire-guided missiles. An additional 24 naval mines can be deployed from external mounts.
Specifications
Displacement: 1700 tonnes surfaced, 2000 tonnes submerged
Length: 68.5m
Beam: 7m
Draft: 6m
Propulsion: MTU 16V 396 diesel generator for a Permasyn 1700kW electric motor driving a 7-blade skewback propellor; also, 6 PEM fuel cells, 150kW each
Submerged speed: on AIP - 14.5 km/h (7.8 knots); on diesel & AIP - 37.04 km/h (20 knots)
Surface speed: 22.25 km/h (12 knots)
Range: 15000km at 14.5 km/h
Endurance: on AIP, 3 weeks; overall, 12 weeks
Depth: 25m-625m
Crew: 6 officers, 23-28 enlisted
Armament: PS-5 - up to 16 conventional torpedoes or 18 supercavitating torpedoes or 20 anti-ship standoff missiles or sub-launched cruise missiles or 24 UAM-97s or 48 naval mines. MS-5 - up to 12 conventional torpedoes or 13 supercavitating torpedoes or 15 anti-sub standoff missiles or sub-launched cruise missiles or 42 naval mines or 66 UAM-97 sub-launched wire-guided missiles; up to 16 CM-8 small sub-launched cruise missiles.
Countermeasures: PS-5 - 40 Tau decoys; MS-5 - 16 Tau decoys
Aviation: 4 EMT Aladin (or similar) light recon drones
Variants: PS-5, MS-5
Price: PS-5 - $360 million, MS-5 $395 million
OOC - see NSD (http://z4.invisionfree.com/NSDraftroom/index.php?showtopic=5229) for discussion