Skandara Class (Submarine): Difference between revisions

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File:Skan SSBN.jpg
Skandaria class SSBN Bir Hakeim
Class overview
Name: Skandara
Operators: list error: <br /> list (help)
 Dniegua
 Temuair
 Sieuxerr
Template:Country data Austrasien
Preceded by: Various
Cost: $1.2bn USD
Built: 2004-
In service: 2006-
In commission: 2006-
Planned: As ordered
Building: 6
Completed: 20
Active: 17
General characteristics
Displacement: list error: <br /> list (help)
8,600 surfaced
13,800 tons submerged<
Length: 120m
Beam: 15m
Propulsion: list error: <br /> list (help)
1 x KM type Pressurized water reactor
All-Aspect pumpjet
Speed: list error: <br /> list (help)
20kn surfaced
28kn
Range: unlimited except by food supplies
Complement: 90 (32 officers)
Sensors and
processing systems:
Derim ESM/ECM Snoop Pair Surface Search Radar
Armament:

list error: <br /> list (help)
40 x (8x5) VLS Modules
x8 SSBNs, x40 land attack cruise missiles

10 x torpedo tubes (8x650mm and 2x533mm).

The Skandara-class SSBN is a joint Skanderan nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine in use b several nations of the Skanderan Union. Considerably stealthier than most modern submarines due to a corkscrew propeller, significant body design innovations, and a nonmagnetic hull, the Skandara-class was a joint development between all members of the Skanderan Union, and represents a major stride in submarine technology. Following a 15 year long development among members of the SU, the Skandara class standardized SSBN/SSGN technology and ships among member states in an effort to reduce unit cost, improve maintenance times and periods, and rapidly create supremacy in and around Skanderan waters.

The Skandara-class is currently operated by members of the Skanderan Union with submarine launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) within their arsenal; with the acceptation of Temuair, whom uses them primarily as nuclear-powered cruse missile submarines (SSGNs). There are currently 17 subs in service, with more planned as the Skanderan continental ambitions grow.

Design and Operational History

National Involvement

The Skandara-class SSBN first began development in the early 1980s under the supervision of design firms from Skanderan member nations. The hull design was undertaken by a joint Dniegua-Austrasien design firm, drawing engineering teams, design features and technologies from an earlier submarine design ambition, Project Concept Formulation (CONFROM), which the two nations jointly developed and tested before the cancellation. The firm originally proposed a sailless design utilizing specialized control surfaces that conformed to the submarine; such surfaces would create minimal cavitation during travel and reduce drag when traveling submerged.

File:SKASSBN Concept 1.jpg
The original Skandara-class SSBN proposal, with retractable sensor suite.

Electronics, periscopes and antenna would be stored in retractable bays within the submarine, thereby eliminating unnecessary hull protrusions and further reducing drag. The hull was to be constructed of non-magnetic materials with sonar absorbing properties, which would reduce any probably of sonar return.

The propulsion system was a undertaken by Sieuxerr, whom designed the reactors for the ship. Temuair supplied an advanced corkscrew, helix drive and propeller system, which would cavitate less than normal propeller designs. Also proposed were water-powered high-speed pushing systems. These systems utilized a mass intake of water and, utilizing great force, forced the water though a set of four independently angled propulsion ports which would control the subs pitch, yaw and speed. While fast, especially with the ships low-drag body, this was deemed both too complex, large and and too noisy; the sound of water entering collection bays would be extremely loud, so much so the sub would need to do so at depths greater than 1000 meters to acutely avoid detection. The ship would need several partitioned areas with independent pressure equalization systems in order to do so properly. In addition, the collection bays would make the ships far too large, if it were to continuously sustain operations at depths which it would be able to attack enemy forces. Maneuvering would have been extremely difficult, and the proposal was scrapped in favor of Temuair's proposed drive and pumpjet system.

The Hull is composed of HY-130 steel.

Weapon systems and sensors were handled by Dniegua. The Skanderan standard 533 mm and 650 mm Torpedo tubes were fitted in several configurations to several design proposals, eventually settling on a standard configuration array. The VLS modals were planned to fit in two separate locations, both aft and fore, though the design team eventually deciding on aft. The project VLS systems were to carry 50 cells, later reduced to 40. Weapon systems were supplied by Dniegua, Temuair and Sieuxerr.

Gratislavia provided technical, monetary and emotional support, and stole crafted commemorative pots upon the completion of the first submarine.

Semi-Sailless

While efficient and quite underway, the sailless deign proved to be complex and have a number of drawbacks. The test submarine found itself unable to communicate with command with retracted antenna beyond certain depths, and often found itself without electronic sensors as a result of the retracted electronic systems. The opening, raising and closing of the systems proved to be too noisy. In addition, projections showed the design would be unable to reliably break though large amounts of ice buildup, as is common in Skanderan waters.

This spelled an end for the sailless design of the Skandara-class, resulting in a "semi-sailless" design. The inclusion of the conventional sail was forgone, resulting in a conformal sail design with a gradual upward slope and very low-drag curved design. While not as efficient as the sailless design, it represented a major improvement over conventional designs, and reduced the cost of the sub.

Operational testing

The first prototype submarine, Skandara, entered operational testing in 2000, wherein it underwent excessive sea trials.During testing, the sub was sent to infiltrate various battle groups of member nations fleets, "sink" ships, and avoid detection. No member state was able to detect the submarine, much to the mixed emotional response of various military commanders. The Dnieguan Naval Commander Gustav Temorvich in particular, was quite conflicted when the ship "sunk" a pair of submarine-hunting ships within the Torvland class ships escort group. The ship made a number of deep test dives before finally being declared combat ready. The Skandara now exists as an active museum ship, changing location every 3 months, and is the only jointly-owned ship of the Skanderan Union.

Ships in Service

Ship name Laid down Launched Commissioned Nation Status
Sigrun 20 March, 2003 1 May, 2005 17 June, 2006 Template:Country data Austrasien Active
Swanhild 20 March, 2003 1 May, 2005 5 June, 2006 Template:Country data Austrasien Active
Saxa 29 March, 2006 15 April, 2008 13 May, 2009 Template:Country data Austrasien Active
Sidonia 5 May, 2009 16 April, 2011 2 April, 2012 Template:Country data Austrasien Active
Sunna 17 May, 2012 7 June, 2014 Template:Country data Austrasien Trials
Skaland 10 January 2003 14 March 2005 12 November 2006  Dniegua Active
Vordland 10 January 2003 14 March 2005 12 November 2006  Dniegua Active
Sonderland 17 December 2006 23 Febuary 2008 2 October 2008  Dniegua Active
Turmland 14 November 2008 23 Febuary 2009 2 January 2010  Dniegua Active
Skoorland 14 December 2012 23 April 2014  Dniegua Undergoing trials
Jorgland 14 December 2012 26 April 2014  Dniegua Undergoing trials
Bir Hakeim April 11, 2004 August 23, 2006 January 6, 2008  Sieuxerr Active
Marne April 11, 2004 August 25, 2006 January 16, 2008  Sieuxerr Active
Ypres May 1, 2004 November 19, 2006 March 22, 2008  Sieuxerr Active
Verdun May 30, 2004 October 4, 2006 June 6, 2008  Sieuxerr Active
Belleau Wood May 30, 2004 October 9, 2006 June 24, 2008  Sieuxerr Active
Koufra May 30, 2004 October 11, 2006 June 25, 2008  Sieuxerr Active
Chimera 21, June 2003 29 December 2006 11 May, 2008  Temuair Active
Bala 2 February, 2012 24 December, 2014  Temuair Sea trials , expected early 2016