Chimera-class Submarine

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Class overview
Name:	Chimera-class Ballistic Missile Submarine
Builders:	1998-present: BAU Submarines
Operators:	Republic Navy
Preceded by:	Bjorlan-class Submarine
Built:	1998-present
In service:	2004-present
Completed:	4
Active:	4
General characteristics
Type:	Ballistic missile submarine
Displacement:	17,000 tonnes (17,000 long tons)
Length:	172.65 m (566.4 ft)
Beam:	14 m (46 ft)
Draft:	11 m (36 ft)
Propulsion:	1 x Sentennei S14G Reactor 2 x Steam Turbines driving shaft 1 x Battery backup propulsion drive 1 x WATERCON Propulsion system 2 x Deployable limited-speed propulsors
Speed:	+30–35 knots (35–40 mph)
Range:	Theoretically unlimited
Endurance:	Only limited by food and maintenance requirements.
Test depth:	400 m (1,300 ft)
Complement:	155
Sensors and processing systems:	IAS 220 Multi-purpose Mast array KSI 110-E5 Intelligence System RHEA Network RN/BPS-22 Surface-Search Radar RN/BLQ-12(V)3 SIGINT Array Type 3520 Hull Sonar Flank Array (Passive) Type 3525 Hull Sonar Active Type 3525 Hull sonar, Mine/Obstacle Avoidance Type 3300 Towed Array Sonar system, dual cable RN/WLY-5 Acoustic Intercept/Torpedo Warning
Armament:	4 × 533 mm torpedo tubes with stowage for up to 16 weapons; 24 x silos for Kerberos ballistic missiles. SST-28B Huntsman Torpedo Mark 45 Multi-purpose Torpedo Mark 90 Mine

The Chimera is a class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile carrying submarines, or SSBN. It is the sole SSBN class in service with the Republic Navy. The class is named after the mythic creature, and like the creature of ancient legend is capable of creating a terrible strike with it's twenty-four nuclear missiles. The eight in-service Chimera submarines carry over half of the Belfrasian inventory for strategic thermonuclear warheads, although the exact number deployed on each submarine and in storage is intentionally unknown, unpredictable, and highly classified.

Design

Kerberos Missile being launched from a Chimera-class submarine

The Chimera-class Submarine was designed by BAU Submarines to replace the rapidly aging Bjorlan-class, which went out of service in 2005 after a rapid decommissioning program temporarily gave responsibility for the country's deterrent over to it's land-based silos. The class was designed around a need to extend the duration of deterrence patrols with more of the submarines time, if not the entire patrol, being conducted whilst submerged. The submarine follows heavy design influences from the smaller Chanson-class attack submarine, with section-based design allowing for rapid building. The silo sections were built without the silos installed and were later finished with a vertical installation of the silos. This method of installation ensures the hull's needed smoothness and continuity for it's stealth properties and allows for a greater ability to conduct repairs or upgrades as needed.

Weighing 17,000 tonnes at operational load and a length of 172.65 meters, the submarine is one of the largest ever utilized by the Republic Navy. Designed to operate with the Sentennei S14G reactor that drives it's two steam turbines, the ship is also capable of operating solely on it's dual extending propulsion unit. In practical usage, most submarines have been documented as using the unit for stealth runs or for when operating at heightened emission control status, or EMCON. The unit is capable of providing a speed of 5 knots in a three-hundred and sixty (360) degree vector for the submarine. The WATERCON propulsion system was also documented as used aboard the Chimera and it's operation remains highly classified.

The design includes twenty-four silos for the Kerberos Missile and four torpedo tubes with an ammunition capacity of sixteen weapons with a further option to expand that capacity to twenty-four at the sacrifice of a storage room on the deck below. Following the theme of modularity expressed heavily by the Republic Navy, the silos are capable of being refitted with a vertical launch system (VLS) unit or the 'VLS can'. This allows the silo to then equip a cluster of Lance missiles or a smaller amount of heavier, supersonic missiles. Although the introduction of the Manticore-class submarine in the same year as the Chimera removed this from a logical step, with the purpose-built guided-missile submarines (SSGN) utilizing the same system.

Each submarine was designed to include a twenty-seven (27) meter flat area that runs from the silos to the conning tower and resides directly over a modular deck for special operation purposes. In practice, this allows the deployment of dry deck shelters or the Special Forces Delivery Vehicle (SPECDEV). The SPECDEV is an advanced mini-submersible intended for the delivery and operation of special forces at ranges from the submarine. It is commonly utilized by the Myrmidon Special Operations Group (SECGRU)

Highly advanced communication equipment uplinks the submarine to both it's squadron headquarters and the central nuclear command that would allow the crew to communicate with the outside world and to prevent confusion in the event of a nuclear attack. The exact procedure of a nuclear response by the Chimera submarines remains classified, but is believed to include a multitude of strike packages to allow for prompt retaliation.

Ships in service

Name	Number	Builder	Launched	Commissioned	Status
R.N.V Chimera	SSBN-124	BAU Submarine	30 August 2003	15 March 2004	Active
R.N.V Credantia	SSBN-125	BAU Submarine	5 June 2003	30 October 2004	Active
R.N.V Cronos	SSBN-126	BAU Submarine	15 February 2004	18 August 2006	Active
R.N.V Calypso	SSBN-127	BAU Submarine	20 October 2005	18 April 2007	Active