Saif al-Bahr-class submarine

	File:Ssgn.jpg GBR Saif al-Bahr (GMN-008) at sea.
Class overview
Name:	Saif al-Bahr-class submarine
Builders:	Riysa
Operators:	Riysa
Preceded by:	Burkan-class submarine
Subclasses:	Za'im-class submarine
Cost:	£L 2.71 - £L 3.13 billion
Built:	2000-present
In service:	2005-present
Planned:	36+ (including 6-9 Za'im-class submarines)
Building:	3
Completed:	15 (including 3 Za'im-class submarines)
Active:	15 (including 3 Za'im-class submarines)
General characteristics
Displacement:	list error: <br /> list (help); 8,600 tons surfaced ; 9,280 tons submerged
Length:	130m
Beam:	17m
Draught:	8.5m
Propulsion:	Riyadi RN3 pressurized water reactor
Speed:	list error: <br /> list (help); 35 knots maximum submerged ; 30 knots silent submerged ; 20 knots surfaced
Range:	unlimited
Endurance:	unlimited except by food supplies and maintenance requirements
Test depth:	600 meters (800 meters design)
Complement:	98 (32 officers)
Sensors and ; processing systems:	Amman A101 optronic masts; Baradaa' acoustics system ; RB-180 Nil navigation and air/surface search radar;
Armament:	list error: <br /> list (help); 32 VLS cells for SMS-300 Asifah missiles ; 8 653 mm torpedo tubes for 35 torpedoes or mines

The Saif al-Bahr-class (Arabic: سيف البحر, English: Sword of the Sea) is a class of Riysian nuclear attack submarines, and is currently the primary class of attack submarine in the Riysian Navy. It is a high-performance multipurpose vessel, carrying both torpedo tubes and cruise missiles, designed to form the bulk of the Navy's growing submarine fleet.

Description

Propulsion and Construction

Saif al-Bahr-class submarines use an RN3 pressurized water reaction for power, and pump-jets for propulsion with low acoustic emissions. The RN3 is a fourth generation nuclear reactor, with a life of up to 33 years and not needing to refuel at any time throughout its life. It takes about five years and nine months to build a single submarine of this class. It can reach speeds of up to 35 knots while submerged and 20 knots while surfaced, and can maintain speeds of up to 30 knots while remaining relatively stealthy.

Boats of this class use a double-hulled configuration made of HY-100 grade nickel-alloy steel, giving the submarines great hull strength and an operating depth greater than that of most submarines. The hulls of all submarines of this class are covered in anechoic tiles to greatly reduce both its active and passive acoustic signature. It is claimed by the Riysian Navy to be extremely silent - more silent than a baby dolphin.

Electronics and other Features

Submarines of this class have been extensively updated. Legacy electro-hydraulic systems in control surface actuation have been replaced by a fiber optic fly-by-wire system, and centralized digital command and combat modules control the submarine. Other upgrades include replacing periscopes with optronic masts, a general hardware package to reduce electromagnetic emissions and improve radio communications gear, a shared computer environment, and upgraded sonar arrays. Many processes have also been automated, greatly reducing the number of crew members on each vessel. These submarines also noticeably more comfortable than its predecessors, with each crew member has their own personal bunk, and the interior being comparably spacious due to the lowered crew count. All submarines can be fitted with a dry deck shelter for special forces.

Armament and Sensors

All ships of this class have storage space for 35 various Riysian heavy torpedoes or mines, as well as 40 (10x4) VLS cells that are capable of launching various Riysian cruise missiles. They also mount a decoy launcher with up to 20 torpedo decoys.

Saif al-Bahr submarines have two non-hull-penetrating telescoping optronic masts, each with high-resolution cameras, image intensification and thermal imaging sensors, infrared laser rangefinders, and an ESM and SIGINT (ELINT & COMINT) array. For detection and targeting, submarines of this class use the Bardaa' acoustics system. It is a sonar suite consisting of active and passive bow, fin, flank, and towed arrays, as well as mine/obstacle avoidance and oceanographic sonar, an acoustic intercept sensor, and an environmental monitor; it is claimed to be sensitive enough to able to detect a moving ship at 100 kilometers. Submarines of this class also have the RB-160 "Nil" radar for surface navigation and air/surface search, with a maximum range of 160 kilometers against aircraft.

Za'im-class submarine (Saif al-Bahr N2)

A handful of submarines belong to a subclass known as Zaim-class submarines. The difference between regular Saif al-Bahr submarines and Za'im-class submarines are that the latter class are 30 meters longer due to an extra modular section, adaptable for a variety of different missions. It is known to be able to be configured as an splicing chamber for tapping into underwater fiber optic cables and a platform for launching remotely operated vehicles and special forces. At least one Za'im-class, the Homat al-Diyar, is thought to have tested reconfiguring the section as space for storing and launching additional munitions - specifically provisions for 8 SMS-700 Zawba'a missiles.

Boats

Production of the Saif al-Bahr class started with two large batches of 8 and 7 submarines, and will be followed by smaller batches of 3-4 submarines to ease the strain on the dockyards.