Orca-class submarine
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| Class overview | |
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| Builders: | |
| Operators: |
 Daoan Navy |
| Built: | 2023 - Present |
| Planned: | 9 |
| On order: | 5 |
| Building: | 2 |
| Completed: | 2 |
| Active: | 2 Daoan Navy |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Attack and Ballistic Missile Submarine |
| Displacement: |
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| Length: | 90.2 m (295 ft 11 in) |
| Beam: | 10.1 m (33 ft 2 in) |
| Draught: | 8.4 m (27 ft 7 in) |
| Propulsion: |
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| Speed: |
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| Range: | 11,000 nmi (20,000 km; 13,000 mi) |
| Endurance: | 52 days |
| Complement: | 42 Personnel |
| Sensors and processing systems: |
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| Electronic warfare & decoys: |
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| Armament: |
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The Orca-class submarine is a class of conventionally powered multipurpose attack and ballistic missile submarines in service of the Daoan Congressional Republic Navy (DCRN) built by Khuat Shipyards and Bao Marine. The Orca-class was built upon the lessons and experience from the construction and operation of the license-built Shark-class submarines from Tsurushima. Improvements implemented upon the Orca-class includes; introduction of an Air-independent propulsion system, a substantial amount of automation which reduces crew complement, significant payload capacity increase, enhanced underwater endurance and superlative ergonomics. As a submarine with the capability to launch ballistic missiles the Orca's primary role is to serve as a deterrent against possible military aggression towards Daobac, providing the Daoan government with both first-strike and retaliatory attack options. Its primary armament includes a 12-cell Vertical Launching System equipped with either Hammer submarine launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) or land attack cruise missiles. For anti-submarine warfare it is equipped with the standard Type 10 torpedoes loaded in six 533 mm (21 in) tubes. When on patrol the Orca's SLBMs have no preset target but can quickly given targets by Daobac Self-Defense Forces Strategic Command (STRATCOM) through secure and constant radio communications including very low frequency systems. Aside from being an effective deterrent the Orca was conceived to fulfill specific naval requirements of the DCRN namely; naval operations in littoral waters, guarding sea lines of communication (SLOC), intelligence gathering (ISTAR) and special operations Up to 2024, a total of 2 ships have been commissioned, 2 more under construction and 5 more to procure up until 2035.
Overview
Development
Daoan military planners have long envisioned to both have effective strategic & tactical first-strike and retaliatory attack options in a military conflict with Yunxia or other major powers in the Kayatman & Ozerosi region. The advent of ballistic missile technology in the mid 20th century provided nations with the ability to initiate mass-scale attacks against opponents through land, air and sea based platforms. However due to Daobac's limited budget it needed to prioritize in building up its conventional forces first before diverting funds towards a ballistic missile program. Advancements in rocketry and missile technologies through the Daoan Aeronautical Institute and eventually the Daobac Space Corporation, provided access to the Daobac Self-Defense Forces to explore and assess how to weaponize its domestically made missiles. Daoan ambitions for a submarine-launched ballistic missile program dates all the way back to 1965 when then Rear Admiral <INSERT NAME> first voiced his concern that with the rapid advancement in military technology Daobac's current conventional forces are not enough to deter a future attack from Yunxia or another potentially hostile state. The procurement of a ballistic missile platform would not only provide deterrence but it provides Daobac with the ability for a massive first or retaliatory strike against its adversaries. Due to Daobac's relatively small economy however priority was given to maturing Daobac's conventional forces.
It was not until 1978 when the Ministry of National Security approved a budget for the research and development of a ballistic missile program. In 1986 the program resulted in the creation of the Hammer Mk.1 short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) which could be adopted into land and sea-based launch platforms. In 2010 the Daoan Congressional Republic Navy (DCRN) commissioned a study to determine the best way to adopt the Hammer IRBM for use in the DCRN. The study concluded that the utilization of both destroyers and submarines would be most effective for the navy though the use of a submarine does provide the advantage of stealth for the DCRN. A tender process was held involving both domestic and foreign firms to develop a ballistic missile submarine for Daobac, however due to the strategic and sensitive nature of such an advanced weapons platform many foreign firms were not permitted by their governments to divulge their designs. The tendering process was eventually won by Khuat Shipyards and Bao Marine, two of the largest and most experienced firms in Daobac in the field of shipbuilding having experience in constructing the license-built Shark-class submarines from Tsurushima. The Orca-class is the largest submarine built in Daobac and also the first submarine designed and built largely with domestic technology, unlike the Shark-class submarine which were previuusly produced under license from Tsurushima.
Design
Orca-class submarines have a length of 90.2 meters (295 ft 11 in), with a breadth of 10.1 m (33 ft 2in) and a displacement of 3,450 tonnnes when surfaced and 3,817 tonnes when submerged. It has a speed of about 14 knotsss (26 km/h; 16 mph) while surfaced, 24 knots (44 km/h; 28 mph) while submerged, posseses a cruising rannge of approximately 11,000 nautical miles (20,000 km; 13.000 mi) at econnomic speed and a crew complement of 42 persosnnel. The relatively small crew count is the result a large number of systems and processes that has been automated. Developed by National Innovation and United Defense Systems the STARS combat management system (CMS) allows the crew to operate the ssubmarine on three 4-hour shifts instead of two 6-hour shifts. This allows greater periods of rest for the c rew during protracted underwater deployments. Use of extensive ergonomical factorss for crew comfort such as air conditioning, enlarged living quarters, additionnal showering facilities, individual on-sharing bunk beds, personal media entertainment systems, toilet cubicles, additional storage space were incorporated in the vessel's design which is hoped to keep morale high in long-term deployments. A horizontal multi-purpose airlock where midget submarines and submersibles adapted for special operations use are able to dock with and launch from the Orca.
A key feature and highlight of the Orca-class is the incorporation of an indigenously designed fuel cell powered air independent propulsion (AIP) system which enables the Orca-class to conduct long distance underwater patrols and operations for up to 52 days without the need to resurface. The Zero LN lithium-ion batteries, which is the vessel's primary AIP system, installed on board the Orca is developed by Net Zero; a subsidiary of Tran International. The use of lithium-ion batteries allow the ORca to cruise at greater speeds with greater period of underwater endurance, life-expectancy and durability. The Orca is one of the world's first recorded instances of a ballistic missile submarine powered by an AIP system. Alongside the AIP a conventional BM NGN840 marine diesel engine is also installed on board as a secondary propulsion system. The Orca is equipped with twelve vertical launching system cells which can carry either Mk.1 Hammer submarine-launched ballistic missiles or land attack cruise missiles. For anti-submarine warfare it is equipped with the standard Type 10 torpedoes loaded in six 533 mm (21 in) tubes. The Orca is equipped with an X-shaped rudder configuration for better maneuverability around the littoral waters off the coast of Nangang and the Makrian Ocean off the coast of Yanxia.
Instrumentation
Armament
- Torpedoes: The Orca is equipped with Type 10 heavyweight torpedoes loaded in six 533 mm (21 in) tubes, developed and manufactured by Bao Marine.
- Missiles: twelve VLS cells are equipped on the Orca-classss, capable of launching the Hammer Mk.5B Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles which has a range of around 5,200 km (3,200 mi). Each Hammer SLBM posses multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) capability, allowing the Orca to strike multiple targets with a single Hammer missile. Orcas can also be equipped with conventional land attack cruise missiles for tactical operationss.
- Weapon Handling System: Orcas are equipped with the KYD-11D Weapons Handling & Launch Control system developed by Khuat Technologies.
Sensors
- Combat Management Suite: STARS CMS Suite developed by National Innovation and United Defense Systems.
- Sonar: Bao Marine SNR-400 sonar suite comprised of:
- Flank-array sonar
- Towed-array sonar
- Intercept passive sonar
- Continuous-active sonar
- Mk.3 Mine avoidance sonar
- Electronic warfare:
- Other systems: