Narwal
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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Narwal-class nuclear-powered attack submarine |
| Operators: |
 Velikoslavia |
| Preceded by: | Brande-class Submarine |
| In service: | 2020 - present |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Nuclear attack submarine |
| Tonnage: |
8,923 Metric tons surfaced 14,523 Metric tons submerged |
| Length: | 118.5 m |
| Beam: | 13.7 m |
| Propulsion: |
1 x nuclear reactor 2 x Steam turbines 1 x single shaft pump-jet propulsor 2 x secondary dorsal and ventral propulsion motors |
| Speed: | 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph) or over |
| Range: | unlimited |
| Endurance: | 150 days food supply |
| Test depth: | 1,850 ft (563.8 meters) reported |
| Complement: | 140 (20 officers, 120 enlisted) |
| Armament: |
8 x 26.5-inch torpedo tubes for 21-inch weapons
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The Narwal-class nuclear powered attack submarine in service with the Velikoslavian Navy. Designed to achieve goals set forth by the admiralty for a competent, long-range submarine capable of operating alone in hostile waters in order for extended durations to achieve a complicated set of objectives. The first Narwal-class submarine was launched in 2018 and has been in service since 2020.
The class is one of the largest produced by the Velikoslavian Navy for it's specific role, being outsized by dedicated guided-missile submarines. The design purpose, as mentioned previously, is to be able to conduct long-range operations independently. These will include locating, tracking and engaging enemy high-value surface targets such as aircraft carriers and supply convoys. The class supports generous crew accomodations which supports the
Design
The Narwal-class design is based off of the older Brande-class SSN which it is currently slated to replace in service. The class was titled Project 15124 until the announcement of the first ship of the class, the Narwal. The design follows requests by the admiralty for a modern, top-of-the-line submarine capable of long duration expeditions from a home port along with an ability to conduct changing, complex operations ranging from anti-shipping duties, anti-submarine duties, and intelligence gathering operations. The final version now in operation is capable of conducting a wider range of operations away from Velikoslavian waters than any previous design, with some theorising the operation of complicated mini-submersibles for special operations in foreign waters.
The design of the submarine has resulted in a 118.50 meter length with a 13.7 meter beam, displacing some 8,923 metric tons while surfaced increasing to 14,523 metric tons when submerged. The test depth, meaning the depth of which the submarine was tested during trials and is therefore used as the safest possible depth of the boat, is 1,850 feet but expert analysists estimate the true depth would greatly exceed 2,000 feet. The hull of the design is constructed utilising HY-100 nickel-alloy steel to allow it operate at such depths as previously described and is built in one phase around a completed pressure hull with special cutting areas for reactor replacement during refits. The submarine is covered in more than 43,500 classified anechoic tile which minimises sonar detection by both absorbing and distorting sonar waves and are attached utilising high-strength adhesive designed by the Velikoslavian government specifically for the role. The tiles, which are produced and attached in parts, have previously been prone to failures (falling off due to impacts with sea-life or underwater objects), have so far not suffered failures following the introduction of the new high-strength adhesive on the first ship of the class.
The class has stowage for a reported 50 munitions within the forward torpedo storage bay which ranges from the EF58 Scorpo heavy torpedoes to cruise missiles. The vessels operate a new command system, referred simply as the Nawal Management System, which eases the translation of data from external sensors to displays within the command rooms. The class' eight 26.5-inch torpedo tubes allow it to both operate the munitions previously described or be used for special operations, allowing special forces to deploy a torpedo-shaped mini-submersible for extended range operations from the vessel in question, although the class is also designed to be able to operate a mini-sub docked on the top of the boat, a specialised dry-garage to allow the operation of smaller mini-submersibles, or potentially unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV).
Designed to utilise a pressured water reactor and outfitted with a pump-jet propulsor, the class is rated to be able to achieve almost permanent operation at seas with the exception of maintenance, refits and food supplies. The reactor utilised onboard the design has been previously seen aboard the larger guided-missile submarine classes of the Velikoslavian navy. The sail of the class is designed to be able to pierce through ice caps and the vessels cross-shape stern planes are reinforced to either breach through or 'rest' against the ice with the upper sections of the submarine able to remain surfaced above the ice. The aforementioned food supplies required for the submarines operation are often limited to 150 days of food carried, and practices of resupplying at sea with friendly vessels of the Velikoslavian navy or other friendly nations is commonplace while on deployment.
The designed speed of the class is 25 knots officially, but in testing it was reported that in emergency situations the vessel was capable of exceeding 30 knots. Weapons tests of the class during the sea trials of Narwal proved that it had the capability of simultaneously firing ordnance from both the vertical cells and torpedo tubes, theoretically allowing it engage two separate surfaced combatants at the same time in separate directions. The vertical cells, while originally slated to utilise the same missile ordnance as the torpedo tubes, were increased in size allowing it of fire the newer Kopye anti-ship missile.
The mast design of the class utilise a non-hull penetrating design which is common among contemporary designs, as such the pressure hull is not breached unnecessarily which permits it to operate at greater depths. The optronics masts, which have two for search and target acquisition, utilise visual, infrared, low-light and laser rangefinding options. A navigation radar, an ESM antenna, a laser communication antenna and others such as a SATCOM antenna, combination UHF/VHF communications antenna, an emergency snorkel mast and finally two utility masts have been installed. These two masts are for self defense or visual reconnaisance and are capable of operating a singular short-range UAV which is then operated via the same mast's connected antenna. The UAV is capable of a water landing, at which point it is then recovered by specially trained personnel who would leave the submarine via the lockout shelter. The UAV is capable of breaking into smaller components without difficulty to allow it to either be recovered into the shelter or be stowed and returned to the mast.
Ships in class
| Name | Number | Builder | Launched | Comissioned | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Narwal | TBD | TBD | 8 August 2018 | 13 February 2020 | Active service |