New Sovietskiy Krokodil Submersible Troop Transport:

Like the Americans, the Soviet Government was interested in submersible designs to fill a variety of different roles. These included fast attack submarines, cruise missile submarines, and ballistic missile submarines. Construction on most of these designs began soon after the Communists took control of the Russian government but the Krokodil was a late idea. The idea was a submersible vessel which could act as a troop transport and could also support the troops with an initial bombardment. The vessel was the largest submarine built before experiments in submersible carriers and is positively huge. It is larger than the American Francis Scott Key class Balistic Missile Submarine class of the same basic time frame and the long scrapped Soviet Typhoon Ballistic Missile Submarine class. The first ship of the class is believed to have entered service in the late 2060s. They were produced in small numbers and it is believed that only four Krokodil Submersible Troop Transports were completed although it is likely that two more under construction when the Rifts appeared and decimated the world including the new Soviet Union. The reason why so few of the submarines were manufactured was because they were actually more expensive than the Soviet carriers were. One of the Krokodil class was used as a test platform for aircraft operating from the deck of a submarine. Just before the Rifts occurred, the four Krokodils were deployed against potentially hostile bases. One was deployed against Iceland, one was deployed against Diego Garcia, one was deployed against an American base in Alaska , and the final was deployed against Greenland.

Two of the submarines were destroyed by American fast attack submarines, one simply disappeared, and the last vessel of the class found its way to other Soviet submersible vessels at their secret base in Antarctica.

The tactic of the vessel was to sneak up to a target, launch a vast volley of cruise missiles to destroy all defenses, and then follow up the attack with troops directly behind them. The basic idea was to create a multi-role vessel which is submersible and puts both the troops and the cruise missiles on the same platform. Soviet tactics were a bit different than American tactics and flying heavy cyborgs often performed the job that flying power armors did in other militaries. The Soviet Marines leaders did not use heavy cyborgs as much as the army and preferred light cyborgs except for special roles such as airborne assault roles. While the vessel filled the same general role as the American Greyback class submarine but the Soviet submarine is equipped quite differently and is much larger.

The Krokodil is in general pattern similar to the old Typhoon class Ballistic Missile Submarine with the sail being very large and set far aft on the submarine. The sail is also a much larger structure than it is in American designs. Like most Soviet designs, it was constructed from advanced composites and is designed with multiple hulls to be able to withstand huge amounts of damage. Along with the ability to withstand damage, the submarine was designed to dive to incredibly deep depths. The submarine was designed to be able to dive down to 2.2 kilometers below the surface. Like the Typhoon class, the Krokodil uses two shafts because one shaft simply was considered by Soviet engineers to be unable to handle the power needed to drive the submarine at the desired speed of 32 knots. Although the submarine is slower than the Drakon class, the submarine is very fast for its size. Power is provided by four fusion reactor which drive two shafts and pump jet thrusters. Even though the submarine is huge, it is still very quiet and has a special rubber coating to further reduce the submarines noise. The reason why the main sail is mounted so far aft is due to the fact that the front of the submarine contains a huge troop compartment. The compartment has hatches for troops and light armored vehicles. The vehicles are designed to be able to be launched at up to 50 meters below the surface and cyborgs can be launched up to their maximum depth. The vessel also has provision for two small ground support VTOL craft but cannot be launched except on the surface. The Krokodil carries powerful hull and towed array sonar.

The main weaponry, discounting troops, of the Krokodil are cruise missile batteries which are mounted in the hull on either side of the vessels large sail. The vessel has ten cruise missile launching systems with eight cruise missiles each launcher. Each octuple launcher is located on either side of the submarine's sail and are located outside of the submarine's mail pressure hull. The submarine carries a total of 80 cruise missiles which is enough to decimate most bases. This is a smaller payload that the Soviet cruise missile submarine carries but still quite effective. The missiles are mainly planned to be used against land targets but can be used against other ships as well. The submarine also has four super heavy torpedo tubes in the bow with thirty-six torpedoes. To reach the torpedo tubes, the crew had to pass through troop compartments and some altercations between soldiers and sailors occurred when crew members were passing through troop compartments. The American Greyback class also only has four torpedo tubes but carries more torpedoes although smaller. The Krokodil carries two "Killer Dart" torpedo interceptor which are mounted in retractable mounts on either side of the hull. As defense against aircraft and missiles while the submarine is surfaced or near the surface of the water, the submarine carries a retractable short range missile launcher in the sail.

The crew of the submarine is greater than in most other Soviet submarines. This is because of all of the extra jobs expected of the crew and the vessels actually were not expected to operate for long periods of time but were planned to be used only when needed. The submarine carries both officers and enlisted personnel although a larger percentage of the crew were officers than on either Soviet surface vessels or American submarines. The vessel was designed to carry a large compliment of troops with a large number of light cyborgs and a smaller compliment of heavy cyborgs. The heavy use of Cyborgs was due to the vessel being the vanguard of an attack and the Cyborgs would act as shock troops. In addition to carry light armored vehicles and attack VTOL craft, the Krokodil carries sleds for troops to operate underwater. The troop compartment was designed with its own mess and the crew and troops of the vessel rarely mix. The troop compartment is very cramped due to the huge number of troops which are carried. The sailors often consider themselves to be superior to the soldiers and rivalry was often intense.

Model Type: Krokodil Submersible Troop Transport
Class: Ocean, Submersible Troop Transport
Crew: 128; 68 officers, 60 petty officers and enlisted crew members (Has a high degree of automation)
Troop Capacity: 4 Ground Support VTOL Craft pilots, 4 Amphibious Tanks crew-members, 8 Amphibious Troop Transports crew-members, 500 Normal Troops (Including Partial Conversions) / Light Cyborg Soldiers, and 120 Heavy Cyborg Soldiers (With Jet Packs)

Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:
Fighter/Aircraft Compliment:

2

Mi-221 Firefly Attack VTOL Aircraft

Tanks & Other Vehicles:

	2	PT-262 Light Amphibious Tanks
	4	BMD-9 Amphibious Combat Vehicles

M.D.C. by Location:

	Super Heavy Torpedo Tubes (4 - front of submarine):	150 each
	Octuple Vertical Cruise Missile Launchers (10, Sides of Sail):	300 each
	Short Range Missile Launcher (1, Sail):	100
	Killer Dart "Interceptor" Torpedo Launcher (2, Sides):	80 each
	Armored Vehicle / VTOL Hatches (4, top):	250 each
	Troop Hatches (16):	100 each
	Main Sail:	1500
	[1] Bow Planes (2):	400 each
	[2] Pump Jet Propulsor (2):	500 each
	[3] Main Body:	4,400

Notes:
[1] Destroying the submarines bow planes will reduce the submarine's ability to change depths but will not eliminate it. It also makes it difficult for the submarine's crew to control the submarine giving a penalty of -25% to all piloting rolls.
[2] Destroying both of the submarine's Pump Jet Propulsor causes serious problem. The submarine will no longer be able to use forward momentum and the bow planes to keep the submarine level. It is recommended that ballast takes are immediately blown so submarine comes to surface. Destruction of one Pump Jet Propulsor reduces the submarine's top speed by half.
[3] Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body destroys the submarine's structural integrity, causing it to sink. If the submarine is underwater, the entire crew will die unless protected by environmental armors that can withstand the pressure that the submarine is under. If on the surface, there are enough flotation devices and inflatable life rafts to accommodate everyone aboard.

Speed:
Surface: 18.4 mph (16 knots/ 29.7 kph)
Underwater: 36.3 mph (31.5 knots /58.4 mph)
Maximum Depth: 7,217.8 feet (2,200 meters)
Maximum Effective Range: Effectively Unlimited due to fusion engines (needs to refuel every 20 years and requires maintenance as well). Ship carries 4 months of supplies on board.

Statistical Data:
Height: 98.5 feet (30.0 meters) not including periscopes and antenna
Width: 82.4 feet (25.1 meters)
Length: 587.9 feet (179.2 meters)
Displacement: 25,700 tons standard and 45,600 tons submerged
Cargo: 400 tons of nonessential equipment and supplies (normally used for equipment for marines). Each enlisted crew member has a small locker for personal items and uniforms. Ships officers have more space for personal items. Most of the ship's spaces are taken up by extra torpedoes, weapons, and engines.
Power System: Nuclear; average energy life of 20 years. Normally refuels every 10 years
Black Market Price: Not for sale; many nations and organizations would pay hundreds of millions of credits for a new and undamaged Krokodil class Submarine.

Weapon Systems:

1. Four (4) Super Heavy Torpedo Tubes: On the bow of the submarine are four torpedo tubes. Tubes are 25.6 inches (650 mm) wide and torpedoes can be used against both surface ships and submarines. Along with standard torpedoes, launcher can also fire missiles (Long or Cruise) in special canisters, rocket boosted ASW torpedoes, and mines. These are modern, variable option torpedoes that are about 25% faster than the latest US designs of the time period. Submarine carries 36 reloads for torpedoes. Soviet submarines normally carry a number of interceptor torpedoes which the standard Soviet tactic is to fire an interceptor torpedo down the path of a torpedo fired at the submarine.
   Maximum Effective Range: 40 miles (64 km) to 60 miles (96.6 km) depending on type (See Revised Rifts Torpedoes).
   Mega Damage: By Heavy torpedo or Super Heavy warhead type (See Revised Rifts Torpedoes), can fire missiles (Long Range or Cruise) in special canisters as well (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
   Rate of Fire: One at a time or in volleys of 2, 3, or 4. Reloading takes 1 full melee
   Payload: 4 Total (Has 36 torpedoes and missiles for reloads with 8 Interceptor torpedoes)
2. Ten (10) Octuple Vertical Launch Cruise Missile Launchers: On either side of the submarine's superstructure, the Krokodil has five octuple Vertical Launch Missile System for launching missiles. Missiles are launched in special canisters that enable the missiles to be used in depths down to 300 feet. Most missiles normally carried are fusion (Also smart missiles). Launcher can fire at multiple targets simultaneously and are designed to be used against ships and against land targets.
   Maximum Effective Range: As per cruise missile type (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
   Mega Damage: As per cruise missile type (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
   Rate of Fire: One at a time or in volleys of 2, 4, 8, or 16 and can be fired at multiple target at the same time.
   Payload: 80 cruise missiles total. Submarine carries no reloads.
3. Sail Mounted Short Range Missile Launcher (1): The submarine has a retractable short range missile launcher on the sail for defense against aircraft although is effective against missiles as well. Launcher can be used while the submarine is up to 80 feet (24 meters) deep and is useful against aircraft hunting the submarine while the submarine is underwater. Short Range Missiles are usually a mixture of 50% Armor Piercing and 50% Plasma. Launchers can lock onto multiple targets at the same. The systems missile launchers can target up four targets and can fire a volley up to twice per melee.
   Maximum Effective Range: As per short range missile type (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
   Mega Damage: As per short range missile type (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
   Rate of Fire: One at a time or in volleys of two or four and can be fired up to four times per melee.
   Payload: 64 missiles.
4. Killer Dart "Interceptor" Short Range Torpedo Launchers (2): The launcher is mounted on the sides of the submarine. These so called "Killer Darts" are a Russian interceptor torpedo, designed primarily for intercepting and hitting incoming torpedoes, with a secondary function against small submersibles and submersible power armors. They are mounted outside of the submarines pressure hull in retractable mounts. The launchers can only be reloaded in port. American and European designed prefer to fire interceptor torpedoes from their standard torpedo tubes. Launcher is primarily designed to intercept incoming torpedoes but can be used against other vessels, against large submarines, and against underwater troops. Other torpedoes can be used but are very rarely used.
   Maximum Effective Range: 2000 feet (609.6 meters) using interceptor torpedoes, other torpedoes use standard rules (See Revised Rifts Torpedoes).
   Mega-Damage: By Short Range Torpedo Type (See Revised Rifts Torpedoes).
   Rate of Fire: Each launcher can fire salvos of up to eight short range interceptor torpedoes per melee.
   Payload: 48 Interceptor Torpedoes each for 96 interceptor torpedoes.
5. Noisemakers: The submarine carries noisemakers to decoy torpedoes. These noisemakers are similar to those used by Coalition submarines. The noisemakers are launched from the middle of the submarine.
   Effect: 50% of decoying normal torpedoes and 20% of decoying smart torpedoes.
   Rate of Fire: 2 at a time (Can be reloaded in one melee)
   Payload: 20 Noisemakers.

Special Systems:
The submarine has all systems standard on a robot vehicle plus the following special features:

• Advanced Hull Sonar System: Range of 50 miles (43.4 nautical miles / 80.5 km). This hull sonar system has both a passive and active system built in. Sonar system can track up to 24 targets at one time and has a +10% to read sensor and weapon system skill rolls. Sonar also has built in communication system and sound pulse system to detect obstacles, objects, vessels and fish (schools and large animals), as well as measure distances and depth.
• Advanced Towed Array Sonar: The system is basically a long and very sensitive sonar system carried behind the submarine on a long cable. Range of 150 miles (130.2 nautical miles / 241.4 km). This towed array sonar system has both a passive and active system built in. Sonar system can track up to 36 targets at one time.
• ESM: This system is mounted in mounted in the superstructure and is extended in a similar manner to a periscope. The antenna is very hard to detect both visually and by radar. Can detect another radar system at 125% of the range of the transmitting radar.
• Quieted propulsion and Anechoic Coating: The ship is designed with a very quiet pump jet propulsor design, the submarine's reactors make very little noise, and the boat is coated by a sonar defeating rubber coating. The submarine is -40% to detect when traveling at less that 10 knots and is at -20% to detect when traveling at greater than that speed.

[New Navy, New Sovietskiy, and TRIAX are trademarks owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc. ]
[ Rifts® is a registered trademark owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc.]

Initial Concepts by Marina O'Leary (LusankyaN@aol.com ).

By Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

Copyright © 2002 & 2003, Kitsune. All rights reserved.