New Sovietskiy Vyper class Cruise Missile Submarine:

When the "Mega Damage Revolution" came to the Soviet Union, the nation had comparatively recently returned to a Communist form of government. The new government was keenly interested in expanding the military and a whole group of new designs soon came out of soviet design bureaus. The Soviet navy had been allowed to rot when the nation had experimented in democracy. Only a few Oscar class cruise missile submarines were nominally operational and all of them were in sad condition. In reality, this was helpful for the navy because unlike the Army, the navy did not have to be content with old designs which needed to be replaced. Designs for fast attack, ballistic missile, and cruise missile submarines were quickly prepared. The first new Soviet submarine was laid down in 2034 and the first of the new Vyper class cruise missile submarines were laid down in 2037. While the Soviet government listed several Oscar II class submarines as part of their Naval forces, the reality than none of them were operational and were scrapped while the new class was under construction. The Vyper class cruise missile submarine was designed with many of the same components as the Drakon fast attack submarine to reduce logistics. The Soviet government had learned that by having several designs sharing the same systems, they could greatly reduce design time and logistics. The cruise missile submarines were laid down at the rate of two submarine every three years. A total of around thirty of this class are believed to have been constructed and the cruise missile submarines served until the coming of the Rifts. They were designed to be able serve in anti-ship roles with the ability to swamp point defenses with a huge number of cruise missiles or against ground targets in support of other units. Even though they are designed primarily to carry a massive amount of cruise missiles, they were also designed to be relatively capable against other submarines. Just before the coming of the Rifts, most of these submarines were deployed and while most were destroyed, a few escaped to a secret Soviet base under Antarctica.

Like the old Oscar class submarine, the Vyper class cruise missile submarines were among the largest submarine designs ever built and the two classes are of a similar size. One of the features of the design was that the submarine were designed with several hulls to be able to withstand a huge amount of damage. The submarine was also built out of high strength composites which further increase the amount of damage the vessel can withstand. While diving depth was not a primary concern, the depth that the Vyper could withstand was greater than any previous Soviet classes and could dive down to depths of 2000 meters without exceeding crush depth. Like most large soviet submarines, the Vyper class was designed with two shafts. Power was driven by two nuclear reactors in the first few of the class but later submarines use four fusion reactors. The earlier vessels replaced the standard nuclear reactors with fusion reactors when they were refitted. The cruise missile submarines were very fast with a top speed of 36 knots underwater. This made them just as fast as the American fast attack submarines whish were being laid down around the same time. Even though the engines are incredibly powerful, they are very quiet at slow speed and the submarine uses pump jet propulsion systems instead of propellers. The submarine also has special sound absorbing rubber materials to further reduce the submarines noise signature. To save cost, the Vyper class carries the same sonar systems as the Drakon class fast attack submarine class.

The main weaponry of the submarine are cruise missile batteries mounted on either side of the main sail. A total of 128 cruise missiles are carried. The vessel has sixteen cruise missile launching systems with eight cruise missiles each launcher. Eight octuple launchers are located on either side of the submarine's sail and are located outside of the submarine's mail pressure hull. The cruise missiles are designed to be used against both land targets and against surface ships. The submarine also has eight super heavy torpedo tubes in the bow with sixty-four torpedoes. More torpedoes are carried in the Vyper's torpedo room than in the Drakon class. To protect the vessel against torpedoes, the Vyper class submarine carries two 'killer dart' torpedo interceptor systems in retractable hull mounts with one on either side. 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 Vyper class submarine is designed with a larger crew than the Drakon class fast attack submarine but is still smaller than American and British submarines. While the Soviet submarine was designed with heavy automation, the Vyper class is also designed for shorter deployments than Western submarines. The Vyper class does not carry any troops and the crew quarters are considered quite comfortable for a submarine.

Model Type: Vyper class Cruise Missile Submarine
Class: Ocean, Cruise Missile Submarine
Crew: 88; 45 officers, 43 petty officers and enlisted crew members (Has a high degree of automation)
Troop Capacity: None

M.D.C. by Location:

	Super Heavy Torpedo Tubes (8 - front of submarine):	150 each
	Octuple Vertical Cruise Missile Launchers (16, Sides of Sail):	300 each
	Short Range Missile Launcher (1, Sail):	100
	Killer Dart "Interceptor" Torpedo Launcher (2, Sides):	80 each
	Main Sail:	1200
	[1] Bow Planes (2):	400 each
	[2] Pump Jet Propulsor (2):	500 each
	[3] Main Body:	3,800

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: 23.0 mph (20 knots/ 37.1 kph)
Underwater: 41.5 mph (36 knots /66.7 mph)
Maximum Depth: 6,561.7 feet (2,000 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: 66.3 feet (20.2 meters) not including periscopes and antenna
Width: 62.1 feet (18.9 meters)
Length: 507.9 feet (154.8 meters)
Displacement: 15,200 tons standard and 25,400 tons submerged
Cargo: 20 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 Vyper class Submarine.

Weapon Systems:

1. Eight (8) Super Heavy Torpedo Tubes: On the bow of the submarine are eight 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 48 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, 4, or 8. Reloading takes 1 full melee
   Payload: 8 Total (Has 48 torpedoes and missiles for reloads with 8 Interceptor torpedoes)
2. Sixteen (16) Octuple Vertical Launch Cruise Missile Launchers: On either side of the submarine's superstructure, the Vyper has eight 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: 128 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, Kitsune. All rights reserved.