EBSIS 'Delfin' class Fast Attack Submarine:

Few people actually consider the EBSIS submarine forces when they look at the EBSIS Navy and the EBSIS Navy itself is often dismissed as not being a powerful force while the reality is quite different. The Delfin class submarine is known by the RDF by the same name it that NATO used. This the Akula class. The Akula class submarine is quite effective and is the best attack submarine in their service. While not as good as the NATO nation submarines created at the same time, the Akula was well armed and quiet. They accounted for a large number of enemy ships sinking but about half of the Akula class submarines constructed were sunk in the Global War.

The EBSIS needed submarine escorts for their new submersible carrier and the Akula and Oscar classes seemed to be their best choices. Many of the newer Russian nuclear submarines have always been surprisingly rugged and the Akula is not an exception. It is large by many other navies standards and new armor plates were easily fitted to the outside of the submarine underneath the acoustic tiles. These armor plates were derived from those mounted on the CVS Iapetus. All models had six external torpedo tubes used for missiles added. Missile and torpedo warheads were replaced by more powerful warheads copied from RDF equipment. Because of this, the submarine is considered a threat by informed RDF Naval Officers.

The crew requirements of the EBSIS Submarines are higher than those of most of the surface vessels. As well, EBSIS enlisted, and their Soviet predecessors, have minimal training compared to their counterparts in other navies. This mean a much higher reliance on officers and about half of the vessel's crew are actually officers. Originally the crew was 73 but has been reduced to 51 with the addition of new automation.

The Akula class submarine seems to be one of the few vessel classes that the EBSIS has continued production on although rumors indicate that the vessel has had multiple improvement to it. RDF Intelligence has been studying the shipyards but the construction slips for the Akula class have been covered to prevent intelligence gathering from orbit.

Model Type: Project 971U
Class: Nuclear Powered Fast Attack Submarines [EBSIS Class: Podvodnaya Lodka Atomnaya (PLA)]
Crew: 51 Total (25 Officers and 26 Enlisted)

M.D.C. by Location:

	25.6 Inch (650 mm) Internal Torpedo Tubes (4 - Bow):	35 each
	21 inch (533 mm) Internal Torpedo Tubes (4 - Bow):	25 each
	21 inch (533 mm) External Torpedo Tubes (6 - Bow):	25 each
	Main Sail:	350
	[1] Bow Planes (2):	80 each
	[2] Propellor (1):	120
	[3] Main Body:	1,000

Notes:
[1] Destroying the submarines bow planes will reduce the submarines ability to change depths but will not eliminate it. It also makes it difficult for the submarines crew to control the submarine giving a penalty of -25% to all piloting rolls.
[2] Destroying the submarines Propellor 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.
[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/ 37.0 kph)
Underwater: 40.2 mph (35 knots /64.8 mph)
Maximum Depth: 1,800 feet (548.6 meters)
Range: Effectively Unlimited due to nuclear engines (needs to refuel every 10 years and requires maintenance as well). Ship carries 4 months of supplies on board.

Statistical Data:
Draft: 31.4 feet (9.6 meters) surfaced
Width: 44.3 feet (13.5 meters)
Length: 354.2 feet (107.9 meters)
Displacement: 8,140 tons surfaced and 12,770 tons submerged
Cargo: Submarine is very cramped, 20 tons of nonessential equipment and supplies. Each enlisted crew member has a small locker for personal items and uniforms. Ship's officers have more space for personal items. Most of the ship's spaces are taken up by extra torpedoes, weapons, and engines.
Power System: Steam turbines, 1 OK-650B reactor, 1 shaft, 47,600 shp
Market Price: Not Available.

Weapon Systems:

1. Four (4) 25.6 Inch (650 mm) Super Heavy Internal Torpedo Tubes: On the bow of the submarine are four internal extra large torpedo tubes. Tubes are 25.6 Inch (650 mm) wide and torpedoes can be used only against surface ships. This tubes can be fitted with special liners to allow for the use of 21 inch (533 mm) Torpedoes. Along with standard torpedoes, launcher can also fire missiles in special canisters and rocket boosted ASW torpedoes. Submarine normally carries 6 reloads for torpedoes (Can be replaced by the smaller torpedoes and missiles)
   Maximum Effective Range: 40 miles (64 km)
   Mega Damage: 25.6 Inch (650 mm) inflict 8D6x10. If using liner and using 21 inch (533 mm) Torpedoes then treat warheads as long range missile warheads (See Robotech RPG book), can fire long range missiles in special canisters as well.
   Rate of fire: One at a time or in volleys of 2, 3, or 4. Reloading takes 1 full melee
   Payload: 6 Total (Can be replaced by the smaller torpedoes and missiles).
2. Four (4) 21 inches (533 mm) Heavy Internal Torpedo Tubes: On the bow of the submarine are four internal heavy torpedo tubes. Tubes are 21 inches (533 mm) wide and torpedoes can be used against both surface ships and submarines. For warheads, heavy torpedoes should be treated as having long missiles warheads. Along with standard torpedoes, launcher can also fire missiles in special canisters and rocket boosted ASW torpedoes. Submarine carries 18 reloads for torpedoes.
   Maximum Effective Range: 40 miles (64 km)
   Mega Damage: Treat warheads as long range missile warheads (See revised missile table), can fire missiles in special canisters as well.
   Rate of fire: One at a time or in volleys of 2, 3, or 4. Reloading takes 1 full melee
   Payload: 4 Total (Has 18 torpedoes for reloads, Can be boosted to 24 by eliminating 650 mm torpedoes)
3. Six (6) 21 inches (533 mm) Heavy External Torpedo Tubes: On the bow of the submarine are six external heavy torpedo tubes. Tubes are 21 inches (533 mm) wide and most often mount missiles in canisters but may carry other warheads as well.
   Maximum Effective Range: 40 miles (64 km)
   Mega Damage: Treat warheads as long range missile warheads (See revised missile table), can fire missiles in special canisters as well.
   Rate of fire: One at a time or in volleys of 2, 3, 4, or 6. Reloading takes 1 full melee
   Payload: 6 Total.
4. Strela SA-N-5/8 portable missile launcher: This a hand held missile launcher designed for use against aircraft when they are near the submarine and it is on the surface. The most common target are anti-submarine helicopters. The launchers has been modified to use standard short range missiles.
   Maximum Effective Range: Varies with short range missile type (See Robotech RPG book)
   Mega-Damage: Varies with short range missile type (See Robotech RPG book)
   Rate of Fire: One at a time.
   Payload: 18 short range missiles.
5. Noisemakers: The submarine carries noisemakers to decoy torpedoes. 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 Mecha plus the following special features:

• Extended Life Support: This submarine has an enhanced like support system when compared to most other vehicles because it is designed to operate underwater for extended periods of time. The submarine has an incredible air recycling system that allows the crew to recycle air for five months before the atmosphere is too stale to breath. The submarine also has a 96 hour supply of oxygen to support the recycling system.
• MGK-503-M Skat suite, active/passive: Sonar system has a range of around 18 nautical miles (20.7 miles / 33.3 km). This hull sonar system has both a passive and active system built in. Sonar system can track up to 16 targets at one time.
• Pelamida towed array: The system is basically a long and very sensitive sonar system carried behind the submarine on a long cable. Sonar system has a range of around 45 nautical miles (51.8 miles/83.3 km). This towed array Sonar is a passive only sensor system. Sonar system can track up to 24 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 propellor design, the submarines reactors make very little noise, and the ships is coating by a sonar defeating rubber coating. The submarine is -30% to detect when traveling at less that 5 knots and is at -10% to detect when traveling at speeds greater than that.

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By Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

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