Luxan
posted this
06 October 2017
Devlin Stone's coalition faced many nasty surprises from the Word of Blake as
they liberated the worlds of the former Blake Protectorate and Terra. Most of
these surprises were the result of technologial achievements. However, the
Akula class missile submarines were not particularly advanced but were quite
unconventional. Submarines of this size had become quite rare after mankind
took to the stars. In recent decades, the Draconis Combine had re-introduced
such craft for protecting water-rich worlds, including the similar Triton class
missile submarine. While the Triton was quite formidable in defending coastal
areas, the Robes' Akula class submarines provided unprecedented flexibility.
The Akulas were a danger to virtually every coalition force on the water worlds
they were defending. Equipped with twelve of the sub-capital Pirahna missile
launchers, the Akulas are capable of engaging all manner of targets. Ground
units could be bombarded, atmospheric targets could be directly engaged and
inbound dropships could even be targeted in low orbit. Also, in a few cases,
surface naval vessels were, quite literally, blown out of the water. The key to
this flexibility was the Akula's extensive communications suite. This allowed
it to recieve targeting data from any friendly units and satellite uplink.
Further, it could deploy its own network of remote sensor bouys. So, even when
completely isolated, hunting an Akula was a dangerous task.
Because the Pirahna missiles could launch from deep underwater, addressing the
threat of an Akula meant either directly engaging it with other submersibles
(which were rarely availible) or waiting until the Akula was forced to surface.
The latter option was also difficult and tedious. With a fusion engine, a small
crew, adequate kitchen facilities and a med bay, an Akula could remain
submerged for months. Also, an ECM suite and a top speed of over 50 knots made
an Akula's movements difficult to track and anticipate. Further, a compliment
of 360 Pirahna missiles meant an Akula could remain a strategic threat for
quite some time before needing to re-arm. Finally, if forced to engage other
naval craft, an Akula had two torpedo turrets, each with 60 tubes. These could
fend of other craft for a while, but this was a last resort.
