Zeedier-class submarine
Zeedier-class submarine (click to enlarge). |
The Zeedier-class submarine is a Knootian-designed diesel-electric (SSK) submarine. It was originally commissioned during the Vogels administration as the first real Knootian combat submarine and – for a long time – the first-of-class KDF Dolfijn was the only submarine in service for the Marine of the Knootian Defence Force! The Dolfijn herself is now on display in a museum in Den Helder, although many of her sisters still serve the Marine faithfully.
Crewed originally by 49 men and women, the Zeedier-class submarines had much better crew facilities than other classes of comparable size and design. A decent diesel-electric engine plant gave the Zeedier class a good underwater range of 800km, and made it sufficiently silent underwater for effective use in reconnaissance and escort missions. The engine arrangment gave the submarine a speed of 17 knots when surfaced and 20 knots submerged, and the submarine could reach a maximum depth that exceeded 300 metres. The boat could carry up to 30 underwater mines OR 19 21" torpedoes. With a then-new hydraulic torpedo reload system it could reload all four tubes in less than 5 minutes. The submarine was also capable of firing medium-range anti-shipping missiles, though these were rarely carried.
The Zeedier-class was extensively used to patrol the Reich coast as part of the cold war between the Reich and SATO, and underwent a Mid-life refit that brought them up to date with the modern state of submarine warfare, which included further automation, new sensors and a larger weapon load. Nowadays the class is being taken out of rotation in offensive Battlegroups but still finds a role as an escort and coastal patrol vessel until a sufficient number of nuclear submarines has been built to replace them, though this is still a considerable time away.
Contents
Statistics
(These stats are for the refitted Zeedier class only)
Dimensions
- Length
- 82 Metres
- Beam
- 10.5 Metres
- Draft
- 8.5 Metres
- Displacement
- 3,600 metric tons
- Crew Complement
- 38 Officers and Crewmen
Armament
- Torpedoes
4 x 21" (533mm) Torpedo Tubes (22 Torpedoes/SL ASMs OR 36 Mines)
- Missiles
None
- Self Defence
None
Electronics
- Radar systems
None
- Sonar
TSM 2272 Bow-mounted Active/Passve Sonar, Falltech Towed Mk 504 Passive Array
- Command/Control
Thales SEWACO X combat management system. Command and Control is also to be enhanced by a follow-up to the old CAESAR system developed by Caesar SuperComputer Inc The software for the CAESAR 2.0 computer system is to feature revolutionary new capabilities.
- Electronic Warfare
Thales T20 Acoustic Intercept, Four (4) Reloadable Noisemakers.
Propulsion
- Engines
Diesel-electric plant containing three (3) 4,000hp Diesel Engines with four 1MW alternators, delivering power to a single six-blade, variable-pitch propellor in an acoustically-dampened propulsor housing.
- Performance
Top Speed: 18 kts (surfaced), 20 kts (submerged)
Cruising Speed: 12 kts (surfaced), 14 kts (submerged)
Maximum Range: 9,000 km @ 12 kts (surfaced)
Armour
- Basic Composition
As with most submarines per se, the Zeedier class carries little armour. However, she is fitted with a dual pressure hull, anechoic tiles (to reduce sonar signature and noise emission), and reinforced hull bracing to protect against underwater detonations.