In its design, the Type 58 Fetuf (Widow) Class ballistic missile submarine is of a more conventional than its predecessor class ballistic missile submarine class with the missiles positioned forward of the main sail. Even so, the sail is still a massive structure and is designed to be able to penetrate polar ice to be able to fire its missile payload. The class is a huge submarine and has multiple hulls and was able to withstand incredibly heavy damage. In addition, the hull is also constructed of high strength composites and alloys. The submarine is designed to be able to dive to 2,000 meters without the hull being ruptured.
Unlike its yard cousin, the Type 51 Tyng Sudran (Dark Mother) Class guided missile submarine, the Fetuf class ballistic missile submarine was designed with a twin shaft propulsion system. In order to reduce development costs, the ballistic submarine’s propulsion systems were the same systems mounted in the later Type 55 class cruise missile submarine. Due to the larger size of the ballistic missile submarine, it had a lower top speed with a maximum speed of around 32 knots underwater. As with other Haruspex nuclear submarines, the first few Fetuf class submarines were fitted with two nuclear fission type normal reactors with later vessels replacing these with four fusion reactors. During refits, the early vessels had their conventional fission reactors replaced by fusion reactors.
Unlike most submarines of Haru manufacture, the various new submarine classes developed by the revitalized nation were extremely quiet and the Fetuf class ballistic missile submarine was no exception. Improvements included far better isolation of the machinery with respect to the hull. In addition, instead of using conventional propeller, the ballistic missile submarine used a pump jet propulsion system as well as having a sound absorbing rubber coating.
In order to reduce development costs, sonar systems are shared with the Type 55 class cruise missile submarine. As might be expected, the ballistic missiles were the main weaponry of the Fetuf class submarine. Instead of developing a whole new missile design, it was decided that they would update ballistic missiles already in their inventory. These missiles were basically an upgraded version of the RSM-52/SS-N-20 Sturgeon Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile which had been carried on previous classes. The upgraded missile, known as the SS-N-50 Scythe, had far better electronics and was far more reliable. In addition, each missile carries two more reentry vehicles compared to the older missile. Compared to the twenty missiles carried on the older class before it, the Fetuf class submarine carries twelve missiles. Each submarine is able to carry a total of 144 independently targetable nuclear, chemical, biological and or conventional warheads.
During construction, there was a huge amount debate with respect to the torpedo armament. The original design showed six 533 mm torpedo tubes but this was replaced with four 650 mm torpedo tubes during construction. All of the other HIA submarine designs developed at the same time mounted 650 mm torpedo tubes. Normal torpedo load out included thirty-six torpedoes as reloads. Unlike most other HIA submarine classes, these tubes were mounted in the bow of the submarine above the bow sonar array.
On either side of the hull is a “Killer Dart” interceptor system which was retractable into the outer hull. While useful against other submarines at close ranges, the main purpose of the system is to intercept incoming torpedoes before they hit. The ballistic missile submarine is also armed with a retractable sail mounted short range missile launcher to protect against missile and aircraft attacks.
The crew of the Fetuf class submarine is greatly reduced with a total crew of only slightly greater than one hundred. In order to be operated by such a small crew, the submarine carries advanced automation especially in the power plant.
General Specifications:
Model Type: Type 58 Fetuf (Widow) Class Ballistic Missile Submarine.
Class: Ocean, Strategic Ballistic Submarine.
Crew: 107; 59 officers, 48 petty officers and enlisted crew members (Has a high degree of automation).
Troop Capacity: None.
Performance:
Surface Speed: 24 knots/ 44.5 kph (27.6 mph).
Underwater Speed: 32 knots/59.3 kph (36.8 mph).
Maximum Depth: 2,000 m (6,561.7 feet).
Range: Effectively unlimited due to fusion engines (needs to refuel every 20 years and requires maintenance as well). Boat carries 4 months of supplies on board.
Statistical Data:
Height: 20.9 m (68.5 feet) not including periscopes and antenna.
Width: 23.8 m (78.2 feet).
Length: 170.2 m (558.5 feet).
Surface Displacement: 24,700 tons
Submerged Displacement: 35,600 tons
Cargo:
Submarine is very cramped, 20 tons (18.1 metric tons) of nonessential equipment and supplies. Each enlisted crew member has a small locker for personal items and uniforms. Boat’s junior officers have slightly more space for personal items and senior officers have even greater space for personal items. Most of the boat’s spaces are taken up by extra torpedoes, weapons, and engines.
Weapon Systems:
Four (4) 650 mm Super Heavy Torpedo Tubes: On the bow of the submarine are four torpedo tubes. Located above the bow sonar array, these tubes are 25.6 inches (650 mm) wide and torpedoes can be used against both surface ships and submarines. Along with standard torpedoes, torpedo tubes can also fire missiles (long range or cruise missiles) in special canisters, rocket boosted anti-submarine (ASW) torpedoes, and mines. These are modern, variable option torpedoes that are about 25% faster than the latest US torpedo designs of the time period. Submarine carries thirty-six reloads for torpedoes. HIA made submarines normally carry a number of interceptor torpedoes which the standard tactic is to fire an interceptor torpedo down the path of a torpedo fired at the submarine.
Maximum Effective Range: 40 miles (34.8 nautical miles / 64 km) to 60 miles (52.1 nautical miles / 96.6 km), depending on torpedo type (See revised Rifts torpedoes for details.)
Payload: Four (4) torpedoes total [Has thirty-six (36) additional torpedoes and missiles for reloads with eight (8) “Interceptor” torpedoes normally carried.]
Twelve (12) SS-N-50 Scythe Strategic Ballistic Missiles:
Behind the submarines sail are two rows of twelve ballistic missiles in a raised “hump back.” Missiles can be launched at depths up to around 150 feet (45.7 meters.) The missiles are improved versions of the SS-N-20 Sturgeon ballistic missiles. Missiles have a range of 5,000 nautical miles but essentially enter a low orbit to do so they would probably either be destroyed by the debris rings or by defense satellites. Missiles can be launched at targets less than 1,000 nautical miles without entering a ballistic trajectory. Each missile has twelve warheads that are each the equivalent of a nuclear long range missile warhead. The missiles can hit targets up to 80 nautical miles (148.2 km) away from where the missile breaks into its multiple warheads and can target multiple targets. Each warhead has independent guidance and is considered a smart missiles.
Maximum Effective Range: 5,757.8 miles (5,000 nautical miles / 9,266.2 km) but must be launched ballistically, 1,150.8 miles (1,000 nautical miles /1,852 km) with missiles being launched sub ballistically. Missile warheads can hit targets within a 92.1 miles (80 nautical miles /148.2 km) of where the missile breaks into twelve warheads.
Payload: 12 SS-N-50 Scythe Ballistic missiles total.
One (1) Sail Mounted Short Range Missile Launcher:
The submarine has a retractable short range missile launcher on the sail for defense against aircraft although is effective against incoming 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.
Maximum Effective Range: As per short range missile type
Generally equipped for the customer is the sea version of the HIA made R4 Dymuh (Talon) Long Range Surface To Air Missile
Payload: Sixty-four (64) short range missiles.
Two (2) Killer Dart “Interceptor” Short Range Torpedo Launchers:
These launchers are mounted on the sides of the submarine. These so called “Killer Darts” are a HIA interceptor torpedo, designed primarily for intercepting and hitting incoming torpedoes, with a secondary function against small submersibles and submersible power armors/sub-fighters. They are mounted outside of the submarines pressure hull in retractable mounts. The launchers can only be reloaded in port. 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: 2,000 feet (609.6 meters) using interceptor torpedoes, other torpedoes use standard rules
Payload: Forty-eight (48) interceptor torpedoes each for ninety-six (96) interceptor torpedoes total.
Noisemakers:
The submarine carries noisemakers in order to decoy torpedoes. They are most effective against normal torpedoes and less effective against “smart” torpedoes. Considered in many ways to be the last line of defense against incoming torpedoes and similar systems are carried on most submarines. The noisemakers are launched from the middle of the submarine.
Payload: Twenty (20) noisemakers.
Special Systems:
MGK-8 Advanced Hull Sonar System: This hull sonar system has both a passive and active system built in and can track up to 24 targets at one time. 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.
Range: 45 miles (39.1 nautical miles / 72.4 km).
MGK-84 Advanced Towed Array Sonar:
The system is basically a long and very sensitive sonar system carried behind the submarine on a long cable and has both a passive and active system built in. Sonar system can track up to 36 targets at one time.
Range: 150 miles (130.2 nautical miles / 241.4 km).
RP-5 Advanced E.S.M. Suite:
Radar and radio detection suite. This includes the ability to detect radar guided weapons. Can be used for limited targeting. The system uses an antenna mounted in the sail which is extended in a similar manner to a periscope. The antenna is both very hard to detect visually and is designed with a reduced radar signature. The system is usually subject to radar horizon.
Quieted Propulsion and Anechoic Coating:
The boat 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.
Interested patrons can visit: Haruspex International Armaments