Just as the planet Storm has cusped into TL8 (and approaching gravitics) they have started re-issueing their law enforcement department with the "Due Care" 2 man sub.
After much internal evaluation, the "Due Care" was selected, it met the design criterion of:-
1) top speed higher than 75kpm submerged)
2) able to operate independantly for at least a week
3) Two crew
4) Maximum cruise range of at least 3,000km
5) Armaments able to fire on customs evaders in low orbit.
6) Sticker price of less than 100,000Cr
10,000vl unstreamlined, pressurized craft with 160 subsurface Drives, 175 turbines, bunkerage of 2,100vl, Electronic/Computerised controls plus a seat for the second crewman. There is a small cabin and fresher facilities. In a fully rotating turret is a dual Medium Laser (500vl, 2EP each at this TL).
Under water, the Sonar is capable of detecting other vessels out to a range of 500km. When surfaced the internal radios and Laser comms have a 500km range. An experimental Maser comms is installed and seems to be performing well, range is only 50km at this stage however room has been left in the vessel if a larger system is necessary.
The current unit cost is 98,900Cr with possible reductions for bulk purchasing.
Main faults with the design
i) The inability to accurately, independantly target atmospheric craft - Radar would have increased the unit cost beyond the design lmits (250,000Cr for a basic radar!)
ii) The Vessel has a cruise speed of 60kph (agility 1) if the maximum speed of 80kph is required, the agility drops to 0.
iii) The accomadation is fairly poor and after a week subsurface, conditions are close to their limits
iv) Batteries were removed from the design as the need to "run silent" has been de-emphasised by the department.
v) The prototype was an armoured, battery enhanced version however it only supported a single laser. The additional firepower was considered worth the reduction in armour
vi) One design option was to include a split drive which was more capable when surfaced. The Preponderance of submersible dwellings and traffic made this less of an option.
After much internal evaluation, the "Due Care" was selected, it met the design criterion of:-
1) top speed higher than 75kpm submerged)
2) able to operate independantly for at least a week
3) Two crew
4) Maximum cruise range of at least 3,000km
5) Armaments able to fire on customs evaders in low orbit.
6) Sticker price of less than 100,000Cr
10,000vl unstreamlined, pressurized craft with 160 subsurface Drives, 175 turbines, bunkerage of 2,100vl, Electronic/Computerised controls plus a seat for the second crewman. There is a small cabin and fresher facilities. In a fully rotating turret is a dual Medium Laser (500vl, 2EP each at this TL).
Under water, the Sonar is capable of detecting other vessels out to a range of 500km. When surfaced the internal radios and Laser comms have a 500km range. An experimental Maser comms is installed and seems to be performing well, range is only 50km at this stage however room has been left in the vessel if a larger system is necessary.
The current unit cost is 98,900Cr with possible reductions for bulk purchasing.
Main faults with the design
i) The inability to accurately, independantly target atmospheric craft - Radar would have increased the unit cost beyond the design lmits (250,000Cr for a basic radar!)
ii) The Vessel has a cruise speed of 60kph (agility 1) if the maximum speed of 80kph is required, the agility drops to 0.
iii) The accomadation is fairly poor and after a week subsurface, conditions are close to their limits
iv) Batteries were removed from the design as the need to "run silent" has been de-emphasised by the department.
v) The prototype was an armoured, battery enhanced version however it only supported a single laser. The additional firepower was considered worth the reduction in armour
vi) One design option was to include a split drive which was more capable when surfaced. The Preponderance of submersible dwellings and traffic made this less of an option.
