Antaran nuclear guided-missile submarines
With the advent of the RGM-1 Basilisk radio-command guided missile, the Antaran Navy sought to fit to many of its vessels at possible, all in spite of huge technical problems with the weapon. Developed from the bomber launched AGM-2 and 3, the Basilisk was launched off of a rail and could be guided by a surface vessel and then handed over to an aircraft to be guided to its final trajectory 500 nautical miles away. The Basilisk used either a 1600kg warhead or a nuclear warhead. With the latter in mind, the RGM-1 was a critical piece of Antara's early nuclear deterrance capability, and thusly it was decided that submarines would be the ideal delivery vehicle as they were capable of sneaking up to enemy strongholds and ports to let loose in the event of a war.
However in the early 50s this was largely an optimistic outlook. The complicated guidance method left the launching vessels and guiding aircraft highly vulnerable to resprisal. The Basilisk developed into the RGM-2 Pegasus, with double the range and a new inertial guidance system that meant the launching vessel good shoot and then dive if needed, with the missile making its own way to the target. Successful but expensive, the guidance system and improvements to the missile were backfitted into a highly modified version of the RGM-1, resulting in the creatively named RGM-3 Basilisk II. Basilisk II and Pegasus were produced concurrently, with Pegasus stopping production just two years after entering service. Antaran missile submarines were equipped with either missile during their patrols between the 50s and late 60s before they were phased out by vastly more capable ballistic missile boats.
V-258 & V-259
Originally V-212 class fleet boats, both vessels were converted to carry two Basilisk missiles and used as an early test bed for the missile system. Both were active between 1355-1366 before scrapping. During the Haishang Conflict in 1364, both vessels launched conventional warheads at three inland Qing staging areas and supply depots with moderate success. Two Basilisk II missiles failed to launch and were dumped into the ocean after being safely disarmed. This was chalked up to poor training despite this occuring on both vessels.
V-303-class
Also known as the Platys class, the V-303s are a class of purpose built, diesel-electric missile submarines used in the strategic nuclear deterrance role. They were largely based on the V-287 post-war hunter-killers but constructed from the outset with hangars capable of holding RGM-1 and RGM-2 style munitions. All vessels were retired by 1371, save for V-305, which was struck by a Qing coastal defence missile in 1364 and lost with 37 sailors. V-306 fired two Pegasus missiles at a Qing port, while V-303 fired a low kiloton nuclear missile at Qingzhou's only naval base, knocking it out of action for 7 years.
Specifications
Surface displacement - 1750 tonnes
Top speed - 14 knots
Underwater speed - 12 knots
Range - 14 000nm at 10 knots
Test depth - 100 meters
Torpedoes - 6 tubes. 24 reloads.
Missiles - 2 RGM-2 Pegasus or 4 RGM-3 Basilisk II
Decoys - Noise makers
Ships in class
V-303 to V-306. 4 members.
V-311-class
Also known as the Wrasse class, the V-311s were based on the V-300s, the world's first nuclear submarines. Nuclear propulsion afforded the Wrasses much needed endurance and greatly improved their deterrance capability by allowing for significantly longer, safer patrols. They were active between 1358-1386. They served in the Haishang Conflict, firing conventional missiles at strategic inland targets, and on two occassions firing nuclear warheads with the goal of contaminating any potential coastal staging areas. With the introduction of SLBMs, they were retired as missile submarines and were converted to special operations transports where they saw further use in the Nuclear War just prior to their retirement. V-313 was lost during the war, presumably by ASW.
Specifications
Surface displacement - 3600 tonnes
Top speed - 15 knots
Underwater speed - 20 knots
Test depth - 200 meters
Torpedoes - 6 tubes. 24 reloads.
Missiles - 2 RGM-2 Pegasus or 5 RGM-3 Basilisk II
Decoys - Noise makers
Ships in class
V-311 to V-313. 3 members.
V-321-class
Based on the V-314 class of nuclear boats, the Orca/V-321 class would be the last guided missile submarines built for the navy. They had significantly improved missile capacity and underwater speed. Two of the three members of the class saw action in 1364 striking strategic targets of the coast of Qingzhou and some inland targets, particularly the powergrid and some factories. No nuclear warheads were fired by either of these two. V-322 did not participate in the war as she broke apart during her launch due to a critical construction failure.
Specifications
Surface displacement - 5100 tonnes
Top speed - 15 knots
Underwater speed - 28 knots
Test depth - 210 meters
Torpedoes - 6 tubes. 24 reloads.
Missiles - 4 RGM-2 Pegasus or 8 RGM-3 Basilisk II
Decoys - Noise makers, later mimic torpedoes
Ships in class
V-321 to V-323. 3 members.