[Q] Could the Alphas be defeated w/out nukes then?

[Brisbin]

Topic.

[Dimitris]

Well, if you've ever looked at the very high performance stats of torpedoes like the Mk48, Spearfish etc., and wondered "what kind of crazy-a** target were these monsters designed for?", the Alpha class is one of the answers.

Mike-, Papa- and Sierra- classes are other parts of the puzzle.

[tjhkkr]

Sunburn:
Was there are a reason you did not include the Akula Class?

And one other thought: I remember at Chicago's Navy pier, a kid, not me, asked a Navy CPO from a Perry Class Frigate if he was concerned about 'Alfas'. His answer was that they were fast, but an Alfa was not going to outrun a helo. So, as noisy as an Alfa was (remembering sonar performance was poorer back then), a helo or an ASW plane is way faster and with good tracking information, even the speed of the Alfa is not enough to save them.
I would almost say that an Alfa's greater strength is its deep diving ability.

I guess my thought is that an Alfa's capabilities should be respected, but it is not really a terror. I might be more frightened of a Tango on ultraquiet than an Alfa...

Just my opinion on the subject.

[cf_dallas]

ORIGINAL: tjhkkr
Was there are a reason you did not include the Akula Class?

I don't think Akulas hit the water until 1984 or so.... NI is set in 1975.

Agree on noise vs. speed vs. depth capability.

[Dimitris]

Akula is a threat because of stealth, sensors and weapons. Alfa, Papa, Mike and Sierra were all "fast and deep" hotrods, and the Mike and Sierra were extra scary as they also added good stealth to the mix.