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The Scinfaxi-class was a class of Yuktobanian nuclear-powered submarines equipped with ballistic missile launchers and capable of carrying aircraft. The Scinfaxi-class design appears very similar to the Federation of Central Usea's Dragonet-class design.

Development[]

The Scinfaxi-class submersibles were created by the Yuktobanian Navy and the National Munitions Factory during the Cold War as a response to the Osean Federation's Strategic Defense Initiative. The concept of an underwater attack-carrier stemmed from the "Arsenal Ship Project" previously proposed by Yuktobanian Navy Admiral Leonov. The first submarine, Scinfaxi, was assembled in a shipyard near the city of Okchabursk.[1]

The development and existence of the Scinfaxi was officially revealed by Prime Minister Samanov on September 2, 1991 at an event held in Cinigrad. At the unveiling, Samanov announced that the creation of a second, more cost-efficient vessel was already underway, which would also be constructed in Okchabursk. The announcement was belittled by Osean Foreign Minister Howard, who claimed that the submarine was merely a counterfeit of the Dragonet-class submersibles constructed by the Federation of Central Usea.[1]

Design[]

Scinfaxi-class submarine details

Scinfaxi-class annotations (in Japanese)

The Scinfaxi-class submarines were impressive works of nautical engineering: their lengths exceeded 300 meters, almost twice as large as a Typhoon-class submarine. It was by far the largest submarine class in existence,[1] prior to the construction of the Alicorn.[2]

The Scinfaxi-class was primarily designed as a mobile strategic missile platform and features launch ports for firing salvos of ballistic missiles in rapid succession. Due to their destructive power, the subs favored missiles equipped with burst warheads.[3][4][5]

In addition to being a missile-launch platform, Scinfaxi-class submarines also doubled as underwater aircraft carriers capable of housing numerous powered lift and carrier-based aircraft to protect themselves from enemy attacks[1][4][5] or to perform attacks on enemies.[3] The first boat, Scinfaxi, utilized VTOL aircraft such as the Sea Harrier FA.2[3] and the F-35C Lightning II in its aircraft operation.[4] To save on costs, the second boat Hrimfaxi utilized a simplified system consisting of three large launch bays on each side of the sail that could be used to launch specialized unmanned aerial vehicles.[5]

The hulls of the submarines were composed of highly advanced stealth materials to avoid both sonar and radar detection, a design choice intended to minimize the vulnerability of ballistic missiles during the post-launch boost phase, during which they are most vulnerable to enemy attack. The aft-dorsal hull of the Scinfaxi-class design also supported an array of anti-aircraft guns and surface-to-air missile launchers, which retracted into the hull whenever the vessel submerged.[1][4][5]

Vessels[]

Scinfaxi[]

The first boat, Scinfaxi, for which the class was named, was revealed to the world on September 2, 1991, at an event held in Cinigrad, and was launched four years later. It was capable of carrying multiple squadrons of Harriers and F-35 V/STOL jet fighters, and featured a small vertical takeoff platform at the stern of the vessel to launch these aircraft.[1][4]

The combat history of Scinfaxi is unknown up until late 2010, when it was used against Osea during the Circum-Pacific War. On September 30 of that year, the Scinfaxi launched a devastating burst-missile attack against the 3rd Osean Naval Fleet while it passed through Eaglin Straits. Scinfaxi's long-range burst missiles successfully sank the Osean aircraft carriers Vulture and Buzzard, several escort warships, and inflicted heavy casualties on the fighter squadrons in the airspace.[3]

Several days later, on October 4, the Scinfaxi participated in Yuktobania's attempt to invade and capture Sand Island. Although the Scinfaxi's burst missiles wiped out the rookie Osean pilots in the area, the Arkbird assisted the remaining aircraft in the airspace by destroying the Scinfaxi's missiles in the post-boost phase. In conjunction with Blue Hound, the Arkbird located the vessel's position underwater and fired a powerful laser strike, damaging the sub's ballast tanks and forcing it to surface. During the ensuing battle, Scinfaxi's anti-air defenses and missile launch port were destroyed by Wardog Squadron. Defenseless and unable to dive, Scinfaxi's hull was pierced by the Arkbird's orbital laser strike, crippling it. A final attack by Wardog damaged the sub's hull beyond its limits, dooming the boat. The Scinfaxi sank with all hands lost in the waters off Sand Island, detonating in a large explosion seconds later.[4]

Hrimfaxi[]

The second boat, Hrimfaxi, was the sister ship to the Scinfaxi and launched two years after it. It was mentioned, but not detailed or fully revealed, at the event in Cinigrad in which the Scinfaxi was revealed. It was more cost-effective than the Scinfaxi, and utilized a simplified aircraft operation model involving UAVs instead of manned fighters like its sister ship. The Osean Federation was aware of its existence,[6] but not of its specifications or location during the Circum-Pacific War, preventing any preemptive assault.[1]

Later in the war, Osean ground troops began to storm the Yuktobanian mainland in a blitz offensive that aimed to end the war in short order. On November 14, the Hrimfaxi began launching its burst missiles at the Osean troops from several hundred miles away in the Razgriz Straits. The Hrimfaxi ceased its missile launch operations, surfaced, and began refueling and rearming from a friendly submarine; a defensive line of picket submarines was established around the submersible to warn of any hostile enemies.[5]

During the refueling op, Hrimfaxi received an enemy detection notice from one of its picket submarines - Osean fighters were inbound. The Hrimfaxi aborted the refueling effort and began emergency diving preparations; however, before it could successfully submerge and escape, Wardog Squadron damaged its missile ports, rendering it unable to launch its burst missiles underwater. However, an offensive by Osean forces on the front line resulted in the Yuktobanian Submarine Squadron Command ordering Hrimfaxi to hurry and launch missiles before the Oseans overran the Yuktobanian positions. With no other choice, Hrimfaxi surfaced to begin missile launch operations, proceeding to engage Wardog with its full arsenal. After a brutal battle, Hrimfaxi sustained considerable hull damage, lost its defensive weaponry and was rendered unable to dive due to severe ballast tank damage. The vessel sank with all hands in the icy waters of Razgriz Straits, detonating underwater identically to the fate of its sister ship.[5]

Infinity vessels[]

Infinity Scinfaxi-class submarine

A USEA Federation Scinfaxi-class submarine

Unnamed Scinfaxi-class subs appeared in the Infinity universe as emergency mission updates during Online Co-Op Missions. A Scinfaxi-class vessel could appear in Tokyo Martial Law, Aerospace Center Defense, Pipeline Destruction, and Adriatic Sea Landing Operation. In Tokyo and the Aerospace Center, only two minutes were allotted for destroying the submarine; in Pipeline and the Adriatic Sea, a full three minutes were allotted.[7]

Trivia[]

  • The Scinfaxi-class submarines that appear in Ace Combat Infinity are actually a combination of both the Hrimfaxi and Scinfaxi designs, featuring both the latter's VTOL launch platform and the former's UAV launch bays.[7]

References[]

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