Neptune Shield - Mission Headquarters

Overview

Operation Neptune Shield places you in command of the USS Neptune, a state-of-the-art Virginia-class nuclear submarine, tasked with a covert mission in the geopolitically tense waters of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. Amid escalating military activity and sophisticated Chinese surveillance, your team must deploy advanced seabed sensors to monitor strategic maritime movements. Navigating through typhoon-altered seas and maintaining utmost stealth, the success of this mission is critical for U.S. national security interests in the region.

Your Team

You command the USS Neptune, a Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarine, en route to covert mission in the strategic waters around the contested Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.

Geopolitical Situation

Deep in the geopolitical chessboard of the Pacific, tensions have escalated near the disputed waters around the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.  This archipelago, comprising over 100 small islands and reefs, is a focal point of territorial disputes involving multiple countries, including China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei.  

Each state claims overlapping territories, driven by access to significant oil and natural gas reserves, lucrative fishing grounds, and military advantages. These islands are not only vital for their natural resources but also for their position along major international shipping routes, making them a focal point of international economic and military strategic interest.

  • China: Asserts extensive claims in the South China Sea for strategic and resource gains, militarizing several islands.
  • Vietnam: Occupies multiple islands, contesting China’s expansive claims based on sovereignty and resource access.
  • Philippines: Claims areas based on proximity and history, focusing on security and resource access, and advocates for international legal resolutions.
  • Malaysia and Brunei: Seek economic benefits through resource exploration in claimed seabed areas.
  • Taiwan: Claims the entire island chain, driven by nationalistic and territorial policies.
  • United States: Not a claimant but promotes freedom of navigation, aiming to prevent dominance by any single regional power.

Recent Military Activity

In recent months, the South China Sea has experienced a significant escalation in military activity, with China expanding its deployment of military assets to assert its territorial claims. These assets include advanced fighter jets, surface warships, and submarines. Additionally, China has integrated a network of state-of-the-art aerial and underwater drones into its surveillance strategy.  These drones are crucial for real-time intelligence gathering and are equipped with sensors capable of detecting both surface and subsurface movements, significantly boosting China’s capability and capacity to monitor and engage maritime forces.

The Submarine: USS Neptune

The USS Neptune, a Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarine, is engineered for stealth and endurance in deep-water missions.  It features photonic masts instead of traditional periscopes, advanced digital imaging, electronic support measures, and anechoic coating to reduce sonar detection.  Armed with torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles, it can execute precision strikes underwater.  Its compact S9G nuclear reactor enables extended, submerged operations essential for stealth in hostile environments.

S9G Nuclear Reactor

Design and Efficiency

The USS Neptune is equipped with the state-of-the-art S9G nuclear reactor, optimized for stealth and long-term efficiency, essential for sustained missions in the depths of the ocean.  The S9G can sustain operations for 30+ years without the need for refueling.  The schematic below shows the key components of the reactor and engine compartments.

The primary loop carries heat from the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) to the steam generator.  The resulting steam then drives the main turbine, which, through reduction gears and a clutch, turns the propeller shaft.  Excess steam is condensed back to water.  In case of primary power loss, a backup diesel generator and batteries safeguard the vessel’s operational integrity.

Coolant System

The S9G reactor relies on a two-loop coolant system for its safe function. The primary loop transports heat away from the RPV, while the secondary loop uses this heat to generate steam that powers the submarine’s turbines and electrical systems. The careful management of heat not only ensures efficiency but also contributes to the submarine’s stealth capabilities by controlling thermal output.

Emergency Response Capabilities

Robust emergency support is built into the S9G reactor’s design.  In case of power loss, the reactor can automatically draw on backup diesel generators and battery systems to keep essential functions online. Additionally, the system includes emergency coolant reserves, ready to be deployed to manage the reactor’s temperature during a coolant loop failure. Automated detection systems are in place to respond to operational deviations, ensuring swift action to stabilize the reactor.

Operational Implications

The S9G nuclear reactor is critical for the submarine’s stealth operations due to its low acoustic and thermal signature. The ability to manage the power output allows for strategic operation, reallocating power from non-essential functions to critical systems when necessary, although this may temporarily reduce some functionalities of the submarine.

Reactor Support Team

A team of specially trained professionals ensures the optimal performance and safety of the S9G nuclear reactor, collectively ensuring the reactor’s efficiency and safety:  

  • Nuclear Engineers monitor reactor operations and perform integrity checks, 
  • Reactor Specialists swiftly address any technical issues. 
  • Machinist’s Mates focus on mechanical maintenance, particularly the coolant loops
  • Electrician’s Mates stabilize electrical functions, and 
  • Chemistry Technicians manage water chemistry to prevent corrosion and maintain coolant integrity

Technical Setup

Confirm your technical setup requirements here for virtual, hybrid, or in-person settings.

Mission Briefing

Before you advance to the Mission Briefing please ensure:

  • everyone has read the information above
  • your Facilitator and all Team Members share a good video connection
Mission Briefing
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