IX-529 Sea Shadow
"In the missile age, to be seen is to be targeted. To be targeted is to be destroyed."
This mod reimagines the Sea Shadow (IX-529) not just as a technology demonstrator, but as a fully realized Production Variant. While the real-world vessel was a testbed for stealth geometry and automation, this mod asks: What if the Navy had commissioned a fleet of stealth frigates for the Cold War?
The Sea Shadow is a ghost. It is designed to operate in high-threat environments where traditional surface combatants would be detected instantly. It features a distinct SWATH hull design for stability and a faceted superstructure to deflect radar energy.
This is a hunter-killer. It does not rely on brute force, but on invisibility and first-strike capability.
• Hypothetical Production Fit: A plausible "What-If" loadout designed for a 1980s/90s stealth frigate.
• Increased Performance: The top speed has been increased compared to the real-world demonstrator. It is plausible that a production-run vessel would have utilized more powerful propulsion systems than the testbed, and this change also ensures the vessel remains more competitive in high-speed gameplay scenarios.
• Custom High-Fidelity Assets: Includes a completely new model for the AGM-114 Hellfire and the MQM-105 Aquila drone.
The Sea Shadow relies on silence. It is not equipped with active search radar, as emitting would give away its position.
Passive Sensor Suite
• High-Power IRST: Your primary method of detection. Scans for heat signatures without alerting the enemy.
• Towed Array Sonar: Deployable passive listening array for submarine detection.
• ESM & ECM: Period-correct electronic support measures to detect enemy radar emissions and jam incoming threats.
• Mk20 Laser Designator: Deployable system for guiding Hellfires.
Note on Mk20: The animation for the Mk20 is tied to the surface search radar keybind. This is primarily for visual appearance; the laser designator functionality remains active even when the Mk20 is stowed.
Despite its specialized role, the Production Sea Shadow packs a saturation-strike punch comparable to that of a frigate-class vessel.
64x Vertical Launch System (VLS)
• AGM-114 Hellfire (ER): A custom high-fidelity model. For this production variant, I have theorized the addition of a booster stage to the Hellfire, allowing it to reach launch speed quickly and extending its effective range to a 10nm maximum.
• Note on Balance: This extended range will be further tuned as time allows; I realize current performance may be a bit outside the historical limits of the platform, but it serves the "Production What-If" gameplay loop for now.
16x Vertical Launch System (VLS)
• AIM-9L Sidewinder: Infrared-guided missiles for self-defense against helicopters and low-flying aircraft.
ASW Suite
• 2x Under-Hull Pods: Concealed bays carrying Mk46 Torpedoes for anti-submarine warfare.
MQM-105 Aquila
The Sea Shadow operates in tandem with the Aquila UAV. Because the ship stays silent, the Aquila is your eyes.
• Launches from the stern flight deck.
• Provides Over-the-Horizon (OTH) targeting.
• Essential for designating targets for the Hellfire swarm.
The mod ships with a more optimized version of the textures for general gameplay. However, I have included high-fidelity 4K textures if your machine can handle the extra load. See below for instructions:
• Locate HighResShadow.7z in the mod folder.
• Extract contents to:
• For the drone, extract to:
• Overwrite when prompted.
Thank you for subscribing. Good hunting, Commander. Stay in the shadows.
