Submarines
Diesel-Electric Patrol Submarines
Kilo Class
The Kilo class is the NATO reporting name for a naval diesel-electric submarine that is made in Russia. The original version of the vessels were designated Project 877 Paltus (Halibut) in Russia. There is also a more advanced version, designated as Improved Kilo in the west, and Project 636 Varshavyanka in Russia.The Kilo class was to have been succeeded by the Lada class. In November 2011 the Russian Navy announced that the Lada class will not enter service because trials with the lead boat of the new class, Sankt Peterburg (B-585) had shown major deficiencies. Construction of two further boats has been suspended.The boats are mainly intended for anti-shipping and anti-submarine operations in relatively shallow waters. Original Project 877 boats are equipped with Rubikon MGK-400 sonar system (with NATO reporting name Shark Gill), which includes a mine detection and avoidance sonar MG-519 Arfa (with NATO reporting name Mouse Roar). Newer Project 636 boats are equipped with improved MGK-400EM, with MG-519 Afra also upgraded to MG-519EM. The improved sonar systems have reduced the number of operators needed by sharing the same console via automation.Anechoic tiles are fitted on casings and fins to absorb the sonar sound waves of active sonar, which results in a reduction and distortion of the return signal. These tiles also help attenuate sounds that are emitted from the submarine, thus reducing the range by which the sub may be detected by passive sonar.One Kilo class submarine was equipped with pump-jet propulsion.
Lada class
The Project 677 or Lada class is a diesel-electric patrol submarine, developed by the Rubin design bureau. It is an improved version of the Kilo class, fitted with an air-independent propulsion and new combat systems. It is claimed that the Lada class is much quieter than it's predecessor. It is worth mentioning that the Kilo class achieved respectable export sales. It's major operators are China, India and Iran. The lead boat was laid down at the Admiralty Shipyard in St. Petersburg in 1997 and launched in 2004. It was commissioned in 2010 and serves in a Baltic Fleet. The Admiralty Shipyard is building another three submarines of this class, however their construction was suspended.It is designed for anti-submarine and anti-ship defense of naval bases, costal installations and sea lanes, as well as patrol and surveillance tasks.The Lada class features a new anti-sonar coating for the hull resulting in low acoustic signature. Submarines are fitted with sophisticated sonar equipment with bow and flank arrays, as well as towed array. The Lada class has six 533-mm torpedo tubes for a mix of 18 torpedoes or tube-launched missiles. These include Alfa (NATO designation SS-N-27 Sizzler) multi-role cruise missiles, or Oniks (SS-N-26) anti-ship cruise missiles.This submarine class is fitted with a fuel cell plant, which gives air independent propulsion with oxygen/hydrogen fuel cells and electric/chemical generators. The AIP system increases the Lada class submerged endurance to 45 days. The submerged cruising range is 500 nautical miles (900 km) at 3 knots.The lead boat, Sankt Peterburg, was extensively tested by the Russian Navy, before entering service. However it appeared that this submarine has fallen far short of requirements. The main problem was propulsion system. In 2011 construction of three follow-on boats was suspended and Rubin design bureau was ordered to make changes to the project. The lead boat might be used as a test vessel for testing various equipment, rather than for active duty.
Nuclear-Powered Attack Submarines
Victor I
Soviet designation Project 671 Yorsh (Ruffe) - was the initial type that entered service in 1967; 16 were produced. Each had 6 tubes for launching Type 53 torpedoes and SS-N-15 cruise missiles and mines could also be released. Subs had a capacity of 24 tube-launched weapons or 48 mines (a combination would require less of each). They were 92.5m long. The Victor I class was designated by the Soviets as a PLA (podvodaya lodka atomnaya, or nuclear-powered submarine), and together with the contemporary Charlie I SSGN and Yankee SSBN classes formed the second generation of Soviet nuclear submarines.The Project 671 boats, known to the Soviets as the Yersey class, were the first Soviet submarines built to the teardrop hull design for high underwater speeds.K 38, the first Victor, was completed in 1967 at the Admiralty Shipyard, Leningrad, where the last of 16 units was completed in 1974. The Victor Is were the fastest pressurised-water reactor-powered SSNs afloat, even with the advent of the American Los Angeles class. The enriched uranium-fuelled reactor was of the same type as installed in both the Charlie and Yankee class vessels. Surviving Victor I class boats had been decommissioned by 1996.
Victor II
Soviet Designation Project 671RT Syomga (Atlantic Salmon)- entered service in 1972; 7 were produced in the 1970s. These were originally designated Uniform class by NATO. They had similar armament to Victor I. The Soviet Union discovered through its spy network that Americans could easily track Victor II-class subs and subsequently halted production of this type to design the Victor III class. They were 101.8m long. Development of improved Project 671 class boat commenced in 1963. In 1972, the first of the Project 671RT Syomga class boat (NATO designation Victor II class) was built at the Gorky shipyard, being produced in alternate years to the Charlie II design there. Four boats were built there, whilst another three were constructed at the Admiralty Shipyard in 1975. Initially called the Uniform class by NATO, the Victor II class is marked by a 6.1-m extension inserted into the hull forward of the sail. This was to make room for the new generation of 650-mm heavy torpedoes together with the power equipment to handle them.The Soviets discovered that the Victor II class boats could be easily tracked by Americans and subsequently ceased production of this type, to design improved Victor III class. All surviving Victor I and II class boats had been decommissioned by 1996.
Victor III
Soviet Designation Project 671RTM Shchuka (Pike) - entered service in 1979; 25 were produced until 1991.Quieter than previous Soviet submarines, these ships had 2 tubes for launching SS-N-21 or SS-N-15 missiles and Type 53 torpedoes, plus another 4 tubes for launching SS-N-16 missiles and Type 65 torpedoes. 24 tube-launched weapons or 36 mines could be on board. The Victor-III caused a minor furore in NATO intelligence agencies at its introduction because of the distinctive pod on the vertical stern-plane. Speculation immediately mounted that the pod was the housing for some sort of exotic silent propulsion system, possibly a magnetohydrodynamic drive unit. Another theory proposed that it was some sort of weapon system. In the end, the Victor-III's pod was identified as a hydrodynamic housing for a reelable towed passive sonar array; the system was subsequently incorporated into the Sierra class and Akula class SSNs. The Victor III class was continuously improved during construction and late production models have a superior acoustic performance. They were 106m long. In 1976 the first of the Victor III units was launched at the Admiralty Shipyard. In 1978 the Komsomolsk yard joined the production team, building two boats per year after the end of Delta I class production. A total of 26 Victor III class boats were built between 1978 and 1992. Given the Soviet designation of Schuka, the Victor IIIs are unofficially known to the US Navy as the Walker class, since many of the improvements in quieting the boats and in providing them with more effective sensors were the product of the activities of the Walker spy ring in the 1970s and 1980s.The Victor III's have a 3-m hull extension forward of the fin and a pod mounted atop the upper rudder which deployed a brand new towed sonar array. The extension provided the extra volume for the additional electronic equipment required to process the data from the towed array and two new flank arrays.Clusterguard anechoic coatings helped to decrease radiated noise levels as the design was improved, the Victor III class being described officially in US Navy circles as the equivalent to the USS Sturgeon class SSN in quietness. They also have bow hydroplanes that retract into the hull at high underwater speeds or when a boat is on the surface. Like all boats after the Hotel SSBN, Echo SSGN and November SSN classes, the Victor class boats had two of their 533-mm tubes fitted with 406-mm ASW torpedo liners for self-defense use. Two of these weapons are carried in the place of every 533-mm reload offloaded.Surviving Victor I and Victor II class boats had been decommissioned by 1996, along with about a dozen of the first Victor IIIs.
Alfa class
The Soviet Union/Russian Navy Project 705 (Лира/Lira, "Lyre") was a class of hunter/killer nuclear powered submarines. The class is also known by the NATO reporting name of Alfa. They were the fastest class of military submarines built, with only the prototype K-222 (NATO "Papa" class) exceeding them in submerged speed. The Lira was a unique design among submarines; it used a powerful lead cooled fast reactor as a power source, which greatly reduced the size of the reactor compared to conventional designs, thus reducing the overall size of the submarine, and allowing for very high speeds. However, it also meant that the reactor had a short lifetime and had to be kept warm when it was not being used. As a result, the Liras were used as interceptors, mostly kept in port ready for a high-speed dash into the North Atlantic. The second Soviet titanium-hulled submarine design, the Project 705 Lira, known in the West as the Alfa class, came to light in December 1971, when the first unit was commissioned. Six more followed in 1972-81.The Alfa class was the world's fastest and deepest diving submarines as of their time. An extensive automation allowed to reduce crew to only 30 men. These advanced submarines had their crews completed from officers and warrant-officers only. It also featured an advanced low drag configuration and was extremely maneuverable. The Alfa class submarines were significantly smaller than contemporary attack submarines. A single reactor and turbine plant drive the boat at the phenomenal 42 knots under water. Reactor's power could be rapidly increased, as well as submarines speed. However what was not realized at the time was that there was a serious flaw in the lead-bismuth system of the Alfa's 40 000 hp reactor cooling system. The plant was very unreliable, and the cost led to the Lira/Alfa being nicknamed the 'Golden Fish'.It is worth mentioning that Alfas had sophisticated crew rescue system. It provided safe exit for entire crew from maximum depth. When British and American submariners first encountered the Alfa they were astounded. The result that NATO navies allocated massive R&D funding to the development of deep-running torpedoes. By this time all Alfa class boats have been decommissioned. The last boat was decommissioned in 1996.
Sierra I class
The first hull, Karp, was laid down in May 1982 at the Gorky shipyard and was launched in August 1983 before being transferred to Severodvinsk for fitting out. It was laid up in 1987. The next hull to be built was the Kostroma, which was launched in July 1986 and was commissioned in September 1987. K-276 Kostroma was put into a drydock after its February 11, 1992 collision with USS Baton Rouge (SSN-689). The submarine was repaired on 29 June 1992 and was renamed Krab, but in 1996 its original name was returned and it is still in service with the Russian Northern fleet. The Sierra I class was also fitted with a releasable escape pod for the crew. The pod is covered by a V shaped casing on the port side of the sail. Soviet titanium technology was far in advance of the West's, requiring fewer passes to achieve weld at the disadvantage of the cost of each hull which limits numbers built despite the advantages of greater depths and underwater speed. This was clearly shown in the Sierra class.Russia's small and expensive Project 945 Barracuda class (NATO designation Sierra I class) was the successor to the ill-fated Alfa class, built form the mid-1960s to 1981 and all are now phased out from active service.It's two light and strong titanium hulls enabled it to operate at great depths and provided reduced radiated noise levels as well as increased resistance to damage of torpedo attacks.Soviet titanium technology was far in advance of the West, requiring fewer passes to achieve a successful weld, but the cost of the hulls limited the numbers built, despite advantages in depth and underwater speed.The first Sierra I class boat, Tula (ex-Karp) was laid down in 1982 at Gorky Shipyard, launched in August 1983, and was fitted out in Severodvinsk. It was laid up in 1997. The survivor, Kostroma (ex-Krab) was launched in 1986, and commissioned in 1987. This boat is active as of 2012.The Sierra I class was the first fitted with a releasable escape pod for the crew, covered by a V-shaped casing on the port side of the sail.The Sierra I class was followed by Sierra II class boats.
Sierra II class
The Sierra II (Project 945.A - Кондор/Kondor) class has a considerably larger sail which is 16.5 ft (5.0 m) longer than the Sierra I type. The sail also has a curious flat, square leading edge. The masts are offset on the starboard side to make way for two escape pods in the sail. The starboard side also has a 10-point environment sensor fitted at right angles to the front end of the sail. Also, the Sierra II type has a much larger pod on its after fin. The pod houses the Skat 3 passive very low frequency towed array. The Project 945A Kondor class (NATO designation Sierra II) is a follow-on to the Sierra I class. It has a considerably larger sail than the Sierra I class. Masts are offset on the starboard side to make way for two escape pods in the sail. A prominent, much larger, pod on the after fin houses the Skat 3 passive, very low frequency towed array. Soviet titanium technology was far in advance of the West, requiring fewer passes to achieve a successful weld. However the cost of the hulls limited the numbers built, despite advantages in depth and underwater speed.One notable feature of the Sierra II class is the large space between the two hulls, which has obvious advantages for radiated noise reduction and damage resistance.Two Pskov (ex-Zubatka) and Nizhny Novgorod (ex-Okun) remain operational at Russia's Northern Fleet. A third of class, Mars, was laid down in 1990. However it was scrapped before completion in 1992. This boat was built by improved Project 945B (NATO designation Sierra III class).The Sierra II class was succeeded by the Akula class SSNs.
Akula class
Project 971 Щука-Б (Shchuka-B, 'Shchuka' meaning pike, NATO reporting name "Akula"), is a nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) first deployed by the Soviet Navy in 1986. The class is also known under the name Bars (eng. snow leopard). There are four sub-classes or flights of Shchuka, consisting of the original seven "Akula I" submarines which were commissioned between 1984 and 1990, six "Improved Akula" submarines commissioned between 1991 and 2009, one "Akula II" submarine commissioned in 1995 and one Akula III commissioned in 2001. The Russians call all of the submarines Schuka-B, regardless of modifications.The name Akula (Акула meaning "shark" in Russian) is the Soviet designation of the ballistic missile submarine class designated by NATO as the Typhoon class submarine. The name Akula was used as the NATO designation of the Projekt 971 because the first of the class was the K-284 christened Akula. The steel-hulled submarines of the Project 971 Schuka-B, designated by NATO as Akula class were easier and cheaper to built than the Sierras, and are essentially successors to the prolific Victor class. Today, they make up about half of Russia's dwindling fleet of nuclear-powered attack submarines.The first seven boats (designated in the West as the Akula I class) were constructed between 1982-90, and are the Puma, Delfin, Kashalot, Bars, Kit, Pantera and Narval. Five more (the Volk, Morzh, Leopard, Tigr and Drakon built between 1986-95) are classified as the Project 971 U or Improved Akula class, while a 13th boat, the Vepr of the Project 971M or Akula II class, was launched in 1995 but was still incomplete at the end of 2002. Three additional boats the Belgograd, Kuguar and Nerpa launched between 1998-2000 as Akula II boats, are also incomplete. At least two more were projected but were not built. Nepra began sea trials in 2008 and is expected to commission with the Indian Navy as INS Chakra in 2009.The design was approved in the early 1970s but modified in 1978-80 to carry the Granat (SS-N-21 Sampson) land attack cruise missiles. The Akula marked a significant improvement in Soviet submarine design as it is far quieter than the Victor and earlier SSNs. Furthermore it was far quitter than Western countries expected. The use of commercially available Western technology to reduce noise levels played an important role in this eroding a long-held NATO advantage in the underwater Cold War. Sensors were also much improved, the use of digital technology enabling them to detect targets at three times the range possible in a Victor.The Akulas sport a massive tear-drop shaped pod on the after fin: this houses the Skat-3 VLF passive towed array. There is an escape pod built into the fin. The Improved Akula and Akula II boats are fitted with six additional 533-mm (21-in) external torpedo tubes: as these cannot be reloaded from within the pressure hull, it is considered likely they are fitted with the Tsakra (SS-N-15 Starfish) anti-submarine missile. Additionally, the Akula II boats are credited with an increased operational diving depth.Four Akula I boats were paid off in the late 1990s and are unlikely to return, and they surviving boats are divided between the Northern and Pacific Fleets.In the future the older Akula class boats will be replaced by the new Graney class nuclear-powered attack submarines.
Graney class
The Yasen-class submarine (Russian: Проект 885 "Ясень", "ash tree"), also known as the Graney class (erroneous) and Severodvinsk class, is a new Russian nuclear multipurpose attack submarine class.The class is based on the Akula-class submarine and the Alfa-class submarines and is projected to replace Russia's Soviet-era class attack submarines, both Akula class and Oscar class.The Project 885 Yasen (NATO designation Graney class) is a new Russian nuclear-powered attack submarine. It will become a successor to the older Akula class submarines. The lead boat, Severodvinsk, was laid down in 1993, however project was stopped in 1996 due to funding problems. In 2003 the project received additional funding and work continued. It is expected to be commissioned with the Russian Navy in 2011.The second submarine of this class, the Kazan, was laid down in 2009. It is an improved project Yasen-M boat, fitted with improved electronic systems. Considerable changes were made to it's design, as this boat has been laid down 16 years later than the Severodvinsk.Sources from the Russian MoD claim that at least four more submarines of this class are planned. All submarines will be built at Sevmash naval yard in Severodvinsk.The Graney class is larger than the previous Akula class. Armament of this submarine includes 24 vertical launch tubes for various cruise missiles and eight 650-mm torpedo tubes for torpedoes and anti-ship missiles. Some sources claim, that a total of 30 torpedoes and anti-ship missiles are carried. It is worth mentioning, that torpedo tubes are fitted behind the compartment of the central station. Cruise missiles include the P-800 Oniks (SS-N-26), which has a range of about 300 km. This multi-purpose submarine will be capable of striking costal targets.Hull of this submarine is made of low magnetic steel, with a spherical bow sonar. It is considered that the Graney class will be only slightly quieter than the improved Akula class.It is reported that this submarine will have a crew of 50, suggesting a high degree of automation. However other sources claim, that these boats have a crew of 90 submariners, including 32 officers.The Graney class submarine will have a single pressurized water reactor. This reactor has a service life of about 25 - 30 years and do not has to be refueled. Sea endurance of these boats will be limited only by food supplies.
Oscar I class
In 1970s the Soviet shipyard at Severodvinsk launched a single Project 881 Anchar unit that became known in NATO circles as the Papa class. This boat was considerably larger and carried two more missile tubes for the P-120 Malakhit (SS-N-9 Siren) anti-ship missiles than the contemporary Charlie class SSGNs. The Papa class was for many years a puzzle to Western intelligence services.The answer appeared in 1980 at the same shipyard, however, with the launch of the even larger Project 949 Granit (NATO designation Oscar I class) SSGN. The Papa class unit had been conceived from 1958 as the cruise missile-launching predecessor to the titanium hulled Alfa class high speed and deep diving SSN. But because it's high underwater noise levels it had become the prototype for advanced SSGN concepts with a considerably changed powerplant and revised propeller arrangement.The missile system had been created to test the underwater launched version of the P-120 for the subsequent Charlie II series of SSGN. The Oscar design introduced more improvements, and these included two 12-round banks of underwater-launched P-700 Granit (NATO designation SS-N-19 Shipwreck) long range supersonic anti-ship missile tubes outside the main pressure hull. In common with other Soviet submarines the Oscar class features a double hull, comprising an inner pressure hull and an outer hydrodynamic hull.Only two Oscar I class boats were built. Both of these submarines were assigned to the Northern fleet. These boats were decommissioned in 1996 and scrapped a couple of years later. The Oscar I class boats paved the way for 11 of a planned 19 Project 949A Antey or Oscar II class SSGNs.
Oscar II class
The Project 949A Antey, known in NATO as the Oscar II class is a successor to the previous Oscar I class. Out of 19 planned boats 11 were built at Severodvinsk. Three more boats are incomplete, however it is unlikely that these will ever be commissioned. Active Oscar II class submarines are in service with the Northern and Pacific fleets. Currently these are among the most capable Russian submarines.The Oscar II class has a lengthened hull by some 10 m, possibly for a quieter propulsion and upgraded electronic systems, and an enlarged fin, which improves underwater maneuverability. These boats are the third largest submarines in terms of displacement and length. Only the Soviet Typhoon class and American Ohio class boats are larger. However these are still the largest attack submarines ever constructed.These cruise missile boats were designed to attack US aircraft carrier battle groups or coastal installations.The Project 949A Antey is a double-hulled design, which comprises an inner pressure hull and outer hydrodynamic hull. Separation between both hulls provides significant reserve of buoyancy and improved survivability against torpedoes. The outer hull has a weak magnetic signature, which prevents detection by Magnetic Anomaly Detection (MAD) systems. The reinforced sail is intended to break through the Arctic ice.The Oscar II class SSGNs are armed with 24 P-700 Granit (NATO designation SS-N-19 Shipwreck) supersonic cruise missiles with a range of 550 km. Missile tubes are arranged in two rows with the launchers are placed between the inner and outer hulls and inclined at an angle. Missiles are launched while the submarine is submerged. A warhead of this missile weights 1 000 kg. Under the START treaty nuclear warheads of these missiles have been replaced with high explosive.These submarines are also fitted with two 650-mm and four 533-mm torpedo tubes, capable of launching both torpedoes and anti-ship missiles. These include the SS-N-16 Stallion anti-ship missiles with a range of 50 km, carrying torpedoes, nuclear warheads or nuclear depth charges for use against surface ships or submarines.The Oscar II class boats are fitted with a floating antenna buoy to receive satellite navigation signals, target designation data and radio messages at a great depth and under the ice.Submarines of this class are powered by two pressurized water nuclear reactors, powering two steam turbines. These large boats are slow to dive and to maneuver, however they have a submerged speed of about 30 knots, which is sufficient to keep pace with their targets. Sea endurance is limited only by food supplies.The famous Kursk was lost with all hands in the Barents sea in 2000. It was one of the first boats completed after the fall of the Soviet Union and was part of the Russian Northern fleet.
Ballistic Missile Submarines
Delta III class
The 667BDR Kaľmar (Squid) Delta-III class submarine is a large ballistic missile submarine operated by the Russian Navy. Like other previous Delta class submarines, the Delta III is a double hulled design, with a thin low magnetic steel outer hull wrapped around a thicker inner pressure hull. Although the Soviets were pioneers in firing missiles from submarines, their early systems were short-ranged. The 34 units of the Yankee class, built between 1967 and 1974, were apparently based on stolen American plans for the Benjamin Franklin class. These provided the foundation for the follow-on Delta class, an enlarged development of the Yankee design. The first Deltas entered service in 1972, the original Delta I design being succeeded by the interim Delta II with 16 missiles rather than the original 12.These were followed from 1976 by the Project 667 BDR Kalmar class, better known to NATO as the Delta III. These had a larger and longer turtle-back abaft the sail. This housed R-29R missiles (NATO designation SS-N-18) the first Soviet sea-based multiple-warhead system. Fourteen submarines were built at Severodvinsk.The Delta III submarines which served in the Northern fleet formed a division and were based at Sayda and at Olyenya port. In the early 90s the ballistic missile submarines were transferred to Yagyelnaya. Pacific Fleet Delta IIIs were based on Kamchatka.
Delta IV class
Development of the Project 667 BDRM Delfin (dolphin) class, known to NATO as the Delta IV, began on 10 September 1975. The first boat, K-51 was commissioned into Northern fleet in December 1985. Between 1985 and 1990, seven Delta IVs were constructed by the Sevmashpredpriyatiye Production Association in Severodvinsk.The Delta IVs were constructed in parallel to the Typhoon class, in case the larger boats proved unsuccessful. The Dolphin is a further modification of the Delta III, with an increased diameter pressure hull and a longer bow section. Displacement has increased by 1 200 tons and it is 12 m longer.The Delta IV is a strategic platform, designed to strike military and industrial installations and naval bases. The submarine carries the RSM-54 Makeyev missile (NATO designation: SS-N-23 'Skiff'). The RSM-54 is a three-stage liquid-propellant ballistic missile with a range of 8 300 km. The warhead consists of four to ten multiple independently targeted re-entry vehicles (MIRVs), each rated at 100 kT. The missile uses stellar inertial guidance for a CEP of 500 m.The submarine can also launch the Novator (SS-N-15 'Starfish') anti-ship missiles or Mk 40 anti-ship torpedoes. 'Starfish' is armed with a 200 kT nuclear warhead and has a range of 45 km.The operational lifetime of these submarines was estimate to be 20-25 years, assuming normal maintenance schedules, but in the 1990s everything changed. When the START-1 treaty was signed in 1991, five Delta IIIs served in the Northern and nine in the Pacific Fleet.Russia was scheduled to dismantle one Yankee-class, five Typhoon-class and 25 assorted Delta-class ballistic missile submarines by the year 2003.By September 1999, US specialists had helped disassemble one Yankee and six Deltas, while the Russians had destroyed another five ballistic missile subs on their own using US equipment.As of June 2000, the Russian Navy claimed that it operated five Typhoon-class submarines, seven Delta IV-class submarines, and 13 Delta III-class submarines, which between them carry 2 272 nuclear warheads on 440 ballistic missiles. With the chronic funding shortages affecting the Russian navy, it is likely that many of these boats are of suspect seaworthiness.However, the Russian navy reportedly believes that 12 nuclear ballistic missile submarines is the minimum necessary force structure for national security, and this force goal is likely to be maintained up until 2010 at least.Seven Delta IV class submarines were built from 1985 to 1992; all are still in service in the Russian navy today, though K-84 was crippled by a fire while undergoing overhaul in December 2011. The submarines, based at the Sayda Guba Naval Base, operate in the Northern Fleet. The Severodvinsk Shipyard built these vessels between 1981 and 1992. The last vessel was the Novomoskovsk.The design of the Delta IV resembles that of the Delta III and constitutes a double-hulled configuration with missile silos housed in the inner hull.The submarine has an operational diving depth of 320 meters, with a maximum depth of 400 meters. The propulsion system allows speeds of 24 knots (44 km/h) submerged using two VM-4 pressure water reactors rated at 180 MW. It features two turbines of type GT3A-365 rated at 27.5 MW. The propulsion system drives two shafts with seven-bladed fixed-pitch propellers.[citation needed]In December 29th, 2011, a shipyard fire broke out in the drydock where a Delta IV vessel named the Yekaterinburg was being serviced. The fire managed to spread to the submarine, all weapons were disembarked from the submarine and the nuclear reactor was shut down beforehand, it has been reported but is as of yet, unconfirmed.
Borei class
The Borei class (Russian: Борей; sometimes transliterated as Borey, also known as the Dolgorukiy class after the name of the lead vessel, the Yuriy Dolgorukiy) is a class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine produced by Russia and operated by the Russian Navy. The class is intended to replace the Delta III, Delta IV and Typhoon classes now in Russian Navy service. The class is named after Boreas, the North wind.The Project 955, or Borei class, is a forth-generation nuclear-powered missile submarine. The Borei class will replace ageing Russian Delta IV and Typhoon class ballistic missile submarines and will form a core of Russian naval deterrent.First of the class, the Yury Dolgoruky was laid down in 1996. Production of the vessel suffered severe delays due to funding problems. It was launched only in 2007. It is the first Russian strategic missile submarine to be launched since the Soviet era. It is also considered a milestone in the development of the Russian navy.Two other Borei class submarines, the Alexandr Nevsky and the Vladimir Monomakh are currently under construction with a forth submarine on the production schedule list.The Vladimir Monomakh and follow-on submarine will probably be built as the Project 955A. It will have numerous improvements and might have different hull shape.The Borei class submarine carries Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile, which is a naval version of the SS-27 Topol-M. The Yury Dolgoruky will carry 16 of these missiles. It is worth mentioning that there development of Bulava SLBM was plagued by setbacks, as there were numerous failures during Bulava test launches. The Bulava (NATO Designation SS-N-30) ballistic missile has a range of 8 000 km. This submarine was expected do be commissioned in 2009, however as of early 2009 it was not fitted with missiles.The forth submarine of the class is built to Project 955A standard. Improved boats will carry 20 ballistic missiles. Borei has about half the displacement of the Typhoon class, however will carry similar number of missiles.This forth-generation nuclear missile submarine is less detectable to sonar than it's predecessors. Other advancements include a pump jet propulsion. It is worth mentioning that the Borei class is the first Russian submarine with such propulsion system.
Typhoon class
The Typhoon class (Project 941 Akula) boats are the largest undersea vessels ever built, and are based on a double hull design that comprises two separate pressure hulls joined by a single outer covering to give increased protection against ASW weapons.The class was built specifically for operations with the Soviet Northern Fleet in the Arctic ice pack. The reinforced sail, advanced stern fin with horizontal hydroplane fitted aft of the screws and retractable bow hydroplanes allow the submarine to break easily through spots of thin ice within the Arctic ice shelf.The first unit was laid down in 1976 at Severodvinsk and commissioned in 1980, achieving operational status in 1981. To arm the Typhoon, design of a fifth-generation SLBM, the R-39 Taifun (SS-N-20 Sturgeon), began in 1973. Six Typhoon class vessels were constructed between 1981-89, entering service to form part of the 1st Flotilla of Atomic Submarines, within the Western Theatre of the Northern Fleet, and based at Nyerpicha. Construction of a seventh vessel was not completed.The R-39 allowed the submarine to fire the weapon from within the Arctic Circle and still hit a target anywhere within the continental US. The Typhoons, were originally to be retrofitted with the improved R-39M (SS-N-28) missiles.Two vessels were decommissioned in 1997, and in 2002 only two remained in service although it has been reported that three of the class will remain active in order to test the R-39M or the new Bulava SLBM, contravening the Co-operative Threat Reduction Program.In 2012 only one boat remained in service. The Typhoon class will be eventually replaced with new Borei class submarines.The Project 941 or Akula, Russian "Акула" ("Shark") class submarine (NATO reporting name: Typhoon) is a type of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine deployed by the Soviet Navy in the 1980s. With a submerged displacement of 48,000 tons, the Typhoons are the largest class of submarine ever built, large enough to accommodate decent living facilities for the crew when submerged for months on end. The source of the NATO reporting name remains unclear, although it is often claimed to be related to the use of the word "Typhoon" ("Тайфун") by Leonid Brezhnev in a 1974 speech while describing a new type of nuclear ballistic missile submarine. Soviet doctrine for these vessels was to patrol under the Arctic ice cap and surface to launch SLBMs, avoiding the need to transit the GIUK gap and remaining safe from the enemy attack submarines and anti-submarine forces. Technically, Typhoons were also able to successfully deploy their long-range nuclear missiles while moored at their docks. The Russian Navy canceled its Typhoon modernization program in March 2012, stating that modernizing one Typhoon would be as expensive as building two new Borei-class submarines. With the announcement that Russia has eliminated the last SS-N-20 Sturgeon SLBMs in September 2012, the remaining Typhoons have reached the end of their operational service lives.