On June 15, 2010, in Severodvinsk, the newest submarine cruiser of Project 885 was removed from the dock of the Northern Engineering Enterprise. Thus, today in Russia the lead submarines of new series of three main classes have been built: SSBN of Project 955 (“Yuri Dolgoruky”), diesel-electric submarines of Project 677 (“ St. Petersburg") and finally SSGN project 885 ("Severodvinsk").
It is worth paying attention to this intermediate milestone in order to understand what prospects await the domestic submarine fleet and on what submarines will those future officers and sailors who today are only finishing the 9th-11th grades of secondary schools will serve.
FOURTH GENERATION
The new, fourth generation of domestic submarines began at the turn of the 70-80s of the last century, immediately after the requirements were formed and preparations began for the construction of third-generation submarines - projects 941, 945, 949, 971 and others. The new generation of boats was supposed to build on the success that was achieved with the creation of third-generation submarines, capable, despite some shortcomings, of competing with their American and British peers in terms of equipment capabilities and level of stealth.
According to the tradition of the Soviet Navy, the simultaneous construction of several submarine projects was envisaged to perform various tasks - strategic, anti-aircraft carrier, multi-purpose, anti-submarine and special purpose. However, at the end of the 80s it became clear that such a practice leads to an unjustified increase in costs for the Navy, and following the example of a potential enemy, it was decided to reduce this diversity to three main classes: two classes of nuclear submarines - strategic and multi-purpose and one class of multi-purpose diesel -electric submarines.
As a result, work on new boats led to the creation of three projects, which were approved as the main ones. The role of the new “strategist” was intended for Project 955 “Borey”, and the new multi-purpose submarine cruiser - Project 885 “Yasen”. It was planned to build promising diesel submarines according to Project 677 Lada.
Unfortunately, the implementation of these plans came at an extremely difficult time for our country. The collapse of the USSR and the destruction of industry, primarily the defense industry, led to the fact that in the 90s and most of the 2000s, the fleet received “Soviet backlog” submarines, without dreaming of new submarines. The construction of the latter progressed with enormous difficulties. Meanwhile, the number of submarines of the Russian Navy was sharply reduced due to the withdrawal of a large number of boats of early projects from its composition, and many combat units that nominally remained in service could not go to sea for years.
As a result, the following situation has now developed in the Russian submarine fleet.
MARINE STRATEGIC NUCLEAR FORCES
Currently, the Russian strategic nuclear forces include six RPK SN project 667BDRM (built in the 80s - early 90s), five RPK SN project 667 BDR (built in the 70-80s), one RPK SN project 955 (launched in 2007, not yet put into operation). In addition, three Project 941 RPK SN remain in service with the Russian Navy, one of which (Dmitry Donskoy), after conversion, is used to test the D-30 missile system with the Bulava ICBM, and two more are awaiting the decision of their fate.
Currently, the construction of three more Project 955 missile submarines is underway. Two of them should be delivered to the Russian Navy during 2011, and the third in 2014 or 2015. The history of this project is quite dramatic: construction of the lead ship officially began in 1995, but almost did not progress due to underfunding. Subsequently, the project had to undergo a serious reworking, when, after several unsuccessful launches, the promising Bark missile system was abandoned in favor of the Bulava, the development of which turned into a real drama. As a result, the renewal of Russia's naval strategic nuclear forces is being delayed. Today, very significant intellectual, financial and industrial resources have been allocated to solve the problems of the Bulava, and this allows us to hope that in the near future the missile will be put into service.
In general, despite the existing difficulties, the state of Russia's naval strategic nuclear forces can be considered the most favorable compared to the rest of the domestic submarine fleet. Their basis is six RPK SN project 667BDRM, currently undergoing repairs with re-equipment on the Sineva ICBM, and it is expected that they will remain in the Navy until the 2020s, and subject to further modernization, even longer.
Taking into account the construction of a series of ships of Project 955 (assuming that all the problems of the Bulava can be eliminated within the next year) and taking into account the restrictions of the START-3 Treaty, signed in the spring of this year, we can say that the presence in service of six RPK SN of Project 667BDRM and the construction of the same number of Boreys will make it possible to remove the issue of updating Russian strategic nuclear forces for the next 20 years from the agenda.
"AIRCARRIER KILLERS"
Today, the Russian Navy retains eight nuclear-powered submarine cruisers of Project 949A Antey. These boats, the construction of which began in the 80s, are among the most modern in the Russian Navy, but the state of this component of the submarine can be called a crisis. First of all, due to the failure of the Legend ICRC and the decommissioning of most of the Tu-95RC reconnaissance aircraft, as well as difficulties with the commissioning of the new Liana ICRC. As a result, boats of this type can only use the P-700 to guide their missiles own funds detection, which excludes the use of this missile at full range and requires approaching the target.
The second and more serious problem is the narrow specialization of these submarines. “Sharpened” to fight aircraft carrier formations of the US Navy, Project 949A submarines turned out to be very large, complex and expensive to build and operate ships, the purpose of which in modern conditions is unclear. In addition large sizes make these boats very noticeable, and they are also quite noisy.
You can extend the life of Anteevs and expand their capabilities by overhaul and modernization with the replacement of the Granit missile system on boats with a new missile system with universal launchers. Such re-equipment will allow the Anteys to use a wide range of modern cruise missiles and make them multi-purpose ships. However, such a modernization will not eliminate all the shortcomings of the project, and in addition, it will be extremely time-consuming and expensive.
SUBMARINE HUNTERS
In December 2009, the K-152 Nerpa nuclear submarine was commissioned into the Russian Navy. The new Project 971I nuclear submarine is intended to be leased to the Indian Navy. Before this, the already formed Indian crew will undergo training on the submarine.
This fact is especially interesting given the state of the group of domestic multi-purpose nuclear submarines. The last multi-purpose nuclear submarine entered service with the Russian Navy in 2001. It was the same type of submarine as the Nerpa, the Gepard. Today, the Russian Navy operates, not counting the Nerpa, 12 submarines of Project 971, the average age of which exceeds 15 years. In addition to these nuclear submarines, the fleet also has multi-purpose nuclear submarines of other projects - 671RTMK (four units) and 945 (three units). In the next decade and a half, at least half of the submarines of this class will fail, in particular, all submarines of Project 671RTMK and Project 945, as well as the first Project 971 nuclear submarines built. Such a reduction, if not compensated for by the introduction of new submarines into the fleet, will lead to that by the mid-to-late 2020s, the group of multi-purpose nuclear submarines of the Russian Navy will not be able to carry out combat missions - even such important ones as covering Russian strategic submarine cruisers in combat service, but about the allocation of any noticeable number of nuclear submarines to perform tasks in remote areas of the World Ocean will be out of the question.
How can this situation be avoided?
There are currently two Project 885 multi-purpose nuclear submarines under construction for the Navy. As is known, the lead ship of the project, the K-329 Severodvinsk, was recently removed from the construction shop. Existing plans provide for the commissioning of a fleet of six nuclear submarines of this type over the next ten years, and they obviously will not be able to replace all 27 multi-purpose submarines (including the anti-aircraft 949A submarines) currently in service with the Navy.
They intended to lay down the lead boat of Project 885 at the turn of the 80s and 90s, but financial restrictions and the collapse of the USSR delayed the start of work until 1993. Then a long epic of its construction began. Initially, it was assumed that this ship would be handed over to sailors in 1998, and rumors appeared about the laying of two or three more Project 885 hulls. But in 1996, due to lack of funding, construction was practically frozen.
In 1998, the commissioning dates shifted to the early 2000s, then to 2005, to 2007... Work on the boat began again only in 2004. After the renewal of funding, the project had to be modernized - the equipment laid down by the creators of the submarine in the late 80s was outdated and it was pointless to complete the cruiser with it. In addition, according to some information, difficulties arose with the main power plant of the new generation, which had to be modified.
In fact, rumors about the construction of the next buildings of Project 885, allegedly founded back in the 90s, turned out to be untrue. In reality, work on the second ship of the improved Project 885M, named Kazan, began only in 2009.
It should be noted that the need to build a series of six Project 885 cruisers raises questions. In order to understand this topic, you need to understand the origin and evaluate the characteristics of Severodvinsk. This is a large submarine ship with a standard displacement of 9,700 and a total displacement of more than 13,500 tons, about 120 meters long and 13 meters wide. It has a high speed (according to some sources, up to 33 knots) and has powerful weapons: 8 torpedo tubes of 533 and 650 mm caliber, as well as 8 silo-type launchers, each of which can accommodate up to three cruise missiles of various types.
The boat is equipped with powerful electronic equipment and hydroacoustics, and the cost of its construction, according to some sources, is close to two billion dollars. The closest analogue of the domestic project in terms of functionality and characteristics is the American project SSN-21 Sea Wolf. Sea Wolves are also large, fast, heavily armed and expensive combat units. In the late 80s, they were supposed to be a response to the introduction of Project 971 submarines into the USSR Navy. Then the United States wanted to build 30 submarines of this type. However, due to the end of the Cold War, the need for such a series disappeared and in 1989-2005 the US Navy received only three boats, while the price of each submarine reached four billion dollars. The Virginia, which was smaller in size and not so outstanding in terms of performance characteristics, was chosen as the main nuclear submarine of the new generation. Submarines of this type are planned to be built in the amount of 30 units to replace the aging Los Angeles-class submarines.
In this regard, the question arises: does Russia today need the construction of a series of ships similar to the Sea Wolf, the characteristics of which at one time were calculated based on the assumed great war with the most powerful enemy on earth? Or, given the current international situation, we can limit ourselves to commissioning two or three submarines of Project 885 (885M), and as the main nuclear submarine in the future, choose a cheaper option that retains the necessary capabilities due to modern equipment and weapons.
The above considerations regarding the upcoming significant reduction in the group of multi-purpose nuclear submarines allow us to conclude: the construction in the next decade and a half of a cheaper “mass” nuclear submarine in the amount of at least 12-15 units is vitally necessary. In terms of basic characteristics, such a boat should correspond to the Project 971 or even 671RTM nuclear submarines, surpassing these submarines in terms of stealth and, of course, the capabilities of equipment and weapons. Judging by some information, the development of such a project is being carried out by a number of design bureaus.
DIESEL BOATS
Back in the late 90s of the last century, the question was raised about the need to replace Project 877 boats, which today form the basis of the domestic diesel submarine fleet. Deliveries of submarines of this project to the Russian Navy were completed in 1994. Currently, according to various sources, our fleet contains from 12 to 15 diesel-electric submarines of this type, the oldest of which were built in the early 80s.
As replacement options, the construction of either improved Project 636/636M submarines or the latest Project 677 submarines was considered. The first option promised the possibility of a relatively cheap and quick renewal of the submarine due to the structural similarity of the Project 636 and 877 submarines, at the same time, the capabilities of the latter were to increase significantly due to new equipment. The second was more risky - the Project 677 boat was a completely new product, the development of which in the conditions of the post-Soviet collapse of industry promised great difficulties.
Nevertheless, in 1997, the lead submarine of Project 677 was laid down, but it was launched only eight years later, and the submarine was ultimately put into operation only in May 2010. At the same time, the boat was accepted for “limited operation” - according to available information, a standard sonar system was not installed on it, the development of which had problems, and there were difficulties with the main power plant.
The delay in commissioning of the lead boat also “suspended” the fate of the next submarines of the project - B-586 “Kronstadt” and B-587 “Sevastopol”, laid down in 2005 and 2006. As a result, they have not even been launched yet. Whether it will be possible to correct the problems that have arisen without deteriorating the performance characteristics of the boat and in what time frame this can be done is still unknown.
As a result, today a paradoxical situation arises: for almost 15 years, having in its hands a successful, modern, competitive project 636, which is in demand on the world market and maintains its competitiveness through constant improvement, Russia is not building these boats for itself. Trying to bet on newest project 677, our country is faced with a number of organizational and technical problems, as a result of which the renewal of the diesel submarine has been delayed for ten years. With a different development of events, over the past ten years the fleet could have received six, and maybe eight submarines of the 636th project. It is possible that he will eventually receive them - but a decade and a half later than he should have.
FUTURE OPTIONS
The renewal of the Russian Navy, including the submarine fleet, directly depends on what funds the country can allocate to solve this problem and how carefully it will control their spending. According to representatives of the Russian Ministry of Defense, in order to fully finance the needs of the Armed Forces, it is necessary to spend 28-36 trillion rubles in the next 10 years. If the least expensive option, 13 trillion, is adopted State program weapons for 2010-2020, funding for the Navy will be on a residual basis - priority will be given to the strategic nuclear forces, air force and air defense. According to information from a number of sources, in this case, the replenishment of the fleet with new ships will be carried out through the implementation of a joint military and civilian shipbuilding program that is not included in the State Armed Forces. At the same time, in addition to the actual financing issues, a lot of problems with the reorganization and modernization of the shipbuilding industry must be solved.
In the event of one or another scenario, what will the Russian submarine look like 15 years later? The following main scenarios can be distinguished:
1. Minimal. In the absence of the necessary funding, only “protected” items will receive development; in the case of the submarine fleet, these are naval strategic nuclear forces. The grouping of multi-purpose nuclear submarines will retain 2-3 Project 949A submarines and 6-7 Project 971 boats, and will also receive 4-6 Project 885 ships. In total, it will include 10-16 nuclear submarines. The group of diesel boats will include the last 5-6 submarines of Project 877 and a similar number of boats of Project 677 and/or 636M. Taking into account the distance from each other of the main naval theaters, Russia will not have the opportunity to create a more or less strong underwater group in any of them, without allowing the others to become critically weakened. The capabilities of the submarine to carry out combat missions will be sharply reduced.
2. Acceptable. With larger amounts of funding, it is possible to take the necessary measures to preserve it in service. more boats of “Soviet projects”. Modernization of all 12 existing Bars and, for example, four boats of Project 949A in combination with the commissioning of six nuclear submarines of Project 885 and, possibly, the first 2-3 boats of the new project will make it possible to maintain the number of multi-purpose boats at the level of 22-25 units, which will make it somewhat easier position. The group of diesel submarines, having completely gotten rid of the obsolete Project 877 submarines, will consist of 12-15 new submarines.
3. Optimal. Regular funding in combination with the modernization of shipbuilding will allow, in particular, to completely update the composition of the strategic nuclear forces, without bothering with the modernization of the RPK SN of old projects. The grouping of multi-purpose boats will retain the old combat units: 4-6 Project 949A submarines, which have undergone deep modernization, and 8-10 Project 871 submarines, also improved. The order for the construction of Project 885 boats will be reduced to two or three units, but at the same time the fleet will receive 12-15 more compact and cheaper submarines. In this case, the size of the group of multi-purpose nuclear submarines will at least remain at the current level, and perhaps even increase slightly while simultaneously improving quality. The group of diesel boats in this case will consist of up to 20 units of project 677 and/or 636M, and probably some others.
Varshavyanka class submarines.
During the Cold War, the Soviet submarine program was a force to be reckoned with. Soviet underwater killer vehicles captured the imagination of both Western and Soviet citizens. Tom Clancy's 1984 novel The Hunt for Red October (which was made into a film the following year) follows the crew of a fictional Soviet ballistic missile submarine, a Typhoon-class submarine, as they attempt to escape to the United States. During the tense years of standoff between Washington and Moscow, many Americans believed that Soviet submarines were lurking in ambush off their country's coast. Both superpowers had submarines, thanks to which it was possible to start nuclear Armageddon directly from the mysterious depths of the ocean.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union Russian program submarine construction fell into decline along with many other branches of the Russian military-industrial complex. But over the past decade, Russian leaders have made efforts to modernize their armed forces. Russia is upgrading Cold War-era designs to modern standards and designing entirely new platforms such as the Borei and Yasen-class boats - it is clearly determined to improve the status and capabilities of its submarine fleet.
Here are five submarines that deserve special attention.
Submarine of the Shchuka-B project
A boule with a towed antenna inside on the tail unit of the Project 971 Shchuka-B submarine.
This nuclear attack submarine was built in the Soviet Union and was named Project 971 Bars, but it is better known by its NATO rating as Akula. The Bars doesn't have the same quietness as some Western designs, but the boat remains a potent threat, especially after a series of post-Cold War upgrades.
The Soviet Navy received seven Akula I models between 1986 and 1992. From 1992 to 1995, Russia launched two to four modernized Akula I boats. At that time, Moscow had already begun a comprehensive modernization of the Project 971A boat, Akula II. This version has an increased hull length of 110 meters and a larger displacement of 12,770 tons. The improved design also has a quieter engine than its predecessors, making the Project 971A boat the quietest in the Russian fleet. Russia has built three such ships: Vepr (entered service in 1995), Nerpa (2000) and Gepard (2001). Moscow must keep the Gepard in its arsenal until at least 2025, and the Nerpa is being leased to India.
The speed of Project 971 on the surface is up to 10 knots. Underwater, this boat can reach speeds of up to 33 knots while diving up to 600 meters. The duration of autonomous navigation for the Pike is 100 days. The boat is armed with a variety of anti-ship, anti-submarine and anti-aircraft weapons, which allows it to perform a range of missions. One submarine of this type can carry as many as 12 Granit cruise missiles, which are designed to destroy ships and ground targets. The Granit missile has a launch range of 3 thousand kilometers. For anti-ship and anti-submarine operations, the Pike is equipped with eight torpedo launchers, while the improved Akula and Akula II have ten. The Strela-ZM MANPADS with 18 missiles gives this boat the ability to strike air targets.
Project 877 submarine "Halibut" (Kilo)
Diesel submarine "Krasnokamensk" project 877 during
mooring at the main base of the Pacific Fleet in Vladivostok.
The Russian Project 877 Halibut (NATO reporting name Kilo), a diesel-electric attack submarine, was conceived during the Soviet era at the Rubin Central Naval Design Bureau in St. Petersburg. This submarine became part of the Soviet fleet in 1982 and remains in service in Russia and other countries to this day.
Halibut is a smaller submarine, its Iranian version has a submerged displacement of 3,076 tons and a hull length of 70 meters. The basic Kilo model carries six torpedo tubes. This boat can use TEST-71MKE electric torpedoes, which have an active sonar homing system with remote control and carry a 205-kilogram warhead. Halibut can also release up to 24 minutes. The boat has eight anti-aircraft missiles on board, which can be used in Strela-3 and Igla MANPADS. India, which also uses Kilo, included Club S anti-ship missiles (range 220 kilometers) under a contract with the Russian shipbuilding company Zvezdochka.
Kilo diesel generators provide the submarine with a speed of up to 10 knots on the surface and 17 knots underwater. Kilo can dive up to 300 meters, and the autonomous navigation period of this boat is 45 days. Post-Soviet Russia still uses the Halibut, while variants are in service in countries such as China, India, Iran and Algeria. Former members Warsaw Pact and current NATO members Poland and Romania also have Project 877 boats in their navies.
Submarines of project 636.6 "Varshavyanka" (Improved Kilo)
Launching of the submarine "Krasnodar" in St. Petersburg.
When will the new diesel-electric Russian submarine The Lada failed to pass sea trials in 2010, so Moscow returned to a Cold War classic, the Kilo. To meet modern requirements for diesel-electric submarines, Russia has begun upgrading the earlier Kilo model.
Project 636.6 “Varshavyanka” appeared on the scene, also known in the West as “improved Kilo”. The boat was initially seen as an intermediate option between the first Kilo and the Lada, but now the Varshavyanka will have to fill the gap until the new models are deemed seaworthy. The Russian Navy has ordered six such ships, four of which have already entered service. The newest boat "Krasnodar" was launched in April 2015.
"Varshavyanka" has a displacement of up to 4 thousand tons in a submerged position and has a powerful set of weapons. Like its predecessor, this boat has six torpedo tubes and is armed with Strela-3 and Igla anti-aircraft missiles. New type 636.6 also carries the Novator Design Bureau Club-S anti-ship missiles. This missile with a high-explosive warhead has a launch range of 220 kilometers.
Like the original Project 877, the “improved Kilo” has an autonomous voyage of 45 days and a maximum diving depth of 300 meters. "Varshavyanka" has higher speeds compared to its predecessor: 11 knots on the surface and 20 knots in the submerged position. The upgraded model, nicknamed the “silent killer,” is already considered one of the quietest diesel-electric submarines. However, the Rubin design bureau intends to install an air-independent propulsion system on the Varshavyanka, which may be even less noisy than a nuclear plant.
Project 955 Borei submarines
Nuclear submarine "Yuri Dolgoruky".
This is the first completely new submarine model developed by Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The Borei series of nuclear submarines are equipped with ballistic missiles. The lead ship of the new project, Yuri Dolgoruky, was launched in 2008 and entered into the fleet in 2013. The second Borei submarine was launched in 2010 and commissioned into the Navy in 2013, the third was launched in 2012, and the newest ship, Prince Vladimir, was laid down at the beginning of this year. The Borei class submarine cruisers are being created to eventually replace the Project 941 (Typhoon according to NATO classification) and Dolphin (Delta-III according to NATO classification) submarines.
The length of the Borei hull is 170 meters, and each submarine has a displacement under water of 24 thousand tons. "Yuri Dolgoruky" and the rest of the ships of its series carry 16 R-30 "Bulava-30" (RSM-56) ballistic missiles. Bulava missiles are equipped with nuclear warheads with a yield of 150 kilotons and have a launch range of 8 thousand kilometers. According to some data, RSM-56 can have an even greater range and power: up to 10 thousand kilometers and up to 500 kilotons. In addition to ballistic missiles, Borei boats also have six torpedo tubes capable of launching various types of anti-submarine torpedoes.
The Borei's nuclear power plant provides it with a surface speed of up to 15 knots and a submerged speed of 29 knots. The maximum diving depth of the boat is 480 meters, and the autonomous navigation period is 100 days. Borey-class submarines promise to become for the Russian navy powerful long-range force for many years. Moscow has already placed an order for the construction of 10 new boats by 2020.
Project 885 Yasen submarines
Acceptance ceremony for the first multi-purpose nuclear submarine
K-560 "Severodvinsk" project "Ash" in the Russian Navy.
Sevmash's Project 885 Yasen is designed to replace the aging fleet of Shchuka-B class submarines. This nuclear-powered submarine will ultimately replace Soviet-era designs and satisfy Moscow's need for a powerful attack submarine. The first Yasen-class boat, Severodvinsk, entered service with the Northern Fleet based in Severomorsk in 2014.
The Yasen project submarines have a hull length of 111 meters and a submerged displacement of approximately 13,500 tons. Each Project 885 ship can carry on board weapons designed to destroy ground targets, surface ships and submarines, which allows it to carry out wide circle tasks. To combat submarines, Yasen has eight torpedo tubes and can launch anti-submarine missiles, such as the supersonic P-800 Oniks. Onyx missiles can also be used as anti-ship weapons. At ground targets, Yasen submarines are capable of launching 3M51 cruise missiles, which can be equipped with a nuclear warhead. 3M51 have a range of 800 kilometers.
The powerful reactor power plant on board the Yasen submarines allows the new models to be significantly ahead of their predecessors. Project 885 submarines can reach speeds of up to 20 knots on the surface and 35 knots underwater. Yasen boats are capable of diving to more than 600 meters, making them a serious threat to Russia’s adversaries.
Submarines form the main backbone of Russia's naval armament. They are able to carry out a number of strategic important tasks. They are used to destroy enemy ships, various underwater and surface objects, as well as hit targets in the enemy’s coastal waters. In addition, they are able to quietly carry out combat missions and leave places of temporary deployment. It is believed that the submarine fleets of the Russian Federation and the United States are the most powerful, and these powers share the palm in dominance over the World Ocean.
How the nuclear submarine fleet was born
In the middle of the last century, in 1954, the Nautilus was launched, which is considered the first nuclear submarine produced by the United States. The development of the SSN 571 type submarine vessel began in 1946, and its construction began in 1949. The basis for the design was the German military submarine 27 series, the design of which the Americans changed beyond recognition and installed a nuclear power plant in it. Before the beginning of 1960, the production of the first nuclear submarines of the EB 253-A project, better known as the Skate submarines, was launched.
Just 5 years later, at the beginning of 1959, Project 627 appeared, which became the first nuclear submarine of the Soviet Union. It was immediately adopted by the Navy. Soon after this, Soviet designers developed Project 667-A, which was originally intended for use as a strategic missile submarine cruiser (SSBN). Actually, the adoption of the 667s into service as combat units is considered to be the beginning of the development of the second generation of nuclear submarines of the USSR.
In 1970 of the last century, Project 667-B was adopted and approved in the Union. It was a nuclear submarine called "Moray". It was equipped with a powerful naval DBK (ballistic missile system) "D-9" for intercontinental use. Following this submarine, Murena-M (project 667-BD) appeared, and already in 1976 the Soviet fleet received the first series of missile-carrying submarines, project 667-BDR. They were armed with missiles that had multiple warheads.
The further development of the submarines of the leading countries was carried out in such a way that the design was based on silent propellers and some changes in the hull. Thus, in 1980, the first attack submarine appeared, which became Project 949 III generation. To perform a number of strategic tasks, it used torpedoes and cruise missiles.
A little later, Project 667-AT appeared, the flagship of which was the K423 nuclear submarine. It was adopted in 1986 by the Soviet Navy. It is also worth noting that this project managed to survive to this day. Like other Russian nuclear submarines, the active combat units of the fleet include the Project 667 model K395.
One cannot fail to note the Soviet submarines created in 1977. They became a modification of the project 667 ─ 671 RTM, of which 26 units were built by the end of 1991. Soon after this, the first domestic multi-purpose nuclear submarines were created, the hull of which was made of titanium - Bars-971 and 945, known as Barracuda.
Is half a hundred a lot or a little?
The Russian submarine fleet is armed with 76 submarines of various classes, including SSBNs, multi-purpose submarines, diesel-powered submarines, and special-purpose vessels. The question of how many nuclear submarines there are in Russia can be answered this way: there are 47 of them. It should be noted that this is very large number, since the construction of one nuclear submarine today costs the state over $1 billion. If we take into account ships being re-equipped and in ship repair yards, then the number of nuclear submarines in Russia will be 49. For comparison, we present some data on the submarines in service with the superpowers. The American submarine fleet has 71 submarine combat units, while Great Britain and France each have 10 units.
Nuclear-powered heavy missile-carrying cruisers
Heavy missile carriers are considered the largest and most dangerous in terms of defeating enemy force and destructive ability. There are 3 such nuclear submarines in Russian service. Among them is the missile carrier Dmitry Donskoy (heavy cruiser TK208), as well as the Vladimir Monomakh. They were built according to Project 945. Their weapons are represented by the Bulava missile system.
The TK-17 cruiser of the Akula class, which is part of the 941UM project, is in service with the submarine fleet and is called Arkhangelsk. The TK-20 boat is called “Severstal”, and it was also built according to this project. One of the reasons for their decommissioning is the shortage of P-39 ballistic missiles. We also note that these ships are among the largest in the world, and their total displacement is about 50 thousand tons.
At the beginning of 2013, the flag was raised on the nuclear submarine K-535 (Project 955 “Borey”), named after Yuri Dolgoruky. This submarine became the lead submarine missile cruiser of the Northern Fleet. Less than a year has passed, and in December the Pacific Fleet received the K-550. This nuclear submarine is named after Alexander Nevsky. All boats are IV generation strategic missile carriers.
Strategic nuclear submarines "Dolphin"
Project 667-BDRM represents nuclear submarines of the Russian Navy in the amount of 6 units:
- "Bryansk" ─ K117;
- "Verkhoturye" ─ K51;
- "Ekaterinburg" ─ K84;
- "Karelia" ─ K118;
- “Novomoskovsk” ─ K407;
- "Tula" ─ K114.
In mid-1999, the nuclear-powered cruiser K64 ceased to be an active unit of the Navy and was removed from service. All Russian nuclear submarines (photos of some can be seen above) included in the project are in service with the Northern MF.
Project 667-BDR. Nuclear boats "Squid"
In terms of their number in the Navy, modern Russian nuclear submarines of the Kalmar class are right behind the Dolphins. The construction of boats under Project 667BDR began even before the beginning of 1980 in the USSR, so most of the nuclear submarines have already been decommissioned and become unusable. Today, the Russian fleet has only 3 units of such submarine cruisers:
- "Ryazan" ─ K44;
- “Saint George the Victorious” ─ K433;
- "Podolsk" ─ K223.
All submarines are in service with the Russian Pacific Fleet. Ryazan is considered the “youngest” of them, since it was put into operation later than the others, at the end of 1982.
Multi-purpose nuclear submarine
Russia's multipurpose nuclear submarines, which were assembled according to Project 971, are considered the most numerous in their class (Shchuka-B). They are capable of destroying targets in coastal waters, on the shore, as well as hitting underwater structures and objects located on the surface of the water. The Northern and Pacific fleets are armed with 11 nuclear submarines of this type. However, 3 of them will no longer be in operation for various reasons. For example, the nuclear submarine "Akula" is not used at all, and "Barnaul" and "Bars" have already been transferred for disposal. The Nerpa K152 submarine has been sold to India under contract since 2012. Later it was transferred to the Indian Navy.
Project 949A. Multipurpose nuclear submarine "Antey"
There are 3 Russian Project 949A nuclear submarines and they are part of the Northern Fleet. 5 Antey nuclear submarines are in service with the Pacific Fleet. When this submarine was conceived, it was planned to put 18 units into operation. However, the funding shortage made itself felt, so only 11 of them were launched.
Today, Russia's Antey class nuclear submarines are in service with the fleet in the amount of 8 combat units. Several years ago, the submarines “Krasnoyarsk” K173 and “Krasnodar” K178 were sent for dismantling and disposed of. On September 12, 2000, a tragedy occurred in the Barents Sea that claimed the lives of 118 Russian sailors. On this day, the Antey 949A Kursk K141 project sank.
Multi-purpose nuclear submarines "Condor", "Barracuda" and "Pike"
From the early 80s to the 90s, 4 boats were built, which were projects 945 and 945A. They were named "Barracuda" and "Condor". According to the 945 project, Russian nuclear submarines Kostroma B276 and Karp B239 were built. As for the 945A project, it was used to create the Nizhny Novgorod B534, as well as the Pskov B336, which were initially put into service with the Northern Fleet. All 4 submarines are still in service today.
Also in service there are 4 submarines of the multi-purpose project "Pike" 671RTMK, including:
- "Obninsk" ─ B138;
- "Petrozavodsk" ─ B338;
- "Tambov" ─ B448;
- “Daniil of Moscow” ─ B414.
The Ministry of Defense plans to decommission these boats and replace them with a completely new class of combat units.
Nuclear submarine 885 "Ash" type
Today, the SSGN Severodvinsk is the only operational submarine of this class. On June 17 last year, a ceremonial flag raising took place on K-560. Over the next 5 years, it is planned to create and launch 7 more such vessels. Already in full swing The construction of the Kazan, Krasnoyarsk and Novosibirsk submarines is underway. If “Severodvinsk” is a project 885, then the remaining boats will be created according to the project of an improved modification 885M.
As for weapons, the Yasen nuclear submarines will be equipped with supersonic cruise missiles of the Caliber type. The firing range of these missiles can be 2.5 thousand km, and they are high-precision projectiles whose main task will be the destruction of enemy aircraft carriers. It is also planned that the Kazan nuclear submarine will be equipped with fundamentally new equipment that has not previously been used in the development of underwater vehicles. Moreover, in a row technical characteristics, primarily due to the minimal noise level, detecting such a submarine will be very problematic. In addition, this multi-purpose submarine will be a worthy competitor to the American SSN575 Seawolf.
At the end of November 2012, tests of the Caliber missile system were carried out. The shooting was carried out from the submerged Severodvinsk submarine at ground targets from a distance of 1.4 thousand km. In addition, a supersonic Onyx-type rocket was launched. The missile launches were successful and proved the feasibility of their use.
Underwater surprise from Putin - “Balance Breakers”
Answer Moria4oku to the commentary on the article: “Russia will put an end to the naval hegemony of the United States,” where I did not raise the question of the superiority of diesel engines over the nuclear hulks of the United States, it was about nullifying their basis of naval power: the Carrier Strike Group (AUG) and several other devices!
Project 677 Lada submarines are designed to destroy enemy submarines, surface ships and vessels, protect naval bases, the sea coast and sea communications, and conduct reconnaissance. So: Russian submarines of the 677th Lada project with an Air-Independent Power Unit (VNEU) are precisely a major breakthrough in this direction, taking the Russian submarine fleet to fundamentally new frontiers.
“Ladas” are small, their displacement is almost half that of the famous “Varshavyanka”. But its weapons complex is very serious and unusually large. In addition to the traditional mine-torpedo armament of diesel-electric submarines (6 torpedo tubes of 533 mm, 18 torpedoes or mines), Project 667 is the world’s first non-nuclear submarine equipped with specialized launchers for cruise missiles (10 vertical launchers in the middle part of the hull). Moreover, these KR can be both operational-tactical, strike-anti-ship, and long-range missiles designed to hit strategic targets deep in enemy territory.
But the most important feature of the new Russian submarines is VNEU– Air-Independent Energy Installation. Without going into details that are interesting to specialists, we note that the presence of VNEU will allow the Lada to be submerged until 25 days, that is almost 10 times longer than their famous “big sisters” - “Varshavyanka” of project 636.3! At the same time, the noise level of the Lada will be even less than that of the famous Warsaw “black hole”, which the Americans nicknamed it because it almost impossible to detect.
NATO countries have long been trying to equip their submarines with such VNEU. Germany and Sweden are the trendsetters in this area. Since the late 90s, German shipbuilders have been building small submarines of Project 212214, equipped with a hybrid power plant. It includes a diesel engine for surface propulsion and battery recharging, silver-zinc batteries themselves, and VNEU for economical underwater propulsion based on fuel cells, including tanks with cryogenic oxygen and containers with metal hydride (a special alloy of metal combined with hydrogen).
Equipping the boat with such an anaerobic installation allowed the Germans to increase the time it spent underwater to 20 days. And now German “babies” with VNEU of various modifications are in service with Germany, Italy, Portugal, Turkey, Israel, Korea and several other countries.
Swedish concern Kockums Submarine Systems, in turn, at the end of the last century began the construction of submarines of the class Gotland with VNEU based on the so-called "Stirling engine". When using it, these boats can also stay under water without recharging the batteries for up to 20 days. And now there are submarines with Stirling engines not only in Scandinavia, but also in Australia, Japan, Singapore and Thailand.
But neither the German nor the Swedish submarines, which are small, essentially coastal boats, can be compared with the Russian Ladas - neither in their tactical and technical characteristics, nor in the variety and power of weapons. Our Project 667 submarines are in this class in all respects new generation ships unique in their quality!
A prototype of an air-independent power plant (VNEU)
The St. Petersburg installation makes it possible to produce hydrogen, necessary for generating electricity, directly from diesel fuel and in exactly the quantities necessary to ensure electric propulsion under water. Western analogues suggest pumping hydrogen into special containers, which increases the fire hazard of the submarine. Energy capacity of the domestic installation – 400 kW. The best foreign analogues produce no more 180 kW, the Russian VNEU allows the use of standard diesel fuel and does not require complex shore maintenance. At the same time she has no moving parts. In terms of acoustics, this is a big advantage.
Central Clinical Hospital "Rubin"- the main designer of submarines in Russia, designed the Lada so that it is capable of delivering salvo torpedo and missile attacks on sea and stationary ground targets both from torpedo tubes and from specialized vertical missile silos. Due to the unique hydroacoustic system, our boat has a significantly increased target detection range. It can dive to 300 m and has a full submersible speed of up to 21 node, autonomy – 45 days. To reduce the noise of the boat, vibration isolators and an all-mode rowing electric motor with permanent magnets are used. The boat's hull is covered with Molniya material, which absorbs sonar signals.
Remote screw column RDK-35
Little is known about the VNEU of our boat. Just like the Germans, it will be based on an electrochemical generator. But it will be fundamentally different in that the hydrogen necessary for the operation of the VNEU will be produced directly on board by processing existing diesel fuel. Therefore, the Russian VNEU will be much more economical than its German counterpart, which will increase the time of its continuous stay under water to 25 days. At the same time, the Lada will cost significantly less than the German boats of Project 212214.
By 2020, the Russian fleet expects to receive 14 units of such new non-nuclear submarines of the 4th generation.
The deployment of an additional two or three Lad formations within the Russian Navy can fundamentally change the balance of forces not only in the Baltic, Caspian and Black Sea, but also in the North, the Mediterranean, the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean. In the North, in the Barents Sea, such boats are capable of reliably covering the deployment routes of Russian submarine strategic missile carriers from any encroachment by the anti-submarine forces of the United States and NATO countries, which will significantly increase the combat stability of the naval component of our strategic nuclear forces.
Unified periscope complex UPC "Parus-98"
Now our missile carriers carry out combat service for the most part under the ice of the Arctic, where they are practically inaccessible to enemy influence. The Americans can detect, track and hit our submarine cruise only at the stage of its transition to the combat patrol area. And the Ladas of Project 667 are ideally suited to counter American nuclear submarines spying on our “strategists,” since they hear them at distances much greater than the Americans are able to hear the Lada. In such conditions, defeating an enemy submarine - either by the Lada on its own, or by targeting it with anti-submarine aircraft and surface ships - becomes a matter of technology.
Device No. 1 SJSC "Lira" - bow quasi-conformal noise direction-finding antenna of a large area L-01 Onboard quasi-conformal noise direction-finding antennas GAS in the bow of the hull
As for the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean, the presence in their waters of a sufficient number of submarines like the Lada practically nullifies American naval power there, the core of which is carrier strike groups (ACGs). Back in Soviet times, Project 641B diesel engines managed to break through the anti-submarine defenses of aircraft carriers and sometimes surfaced right under the noses of stunned American admirals. And only a small underwater range, the absence of long-range missile weapons and the inability to remain submerged for more than 3 days gave the Americans a chance in this confrontation with Soviet submariners.
Today, provided that the Lada is truly capable of remaining under water for up to 25 days, its ammunition will include a powerful anti-ship missile system similar to the Caliber, 6 bow 533-mm torpedo tubes with an air-fired firing system and an automatic fast silent reloading "Moray" (2 upper tier TAs are adapted for firing remote-controlled torpedoes).
According to the technical specifications for the creation of the submarine, it was planned to install 4 torpedoes with an ammunition load of 12 torpedoes. Ammunition - mines, 18 torpedoes (SAET-60M, UGST and USET-80K types), Shkval torpedo missiles and Biryuza anti-ship missiles (Club-S), launched from torpedo tubes or 22 mines of the DM-1 type, and reconnaissance and guidance of submarines to the AUG will be carried out using layered reconnaissance, including a space group, the vaunted US aircraft carriers will no longer have such a chance! And this means that An entire era of American “supremacy at sea” will become a thing of the past.
Submarines of project 955 (09551), 955A (09552) “Borey” (according to NATO codification SSBN “Borei”, also “Dolgorukiy” - on behalf of the lead ship of the class) - a series of Russian nuclear submarines of the class “strategic missile submarine cruiser” ( SSBN) fourth generation.
Photos of Russian nuclear submarines (21 photos)
A selection of photos of Russian nuclear submarines of various projects of the Northern and Pacific fleets in various weather conditions
Heavy strategic missile submarines of Project 941 "Akula" (SSBN "Typhoon" according to NATO codification) are a series of Soviet and Russian submarines, the world's largest nuclear submarines (and submarines in general).
The Project 877 diesel-electric submarine, or Varshavyanka, better known in the West as the Kilo-class submarine, was developed in the early 1970s. to provide anti-ship and anti-submarine defense of Soviet naval bases, coastal facilities and protection of sea communications, as well as for patrol service and reconnaissance. These medium-range boats were first built in Komsomolsk-on-Amur on Far East, and then in Nizhny Novgorod and at the Admiralty Shipyard in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). The first boat was laid down in 1979 and delivered to the fleet in 1982.
Project 971 "Pike-B" - nuclear submarines
The nuclear submarine pr. 971 (code "Bars") was developed at SPMBM "Malachite" under the leadership of G.N. Chernyshova. It belongs to the third generation PLA and is multi-purpose in the full sense of the word. It is designed to search, detect and track enemy SSBNs and AUGs, destroy them with the outbreak of hostilities, as well as strike coastal targets. If necessary, the boat can carry mines.
Project 677 submarines (code "Lada") are a series of Russian diesel-electric submarines developed at the end of the 20th century at the Rubin Central Design Bureau. They are intended to carry out reconnaissance and sabotage activities against enemy surface ships and submarines, protect coastal areas from enemy landings, as well as lay minefields and other similar tasks.
Project 865 Piranha midget submarines
Small submarines of Project 865 "Piranha" are a project of submarines of the Navy of the USSR and the Russian Federation. The type was in service with the fleet from 1990 to 1999. A total of 2 submarines were built of this project: MS-520 and MS-521. Further construction of similar boats in the USSR was suspended. As a result, the series was limited to the experimental MS-520 and the lead MS-521, delivered to the fleet in December 1990.
The first submarine of the intermediate project 641B "Som", intended to replace the long-range submarines of project 641 in the operational zones of the Black Sea and Northern fleets, was assembled in 1972 in Gorky. A total of 18 units of two modifications were built, with minor differences. Boats of later construction were several meters longer, possibly due to the installation of equipment for anti-aircraft missile systems. The bow sonar equipment was externally similar to that installed on modern Soviet nuclear attack submarines at the time, and the propulsion system was tested on the latest Foxtrot subclass.
APKR K-18 "Karelia" - nuclear submarine missile cruiser
After entering service, the boat was part of the 13th DiPL of the 3rd FlPL Northern Fleet, and from September 2000 - part of the 31st DiPL of the 12th EskPL Northern Fleet. Until it was put into medium repair (in August 2004), the ship undertook twelve autonomous trips to combat service, carried out combat duty at home bases 26 times and carried out fourteen practical launches of R-29RM missiles. In July-August 1994, K-18 under the command of Captain 1st Rank Yu.I. Yurchenko (senior on board Rear Admiral A.A. Berzin), while guarding the nuclear submarine B-414 (Project 671RTMK), undertook a trip to the waters of the Arctic with an ascent in the North Pole area.
"Dolphin" - the first Russian submarine
"Dolphin" is the first combat submarine of the Russian fleet, which served as a prototype for the subsequent development of domestic ships of this class until 1917. The project was developed by a special commission consisting of I.G. Bubnova, M.N. Beklemishev and I.S. Goryunova. The main ballast tanks were located in the light ends and ventilated inside the PC.
The construction in 1958 of the first Soviet submarines Project 633 (according to NATO classification "Romeo" type) in Gorky, as improved Project 613 submarines, coincided with the successful introduction of nuclear power plants in the USSR Navy. As a result, only 20 diesel-electric submarines of this project out of 560 originally planned were actually built.
Kasatka-class submarines
Submarine "Field Marshal Graf Sheremetyev" type "Kasatka"
Successful tests of the Dolphin submarine proved the readiness of the domestic industry to independently build submarines. I.G. Bubnov applied to the Naval Ministry for permission to begin developing “underwater destroyer No. 140.” On September 1, 1903, the manager of the Maritime Ministry authorized the development of drawings for the submarine, on December 20, 1903.
German U-Boat - submarines of the Second World War
Color film about German submarines of the Second World War, which torpedo Allied ships, mostly American. The video is of very high quality and in color, which was rare for that time.
Keta - submarine
Lieutenant S.A. Yanovich, working on the submarine project of the inventor Kolbasyev, developed an interesting solution for a semi-submersible low visibility boat. He was given the hull of Drzewiecki's old boat (1880), which was remodeled, increased in size and installed with a car engine. The hull was lengthened from 5 to 7.5 m and reinforced with double walls. The resulting double-sided space was used as fuel and ballast tanks.
Type "Som" - submarines 1904 - 1906
On September 12, 1903, the Board of the Nevsky Shipbuilding and Mechanical Plants in St. Petersburg signed an agreement with the American company Holland Torpedo Boat, owned by J. Holland, on the right of the Nevsky Plant to build submarines according to Holland’s designs in Russia for 25 years.
Trout - submarine
The submarine "Forel" was built in 1902-1903. at the F. Krupp shipyard in Kiel own initiative as a “live” advertisement to attract the attention of the German government to submarines as a new means of combat at sea. It was built according to the design of the Spanish engineer R. Equileia.
"Sturgeon" type - submarines
Sturgeon-class submarine "Halibut"
Started January 26, 1904 Russo-Japanese War and the subsequent losses of the Russian squadron required the Russian government to urgently strengthen the fleet. Along with the development of the construction of domestic submarines, measures were taken to acquire submarines from foreign companies.
Submarines "Karp" type
On May 24, 1904, a contract was signed with the company of F. Krupp for the construction of 3 E-type submarines: the Karp submarine, the Kambala submarine, and the Karas submarine. These submarines were built under serial numbers 109, 110, 111. Given the novelty of the design, the contract did not provide for sanctions for failure to comply with the terms of the contract. Testing of the first submarine was supposed to begin on January 10, 1905, the second and third - in February and March of the same year.