The largest nuclear submarines. "Shark", "Pike", "Ohio": size matters

Submarines are part of the navies of many countries. Some of them are so small that the crew consists of only two people, and some are simply huge. The list of the latter is contained in this article. The largest submarines are underwater cruisers with a displacement of up to forty-eight thousand tons and a length of 172 meters.

10th place. Navaga 128 meters long

The rating of the world's largest submarines opens with Soviet submarines called Navaga of Project 667A. They carry ballistic missiles. The length of the submarine reaches 128 meters, with a width of 11.7 m. This project is equipped with installations carrying R-27 missiles, which are capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 2,400 km. The submarine’s general combat kit also includes twenty-two torpedoes, including two that carry a nuclear charge. Work began on the development of submarines of this series in 1958.

9th place. Triomphant – 138 meters

Among the largest submarines in the world are French-made Triumphant-class submarines. Construction of the first submarine of this project began in 1986. Due to the collapse of the Soviet Union, an adjustment was made and instead of the planned six units, only four were built. The underwater displacement is 14,335 tons. The length of the body is 138 meters, and its width is 12.5 meters. There are sixteen M45 class missiles in service.

8th place. Jin – 140 meters

A stunning impression remains from the size of the Project 094 Jin submarine from China. These submarines replaced the 092 Xia class boats that were in service. Construction of the underwater giants began in 1999. Since China has a policy that does not allow talking about their developments, there is very little information about these boats. The length of the boat is 140 meters, with a width not exceeding thirteen meters. The volume of underwater displacement is estimated at 11,500 tons. The submarine is armed with twelve ballistic missiles capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 12,000 km. The first boat of the Jin series. Launched in 2004. As follows from the information voiced by the Chinese military, this country’s navy currently has six submarines. In 2014, they were supposed to begin combat patrols.

7th place. Vanguard – 150 meters

British Vanguard-class submarines are also among the largest submarines in the world. These submarines replaced the Resolution class boats at the combat post. England was prompted to create a new boat by the production of new types of submarines by the military industries of the Soviet Union and America, in order to give it identical combat characteristics. The strategic plans included the production of at least seven submarines, but the collapse of the Soviet Union made such a solution to the issue irrelevant, and the number of missile carriers was reduced to four, which entered the British Navy. Construction of the first boat began in 1986. Its underwater displacement was 15,900 tons, its hull length was 150 meters, and its width was 12.8 meters. Vanguard carried sixteen Trident-2 D5 ballistic missiles on board.

6th place. Squid – 155 meters

Kalmar submarines produced at Russian shipyards occupy sixth place in the ranking of the largest submarines in the world. Development of the submarine project began in 1972, in connection with the need to deploy R-29R ballistic missiles. With an underwater displacement of 13,050 tons, its length reaches 155 meters, with a width of 11.7 meters. It is armed with sixteen R-29R intercontinental liquid missiles, the range of which exceeds six thousand kilometers. The bulk of boats of this type were scrapped, and the remaining ones continue to serve as part of the Russian Pacific Fleet.

5th place. Murena-M – 155 meters

Submarines of the Murena-M project occupy the fifth line of the rating. It is a modernized version of the Murena project boat. The main difference is the increase in the number of missiles to sixteen, instead of twelve on the previous project. To make this possible, the hull was increased by sixteen meters, the length of which became 155 meters. Its underwater displacement reached 15,750 tons. The width of the boat reached 11.7 meters. Sixteen R-29D missiles placed on board are capable of hitting targets at a distance of 9,000 km.

4th place. Dolphin – 167 meters

A continuation of the development of the Kalmar project was the submarine Dolphin. The first submarine was laid down in 1981. Ultimately, seven submarines were built. Currently, they are all serving as part of the Russian submarine fleet. According to its physical characteristics, the Dolphin is among the largest submarines in the world. With an underwater displacement of 18,200 tons, its length reaches 167 meters, with a width of 11.7 meters. The submarine is armed with sixteen R-29RM class ballistic missiles.

3rd place. Ohio (Ohio class SSBN/SSGN) – 170 meters

These American submarines are of the third generation. On board they carry twenty-four Trident-class ballistic missiles. Their feature is the ability to divide the head into several parts that can cause damage according to an individual pattern. Currently, Ohio-class submarines play the role of the core of America's nuclear forces. The location of their combat duty is the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Having a width of 12.8 meters, the length of the submarine reaches 17.7 meters. When submerged, the boat's displacement is 18,750 tons. It is capable of diving to a depth of 550 meters. The first representative of this class was commissioned in 1981. This interesting fact is known: in 2009, the crew of the USS Rhode Island submarine, which was on combat duty, rescued four men and one boy who were shipwrecked and had lost all hope of their salvation.

2nd place. Borey – 170 meters

In second place in the ranking of the largest submarines in the world is the Russian Borey-class submarine. To date, the construction and commissioning of three submarine cruisers have been completed, and three more are on the stocks in the process of construction. The last one was laid in 2015. The military plans to build eight Borei submarines by 2018. The start of development was due to the need to replace submarines belonging to the Dolphin and Akula classes. The underwater displacement of Borey class boats is 24,000 tons. The length of their hull is 170 meters and the width is 13.5 meters. Sixteen Bulava class missiles are used as weapons.

1 place. Shark – 173 meters

The leader of the TOP 10 is rightfully the Akula submarine. Man has never built a larger submarine than this one. It is difficult to imagine a nine-story building rushing underwater, stretching the length of two football fields. Such dimensions, of course, raise some doubts about its combat effectiveness, but one simply cannot help but admire it. Construction of the submarine began in 1976. It was assumed that it would serve as a response to the construction of the Ohio class boat by the Americans. The first submarine missile carrier was delivered to the Navy in 1980. Its underwater displacement is 48,000 tons. The length of the hull stretched to 172.8 meters, and the width was 23.3 meters. The missile cruiser is armed with twenty three-stage R-39 Variant ballistic missiles. Excellent conditions have been created for the submarine crew. They can use the small swimming pool, solarium, sauna, gym and even relax in the living corner. This means that the Shark is quite capable of carrying out combat patrols in the waters of the Arctic latitudes. In total, six Akula-class submarine cruisers currently serve in the Russian Navy.

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).

Project 941 Akula submarines - video

The tactical and technical specifications for the design were issued in December 1972, and S. N. Kovalev was appointed chief designer of the project. The new type of submarine cruiser was positioned as a response to the US construction of Ohio-class SSBNs (the first boats of both projects were laid down almost simultaneously in 1976). The dimensions of the new ship were determined by the dimensions of the new solid-fuel three-stage intercontinental ballistic missiles R-39 (RSM-52), with which it was planned to arm the boat. Compared to the Trident-I missiles, which were equipped with the American Ohio, the R-39 missile had better flight range characteristics, throw weight and had 10 blocks versus 8 for the Trident. However, the R-39 turned out to be almost twice as long and three times as heavy as its American counterpart. The standard SSBN layout was not suitable for accommodating such large missiles. On December 19, 1973, the government decided to begin work on the design and construction of a new generation of strategic missile carriers.

The first boat of this type, TK-208 (which means “heavy cruiser”), was laid down at the Sevmash enterprise in June 1976, launched on September 23, 1980. Before the descent, an image of a shark was painted on the side of the submarine in the bow below the waterline; later, stripes with a shark appeared on the crew’s uniform. Despite the later launch of the project, the lead cruiser entered sea trials a month earlier than the American Ohio (July 4, 1981). TK-208 entered service on December 12, 1981. In total, from 1981 to 1989, 6 Akula-type boats were launched and put into operation. The planned seventh ship was never laid down; Hull structures were prepared for it.

The construction of “9-story” submarines provided orders for more than 1000 enterprises of the Soviet Union. At Sevmash alone, 1,219 people who participated in the creation of this unique ship received government awards. For the first time, Leonid Brezhnev announced the creation of the “Shark” series at the XXVI Congress of the CPSU.

To ensure reloading of missiles and torpedoes, in 1986 the diesel-electric transport-missile carrier “Alexander Brykin” of Project 11570 was built with a total displacement of 16,000 tons; it could carry up to 16 SLBMs.

In 1987, the TK-12 "Simbirsk" carried out a long high-latitude voyage to the Arctic with repeated replacement of crews.

On September 27, 1991, during a training launch in the White Sea on the TK-17 Arkhangelsk, a training rocket exploded and burned out in the silo. The explosion tore off the cover of the mine, and the warhead of the rocket was thrown into the sea. The crew was not injured during the incident; the boat was forced to undergo minor repairs.

In 1998, tests were carried out in the Northern Fleet, during which 20 R-39 missiles were launched “simultaneously”.

Design of Project 941 Akula submarines

The power plant is made in the form of two independent echelons located in different durable buildings. The reactors are equipped with an automatic shutdown system in case of loss of power supply and pulse equipment for monitoring the condition of the reactors. When designing, the TTZ included a clause on the need to ensure a safe radius; for this purpose, methods for calculating the dynamic strength of complex hull components (fastening modules, pop-up cameras and containers, inter-hull connections) were developed and tested by experiments in experimental compartments.

To build the Sharks, a new workshop No. 55 was specially built at Sevmash - the largest indoor boathouse in the world. The ships have a large reserve of buoyancy - more than 40%. When submerged, exactly half of the displacement is accounted for by ballast water, for which the boats received the unofficial name “water carrier” in the navy, and in the competing design bureau “Malachite” - “a victory of technology over common sense.” One of the reasons for this decision was the requirement for the developers to ensure the smallest draft of the ship to be able to use existing piers and repair bases. Also, it is the large reserve of buoyancy, coupled with a durable deckhouse, that allows the boat to break through ice up to 2.5 meters thick, which for the first time made it possible to conduct combat duty in high latitudes right up to the North Pole.

Frame

A special feature of the boat’s design is the presence of five habitable durable hulls inside the light hull. Two of them are the main ones, have a maximum diameter of 10 m and are located parallel to each other, according to the principle of a catamaran. At the front of the ship, between the main pressure hulls, are missile silos, which were first placed forward of the wheelhouse. In addition, there are three separate pressurized compartments: a torpedo compartment, a control module compartment with a central control post, and an aft mechanical compartment. The removal and placement of three compartments into the space between the main hulls made it possible to increase the fire safety and survivability of the boat.

Both main strong hulls are connected to each other by three transitions through intermediate strong capsule compartments: in the bow, in the center and in the stern. The total number of waterproof compartments of the boat is 19. Two pop-up rescue chambers, designed for the entire crew, are located at the base of the wheelhouse under the retractable device fence.

The durable hulls are made of titanium alloys, the lightweight ones are made of steel, covered with a non-resonant anti-location and sound-insulating rubber coating with a total weight of 800 tons. According to American experts, the strong hulls of the boat are also equipped with sound-insulating coatings. The ship received a developed cruciform stern tail with horizontal rudders located directly behind the propellers. The front horizontal rudders are retractable.

In order for the boats to be able to carry out duty in high latitudes, the wheelhouse fencing is made very strong, capable of breaking through ice 2-2.5 m thick (in winter, the thickness of the ice in the Arctic Ocean varies from 1.2 to 2 m, and in some places reaches 2.5 m). The bottom surface of the ice is covered with growths in the form of icicles or stalactites of considerable size. When surfacing, the underwater cruiser, having removed the bow rudders, is slowly pressed against the ice ceiling with a specially adapted bow and wheelhouse fencing, after which the main ballast tanks are sharply purged.

Power point

The main nuclear power plant is designed according to the block principle and includes two water-cooled thermal neutron reactors OK-650 with a thermal power of 190 MW each and a shaft power of 2 × 50,000 liters. pp., as well as two steam turbine units, located one each in both durable hulls, which significantly increases the survivability of the boat. The use of a two-stage rubber-cord pneumatic shock absorption system and a block arrangement of mechanisms and equipment made it possible to significantly improve the vibration isolation of the units and, thereby, reduce the noise of the boat.

Two low-speed, low-noise, seven-bladed fixed-pitch propellers are used as propulsors. To reduce noise levels, the propellers are installed in ring fairings (fenestrons). The boat has backup propulsion means: two 190 kW DC electric motors. For maneuvering in cramped conditions, there is a thruster in the form of two folding columns with 750 kW electric motors and rotary propellers. Thrusters are located in the bow and stern of the ship.

Habitability

The crew is accommodated in conditions of increased comfort. The boat has a lounge for relaxation, a gym, a swimming pool measuring 4x2 m and a depth of 2 m, filled with fresh or salt sea water with the possibility of heating, a solarium, a sauna lined with oak boards, and a “living corner”. The rank and file are accommodated in small cockpits, the command personnel are accommodated in two- and four-berth cabins with washbasins, televisions and air conditioning. There are two wardrooms: one for officers, the other for midshipmen and sailors. Sailors call Akula-class submarines “the floating Hilton.”

Regeneration of the environment

In 1984, for participation in the creation of TRPKSN pr. 941 "Typhoon", the FSUE "Special Design and Technological Bureau for Electrochemistry with a Pilot Plant" (until 1969 - the Moscow Electrolysis Plant) was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labor.

Armament of Project 941 Akula submarines

The main armament is the D-19 missile system with 20 R-39 Variant three-stage solid-fuel ballistic missiles. These missiles have the largest launch weight (together with the launch container - 90 tons) and length (17.1 m) of the SLBMs put into service. The combat range of the missiles is 8300 km, the warhead is multiplex: 10 warheads with individual guidance of 100 kilotons of TNT each.

Due to the large dimensions of the R-39, the Akula project boats were the only carriers of these missiles. The design of the D-19 missile system was tested on the BS-153 diesel submarine, specially converted according to Project 619, which was based in Sevastopol, but it could only accommodate one silo for the R-39 and was limited to seven launches of dummy models. The entire ammunition load of the Akula missiles can be launched in one salvo with a short interval between the launch of individual missiles.

Launch is possible both from surface and submerged positions at depths of up to 55 m and without restrictions on weather conditions. Thanks to the ARSS shock-absorbing rocket launch system, the rocket is launched from a dry shaft using a powder pressure accumulator, which reduces the interval between launches and the level of pre-launch noise. One of the features of the complex is that with the help of the ARSS, the missiles are suspended at the neck of the silo. The design included the deployment of an ammunition load of 24 missiles, but, by the decision of the Commander-in-Chief of the USSR Navy, Admiral S.G. Gorshkov, their number was reduced to 20.

In 1986, a government decree was adopted on the development of an improved version of the missile - the R-39UTTKh "Bark". The new modification planned to increase the firing range to 10,000 km and implement a system for passing through ice. The rearmament of the missile carriers was planned to be carried out until 2003, the expiration date of the warranty life of the produced R-39 missiles. In 1998, after the third unsuccessful launch, the Ministry of Defense decided to stop work on the 73% complete complex. The Moscow Institute of Thermal Engineering, the developer of the “land” Topol-M ICBM, was assigned to develop another solid-fuel SLBM “Bulava”.

In addition to strategic weapons, the boat is equipped with 6 torpedo tubes of 533 mm caliber, designed for firing torpedoes and missile-torpedoes, as well as for laying minefields.

Air defense is provided by eight sets of Igla-1 MANPADS.

Missile carriers of the Akula project are equipped with the following electronic weapons:

combat information and control system "Omnibus";
analog hydroacoustic complex "Skat-KS" (digital "Skat-3" was installed on the TK-208 during mid-repair);
sonar mine detection station MG-519 “Harp”;
echometer MG-518 “Sever”;
radar complex MRKP-58 "Buran";
navigation complex "Symphony";
radio communication complex "Molniya-L1" with satellite communication system "Tsunami";
television complex MTK-100;
two pop-up buoy-type antennas that allow receiving radio messages, target designations and satellite navigation signals when located at a depth of up to 150 m and under ice.

Representatives

The first boat of this type, TK-208, was laid down at the Sevmash enterprise in June 1976 and entered service in December 1981, almost simultaneously with the similar Ohio-class SSBN of the US Navy. Initially, it was planned to build 7 boats of this project, but according to the SALT-1 agreement, the series was limited to six ships (the seventh ship of the series, TK-210, was dismantled on the slipway).

All 6 built TRPKSN were based in the Northern Fleet in Western Litsa (Nerpichya Bay) 45 km from the border with Norway, these are: TK-208 “Dmitry Donskoy”; TK-202; TK-12 "Simbirsk"; TK-13; TK-17 "Arkhangelsk"; TK-20 "Severstal".

Disposal

In accordance with the SALT-2 strategic arms limitation treaty, and also due to the lack of funds to maintain boats in combat-ready condition (for one heavy cruiser - 300 million rubles per year, for 667BDRM - 180 million rubles) and in connection with the cessation of production of R missiles -39, which are the main armament of the Sharks, it was decided to scrap three of the six built ships of the project, and the seventh ship, TK-210, not to be completed at all. One of the options for the peaceful use of these giant submarines was considered to be their conversion into underwater transports for supplying Norilsk or into tankers, but these projects were not implemented.

The cost of dismantling one cruiser was about $10 million, of which $2 million was allocated from the Russian budget, the rest was funds provided by the United States and Canada.

Current status

As of 2013, out of 6 ships built under the USSR, 3 ships of Project 941 have been scrapped, 2 ships are in reserve, and one has been modernized according to Project 941UM.

The 18th Submarine Division, which included all the Sharks, was reduced. As of February 2008, it included the TK-17 Arkhangelsk (last combat duty - from October 2004 to January 2005) and the TK-20 Severstal, which were in reserve after the working life of the "main caliber" missiles had expired. "(last combat duty - 2002), as well as the K-208 Dmitry Donskoy converted to the Bulava. TK-17 "Arkhangelsk" and TK-20 "Severstal" were awaiting a decision on disposal or re-equipment with new SLBMs for more than three years, until in August 2007, the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Admiral of the Fleet V.V. Masorin, announced that until 2015 it is planned to modernize the Akula nuclear submarine for the Bulava-M missile system.

In March 2012, information appeared from sources of the Russian Ministry of Defense that the Project 941 Akula strategic nuclear submarines would not be modernized for financial reasons. According to the source, the deep modernization of one Akula is comparable in cost to the construction of two new Project 955 Borei submarines. The submarine cruisers TK-17 Arkhangelsk and TK-20 Severstal will not be modernized in light of the recently adopted decision; the TK-208 Dmitry Donskoy will continue to be used as a test platform for weapons systems and sonar systems until 2019.

Performance characteristics of Project 941 Akula submarines

Speed (surface)...................12 knots
Speed (underwater).........................25 knots (46.3 km/h)
Working depth of immersion...............400 m
Maximum immersion depth......500 m
Navigation autonomy.........................180 days (6 months)
Crew...............160 people (including 52 officers)

Overall dimensions of Project 941 “Shark” boats
Surface displacement........................23 200 t
Underwater displacement............48,000 t
Maximum length (according to the vertical line)............... 172.8 m
Hull width max.......23.3 m
Average draft (according to waterline) .................. 11.2 m

Power point
2 pressurized water nuclear reactors OK-650VV, 190 MW each.
2 turbines 45000-50000 hp each. each
2 propeller shafts with 7-bladed propellers with a diameter of 5.55 m
4 steam turbine nuclear power plants of 3.2 MW each
Reserve:
2 diesel generators ASDG-800 (kW)
Lead-acid battery, product 144

Armament
Torpedo-mine weapons.............6 TA 533 mm caliber;
22 torpedoes: 53-65K, SET-65, SAET-60M, USET-80. Rocket torpedoes "Waterfall" or "Shkval"
Missile weapons.........................20 SLBM R-39 (RSM-52) or R-30 Bulava (Project 941UM)
Air defense.............8 MANPADS "Igla"

TRPKSN TK-12 "Simbirsk" project 941 "Shark". The third submarine of this series is being scrapped.

The 19th century was marked by a number of science fiction predictions. One of these seemingly incredible projects was the Nautilus submarine, invented by the writer Jules Verne. By that time, there was only one all-metal submarine from which missiles were launched - the submarine of the Russian scientist Schilder.
However, soon the technological progress of all countries was forced to produce similar ships in connection with the outbreak of hostilities. During the American Civil War, the first ship was sunk by a submarine. Already in the First World War, all leading countries had a submarine fleet. Submarines have been recognized as an effective weapon for warfare.
Much has changed since then: submarines began to be produced in different sizes, from the smallest to the gigantic, with their own nuclear reactors on board. Submarines are used not only for military purposes, but also for peaceful purposes - as research bases.

10. Astyut (Estute)

Astute class submarines are operated by the British Navy. As of 2014, these submarines were the most advanced designed in England. By 2018, the construction of 3 such boats was completed, and 4 more are being prepared for launching. In 2012, testing of these submarines was completed successfully, and the Astyuts demonstrated their ability to effectively launch two Tomahawks simultaneously to successfully hit a target.
The names of the submarines of this class are Estute, Embouche, Artful (currently operational), Odeisches, Anson, Agamemnon (laid down and awaiting completion) and Ajax (a production contract has been signed).
The length of these boats reaches 97 m in length, immersion depth - 300 m, displacement - 7,800 tons. "Astyut" is equipped with 6 480 mm TA, missiles of the Tomahawk and Harpoon types and additional TA of 533 mm caliber.

9.

Seawolf was the American response to the Soviet Shchuka-B cruisers during the Cold War. Initially, it was planned to build twelve such submarines, however, only 3 were launched until 1998, after which the project lost its relevance.
The length of the Seawolf hull is 107.6 m. The maximum diving depth is 600 m. The speed of boats of this class is 18 knots. Surface displacement is 10,500 tons, underwater displacement is 12,200 tons. The armament on these ships includes 8 660 mm TA, torpedoes and Tomahawk missiles.

8. Condor

The Condor is the first of the giant submarines in service with the Russian fleet. By 2018, our army is armed with two Condor cruisers, each of which is 110.5 m long.
The Condor's hull is made of titanium alloy, which is much lighter and stronger than standard metals, which allows the ship to dive to greater depths than its predecessors, and do so much more unnoticed by enemy reconnaissance equipment.
There are two representatives of this type of submarine: “Zubatka” and “Perch”. In the future, it is planned to modernize both ships at the Zvezdochka CS. This means a complete overhaul and debugging of submarine systems, as well as the installation of the latest navigation systems and the Caliber cruise missile system.
The maximum diving depth of the Condor is 600 m. Submarines of this class can reach speeds of up to 35 knots under water. Displacement -10,400 tons. The Condor's armament consists of 6 TA 533 mm, torpedoes and Granat-type cruise missiles, as well as 8 man-portable anti-aircraft missile systems "Igla" and "Igla-1".

7.

Despite the fact that “Pike-B” is somewhat inferior to “Condor” in length (111.7 m), it is somewhat “heavier”, having over 13 meters in width. Shchuka-B is a Soviet design, one of the largest nuclear submarines at the time of its release. Unlike the Condors assembled later, the Pike has a steel hull.
Project 971 existed from 1983 to 2001, coming under the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation. During the period of its release, the project has undergone several revisions and changes. As a result of the modification, the “Pike” received the names “Nerpa”, “Cheetah” and others, and in the West they are called “Improved Akula”.
By 2018, there were 4 operational submarines of this class left. They are armed with 4 650 mm and 2 533 mm TAs, Kalibr-PL and Strela-ZM missile systems. The maximum diving depth of the “Pike” is 600 m, displacement is 12,700 tons.

6.

One of the few European countries armed with giant submarines is France. The Triumphant class submarines were built between 1989 and 2009. 4 of the planned 6 units were launched.
The length of each is 138 meters. The maximum diving depth is more than 400 m. Equipment is four 533 mm torpedo tubes, 10 torpedoes, 8 Exocet SM39 cruise missiles. Displacement – 14,300 tons.

5.

Four Vanguard-class submarines are in service with the British Navy. These are nuclear giants almost 150 meters long, the construction of which began in the nineties of the last century.
The Vanguards are equipped with four 533 mm caliber TAs, sixteen Trident II D5 missiles and torpedoes. The maximum diving depth is 400 m. Correspondence between surface and underwater displacement is 15,100 and 15,900 tons.

4. Delta

“Delta” is not a separate class, but a collective name for a series of nuclear submarines developed in the USSR. “Delta” included submarines of the “Squid”, “Dolphin”, “Murena” and “Murena-M” series.
The most advanced modification of the Delta, the Dolphin, has a length of 167.4 m. 7 Dolphins were built, 5 of which are still in service with the Russian submarine fleet.
"Delta" is equipped with 4 TA 533 mm, 12 torpedoes, 16 ballistic missiles and up to 8 anti-aircraft missile systems "Igla" and "Igla-1". The maximum diving depth is up to 650 meters. Surface displacement - 11,700 tons, underwater - 18,200 tons.

3.

Ohio is the largest submarine in service with the United States. Today they actively patrol the country's borders, spending up to 60% of their time underwater. At the same time, the submarines of this series are quite old - the first of them was launched in 1081. The length of the Ohio nuclear giant is 170.7 m.
Due to its enormous size, the Ohio is capable of carrying more than 20 Trident II missiles and over 150 Tomahawk missiles. To launch projectiles, the Ohio is equipped with 4 TA 533 mm. Ohio's displacement is 18,800 tons.

2.

"Borey" is somewhat inferior to "Ohio" in the length of the hull (170 m), but is almost a meter wider, due to which it has a greater displacement. This is a Russian submarine, which is one of the most advanced designs in the world. By 2027, Russia plans to launch 14 ships of this type. It is planned that “Borey” will replace “Delta” and “Shark”, which will be discussed further.
"Borey" can reach speeds of up to 29 knots. The Borey's displacement is 24,000 tons. The submarine's equipment is 6 TA 533 mm, 6 hydroacoustic countermeasures of 324 mm caliber, torpedoes, cruise missiles "Onyx" and "Caliber", as well as 16 launchers of the Bulava complex. "Borey" can truly be called deadly.

1. Project 941 “Shark”

The largest existing submarine is the domestic Akula, known in the West as the Typhoon. Sharks were developed during the Cold War to counter the American threat. The length of this steel nuclear predator is 172.8 m. Surface displacement is over 23,000 tons, underwater displacement is 48,000 tons. The strategic purpose of the project was a long-term “ambush” in the Arctic Circle, from where, according to the plan, ballistic missiles were to be launched at enemy targets. shores.
"Sharks" were built for long-term autonomous navigation. The height of these ships is comparable to modern nine-story buildings. Inside each Project 941 cruiser there were five residential blocks, in which the crew had access to gyms, swimming pools and even a real bathhouse. The decor and furnishings of the premises were more like a luxury hotel than a military facility. Even the doorways in the underwater giants' quarters were full-size, unlike most other submarines.
A total of six ships from the Project 941 series were built. Unfortunately, they did not last long - less than 10 years later they were decommissioned due to the high costs of their maintenance. At the moment, only one modified submarine from this series remains afloat - Dmitry Donskoy. It is used to test Bulava-type ballistic missiles.

IN Russia is completing construction of the largest nuclear submarine in the world.
It was developed at the Rubin-Sever Design Bureau, the Severodvinsk branch of the St. Petersburg Central Design Bureau Rubin. And there will be no missiles on this boat... perhaps there will be a torpedo))) Western analysts believe that this boat and torpedo with artificial intelligence and a 100-megaton nuclear charge will be the same breakthrough as Armata...

"Belgorod" is called the largest large research nuclear submarine, which is a carrier of manned and uninhabited underwater vehicles. Officially, its customer is the Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research (GUGI) of the Russian Ministry of Defense.

The record will be set for the length of the boat. The longest submarine in the world is the Akula Project 941, whose length is 172.5 m. The Belgorod is almost 12 meters longer - 184.
"Belgorod" is a boat according to the updated "Antey" project (project of submarines with cruise missiles 949A). Thus, “Belgorod” can even be included in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest in the world.

It is assumed that Belgorod will study the bottom of the Russian Arctic shelf, search for minerals at great depths, and also lay underwater communications. In particular, with the help of deep-sea vehicles, nuclear underwater modules will be installed on the seabed, designed to charge uninhabited underwater vehicles. The submarine will ensure the deployment of a global system for monitoring the underwater situation, which the military is building on the bottom of the Arctic seas. But not only)))

Representatives of the Navy list all this functionality with indispensable reservations: “according to some data”, “there is reason to assume”, “probably”... This stems from the fact that Belgorod, as well as another Project 09851 submarine being built in Severodvinsk "Khabarovsk" are the most secret boats of the Russian Navy. And the Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research has a controversial relationship with them. This is eloquently evidenced by the fact that not a single representative of the GUGI was present at the ceremonial laying of these two boats.

Perhaps, in addition to their civilian functions, these boats will become carriers of a strategic unmanned torpedo with a nuclear reactor as a power plant, with a unique range, artificial intelligence and a 100-megaton warhead. This torpedo was called "Status-6".

Washington Free Beacon columnist Bill Hertz recently published an article citing a statement from a US intelligence source, which states that Russian sailors successfully tested “an unmanned nuclear submarine capable of carrying a multi-megaton nuclear warhead.” The special purpose submarine B-90 Sarov took part in the tests. Hertz calls this weapon revolutionary, since designers in the USA and other technologically advanced countries of the world have not yet approached this idea.

Thanks to its excellent characteristics in terms of speed, stealth and depth, Status-6 has an increased ability to overcome US anti-submarine defenses with a range of 10,000 km and a diving depth of 1000 meters.

Even if it is detected by the SOSSUS anti-submarine sonar system, which monitors the US coast for underwater invasion, the UUV will easily escape any NATO torpedo at maximum speed. In addition, possessing intelligence, “Status-6” is capable of performing complex maneuvers.
The fastest American torpedo, the Mark 54, has a speed of 74 km/h, that is, according to minimal estimates, 26 km/h less. The deepest European torpedo, the MU90 Hard Kill, launched in pursuit, can travel no more than 10 km at a maximum speed of 90 km/h.

The strategy for using Status-6 can be different. The device can act both as an impact weapon and as a weapon of guaranteed deterrence. In the second case, the UUV can arrive at its destination and lie low, waiting for a signal to detonate the warhead. The signal can be sent through an ultra-long wave channel, since only ultra-long waves penetrate the water column. The result is a weapon of deterrence, ready to work instantly. Without wasting time on approaching and “swimming”. This means that no matter how close the enemy’s nuclear forces are to Russia’s borders, our nuclear warhead has already been delivered to the potential aggressor, all that remains is to detonate it. So let's be better friends. And live, don’t bother...)))

Main sources: svpressa.ru/war21/, vpk-news.ru, 42.tut.by and other Internet.

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Source: masterok.livejournal.com

=> html [~DETAIL_TEXT_TYPE] => html => On September 23, 1980, at the shipyard in the city of Severodvinsk, the first Soviet Akula class submarine was launched onto the surface of the White Sea. When her hull was still in the stocks, on its bow, below the waterline, a drawn grinning shark could be seen, which was wrapped around a trident. And although after the descent, when the boat got into the water, the shark with the trident disappeared under the water and no one saw it again, the people already dubbed the cruiser “The Shark”. All subsequent boats of this class continued to be called the same, and a special sleeve patch with the image of a shark was introduced for their crews. In the West, the boat was given the code name “Typhoon”. Subsequently, this boat began to be called Typhoon among us. All subsequent boats of this class continued to be called the same, and a special sleeve patch with the image of a shark was introduced for their crews. In the West, the boat was given the code name “Typhoon”. Subsequently, this boat began to be called Typhoon among us.

The largest submarine in the world

On September 23, 1980, at the shipyard in the city of Severodvinsk, the first Soviet Akula-class submarine was launched onto the surface of the White Sea. When her hull was still in the stocks, on its bow, below the waterline, a drawn grinning shark could be seen, which was wrapped around a trident. And although after the descent, when the boat got into the water, the shark with the trident disappeared under the water and no one saw it again, the people already dubbed the cruiser “The Shark”. All subsequent boats of this class continued to be called the same, and a special sleeve patch with the image of a shark was introduced for their crews. In the West, the boat was given the code name “Typhoon”. Subsequently, this boat began to be called Typhoon among us.

Thus, Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev himself, speaking at the 26th Party Congress, said: “The Americans have created a new submarine, the Ohio, with Trident missiles. We also have a similar system - “Typhoon”.

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In the early 70s, the United States (as Western media wrote, “in response to the creation of the Delta complex in the USSR”) began the implementation of the large-scale Trident program, which envisaged the creation of a new solid-fuel missile with an intercontinental (more than 7000 km) range, as well as SSBNs a new type, capable of carrying 24 such missiles and having an increased level of stealth. The ship with a displacement of 18,700 tons had a maximum speed of 20 knots and could carry out missile launches at a depth of 15-30 m. In terms of its combat effectiveness, the new American weapon system was supposed to significantly surpass the domestic 667BDR/D-9R system, which was in mass production at that time. The political leadership of the USSR demanded that industry provide an “adequate response” to another American challenge.

The tactical and technical assignment for the heavy nuclear submarine missile cruiser Project 941 (code “Shark”) was issued in December 1972. On December 19, 1973, the government adopted a decree providing for the start of work on the design and construction of a new missile carrier. The project was developed by the Rubin Central Design Bureau, headed by general designer I.D. Spassky, under the direct supervision of chief designer S.N. Kovaleva. The main observer from the Navy was V.N. Levashov.

“The designers were faced with a difficult technical task - to place on board 24 rockets weighing almost 100 tons each,” says S.N., general designer of the projects at the Rubin Central Design Bureau for MT. Kovalev. - After many studies, it was decided to place the missiles between two durable hulls. There are no analogues to such a solution in the world.” “Only Sevmash could build such a boat,” says the head of the Department of the Ministry of Defense A.F. Shlemov. The construction of the ship was carried out in the largest boathouse - workshop 55, which was led by I.L. Kamai. We used a fundamentally new construction technology - the aggregate-modular method, which made it possible to significantly reduce the time frame. Now this method is used in everything, both underwater and surface shipbuilding, but for that time it was a serious technological breakthrough.

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The indisputable operational advantages demonstrated by the first domestic naval solid-fuel ballistic missile R-31, as well as American experience (which was always treated with great respect in Soviet senior military and political circles) determined the customer’s categorical requirement to equip the 3rd generation submarine missile carrier with solid-fuel missiles . The use of such missiles made it possible to significantly reduce the time of pre-launch preparation, eliminate the noise of its implementation, simplify the composition of ship equipment, abandoning a number of systems - gas analysis of the atmosphere, filling the annular gap with water, irrigation, draining the oxidizer, etc.

Preliminary development of a new intercontinental missile system for equipping submarines began at the Mechanical Engineering Design Bureau under the leadership of chief designer V.P. Makeev in 1971. Full-scale work on the D-19 RK with R-39 missiles began in September 1973, almost simultaneously with the start of work on the new SSBN. When creating this complex, an attempt was made for the first time to unify underwater and ground-based missiles: the R-39 and the heavy RT-23 ICBM (being developed at the Yuzhnoye Design Bureau) received a single first-stage engine.

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The level of domestic technology in the 70-80s did not allow the creation of a high-power solid-fuel ballistic intercontinental missile in dimensions close to those of previous liquid-propellant missiles. The increase in the size and weight of the weapon, as well as the weight and size characteristics of the new radio-electronic equipment, which increased by 2.5-4 times compared to the previous generation electronic equipment, led to the need to adopt unconventional layout solutions. As a result, an original type of submarine, which has no analogues in the world, was designed with two strong hulls located in parallel (a kind of “underwater catamaran”). Among other things, such a “flattened” shape of the ship in the vertical plane was dictated by draft restrictions in the area of the Severodvinsk Shipyard and repair bases of the Northern Fleet, as well as technological considerations (it was necessary to ensure the possibility of simultaneous construction of two ships on one slipway “string”).

It should be recognized that the chosen scheme was largely a forced, far from optimal solution, which led to a sharp increase in the ship’s displacement (which gave rise to the ironic nickname for the boats of the 941st project - “water carriers”). At the same time, it made it possible to increase the survivability of a heavy submarine cruiser by dividing the power plant into autonomous compartments in two separate durable hulls; improve explosion and fire safety (by removing missile silos from the pressure hull), as well as placing the torpedo compartment and the main command post in isolated durable modules. The possibilities for modernizing and repairing the boat have also expanded somewhat.

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When creating the new ship, the task was set to expand the zone of its combat use under the ice of the Arctic up to extreme latitudes by improving navigation and hydroacoustic weapons. To launch missiles from under the Arctic “ice shell,” the boat had to surface in ice holes, breaking through ice up to 2-2.5 m thick with the wheelhouse fencing.

Flight tests of the R-39 missile were carried out on the experimental diesel-electric submarine K-153, converted in 1976 according to Project 619 (it was equipped with one shaft). In 1984, after a series of intensive tests, the D-19 missile system with the R-39 missile was officially adopted by the Navy.

The construction of Project 941 submarines was carried out in Severodvinsk. To do this, the Northern Engineering Enterprise had to build a new workshop - the largest indoor boathouse in the world.

The first TAPKR, which entered service on December 12, 1981, was commanded by Captain 1st Rank A.V. Olkhovnikov, who was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for mastering such a unique ship. It was planned to build a large series of Project 941 heavy submarine cruisers and create new modifications of this ship with increased combat capabilities.

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However, at the end of the 80s, for economic and political reasons, it was decided to abandon further implementation of the program. The adoption of this decision was accompanied by heated discussions: industry, the developers of the boat and some representatives of the Navy were in favor of continuing the program, while the Main Headquarters of the Navy and the General Staff of the Armed Forces were in favor of stopping construction. The main reason was the difficulty of organizing the basing of such large submarines armed with no less “impressive” missiles. The Akula simply could not enter most of the existing bases because of their cramped conditions, and the R-39 missiles could be transported at almost all stages of operation only along a railway track (they were also transported along rails to the pier for loading onto a ship). Loading of missiles had to be carried out by a special heavy-duty crane, which is a unique engineering structure of its kind.

As a result, it was decided to limit ourselves to the construction of a series of six ships of Project 941 (i.e., one division). The unfinished hull of the seventh missile carrier - TK-210 - was dismantled on the slipway in 1990. It should be noted that somewhat later, in the mid-90s, the implementation of the American program for the construction of Ohio-class submarine missile carriers ceased: instead of the planned 30 SSBNs, the US Navy received only 18 nuclear-powered submarines, of which it was decided to remain in service by the early 2000s only 14.

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The design of the Project 941 submarine is of the “catamaran” type: two separate durable hulls (each 7.2 m in diameter) are located in a horizontal plane parallel to each other. In addition, there are two separate sealed capsule compartments - a torpedo compartment and a control module located between the main buildings in the center plane, which houses the central post and the radio-technical weapons compartment located behind it. The missile compartment is located between the pressure hulls at the front of the ship. Both housings and capsule compartments are connected to each other by transitions. The total number of waterproof compartments is 19.

At the base of the wheelhouse, under the retractable device fence, there are two pop-up rescue chambers capable of accommodating the entire crew of the submarine.

The central post compartment and its light fencing are shifted towards the stern of the ship. The robust hull, central post and torpedo compartment are made of titanium alloy, and the lightweight hull is made of steel (its surface is coated with a special hydroacoustic rubber coating, which increases the stealth of the boat).

The ship has a developed stern tail. The front horizontal rudders are located in the bow of the hull and are retractable. The cabin is equipped with powerful ice reinforcements and a rounded roof, which serves to break the ice during ascent.

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Conditions of increased comfort have been created for the boat's crew (mostly consisting of officers and midshipmen). The officers were placed in relatively spacious two- and four-berth cabins with washbasins, televisions and air conditioning, while the sailors and petty officers were housed in small cockpits. The ship received a gym, swimming pool, solarium, sauna, relaxation lounge, “living area”, etc.

Power plant of the 3rd generation with a nominal power of 100,000 hp. With. made according to the block layout principle with the placement of autonomous modules (unified for all boats of the 3rd generation) in both durable hulls. The adopted layout solutions made it possible to reduce the dimensions of the nuclear power plant, while increasing its power and improving other operational parameters.

The power plant includes two water-cooled thermal neutron reactors OK-650 (190 MW each) and two steam turbines. The block layout of all units and component equipment, in addition to technological advantages, made it possible to apply more effective vibration isolation measures that reduce the noise of the ship.

The nuclear power plant is equipped with a batteryless cooling system (BCR), which is automatically activated when the power supply is lost.

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Compared to previous nuclear submarines, the reactor control and protection system has changed significantly. The introduction of pulsed equipment made it possible to control its condition at any power level, including in a subcritical state. The compensating elements are equipped with a “self-propelled” mechanism, which, in the event of a power failure, ensures that the grilles are lowered onto the lower end switches. In this case, the reactor is completely “damped”, even when the ship capsizes.

Two low-noise fixed-pitch seven-blade propellers are installed in ring nozzles. As backup propulsion, there are two 190 kW DC electric motors, which are connected to the main shaft line via couplings.

Four 3200 kW turbogenerators and two DG-750 diesel generators are installed on board the boat. To maneuver in cramped conditions, the ship is equipped with a thruster in the form of two folding columns with propellers (in the bow and stern). The thruster propellers are driven by 750 kW electric motors.

When creating the Project 941 submarine, great attention was paid to reducing its hydroacoustic signature. In particular, the ship received a two-stage rubber-cord pneumatic shock absorption system, a block layout of mechanisms and equipment was introduced, as well as new, more effective soundproofing and anti-hydrolocation coatings. As a result, in terms of hydroacoustic stealth, the new missile carrier, despite its gigantic size, significantly surpassed all previously built domestic SSBNs and, probably, came close to its American counterpart - the Ohio-class SSBN.

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The submarine is equipped with a new navigation complex "Symphony", a combat information and control system, a hydroacoustic mine-detecting station MG-519 "Arfa", an echo ice meter MG-518 "Sever", a radar complex MRKP-58 "Buran", and a television complex MTK-100. On board there is a radio communication complex "Molniya-L1" with a satellite communication system "Tsunami".

A digital sonar system of the Skat-3 type, integrating four sonar stations, is capable of simultaneously tracking 10-12 underwater targets.

Retractable devices located in the wheelhouse enclosure include two periscopes (command and universal), a radio sextant antenna, radar, radio antennas for the communication and navigation system, and a direction finder.

The boat is equipped with two buoy-type pop-up antennas, which allow receiving radio messages, target designations and satellite navigation signals when located at great depths (up to 150 m) or under ice.

The D-19 missile system includes 20 solid-fuel three-stage intercontinental ballistic missiles with multiple warheads D-19 (RSM-52, Western designation SS-N-20). The entire ammunition load is launched in two salvos, with minimal intervals between missile launches. Missiles can be launched from a depth of up to 55 m (without restrictions on weather conditions on the sea surface), as well as from a surface position.

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The three-stage R-39 ICBM (length - 16.0 m, hull diameter - 2.4 m, launch weight - 90.1 tons) carries 10 individually targeted warheads with a capacity of 100 kg each. Their guidance is carried out using an inertial navigation system with full astro-correction (a CEP of about 500 m is provided). The maximum launch range of the R-39 exceeds 10,000 km, which is greater than the range of its American counterpart, the Trident C-4 (7,400 km) and approximately corresponds to the range of the Trident D-5 (11,000 km).

To minimize the size of the rocket, the engines of the second and third stages have retractable nozzles.

An original launch system has been created for the D-19 complex with placement of almost all elements of the launcher on the rocket itself. In the silo, the R-39 is suspended, supported by a special shock-absorbing rocket launch system (ARSS) on a support ring located in the upper part of the silo.

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The launch is carried out from a “dry” shaft using a powder pressure accumulator (PAA). At the moment of launch, special powder charges create a gas cavity around the rocket, which significantly reduces the hydrodynamic loads on the underwater portion of the movement. After leaving the water, the ARSS is separated from the missile using a special engine and moved to the side at a safe distance from the submarine.

There are six 533-mm torpedo tubes with a fast loading device, capable of using almost all types of torpedoes and missile-torpedoes of this caliber in service (typical ammunition - 22 USET-80 torpedoes, as well as Shkval missile-torpedoes). Instead of part of the missile and torpedo armament, mines can be taken on board the ship.

For self-defense of a submarine on the surface from low-flying aircraft and helicopters, there are eight sets of Igla (Igla-1) MANPADS. The foreign press reported on the development of Project 941 for submarines, as well as a new generation SSBN, a self-defense anti-aircraft missile system capable of being used from a submerged position.

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All six TAPRCs (received the Western code name Typhoon, which quickly “took root” in our country) were consolidated into a division that was part of the 1st flotilla of nuclear submarines. The ships are based in Western Litsa (Nerpichya Bay). The reconstruction of this base to accommodate new heavy-duty nuclear-powered ships began in 1977 and took four years. During this time, a special berth line was built, specialized piers were manufactured and delivered, capable, according to the designers, of providing TAPKR with all types of energy resources (however, at present, for a number of technical reasons, they are used as ordinary floating piers). For heavy missile submarine cruisers, the Moscow Transport Engineering Design Bureau has created a unique complex of missile loading facilities (KSPR). It included, in particular, a double-cantilever gantry crane-loader with a lifting capacity of 125 tons (it was not put into operation).

There is also a coastal ship repair complex in Zapadnaya Litsa, which provides maintenance for Project 941 boats. Especially to provide a “floating rear” for boats of the 941st project in Leningrad at the Admiralty Plant in 1986, the sea transport-missile carrier “Alexander Brykin” (project 11570) was built with a total displacement of 11,440 tons, having 16 containers for R-39 missiles and equipped with 125 -ton crane.

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However, a unique coastal infrastructure that provides servicing for Project 941 ships was created only in the Northern Fleet. The Pacific Fleet did not manage to build anything like this until 1990, when the program for further construction of the Sharks was curtailed.

The ships, each manned by two crews, were (and probably continue to be) constantly on alert even while at the base.

The combat effectiveness of the "Sharks" is largely ensured by the constant improvement of the communications system and combat control of the country's naval strategic nuclear forces. To date, this system includes channels using different physical principles, which increases reliability and noise immunity in the most adverse conditions. The system includes stationary transmitters that transmit radio waves in various bands of the electromagnetic spectrum, satellite, aircraft and ship repeaters, mobile coastal radio stations, as well as hydroacoustic stations and repeaters.

The huge reserve of buoyancy of heavy submarine cruisers of the 941st project (31.3%) in combination with powerful reinforcements of the light hull and wheelhouse provided these nuclear-powered ships with the ability to float in solid ice up to 2.5 m thick (which was repeatedly tested in practice). Patrolling under the ice shell of the Arctic, where there are special hydroacoustic conditions that reduce the detection range of an underwater target using the most modern sonar systems to just a few kilometers even with the most favorable hydrology, the Sharks are practically invulnerable to US anti-submarine nuclear submarines. The United States also does not have aircraft capable of searching for and destroying underwater targets through polar ice.

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In particular, the “Sharks” carried out combat service under the ice of the White Sea (the first of the “941s” to make such a trip was made in 1986 by TK-12, on which the crew was replaced during patrols with the help of an icebreaker).

The growing threat from the predicted missile defense systems of a potential enemy required an increase in the combat survivability of domestic missiles during their flight. In accordance with one of the predicted scenarios, the enemy could try to “blind” the optical celestial navigation sensors of the ballistic missile using cosmic nuclear explosions. In response to this, at the end of 1984, under the leadership of V.P. Makeeva, N.A. Semikhatov (rocket control system), V.P. Arefiev (command devices) and B.C. Kuzmin (astrocorrection system), work began on creating a durable astrocorrector for submarine ballistic missiles, capable of restoring its functionality after a few seconds. Of course, the enemy still had the opportunity to carry out nuclear cosmic explosions at intervals every few seconds (in this case, the missile's pointing accuracy would have to be significantly reduced), but such a solution was difficult to implement for technical reasons and pointless for financial reasons.

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The improved version of the R-39, which in its main characteristics is not inferior to the American Trident D-5 missile, was put into service in 1989. In addition to increased combat survivability, the modernized missile had an increased disengagement zone for warheads, as well as increased firing accuracy (the use of the GLONASS space navigation system in the active phase of the missile’s flight and in the MIRV guidance section made it possible to achieve an accuracy no less than that of silo-based Strategic Missile Forces ICBMs). In 1995, TK-20 (commanded by Captain 1st Rank A. Bogachev) carried out missile firing from the North Pole.

In 1996, due to lack of funds, TK-12 and TK-202 were withdrawn from combat service, and in 1997 - TK-13. At the same time, additional funding for the Navy in 1999 made it possible to significantly speed up the protracted overhaul of the lead missile carrier of Project 941, the K-208. Over the ten years during which the ship was in the State Center for Nuclear Submarine Shipbuilding, the main weapons systems were replaced and modernized (in accordance with Project 941 U). It is expected that in the third quarter of 2000 the work will be fully completed, and after completion of the factory and sea acceptance tests, at the beginning of 2001, the updated nuclear-powered ship will again enter service.

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In November 1999, two RSM-52 missiles were fired from the Barents Sea from one of the Project 941 TAPKRs. The interval between launches was two hours. The missile warheads hit targets at the Kamchatka test site with high accuracy.

According to domestic press reports, existing plans for the development of Russia's strategic nuclear forces provide for the modernization of Project 941 ships with the replacement of the D-19 missile system with a new one. If this is true, the Sharks have every chance of remaining in the ranks into the 2010s.

In the future, it is possible to re-equip some of the Project 941 nuclear-powered ships into nuclear transport submarines (TSNs), designed to transport cargo along transpolar and cross-polar under-ice routes, the shortest route connecting Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific countries. The cargo compartment, built in place of the missile compartment, will be capable of accepting up to 10,000 tons of cargo.

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As of 2013, out of 6 ships built under the USSR, 3 ships of Project 941 “Akula” have been scrapped, 2 ships are awaiting disposal, and one has been modernized according to Project 941UM.

Due to the chronic lack of funding, in the 1990s it was planned to decommission all units, however, with the advent of financial opportunities and a revision of the military doctrine, the remaining ships (TK-17 Arkhangelsk and TK-20 Severstal) underwent maintenance repairs in 1999-2002. TK-208 "Dmitry Donskoy" underwent major repairs and modernization under Project 941UM in 1990-2002 and since December 2003 has been used as part of the testing program for the latest Russian SLBM "Bulava". When testing the Bulava, it was decided to abandon the previously used test procedure.
The 18th Submarine Division, which included all the Sharks, was reduced. As of February 2008, it included the TK-17 Arkhangelsk (last combat duty - from October 2004 to January 2005) and the TK-20 Severstal, which were in reserve after the working life of the “main caliber” missiles had expired. "(last combat duty - 2002), as well as the K-208 Dmitry Donskoy converted to the Bulava. TK-17 "Arkhangelsk" and TK-20 "Severstal" were awaiting a decision on disposal or re-equipment with new SLBMs for more than three years, until in August 2007, the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Admiral of the Fleet V.V. Masorin, announced that until 2015 it is planned to modernize the Akula nuclear submarine for the Bulava-M missile system.

The option of re-equipping them to accommodate cruise missiles is being considered, similar to the re-equipment of the US Navy's Ohio-class submarines. On September 28, 2011, a statement was published by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, according to which the Typhoons, as not falling within the START-3 treaty limits and excessively expensive in comparison with the new Borei class missile carriers, are planned to be written off and cut into metal before 2014. Options for converting the three remaining ships into transport submarines according to the Rubin TsKBMT project or cruise missile arsenal submarines were rejected due to the excessive cost of work and operation.

At a meeting in Severodvinsk, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin announced that Russia had decided to temporarily abandon the dismantlement of third-generation strategic nuclear submarines currently in service with the Navy. As a result, the shelf life of the boats will last up to 30-35 years instead of the current 25. The modernization will affect strategic nuclear submarines of the Akula type, where electronic filling and weapons will be changed every 7 years.

In February 2012, information appeared in the media that the main armament of the Akula-class nuclear submarines, the RSM-52 missiles, were not completely disposed of, and the Severstal and Arkhangelsk boats with standard weapons on board could be put into operation by 2020.

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Interesting Facts:

For the first time, the placement of missile silos in front of the wheelhouse was carried out on boats of the Akula project.
For the development of a unique ship, the title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded to the Commander of the first missile cruiser, Captain 1st Rank A. V. Olkhovnikov in 1984
The ships of the Shark project are included in the Guinness Book of Records
The commander's seat in the central post is inviolable; there are no exceptions for anyone, not for the commanders of a division, fleet or flotilla, and even the Minister of Defense. P. Grachev, who broke this tradition in 1993, was rewarded with the hostility of the submariners during a visit to the Shark.

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