Shark submarine dimensions. The largest submarine in the world: when size matters. Stab in the back, or the current state of affairs

The first cases of the use of submarines for combat purposes date back to the middle of the 19th century. However, due to their technical imperfection, submarines for a long time played only a supporting role in the naval forces. The situation changed completely after the discovery of atomic energy and the invention of ballistic missiles.

Goals and dimensions

Submarines have different purposes. The size of the world's submarines varies depending on their purpose. Some are designed for a crew of only two people, others are capable of carrying dozens of intercontinental missiles on board. What tasks do the largest submarines in the world perform?

"Triumph"

French strategic nuclear submarine. Its name means "triumphant" in translation. The length of the boat is 138 meters, the displacement is 14 thousand tons. The ship is armed with three-stage ballistic missiles M45 with multiple warheads, equipped with individual guidance systems. They are capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 5300 kilometers. At the design stage, the designers were tasked with making the submarine as invisible to the enemy as possible and equipping it with an effective system for early detection of enemy anti-submarine defense systems. Careful study and numerous experiments have shown that the main reason for disclosing the location of a submarine is its acoustic signature.

When designing the Triumfan, all known methods for reducing noise were used. Despite the impressive size of the submarine, it is a rather difficult object to detect acoustically. The specific shape of the submarine helps to reduce hydrodynamic noise. The level of sound produced during the operation of the ship's main power plant has been significantly reduced due to a number of non-standard technological solutions. Triumfan has on board an ultra-modern sonar system designed for early detection of enemy anti-submarine weapons.

"Jin"

A strategic nuclear-powered missile submarine built for the Chinese Navy. Due to the heightened level of secrecy, much of the information about this ship does not come from the media, but from the intelligence services of the United States and other NATO countries. The dimensions of the submarine are based on a photograph taken in 2006 by a commercial satellite designed to digitally image the earth's surface. The length of the ship is 140 meters, the displacement is 11 thousand tons.

Experts note that the dimensions of the nuclear submarine "Jin" are larger than the dimensions of the previous, technically and morally obsolete Chinese submarines of the "Xia" class. The ship of the new generation is adapted to launch Juilang-2 intercontinental ballistic missiles equipped with multiple nuclear warheads. The maximum range of their flight is 12 thousand kilometers. Missiles "Juilang-2" are an exclusive development. Their design took into account the dimensions of the Jin-class submarines intended to carry this formidable weapon. According to experts, the presence of such ballistic missiles and submarines in China significantly changes the balance of power in the world. Approximately three-quarters of the territory of the United States is in the zone of destruction of the Jin boats located in the Kuril Islands. However, according to information available to the US military, test launches of Julang missiles often end in failure.

"Vangard"

A British strategic nuclear submarine that rivals the largest submarines in the world. The vessel is 150 meters long and has a displacement of 15,000 tons. Boats of this type have been in service with the Royal Navy since 1994. To date, the Vanguard-class submarines are the only carriers of British nuclear weapons. They are equipped with Trident-2 ballistic missiles. This weapon deserves special mention. It is produced by the famous American company for the US Navy. The British government took on 5% of the cost of developing missiles, which, according to the designers, were supposed to surpass all their predecessors. The Trident-2 hit zone is 11 thousand kilometers, the accuracy of hitting reaches several feet. Missile guidance is independent of the US Global Positioning System. "Trident-2" deliver to the target atomic warheads at a speed of 21 thousand kilometers per hour. Four Vanguard boats carry a total of 58 of these missiles, representing the UK's "nuclear shield".

Murena-M

Soviet submarine built during the Cold War. The main goals of the creation of the boat were to increase the range of missiles and overcome American sonar detection systems. The expansion of the affected area required a change in the dimensions of the submarine compared to previous versions. The launch silos are designed for D-9 missiles, the launch weight of which is twice the normal one. The length of the ship is 155 meters, the displacement is 15 thousand tons. According to experts, the Soviet designers managed to complete the original task. The range of the missile system has increased by about 2.5 times. In order to achieve this goal, the Murena-M submarine had to be made one of the largest submarines in the world. The dimensions of the missile carrier did not change for the worse the level of its secrecy. The design of the boat was designed to dampen the vibration of the mechanisms, since at that time the US sonar tracking system became a serious problem for Soviet strategic submarines.

"Ohio"

"Borey"

The development of this nuclear submarine began in the Soviet Union. It was finally designed and built in the Russian Federation. Its name comes from the name of the ancient Greek god of the north wind. In accordance with the plans of the creators, the boat "Borey" in the foreseeable future should replace the submarines of the "Shark" and "Dolphin" classes. The length of the cruiser is 170 meters, the displacement is 24 thousand tons. Borey became the first strategic submarine built in the post-Soviet era. First of all, the new Russian boat serves as a platform for launching Bulava ballistic missiles equipped with multiple nuclear warheads. The range of their flight exceeds 8 thousand kilometers. Due to funding problems and the disruption of economic ties with enterprises located on the territory of the former Soviet republics, the deadlines for completing the construction of the ship were repeatedly postponed. The boat "Borey" was launched in 2008.

"Shark"

According to NATO classification, this ship has the designation "Typhoon". The dimensions of the submarine "Shark" surpass anything that has been created throughout the history of the existence of submarines. Its construction was the answer of the Soviet Union to the American Ohio project. The huge size of the Akula heavy submarine was due to the need to place R-39 missiles on it, the mass and length of which significantly exceeded those of the American Trident. Soviet designers had to put up with large dimensions in order to increase the flight range and weight of the warhead. The Shark boat, adapted to launch these missiles, has a record length of 173 meters. Its displacement is 48 thousand tons. To date, the Shark remains the largest submarine in the world.

Generation of an era

The first lines of the rating are also occupied by the USSR. This is understandable: the superpowers involved in the Cold War believed in the possibility of delivering a preemptive strike. They saw their main task in quietly placing nuclear missiles as close to the enemy as possible. This mission was entrusted to large submarines, which became the legacy of that era.

The Soviet Union and the United States maintained nuclear parity with respect to each other until the early 1970s. Neither side possessed an overwhelming superiority over the other in the number of nuclear warheads and delivery vehicles. In the USSR, stakes were placed on mine installations of nuclear intercontinental missiles and an atomic submarine fleet. Strategic aviation was small in number and did not possess the qualities that would provide it with air superiority over the enemy. In the United States, on the contrary, at that time there already existed a nuclear triad, in which the main emphasis was on strategic aviation and ICBM silo launchers.

However, even such a large number of nuclear warheads and delivery vehicles, capable of repeatedly destroying all life on the planet, could not satisfy either the Soviet or the American side. In both countries there was a search for a way to create a first strike advantage. The rapidly developing arms race in this direction led to the appearance of the largest submarines in the history of mankind, the Soviet nuclear submarines of Project 941 of the Akula type.

Reasons for the appearance of the steel monster

A huge steel monster with the size of a 9-storey building was the answer to the appearance in the United States of the Ohio-class nuclear submarines in the Navy. This submarine could carry 24 intercontinental missiles on board. Not a single submarine in the USSR possessed such firepower. The presence of such submarines in the enemy nullified the existing balance in the means of delivery, achieved with such difficulty by this time. Project 941, developed in the Soviet Union, could not only deprive the Americans of superiority in the naval component of the nuclear triad, but also give a certain advantage.

This is what caused the next round of the naval arms race. In the Soviet design bureaus and across the ocean, work began to boil. Each of the countries tried to be the first to create a strategic submarine missile carrier.

The reasons for the appearance of a ship of this size are explained by the technical side of the issue. The thing is that the Soviet nuclear submarine was created with the expectation to get ahead of the Americans in terms of the power of a missile salvo. The Project 941 nuclear submarine was supposed to carry on board the new R-39 intercontinental ballistic missiles, which were superior to the American Trident-1 intercontinental missiles deployed on Ohio-class submarine missile carriers. The Soviet nuclear baton could carry 10 nuclear warheads, instead of 8 on the American missile, and the R-39 missile flew much further than its American counterpart. The new Soviet rocket had three stages and was supposed to weigh up to 70 tons according to the project. With such technical characteristics of the main armament, Soviet designers had to solve the difficult task of creating an appropriate launch platform.

In addition, it was planned to immediately install 20 such missiles on the new nuclear submarine missile carrier. The commissioning of new Soviet nuclear-powered ships was supposed to cool the militant ardor of overseas strategists. As foreign sources noted, the Soviet Typhoon-class Shark submarine, according to NATO classification, could wipe out the entire US West Coast from the face of the earth with one salvo. The presence of 3-4 missile carriers of this type in the Soviets would endanger the entire territory of the United States, not to mention the vulnerability of the territories of the allied countries in the NATO bloc.

The enormous destructive power akin to a typhoon strike, which the Soviet submarine possessed, became the reason for it to be given the appropriate name "Typhoon" in the West. According to the classification, the boats of project 941 had the cipher "Typhoon".

For reference: According to the NATO classification, Akula submarines were Soviet multi-purpose submarines of the Shchuka-B type of project 971, built already in the mid-80s. The NATO code “Akula” was assigned to these ships by the name of the lead ship of the K-284 “Akula” nuclear submarine project, which entered service with the Pacific Fleet in 1984.

Birth of a record holder

In the Soviet Union, there have already been cases of creating models of equipment - champions. This is the world's largest transport aircraft An-22 "Antey" and the world's first nuclear-powered icebreaker "Lenin". In military terms, the USSR also gave the US military a lot of trouble, creating excellent military equipment. Soviet intercontinental ballistic missiles of the latest generation terrified across the ocean. The navy did not lag behind in this regard, so the world's largest nuclear submarine "Akula" did not come as a surprise to the Soviet country.

The Soviet ship, built in the early 80s of the XX century, remains today an unsurpassed achievement of design thought. In many technical parameters, the new nuclear submarine is rightfully considered the most ambitious Soviet military project. Even the technical measurements of the ship are amazing, not to mention the cost of building a vessel of this magnitude. The length of the ship is 173 meters and the width of the hull is 23 meters. The hull of the boat is a steel cigar the size of a 9-story building. Only the draft of the boat was 12 meters. Such dimensions corresponded to a huge displacement. The Soviet submarine missile carrier had a displacement of a battleship during the Second World War - 50 thousand tons.

In terms of displacement, the Akula nuclear submarine was three times superior to its opponent, the Ohio-class submarine. If we talk about the name of the ship, then the Soviet version is of folk origin. Even on the stocks, the boat began to be called a shark. This comparison was so successful that it subsequently took root in military and political circles. For the first time in the general public, the new nuclear missile cruiser was called "Shark" by the General Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee L. I. Brezhnev.

For reference: In the domestic fleet, the first submarine, called the Shark, was created back in 1909. Ivan Bubnov became the designer of the submarine. The boat was lost in the First World War during a military campaign.

The designers of the Rubin Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering, the flagship of the Soviet shipbuilding industry, did an excellent job of developing a project for a Soviet submarine super-cruiser. In 1972, the Leningraders received a technical assignment for the development of a project for a third-generation strategic nuclear submarine. The design work was headed by the talented Soviet designer S.N. Kovalev, who had already completed and successful projects behind him. His offspring plied the seas and oceans, remaining a reliable shield of the Soviet state. Since 1973, after the decision of the Soviet government, work on the creation of the project began to boil within the walls of the Rubin Central Design Bureau.

The site for the construction of new vessels of this size was the Sevmash enterprise. For the construction of new ships on the territory of the shipyard, a new boathouse of enormous size was specially erected. In the water area of the shipyard, dredging was carried out for the passage of ships of such a large displacement.

Three years later, the first lead submarine of project 941 was laid on the stocks of Sevmash. The ship received the factory index TK-208 (heavy cruiser - 208). In total, it was planned to build 7 ships under this project over the next 10-15 years. It should be noted that Soviet designers were able to overtake their American counterparts, having previously created a ready-made project for a new submarine missile carrier. The launching of a new colossal Soviet submarine in September 1980 came as a real shock to the Americans. The first boat of the Ohio type went into the water in December 1981, when the Soviet missile carrier became part of the active fleet.

For 8 years, from 1981 to 1989, 6 ships of the same type were built in the Soviet Union. The seventh ship planned for construction remained on the stocks, even taking into account the fact that the main hull structures were ready for the submarine. The construction of the Soviet nuclear missile carriers of project 941 was provided by more than 1000 allied enterprises. At the Sevmash shipyard alone, 1200 people worked on the construction of the ship.

An interesting detail: of the 6 ships built according to the project, the very first one turned out to be a long-liver. Submarine KT-208, launched back in 1981, continues to be in service today. Now it is TPRKSN (heavy strategic missile submarine) "Dmitry Donskoy", boat KT-208 of project 941.

Design features of the submarine missile carrier project 941

For the uninitiated, the boat is a huge whale-shaped steel cigar. However, for specialists, it is not so much the size of the ship that attracts special attention, but its layout. The submarine has a two-hull scheme. Behind the outer shell of the light body, made of steel, is a double main strong body. In other words, there are two separate hulls inside the boat, located parallel to each other according to the catamaran scheme. Durable housings are made of titanium alloy. The torpedo compartment, the central post and the aft mechanical compartments on the ship are placed in closed compartments, capsules.

The space between the two strong hulls is filled with mine launchers in the amount of 20 pieces. The conning tower is shifted to the tail of the boat. The entire front deck is one large launch pad. This arrangement of launchers suggests the possibility of simultaneous launch of the entire ammunition. In this case, the launch of missiles should be carried out with a minimum time interval. The Soviet missile carrier is capable of launching missiles from the surface and from the underwater position. The working depth of immersion for launching is 55 meters.

The ship has 19 compartments, each of which communicates with the others. Horizontal rudders are installed in the light body of the bow of the boat. The conning tower has a reinforced structure, specially designed for emergency ascent of the ship in the presence of a solid ice sheet on the surface. Increased strength is the main distinguishing feature of the Soviet third-generation missile carriers. If American nuclear submarines of the Ohio type were built to patrol in the clear waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean, then Soviet submarines mainly operated in the Arctic Ocean, therefore the design of the ship was created with a margin of safety capable of overcoming the resistance of an ice shell of 2 meters thick .

Outside, the boat has a special anti-radar and soundproof coating, the total weight of which is 800 tons. Another feature of the ship's design is the presence of life support systems in each individual compartment. The internal layout of the boat is planned and equipped in such a way as to ensure the survival of the ship's crew in the most unforeseen situations.

The heart of the nuclear-powered ship is two OK-650VV nuclear reactors with a total capacity of 380 MW. The submarine is already set in motion through the operation of two turbines with a capacity of 45-50 thousand l / s each. Such a huge ship also had propellers of the appropriate size - 5.5 m in diameter. Two 800W diesel generators were installed on the boat as backup engines.

A nuclear-powered missile carrier on the surface could develop a speed of 12 knots. Under water, a submarine with a displacement of already 50 thousand tons could move at a speed of 25 knots. The working diving depth was 400 m. At the same time, the boat had a certain margin of critical diving depth, which was an additional 100 m.

A ship of such large dimensions and with such performance characteristics was controlled by a crew of 160 people. Of this number, a third accounted for the officers. The interior living quarters on the submarine were equipped with everything necessary for a long and comfortable stay. Officers and midshipmen lived in 2 and 4-bed comfortable cabins. Sailors and foremen lived in specially equipped cockpits. All living quarters on the boat were served by an air conditioning system. During long trips, the crew of the ship, free from the combat shift, could spend time in the gym, visit the cinema and the library. It should be noted that the autonomy of the ship exceeded all standards that existed until that time - 180 days.

The main comparative characteristics of the project 941 ship

The Soviet nuclear-powered ship, which entered service in 1981, had a significant advantage in comparison with other foreign-built ships of the same type. The probable opponents of the Soviet third-generation missile carrier were:

U.S. Ohio-class nuclear submarine with 24 Trident ICBMs, 18 built;
English nuclear submarine Vanguard with 16 Trident ICBMs, 4 built;
French nuclear submarine "Triumfan" with 16 M45 ICBMs, 4 ships were also built.

The Soviet nuclear submarine exceeded all the listed ships in terms of displacement by three times. It had a total weight of a volley of 20 R-39 ICBMs - 51 tons. British and French submarines in this parameter significantly lost to the Soviet missile carrier. English and French nuclear submarines could fire warheads at the enemy with a total weight of 44 tons. Only American Ohio-class submarines, of which less than two dozen were launched, could compete with the Soviet submarine giants.

No other ship, domestic missile carriers of projects 667BDRM and 955, could compare in terms of displacement and combat power with submarines of the Akula type. Soviet nuclear submarines, launched in the 1980s, formed the basis of the USSR's nuclear missile power and became the basis for the nuclear marine component of modern Russia.

The nuclear-powered ship KT-208 "Dmitry Donskoy" remains the only operating ship of this class in the Russian Navy. Two ships, KT-17 "Arkhangelsk" and KT-20 "Severstal" were put into reserve in 2006 and 2004. respectively. The final decision on the fate of these two legendary ships has not yet been made. The nuclear submarine KT-208 received a new name in 2002 - KT-208 "Dmitry Donskoy". The boat is the only one of all ships of this type that has retained its technological resource. This, in turn, made it possible to carry out on the ship in 1999-2002. modernization project 941M. The purpose of the modernization was to re-equip the ship for the new Bulava SLBM.

Equipping the ship with new ballistic missiles is not planned. The submarine is used as a self-propelled floating test facility for new types of rocket technology. The decision of the high government commission was to extend the life of the ship until 2020. The nuclear-powered missile carrier is based at the Zapadnaya Litsa naval base and is part of the Northern Fleet of the Russian Federation.

The two largest nuclear submarines in the world of the Akula project will be part of the Russian Navy until 2019, Commander-in-Chief of the Navy Vladimir Vysotsky told reporters.

Project 941 "Akula" ("Typhoon" according to NATO classification) heavy strategic missile submarines are the world's largest nuclear-powered strategic submarines.

December 19, 1973 The government of the USSR adopted a resolution providing for the start of work on the design and construction of a new missile carrier, created as a counterweight to the American nuclear submarine Ohio.

The project was developed at the Rubin Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering (TsKB MT) (St. Petersburg), headed by General Designer Igor Spassky, under the direct supervision of Chief Designer Sergey Kovalev.

The construction of Project 941 submarines was carried out in Severodvinsk. For this, a new workshop had to be built at the Northern Machine-Building Enterprise.

On June 30, 1976, the lead missile strategic submarine cruiser (SSBN) of project 941 was laid down at the slipway of the Severodvinsk shipbuilding plant.

The two largest nuclear submarines in the world of the Akula project will be part of the Russian Navy until 2019, Commander-in-Chief of the Navy Vladimir Vysotsky told reporters.

Project 941 "Akula" ("Typhoon" according to NATO classification) heavy strategic missile submarines are the world's largest nuclear-powered strategic submarines.

The construction of Project 941 submarines was carried out in Severodvinsk. For this, a new workshop had to be built at the Northern Machine-Building Enterprise.

On June 30, 1976, the lead missile strategic submarine cruiser (SSBN) of project 941 was laid down at the slipway of the Severodvinsk shipbuilding plant.

September 23, 1980 at the shipyard of the city of Severodvinsk, on the surface of the White Sea, the first Soviet submarine of the class "Shark". When her hull was still in the stocks, on its bow, below the waterline, one could see a painted grinning shark, which wrapped itself 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 else saw it, the people have 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 Typhoon om this boat began to be called with us.

Yes, myself Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev , speaking at the XXVI Party Congress, said: "The Americans have created a new submarine" Ohio“with rockets” Trident“. Similar system - „ Typhoon“We also have it.”

Photo 2.

In the early 70s in the United States (as the Western media wrote, “in response to the creation of the Delta complex in the USSR”), the implementation of the large-scale Trident program began, which provides for the creation of a new solid-propellant missile with an intercontinental (more than 7000 km) range, as well as SSBNs a new type capable of carrying 24 of these missiles and with 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 should have significantly surpassed the domestic 667BDR / D-9R system, which was then in serial production. The political leadership of the USSR demanded from the industry an "adequate response" to the next 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 resolution 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 the chief designer S.N. Kovalev. The main observer from the Navy was V.N. Levashov.

“The designers faced a difficult technical task - to place 24 missiles weighing almost 100 tons each on board,” says S.N. Kovalev. - After a lot of study of the rocket, it was decided to place it between two strong 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. Helmets. The construction of the ship was carried out in the largest boathouse - workshop 55, which was led by I.L. Kamai. A fundamentally new construction technology was used - an aggregate-modular method, which made it possible to significantly reduce the time. Now this method is used in everything, both underwater and surface shipbuilding, but for that time it was a serious technological breakthrough.

Photo 3.

Photo 4.

The indisputable operational advantages demonstrated by the first domestic solid-fueled R-31 naval ballistic missile, as well as the American experience (which was always highly respected in the Soviet military and political circles) led to the categorical requirement of the customer to equip the 3rd generation submarine missile carrier with solid-propellant 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 Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering under the leadership of Chief Designer V.P. Makeev in 1971. Full-scale work on the D-19 RK with R-39 missiles was launched 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 (developed at Yuzhnoye Design Bureau) received a single first-stage engine.

Photo 7.

The level of domestic technologies of the 1970s and 1980s did not allow the creation of a high-power solid-propellant ballistic intercontinental missile with dimensions close to those of previous liquid-propellant rockets. The growth in the size and weight of weapons, 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 of electronic equipment, led to the need for unconventional layout solutions. As a result, an original, unparalleled type of submarine with two strong hulls located in parallel (a kind of “underwater catamaran”) was designed. 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 shipbuilding plant and repair bases of the Northern Fleet, as well as technological considerations (it was necessary to ensure the possibility of simultaneously building two ships on one slipway “thread”).

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

Photo 8.

When creating a new ship, the task was to expand the zone of its combat use under the ice of the Arctic up to the extreme latitudes by improving navigation and sonar weapons. To launch missiles from under the Arctic “ice shell”, the boat had to float in polynyas, breaking through ice up to 2-2.5 m thick with a cutting fence.

Flight tests of the R-39 missile were carried out on an experimental diesel-electric submarine K-153, converted in 1976 according to project 619 (it was equipped with one mine). 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. For this, a new workshop had to be built at the Northern Machine-Building Enterprise - the largest covered slipway 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 the development of such a unique ship. It was planned to build a large series of heavy submarine cruisers of the 941st project and create new modifications of this ship with increased combat capabilities.

Photo 9.

However, at the end of the 1980s, for economic and political reasons, it was decided to abandon the further implementation of the program. The adoption of this decision was accompanied by heated discussions: the industry, the developers of the boat and some representatives of the Navy advocated the continuation of the program, while the General Staff of the Navy and the General Staff of the Armed Forces advocated the cessation of construction. The main reason was the difficulty of organizing the basing of such large submarines, armed with no less "impressive" missiles. Most of the existing Sharks' bases simply could not be entered because of their tightness, and the R-39 missiles could be transported at almost all stages of operation only along the railway track (they were also fed along the rails to the pier for loading onto the ship). The missiles were to be loaded by a special heavy-duty crane, which is a unique engineering structure of its kind.

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

Photo 10.

The design of the submarine of the 941st project is made according to the "catamaran" type: two separate strong hulls (each with a diameter of 7.2 m) 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 diametrical plane, in which there is a central post and an electronic weapons compartment located behind it. The missile compartment is located between the pressure hulls at the front of the ship. Both cases and capsule-compartments are interconnected by transitions. The total number of watertight compartments -19.

At the base of the cabin, under the fence of retractable devices, there are two pop-up rescue chambers that can accommodate the entire crew of the submarine.

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

The ship has a developed stern plumage. 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 when surfacing.

Photo 11.

For the crew of the boat (consisting for the most part of officers and midshipmen) conditions of increased comfort have been created. The officers were placed in relatively spacious two- and four-bed cabins with washbasins, televisions and air conditioning, and sailors and foremen - in small cockpits. The ship received a sports hall, a swimming pool, a solarium, a sauna, a lounge for relaxation, a "living corner", etc.

Power plant of the 3rd generation with a nominal capacity of 100.000 liters. 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 reactors on thermal neutrons 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 (BBR), which is automatically activated in the event of a power failure.

Photo 12.

Compared to previous nuclear submarines, the reactor control and protection system has changed significantly. The introduction of pulse equipment made it possible to control its state at any power level, including in a subcritical state. A self-propelled mechanism is installed on the compensating organs, which, in the event of a power failure, ensures that the gratings are lowered to the lower limit switches. In this case, there is a complete “silencing” of the reactor, even if the ship capsizes.

Two low-noise, seven-blade fixed-pitch propellers are mounted in ring nozzles. As a backup means of movement, there are two DC motors with a power of 190 kW, which are connected to the line of the main shaft through couplings.

Four 3200 kW turbogenerators and two DG-750 diesel generators are installed on board the boat. For maneuvering 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 visibility. In particular, the ship received a two-stage system of rubber-cord pneumatic shock absorption, a block layout of mechanisms and equipment was introduced, as well as new, more effective soundproof and anti-sonar 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 the American counterpart, the Ohio-type SSBN.

Photo 13.

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

The Skat-3 digital sonar complex, which integrates four sonar stations, is capable of providing simultaneous tracking of 10-12 underwater targets.

Retractable devices located in the felling fence include two periscopes (commander's and universal), radio sextant antenna, radar, radio antennas of the communication and navigation system, direction finder.

The boat is equipped with two pop-up buoy-type antennas that allow you to receive radio messages, target designations and satellite navigation signals when you are at a large (up to 150 m) depth or under ice.

The D-19 missile system includes 20 solid-propellant three-stage intercontinental ballistic missiles with multiple warheads D-19 (RSM-52, western designation - SS-N-20). The launch of the entire ammunition load is carried out in two volleys, 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 targetable warheads with a capacity of 100 kg each. Their guidance is carried out by means of an inertial navigation system with full astro-correction (CVO of about 500 m is provided). The maximum launch range of the R-39 exceeds 10,000 km, which is more than the range of the American counterpart - the Trident S-4 (7400 km) and approximately corresponds to the range of the Trident D-5 (11,000 km).

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

For the D-19 complex, an original launch system was created with the placement of almost all elements of the launcher on the rocket itself. In the mine, the R-39 is in a suspended state, relying on a special shock-absorbing rocket launch system (ARSS) on a support ring located in the upper part of the mine.

Photo 15.

The launch is carried out from a "dry" mine using a powder pressure accumulator (PAD). At the moment of launch, special powder charges create a gas cavity around the rocket, which significantly reduces hydrodynamic loads in the underwater section of movement. After leaving the water, the ARSS is separated from the rocket by a special engine and taken away to 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 rocket-torpedoes of this caliber in service (typical ammunition load is 22 USET-80 torpedoes, as well as Shkval rocket-torpedoes). Instead of part of the missile and torpedo armament, mines can be taken on board the ship.

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

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All six TAPRKs (which received the western code name Typhoon, which quickly “took root” with us) were consolidated into a division that is part of the 1st flotilla of nuclear submarines. The ships are based in Zapadnaya Litsa (Nerpichya Bay). The reconstruction of this base to accommodate new super-powerful nuclear-powered ships began in 1977 and took four years. During this time, a special berthing line was built, specialized piers were manufactured and delivered, capable, according to the designers, to provide 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 submarines, the Moscow Design Bureau of Transport Engineering has created a unique complex of missile loading facilities (KPR). It included, in particular, a double-console gantry-type loader crane 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 boats of the 941st project. Specifically 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, only the Northern Fleet managed to create a unique coastal infrastructure that provides maintenance for ships of the 941st project. In the Pacific Fleet, until 1990, when the program for the further construction of the Sharks was curtailed, they did not manage to build anything of the kind.

The ships, each of which is manned by two crews, carried (and probably continue to carry even now) constant combat duty 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 various physical principles, which increases reliability and noise immunity in the most adverse conditions. The system includes stationary transmitters broadcasting radio waves in various ranges 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 the heavy submarine cruisers of the 941st project (31.3%), combined with the powerful reinforcements of the light hull and cabin, provided these nuclear-powered ships with the ability to emerge 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 sonar conditions that reduce the detection range of an underwater target by the most modern sonar to only 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 air assets capable of searching for and destroying underwater targets through the polar ice.

Photo 19.

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

The growth of the threat from the potential adversary's predicted missile defense systems 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 astro-navigation sensors of the BR using space 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. Arefieva (command devices) and B.C. Kuzmin (astro-correction system), work began on the creation of a stable astro-corrector for submarine ballistic missiles, capable of restoring its performance after a few seconds. Of course, the enemy still had the opportunity to carry out nuclear space explosions at intervals of every few seconds (in this case, the accuracy of missile guidance should have been significantly reduced), but such a solution was difficult to implement for technical reasons and pointless for financial reasons.

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An 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 upgraded missile had an increased warhead disengagement area, 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 sector made it possible to achieve accuracy no less than the accuracy of silo-based ICBMs of the Strategic Missile Forces). In 1995, TK-20 (commander Captain 1st Rank A. Bogachev) fired missiles from the North Pole.

In 1996, due to lack of funds, TK-12 and TK-202 were withdrawn from service, in 1997 - TK-13. At the same time, additional funding from the Navy in 1999 made it possible to significantly accelerate the protracted overhaul of the lead missile carrier of the 941st project - K-208. For ten years, during which the ship was in the State Center for Nuclear Submarine Shipbuilding, the main weapon 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 the end of the factory and running acceptance tests, in early 2001, the renewed nuclear-powered ship will again be put into operation.

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

According to the domestic press, the existing plans for the development of Russia's strategic nuclear forces provide for the modernization of the 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 service in the 2010s.

In the future, it is possible to re-equip part of the nuclear-powered ships of the 941st project into transport nuclear submarines (TAPLs) designed to transport goods along transpolar and cross-polar under-ice routes, the shortest route linking Europe, North America and the countries of the Asia-Pacific region. The cargo compartment built instead of the missile compartment will be capable of receiving 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 "Shark" have been disposed of, 2 ships are awaiting disposal, and one has been modernized under 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 the revision of military doctrine, the remaining ships (TK-17 Arkhangelsk and TK-20 Severstal) underwent maintenance repairs in 1999-2002. TK-208 "Dmitry Donskoy" was overhauled and upgraded under project 941UM in 1990-2002 and since December 2003 has been used as part of the test 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 consisted of TK-17 Arkhangelsk (last combat duty - from October 2004 to January 2005) and TK-20 Severstal ”(last combat duty - 2002), as well as converted to the Bulava K-208 Dmitry Donskoy. TK-17 "Arkhangelsk" and TK-20 "Severstal" for more than three years were waiting for a decision on the disposal or re-equipment with new SLBMs, until in August 2007 the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Admiral of the Fleet V.V. it is planned to modernize the nuclear submarine "Akula" under the missile system "Bulava-M".

The option of re-equipping them to accommodate cruise missiles is being considered, by analogy with the rearmament of the US Navy Ohio-class submarines. On September 28, 2011, a statement was published by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, according to which, Typhoons, as they do not fit into the START-3 treaty limits and are excessively expensive compared to the new Borey-class missile carriers, are planned to be decommissioned and cut into metal up to 2014. The 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 said that Russia had decided to temporarily abandon the disposal of third-generation strategic nuclear submarines currently in service with the Navy. As a result, the service life of the boats will last up to 30-35 years instead of the current 25. The modernization will affect the strategic nuclear submarines of the Akula type, where the electronic filling and weapons will change every 7 years.

In February 2012, information appeared in the media that the main weapons of the Akula-type nuclear submarine, RSM-52 missiles, were not completely disposed of, and until 2020 it is possible to commission the Severstal and Arkhangelsk boats with standard weapons on board.

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

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Interesting Facts:

For the first time, the placement of missile silos in front of the felling was carried out on boats of the Shark 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 project "Shark" are listed in the Guinness Book of Records
The commander's chair in the central post is inviolable, there is no exception for anyone, not for the commanders of a division, fleet or flotilla, and even the minister of defense. Breaking this tradition in 1993, P. Grachev during a visit to the "Shark" was awarded the dislike of submariners.

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