Consolidated Soviet Submarines Information

Soviet design designation
Project 671 Yorsh (Ruffe) Victor I - was the initial type
that entered service in 1967;
16 were produced. Each had
6 tubes for launching Type
53 torpedoes and SS-N-15
cruise missiles and mines
could also be released. Subs
had a capacity of 24 tubelaunched weapons or 48
mines (a combination would
require fewer of each). They
were 92.5m long.
Soviet design designation Project 671RTM
Shchuka (Pike) Victor III - entered service in
1979; Quieter than previous Soviet
submarines, these ships had 2 tubes for
launching SS-N-21 or SS-N-15 missiles and
Type 53 torpedoes, plus another 4 tubes for
launching SS-N-16 missiles and Type 65
torpedoes. 24 tube-launched weapons or 36
mines could be on board. The Victor-III's pod
was identified as a hydrodynamic housing for
a reelable towed passive sonar array; the
system was subsequently incorporated into
the Sierra class and Akula-class submarine
SSNs. The Victor III class was continuously
improved during construction and late
production models have a superior acoustic
performance.They were 106m long.
Project 971 Щука-Б (Shchuka-B, 'Shchuka' meaning "pike", NATO reporting name "Akula"), is a
nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) first deployed by the Soviet Navy in 1986. The class is
also known under the name Bars (meaning "snow leopard").
The Akula incorporates a double hull system
composed of an inner pressure hull and an
outer "light" hull. This allows more freedom
in the design of the exterior hull shape,
resulting in a submarine with more reserve
buoyancy than its western analogs. This design requires more power than single-hull submarines
because of the greater wetted surface area, which increases drag.
The distinctive "bulb" or "can" seen on top of the Akula's rudder houses its towed sonar array, when
retracted. Akulas are armed with four 533 mm torpedo tubes which can use Type 53 torpedoes or
the SS-N-15 Starfish missile, and four 650 mm torpedo tubes which can use Type 65 torpedoes or
the SS-N-16 Stallion missile. These torpedo tubes are arranged in two rows of four tubes each. The
submarine is also able to use its torpedo tubes to deploy mines.
The Kilo class subs are mainly intended for anti-shipping and
anti-submarine operations in relatively shallow waters. Original
Project 877 boats are equipped with Rubikon MGK-400 sonar
system (with NATO reporting name Shark Gill), which includes
a mine detection and avoidance sonar MG-519 Arfa (with
NATO reporting name Mouse Roar). Anechoic tiles are fitted
on casings and fins to absorb the sound waves of active sonar,
which results in a reduction and distortion of the return signal.
These tiles also help attenuate sounds that are emitted from
the submarine, thus reducing the range at which the sub may
be detected by passive sonar.
Project
949 was laid down in the mid-1970s and was commissioned in 1980. In 1982 an updated and larger
version (Project 949A) replaced the earlier version. The Oscar class was designed to attack NATO
carrier battle groups using long-range SS-N-19 "Shipwreck" anti-ship missiles and targeting data
provided by the EORSAT satellite system. The external differences between the two classes were
that the 949A class is about 10 metres (33 ft) longer than its predecessor (~154 metres (505 ft)
rather than 143 m (469 ft)), providing space for improved electronics and possibly quieter
propulsion. Some sources speculate that the acoustic performance of the Oscar II class is superior
to early Akula-class submarine but inferior to the Akula II as well as subsequent (4. generation)
designs. It also has a larger fin, and a seven-bladed propeller instead of a four-bladed one.
Like all post-World War II Soviet designs, they are of double hull construction. Similarly, like other
Soviet submarine designs, Project 949 not only has a bridge open to the elements on top of the sail
but, for use in inclement weather, there is an enclosed bridge forward and slightly below this station
in the fin/sail.
A distinguishing mark is a slight bulge at the top of the fin. A large door on either side of the fin
reaches this bulge. These are wider at the top than on the bottom, and are hinged on the bottom.
The Federation of American Scientists reports that this submarine carries an emergency crew
escape capsule; it is possible that these doors cover it. The VSK escape capsule can accommodate
110 people.
The Oscar Class is commonly referred to as Mongo by crews of US patrol aircraft in reference to
their massive size