Shark ship. The largest submarines in the world
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-proofing rubber coating with a total weight of 800 tons. According to American experts, the strong hulls of the boat are also equipped with sound-proofing 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 three-stage solid-propellant ballistic missiles R-39 "Variant". These missiles have the largest launch mass (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 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, intended 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.
Due to a 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".
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 water 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 and 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.
This is interesting
During the Cold War, in the 70s, another race began between the USSR and the USA to see who would be the first to master a nuclear submarine fleet. Having something like this would give a significant advantage to one side or the other. And it was precisely thanks to the tenacity of the designers, driven by military forces, that the largest submarine.
The Americans established their position with the help of a nuclear-powered missile cruiser called the Ohio, which had about 24 missiles with nuclear warheads. This forced Russian craftsmen to take on a more powerful project, called 941 “Shark”, but foreign media dubbed it “Typhoon”.
Until now, the submarine, which has become the largest in the world, is considered the most successful and large-scale project that has ever been implemented on the territory of the USSR. It had 19 compartments, each of which was accessible to visitors. It was even possible to ascend in incredibly cold conditions, that is, from under the ice, which explains the powerful sealing of the cabin and its well-thought-out protection.
It is not for nothing that the largest nuclear submarine received such a title, because its length is over 173 meters. The most striking example given for size ratio is a football field. In length, "Typhoon" occupies two such sports grounds. But she also managed to impress with her displacement - more than 50 thousand tons, which is twice as much as that of the Ohio, created by American craftsmen.
They were comparable only in speed - both submarines could develop 24 knots at their maximum efforts. There is no exact data regarding the autonomy of the Ohio, but the Russian creation could remain in the waters of the world’s oceans for at least six months, without refueling or the need to replenish provisions. Everything was included and provided.
The Typhoon was set in motion only thanks to two nuclear reactors, which generated the necessary energy for the turbines corresponding to each of them. The crew serving the ship consisted of 150 people, a significant part of whom were officers. The best conditions were created for them - spacious cabins for two or four people. The sailors had their own small cubicles and rooms. It is worth considering that even in them, each had its own washbasins and televisions. The crew spent most of their time on watch, and during free periods they had the opportunity to go to the gym, visit the sauna or swimming pool, which was equipped inside the submarine.
In the event of an alarm and an indication that hostilities are authorized, the enemy could feel the successive explosion of two dozen nuclear missiles, which could easily turn several coastal American states into one continuous scorched place. It is because of this that the “Shark” was once renamed “Typhoon”. It is worth considering that in addition to missiles, the steel-clad boat also had at its disposal about three dozen torpedoes.
Exactly six such underwater structures were manufactured within the framework of Project 941, from 1976 to 1988, each of which is still suitable for action. Three are in use, two are in reserve and one allows testing of new weapons being developed.
Dear comrades, many of you have probably visited naval salons and climbed uncomfortable, shaking gangways onto the decks of huge ships. We wandered around the upper deck, looking at missile launch containers, spreading branches of radars and other fantastic systems.
Even such simple things as the thickness of an anchor chain (each link is about a pound of weight) or the radius of sweeping the barrels of naval artillery (the size of a country “six hundred square meters”) can cause sincere shock and bewilderment in the unprepared average person.
The dimensions of the ship's mechanisms are simply enormous. Such things are not found in ordinary life - we learn about the existence of these cyclopean objects only during a visit to the ship on the next Navy Day (Victory Day, during the St. Petersburg International Naval Show, etc.).
Indeed, from the point of view of an individual, small or large ships do not exist. Marine technology is amazing in its size - standing on the pier next to a moored corvette, a person looks like a grain of sand against the backdrop of a huge rock. The “tiny” 2500-ton corvette looks like a cruiser, but the “real” cruiser has generally paranormal dimensions and looks like a floating city.
The reason for this paradox is obvious:
An ordinary four-axle railway car (gondola car), loaded to the brim with iron ore, has a mass of about 90 tons. A very bulky and heavy thing.
In the case of the 11,000-ton missile cruiser Moskva, we have only 11,000 tons of metal structures, cables and fuel. The equivalent is 120 railway cars with ore, densely concentrated in a single mass.
Anchor of the submarine missile carrier project 941 “Shark”
How does water hold THIS?! Conning tower of the battleship New Jersey
But the cruiser "Moscow" is not the limit - the American aircraft carrier "Nimitz" has a total displacement of more than 100 thousand tons. Truly, great is Archimedes, whose immortal law allows these giants to stay afloat!
A big difference
Unlike surface ships and vessels that can be seen in any port, the underwater component of the fleet has an increased degree of stealth. difficult to see even when entering the base - largely due to the special status of the modern submarine fleet.
Nuclear technologies, danger zone, state secrets, objects of strategic importance; closed cities with special passport regime. All this does not add to the popularity of the “steel coffins” and their glorious crews. Nuclear boats quietly nest in secluded coves of the Arctic or hide from prying eyes on the coast of distant Kamchatka. Nothing has been heard of the existence of boats in peacetime. They are not suitable for naval parades and the notorious “flag display”. The only thing these sleek black ships can do is kill.
Baby S-189 against the backdrop of the Mistral
What do “Loaf” or “Pike” look like? How big is the legendary "Shark"? Is it true that it doesn't fit in the ocean?
It is quite difficult to clarify this issue - there are no visual aids on this matter. The museum submarines K-21 (Severomorsk), S-189 (St. Petersburg) or S-56 (Vladivostok) are half a century old “diesel engines” from the Second World War and do not give any idea about the real size of modern submarines.
The reader will certainly learn a lot of interesting things from the following illustration:
Comparative sizes of silhouettes of modern submarines on a single scale
The fattest “fish” is a heavy strategic missile submarine cruiser.
Below is an American Ohio-class SSBN.
Even lower is the underwater “aircraft carrier killer” of Project 949A, the so-called. “Baton” (it was to this project that the lost “Kursk” belonged).
Hidden in the lower left corner is the multi-purpose Russian nuclear submarine of Project 971 (code).
And the smallest boat shown in the illustration is the modern German diesel-electric submarine Type 212.
Of course, the greatest public interest is associated with the “Shark” (aka “Typhoon” according to NATO classification). The boat is truly amazing: the hull length is 173 meters, the height from the bottom to the roof of the deckhouse is equal to a 9-story building!
Surface displacement - 23,000 tons; underwater - 48,000 tons. The numbers clearly indicate a colossal reserve of buoyancy - to submerge the Shark, more than 20 thousand tons of water are pumped into the boat’s ballast tanks. As a result, the “Shark” received the funny nickname “water carrier” in the navy.
Despite all the seeming irrationality of this decision (why does the submarine have such a large reserve of buoyancy??), the “water carrier” has its own characteristics and even advantages: when on the surface, the draft of the monstrous monster is slightly greater than that of “ordinary” submarines - about 11 meters. This allows you to enter any home base without the risk of running aground, and use all available infrastructure for servicing nuclear submarines.
In addition, the huge reserve of buoyancy turns the Akula into a powerful icebreaker. When the tanks are blown, the boat, according to Archimedes’ law, “rushes” upward with such force that even a 2-meter layer of rock-hard arctic ice cannot stop it. Thanks to this circumstance, the “Sharks” could carry out combat duty in the highest latitudes, right up to the North Pole.
But even on the surface, the “Shark” surprises with its dimensions. How else? - the largest boat in world history!
You can admire the shark’s appearance for a long time:
"Shark" and one of the SSBNs of the 677 family
The boat is simply huge, there is nothing more to add here
Modern SSBN Project 955 "Borey" against the backdrop of a gigantic "fish"
The reason is simple: two submarines are hidden under a light, streamlined hull: the “Shark” is made according to the “catamaran” design with two durable hulls made of titanium alloys. 19 isolated compartments, a duplicate power plant (each of the durable hulls has an independent OK-650 nuclear steam generating unit with a thermal power of 190 MW), as well as two pop-up rescue capsules designed for the entire crew...
Needless to say, in terms of survivability, safety and convenience of personnel accommodation, this floating Hilton was unrivaled.
Loading the 90-ton Kuzka mother. In total, the boat's ammunition load included 20 R-39 solid-fuel SLBMs
"Ohio"
No less surprising is the comparison of the American submarine missile carrier "Ohio" and the domestic TRPKSN project "Shark" - it suddenly turns out that their dimensions are identical (length 171 meters, draft 11 meters) ... while the displacement differs significantly! How so?
There is no secret here - "Ohio" is almost half as wide as the Soviet monster - 23 versus 13 meters. However, it would be unfair to call the Ohio a small boat - 16,700 tons of steel structures and materials inspire respect. The Ohio's underwater displacement is even greater - 18,700 tons.
Carrier Killer
Another underwater monster, whose displacement surpassed the achievements of the Ohio (surface displacement - 14,700, underwater - 24,000 tons).
One of the most powerful and advanced boats of the Cold War. 24 supersonic cruise missiles with a launch weight of 7 tons; eight torpedo tubes; nine isolated compartments. The operating depth range is more than 500 meters. Underwater speed over 30 knots.
In order to accelerate the “loaf” to such speeds, the boat uses a two-reactor power plant - uranium assemblies in two OK-650 reactors burn day and night with a terrible black fire. The total energy output is 380 Megawatts - enough to provide electricity to a city of 100,000 inhabitants.
"Loaf" and "Shark"
Two "loaves"
But how justified was the construction of such monsters to solve tactical problems? According to a widespread legend, the cost of each of the 11 boats built reached half the cost of the aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov! At the same time, the “loaf” was focused on solving purely tactical problems - exterminating AUGs, convoys, disrupting enemy communications...
Time has shown that multi-purpose nuclear submarines are most effective for such operations, for example...
« Pike-B"
A series of Soviet nuclear multi-purpose boats of the third generation. The most formidable underwater weapon before the advent of the American Seawolf-class nuclear submarines.
But don’t think that “Pike-B” is so small and puny. Size is a relative value. Suffice it to say that the baby does not fit on a football field. The boat is huge. Surface displacement - 8100, underwater - 12,800 tons (in the latest modifications it increased by another 1000 tons).
This time, the designers made do with one OK-650 reactor, one turbine, one shaft and one propeller. Excellent dynamics remained at the level of the 949th “loaf”. A modern sonar system and a luxurious set of weapons appeared: deep-sea and homing torpedoes, Granat cruise missiles (in the future - Caliber), Shkval missile-torpedoes, Vodopad anti-missile missiles, thick 65-76 torpedoes, mines... at the same time , the huge ship is piloted by a crew of just 73 people.
Why do I say “total”? Just an example: to operate a modern American boat analogue of the Pike, an unsurpassed underwater killer of the type, a crew of 130 people is required! At the same time, the American, as usual, is extremely saturated with radio electronics and automation systems, and its dimensions are 25% smaller (displacement - 6000/7000 tons).
By the way, an interesting question: why are American boats always smaller? Is it really all the fault of “Soviet microcircuits - the largest microcircuits in the world”?! The answer will seem banal - American boats have a single-hull design and, as a result, a smaller buoyancy reserve. That is why the “Los Angeles” and “Virginia” have such a small difference in the values of surface and underwater displacement.
What is the difference between a single-hull and a double-hull boat? In the first case, ballast tanks are located inside a single durable housing. This arrangement takes up part of the internal volume and, in a certain sense, negatively affects the survivability of the submarine. And, of course, single-hull nuclear submarines have a much smaller buoyancy reserve. At the same time, this makes the boat small (as small as a modern nuclear submarine can be) and quieter.
Domestic boats are traditionally built using a double-hull design. All ballast tanks and auxiliary deep-sea equipment (cables, antennas, towed sonar) are located outside the pressure hull. The stiffening ribs of the robust body are also located on the outside, saving precious space in the interior. From above, all this is covered with a light “shell”.
Advantages: a reserve of free space inside a durable case, allowing for the implementation of special layout solutions. A larger number of systems and weapons on board the boat, increased unsinkability and survivability (additional shock absorption in case of nearby explosions, etc.).
Nuclear waste storage facility in Sayda Bay (Kola Peninsula). Dozens of submarine reactor compartments are visible. The ugly “rings” are nothing more than stiffening ribs of a durable casing (the lightweight casing has been previously removed)
This scheme also has disadvantages and there is no escape from them: large dimensions and area of wetted surfaces. The direct result is that the boat is noisier. And if there is a resonance between the durable and lightweight body...
Don’t be fooled by hearing about the above-mentioned “reserve of free space”. It is still forbidden to ride mopeds or play golf inside the compartments of Russian Shchukas - the entire reserve was spent on installing numerous sealed bulkheads. The number of habitable compartments on Russian boats usually ranges from 7...9 units. The maximum was achieved on the legendary “Sharks” - as many as 19 compartments, excluding sealed technological modules in the light body space.
For comparison, the robust hull of the American Los Angeles aircraft is divided by hermetic bulkheads into only three compartments: central, reactor and turbine (of course, not counting the insulated deck system). Americans traditionally rely on the high quality of manufacturing of hull structures, the reliability of equipment and qualified personnel in the crews of submarines.
A whopping big fish. American multi-purpose submarine of the Seawolf class
Another comparison on the same scale. It turns out that the “Shark” is not so large compared to the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier of the “Nimitz” type or the TAVKR “Admiral Kuznetsov” - the size of aircraft-carrying ships is completely paranormal. The victory of technology over common sense. The small fish on the left is the Varshavyanka diesel-electric submarine
These are the key differences between submarine shipbuilding schools on different sides of the ocean. But submarines are still huge.
Among all the various achievements of mankind, there are many records, the authorship of which belongs to our compatriots. One of these is the creation of the largest submarine in the world. The Soviet submarine cruisers of the Akula project, built in the 1980s, remain unparalleled in size to this day.
The height of the Akula project submarine is approximately equal to the height of a nine-story building. Now imagine a nine-story building confidently moving forward at a depth of several hundred meters - such a picture can shock even a not very impressionable person!
But the Soviet designers working on “Project 941” thought about records in the last place. The main task was to ensure the preservation of military parity between the USSR and the USA.
By the 1970s, it became obvious that submarines carrying nuclear weapons played a very important role in ensuring national security.
The leadership of the USSR learned from intelligence reports that work had begun in the United States to create a new generation of nuclear submarines. The new Ohio-class missile carriers were supposed to provide the United States with an overwhelming advantage in sea-based nuclear carriers.
In December 1972, the Central Design Bureau of Marine Equipment "Rubin" received tactical and technical assignments for the design of a third-generation Soviet missile carrier. The chief designer of the project was Sergey Kovalev, the legendary creator of Soviet missile submarines.
"Shark", view from the right shell. Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org
Size matters
On December 19, 1973, the government of the Soviet Union decided to begin work on the design and construction of a new generation of strategic missile carriers.
The new Soviet three-stage intercontinental ballistic missile R-39, specially designed for arming submarines of a new type, was superior in its performance to the American counterpart Trident-I. The R-39 had the best characteristics of flight range, throw weight and had 10 blocks versus 8 for the Trident.
But you have to pay for everything. The high qualities of the R-39 were combined with unprecedented dimensions for sea-based missiles - almost twice as long and three times as heavy as the American counterpart.
This meant that it was necessary to develop a completely unique submarine cruiser, the size of which would have no analogues.
As a result, the Project 941 missile cruisers had the greatest length - 172.8 meters, the greatest hull width - 23.3 meters, a surface displacement of 23,200 tons and an underwater displacement of 48,000 tons.
The lead ship of the series, which was supposed to build 7 missile carriers, was laid down at the Sevmash plant in 1976. The launch of TK (heavy cruiser) 208 took place on September 23, 1980.
Anchor "Shark" in Severodvinsk. Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org / Schekinov Alexey Victorovich
"Sharks" of different types
When the hull of the boat 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 cruiser was already popularly dubbed 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.
There is a certain confusion with domestic underwater “Sharks”. The name of the project does not refer to any of the boats included in it. According to NATO codification, this project is called “Typhoon”.
In NATO codification, “Sharks” refer to domestic multipurpose submarines of Project 971 “Shchuka-B”. The lead boat of this project, K-284, bore its own name “Shark”, without having anything to do with the “Rocket Sharks”.
And the first “Shark” in the history of the Russian submarine fleet was a submarine designed engineer Ivan Bubnov, launched in 1909. The Akula, which became the first underwater ship in the Russian Navy, created according to a Russian design, was lost in the Baltic during the First World War.
But let's return to the "Record Shark". The first boat of the new project, TK-208, entered service with the USSR Navy in December 1981, almost simultaneously with its competitor Ohio.
"Shark" in the ice. Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org / Bellona foundation
High reliability missile carrier
The main type of weapons of the missile carrier are 20 three-stage solid-fuel ballistic missiles R-39. The missiles have a multiple warhead with 10 individually guided warheads, each containing 100 kilotons of TNT, and the missiles' flight range is 8,300 km.
From Akula project boats, the entire ammunition load can be launched in one salvo; the interval between missile launches is minimal. Missiles can be launched from a surface or underwater position; in the case of launch from an underwater position, the immersion depth is up to 55 meters; there are no restrictions on weather conditions for launching missiles.
Unlike American Ohio-class submarines, which were primarily built for service in tropical waters, Akula-class missile carriers have increased strength, allowing them to break ice 2.5 meters thick. This makes it possible for the Akula to carry out combat duty in the Far North and even directly at the North Pole.
One of the design features of the boat is the presence of five habitable durable hulls inside a light hull, two of which are the main ones, their largest diameter is 10 meters, they are located according to the catamaran principle - parallel to each other. Missile silos with missile systems are located in the front of the ship, between the main pressure hulls. In addition, the boat is equipped with three sealed compartments: a torpedo compartment, a control module compartment with a central post and an aft mechanical compartment.
The durable cases were made from titanium alloys, the lightweight case was made of steel and had a non-resonant anti-location and sound-insulating coating, the weight of which was 800 tons.
The unique design of the Akula ensures the survival of the crew in the event of an emergency on board, similar to the one that occurred on the Kursk submarine.
Ohio class nuclear submarine. Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org
"Floating Hilton"
Not only the combat characteristics of the new submarines were unique, but also almost everything connected with them.
The project included the construction of a special submarine training center in Obninsk near Moscow with all the infrastructure for crew members and their families.
It was assumed that each of the "Sharks" would receive three crews - two main and one technical, who would serve on a rotational basis.
The first crew, having completed a combat tour lasting 2-3 months, was supposed to leave the base in the Moscow region, and then go on vacation. At this time, a technical crew was supposed to work on the boat. Upon completion of the repair work, the technical crew handed over the boat to the second main crew, who were rested, had additional training in Obninsk and were ready to go to sea.
Much attention was paid to the life of submariners on the boat itself. A relaxation lounge, a sauna, a solarium, a gym, two wardrooms and even a swimming pool - Soviet submariners had never seen anything like this before. As a result, the Sharks received another nickname: the “floating Hilton.”
At home among the whales
The main weakness of the first domestic nuclear submarines was the high noise level, which unmasked them. The Sharks' hulls were designed so well that the noise level was significantly lower than even the designers expected. For the Americans, the “silence” of the “Shark” was an unpleasant surprise. Indeed, it feels somehow uncomfortable to think that somewhere in the ocean a “nine-story building” is moving silently and imperceptibly, with its salvo capable of turning several American megacities into a radioactive desert.
Submariners assure that the “Shark” managed to merge with the ocean so much that whales and killer whales often mistook the missile carrier for a relative, thereby creating an additional “cover” for it.
The appearance of Project 941 Akula missile carriers in the USSR Navy deprived the US military command of hopes of acquiring an overwhelming advantage over the USSR in sea-based nuclear forces.
But big politics intervened in the history of this project. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, US representatives, proposing new disarmament treaties, showed keen interest in the decommissioning and disposal of Soviet Sharks.
TK-202 in 1999, before disposal. Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org
The first one is also the last one
Of the seven planned Sharks, six were built, the last of which was accepted into the fleet in September 1989. The hull structures of the seventh boat were dismantled in 1990.
TK-202, TK-12 "Simbirsk" and TK-13 were disposed of between 2005 and 2009 with financial support from the United States. TK-17 "Arkhangelsk" and TK-20 "Severstal" were withdrawn to the fleet reserve in 2004-2006 due to lack of ammunition and are now also awaiting disposal.
The only missile carrier of the Akula project that still remains in service is the same submarine TK-208, launched on September 23, 1980.
In 2002, TK-208 was given the name “Dmitry Donskoy”. The largest submarine missile carrier in the world has undergone modernization under Project 941 UM and is now converted to the Bulava missile system. It was from the Dmitry Donskoy that most of the Bulava test launches were carried out. It is assumed that the missile carrier will continue to be used as a test platform for hydroacoustic complexes and weapons systems intended for the latest types of Russian submarines.
Since their appearance in the fleets of the whole world, submarines have played almost a decisive role in the development of all naval combat tactics. Consider the legendary German U-35, which sent 226 ships and transports to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, and this was done in just 19 combat missions.
But those ships were very small, and their crew lived in truly Spartan conditions: the maximum comfort they could count on was a seawater shower, which they were provided with regularly, at their own request. As time went on, the ships became more and more impressive. Their underwater relatives have not deviated from this trend either. Not so long ago, the world's largest submarine appeared, which is capable of eclipsing even some surface vessels in its dimensions.
How it was
At the end of September 1980, the “Shark” entered the White Sea. The artist who covered the bow section of the vessel with a beautiful painting depicting a shark and a trident is unknown. Of course, after launching the picture was no longer visible, but among the people the name “Shark” had already firmly entered into everyday use.
All ships of this class were officially called by this name, and a chevron with the image of a grinning shark’s mouth was even introduced for their crews. In the West, these submarines became known as Typhoon. Soon the largest submarine, the Typhoon, became the official rival of the American Ohio.
Yes, in those years our former allies were intensively replenishing their submarine fleet with new vessels... But the Akula was supposed to become not just another boat, but part of the huge and very important Typhoon program. Domestic science and industry received technical specifications for its design back in 1972, and S. N. Kovalev was appointed curator of the project.
But the world's largest submarine is still known throughout the world precisely for its size. Why are all experts shocked by them? Perhaps the ship is not so big?
Legendary dimensions
The official name of one of the remaining ships in our fleet is “Dmitry Donskoy”. So what are the dimensions of the largest submarine? Its total displacement is 27,000 tons, this giant is 170 meters long and 25 meters wide. Its deck is so large that a loaded KAMAZ can easily turn around there. From the keel to the top of the cabin, the height is also 25 meters. For reference: this is the height of an eight-story building, with an improved layout and high ceilings. The remaining two submarines are in no way inferior to the Donskoy.
If the world's largest submarine lifts all retractable devices, then the height is already similar to a nine-story building. No, the famous Tseretelli did not participate in the design of the vessel: such dimensions were simply due to the size of the new high-power intercontinental missiles.
Missile weapons
The new weapon received the Soviet name "Thunder", but in the West they were called Rif. These missiles were significantly superior to the American Trident-I, which were equipped with the Ohio boats, having much better characteristics in terms of flight range and the number of multiple warheads that could overcome almost any missile defense system.
But you had to pay for such impressive characteristics with no less impressive dimensions. Each rocket not only weighs 84 tons, but also has a diameter of 2.5 meters! The American equivalent weighs 59 tons. With comparable characteristics. So, in fairness, we note that our largest submarine in the world still could not become the “best” in all respects.
Although no, I could. The fact is that the “Shark” is the only missile carrier that can fire at half of the globe while being under the ice of the Arctic Ocean. This is something incredible even by today's standards. The fact is that each R-39 missile could hit targets located at a distance of 9000 km: simply put, a missile fired at the North Pole itself could easily reach the equator. Of course, such formidable weapons reached the United States even more so. Since the greatest diving depth of a submarine of this type reached five hundred meters, which was 200 meters higher than the Ohio.
Because of this, the boats did not need to go on long sea voyages: having moved a couple of thousand kilometers away, they could literally “dissolve” in the vastness of the northern seas.
Foreign analogues
It would be foolish to think that the idea of creating giant submarines visited the minds of only Soviet designers. What are the largest submarines in the world? Firstly, this is the “Ohio” we mentioned: its length is also 170 meters, but its width is “only” 12 meters. Actually, this is where the list ends. No other country in the world has been able to create anything similar.
Work on the design and training of crews of new ships
Thus, the designers had to completely rework the layout of the ships. At the end of 1973, the resolution to begin work on the project was finally approved. The first boat was laid down at the beginning of 1976, and it was launched on September 23, 1980. In addition to the cyclopean dimensions, the program provided for an absolutely incredible routine for the operation of these facilities.
The secrecy was incredible, there were no leaks at all. Thus, the Americans generally received a photo of the largest submarine by accident, simply by looking at satellite images of the USSR. According to rumors, heads rolled in the military department: looking at such a “whale” under the nose is an unforgivable oversight!
In Obninsk they had to build a gigantic training center with a military camp and complete social infrastructure. Several crews of submariners were supposed to be trained there at once. For each (!) of the seven boats it was supposed to have three sets: two crews were combat crews, who were supposed to work in shifts, and the third was a technical one, responsible for the condition of the mechanisms. Their mode of operation is very unique.
The first set of sailors sails the oceans for three months. Gradually, faults begin to accumulate on the ship. The ship goes to the base, the crew is loaded into comfortable buses (where their families are already waiting for them), and then sent on vacation. The place of “resort-goers” is taken by techies. “Soldering Iron and File” workers carry out a complete diagnosis of all systems, carry out preventive maintenance and eliminate all faults found.
In this way, the Shark - the largest submarine - is like a Formula 1 car in a pit stop. Here they will change your “wheels”, and they can also replace the pilot if necessary.
Routine for the second crew
At this time, the second combat crew, slightly tired from rest, flies to Obninsk. Here they are mercilessly put through all the simulators, and then the sailors, having proven their professional suitability, go to Murmansk. After this, they are sent to the ship, which by that time is in full combat readiness and can go to sea. The process is repeated over and over again.
In general, the conditions for working on these submarines are truly fabulous. Conscript sailors recall that there is a sauna, gym and comfortable cabins on board. You can serve like this for at least a whole year: psychophysical fatigue is minimal. And this is extremely important for a missile carrier, which can “lie” under the ice of the Northern Ocean for months, camouflaging itself from enemy detection means.
This is what makes Russia's largest submarines unique (today there are three of them left).
Main technical characteristics
The unique missile carriers were powered by two OK-650VV reactors at once, and the power of each of them was 360 MW. The fuel was especially pure uranium dioxide. To understand the power of these power plants, it is enough to know that they could easily ensure the electrification of the entire Murmansk and its suburbs. Their energy turns giant propellers and ensures the functioning of complex onboard systems.
In the navy, the boats also received the nickname “loaf”, since the shape of the hull strongly resembled this bakery product. But this is just the outer shell of a formidable ship. It is needed to minimize the resistance of the aquatic environment. Inside the “shell” there is a second, especially durable body of a unique design. No one in the world has done this.
Most of all, it resembles two giant cigars placed next to each other, which are connected to each other through three through passages at once, which are located at the bow, in the center and at the stern. After this, it is not surprising that the largest nuclear submarine at one time was designed by the best engineers of the Union.
Simply put, there are actually two submarines located in one outer hull. For convenience, they are called “left side” and “starboard side”, meaning by this term the entire “cigar” as a whole. The design is also unique in that the “sides” completely duplicate each other: turbines, engines, reactors and even cabins. If everything fails on one half, there is a radiation leak or something similar, the crew will move to the second half and will be able to bring the giant submarine to its home port. Yes, the largest Russian submarines have no analogues in the world.
Housing characteristics
Everything on the right sub is marked with odd numbers. On the left - even. This is done so that the crew simply does not get confused. By the way, all the sailors on board are also called “port specialists” or “starboard specialists”, that is, even the crew on the boat is completely duplicated.
Between the two buildings there remains quite a significant space in which all the important equipment is located, which urgently needs to be protected from the effects of high pressure and other negative environmental factors. Yes, yes, this submarine (the largest, by the way) even has missiles there: they are located between the sides of the “cigars” and in the front part of the wheelhouse (more precisely, in front of it). This is also a unique distinctive feature, since you will not find such a missile armament configuration on any other submarine in the world.
At the same time, the “Shark” seems to “push” its massive weapons in front of itself. Important! When submerged, water fills (!) the space between the sides, and therefore, when moving, has a huge impact on the maneuverability of the vessel. This allows not only to save engine life, but also... to incredibly reduce noise levels.
About how the whale fell in love with Shark
What else is characteristic of this submarine? The biggest is good, but Americans are afraid of these ships for a completely different reason.
Since the advent of submarines, what their crews have been most afraid of is the noise that occurs during the operation of systems and mechanisms. The noises unmask the ship and give it away to the enemy Navy. The “Shark,” with its double hull, became a champion not only in size, but also in the extremely low level of noise emitted during operation. In one case, the result was completely unexpected... Somewhere near Spitsbergen, a female whale circled around the submarine for a long time, mistaking it for her beau.
The acousticians, laughing and joking, recorded her love serenades on tape. In addition, killer whales sometimes rub against the Sharks’ hulls, emitting interested trills. Even world-famous ichthyologists became interested in this phenomenon. They came to the conclusion that the combination of engine noise and the resonant sounds of masses of water splashing inside the outer hull somehow attracts marine life.
Of course, the largest Russian submarine was clearly not designed with the goal of seducing female whales and playing with killer whales, but the effect was still extremely interesting.
Once again about the living conditions of sailors
Even compared to surface ships, living conditions on the Sharks were simply unimaginably good. Perhaps, only the fictional “Nautilus” by Jules Verne could compete with the domestic submarine. It was jokingly nicknamed the “floating hotel.”
There was no effort to save weight and dimensions when designing the boat, and therefore the crew lived in luxurious cabins for two, four and six places, which were furnished no worse than a hotel room. The sports complex was also amazing: a huge gym, many exercise machines and treadmills.
Not every surface combatant has four showers and nine latrines either. Up to ten people could wash in the sauna, the walls of which were lined with oak boards. And there was even a four-meter-long swimming pool on board. What is characteristic is that even conscripts could use all this wealth, which is generally something unthinkable for our army.
A stab in the back, or the current state of affairs
Western countries were simply terrified of these missile carriers. Of course, after the collapse of the Union, a bunch of “partners” appeared who immediately convinced the government to cut three unique ships into metal. The seventh side of the TK-210, laid down at the shipyards, was completely barbarically stolen, deciding not to complete construction. The huge sums of money and titanic labor that the people of the USSR spent on creating these incredible machines were actually splashed out into the cold water of the Northern Ocean.
And the disposal took place even though the military and designers were almost begging to create floating supply bases for northern cities based on submarines. Alas, today only the Dmitry Donskoy, which was converted to carry Bulava missiles, continues to serve. They do not pose any danger to the United States. The cruisers TK-17 Arkhangelsk and TK-20 Severstal are awaiting either disposal or an equally meaningless modernization.
What did the Americans do with their Ohio? Of course, no one began to saw them. The boats are undergoing planned modernization and are being equipped with new cruise missiles. The US government does not intend to throw away technologies that have spent so much time and effort creating.
