Underwater typhoon. Akula submarine - the largest submarine in the world Russian Akula-class submarines

22.09.2014, 19:24

A few facts about the largest submarine in the world.

On September 23, 1980, the nuclear submarine “Akula” was launched in the Soviet Union, which remains the main maritime giant today. This was a symmetrical but more powerful response to the US Navy's introduction of the Ohio-class submarines.

There's no hiding from her

Work on Project 941 to create the Akula submarine (NATO classification Typhoon - Interpolit.ru note) began on December 19, 1973, when the USSR government adopted a decree providing for the construction of a new missile carrier. The project was developed by the Central Design Bureau of Marine Engineering (CDB MT) Rubin (St. Petersburg), which was headed by general designer Igor Spassky.

Typhoon class submarines were built in Severodvinsk, at the local Sevmash shipyard. The first strategic submarine was laid down on June 30, 1976. On September 23, 1980, it was launched, and three months later it became part of the Northern Fleet under the number TK-208. Before the descent, an image of a shark was painted on the side of the bow below the waterline; later, stripes with a shark appeared on the crew’s uniform.

A total of seven “typhoons” were laid down, but one was not completed. In accordance with the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty SALT-2, three of the six built ships of the project were disposed of. All boats of this type were based in the Northern Fleet, in Nerpichya Bay.

The power of the submarine is such that its missiles can fly about ten thousand kilometers. In other words, from the North Pole zone, any targets up to the equator are accessible to it.

Nine-story building and the Tsar Cannon

Currently, the Russian Navy has two Akula class submarines in service in the Northern Fleet - the TK-20 Severstal and the TK-17 Arkhangelsk.

In order for the boats to be on duty in cold waters and break through ice two and a half meters thick, the wheelhouse fencing is made of very durable material. When ascending, the submarine cruiser, having removed the bow rudders, slowly presses against the ice ceiling, after which the main ballast tanks are sharply purged.

Inside the submarine has a catamaran structure. In the steel belly of the “Shark” there are two durable hulls with a diameter of 7.2 m. Each of them is divided into eight compartments. They claim that a tragedy similar to what happened on the Kursk cannot happen on the Akula, since the torpedo compartment is reliably isolated.

The main power plant consists of two 190 MW nuclear reactors and two 45,000 horsepower steam turbines.

In essence, the “Shark” is a huge nuclear-powered underwater vessel the height of a nine-story building. They said about it that if this boat was placed next to the Tsar Cannon, then, looking at it, humanity would forever refuse to wage any wars.

Floating Hilton

The crews of the Typhoon-class submarines are believed to be accommodated in unusually comfortable conditions, for which the Shark has been nicknamed the floating Hilton. Only Jules Verne could have imagined something like this, but it seemed impossible to transfer what was written on paper into the realities of the 20th century. Soviet designers and builders of submarines made the fairy tale come true.

Sailors rest in small cockpits. The command staff is accommodated in cabins of two, four and six people. Each of the “rooms” has a washbasin, TV, desk and even bookshelves. You can keep fit on the “Shark” in the gym, where there is a wall bars, a punching bag, and various exercise equipment. You can pedal, paddle, or run on a treadmill.

Separately, it should be said that the submarine has nine latrines. The sauna was lined with oak boards. It is designed for five people, but up to ten are packed there. After the sauna it's nice to take a dip in the pool. On a submarine it is small: four meters by two. And two meters deep. Filled with fresh water or sea salt water. If necessary, the water could be heated.

Among other entertainments, we note the “living corner” and solarium, as well as two wardrooms - for the command staff and for sailors and midshipmen.

Main weapons

Project 941 submarines carry missile systems with twenty R-39 three-stage solid-fuel ballistic missiles. Together with the launcher, one missile weighs 90 tons. The 17-meter R-39 missile is the longest adopted for service in the world. Each warhead is 100 kilotons of TNT equivalent. Each has individual guidance. The missile launch control system is duplicated and insured against unauthorized launch.

Missiles can be launched from both surface and submerged positions at depths of up to 55 m and without restrictions on weather conditions. The development of the new R-39UTTH "Bark" missile even included launching from under the ice. But in 1998, after the third unsuccessful launch, the Russian Ministry of Defense decided to stop work on the complex.

The boat is also equipped with six 533 mm torpedo tubes, designed for firing torpedoes and missile-torpedoes, as well as for laying minefields.

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

Electronic weapons of the "Sharks":

Combat information and control system "Omnibus"

Analog hydroacoustic complex "Skat-KS" (digital "Skat-3" was installed on the TK-208 during mid-repair)

Hydroacoustic mine detection station MG-519 "Harp"

Echo-ledometer 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.

Technical characteristics of Typhoon class submarines

Length – 172 m

Width – 23.3 m

Draft – 11 m

Surface displacement – ​​23200 tons

Underwater displacement – ​​48,000 tons

Submarine diving depth - 500 m

Working diving depth – 380 m

Surface speed – 12 knots

Underwater speed – 25 knots

Crew – 160 people

Autonomy – 120 days (according to other sources – up to 180 days)

The submarine "Shark" is listed in the Guinness Book of Records.

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The Soviet Union and the United States maintained nuclear parity with each other until the early 70s. Neither side had an overwhelming superiority over each other in the number of nuclear warheads and delivery vehicles. In the USSR, they relied on silo installations of nuclear intercontinental missiles and a nuclear submarine fleet. Strategic aviation was small in number and did not have 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 silo launchers of ICBMs.

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. Both countries were looking for a way to create a first strike advantage. The rapidly developing arms race in this direction led to the emergence of the largest submarines in the history of mankind, the Soviet Project 941 Akula-class nuclear submarines.

Reasons explaining the appearance of the steel monster

The huge steel monster, the size of a 9-story building, was a response to the appearance of the Ohio-class nuclear submarine in the US Navy. This submarine could carry 24 intercontinental missiles. Not a single submarine in the USSR possessed such firepower. The presence of such submarines by the enemy negated the existing balance in delivery means, which had been achieved with such difficulty by that 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 provide a certain advantage.

This is what caused the next round of the naval arms race. Work began to boil in Soviet design bureaus and overseas. Each country 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 of being ahead of the Americans in terms of the power of its 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 the Ohio-class missile submarines. The Soviet nuclear baton could carry 10 nuclear warheads, instead of the 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, according to the project, was supposed to weigh up to 70 tons. Having such technical characteristics of the main weapon, Soviet designers had to solve a difficult task - to create 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 West Coast of the United States with one salvo. The presence of 3-4 missile carriers of this type by the Soviets would threaten the entire territory of the United States, not to mention the vulnerability of the territories of NATO allies.

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, Project 941 boats had the code “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 after 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 record-breaking equipment. This includes the world's largest transport aircraft, the AN-22 Antey, and the world's first nuclear-powered icebreaker, Lenin. In military terms, the USSR also caused a lot of trouble for the American military, creating excellent military equipment. The latest generation of Soviet intercontinental ballistic missiles caused terror overseas. The navy did not lag behind in this regard, so the world's largest nuclear submarine, the Akula, did not come as a surprise to the Soviet country.

The Soviet ship, built in the early 80s of the 20th century, remains to this day an unsurpassed achievement of design thought. In many technical respects, the new nuclear submarine is rightfully considered the most ambitious Soviet military project. The technical dimensions of the ship alone are amazing, not to mention the cost of building a ship of such scale. 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. These dimensions also corresponded to the huge displacement. The Soviet submarine missile carrier had the displacement of a World War II battleship - 50 thousand tons.

In terms of displacement, the Akula nuclear submarine was three times larger than its opponent, the Ohio-class submarine. If we talk about the name of the ship, the Soviet version is of folk origin. Even on the slipways, 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-powered 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 “Shark,” was created back in 1909. The designer of the submarine was Ivan Bubnov. The boat was lost during the First World War during a military campaign.

The designers of the Rubin Central Design Bureau for Marine Equipment, the flagship of the Soviet shipbuilding industry, handled the task of developing a project for a Soviet underwater super-cruiser perfectly. In 1972, Leningraders received technical assignments 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 already had completed and successful projects behind him. His offspring roamed 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 within the walls of the Rubin Central Design Bureau.

The place where new ships of this size were built was the Sevmash enterprise. For the construction of new ships, a new boathouse of enormous size was specially erected on the shipyard territory. Dredging work was carried out in the water area of ​​the shipyard to allow the passage of ships of such a large displacement.

Three years later, the first lead submarine of Project 941 was laid down on the Sevmash stocks. 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 managed to overtake their American colleagues by earlier creating a ready-made project for a new submarine missile carrier. The launch of a new Soviet submarine of colossal size in September 1980 came as a real shock to the Americans. The first Ohio-class boat launched in December 1981, when the Soviet missile carrier entered the active fleet.

Over the course of 8 years, from 1981 to 1989, 6 vessels 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 for the submarine were ready. The construction of Soviet nuclear missile carriers of Project 941 was provided by more than 1000 related enterprises. At the Sevmash shipyard alone, 1,200 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 the longest-lived. The KT-208 submarine, launched back in 1981, continues to be in service today. Now this is the TPRKSN (heavy strategic missile submarine cruiser) “Dmitry Donskoy”, KT-208 boat of Project 941.

Design features of the Project 941 submarine missile carrier

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

The space between the two durable hulls is filled with 20 silo launchers. The conning tower is shifted to the rear of the boat. The entire front deck is one big launch pad. This arrangement of launchers implies the possibility of simultaneous launching of all ammunition. In this case, the missiles should be launched with a minimum time interval. The Soviet missile carrier is capable of launching missiles from surface and submerged positions. The working immersion depth for launch is 55 meters.

The ship has 19 compartments, each of which communicates with the others. Horizontal rudders are installed in the light hull of the bow of the boat. The conning tower has a reinforced structure, specially designed for the emergency ascent of the ship in conditions of the presence of a continuous ice sheet on the surface. Increased strength is the main distinguishing feature of Soviet III generation missile carriers. While American Ohio-class nuclear submarines were built to patrol the clear waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, Soviet submarines mainly operated in the Arctic Ocean, so the ship’s design was created with a safety margin capable of overcoming the resistance of a 2-meter-thick ice shell .

On the 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 power of 380 MW. The submarine is 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.

The nuclear-powered missile carrier on the surface could reach a speed of 12 knots. Underwater, a submarine with a displacement of 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 reserve of critical diving depth, amounting to an additional 100 m.

A ship of such large size and with such performance characteristics was controlled by a crew of 160 people. A third of this number were officers. The interior living quarters on the submarine were equipped with everything necessary for a long and comfortable stay. Officers and midshipmen lived in comfortable 2- and 4-berth cabins. The sailors and petty officers lived in specially equipped cubicles. All living areas on the boat were served by an air conditioning system. During long cruises, the ship's crew, free from combat shifts, could spend time in the gym, visit the cinema and library. It should be noted that the ship’s autonomy exceeded all standards existing before that time - 180 days.

Main comparative characteristics of the Project 941 ship

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

• American Ohio-class nuclear submarine with 24 Trident ICBMs on board, 18 units built;
• English nuclear submarine "Vangard" with 16 Trident ICBMs, 4 units built;
• French nuclear submarine Triumphant with 16 M45 ICBMs, 4 ships were also built.

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

No other ship, domestic missile carriers of projects 667BDRM and 955, could compare in displacement and combat power with Akula-class submarines. Soviet nuclear submarines, launched in the 80s of the last century, formed the basis of the nuclear missile power of the USSR and became the basis for the nuclear naval component of modern Russia.

The nuclear-powered icebreaker KT-208 “Dmitry Donskoy” remains the only operational ship of this class in the Russian Navy. Two vessels, 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 according to project 941M. The purpose of the modernization was to re-equip the ship for the new Bulava SLBM.

There are no plans to equip the ship with new ballistic missiles. The submarine is used as a self-propelled floating test complex for new types of missile technology. The decision of the high government commission was to extend the life of the vessel until 2020. The nuclear-powered missile carrier is based at the Zapadnaya Litsa naval base and is part of the Russian Northern Fleet.

The construction of heavy nuclear-powered strategic missile cruisers of Project 941 "Shark" (international classification "Typhoon") was a kind of response to the construction of US class nuclear submarines Ohio", armed with 24 intercontinental ballistic missiles.

In the USSR, the development of a project for a new class of submarines began later than the Americans. The designers were faced with a difficult technical task - to place 24 missiles weighing almost 100 tons each on board. After many studies, it was decided to place the missiles between two durable hulls. As a result, the first Akula submarine was built in record time - in 5 years.

In September 1980, unusually large soviet submarine the height of a nine-story building and the length of almost two football fields touched the water for the first time. Delight, joy, fatigue - the participants in that event experienced different feelings, but everyone was united by one thing - pride in a great common cause. Mooring and sea trials were carried out in record time. Tests took place not only in the White Sea, but also in the North Pole area. There were no operational failures during the period of missile firing. During construction nuclear submarines class " Typhoon“The latest achievements in the creation of shipborne radio-electronic equipment and noise reduction were applied. Submarines of this project are equipped with a pop-up rescue chamber designed for the entire crew.

heavy nuclear-powered strategic missile cruiser "Akula"

Interestingly, the total underwater displacement submarine "Shark""is about 50,000 tons. Moreover, exactly half of this weight is ballast water, which is why it was dubbed a “water carrier.” This is the price of the transition from liquid hot to solid fuel, which has not been fully thought out for the Russian submarine fleet. As a result, the project Shark" became the largest submarine in the world and is included in the Guinness Book of Records. For the construction of nuclear submarines, a new workshop was specially built at the Northern Engineering Enterprise - the largest indoor boathouse in the world. The first Project 941 submarine code "TK-208" was laid down at the shipyard of the shipbuilding enterprise in 1976, launched on September 23, 1980, and entered service at the end of 1981. Then five more submarines were built and one of them was nuclear submarine « Dmitry Donskoy». Nuclear submarine"TK-210", laid down in 1986, was never put into operation and was dismantled in 1990 due to the high cost of the project.

dates of laying, launching and commissioning of Project 941 submarines

Design Project 941 submarine made according to the “catamaran” type: two separate durable hulls are located in a horizontal plane parallel to each other. In addition, there are two separate sealed capsule compartments - a torpedo compartment and a control module located between the main buildings in the center plane, which houses the central post and the radio-technical weapons compartment located behind it. The missile compartment is located between the pressure hulls at the front of the ship. Both housings and capsule compartments are connected to each other by transitions. The total number of waterproof compartments is nineteen. The central post compartment and its light fencing are shifted towards the stern nuclear submarine. The robust hull, central post and torpedo compartment are made of titanium alloy, and the lightweight hull is made of steel (its surface is coated with a special hydroacoustic rubber coating, which increases stealth submarines). Submarine "Shark""has a developed stern tail. The front horizontal rudders are located in the bow of the hull and fold. The cabin is equipped with powerful ice reinforcements and a rounded roof, which serves to break the ice during ascent.

Conditions of increased comfort have been created for the boat crew. The officers were placed in relatively spacious two- and four-berth cabins with washbasins, televisions and air conditioning, while the sailors and petty officers were housed in small cockpits. Submarine « Shark“received a gym, swimming pool, solarium, sauna, relaxation room, “living corner” and other premises.

According to domestic press reports, existing plans for the development of Russia's strategic nuclear forces provide for modernization Project 941 nuclear submarines with the replacement of the D-19 missile system with a new one. If this is true, submarine "Shark""has every chance of remaining in service until 2010. In the future, it is possible to convert part of the 941 project into transport nuclear submarines, intended for the transportation of goods along transpolar and cross-polar routes, the shortest route connecting Europe, North America and other countries. The cargo compartment built in place of the missile compartment will be capable of accepting up to 10,000 tons of cargo.

the largest submarine in the world photo

nuclear submarine "Shark" parked

on a barrel

submarine "Shark" on a combat mission

submarine "Shark" on the surface

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.

The largest submarine, the Akula, produced in the Soviet Union, was the pride of the Navy and the horror of its opponents. However, the end of the Cold War and the signing of a number of agreements led to the fact that most of the ships received a tragic continuation of their history.

At the moment, the storm of the underwater world is left alone.

History of creation

The legend of the world's underwater shipbuilding was first launched in Severodvinsk in 1981. While on land, a shark's grin wrapped around a trident was painted on its hull in the front part. After launching, the image disappeared and was never seen again, but the car had already received its name, which later became official.

Subsequent modifications made under this class were called the same, and the crew received a sleeve patch with a painted predator. Foreign journalists dubbed the boat with the code name “Typhoon”, and a few years later it began to be called that in the Union.

It was ordered to begin work on the creation of the first submarine with the ability to carry several modern solid-fuel three-stage intercontinental ballistic missiles R-39, superior to the Trident (US missile) in the amount of explosives and flight range.

The weight of the missiles reached 100 tons, and the number required to be placed on the ship was 24 units. Because of this, the length of Soviet ships was almost 2 times longer than their foreign counterparts.

Work on creating the submarine began in the summer of 1976, under the control of general designer Sergei Nikitich Kovalev. After completing the first design documentation, the dimensions of the “Shark” were determined: the length is almost 2 football fields and the height of a 9-story building.

The first official information about the creation of a new project was made at the XXVI Congress of the CPSU, held in the spring of 1981. Leonid Ilyich deliberately named the car “Typhoon” in order to discourage and confuse his rivals in the Cold War, which began almost immediately after the USSR’s victory in the Second World War. Prior to this, all information regarding the latest development remained classified.

Design of the submarine "Shark"

The location of the energy unit on the Akula submarine is based on a unique design: it is installed in a durable hull with an automated fire extinguishing system and power shutdown.

This process takes place under the supervision of pulsed equipment designed to monitor the operation and condition of nuclear reactors.

The technical characteristics and design of the machine were created in such a way that the ship had an amazing reserve of buoyancy for that time - more than 40%, since after immersion in water, 50% of the displacement was accounted for by water used as ballast.

Because of this, many called the submarine a “water carrier.”

Such characteristics regarding the buoyancy reserve and the presence of a wheelhouse assembled from a special alloy make it possible for the first time to use the ship for combat duty under the ice of the Arctic Ocean. The ship is capable of breaking through blocks more than 250 cm thick without causing any damage to the hull.

Frame

One of the main features of the Shark 941 project is a multi-layer hull, distinguished by its unique strength. It contains 5 habitable chambers with a diameter of 10 m, placed parallel to each other. The bow accommodates missile silos, which were built for the first time forward of the deckhouse.

Next to it are 3 more compartments:

1. Torpedo.
2. Modular, on which the central post is located.
3. Stern mechanical.

The layout of the internal compartments made it possible to reduce the fire hazard and increase the survivability of the ship.

According to designer Kovalev: “The accident that happened with the Kursk cannot be repeated on the Akula.” Even if a torpedo explodes inside the submarine, due to the fact that it is located inside a separate module, serious destruction of the bow and death of the entire crew will not occur.”

In total, the Shark has 19 waterproof and 2 rescue chambers designed to evacuate the entire crew. They are located under the base of the command post, next to the fence of the retractable device.

Power propulsion system

The movement of a multi-ton submarine occurs using a nuclear energy complex designed on a block principle.

It and a number of other units, connected by the designers into one whole, make the “Shark” mobile:

1. Pressurized water reactor, capacity 190 MW – 2 pcs.
2. Steam turbine system available in each building - 2 pcs.
3. Two-stage installation – 1 pc.
4. Seven-bladed propeller with a fixed pitch with installed ring fairings (fenestrons) – 2 pcs.

In addition, there are 2 reserve engines of 190 kW each, they can ensure continuous operation of the submarine in the event of a shutdown of the main units for several hours.

To carry out maneuvers in a closed space, there are 2 separately located 750 kW motors installed in a thruster mechanism with its own rotary propeller located on each side of the ship.

Armament

The Akula submarine is equipped with primary and secondary weapons, which are designed to destroy enemy targets located in line of sight or at a distance of more than 8,000 km.

Basics

This submarine has a D-19 installation with ballistic missiles having a launch weight of 90 tons and a length of 17 m. The combat flight range is 8,300 km with a detachable part for 10 warheads of 100 kilotons each.

In the entire history of the use of such weapons, the Project 941 submarine and its subsequent modifications were its only carrier; there are no other analogues capable of taking on such an amount of explosive.

The launch of a full load of ammunition is carried out with a single shot or successive salvos, both on the surface and from a submerged state. The maximum diving depth at the start of the D-19 reaches 56 m, without restrictions on weather conditions.

In total, the Akula submarine has 20 units of such missiles on board, although initially Kovalev planned to install 24 units, but the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy S.G. Gorshkov decided to stop at 20.

Secondary

In addition to strategic weapons, the submarine missile carrier has on board a minefield installation system, 6 torpedo cycle devices with a 533mm barrel, used for fire support for missile torpedoes, 8 Igla 1 MANPADS and a whole range of electronic weapons:

1. "Omnibus", a militarized information management complex.
2. "Skat-KS", hydroacoustics system.
3. "Harp MG-519", a hydroacoustic unit for searching for mines.
4. "Sever MG-518", an echo sounder for measuring ice thickness.
5. "BuranMRKP-58", radar device.
6. "Symphony", navigation block.
7. "Molniya L-1", a radio communication device equipped with the Tsunami satellite system.
8. MTK-100, TV block.
9. 2 antennas - buoys, which, when the boat is at a depth of more than 150 m, float up and receive radio signals and information from the satellite.

Began after the Great Patriotic War of 1941 - 1945. The cold war, which continued as a long arms race between the two world powers, ended thanks to the partial contribution of the Akula series submarines.

The impressive size of the ship and the huge arsenal on board, allowing it to launch a salvo of 20 missiles at any time anywhere in the world, contributed to the long-term confrontation and ended it with the signing of a peace agreement.

Performance characteristics

As the Head of the Northern Fleet Directorate put it, having visited the Akula for the first time: “By placing it on public display as a monument, you can be sure that humanity who sees it will forever get rid of the idea of ​​​​developing wars.”

This is explained not even by the presence of enormous potential and modern weapons hidden from prying eyes, but by the appearance of the ship and its terrifying dimensions.

You can familiarize yourself with them in the performance characteristics table below:

Modifications

As mentioned earlier, the first Akula submarine was launched to the surface of the water in December 1981.

Initially, the plans were to assemble 7 similar ships, but due to an agreement to reduce the number of strategic weapons, the Soviet Union limited itself to 6 copies.

Work on the 7th model TK-210 was stopped, and the frame was dismantled for recycling.

The modifications collected and used are presented below:

• TK-208 "Dmitry Donskoy", construction began on June 17, 1976, launched into the water 4 years later. In 2002 it was withdrawn from service for subsequent modernization. To date, it has been converted for a new type of weapon, “Bulava”.
• TK-202, launched into the water in 1982, introduced into the Navy 1 year later, only in 1983. After 22 years of operation, it was cut into scrap metal.
• TK-12 "Simbirsk" used from 1983 to 1998, then decommissioned. In 2005, the ship was delivered to Severodvinsk and disposed of together with the Americans.
• TK-13, adopted for service in 1985, was used until 2007. Only after decommissioning, work began on its disposal. To date, it has been completely disassembled and reprocessed, and the nuclear reactor has been moved to the Arctic for long-term storage.
• TK-17 "Arkhangelsk" and TK-20 "Severstal" in 2006 they were withdrawn from the Russian Navy. The decision on their future fate has not yet been determined.

Almost all subsequent modifications of the Akula created by the Soviet Union are lost. At the moment, there are only 2 copies left, which are in question and 1 active. All others have been dismantled. The main reason was the results of negotiations on the reduction of nuclear weapons and the end of the Cold War. At the moment, all the ammunition of the D-19 ballistic missiles has been disposed of, and there is no basis or motivation for the production of subsequent ones.

The superficial opinion that Project 971 submarines belong to the Akula is erroneous. This model is an individual development of general designers Chernyshev and Farafontov and their colleagues.

The development was labeled based on early work on . At the same time, NATO called it the successor of the Soviet giant and assigned the markings to the submarine “Akula” (Acula).

In addition, there are a number of interesting nuances associated with the submarine:

1. The technical characteristics of the 941 are so impressive that no analogues have been created to date.
2. The length of the ship exceeds the size of the largest by exactly 2 times.
3. A new workshop had to be built in Severodvinsk, which became the largest production facility in the world.
4. Crew members of one of the modifications say that after the first exit into warm waters, an interesting incident occurred. At the moment the engines started, a real shark hovered next to the control room. After the submarine's engines had fully gained power, the boat and the shark began to move simultaneously. After this, the submariners were confident that the name of their ship was correct.

The beginning of the history of the construction of such ships stopped suddenly just as it began. As of today, out of 7 submarine models, only the Dmitry Donskoy remains in service.

The ship was modernized and underwent a major overhaul that lasted several years, as a result of which it remains in the country's Navy until at least 2020.

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