941 "Akula" class

On the Soviet classification "Typhoon" names all system of strategic forces similar to the American program "Trident". The missile submarines are called as "sharks", in memory of Russian submarine "Shark". The Americans correctly have named a submarine 941 as "Typhoon", as this submarine has really destructive force of a typhoon. Today even in Russia these boats more often name as "Typhoons", than "sharks". Beginning work above creation underwater cruiser of a new generation the Russian ship builders possessed enough wide experience - Not one ten nuclear submarines by then ploughed abysses of the global ocean. Soviet designers have created marine hard fuel missile similar that was developed in USA as «Trident-1». But it has appeared large-sized and three times more large than American analog (weighed almost hundred tons). In submarines of a traditional construction was not possible to place a plenty of such missiles. It was necessary to search in essence for a new solution. Was considered and carefully 200 various variants are counted more than. It was necessary to decide the whole scale of scientific and technical and technological problems. In the issue optimum solution was found. Submarine "Typhoon" - It actually two submarines, integrated one outside tank - Some kind of underwater catamaran. In this project so much rather revolutionary ideas are realized, that, up to an extremity of century "Typhoons" will stay not only largest submarines in the world, but also most advanced on a level of the battle possibilities. On a level of comfort any other submarines, including "Ohio" can not be compared to these submarines. On "Typhoon" there is a sports hall, sauna, swimming pool, separate cabins for all members of crew and much other, that allows really to consider a submarine as the present underwater cruiser both on battle possibilities, and on conditions of a habitability. The strategic heavy missiles underwater cruiser 941 ("Typhoon" - On a classification of NATO) is intended for plotting missile-nuclear impacts on large distances on large military-industrial objects and items of basing of forces. A basis of its arms make three-stage ballistic missiles RSM-52 of large distance of flight. The submarine 941 is largest in the world. On a construction - It is a multicase submarine, some kind of underwater catamaran. Inside an easy deckhouse with the cover is five strong habitable tanks two from which, main, go in parallel one another and are located symmetrically of rather diametrical plane. Before cabin of the ship, between main tanks 20 launching tubes for ballistic missiles are placed in two numbers. In a nose of a boat, from above, between tanks, there is a torpedo compartment, where are placed six 650-mm and 533-mm fast launching torpedoes devices and torpedoes (22 missiles-torpedoes and usual torpedoes in various combinations). In addition to torpedo arms the submarine can accept mines. Behind the launching tubes, above main tanks in a diametrical plane, under protection of sliding devices, the strong module consisting of two compartments - Main command item and a compartment radio engineering compartment is located. In total on the submarine there are 19 compartments. Power installation of a submarine - Nuclear, steam turbine. Consists of two flight levels - On one in each main tank. Into each flight level enter the reactor and steam an aggregate. In a nose and forage are mounted driving device. Cabin, protection of cabin and sliding systems have the ice reinforcements and roof of the form facilitating updiv. in ice. The nose horizontal control surfaces are born in a nose extremity and are removed in tank. On both sides of cabin two are mounted floating saving cameras. In protection of cabin are placed (from a nose in a forage) 2 periscopes, antenna radiosekstant, radar-tracking station, communication station and navigation, direction finder. The submarine is equipped with floating antennas of a type permitting to accept a radio reports, target destination and signals of satellite navigation on large depth and under ice. The full underwater displacement of the submarine makes 24800 n (length 172 g). The velocity of a full underwater speed reaches 25 knots (surface 12 knots). Crew 160 persons. An autonomy 120 days.

The "Akula" class ballistic missile nuclear-powered (SSBN) submarines are the largest submarines ever to be built.

They were constructed at the Severodvinsk Shipyard, on the White Sea near Archangel. The first of the six members of the class to be commissioned was TK 208 in 1981, followed by TK 202 in 1983, TK 12 in 1984, TK 13 in 1985, TK 17 in 1987 and TK 20 in 1989. TK 12 and TK 13 are no longer operational. The submarines are stationed with the Russian Northern Fleet at Litsa Guba. CONSTRUCTION The Typhoon class submarine is of multi-hulled design - five inner hulls are situated inside a superstructure of the two parallel main hulls. The superstructure is coated with sound-absorbent tiles. There are 19 compartments including a strengthened module which houses the main control room and electronic equipment compartment which is above the main hulls behind the missile launch tubes, under the guard for the periscopes etc. The submarine's design includes features to enable it to both travel under ice and for ice-breaking. It has an advanced stern fin with horizontal hydroplane fitted after the screws. The nose horizontal hydroplanes are in the bow section and are retractable into the hull. The retractable systems include two periscopes (one for the commander and one for general use), radio sextant, radar, radio communications, navigation and direction-finder masts. They are housed within the sail guard. The sail and sail guard have a reinforced rounded cover for ice-breaking. Maximum diving depth is 400 m. Speed is 12 knots when surfaced and 25 knots when submerged. "Akula" is capable of spending 120 days at sea. Two releasable escape chambers are located on each side of the sail.
MISSILES The submarine carries 20 RSM-52 intercontinental, three stage solid propellant ballistic missiles. The two rows of missile launch tubes are situated in front of the sail between the main hulls. Each missile consists of 10 independently targetable multiple re-entry vehicles (MIRV's), each with a 100 kiloton nuclear warhead. Guidance is inertial with stellar reference updating. Range is 8,300 km with accuracy (CEP) of 500 m. The missile weighs 84,000 kg at launch. The missile was designed by the Makayev Design Bureau and has the NATO designation of SS-N-20 Sturgeon. TORPEDOES Typhoon has two 630 mm torpedo tubes and four 533 mm torpedo tubes with a total of 22 antisubmarine missiles and torpedoes of varying types. The torpedo room is in the upper part of the bow between the hulls. The torpedo tubes can also be used to deploy mines. SONAR The sonar is an active/passive search and attack type with the sonar mounted on the hull under the torpedo room. RADAR The submarine is fitted with I/J band surface target detection radar.
COUNTERMEASURES Countermeasures include ESM (electronic support measures), radar warning system and direction-finding system.
COMMUNICATIONS The submarine has both radio and satellite communications systems. It is fitted with two floating antenna buoys to receive radio signals, target designation data and satellite navigation signals, at depth and under ice cover.
MACHINERY The submarine main machinery consists of two nuclear water reactors and two turbogear assemblies comprising steam turbine and gearbox. One reactor and one turbogear assembly are fitted in each main hull. Each nuclear water reactor produces 190 megawatts. These drive two 50,000 hp steam turbines and four 3,200 kW turbogenerators. Two 800 kW diesel generators serve as standby propulsion units and are coupled to the shaft line. The two propellers are 7-blade, fixed pitch shrouded. The built-in thrusters on the bow and stern are two telescopic turning screw rudders and are powered by a 750 kW motor.