Submarine shark characteristics. The world's largest nuclear submarine "Typhoon"

Project 941 "Akula" (SSBN "Typhoon" according to NATO classification) - Soviet heavy missile submarine cruisers for strategic purposes. Developed at TsKBMT "Rubin" (St. Petersburg). The development order was issued in December 1972. Project 941 nuclear submarines are the largest in the world.

History of creation

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 launching, 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 of the year). 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.

On September 23, 1980, at the shipyard in the city of Severodvinsk, the first Soviet Akula-class submarine was launched onto the surface of the White Sea. When her hull 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 people already dubbed the cruiser “The Shark”. All subsequent boats of this class continued to be called the same, and a special sleeve patch with the image of a shark was introduced for their crews. In the West, the boat was given the code name “Typhoon”. Subsequently, this boat began to be called Typhoon in our country. 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. Brezhnev specifically called the “Shark” “Typhoon” in order to mislead his Cold War opponents.

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

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. According to the general designer S. N. Kovalev.

“What happened at Kursk (project 949A) could not have had such catastrophic consequences on project 941. On the Akula, the torpedo compartment is designed as a separate module. And a torpedo explosion would not have led to the destruction of several bow compartments and the death of the entire crew.” 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 soundproofing rubber coating with a total weight of 800 tons. According to American experts, the durable hulls of the boat are also equipped with soundproofing 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 submarine cruiser, having removed the bow rudders, slowly presses against the ice ceiling with its nose and wheelhouse specially adapted for this, 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 the Shark a “floating Hilton.”

Armament

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 K-153 diesel submarine, specially converted according to Project 619, 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 makes it possible to reduce 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.

Crew conditions

On the Typhoon, the crew were provided with not just good, but unimaginably good living conditions for submarines. This, perhaps, could be expected from the Nautilus, but not from a real boat. For its unprecedented comfort, the Typhoon was nicknamed a “floating hotel.” When designing the Typhoon, apparently, they did not particularly strive to save weight and dimensions, and the crew was accommodated in 2-, 4- and 6-berth cabins lined with wood-like plastic, with desks, bookshelves, lockers for clothes, washbasins and televisions.

The Typhoon also had a special recreation complex: a gym with a wall bars, a horizontal bar, a punching bag, cycling and rowing machines, and treadmills. (True, some of this - purely in Soviet style - did not work from the very beginning.) It also has four showers, as well as as many as nine latrines, which is also very significant. The oak-paneled sauna was, generally speaking, designed for five people, but if you tried, it could accommodate ten. There was also a small pool on the boat: 4 meters long, two meters wide and two meters deep.

Comparative assessment

The US Navy has only one series of strategic boats in service - the Ohio, which belongs to the third generation (18 were built, 4 of which were subsequently converted to carry Tomahawk cruise missiles). The first nuclear submarines of this series entered service simultaneously with the Sharks. Due to the possibility of consistent modernization inherent in the Ohio (including mines with extra space and with replaceable cups), they use one type of ballistic missiles - Trident II D-5 instead of the original Trident I C-4. In terms of the number of missiles and the number of MIRVs, the Ohio surpasses both the Soviet Sharks and the Russian Borei.

It should be noted that the Ohio, unlike Russian submarines, is designed for combat duty in the open ocean in relatively warm latitudes, while Russian submarines are often on duty in the Arctic, while being in the relatively shallow waters of the shelf and, in addition, under a layer of ice, which has a significant impact on boat design. In particular, for Sharks, sea temperatures above +10 °C can cause significant mechanical problems. Among US Navy submariners, diving in shallow waters under the Arctic ice is considered very risky.

The predecessors of the "Sharks" - submarines of projects 667A, 670, 675 and their modifications, were nicknamed "roaring cows" by the American military due to their increased noise; their combat duty areas were located off the coast of the United States - in the coverage area of ​​​​powerful anti-submarine formations, moreover they had to overcome the NATO anti-submarine line between Greenland, Iceland and Great Britain.

In the USSR and Russia, the main part of the nuclear triad consists of ground-based Strategic Missile Forces.

After the acceptance of strategic submarines of the Akula type into service in the USSR Navy, the United States agreed to sign the proposed SALT-2 treaty, and the United States also allocated funds under the Cooperative Threat Reduction program for the disposal of half of the Sharks while simultaneously extending the service life of their American “peers” until 2023-2026.

On December 3-4, 1997, in the Barents Sea, during the dismantling of missiles under the START-1 treaty by shooting from the Akula nuclear submarine, an incident occurred: while the US delegation was observing the shooting from aboard a Russian vessel, the Los Angeles-class multi-purpose nuclear submarine " made maneuvers near the nuclear submarine "Akula", approaching a distance of up to 4 km. The US Navy boat left the firing area after warning detonation of two depth charges.

Main characteristics
Ship type TRKSN
Project designation 941 "Shark"
Developer of the project TsKBMT "Rubin"
Chief designer S. N. Kovalev
NATO classification SSBN "Typhoon"
Speed ​​(surface) 12 knots
Speed ​​(underwater) 25 knots
(46.3 km/h)
Working diving depth 400 m
Maximum diving depth 500 m
Navigation autonomy 180 days (6 months)
Crew 160 people
(including 52 officers)
Dimensions
Surface displacement 23,200 t
Underwater displacement 48,000 t
Maximum length (according to waterline) 172.8 m
Body 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 of 45,000 - 50,000 hp. 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-
mine weapons 6 TA 533 mm caliber;
22 torpedoes 53-65K, SET-65, SAET-60M, USET-80 or Vodopad missile torpedoes
Missile armament 20 SLBM R-39 (RSM-52)
Air defense 8 MANPADS "Igla"

Submarine Shark - iron predator of the era

It so happened in the history of the Cold War that the Soviet Union always took the second step in the development of weapons after the United States.

However, this second step in most cases always amounted to two, which meant the creation of a weapon that not only equalized the situation, but also surpassed the enemy’s weapons. This happened with the Akula submarine.

The Akula boat was created according to Project 941 and belonged to the third generation of domestic nuclear submarines. "Shark" was our proactive response to the fundamentally new system of sea-based nuclear missile forces "Ohio", developed by the United States.

This submarine - a true independent missile base - represents a special milestone in scientific, design and political terms.

Unique features of the Akula submarine

The Akula submarine turned out to be not only the largest submarine equipped with such a large number of weapons, but also the quietest (two-stage shock absorption system), which significantly increased its potential stealth.

In addition, the Shark was intended for combat duty in the northern latitudes of the Arctic, i.e. adapted for autonomous operation in and under ice.

This was a confident trump card in terms of the operating conditions of our “Sharks” in comparison with “warm-water” American submarines, for which the northern seas were initially closed.

Despite its enormous size (2 football fields in length and a nine-story building in height) and a displacement of 50 thousand tons (more than that of a heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser), the Akula demonstrated high speed and maneuverability and could carry out combat launches of missiles from lower depths (up to 55 meters without any weather restrictions above the surface of the water), as well as from the surface position.

Image: Dimensions of the Akula submarine

The submarine "Shark" recorded its outstanding dimensions in the Guinness Book of Records.

Watch video - Submarine Shark:

Shark submarine in an arms race

However, these dimensions were not an end in themselves for the designers. The giant missile carrier was created for the new Tsar Rocket, which was designed based on the technical advantages of the Trident-1 missile of the American Ohio system, and which again managed to surpass its foreign “colleague” in some respects.

The short time frame allocated by the state to create an “adequate response” to the Americans was forced to speed up scientific work on the development of a new type of missile, hitherto unused in our country - the solid fuel type.

All types of missiles, starting with Korolev’s developments, in our country were liquid-fueled, and our military did not have any scientific solutions or technologies for solid-fuel missiles.

All previous submarine missile carriers with liquid-propellant missiles could no longer cope with the main task of submarines - stealth, since the preparation and launch of such a missile, due to its technical features, created noise that was already recorded by enemy submarines, which meant unmasking the ship, and in some cases causing enemy pre-emptive strike on the boat.

The new solid fuel brainchild, created in a short time and without proper development, turned out to be very large - 90 tons of weight with 16 meters of “growth”, which was very different from the American Trident-1.

Now the Akula was created for such a heroic rocket. And then, to connect these giant missile carriers of the Northern Fleet (6 Sharks were planned in total), it was necessary to build special floating logistics support.

In 1977, the re-equipment of the base began (taking into account the deep draft of the ship and its length) to receive these submarines; it was planned to create special piers to service the Sharks and supply everything necessary, starting with energy resources.

However, the high-tech piers, as well as the unique coastal infrastructure for the 941 Akula strategic submarines, were not completed. The brainchild of the Soviet defense industry "Akula" with the collapse of the empire remained fatherless for some time.

Moreover, these missile carriers have become “hostages” of negotiations on strategic arms limitation. And they themselves were subject to sawing up for the money of a potential enemy, i.e. The United States allocated significant sums to Russia for their disposal.

Only one ship remained alive - the Dmitry Donskoy, the rest rusted on the pier, having lost the battle not on their own territory - in the depths of the water, but in the political arena.

Photo of the nuclear submarine "Dmitry Donskoy"

Submarine Akula - missile carrier for Bulava

The salvation for the Akula submarine was the unique possibility of modernization with the new Bulava missile; this potential was included in the strategy of the 941 project by the Akula designers initially, and implied a unique operation.

Since the compartment with the missiles is located outside the main strong structures of the vehicle, it was possible to easily cut it out of the submarine, with the subsequent construction of a new shaft there for a new missile. This was the strength of the 941 complex, unattainable on other missile carriers.

Thus, "Dmitry Donskoy", the only unique and non-analogue strategic nuclear ship, became a test base for the creation of missiles for the next, 4th generation of missile carriers.

Video - Launching all ammunition from a submarine (from under water):

What else will surprise the iron predator?

At the beginning of the third millennium, various projects were put forward to save the “Sharks”, withdrawn from the Navy and subject to disposal, including their use as huge cargo transporters in the polar waters of the northern seas, since the dismantled missile compartment could accept up to 10 tons of cargo.

But fate gave the Sharks only a quarter of a century. February 9, 1982 was the date of birth, i.e. joining the Northern Fleet of the largest submarine ship.

For almost 10 years, the Rubin designers, under the leadership of S. Kovalev, took the domestic giant from the drawings to the launch of the first missiles (December 1972 - the task for technical development was given, and since 1973, within the framework of the Typhoon strategic sea-based nuclear program, work on the creation of Project 941 missile carriers).

The Akula submarine impressed contemporaries not only with its military power:

• 20 ballistic missiles with 10 individually targetable warheads and the possibility of a single launch of the entire missile ammunition load at short intervals;
• 6 torpedo tubes 533 caliber;
• 8 sets of Igla-1 MANPADS for air defense.

The “Shark” was also striking with its unique design solutions for the boat’s layout, when under one outer lightweight hull there are two main strong ones connected by 3 modules.

Such a “catamaran” ensured increased survivability of the submarine, and placement of missiles outside the main hulls and in separate strong autonomous hulls in the event of an accident was guaranteed to preserve the remaining missile system. The 2 nuclear reactors that give life to the Akula could “shut down” themselves in the event of an emergency, which also ensured the viability of the submarine.

And, of course, the entire huge crew of the supergiant was accommodated as comfortably as possible - 170 people served on the ship with thoughtful amenities and recovery and relaxation complexes.

Watch the video - Submarine structure:

The first Shark - the beginning of leadership among submarines

Interestingly, the Akula submarine was already seen in the Russian fleet at the dawn of domestic submarine shipbuilding. It was one of the first submarines with a displacement of 400 tons (which also made it the largest submarine at that time).

The technical design of the first "Shark" was approved in 1905, and launching took place in 1909.

The first Akula submarine became a classic example of the Russian type of submarine - single-hulled and with ballast placed at the ends (at the stern and at the bow), which was later developed by our designers. The first "Shark" had 16 flights (it took part in the First World War).

Our Shark at the beginning of the last century was the first in world practice to look for the enemy, and not wait for him in ambush, as was customary during maneuvers. The 17th voyage of the “Shark” was the last; in 1915, she left to lay mines and did not return; nothing is known about the reasons for her death since then.

The largest nuclear submarine Akula

A shield and a sword in one titanium case, a giant scabbard for powerful weapons, a colossal underwater ship packed with electronics and controlled by a specially trained team - all these are characteristics of the same series of nuclear submarine cruisers, sort of mastodons of the Cold War era.

The largest nuclear submarine of the Shark class alone is capable of inflicting a colossal defeat on any country in the world, except perhaps New Zealand and some countries in South America.

What awaits the largest nuclear submarines?

Should we consider the “Shark” as a powerful, but absolutely unnecessary weapon today? And servicing these strategic cruisers is quite expensive - 300 million rubles annually for each combat unit.

Three of the six underwater giants that were built were dealt with simply - they were cut into pieces, after first removing the nuclear fuel from the reactor blocks, sealing them and burying them in northern Russia. As a result, TK-202, TK-12 and TK-13 were dismantled - they no longer exist, but billions of rubles were saved that would have had to be spent on maintaining these warships.

Watch the video - The largest nuclear submarine Shark:

When thinking about the fate of strategic missile carriers, it is worth considering one important point - every year the United States spends about 400 billion dollars annually on armament and modernization of the army!

Russia, on the other hand, is ten times smaller, and here we still need to take into account its larger territory compared to the United States.

The Cold War in the past equalized the balance of power in the world, and the largest nuclear submarine, the Akula, was far from its most expensive project. The chaos that arose after the collapse of the USSR disrupted many long-term rearmament plans; leaders, goals and objectives changed.

Four out of seven Akulas were lost - the last submarine (TK-201) was dismantled while still in the hull stage.

Meanwhile, the uniqueness of these ships is obvious: unexpected noiselessness and high speed for such giants; ability to swim under the ice for months in the icy waters of Antarctica; ascent anywhere, regardless of ice thickness; an effective system for detecting enemy anti-submarine submarines; excellent buoyancy.

Akula class nuclear submarines are the most dangerous of all submarines

The largest nuclear submarine of the Akula class is the only submarine in the world that, despite its impressive size, is capable of moving on a shallow shelf under thick ice. None of the captains of NATO nuclear submarines would dare to do such an act - there is a high risk of damage to the submarine.

From the point of view of modern military strategy, stationary ballistic missiles are ineffective - they can be detected from space and launched a missile strike on them before they leave their launch silos.

On the other hand, an independent and freely moving strategic missile launcher, which, by and large, is what each Project 941 submarine is, becomes the main joker in the sleeve of the Russian General Staff.

Watch video - Shark submarine in action:

Shark nuclear submarines will always be in demand

The question of transferring the Sharks from military service to peaceful activities has been repeatedly raised, while the costs of their maintenance would be significantly reduced.

For example, the largest nuclear submarine "Akula" could transport cargo - its reconstruction for these purposes will allow it to transport up to 10,000 tons of cargo.

Underwater transportation is beneficial for a number of reasons: it is safer and not dependent on storms, no pirates or similar groups are able to capture underwater transport, and, in the case of transportation in the northern seas, it is also the fastest.

Civilian "Sharks" would not require open water; on board their cargo would arrive by the shortest route to the northern ports of Europe and America without any interference associated today and in hundreds of past years with the icing of the northern seas.

The Sharks can serve for peaceful or military purposes for many years to come - after all, they are the result of decades of hard work by scientists and designers, engineers and military sailors.

Submarine Shark - the most dangerous submarine

The impressive dimensions of the largest submarine on Earth, its unusual layout - two parallel internal hulls, closed by an external one - are amazing, to say the least. Why was it necessary to create such a giant, which undoubtedly cost a large sum?

The main reason was its weapons - 20 solid-fuel missiles, each of which carried 10 nuclear warheads. They were huge even compared to the Trident, the main ballistic missile of US submarines in the 1980s.

Soviet R-39s were almost twice as long and weighed three times more than American missiles.

It was impossible to fit 20 launch silos for such giants into the classic cigar-shaped hull of a boat - this is how the Akula submarine, a Project 941 missile carrier, appeared.

The Akula class nuclear submarines were equipped with the most powerful ballistic missiles ever launched from a submarine: 16 meters long; the diameter of the first two stages is 2.4 meters; weight – 90 tons. R-39 missiles carried warheads with a total weight of 2550 kg, throwing them at a distance of up to 10,000 km.

For comparison, the characteristics of the Trident-I ballistic missile (USA): length 10.3 meters; the diameter of the first steps is 1.8 meters; weight - 32.3 tons; flight range – 7400 km; maximum warhead weight is 1360 kg.

Video - Submarine Shark:

Features of the Akula nuclear boat project

The main weapon of the "Sharks" could be launched both from the surface and from a depth not exceeding 55 meters - after opening the external hatches of the missile silos, sea water was removed from them by the pressure of powder gases (mini explosion), i.e. the ballistic missile flew out of a dry silo, even if the submarine was under water at the time of launch.

The submarine "Akula" received its second name - Typhoon - thanks to a missile system of 20 ballistic missiles; in fact, this was its name (D-19 "Typhoon").

In the mid-80s, strategic missile designers at Lockheed Martin (USA) began creating a fourth-class missile, the Trident II. At this time, Soviet designers also began work on a new ballistic missile project - a new type of missile was supposed to replace the R-39 missile.

The Typhoon system was extremely expensive, and besides, it lagged far behind the performance of the Trident II: twice the weight, three times less power, and in terms of hit accuracy it was twice as inferior to the American one.

Therefore, even before the completion of the first Project 941 missile cruiser, Soviet designers began creating a new strategic missile, called the Bark.

New requirements and problems

In the near future, each Akula class submarine had to undergo modernization for a new missile system.

The advantages of the new rocket were: a system of independent passage through a 2.5-meter layer of ice in the Arctic Ocean; long flight range while maintaining the number of nuclear warheads; lower production and storage costs.

During the development of Bark, serious obstacles arose: the project manager V.P. died. Makeev, the Soviet Union disappeared, and along with it, stable funding for the project ceased.

Bulava missile for submarine

In 1998, the Bark ballistic missile project was finally canceled, and the modernization of one of the Sharks that had begun for it was stopped. And in the same 1998, a new project of a strategic complex equipped with R-30 or Bulava missiles was launched.

Characteristics of the "Bulava": length 12.1 meters; diameter 2 meters; with a mass of 36.8 tons, it is capable of delivering a nuclear charge weighing 1,150 kg to a target at a maximum distance of 12,000 km.

Photo: Bulava R-30 - intercontinental ballistic missile

The first launch of the Bulava from a missile carrier took place at the end of September 2004: the Akula class submarine Dmitry Donskoy (TK-208), which had undergone reconstruction for this complex, launched a missile with a training warhead while underwater .

Video - Launch of the Bulava ballistic missile:

Initially, each Akula submarine was conceived as a mobile launch pad for nuclear missiles - during combat duty, the "predator" was supposed to lie at the bottom of the Arctic Ocean and guard the borders of Russia.

Photo: Launch of the Bulava R-30 ballistic missile

Once every four months, the submarine cruisers would replace each other - the next "Shark" would go on duty, and the replaced submarine would return to base for technical inspection and crew rest.

Theoretically, the period of underwater duty could be longer, but, according to doctors, staying under water for more than four months will cause serious damage to the human body.

For a full annual duty schedule, at least eight Project 941 nuclear-powered cruisers are needed, but the creation and annual maintenance of each of them costs a nine-figure sum in US dollars. That is why the final decision on the “Sharks” has not yet been made.

Akula class submarine - Russian predators

It just so happened that from the very first years the progress of human society directly depended on military developments.

If it weren’t for the need to protect one’s territories and resources, today there would be not only space programs, but even computers or, for example, microwave ovens - military orders have always been profitable, allowing for long-term research and diversified development.

The first nuclear submarines

The first engines running on nuclear fuel were created and installed only on military equipment; to this day there is not a single nuclear submarine created for peaceful purposes. The reason for this has been unchanged for thousands of years - rulers are ready to spend significant amounts of money only on weapons.

The Akula class submarine was also created for military purposes; the development and construction of submarines of this series cost the USSR quite a lot - about 400 billion rubles in total.

6.5 nuclear-powered Sharks were built, three of them and the unfinished seventh were subsequently dismantled, leaving three ships in the hope that they could be modernized and entrusted with the protection of Russia’s northern borders.

Watch a video on the topic - Shark class boat:

Of all the “Sharks,” the most fortunate, so to speak, was the missile carrier TK-208, which received the name “Dmitry Donskoy” in October 2002. This submarine was the first of those created under Project 941; work on it began in June 1976 and was launched in September 1980.

The TK-208 submarine cruiser cannot be called a prototype - it was a full-fledged combat ship, carrying 20 nuclear missiles on board.

"Dmitry Donskoy", in addition to its superiority, has another important difference from other "Sharks" - its speed in a submerged position is 2 knots higher than the speed characteristics of its "younger sisters".

The 30-year-old TK-208 is an Akula-class submarine that has undergone several modernizations and was laid up in between.

The main problem for nuclear submarines was no longer the lack of funds for their maintenance (300 million rubles annually for each submarine), but the decommissioning of ballistic nuclear missiles, their main weapon.

Photo: Layout and armament of the nuclear submarine "Shark"

Bulava missile for Akula class submarines

"Sharks" became something like a scabbard without a sword; they required the creation of a new missile system.

Since 1999, the Dmitry Donskoy atomic missile has become a test bed for the new Bulava ballistic missile, and if the tests are successful, two more Russian sharks will be upgraded for this missile system.

Watch video: Bulava - R-30 strategic missile

The second submarine of the Akula class is TK-17, launched in December 1986 (the fifth missile carrier in its series). In November 2002, the atomic ship received the name "Arkhangelsk" - in honor of the Russian city of the same name, whose patronage was now assigned to this warship.

In 2004, the submarine "Arkhangelsk" acted as a command post for the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin; in memory of this event, the command staff of the submarine was invited to the President's anniversary in October 2007.

What does the future hold for Akul-class submarines?

The last nuclear-powered cruiser of Project 941 is the TK-20, launched in April 1989 (the sixth in its series). In May 2000, the ship was given the name "Severstal", in honor of the metallurgical plant of the same name.

It is worth noting that the TK-20 is the only ship of the Russian Navy named after an industrial enterprise. The whole world learned about this missile carrier in August 1995, when this Akula-class submarine surfaced in the center of the geographic North Pole and carried out a training launch of a ballistic missile aimed at a test site near Arkhangelsk.

Since 2010, only one Akula-class submarine, the Dmitry Donskoy, is “on the move”; the remaining two are only 1/3 manned, awaiting the results of field tests of the Bulava and the decision of the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Federation regarding “whether the cruisers will remain in service” fleet or will be disposed of."

It is unknown what the decision will be regarding the three “Sharks”, because There is no clear opinion whether they are needed or not. But the fact that “Russian sharks” are distinguished by a particularly strong and successful design is obvious, and there is a special example of this: the accident that occurred on one of the “Sharks” in September 1991.

The predator submarine is the toughest nut to crack among all submarines

The missile carrier surfaced to launch a training rocket, pre-launch work began and suddenly, even before the “start” command, two powerful explosions occurred one after another, shaking the entire ship.

The captain of the nuclear submarine rushed to his periscope and saw that the outside of the hull of his ship was engulfed in flames - the blazing rocket powder created a high temperature, which could lead to damage to the outer hull.

Having given the command to dive, the captain began to wait tensely for reports of leaks and fires in the compartments, but there were none - the outer hull was extinguished, and an inspection of the damage revealed that the rocket explosion caused minor damage to the launch silo and a small section of the hull.

Any other submarine in a similar situation would have received serious damage and would not have been able to return to port on its own, as the nuclear-powered Akula did in 1991.

History of the Akula: the first submarine in the Russian fleet

At the beginning of the 20th century, the political situation in the world became increasingly tense - for the rulers of many countries, including Russia, the prospect of resolving the conflict by armed means was obvious. The world was on the brink of war, now known as World War I.

The Russian fleet had to be quickly re-equipped; there was a particular shortage of submarines - their creation was entrusted to the Russian engineer I.G. Bubnov, other orders were placed at US shipyards.

Today, in faded archival photos, the Akula boat, designed and built by Bubnov, looks tiny when compared with modern submarine cruisers, but in 1905 it was the design of the largest submarine in Tsarist Russia.

The actual construction of the Akula submarine lasted six long years - bureaucratic delays and lack of funding, modifications made by Bubnov during construction, disruptions in deliveries by foreign and domestic contractors, a number of damages received by the ship during sea trials - all this delayed the transfer of the vessel to the Russian fleet .

Watch the video - History of the submarine:

The history of the Akula submarine

The Sharks project was approved in the spring of 1905, but no money was allocated for construction.

In the spring of 1906, funding for the construction of the submarine began, but in extremely small amounts - an amount of 200 thousand rubles was allocated for the construction of the Akula and Lamprey submarines, with the condition that the submarines would be completed in 20 months.

In the early autumn of 1906, Bubnov approached the Marine Technical Committee with a proposal to replace the design gasoline engines with Diesel engines; after a month and a half of consideration, such a replacement was agreed upon.

Long-term negotiations began with foreign manufacturers of power plants and the first photos of the Akula boat will appear only in four years.

The submarine hull was built quickly on the slipways of the Baltic Shipyard; problems arose with the power plants: the order for diesel engines was placed not with the German plant "MAN", which built diesel engines for French submarines, but at the Russian plant "L. Nobel", which had not previously produced such engines.

The reason for this decision was simple - the Russian manufacturer quoted a lower price for its work.

As a result, the power plants for the Akula submarine were ready only in the spring of 1909, i.e. a year later than planned. In addition, the battery supplied by the French factory "Mate" burned out - a new one had to be ordered.

In the photo, the first Shark is preparing to become an iron predator

In the summer of 1909, the engines were installed and the battery was replaced. The long-awaited moment has arrived - a photo of the Akula submarine leaving the slipway was published in the Russian press.

But the launch of the "Shark" did not yet mean it was ready for combat. The ship underwent a series of design changes: new propellers, supplied to replace the design ones, turned out to be unable to develop sufficient speed; eight torpedo tubes were equipped with breakwaters; many other shortcomings needed to be eliminated.

Photo: The first submarine "Shark" on the stocks

Despite a number of inconsistencies of the Akula with the design specifications (including: lack of speed, low landing on the surface), in September 1911 the submarine was introduced into the Russian navy.

In the photo, the Akula submarine looks more like a toy than the full-fledged combat ship that it was - but this submarine was the first domestic submarine capable of conducting combat operations on enemy territory, which served as the prototype for a whole series of submarines of Tsarist Russia.

Diesel-electric torpedo submarine Akula (1909):

The submarine "Akula" was in service with the fleet of the Russian Empire for four years; it carried out combat missions in the Baltic Sea, defending the Russian shores from the fleet of the Kaiser's Germany.

In 1915, due to a shortage of mine layers, the submarine was equipped with a system for loading and laying mines. On November 14, 1915, the "Shark" set out on its last military campaign - to lay mines along the coast between Memel (modern Klaipeda) and Libava (modern Liepaja).

On the night of November 15, 1915, a storm broke out, coastal observers saw the Shark not far from the shore, struggling with the waves - no one else saw the submarine.

To this day, the exact place where the submarine sank, as well as the reasons for its death, are unknown. Archival photos showing the submarine "Akula" are all that remains of it today...

Project 971 boat - silent killer

A double hull, perfect streamlining, driving the acousticians of the NATO Navy crazy - these are the most common characteristics that the Project 971 Akula boat has.

Work on them began over 30 years ago, but so far not a single submarine fleet in the world can surpass the results of these combat submarines.

The family tree of combat submarines places Russian submarines in the third generation position, but they easily deviate from the tracking systems of the most advanced submarines/surface ships of the US fleet, which belong to the fourth generation.

But how is this possible, since the Project 971 Akula submarine was inevitably going to become obsolete after so many years of progress? First of all, it is worth citing one story that happened not so long ago - at the end of February 1996.

Photo: Project 971 nuclear missile cruiser

How did our submarine make fun of the Americans?

In the last winter month of 1996, NATO countries conducted a large exercise, which involved submarines, aircraft and anti-submarine ships.

The training task was to detect and destroy submarines of a mock enemy - it, as usual in all such exercises of the armies of the world, was carried out successfully.

Towards the end of the exercise, when the ships intended to change into marching formation and proceed to their bases, the radio operators received a message from an unknown ship: the commander of a Russian submarine asked to provide assistance to a sailor from his ship - he was having an attack of appendicitis.

The NATO Joint Fleet Command experienced a state of deep shock - according to acoustics and aerial reconnaissance, there should not have been any foreign military vessels nearby.

The feeling of shock increased to a critical limit when, in response to permission, a Russian submarine surfaced almost in the center of the battle formation of NATO ships!

Watch video - Project 971 boat:

The sailor on board the submarine was evacuated to the British Navy destroyer Glasgow, from there he was sent by helicopter to a military hospital, where he was safely operated on, and the submarine sank under water and after a short time disappeared from the radar again.

Meanwhile, NATO military experts present at the exercise and observing the Russian submarine made a second mistake: they believed that it was a Project 971 Akula nuclear submarine - in fact, it was the Tambov nuclear submarine, built according to the earlier 671 project.

The third-generation submarines, whose running noise was reduced fourfold compared to the previous Shchukas, received the working name Shchuka-B. According to the plan of the USSR high command, they were supposed to replace the outdated series of Soviet Barracuda-class submarines.

According to the Western classification, the submarine of Project 971 was called “Akula”, meanwhile the first submarine of the project was actually called “Akula” (K-284, commissioned by the USSR Navy in 1984), but in the mid-90s it was dismantled for scrap.

Predatory family of Project 971 submarines

Approximately 40% of the nuclear submarines of the 971st project were not completed - in varying degrees of readiness they are still standing on the factory stocks. The submarines were created at two military shipyards: No. 199 (Komsomolsk-on-Amur) and No. 402 (Severodvinsk).

Completed in December 2009, the nuclear submarine Nerpa (K-152), built at the 199th plant, was awaiting transfer to the Indian Navy; three other submarines built at the same enterprise are serving in the Russian Navy.

Seven submarines were built at the 402nd plant, the first of them (K-480 "Ak Bars") was partially dismantled, five vessels are serving in the Navy, one boat (K-328 "Leopard") is mothballed.

The hulls of the last two Project 971 boats, laid down in 1993, were used in the construction of the Arctic nuclear-powered cruisers Yuri Dolgoruky (K-535) and Alexander Nevsky (K-550), created under Project 941 Akula.

A detailed description of the technologies that have made it possible to significantly reduce the acoustic noise of moving Russian submarines, of course, is under the strictest confidence.

Watch the video - Testing of the nuclear submarine project 971:

From what is known: the Project 971 "Shark" boat consists of two hulls, between which double shock-absorbing blocks are laid, the lines of its tail fins are calculated with the greatest precision, which made it possible to minimize turbulence along the hull, which usually occurs when a warship moves through thick water.

Despite repeated attempts by the US State Department to disrupt or slow down the creation of nuclear submarine cruisers (the introduction of sanctions in the 80s against the Japanese Toshiba, which supplied high-precision metal-cutting machines to the USSR; in the 90s - projects for the reconstruction of defense factories for civilian shipbuilding with US funding ), the Russian submarine fleet was nevertheless modernized.

Nuclear submarine Typhoon - iron trump card

Project 941, within the framework of which each nuclear submarine "Shark" was created, also known as "Typhoon" according to the NATO classification, initially had different goals than today.

The General Staff of the Soviet Union needed a means of conducting combat from the territory of the Arctic Ocean, especially since the United States was creating Ohio-class nuclear submarines capable of delivering a simultaneous nuclear strike on several dozen targets on the territory of the USSR from anywhere in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

Only mobile submarines from under the northern ice shell had a chance of a pre-emptive nuclear strike - it is impossible to track a submarine under the ice thickness even from orbital satellites.

The technical specifications for the construction of the Soviet Arctic submarine were very complex: the nuclear submarine "Akula", whose second name is "Typhoon", was supposed to have 20 launch silos for nuclear ballistic missiles, with the possibility of simultaneous launch of all 20 from an underwater/under-ice position .

The strategy for a potential nuclear war at that time consisted of an immediate missile strike, perhaps the only one - the chance of a second salvo was minimal, because the area from which the launch will take place will immediately be hit by retaliatory nuclear strikes.

In addition, the “economical” command demanded that the draft of the huge cruiser allow it to be based on existing military submarine bases. For your information: additional bases were built for the Ohio-class nuclear submarines.

Watch video - Nuclear submarine Typhoon:

What problems did you have with the Sharks?

As a result, the ship turned out to be simply huge, most (up to 55%) of its 50,000 ton displacement is allocated to the contents of ballast tanks, which is why the Arctic cruiser received an apt nickname among submariners - a water carrier.

The nuclear-powered cruiser Dmitry Donskoy, completed in 1981, created a new problem - loading the main armament of the nuclear-powered ship was impossible.

The R-39 ballistic missiles were of impressive size, and it was not possible to combine the loading shafts of the nuclear cruiser with the railway line along which each missile was transported - the huge "Shark" could not approach the berths, because those were designed for smaller submarines.

It was necessary to create a loading device that is unique to this day - a heavy-duty crane capable of lifting and supporting the weight of a ballistic missile.

The problems of delivering and loading weapons on board the Project 941 nuclear submarine did not end there.

According to the plans of the USSR General Staff, it was necessary to create a personal infrastructure for the "Sharks": it was only partially created and had one colossal drawback - the line along which the ballistic missiles were supposed to be delivered had many turns and bends along which long platforms with missiles could not pass.

The confrontation between submarines continues

However, in 1990, the nuclear submarine "Akula", also known as "Typhoon", was withdrawn from serial construction, the partially created last TK-210 was dismantled under the SALT treaty, simultaneously with the main weapons of nuclear cruisers (R-39 missiles).

Project 941 came to life in 1996; a new ballistic missile, Bulava-M, was created for Arctic submarines, the precise guidance of which was supposed to be carried out using the GLONASS system.

What tasks can the nuclear submarine "Akula" - "Typhoon" perform these days, since the threat of nuclear war seems to have disappeared along with the confrontation between the USSR and the USA?

First of all, American Ohio-class nuclear submarines are still on duty in the Pacific Ocean, each spending up to 2/3 of the year there. The SALT Treaty deprived nuclear submarines of Trident missiles, but they were replaced by Trident 2 - 24 ballistic missiles are available in the launch silos of each of the 18 American missile carriers.

Watch video TOP 10: Ten best submarines in the world

In 1993, a certain scientific project called SCICEX ("scientific ice research") was launched, within the framework of which five scientists went aboard American nuclear submarines on each Arctic voyage - during the Arctic voyage they studied the state of the Arctic ice and the population of local fauna.

The program was temporarily stopped in 1998, at that time five “scientific” expeditions were carried out. In recent years, data has been collected by submarine crews on instructions from the US Navy command.

The calculation here is that the melting of ice will eventually make navigation in the Arctic Ocean possible, facilitate the extraction of minerals, as well as year-round maneuvers of the navies of NATO countries.

The conclusion suggests itself: Russia needs combat-ready “Sharks” now more than ever.

Read the following articles with this publication:

The world's largest nuclear boat, designed for combat duty in high latitudes.

The creation of a large strategic missile-carrying boat began in the early 1970s, in response to the American program to develop Ohio-class nuclear-powered ships with 24 Trident I (later Trident II) ballistic missiles. The project was led by the Leningrad Central Design Bureau for MT Rubin, chief designer Sergei Kovalev. The lead boat entered the fleet in December 1981, the last in the series in September 1989.

During the development, the characteristic areas of combat service of boats were taken into account - high Arctic latitudes. The fencing of the wheelhouse was made with reinforcements, which made it possible to break through heavy ice up to 2-2.5 meters thick during the ascent.

The initial symmetrical requirement (24 missiles) was reduced by Navy Commander-in-Chief Sergei Gorshkov to 20. This was also due to weight and size characteristics: the R-39 missiles of the D-19 complex, while superior to the Tridents in basic parameters, were significantly larger than the “Americans” . This immediately increased the size of the boat itself.

Five of the six Project 941 TYPHOON SSBNs built in Western Litsa, 1980−90s. Photo: Wolf

Therefore, “Shark” turned out to be outstanding in all respects. This is the largest submarine ever built in the world - 48 thousand tons of underwater displacement (about half of which is the capacity of the ballast tanks, for which Project 941 was disrespectfully nicknamed the “water carrier” in the navy), the greatest length is 170-173 meters in different representatives of the project, the width of the hull is over 23 meters. The boat is made according to a multi-hull design: under the light hull it has five (!) durable titanium hulls, of which the two main ones (10 meters in diameter) are arranged in parallel according to the catamaran principle. The cases are connected by capsule insulated transition compartments in only three places. In fact, there are two boats under the light hull at once, which dramatically increases survivability.

The main power plant is represented by two OK-650 reactors and two steam turbine units, located in pairs in adjacent durable housings - in fact, the boat’s propulsion system is completely duplicated. The maximum underwater speed is 25 knots according to the standard, the real one is 26.3-28 knots (different representatives of the project). Maximum surface speed 13-14 knots. Working diving depth is 400 meters.

The dimensions of the boat made it possible to create comfortable living conditions for the crew (168 people), unimaginable by the standards of Soviet submarines. The officers were accommodated in two- and four-berth cabins with washbasins, televisions and air conditioning, while the sailors were accommodated in small cockpits. The boat had a gym, a swimming pool measuring 4 by 2 meters and a depth of 2 meters, an oak-paneled sauna, a solarium, a lounge, a room with slot machines and even a “living corner”.

"TK-17" Arkhangelsk" and TK-20 Severstal. Photo: Oleg Kuleshov/Defend Russia

The main armament of the nuclear-powered ship is 20 R-39 intercontinental solid-fuel missiles of the D-19 complex, located in the missile compartment between both durable hulls. The missiles carried 10 high-speed low-power warheads. Missiles could be launched from a depth of up to 55 meters, and without restrictions on weather conditions on the sea surface.

Torpedo armament includes six 533-mm torpedo tubes with an ammunition load of 22 torpedoes, Shkval-type missile-torpedoes and anti-submarine missiles of the RPK-6 M "Vodopad" and RPK-2 "Vyuga" complexes.

A total of six boats of Project 941 were built, three of them have already been disposed of, two are in reserve (the issue of disposal is being resolved). The lead ship of the TK-208 series (Dmitry Donskoy) was converted according to the 941UM project and carries 20 R-30 Bulava missiles, and was used as a test bed when testing the missile.

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:

Name of criterion	Magnitude
Vessel type	TRPKSN
Surface speed, knot	13
Diving speed, knot	26
Displacement (above water), t	23 100
Displacement (underwater), t	49 000
Length, m	172,9
Width, m	23,4
Height, m	23,4
Recommended immersion depth, m	400
Maximum immersion depth, m	500
Crew/officers	160/ 52
Duration of autonomous navigation, days	180

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. At the moment, 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.

Video

When I was little, Steven Spielberg's Jaws had a profound influence on my relationship with the sea. The fear of water that appeared in me then did not give me peace for a very long time.

Now I understand that the shark from the movie “Jaws” did not exist in reality, but no one knows what the depths of the ocean hide from us. I am not the type of person who believes that Megalodon still lives somewhere in the depths (this is such a prehistoric shark), but nevertheless, if you consider that the ocean makes up 70% of the entire land surface, and 95% the world's oceans remain unexplored to this day, you inevitably begin to believe that in the depths of the ocean there can live creatures much larger than those with whom we are accustomed to sharing our home planet.

If there are large, not yet described creatures in the sea, then the most terrible one will probably be some kind of shark. There are plenty of sensational reports and articles about the discovery of such fish, but all of them are most often exaggerated. But nevertheless, perhaps there is some truth in all this and I decided to choose 10 of them. So - the 10 most famous man-eating sharks.

There is no concrete evidence of the existence of this shark. During the 70s and 80s there were reports of a large shark near Cape Town, South Africa. A large shark of 7-8 meters in length was reported. It received the name Submarine because of its impressive size.

9 – Mysterious Mariana Trench Shark

In 1989, deep-sea exploration was carried out in Suruga Bay off the coast of Japan. Scientists placed the bait at a depth of one and a half kilometers. A lot of all sorts of small and larger fish gathered near the bait. A giant shark with a length of 9 to 15 meters was also discovered there. There is even video footage of sharks. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to accurately determine its dimensions, because... the only thing you can start from in measurements is the bait, and its dimensions are unknown.

8 - The shark that swallowed the great white

In 2003, researchers attached a tracking device to one white shark. Four months later, the device was washed ashore by a wave. The information contained in the device showed a sudden jump in temperature from 8 degrees Celsius to 26, which meant that it had been eaten by someone. Further, a drop in depth to 560 meters was recorded, after which the device slowly surfaced and was thrown ashore by the current.

7 - Colossus

Colossus is the name given to a giant species of great white shark that lives off the coast of South Africa, off Seal Island. These areas are home to a large population of seals, which in turn attracts hungry sharks. This giant is 4.8 meters long and weighs approximately two tons.

6 - Slash

This aggressive shark was spotted off the coast of New Zealand. This almost five-meter giant is named so because of the large scar on the left side of its mouth. The scar remained after an unsuccessful attempt to attach a tracking device, after which, in principle and naturally, the shark began to react quite aggressively towards people.

5 - Cuban

This shark was caught off the coast of the northern coast of Cuba in 1945, according to the fishermen who caught it, the shark was 6.5 meters in length and weighed more than three tons.

4 – Maltese large white

On the morning of April 17, 1987, a huge white shark, which the locals nicknamed the “Big Giant,” was caught off the coast of Malta. Another two-meter shark could fit in this female's stomach. Eyewitnesses say that it was more than 7 meters long!

3 - Prince Edward Island Shark

This giant was caught near the Canadian Prince Edward Island. Caught in 1983, this shark is the largest of those whose size is known with certainty. The length is 6 meters.

The Black Devil is reported to be between 7 and 18 meters long. It lives in the Sea of ​​Cortez, off the coast of the California Peninsula. This is the only shark that has been reported to attack small vessels. But there is no evidence to confirm these reports.

1 – Great White Shark – Deep Blue

If you haven't seen this video, immediately type in a search engine - Deep Blue. This is what scientists named this giant white shark. This predator was discovered near the island of Guadeloupe and its length is more than 6 meters.