Quieter than water: the largest submarine in the world

The history of the submarine fleet covers the entire 20th century, however, until 1944 all ships of this class were considered surface ships and could not be submerged for a long time. Germany played an important role in the development of the submarine fleet. During World War I, it was German submarines that brought Great Britain to the brink of defeat.

The history of the Russian submarine fleet includes the period when submarines were imperfect and the modern stage of development of the new generation of armament. Let's talk about the largest submarine in the world, the size of which can be compared to the size of an apartment building.

Shark" class submarine, NATO classification - "Typhoon

Submarines are in service in 39 countries around the world, a number of states use small vessels for ocean research, to develop tourism. But the largest in size are military submarines.

Project No. 941 is a series of nuclear-powered submarines designed and built in the USSR. The work was carried out by the Rubin LPMB, located in Leningrad. The enterprise now exists. The start of the project was in 1972.

Project Shark number 941 is the largest submarine not only among the nuclear class, but also among all submarines in general. The general designer of the series is twice Hero of Labor, Doctor of Technical Sciences and Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Sergey Nikitich Kovalev. His task was to build a boat that could surpass the main indicators of the Ohio-class missile submarine designed in the USA.

Technical Specifications

When building a warship, the size of ballistic missiles is taken into account. A new three-stage solid-fuel intercontinental R-39 Variant was developed for the Shark. It had excellent characteristics, but had a long length, which required the size of the submarine to be increased as well.

The first boat of the project was TK-208, at the launch it had a drawing of a shark on its hull. 12 submarines were planned to be built, but in time their number was reduced to 6. The main characteristics are shown in the table.

Parameter	Indicator
Dimensions (waterline length, width, height), m	172,8*23,3*26
Surface/submarine displacement, t	23200/48000
Working/limit depth, m	400/500
Surface/submarine speed, knots	12/25
Crew, people	160

The submarine series "Shark" has a unique design: inside the lightweight hull covered with a thin layer of steel, there are 5 solid, made of titanium alloys. All of them are inhabited. The main ones are two, they are located parallel to each other, each is 10 meters in diameter. You can go from the left hull to the right through 3 small capsule compartments, located in the stern, bow and center of the boat.

This design made it possible:

• provide maximum soundproofing;
• to create a unique fire protection system;
• to make the boat invulnerable.

The propulsion system also deserves special attention, since the project is a series of nuclear-powered submarines.

Propulsion system

Workers at 1,000 enterprises in the Soviet Union worked on the creation of the 6 cruisers. The "Shark" was equipped with two means of propulsion:

• basic;
• backup.

The main system consists of a nuclear plant comprising two water-moderated reactors and two steam-turbine units. The cruiser is propelled by two propellers operating quietly at low speeds. The interference created by the propeller blades is blocked by the ring fairings.

Two DC electric motors are used as backups. The submarine can easily maneuver in cramped conditions as well with the help of thrusters.

Armament

The main armament of the cruiser - missile system D-19 with the largest ballistic missiles in the world (launching weight - 90 tons), which are in service of submarines. The set consists of 20 pieces, although the project had 24. Since R-39 had a long length, they could only be installed on submarines such as "Shark". Range of flight - 8300 km.

Over time, the R-39 SLBMs became obsolete and were replaced by ballistic missiles called Bulava with a range of 9,300 meters. 6 torpedo tubes are also installed as the main armament. Torpedo caliber is 553 mm.

Eight Igla man-portable air defense systems provide protection against air attacks:

• to provide radio and satellite communications;
• the fact of the presence of the ice cover on the surface;
• navigation;
• underwater object detection.

Gradually, the submarines' equipment was replaced by the latest ones without changing their purpose or characteristics.

Crew and conditions of service

As part of the boat's crew:

• 108 sailors;
• 52 officers.

There are two staterooms for each of the two categories of employee. It is important to note that the crew is accommodated in high comfort. Serving on Shark-type boats is considered prestigious. Among themselves, sailors compare them to the Hilton Hotel.

The following amenities are provided for the crew on board:

• "living corner."
• spacious dining area, which also serves as a movie theater;
• museum exhibit;
• gym;
• sauna;
• A 4 by 2 meter deep, sea water-filled, heated swimming pool;
• photo lab.

An interesting fact: everyone who dives for the first time must go through a special initiation ritual: drink a mug of seawater and kiss a swinging mace or sledgehammer. Russian President Vladimir Putin, once on the boat, also went through an ancient rite.

Sailors note that it is almost impossible to use the sauna and lounge during a long voyage because of the busy schedule, and access to them when on base is not restricted.

Launched submarines and their current status

The Soviet government designed the Shark in the midst of the Cold War. The laying of the first boat in 1976 was on par with the Americans, who were beginning construction of the Ohio.

Of the 10 planned submarines of this type, only 6 were built, because by then there were many economic and political obstacles. Let's look at all 6 representatives of the project and find out what happened to them now.

1. The heavy cruiser Dmitry Donskoy is the largest submarine in the world and the first of Project 941. Its home port is Zapadnaya Litsa, where the Russian Northern Fleet is based, previously permanently based in Severodvinsk. By 1989, the missile equipment and the sub itself required modernization. The work had to be done in a difficult period for the country and was only completed in 2002 under Project 941U. The Dmitry Donskoy was equipped with the latest Bulava missiles.
2. The second vessel in the series was less successful, it was called TC-202 and was launched in September 1982. In the mid-1980s the submarine collided with a fishing boat, after which it needed repairs. After the collapse of the USSR, the submarine was taken out of the fleet and cut for scrap at the slipway in Severodvinsk. This was done at the expense of US funds.
3. The third strategic heavy cruiser was named TC-12, later "Simbirsk" (the name was suggested by the crew, but it was never officially approved.) In 1986 the boat sustained minor damage in a collision with a British submarine, after which it was repaired and sent on a trip to the North Pole. It was scrapped.
4. The fourth ship in the series also belonged to the TAPCD class. It served in the Navy for 14 years and was the first cruiser to fire salvo missiles that had expired. Since no new ammunition was available, the submarine was placed in reserve and later scrapped.
5. TC-17, the fifth submarine in the Shark series built at Severny Machine-Building Enterprise, served the Northern Fleet for 27 years and was only decommissioned in 2013. The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, was on board the cruiser during scheduled exercises in 2004. Due to lack of ammunition, the submarine has been placed in reserve and is awaiting disposal.
6. The TK-20 submarine has completed the Shark series and is also awaiting disposal today. It has been named Arkhangelsk. There are no and never will be any ammunition for it. Retooling a submarine for new missiles is considered an extremely expensive undertaking.

Thus, of the six largest submarines in Russia and in the world, only one modernized and equipped with the latest technology remains in service today. At one time all missile cruisers of this type were part of the 18th Division, which has been reduced to a minimum.

Conclusions

1. The largest boat in the world belongs to the "Shark" series and belongs to the Russian Federation.
2. It is unique in size and displacement, operates two nuclear reactors, and is equipped with Bulava SLBMs. The crew serves in comfortable conditions. Of the six submarines built, only one is in service today - Dmitry Donskoy. This is the first submarine of this type.