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.

Подводная лодка класса «Акула», классификация НАТО — «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.

Проект №941 представляет собой серию атомных подводных лодок, спроектированных и построенных в СССР. Работами занимался ЛПМБ «Рубин», расположенный в г. Ленинград. Ныне предприятие существует. Начало старта проекта — 1972 год.

Проект «Акула» номер 941 — это самые большие подводные лодки не только среди атомного класса, но и среди всех субмарин в целом. Генеральный конструктор серии — дважды Герой Труда, доктор технических наук и академик РАН Сергей Никитич Ковалев. В его задачу входило построить лодку, способную обойти по основным показателям проектируемый в США ракетный подводный крейсер типа «Огайо».

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.

Подводная лодка серии «Акула» имеет уникальную конструкцию: внутри легкого корпуса покрытого тонким слоем стали расположены 5 прочных, выполненных из титановых сплавов. Все они обитаемые. Основными являются два, они расположены параллельно друг другу, диаметр каждого — 10 метров. Пройти из левого корпуса в правый можно через 3 небольших капсульных отсека, расположенных в корме, в носу и в центре лодки.

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

Основное вооружение крейсера — ракетный комплекс Д-19 с самыми большими баллистическими ракетами в мире (стартовая масса — 90 тонн), стоящими на вооружении подводных лодок. Комплект состоит из 20 штук, хотя в проекте закладывалось 24. Поскольку Р-39 обладали большой длиной, они могли устанавливаться только на субмарины типа «Акула». Дальность полета — 8300 км.

С течением времени БРПЛ Р-39 устарели, на смену им разработали баллистические ракеты с названием «Булава» с дальностью полета 9300 метров. Также в качестве основного вооружения установлены 6 торпедных аппаратов. Калибр торпеды — 553 мм.

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. Тяжелый крейсер «Дмитрий Донской» — самая большая подводная лодка в мире и первая из проекта 941. Порт приписки — Западная Лица, где базируется Северный флот РФ, ранее постоянно базировалась в городе Северодвинск. К 1989 году ракетное оборудование и сама лодка требовали модернизации. Работы приходилось осуществлять в тяжелый для страны период, они завершились лишь в 2002 году по проекту 941У. Субмарина «Дмитрий Донской» была оснащена новейшими ракетами «Булава».
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. Третий тяжелый крейсер стратегического назначения получил имя ТК-12, позже — «Симбирск» (название было предложено экипажем, но его так и не утвердили официально). В 1986 г. лодка получила незначительные повреждения при столкновении с британской субмариной, после чего была отремонтирована и отправлена в поход на Северный полюс. Утилизирована.
4. Четвертый корабль серии также принадлежал классу ТАПКР. Проходил службу на флоте в течение 14 лет и являлся первым крейсером, произведшим залповую стрельбу ракетами, срок годности которых истек. Поскольку нового боезапаса не было, подлодка была выведена в резерв, позже — утилизирована.
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. По своим размерам и водоизмещению она не имеет аналогов, работает на двух ядерных реакторах, оснащена БРПЛ «Булава». Экипаж служит в комфортных условиях. Из шести построенных подводных лодок в строю сегодня находится только одна — «Дмитрий Донской». Это первая подлодка данного типа.