Submarine: A Guided Tour Inside a Nuclear Warship

to be converted to civilian production by 1995 or '96. After that, only the Severodvinsk shipyard, located in the Kola Peninsula, will produce submarines for the Russian Navy.

^{Sierra. JACK RYAN ENTERPRISES, LTD.}

^{Aerial view, Russian Sierra-class nuclear-powered attack submarine underway. OFFICIAL U.S. NAVY PHOTO}

Class name: Sierra I/II (Russian: Barrakuda class) (Project 945A and 945B)

Producer (country/manufacturer): Russia/Krasnaya Sormova

Displacement (surfaced/submerged): Sierra I-6,050/7,600; Sierra II-6,350/7,900

Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 351/107 or 367.4/112 Beam: 41/12.5 Draft: 24.3/7.4

Armament: Four 650mm and two 533mm torpedo tubes with an estimated 30 weapons

Machinery: Two PWRs with steam turbines driving one 7-bladed screw; 45,000 SHP

Speed (knots): 35 (submerged)

Number in class: 2/1 + 1

Users: Russia

Comments: The evolutionary descendant of the Alfa, the Sierra is a titanium-hulled follow-on to the previous classes of Soviet SSNs. Very quiet and well armed, it has been overshadowed by the highly successful steel-hulled Akula-class boats. Reportedly, once the last Sierra II is completed, Krasnaya Sormova will convert to civilian ship production.

^{Charlie II. JACK RYAN ENTERPRISES, LTD.}

^{Russian Charlie-class nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine. OFFICIAL U.S. NAVY PHOTO}

Class name: Charlie II (Project 670M)

Producer (country/manufacturer): Russia/Krasnaya Sormova

Displacement (surfaced/submerged): 4,300/5,500

Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 337.8/103 Beam: 32.8/10 Draft: 26.2/8

Armament: Eight SS-N-9s in external tubes; six 533mm torpedo tubes with 12 weapons

Machinery: One PWR with steam turbines driving one 5-bladed screw; 15,000 SHP

Speed (knots): 24 (submerged)

Number in class: 6

Users: Russia

Comments: These boats may possibly be the oldest guided missile submarines that will be retained by Russia. Relatively noisy, but they can still pack a powerful punch with their battery of SS-N-9 Siren antiship missiles.

^{Oscar. JACK RYAN ENTERPRISES, LTD.}

Class name: Oscar I/II (Russian: Granite/Antey classes) (Project 949 & 949A)

Producer (country/manufacturer): Russia/Severodvinsk

Displacement (surfaced/submerged): Oscar I-13,900/16,700; Oscar; II-15,000/18,000

Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 478.9/146 or 505.1/154 Beam: 59/18 Draft: 32.8/10

Armament: Twenty-four SS-N-19s in external tubes; six 650mm and 533mm torpedo tubes with 24 weapons

Machinery: Two PWRs with steam turbines driving two 7-bladed screws; 90,000 SHP

Speed (knots): 33 (submerged)

Number in class: 2/7+

Users: Russia

Comments: Oscar carries the nickname of 'Mango' for her size and firepower. She also is as quiet as Sierra and carries the same sonar system, including a towed array from the tube on top of the rudder, as the Sierra-class boats. With 24 SS-N-19 Shipwreck heavy antiship missiles and a full array of torpedoes, this is the largest and most heavily armed attack submarine in the world. Probably capable of taking one or more torpedo hits and still surviving.

Class name: Fourth generation SSN (Akula follow-on) (Project:?)

Producer (country/manufacturer): Russia/Severodvinsk

Displacement (surfaced/submerged): [?] 10,000 (submerged)

Dimensions (ft/m): (unknown)

Armament: Six to eight 650mm and 533mm torpedo tubes with 30+ weapons

Machinery: PWRs with steam turbines driving one 7-bladed screw;? SHP

Speed (knots): [?] 30–35 (submerged)Number in class:?

Users: Russia

Comments: If the Russians choose to continue SSN production, they will probably base the fourth-generation design on their formidable Akula class. In terms of capability, this boat will probably be the equal of a 688I in terms of quieting, and will have improvements in sonar, computers, and weapons. Should a decision be made to produce it, the first boat will probably be commissioned somewhere in the 2003–2005 time frame.

^{Typhoon. JACK RYAN ENTERPRISES, LTD.}

^{Typhoon-class ballistic missile submarine. OFFICIAL U.S. NAVY PHOTO}

Class name: Typhoon (Russian: Akula class) (Project 941)

Producer (country/manufacturer): Russia/Severodvinsk

Displacement (surfaced/submerged): 18,500/25,000

Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 560.9/171 Beam: 78.7/24 Draft: 41/12.5

Armament: Twenty SS-N-20 SLBMs; six 650mm and 533mm torpedo tubes with an estimated 24 weapons

Machinery: Two PWRs with steam turbines driving two shrouded 7-bladed screws; 90,000 SHP

Speed (knots): 25 (submerged)Number in class: 6

Users: Russian-operated but under CIS control

Comments: The world's biggest submarine, pure and simple. The Typhoon seems to have been designed as a direct counter to the Ohio-class SSBNs. She carries 20 equally huge SS-N-20 (RSM-52) Sturgeon submarine- launched ballistic missiles. Essentially two Delta IV pressure hulls slapped together, with additional spaces for torpedo tubes and storage and ship control, this monster of the deep is equipped for long-term operations, particularly in the Arctic areas. Because of its double hull and massive bulk, to sink it with just a single heavy torpedo hit would be nearly impossible. The Russians call this beast Akula.

^{Delta IV. JACK RYAN ENTERPRISES, LTD.}

Class name: Delta IV (Russian: Del'fin class) (Project 667 BRDM)

Producer (country/manufacturer): Russia/Severodvinsk

Displacement (surfaced/submerged): 10,800/13,500

Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 537.9/164 Beam: 39.4/12 Draft: 28.5/8.7

Armament: Sixteen SS-N-23 SLBMs; six 650mm and 533mm torpedo tubes with 18 weapons