Akula class submarine

Class overview
Name:	Akula
Operators:	Soviet Navy Russian Navy
Preceded by:	Sierra class
Succeeded by:	Graney class, Severodvinsk Class (in development)
In service:	1986
Planned:	20[1]
Completed:	15
Cancelled:	5
Active:	9 (8 In Russia, 1 training for India)
Retired:	2
Preserved:	3
General characteristics
Type:	nuclear-powered attack submarine
Displacement:	5,700-8,140 tons surfaced 7,900-9,100 tons submerged 7,900-12,770 tons submerged (Akula-II)
Length:	108.0 - 111.7 m (sources vary)
Beam:	13.6 m
Draught:	9.7 m
Propulsion:	one 190 MW OK-650B/OK-650M pressurized water nuclear reactor 1 OK-7 steam turbine 43,000 hp (32 MW) 2 OK-2 Turbogenerators producing 2,000 kW 1 seven-bladed propeller 2 retractable electric propulsors for low-speed maneuvering at 3 knots (6 km/h)
Speed:	11,6 knots (37 km/h) surfaced 33 knots (65 km/h) submerged
Endurance:	100 days[1]
Test depth:	480 m operational depth 600 m test depth[2]
Complement:	73[3]
Crew:	73[1]
Sensors and processing systems:	MGK-540 active/passive suite Flank arrays Pelamida towed array sonar MG-70 mine detection sonar
Electronic warfare and decoys:	Bukhta ESM/ECM *MG-74 Korund noise simulation decoys (fired from external tubes) MT-70 Sonar intercept receiver Nikhrom-M IFF
Armament:	4x533mm torpedo tubes (plus 6 external 533mm tubes on Improved Akulas and Akula II's; 28 torpedoes) 4x650mm torpedo tubes (12 torpedoes) 1-3x SA-N-10 Igla-M Surface-to-air missile launcher fired from sail (surface use only)
Notes:	Chiblis Surface Search radar Medvyedista-945 Navigation system Molniya-M Satellite communications MGK-80 Underwater communications Tsunami, Kiparis, Anis, Sintez and Kora Communications antennas Paravan Towed VLF Antenna Vspletsk Combat direction system

Project 971 Щука-Б (Shchuka-B, 'Shchuka' meaning pike, NATO reporting name "Akula"), is a nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) first deployed by the Soviet Navy in 1986. Akula ("shark") is also the Soviet designation of the ballistic missile submarine class designated by NATO as the Typhoon class submarine.

There are three sub-classes or flights of Shchuka, consisting of the original seven "Akula I" submarines which were built between 1982 and 1986, five "Improved Akula" submarines built between 1986 and 1991, and two "Akula II" submarines built from 1991. The distinction between the Improved Akula and the Akula II class is debated by authoritative sources. The Russians call all of the submarines Schuka-B, regardless of modifications.

The Akula incorporates a double hull system composed of an inner pressure hull and an outer "light" hull. This allows more freedom in the design of the exterior hull shape, resulting in a very hydrodynamic submarine compared to western counterparts at the time.

The distinctive "bulb" or "can" seen on top of the Akula's rudder houses its towed sonar array, when retracted.

All Akulas are armed with four 533 mm torpedo tubes which can use Type 53 torpedoes or the SS-N-15 Starfish missile, and four 650 mm torpedo tubes which can use Type 65 torpedoes or the SS-N-16 Stallion missile. These torpedo tubes are arranged in two rows of four tubes each. Improved Akulas and Akula IIs have an additional six 533 mm torpedo tubes mounted externally, however it is unclear whether these are fully functional external tubes, or if they are only capable of launching Mines and decoys. The external tubes are mounted outside the pressure hull in one row, above the 'Normal' Torpedo tubes, and can only be reloaded in port or with the assistance of a submarine tender. The 650 mm tubes can be fitted with liners to use the 533 mm weaponry. The submarine is also able to use its torpedo tubes to deploy mines.

It is the quietest Russian nuclear attack submarine; some sources claim that the noise radiated by the Akula-II class is comparable to that of the American Seawolf class submarine^[4]

Contents 1 Current status 1.1 Akula-I submarines 1.2 Akula-I Improved submarines 1.3 Akula-II submarines 2 Units 2.1 Lease to India 3 Nerpa 2008 accident 4 References 5 External links

Current status

As with many Soviet/Russian craft, information on the status of the Akula Class submarines is sparse, at best. Information provided by several internet sites varies widely.

Akula-I submarines

Of the seven original Akula-I submarines, only three are known to still be in service. These boats are equipped with MGK-500 Skat sonar system (with NATO reporting name Shark Gill). The lead boat of the class, K-284 'Akula' was decommissioned in 2001, apparently to help save money in the cash-strapped Russian Navy. K-322 'Kashalot' and K-480 'Bars' [Currently Ak Bars] are in reserve. K-480 'Bars' was put into reserve in 1998,^[1] and is being dismantled in February 2010.^[5] 'Pantera' was due to return to service in March-April 2008 after a comprehensive overhaul.

Akula-I Improved submarines

The five Akulas of this class are all thought to be in service. There is some debate about the hull number of the 5th submarine. Some sources report it as K-267, while others say K-295. Most however agree on the name 'Drakon', which is K-295 now named Samara.^[1] The original MGK-500 Skat sonar system on Akula-I is upgraded to the MGK-501 Skat-MS. Sources also disagree as to whether construction of this class has been suspended, or if there are a further two units planned. Improved Akula-I Hulls: K-461 Volk, K-154 Tigr, K-331 Narval.

Akula-II submarines

The Akula II is approximately 230 tons larger in displacement and 2.5m greater in LOA compared to that of the Akula I's. The added space was used for an active noise reduction system. The MGK-501 Skat sonar system on Akula-I is replaced to a new MGK-540 Skat-3 sonar system, which is considered by its designers as the same class of American AN/BQQ-5/6. The K-157 Vepr (The first ship of this type) became the first Soviet submarine that was quieter than the latest U.S. attack submarines of that time, which was the Improved Los Angeles class (SSN 751 and later)^[6] The K-335 Gepard is the second unit.^[1][1]

The Soviet advances in sound quieting was of considerable concern to the West, for acoustics was long considered the most significant advantage in U.S. submarine technology compared to the Soviets.

In 1983-1984 the Japanese firm Toshiba sold sophisticated, nine axis milling equipment to the Soviets along with the computer control systems, which were developed by Norwegian firm Kongsberg Vaapenfabrik. U.S Navy officials and Congressmen announced that this technology enabled the Soviet submarine builders to produce more accurate and quieter propellers.^[7]

The command and control methods and also weapons for this later variant were centralised, with a high degree of automation, similar to the Project 705 Alfa SSN. This automation reduced crew numbers.

Due to the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, production of all Akulas slowed.

The 1999-2000 edition of Jane's Fighting Ships incorrectly listed the first Akula-II as Viper (The actual name is "Vepr", wild boar in Russian), commissioned November 25, 1995, Gepard (Cheetah), launched 1999 and commissioned December 5, 2001, and Nerpa, laid down in 1993^[1] began sea trials in October, 2008 and is expected to be commissioned and leased to the Indian Navy as INS Chakra in late 2009.^[8]

The Gepard is known to have a slightly smaller and streamlined towed array dispenser than the other submarines of the class. She also appears to have a longer sail than other Akula class submarines. President Vladimir Putin was on board Gepard after the Kursk incident.

Units

Akula class — significant dates

#	Project	Name	Shipyard	Laid down	Launched	Commissioned	Status
K-284	971	Akula	Amur Shipyard, Komsomolsk	6 November 1983	16 June 1984	30 December 1984	Pacific Fleet. 2001 removed from service[9]
K-263	971	Delfin	Amur Shipyard, Komsomolsk	9 May 1985	28 May 1986	30 December 1987	Pacific Fleet, removed from active service, status unclear[9]
K-322	971	Kashalot	Amur Shipyard, Komsomolsk	5 September 1986	18 July 1987	30 December 1988	Pacific Fleet, removed from active service, status unclear[9]
K-480	971	AkBars	SEVMASH, Severodvinsk	22 February 1985	16 March 1988	31 December 1988	Northern Fleet. Removed from service 1998.[9] Scrapping since February 2010.[5]
K-391	971	Bratsk	Amur Shipyard, Komsomolsk	23 February 1988	14 April 1989	29 December 1989	Pacific Fleet, removed from active service, status unclear[9]
K-317	971	Pantera	SEVMASH, Severodvinsk	6 November 1986	21 May 1990	30 December 1990	Northern Fleet[9]
K-331	971	Magadan (ex Narval)	Amur Shipyard, Komsomolsk	28 December 1989	23 June 1990	31 December 1990	Pacific Fleet[9]
K-461	971	Volk	SEVMASH, Severodvinsk	14 November 1987	11 June 1991	29 December 1991	Northern Fleet[9]
K-328	971	Leopard	SEVMASH, Severodvinsk	26 October 1988	28 June 1992	15 December 1992	Northern Fleet[9]
K-419	971	Kuzbass	Amur Shipyard, Komsomolsk	28 July 1991	18 May 1992	31 December 1992	Removed from service
K-154	971	Tigr	SEVMASH, Severodvinsk	10 September 1989	26 June 1993	29 December 1993	Northern Fleet[9]
K-295	971	Samara	Amur Shipyard, Komsomolsk	7 November 1993	5 August 1994	28 July 1995	Pacific Fleet[9]
K-157	971	Vepr	SEVMASH, Severodvinsk	13 July 1990	10 December 1994	25 November 1995	Northern Fleet[9]
K-335	971 M	Gepard	SEVMASH, Severodvinsk	23 September 1991	17 September 1999	5 December 2001	Northern Fleet[9]
K-337	971	Kuguar	SEVMASH, Severodvinsk	18 August 1992	x	x	Not completed. Hull used for Dolgorukiy SSBN[9]
K-333	971	Rys'	SEVMASH, Severodvinsk	31 August 1993	x	x	Not completed. Hull used for Dolgorukiy SSBN[9]
K-152	971 U[10]	Nerpa	Amur Shipyard, Komsomolsk	1993	4 July 2006	28 December 2009	Pacific Fleet will be leased out to India from end 2010 to 10years[11]
K-xxx	971	not named	Amur Shipyard, Komsomolsk	1994	x	x	As of 2002, discussion of use of parts for Dolgorukiy SSBN[9]
K-xxx	971	not named	Amur Shipyard, Komsomolsk	x	x	x	[9]
K-xxx	971	not named	Amur Shipyard, Komsomolsk	x	x	x	[9]

Lease to India

Unconfirmed reports said that India is paying two billion dollars for the completion of two Akula-II class submarines which were 40-60% completed.^[12] Three hundred Indian Navy personnel are being trained in Russia for the operation of these submarines. India has finalized a deal with Russia, in which at the end of the lease of these submarines, it has an option to buy them. The first submarine will be named INS Chakra. -- [Other than the name "Chakra", footnote does NOT contain any of the information in the preceding sentences.] -- ^[13]

Whereas the Russian Navy's Akula-II is equipped with 28 nuclear-capable cruise missiles with a striking range of 3,000 km (1,620 nmi; 1,864 mi), the Indian version was reportedly expected to be armed with the 300 km (162 nmi; 186 mi)-range 3M-54 Klub nuclear-capable missiles.^[14]. Missiles with ranges greater than 300 km (162 nmi; 186 mi) cannot be exported due to arms control restrictions, since Russia is a signatory to the MTCR treaty.

Nerpa 2008 accident

On 27 October 2008, it was reported that the Akula-II submarine K-152 Nerpa of the Russian Pacific Fleet had begun her sea trials in the Sea of Japan before handover under a lease agreement to the Indian Navy.^[8] On 8 November 2008, while conducting one of these trials, an accidental activation of the freon-based fire-extinguishing system took place in the fore section of the vessel. Within seconds the freon gas had displaced all breathable air from the compartment. As a result, 20 people (17 civilians and 3 seamen)^[15][16] were killed by asphyxiation. Dozens of others suffered freon-related injuries and were evacuated to an unknown port in Primorsky Krai.^[17] This was the worst accident in the Russian navy since the loss of the submarine K-141 Kursk in 2000. The submarine itself did not sustain any serious damage and there was no release of radiation.^[18]

References

External links

• SSN Akula Type 971 at Naval Technology
• Akula Class - Project 971 at Fas.org
• Description of the class (as of 1999) at "SUBSIM Review"
• Details of the Akula class (and others) at "Hazegray"

Akula-class submarine Akula K-263 Barnaul · K-284 Akula · K-317 Pantera · K-322 Cachalot · K-331 Magadan · K-391 Bratsk · K-480 Ak Bars · K-461 Volk Improved Akula K-154 Tigr · K-328 Leopard · K-419 Kuzbass Akula II K-152 Nerpa · K-157 Vepr · K-295 Samara Akula III K-333 Ryys (cancelled) · K-335 Gepard · K-337 Kuguar (cancelled)  · List of Soviet and Russian submarine classes

Soviet and Russian submarines after 1945 Ballistic missile nuclear submarines - SSBN 658 Hotel · 667A Yankee · 667B Delta I · 667BD Delta II · 667BDR Delta III · 941 Typhoon · 667BDRM Delta IV · 955 Borei Cruise missile nuclear submarines - SSGN 659 Echo I · 675 Echo II · 670 Charlie I · 670M Charlie II · 661 Papa · 949 Oscar I · 949A Oscar II Nuclear attack submarines - SSN 627A November · 671 Victor I · 671RT Victor II · 671RTM Victor III · 705/705K Alfa · 945 Sierra I · 945A Sierra II · 685 Mike · 971 Akula · 885 Yasen Conventional missile submarines - SSG or SSB 644/665 Whiskey (missile) · 651 Juliett · 629 Golf · 611 Zulu IV Conventional attack submarines - SS or SSK 611 Zulu · 613 Whiskey · 615 Quebec · 617 Whale · 633 Romeo · 641 Foxtrot · 641B Tango · 877 Kilo · 636 Improved Kilo · 677 Lada Auxiliary submarines - SSA 690 Bravo · 940 India · 1710 Beluga · 1840 Lima · 865 Losos · Sarov

Current and planned SSN classes  People's Liberation Army Navy Type 091 · Type 093 · Type 095  French Navy Rubis · Barracuda  Russian Navy Victor III · Sierra I & II · Akula · Yasen  Royal Navy Swiftsure · Trafalgar · Astute  United States Navy Los Angeles · Seawolf · Virginia