The nuclear submarine pr. 971 (code "Bars") was developed at SPMBM "Malachite" under the leadership of G.N. Chernyshova. It belongs to the third generation PLA and is multi-purpose in the full sense of the word. It is designed to search, detect and track enemy SSBNs and AUGs, destroy them with the outbreak of hostilities, as well as strike coastal targets. If necessary, the boat can carry mines.

Nuclear submarine K-335 "Gepard" - video

Initially, the nuclear submarine Project 971 was considered as a “steel” analogue of the titanium nuclear submarine Project 945, intended to increase the pace of construction of third-generation submarines. However, the Malachite SPMBM, having extensive experience in designing multi-purpose boats, based on weapons, mechanisms and equipment created for Project 945, has essentially developed a new ship of the third generation. The quietest domestic nuclear submarines According to experts, the level of physical fields is comparable to such ships as the US Navy Seawolf nuclear submarine.
The nuclear submarine pr. 971 is double-hulled and has a “limousine” fence for retractable devices, as well as a high stern tail, on which a fairing for the towed antenna of the sonar is located. The robust body is made of high-strength steel with a high yield strength (100 kgf/mm2) and is divided into six compartments by strong bulkheads.

All main equipment and combat posts of the Project 971 nuclear submarine are located on shock absorbers in zonal blocks, which are spatial frame structures with decks. Zone blocks are isolated from the boat hull by rubber-cord pneumatic shock absorbers. Thanks to the use of zonal blocks, it was possible to significantly reduce the level of the acoustic field, protect the crew and equipment from dynamic loads, and also rationalize the ship’s construction technology. In particular, the installation of equipment and systems was carried out in the workshop in a zone block, which was then inserted into the compartment shell. The lightweight body and the outer surface of the durable body are lined with a single rubber anti-hydrolocation and noise-absorbing coating.
The ship has a traditional two-row TA arrangement. In the bow compartment there are racks for storing ammunition with longitudinal and transverse feed devices and UBZ. Under the TA there is a fence with the main antenna of the SAC. Some of the GAK and VSK antennas for the entire crew are located in the fencing of the wheelhouse and retractable devices.

The lightweight hull is shaped optimally for underwater travel. All holes and cutouts on it are covered with fairings. On the submarine pr. 97/ it was possible to implement comprehensive automation of combat and technical means, to concentrate control of the ship, its weapons and armament in the main command post. All this made it possible to reduce the crew to 73 people. Starting with K-263, on boats of Project 97/, SOKS is installed, and with K-391, in the superstructure of the launcher for launching the hydroacoustic countermeasures complex, an emergency powder blowing system of the TsGB (powder generators) and emergency power networks.
Simultaneously with the construction of ships of this type, a modernization program is being carried out, aimed at improving acoustic characteristics and expanding combat capabilities. In particular, the K-157 and K-335, while maintaining the same contours, have a mine insert of several meters for installing new equipment.
Initially it was planned to build 20 submarines of Project 971. Head. No. 520 and head. No. 521, laid down in 1990 and 1991 respectively. at the Shipyard named after Lenin Komsomol, 03/18/1992 was excluded from the lists of the fleet. At this point, they had technical readiness of 25 and 12%, respectively. The backlog of equipment and mechanisms continues to be preserved at the construction plant.

As of December 2001, the fleet included 13 Project 971 submarines.

Nuclear submarine K-480 "Bars"(factory No. 821, from 07/24/1991, from 10/13/1997, "Ak-Bars" SMP (Severodvinsk): 02/22/1985; 04/16/1988; 12/31/1988 Part of composition of the Northern Fleet and carried out combat service in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. On April 6, 1990, the boat made a deep-sea dive to the maximum depth. In 1998, it was expelled from the combat fleet of the fleet, transferred to ARVI for long-term storage and laid up in the village of Gadzhievo .

Nuclear submarine K-317 "Panther"(No. 822, from 10.10.1990). SMP (Severodvinsk): 06.11.1986; 05/21/1990; 12/30/1990 Part of the Northern Fleet. In September 1999, it was put into medium repair at SMP.

K-401 "Wolf"(No. 831, from July 26, 1991). SMP (Severodvinsk): November 14, 1987; 06/11/1991; 12/29/1991 Part of the Northern Fleet. Completed two autonomous combat tours. From December 1995 to February 1996 in the Mediterranean Sea, the boat provided long-range anti-submarine cover for an aircraft carrier multi-purpose group led by TAVKR Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov

K-328 "Leopard"(No. 832, from 01/24/1991). SMP (Severodvinsk): 10/26/1988;
06/28/1992; 12/15/1992 Part of the Northern Fleet Completed four autonomous combat services

K-154 "Tiger"(No. 833, from July 24, 1991). SMP (Severodvinsk): 09/10/1989; June 26, 1993; 12/29/1993 Part of the Northern Fleet Carried out two autonomous combat services From 1998 to 2002, it underwent maintenance repairs at the Northern Sea Fleet.

K-157 "Vepr"(No. 834, from 04/06/1993). SMP (Severodvinsk): 07/13/1990; 12/10/1994; 11/25/1995 Part of the Northern Fleet. Performed one autonomous combat service and one search operation.

Nuclear submarine K-335 "Gepard"(No. 835, from 02.22.1993). SMP (Severodvinsk): 09/23/1991; September 17, 1999; 05.12.2001 Part of the Northern Fleet.

K-337 "Cougar"(No. 836, from 01/25/1994). SMP (Severodvinsk): 08/18/1992; Due to lack of funding, on January 22, 1998, construction of the ship was suspended. It is being preserved in one of the SMP workshops. The hull structures, mechanisms and equipment of the K-337 are expected to be used in the construction of the APKR Project 955 (code “Borey”).

K-333 "Lynx"(serial no. 837, from 02/07/1995). SMP (Severodvinsk): 08/31/1993. Due to lack of funding, on 10/06/1997 the construction of the ship was suspended. It is being preserved in one of the SMP workshops. The hull structures, mechanisms and equipment of the K-333 are supposed to be used in the construction of the APKR Project 955 (code “Borey”).

K-284 "Shark"(No. 501, from 04/13/1993). Shipyard named after Lenin Komsomol (Komsomolsk-on-Amur): November 6, 1983; 06/16/1984; 12/30/1984 The lead ship pr 971 was part of the Pacific Fleet. In 2001, it was expelled from the fleet's combat strength and transferred to ARVI for long-term storage.

K-263 "Dolphin"(No. 502, from 04/13/1993). Shipyard named after Lenin Komsomol (Komsomolsk-on-Amur): 05/09/1985; 05/28/1986; 12/30/1987 Part of the Pacific Fleet and performs combat service in the Pacific Ocean.

K-322 "Sperm Whale"(factory No. 513, from 04/13/1993, Shipyard named after Lenin Komsomol (Komsomolsk-on-Amur): 09/05/1986; 07/18/1987; 12/30/1988. Part of the Pacific Fleet and carries combat service in the Pacific Ocean.

K-391 “Kit”, “Bratsk” from 09/01/1997 Shipyard named after Lenin Komsomol (Komsomolsk-on-Amur): 02/23/1988; 04/14/1989; 12/29/1989 Part of the Pacific Fleet and performs combat service in the Pacific Ocean.

K-331 "Narwhal"(No. 515, from 04/13/1993). Shipyard named after Lenin Komsomol (Komsomolsk-on-Amur): December 28, 1989; 06/23/1990; 12/31/1990 Part of the Pacific Fleet and performs combat service in the Pacific Ocean.

K-419 “Morzh”, “Kuzbass” from 01/29/1998. Shipyard named after Lenin Komsomol (Komsomolsk-on-Amur): 07/28/1991; 05/18/1992; 12/31/1992 Part of the Pacific Fleet and performs combat service in the Pacific Ocean.

Nuclear submarine K-295 "Dragon", "Samara" from 08/30/1999. Shipyard named after Lenin Komsomol (Komsomolsk-on-Amur): 11/07/1993; 08/05/1994; 07/28/1995 Part of the Pacific Fleet and performs combat service in the Pacific Ocean.

Nuclear submarine K-152 "Nerpa". "Chakra" (INS Chakra) since January 23, 2012, when officially leased to the Indian Navy

Performance characteristics of the Project 971 Shchuka-B nuclear submarine

Displacement, t:
- surface ……………………………………………………………….8 140
- underwater ……………………………………………………………… 10 500
Maximum length, m……………………………………………………….. 110.3
Maximum width of the hull, m ………………………………………………… 13.6
Average draft, m …………………………………………………………… 9.68
Architectural and structural type………………double-hull
Immersion depth, m:
- working………………………………………………………………………………. 480
- limit…………………………………………………………………………………. 600
Autonomy in terms of provisions, days……………………………………………………….100
Crew, people……………………………………………………………………………….73
Power plant:
Main mechanisms.
- type……………………………………………………………………………………….NPP
- PPU:
— brand………………………………………………………..OK-9VM or OK-650M.01
- quantity x type of nuclear reactor………………………………………………………..1 x VVR
- thermal power of nuclear reactor, MW……………………………………………………190
— Vocational school:
- type……………………………………………………………….block
- quantity x power of GTZ, l. with…………………………………………1 x 50,000
- quantity x power of ATG, kW…………………………………………….2 x 3,200
— number x type of propulsors…………………………….. 1 x low-noise fixed propeller
Backup energy sources and means of propulsion
- quantity x diesel generator power, kW……………………………………1 x 800
- battery installation:
- AB type………………………………………………………lead-acid
- quantity x type of RSD ……………………………………………..2 x military-industrial complex
- VPK drive x power, kW……………………………………………..ED x 300
Maximum speed, knots:
— surface………………………………………………………………..10
- underwater………………………………………………………………………………..33
Weapons:
Rocket:
- type of missile system…………………………………………………………….“Granat”
— type KRSN………………………………………………………………RK-55
- view of the launch…………………………………………..underwater, from a 533-mm TA
- type of MANPADS……………………………………………………………. "Strela-ZM"
- number of containers for storing ZR…………………………………3
- ZR ammunition……………………………………………………………….18
Torpedo.
— quantity x TA caliber, mm……………………………………4 x 650
- ammunition (type) of torpedoes…………………………………..12 (torpedoes 65-76 or PLUR
…………………………………………………………..86R and 88R PARK “Wind”)
- quantity x TA caliber, mm………………………..4 x 533
- ammunition (type) of torpedoes and PLUR....28 (torpedoes USET-80 or PLUR 83R and 84R PARK "Vodopad", or M5 PARK "Shkval")
- TA training system………………………………………… “Grinda”
Radioelectronic:
- BIUS………………………………………………………..“Omnibus”
- NK……………………………………………………………..“Symphony”
- KSS……………………………………………………………..“Molniya-MC”
- SS system……………………………………………………………..“Tsunami-BM”
— GAK…………………………….“Skat-3” (MGK-540)

Shortly after the Christmas holidays of 1959, Admiral Ralph posted the following notice at the entrance to his office: “ I, Commander, US Atlantic Fleet, promise a case of Jack Daniels whiskey to the first submarine commander to present proof that the enemy submarine was exhausted by pursuit and was forced to surface.».

This wasn't a joke. The admiral, as if at the hippodrome, bet on the miracle of American military thought - nuclear submarine. The modern submarine produced its own oxygen and was able to remain underwater throughout the entire voyage. Soviet submariners could only dream of such a ship. During a long voyage, their crews suffocated and were forced to surface, becoming easy prey for the enemy.

The winner was the crew submarine« USS Grenadier» tail number « SS-525"chased for about 9 hours and forced it to surface off the coast of Iceland. The commander of the US submarine, Lieutenant Commander Davis, received the promised box of whiskey from the admiral's hands. They had no idea that very soon the Soviet Union would present them with its gift.

In 1945, the United States openly demonstrated to the world the destructive power of its new weapons, and now it must have a reliable means of delivering them. By air, as was the case with Japan, is associated with great risk, which means the only reasonable way to deliver nuclear cargo should be submarine, but one that could secretly, without ever surfacing, deliver a decisive blow was ideal for this nuclear submarine. Creating such a submarine was a daunting task at that time, even for the United States. Less than a year later, the first ship was laid down at a shipyard in New London, Connecticut. nuclear-powered icebreaker« USS Nautilus» tail number « SSN-571" The project was implemented in an atmosphere of such extreme secrecy that intelligence information about it reached Stalin’s desk only two years later. The Soviet Union again found itself in the role of catching up. In 1949, the first Soviet atomic bomb was tested, and in September 1952, Stalin signed a decree on the creation nuclear submarines in USSR.

Domestic designers, as happened more than once, were forced to go their own way, as circumstances were difficult for the Soviet Union in general and for Soviet military science in particular. In the USSR, defense work was always headed by people unknown to the general public, who were not written about in the newspapers. The creation of the submarine project was entrusted to the designer V. N. Peregudov. The technical design was approved.

Technical characteristics of the Project 627 nuclear submarine “K-3”, code “Kit”:

Length - 107.4 m;
Width - 7.9 m;
Draft - 5.6 m;
Displacement - 3050 tons;
- nuclear, power 35,000 hp;
Surface speed - 15 knots;
Underwater speed - 30 knots;
Immersion depth - 300 m;
Navigation autonomy - 60 days;
Crew - 104 people;
Armament:
Torpedo tubes 533 mm: bow - 8, stern - 2;

The idea of ​​combat use submarine was as follows: a boat armed with a giant torpedo is taken out by tugs from the base point to the dive point, from where it continues to swim underwater to a given area. Upon receiving the order, the nuclear submarine fires a torpedo, attacking enemy naval bases. During the entire autonomous navigation, ascent nuclear-powered ship not planned, means of protection and counteraction are not provided. After completing the task, she becomes practically defenseless. Interesting fact, first nuclear submarine was designed and built without the participation of the military. The only torpedo with a thermonuclear charge submarines had a caliber of 1550 mm and a length of 23 m. Submariners it immediately became clear what would happen to submarine when launching this super-torpedo. At the moment of launch, the entire mass of water will be fired along with the torpedo, after which an even larger mass of water will fall inside the hull and will inevitably create an emergency trim. To level it, the crew will have to blow out the main ballast systems and an air bubble will be released to the surface, allowing them to immediately detect nuclear submarine, which means its immediate destruction. In addition, specialists from the Navy General Staff found that not only in the United States, but throughout the world there are only two military bases that can be destroyed by such a torpedo. Moreover, they had no strategic significance.

The giant torpedo project was buried. Life-size mock-ups of the equipment were destroyed. Change project nuclear submarine took a whole year. Workshop No. 3 became a closed production facility. Its workers did not have the right to tell even their relatives where they worked.

In the early 50s, hundreds of kilometers from Moscow, the GULAG forces built the first nuclear power plant, the purpose of which was not to produce electrical energy for the national economy - it was a prototype of a nuclear installation for nuclear submarine. The same prisoners built a training center with two stands in a pine forest. Over the course of six months, all the fleets of the Soviet Union recruited the crew of the future nuclear submarine, long-term sailors and officers. Not only health and military training were taken into account, but also a pristine biography. Recruiters had no right to utter the word atom. But somehow, in a whisper, rumors spread where and what they were invited to. Getting to Obninsk became a dream. Everyone was dressed in civilian clothes, the military chain of command was abolished - everyone addressed each other only by first name and patronymic. The rest is strictly military order. The personnel were painted as on a ship. The cadet could answer anything from strangers, except that he was a submariner. It was always forbidden to pronounce the word reactor. Even during lectures, teachers called it a crystallizer or apparatus. The cadets practiced a variety of actions to escape the release of radioactive gas and aerosols. The most significant problems were fixed by the prisoners, but the cadets also had their share. Nobody really knew what radiation was. In addition to alpha, beta and gamma radiation, there were harmful gases in the air, even household dust was activated, no one thought about it. The traditional 150 grams of alcohol was considered the main medicine. The sailors were convinced that this was how they removed the radiation picked up during the day. Everyone wanted to go sailing and were afraid of being written off even before the descent submarine to the water.

Lack of coordination between departments has always hindered any project in the USSR. So for the crew of the first nuclear submarine and throughout submarine fleet in general, two hits are made. The Minister of Defense of the USSR, Marshal Zhukov, who, with all due respect to his land-based services in the navy, understood little, issued an order halving the wages of long-term conscripts. Practically trained specialists began to submit reports for dismissal. Of the six recruited crew first nuclear submarine There is only one left who loves his business more than his well-being. With the next blow, Marshal Zhukov canceled the second crew nuclear submarine. With the advent of the submarine fleet, the order was established - two crews. After a multi-month campaign, the first went on vacation, and the second took up combat duty. The tasks of submarine commanders have become exponentially more complicated. They had to come up with something to find time for the crew to rest without canceling combat duty.

launch of the first nuclear submarine of the USSR

And at the Severodvinsk Machine-Building Plant it is ready nuclear submarine« K-3", laid down on September 24, 1954, was already waiting for its first crew. The interiors looked like works of art. Each room was painted in its own color, bright colors pleasing to the eye. One of the bulkheads is made in the form of a huge mirror, and the other is a picture of a summer meadow with birch trees. The furniture was made to special order from valuable wood and, in addition to its intended purpose, could be turned into an object to help in emergency situations. So the large table in the wardroom was transformed into an operating room if necessary.

The design of the Soviet submarine was very different from the American one submarines. On a submarine " USS Nautilus» the usual diesel principles were repeated submarines, only a nuclear installation was added, and the Soviet submarines« K-3“It was a completely different architecture.

On July 1, 1958, the time came for launching. A canvas was stretched over the conning tower, hiding the forms. As you know, sailors are superstitious people, and if a bottle of champagne does not break on the side of the ship, they will remember this at critical moments during the voyage. Panic arose among the members of the selection committee. The entire cigar-shaped hull of the new ship was covered with a layer of rubber. The only hard place on which a bottle can break is the small fence of the horizontal rudders. Nobody wanted to take risks and take responsibility. Then someone remembered that women are good at breaking champagne. Young employee of KB " Malachite" confidently swung, and everyone took a breath of relief. Thus was born the first-born of the Soviet nuclear submarine fleet.

By evening when leaving nuclear submarine a strong wind rose into the open sea, which gusts blew away all the carefully installed camouflage from the hull, and submarine appeared before the eyes of the people who found themselves on the shore in its original form.

An interesting fact - when the Americans opened the archives of the Cold War, it was discovered that quite a short time after the launch of the first nuclear submarine "K-3", Captain 1st Rank of the US Navy Berins sailed his submarine at the mouth of the canal leading to the port of Murmansk. He got so close to a Soviet port that he was able to observe the sea trials of a Soviet, but diesel, ballistic missile submarine. The Americans never found out about the Soviet nuclear submarine.

Project 627 nuclear submarines received NATO classification “November”

Nuclear submarine« K-3"turned out excellent in all respects. In comparison with the American submarine, it looked more impressive. After passing all the required tests, the nuclear submarine " K-3"Project 627 was given the name " Leninsky Komsomol"And on July 4, 1958, she became part of the USSR Navy. Already in the summer of 1962, the crew Lenin Komsomol" repeated the feat of the Americans, who in 1958 first nuclear submarine USA " USS Nautilus"made a trip to the North Pole, and then repeated it several times on other nuclear submarines.

Nikita Sergeevich Khrushchev personally presented awards to the submariners for the Arctic campaign. The captain of the nuclear submarine Lev Zhiltsov became a Hero of the Soviet Union. The entire crew, without exception, received orders. Their names became known throughout the country.

After the feat in the ice nuclear submarine« Leninsky Komsomol"has become a modern "Aurora" and the subject of visits by numerous delegations. Propaganda window dressing almost completely replaced military service. The captain of the submarine was sent to study at the General Staff Academy, experienced officers were dispersed to headquarters and ministries, and sailors, instead of servicing complex military equipment, took part in all kinds of congresses and conferences. Soon he had to pay for it in full.

According to Soviet intelligence, it became known that American aircraft were secretly patrolling in the neutral waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The leadership of the USSR Navy hastily began to discuss who to send there and it turned out that there were no available people nearby. We remembered about nuclear submarine« K-3». Submarine hastily equipped with a prefabricated crew. A new commander was appointed. On the third day of the trip to submarine the aft horizontal rudders were de-energized and the air regeneration system failed. The temperature in the compartments rose to 40 degrees. A fire started in one of the combat units, and the fire quickly spread throughout the compartments. Despite persistent rescue efforts, 39 submariners died. Based on the results of an investigation conducted by the Navy command, the crew’s actions were recognized as correct. And the crew was nominated for state awards.

But soon submarine« Leninsky Komsomol“A commission arrived from Moscow, and one of the staff officers found a lighter in the torpedo compartment. It was suggested that one of the sailors climbed in there to smoke, which was the reason nuclear submarine disaster. Award sheets were torn to shreds, and penalties were announced instead.

submarine "Leninsky Komsomol" in Pala Bay, 2004

Superpower rivalry in submarine fleets was intense. The struggle was on power, size and reliability. Powerful nuclear missiles have appeared, for which there are no flight range limits. To sum up the confrontation, we can say that in some ways the US naval forces were superior to the Soviet navy, but in some ways they were inferior.

So, Soviet nuclear submarines were faster and with a greater reserve of buoyancy. The records of immersion and underwater speed still remain with the USSR. About 2,000 enterprises of the former Soviet Union were involved in the production of nuclear submarines with ballistic missiles on board. During the Cold War, the USSR and the USA each threw $10 trillion into the arms race. No country could withstand such wastefulness.

the first nuclear submarine "Leninsky Komsomol" in illustrations

The Cold War has faded into history, but the concept of defense capability has not disappeared. 50 years after the first child " Leninsky Komsomol» 338 were built nuclear submarines, 310 of which are still in service today. Exploitation nuclear submarine« Leninsky Komsomol"continued until 1991, while the submarine served on a par with other nuclear-powered ships. After write-off " K-3» submarine they plan to convert it into a museum ship, the corresponding project has already been developed at the design bureau " Malachite", but for unknown reasons the ship remains inactive, gradually falling into disrepair.

On September 9, 1952, signed by I.V. Stalin Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the USSR on the creation of a nuclear submarine (SSN). The general management of research and design work was entrusted to the PGU under the USSR Council of Ministers (B.L. Vannikov, A.P. Zavenyagin, I.V. Kurchatov), ​​and the construction and development of the ship's part and weapons was assigned to the Ministry of Shipbuilding Industry (V.A. Malyshev, B.G. Chilikin). A.P. was appointed scientific supervisor of the work on the creation of an integrated nuclear power plant (NPP). Alexandrov, chief designer of the nuclear power plant - N.A. Dollezhal, chief designer of the boat - V.N. Peregudov.

To supervise the work and consider scientific and design issues related to the construction of the submarine, Section No. 8 was organized at the Scientific and Technical Council of PSU, headed by V.A. Malyshev. The implementation of the main work on nuclear power plants, along with the Kurchatov Institute, was entrusted to Laboratory "B", and its director D.I. Blokhintsev was appointed deputy scientific director. By decree of the Council of Ministers, Laboratory "B" was entrusted with carrying out theoretical and theoretical work, developing fuel rods, constructing and testing an experimental submarine reactor.

The first and most important task was the choice of the type of reactor as the main source of energy, as well as the general appearance of the power plant. At first these were reactors based on graphite and beryllium moderators with fuel tubes carrying pressure, similar in type to the First Nuclear Power Plant then under construction. Somewhat later, installations appeared in which the moderator was heavy water. And only then (and at that rate it was one month!) a pressurized water reactor appeared.

Thus, from the very beginning, Laboratory “B” considered two options for nuclear power plants for submarines: with water coolant and liquid metal coolant lead-bismuth. On the initiative of A.I. Leypunsky, work on the creation of transport nuclear installations began in Laboratory “B” back in 1949.

By this time, it was known that work was underway in the United States on two types of installations: thermal neutron reactors with pressurized water and intermediate neutron reactors with sodium coolant. Therefore, work on the creation of power plants for nuclear submarines was developed in two directions: water-cooled reactors and reactors with liquid metal coolant.

The choice of the eutectic lead-bismuth alloy as a coolant for nuclear reactors was made by A.I. Leypunsky even before the start of work on nuclear submarines in the USSR. As the chief designer of the nuclear power plant N.A. recalls. Dollezhal: “This option was especially supported by D.I. Blokhintsev, at that time director of Laboratory “B” in Obninsk, where academician Alexander Ilyich Leypunsky worked on the use of fast neutron technology. His idea was that it was possible to create a nuclear power plant for a submarine whose reactor would use a liquid metal (such as an alloy of lead and bismuth) as a coolant, and it could be heated to a high enough temperature without creating pressure. A.I. Leypunsky was an outstanding scientist, and there was no reason to doubt the seriousness of his proposals.”

A.I. was appointed scientific supervisor of the work on creating reactors with liquid metal coolant. Leypunsky, and after his death in 1972 - B.F. Gromov. Projects for serial reactor plants for submarines were developed by OKB Gidropress (Podolsk) and OKBM (Nizhny Novgorod), and the designs of the ships themselves were developed by the St. Petersburg Maritime Bureau of Mechanical Engineering (SPMBM) Malachite.

Unlike the Americans, A.I. Leypunsky proposed and justified a eutectic lead-bismuth alloy as a coolant, despite its worse thermophysical properties compared to sodium. Subsequent experience in the development of these competing areas confirmed the correctness of the choice he made. (After several accidents on a ground-based prototype test bench and an experimental submarine, work in this area in the United States was stopped.)

One of the first problems arose at the very beginning of the work when justifying the neutronic characteristics of a reactor with an intermediate spectrum of neutrons, which was formed in the core, due to the large neutron leakage caused by the small size of the reactor and the use of a beryllium moderator. A.I. Leypunsky put in front of V.A. Kuznetsov’s task was to create a critical assembly on which methods and constants for calculating an intermediate reactor could be tested. Such a critical assembly was created in 1954. But on March 11, 1954, during the build-up of critical mass, the prompt neutron reactor accelerated. A.I. Leipunsky and all the physicists involved in the experiment were urgently hospitalized in Moscow.

The problem could be solved only if there were large-scale experimental stands on which the equipment would be tested under conditions close to full-scale. Therefore, in 1953, on the basis of Laboratory “B”, the construction of full-scale prototype stands for nuclear power plants with water cooling (stand 27/VM) and liquid metal cooling (stand 27/VT) began, which were put into operation in 1956 and 1959, respectively. These stands represented the reactor and turbine compartments of nuclear submarines. For a long time, they became the main experimental base of the IPPE and the Kurchatov Institute for testing new types of reactors, as well as the base of the Obninsk Navy Training Center for training submarine crews.

Cruiser nuclear submarine K-27 (project 645)

The first Soviet cruising nuclear submarine K-27 (Project 645) with a nuclear power plant cooled by liquid metal successfully passed state tests in 1963. In 1964, she made a long voyage to the equatorial Atlantic, during which (for the first time in the Soviet Navy) she covered 12,278 miles in 1,240 sailing hours (51 days) without surfacing. To the commander of the boat I.I. Gulyaev was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. The sailors praised the nuclear power plant. From Laboratory “B”, one of the creators of the nuclear power plant, chief engineer of stand 27/VT, K.I., took part in this unique trip. Karikh. In 1965, K-27 made a second voyage, becoming the first Soviet nuclear submarine to covertly penetrate the Mediterranean Sea.

At this time, the creation of a series of second-generation boats with nuclear power plants using the liquid metal coolant lead-bismuth began. In the early 1960s, in connection with the creation and launch of US submarine missile carriers on combat patrols in the ocean, which were called “city killers” in the Western world (based on the type of target selection - their missiles were aimed at our cities), the USSR made a decision on the creation of special anti-submarine submarines. One of the program items was the task of building a small high-speed automated boat - a submarine destroyer, i.e. fighter of "city killers".

The design of the Project 705 nuclear submarine (Soviet code "Lyra") began after the release of the Resolution of the Central Committee of the CPSU and the Council of Ministers of the USSR in the summer of 1960. The main task was to create a highly maneuverable, high-speed, low-displacement submarine with a nuclear power plant, with a titanium hull, with a sharp reduction in personnel crew, with the introduction of new types of weapons and technical equipment.

The most important element of the steam-producing installation of the new boat was a nuclear reactor with a lead-bismuth coolant, developed under the scientific guidance of the IPPE. Heavy biological protection and low steam parameters of a nuclear power plant with a pressurized water reactor (at that time) led to a high specific gravity of the reactor installation. The new reactor with liquid metal coolant made it possible to reduce the displacement, the diameter of the pressure hull and the length of the submarine, and increase the underwater speed. Due to this, the fundamental differences of the new steam generating plant were its compactness, modular layout, high degree of automation and maneuverability, good economic and weight-size indicators.

Project 705 nuclear submarine

A special place in the development of reactors with lead-bismuth coolant was occupied by the problem of the technology of this coolant. This phrase refers to methods for monitoring and maintaining the required quality of the coolant and the cleanliness of the primary circuit during operation of the reactor plant. The importance of this problem was realized after the reactor accident on the K-27 boat in May 1968. Appropriate methods and devices for maintaining the quality of the coolant were developed when the construction of the planned series of submarines of projects 705 and 705K was completed.

The first cruising submarine of the new type, K-64, was put into trial operation in December 1971. And although only six ships of this type were in combat service in the fleet, the appearance of a new Soviet anti-submarine submarine in the ocean caused a lot of noise and became an unpleasant surprise for the US Navy. American strategic missile submarines were placed in a difficult tactical position. The small size of Project 705 submarines, a significant range of diving depths, and high full speed allowed her to maneuver at maximum speed, impossible for all other types of submarines, and even evade anti-submarine torpedoes. The ships of this project were included in the Guinness Book of Records for their speed and maneuverability.

“Now, looking back,” writes the chief designer of the Malachite SPMBM (where the boat project was developed) R.A. Shmakov, - it should be recognized that this boat was a project of the 21st century. She was several decades ahead of her time. Therefore, it is not surprising that for many specialists, testers, and Navy personnel, it turned out to be too difficult to master and operate.”

“The idea of ​​​​creating such a boat as the Project 705 submarine became,” notes deputy chief designer of the project B.V. Grigoriev,” could only be realized in the 1960s, when Soviet society was on the rise, new areas of scientific research and development were opening up, and the country’s defense was the most important state priority.” “Project 705 nuclear submarine,” according to the definition of the Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee and the Minister of Defense of the USSR D.F. Ustinov, “became a national task, an attempt to make a breakthrough to achieve military-technical superiority over the Western bloc.”

Commanders and officers of submarines with reactor installations developed at IPPE gave a very high assessment of the boat itself and its nuclear power plant, calling it a “miracle boat” that was far ahead of its time.

Today it can be considered generally accepted that at the IPPE under the leadership of A.I. Leypunsky laid the foundations for a new direction in nuclear energy, and also demonstrated a unique reactor technology on an industrial scale. This made it possible to ensure the compactness of the reactor installation, which is important when creating submarines of limited displacement, to ensure high maneuverability, and to increase the reliability and safety of the reactor installation.

A.A. made a great contribution to the development of this direction. Bakulevsky, B.F. Gromov, K.I. Karikh, V.A. Kuznetsov, I.M. Kurbatov, V.A. Malykh, G.I. Marchuk, D.M. Ovechkin, Yu.I. Orlov, D.V. Pankratov, Yu.A. Prokhorov, V.N. Stepanov, V.I. Subbotin, G.I. Toshinsky, A.P. Trifonov, V.V. Chekunov and many others.

"Leninsky Komsomol", originally K-3, is the first Soviet (third in the world) nuclear submarine, the lead in the series. The only boat of Project 627, all subsequent boats in the series were built according to the modified Project 627A. The submarine inherited the name “Leninsky Komsomol” from the diesel submarine “M-106” of the same name of the Northern Fleet, which was lost in one of the military campaigns in 1943. She bore this honorary name since October 9, 1962. In recent years, the service has been reclassified from cruising to large (B-3). This post will contain many photographs of the current state of the submarine, maybe someone will see and remember that it is still alive, but this is unlikely to affect its fate. It will probably be disposed of soon, since attention to it is only from the plant where it stands and no one is interested in its restoration as a museum.

The submarine was laid down on September 24, 1955 in Severodvinsk, at plant No. 402 (now Sevmash), factory No. 254. In August 1955, captain 1st rank L. G. Osipenko was appointed commander of the boat. The reactors were launched in September 1957 and launched on October 9, 1957. It entered service (the Navy flag was raised) on July 1, 1958, on July 4, 1958, for the first time in the USSR, it began running under a nuclear power plant, and on December 17, 1958, it was accepted from industry under a guarantee that defects would be eliminated.
At the same time, with a noticeable lag, the new coastal infrastructure required to support the nuclear submarines was designed and built. On March 12, 1959, it became part of the 206th separate BrPL based in Severodvinsk.

The submarine inherited the name “Leninsky Komsomol” from the diesel submarine “M-106” of the same name of the Northern Fleet, which was lost in one of the military campaigns in 1943.

In 1961 - first combat service in the Atlantic Ocean. In July 1962, for the first time in the history of the Soviet Navy, she made a long voyage under the ice of the Arctic Ocean, during which she passed the North Pole twice. Under the command of Lev Mikhailovich Zhiltsov, on July 17, 1962, for the first time in the history of the Soviet submarine fleet, she surfaced near the North Pole. The crew of the ship, not far from the pole, in the ice of the Central Arctic, hoisted the State Flag of the USSR. After returning to the base in Yokanga, the boat was met at the pier by N. S. Khrushchev and Minister of Defense R. Ya. Malinovsky. The leader of the campaign, Rear Admiral A.I. Petelin, the commander of the ship, Captain 2nd Rank L.M. Zhiltsov, and the commander of the warhead-5 (power plant), Captain 2nd Rank Engineer R.A. Timofeev, were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. All ship personnel were awarded orders and medals.

Chief designer of the first nuclear submarine of the USSR “K-3” Vladimir Nikolaevich Peregudov. Chief designer of the submarine K-3

Since the boat was fundamentally new, and was also designed and built in great haste, it almost constantly required repairs, improvements and alterations, which was hidden under the words “trial operation.” In the first years of service and the trip to the Pole, the maintenance of the boat, often in actual emergency, in working order was ensured, among other things, by a very qualified crew capable of performing complex repairs independently.
The weak point of the boat was the poorly designed and manufactured steam generators, in which microscopic, difficult to recognize cracks and water leaks constantly appeared in the primary (radioactive) circuit. A large number of alterations, modifications, and new welds also had an effect. For this reason, overexposure of the crew was not uncommon, but it was considered a necessary evil for such a revolutionary new ship. To reduce the radiation dose received by the crew in the “dirty” compartments, in a submerged position, periodic mixing of the air between the compartments was practiced for a more uniform distribution of contamination, and, accordingly, doses throughout the crew as a whole. Radiation sickness and its consequences among crew members were almost commonplace. There are known cases when an ambulance was waiting on the pier for a returning boat. A number of officers underwent bone marrow transplants, and many crew members subsequently died prematurely. At the same time, due to secrecy, false diagnoses were indicated in medical histories, which ruined the careers of many.

On September 8, 1967, a fire occurred in compartments I and II while on combat duty in the Norwegian Sea, killing 39 people. However, the boat returned to base on its own. The probable cause of the accident was the unauthorized replacement of the sealing gasket in the fitting of the hydraulic machine. A leak occurred, the leaked hydraulic fluid was not completely collected, and its remains ignited.

In 1991, it was withdrawn from the Northern Fleet. Then, by decision of the Maritime Board under the Government of the Russian Federation, chaired by Minister of Transport Igor Levitin, the first Soviet nuclear submarine should be converted into a museum. The Malachite Design Bureau has developed a project for converting it into a floating museum. At the moment, the submarine has been on the slipway of the Nerpa ship repair plant for many years, awaiting its fate. According to the latest information, there will be no conversion into a museum. The money will no longer be found, and I think the issue with the museum will soon be closed, the ship will not last forever, the hull will soon be 55 years old.

Next week I will tell you about one Sevmash veteran, a participant in the construction of the K-3 submarine.

Submarines form the main backbone of Russia's naval armament. They are capable of performing a number of strategically important tasks. They are used to destroy enemy ships, various underwater and surface objects, as well as hit targets in the enemy’s coastal waters. In addition, they are able to quietly carry out combat missions and leave places of temporary deployment. It is believed that the submarine fleets of the Russian Federation and the United States are the most powerful, and these powers share the palm in dominance over the World Ocean.

How the nuclear submarine fleet was born

In the middle of the last century, in 1954, the Nautilus was launched, which is considered the first nuclear submarine launched by the United States. Development of the SSN 571 type submarine vessel began in 1946, and its construction began in 1949. The basis for the design was the German military submarine of the 27th series, the design of which the Americans changed beyond recognition and installed a nuclear power plant in it. Before the beginning of 1960, production of the first nuclear submarines of the EB 253-A project, better known as the Skate submarines, was launched.

Just 5 years later, at the beginning of 1959, Project 627 appeared, which became the first nuclear submarine of the Soviet Union. It was immediately adopted by the Navy. Soon after this, Soviet designers developed Project 667-A, which was originally intended for use as a strategic missile submarine cruiser (SSBN). Actually, the adoption of the 667s into service as combat units is considered to be the beginning of the development of the second generation of nuclear submarines of the USSR.

In 1970 of the last century, Project 667-B was adopted and approved in the Union. It was a nuclear submarine called "Moray". It was equipped with a powerful naval DBK (ballistic missile system) "D-9" for intercontinental use. Following this submarine, Murena-M (project 667-BD) appeared, and already in 1976 the Soviet fleet received the first series of missile-carrying submarines, project 667-BDR. They were armed with missiles that had multiple warheads.

The further development of the submarines of the leading countries was carried out in such a way that the design was based on silent propellers and some changes in the hull. Thus, in 1980, the first attack submarine appeared, which became Project 949 III generation. To perform a number of strategic tasks, it used torpedoes and cruise missiles.

A little later, Project 667-AT appeared, the flagship of which was the K423 nuclear submarine. It was adopted in 1986 by the Soviet Navy. It is also worth noting that this project managed to survive to this day. Like other Russian nuclear submarines, the active combat units of the fleet include the Project 667 model K395.

One cannot fail to note the Soviet submarines created in 1977. They became a modification of the project 667 ─ 671 RTM, of which 26 units were built by the end of 1991. Soon after this, the first domestic multi-purpose nuclear submarines were created, the hull of which was made of titanium - Bars-971 and 945, known as Barracuda.

Is half a hundred a lot or a little?

The Russian submarine fleet is armed with 76 submarines of various classes, including SSBNs, multi-purpose submarines, diesel-powered submarines, and special-purpose vessels. The question of how many nuclear submarines there are in Russia can be answered this way: there are 47 of them. It should be noted that this is a very large number, since the construction of one nuclear submarine today costs the state over $1 billion. If we take into account ships being re-equipped and in ship repair yards, then the number of nuclear submarines in Russia will be 49. For comparison, we present some data on the submarines in service with the superpowers. The American submarine fleet has 71 submarine combat units, while Great Britain and France each have 10 units.

Nuclear-powered heavy missile-carrying cruisers

Heavy missile carriers are considered the largest and most dangerous in terms of defeating enemy force and destructive ability. There are 3 such nuclear submarines in Russian service. Among them is the missile carrier Dmitry Donskoy (heavy cruiser TK208), as well as the Vladimir Monomakh. They were built according to Project 945. Their weapons are represented by the Bulava missile system.

The TK-17 cruiser of the Akula class, which is part of the 941UM project, is in service with the submarine fleet and is called Arkhangelsk. The TK-20 boat is called “Severstal”, and it was also built according to this project. One of the reasons for their decommissioning is the shortage of P-39 ballistic missiles. We also note that these ships are among the largest in the world, and their total displacement is about 50 thousand tons.

At the beginning of 2013, the flag was raised on the nuclear submarine K-535 (Project 955 “Borey”), named after Yuri Dolgoruky. This submarine became the lead submarine missile cruiser of the Northern Fleet. Less than a year has passed, and in December the Pacific Fleet received the K-550. This nuclear submarine is named after Alexander Nevsky. All boats are IV generation strategic missile carriers.

Strategic nuclear submarines "Dolphin"

Project 667-BDRM represents nuclear submarines of the Russian Navy in the amount of 6 units:

• "Bryansk" ─ K117;
• "Verkhoturye" ─ K51;
• "Ekaterinburg" ─ K84;
• "Karelia" ─ K118;
• "Novomoskovsk" ─ K407;
• "Tula" ─ K114.

In mid-1999, the nuclear-powered cruiser K64 ceased to be an active unit of the Navy and was removed from service. All Russian nuclear submarines (photos of some can be seen above) included in the project are in service with the Northern MF.

Project 667-BDR. Nuclear boats "Squid"

In terms of their number in the Navy, modern Russian nuclear submarines of the Kalmar class are right behind the Dolphins. The construction of boats under Project 667BDR began even before the beginning of 1980 in the USSR, so most of the nuclear submarines have already been decommissioned and become unusable. Today, the Russian fleet has only 3 units of such submarine cruisers:

• "Ryazan" ─ K44;
• “Saint George the Victorious” ─ K433;
• "Podolsk" ─ K223.

All submarines are in service with the Russian Pacific Fleet. Ryazan is considered the “youngest” of them, since it was put into operation later than the others, at the end of 1982.

Multi-purpose nuclear submarine

Russia's multi-purpose nuclear submarines, which were assembled according to Project 971, are considered the most numerous in their class (Shchuka-B). They are capable of destroying targets in coastal waters, on the shore, as well as hitting underwater structures and objects located on the surface of the water. The Northern and Pacific fleets are armed with 11 nuclear submarines of this type. However, 3 of them will no longer be in operation for various reasons. For example, the nuclear submarine "Akula" is not used at all, and "Barnaul" and "Bars" have already been transferred for disposal. The Nerpa K152 submarine has been sold to India under contract since 2012. Later it was transferred to the Indian Navy.

Project 949A. Multipurpose nuclear submarine "Antey"

There are 3 Russian Project 949A nuclear submarines and they are part of the Northern Fleet. 5 Antey nuclear submarines are in service with the Pacific Fleet. When this submarine was conceived, it was planned to put 18 units into operation. However, the funding shortage made itself felt, so only 11 of them were launched.

Today, Russia's Antey-class nuclear submarines are in service with the fleet in the amount of 8 combat units. Several years ago, the submarines “Krasnoyarsk” K173 and “Krasnodar” K178 were sent for dismantling and disposed of. On September 12, 2000, a tragedy occurred in the Barents Sea that claimed the lives of 118 Russian sailors. On this day, the Antey 949A Kursk K141 project sank.

Multi-purpose nuclear submarines "Condor", "Barracuda" and "Pike"

From the early 80s to the 90s, 4 boats were built, which were projects 945 and 945A. They were named "Barracuda" and "Condor". According to the 945 project, the Russian nuclear submarines Kostroma B276 and Karp B239 were built. As for the 945A project, it was used to create the Nizhny Novgorod B534, as well as the Pskov B336, which were initially put into service with the Northern Fleet. All 4 submarines are still in service today.

Also in service there are 4 submarines of the multi-purpose project "Pike" 671RTMK, including:

• "Obninsk" ─ B138;
• "Petrozavodsk" ─ B338;
• "Tambov" ─ B448;
• “Daniil of Moscow” ─ B414.

The Ministry of Defense plans to decommission these boats and replace them with a completely new class of combat units.

Nuclear submarine 885 type "Ash"

Today, the SSGN Severodvinsk is the only operational submarine of this class. On June 17 last year, a ceremonial flag raising took place on K-560. Over the next 5 years, it is planned to create and launch 7 more such vessels. The construction of the Kazan, Krasnoyarsk and Novosibirsk submarines is already in full swing. If “Severodvinsk” is a project 885, then the remaining boats will be created according to the project of an improved modification 885M.

As for weapons, the Yasen nuclear submarines will be equipped with supersonic cruise missiles of the Caliber type. The firing range of these missiles can be 2.5 thousand km, and they are high-precision projectiles whose main task will be the destruction of enemy aircraft carriers. It is also planned that the Kazan nuclear submarine will be equipped with fundamentally new equipment that has not previously been used in the development of underwater vehicles. Moreover, due to a number of technical characteristics, primarily due to the minimal noise level, detecting such a submarine will be very problematic. In addition, this multi-purpose submarine will be a worthy competitor to the American SSN575 Seawolf.

At the end of November 2012, tests of the Caliber missile system were carried out. The shooting was carried out from the submerged Severodvinsk submarine at ground targets from a distance of 1.4 thousand km. In addition, a supersonic Onyx-type rocket was launched. The missile launches were successful and proved the feasibility of their use.