Akula class submarine

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Class overview
Name:	Akula
Operators:	Soviet Navy Russian Navy
Preceded by:	Sierra class
Succeeded by:	Graney class (in development)
In service:	1986
Planned:	20[1]
Completed:	15
Cancelled:	5
Active:	8
Retired:	5
Preserved:	3
General characteristics
Type:	nuclear-powered attack submarine
Displacement:	5,700-7,500 tons surfaced 7,900-9,100 tons submerged 7,900-9,500 tons submerged (Akula-II)
Length:	108.0 - 111.7 m (sources vary)
Beam:	13.5 m
Draught:	9.6 m
Propulsion:	one 190 MW OK-650B 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:	20 knots (37 km/h) surfaced 35 knots (65 km/h) submerged
Endurance:	100 days[1]
Test depth:	450 m test depth 550 m never-exceed depth 600-660 m calculated crush depth
Complement:	73[2]
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) 4x650mm torpedo tubes storage space for up to forty torpedoes/mines/missiles 1x 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^{[citation needed]}. The Russians call all of the submarines Schuka-B, regardless of modifications^{[citation needed]}.

Akula class SSN with descriptions

Sideview of the sub

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.

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]. '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) ^[3] 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.^[4]

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.

Akula class submarine underway

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.^[5]

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

Lease to India

India is reportedly paying two billion dollars for the completion of two Akula-II class submarines which were 40-60% completed.^[7] 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.^[8]

Whereas the Russian Navy's Akula-II submarine is equipped with 28 nuclear-capable cruise missiles with a striking range of 3,000 kilometers, the Indian version was reportedly expected to be armed with the 300 km range 3M-54 Klub nuclear-capable missiles.^[9]. Missiles with ranges greater than 300 kilometers 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.^[5] 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)^[10][11] were killed by asphyxiation. Dozens of others suffered freon-related injuries and were evacuated to an unknown port in Primorsky Krai.^[12] 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.^[13]

See also

• Media related to Akula class submarines at Wikimedia Commons

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"

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