The ability to penetrate the depths of the sea and imperceptibly wedge into enemy defenses. Choose the best place and time to attack. Survive without significant defense spending by exploiting the uncertainty and ambiguity of the aquatic environment. The unique properties of submarines allow for an unprecedented presence and containment effect, far from proportional to the size and number of the submarines themselves.
Today, the Russian Navy and the US Navy are the world's largest submarine operators. Each of the fleets is armed with the best examples of submarine weapons, represented by numerous types of submarines.
Underwater component of the Russian Navy
Strategic missile submarine cruisers (SSBNs). Carriers of submarine-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, the basis of the "nuclear triad" of Russia.
Project 955 and 955A "Borey"
In the ranks - 3, under construction - 3, the planned composition of the series - 8 … 10 submarines.
The newest and most modern project of a strategic underwater missile carrier in the whole world. The design features and noise characteristics of the Project 955 SSBNs make it possible to attribute them to the new, fourth generation of nuclear submarines. Armament: D-30 missile system with 16 R-30 Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missiles. The new Borei boats and solid-propellant missiles open a new era in the history of the Russian submarine fleet.
Project 667BDRM "Dolphin"
In service - 7 units (1981-90).
The combat core of the naval strategic nuclear forces. Carriers of R-29RMU2 "Sineva" three-stage ballistic missiles. The main trump card of "Sineva" in comparison with the solid-fuel "Trident" and "Bulava" is their outstanding energy and mass characteristics (starting weight / firing range / throw weight), due to the fundamental properties of liquid fuel.
K-407 "Novomoskovsk" (project 667BDRM) after being repaired and modernized
Project 667BDR "Kalmar"
Three boats, which entered service in 1980-82, armed with the D-9R complex (16 silo-type launchers with R-29R liquid-fuel missiles). It is expected that the outdated Kalamars will be gradually withdrawn from service and replaced with the newest Boreis.
Project 941UM
TK-208 "Dmitry Donskoy" - the last of the heavy SSBNs of the "Akula" type, converted into a launch stand for testing the SLBM "Bulava".
Nuclear submarines with cruise missiles (SSGN) - 8 units, all belong to the project 949A "Antey" (1986-96). The famous "assassins of aircraft carriers", each of which carries 24 Granite anti-ship missiles.
Multipurpose nuclear submarines - 21 units. A motley family represented by representatives of five projects:
- Project 671RTM (K) - four submarines. The withdrawal from the fleet is planned;
- Project 945 and 945A - four submarines with titanium hulls. A deep modernization is underway with the installation of modern systems and weapons. All Condors and Barracudas will be back in service by the beginning of the next decade;
- Project 971 "Pike-B" - twelve ships. Nine are in combat, three are in reserve and undergoing repairs that have been dragging on for a decade. Another submarine (K-152 "Nerpa") has been leased to India. At the time of construction (80-90), "Shchuki-B" were the most formidable and perfect submarines in their class. They remain so today, adjusted for age. There are several modifications ("Improved Pike"), some representatives of the project are currently undergoing modernization under various programs;
- Project 885 "Ash". Multipurpose nuclear submarine of the fourth generation, equipped with the Kalibr missile system. The Yasen boat claims to be the best in its class among all foreign analogues. At the moment, there is one ship of this type in service (K-560 "Severodvinsk"). At the shipyards there are three more buildings under construction according to the updated project 885M "Yasen-M". The planned composition of the series is 8 submarines;
K-560 "Severodvinsk"
Nuclear submarines for special purposes - 2 pieces:
- carrier of deep-sea stations BS-136 "Orenburg" (converted from missile carrier pr. 667BDR);
- nuclear deep-water station AS-12 "Losharik" (project 10831), maximum immersion depth 6000 m, no weapons.
Carrier boat BS-136 "Orenburg"
At the moment, another unfinished nuclear missile carrier K-139 "Belgorod" (project 09852) is being converted according to a special project.
Diesel-electric submarines - 20 units, including:
- 18 "Varshavyanka" (projects 877 and 636.3);
- 1 B-585 "St. Petersburg" (project 677 "Lada") - in trial operation at the Northern Fleet;
- 1 B-90 "Sarov" (project 20120) - experimental diesel-electric submarine for testing new types of weapons.
In the coming years, the Russian Navy should be replenished with six more diesel-electric submarines, among which there will be two Lada and four Varshavyanka.
Pike, Borey, Varshavyanka!
Submarine component of the United States Navy
Nuclear submarines with ballistic missiles (SSBNs - correspond to domestic SSBNs). The only type is in service - "Ohio" … There are 14 boats in service, built in the period from 1981 to 1997.
The Ohio-Trident-2 connection can be considered the standard of naval nuclear weapons. The carrier is a unique boat, until recently considered the most secretive of the existing nuclear submarines. And a solid-propellant rocket with unsurpassed mass and dimensions and performance characteristics (it is no coincidence that 24 SLBMs fit on board not the largest "Ohio").
Nuclear submarines with cruise missiles (SSGN) - 4 units. Were converted from SSBNs of the "Ohio" type. On board every 154 "Tomahawks".
Multipurpose nuclear submarines (or, according to the original classification, fast attack submarine - high-speed spear hunters). Currently, the US Navy has three main types of multipurpose nuclear submarines, including:
- 41 boat types "Los Angeles" (1981-96). Small in size, secretive and reliable spearfishers have been the backbone of the US submarine force for 30 years. Most of the surviving Los Angeles aircraft belong to the Superior Aircraft sub-series. Equipped with vertical launchers for storing and launching the Tomahawk missile launcher;
- 11 boats type Virginia three different subseries (1997-2014). New American boats specialize in coastal warfare: reconnaissance, sabotage and coastal strikes. Like their predecessors, the Los Angeles, 12 Tomahawk missile silos are installed in the bow of the Virginia. In total, it is planned to build 30+ nuclear submarines of this type, the last boats (sub-series 5) will be able to carry up to 40 cruise missiles;
- three "Sea wolf" … White elephants of the American fleet, formally considered the most advanced spear hunters and the world's first multipurpose 4th generation nuclear submarines. In fact, they are extremely expensive, piece designs, suffering from many "childhood diseases". The last SeaWolfe-class ship, the Jimmy Carter, entered service in 2003 as a special operations boat.
Diesel-electric submarines
In connection with a pronounced offensive focus, the American fleet completely abandoned diesel-electric submarines. The last diesel-electric submarine "Growler" was built in 1958.
Emergency ascent of Los Angeles-class nuclear submarine
