In 1958, at TsKB-18 (today TsKB MT "Rubin"), the development of a nuclear missile carrier of the second generation of the 667th project (headed by chief designer Kassatsiera A. S.) began. It was assumed that the submarine will be equipped with the D-4 complex with the R-21 - underwater launch ballistic missiles. An alternative option was to equip the submarine with the D-6 complex (project "Nylon", product "R") with solid-propellant missiles, which had been developed by the Leningrad design bureau "Arsenal" since 1958. The submarine, according to the initial project 667, was supposed to carry 8 missiles of the D-4 (D-6) complex, which are located in the SM-95 rotary launchers, developed by TsKB-34. Twin launchers were located outside the solid hull of the submarine, on its sides. Before launching missiles, the launchers were installed vertically, turned 90 degrees. Development of sketch and technical The projects of the submarine missile carrier were completed in 1960, but the practical implementation of the development was hampered by the high complexity of the rotary devices of the launcher, which was supposed to work when the submarine was moving in a submerged position.
In 1961, they began to develop a new layout, in which the D-4 (D-6) missiles were to be located in vertical silos. But soon these complexes received a good alternative - a single-stage small-sized liquid-propellant ballistic missile R-27, work on which under the leadership of V. P. Makeev. started at SKB-385 on an initiative basis. At the end of 1961, the preliminary results of the research were reported to the country's leadership and the command of the navy. The topic was supported, and on April 24, 1962, a government decree was signed on the development of the D-5 complex with R-27 missiles. Thanks to some original technical solutions, the new ballistic missile was squeezed into a mine, which is 2.5 times smaller in volume than the R-21 mine. At the same time, the R-27 rocket had a launch range of 1180 kilometers longer than that of its predecessor. Also a revolutionary innovation was the development of a technology for filling rocket tanks with propellants with their subsequent ampulization at the manufacturing plant.
As a result of the reorientation of the 667th project to a new missile system, it became possible to place 16 missile silos in two rows vertically in a strong submarine hull (as was done by the American nuclear submarine with ballistic missiles of the "George Washington" type). However, the sixteen missile ammunition was not due to the desire for plagiarism, but the fact that the length of the slipways intended for the construction of submarines was optimal for a hull with sixteen D-5 silos. Chief designer of the improved nuclear submarine with ballistic missiles of the project 667-A (the code "Navaga" was assigned) - Kovalev S. N. - the creator of almost all Soviet strategic missile nuclear submarines, the main observer from the navy is Captain First Rank M. S. Fadeev.
When creating a submarine of project 667-A, great attention was paid to the hydrodynamic perfection of the submarine. Specialists from scientific industry centers and hydrodynamics of the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute were involved in the development of the ship's shape. An increase in missile ammunition required a number of tasks. First of all, it was necessary to sharply increase the rate of fire in order to have time to fire a missile salvo and leave the launch area before the enemy's anti-submarine forces arrived at it. This led to the prelaunch simultaneous preparation of missiles, which were recruited into a salvo. The problem can be solved only by automating prestart operations. For ships of project 667-A, in accordance with these requirements under the guidance of the chief designer Belsky R. R. work was launched to create the first Soviet information and control automated system "Tucha". For the first time, data for firing had to be generated by special. COMPUTER. The navigation equipment of the submarine was supposed to ensure confident navigation and launch of missiles in the regions of the poles.
The nuclear submarine of project 667-A, like the first generation submarines, was a double-hull submarine (the buoyancy margin was 29%). The bow of the vessel was oval in shape. In the stern, the submarine was spindle-shaped. Front horizontal rudders were located on the wheelhouse fence. Such a solution, which was borrowed from American nuclear submarines, created the possibility of a zero-difference transition at low speeds to great depths, and also made it easier to keep the submarine during a missile salvo at a given depth. The stern plumage is cruciform.
The robust hull with outer frames had a cylindrical section and a relatively large diameter, which reached 9.4 meters. Basically, a strong case was made of steel AK-29 with a thickness of 40 millimeters and was divided into 10 compartments by waterproof bulkheads that could withstand a pressure of 10 kgf / cm2:
the first compartment is torpedo;
the second compartment is a living room (with officers' cabins) and a battery compartment;
the third compartment is the central post and the control panel of the main power plant;
the fourth and fifth compartments are missile;
sixth compartment - diesel generator;
the seventh compartment - reactor;
the eighth compartment is a turbine;
ninth compartment - turbine;
the tenth compartment was used to accommodate electric motors.
The frames of the robust hull were made of welded symmetrical T-profiles. For the inter-compartment bulkheads, 12 mm AK-29 steel was used. For the light body, YuZ steel was used.
A powerful demagnetizing device was installed on the submarine, which ensured the stability of the magnetic field. Also, measures were taken to reduce the magnetic field of the light hull, durable external tanks, protruding parts, rudders and fencing of sliding devices. To reduce the electric field of the submarine, for the first time, they used a system of active field compensation, which was created by a galvanic screw-hull pair.
The main power plant with a rated capacity of 52 thousand liters. with. included a pair of autonomous units on the right and left sides. Each unit consisted of a water-to-water reactor VM-2-4 (with a capacity of 89.2 MW), an OK-700 steam turbine unit with a TZA-635 turbo-gear unit, and a turbine generator with an autonomous drive. In addition, there was an auxiliary power plant, which serves to cool down and start the main power plant, supplying the submarine with electricity in case of accidents and providing, if necessary, the movement of the vessel on the surface. The auxiliary power plant consisted of two diesel generators of direct current DG-460, two groups of lead-acid storage batteries (each with 112 electric 48-CM) and two reversible propeller electric motors "sneaking" PG-153 (power of each 225 kW) … On the day the project 667-A lead SSBN was put into service (the chief designer of the project was on board, among others), they reached a speed of 28.3 knots at maximum speed, which was 3.3 knots higher than the specified speed. Thus, in terms of its dynamic characteristics, the new missile carrier actually caught up with the main potential adversaries in "underwater duels" - the Sturgeon and Thresher anti-submarine nuclear submarines (30 knots) of the US Navy.
Two propellers in comparison with the previous generation nuclear submarines had a reduced noise level. To reduce the hydroacoustic signature, the foundations under the main and auxiliary mechanisms were covered with vibration damping rubber. Soundproofing rubber was lined with a durable submarine hull, and the lightweight hull was covered with a non-resonant anti-hydrolocation and soundproof rubber coating.
On the submarine of project 667-A, for the first time, they used an alternating current electric power system with a voltage of 380V, which was powered only from autonomous electric generators. Thus, the reliability of the electric power system increased, the duration of operation without maintenance and repair increased, and also made it possible to transform the voltage to provide different consumers of the submarine.
The submarine was equipped with the Tucha Combat Information and Control System (BIUS). "Tucha" became the first Soviet multipurpose automated shipborne system, providing the use of torpedo and missile weapons. In addition, this CIUS collected and processed information about the environment and solved navigation problems. To prevent a sinking to a great depth, which could lead to a catastrophe (according to experts, this was the reason for the death of the US Navy's nuclear submarine Thresher), Project 667-A SSBNs for the first time implemented an integrated automated control system that provides software control of the ship in depth and course, and also depth stabilization without stroke.
The main information tool of the submarine in the underwater position was the Kerch SJSC, which served to illuminate the underwater situation, issue target designation data during torpedo firing, search for mines, detect hydroacoustic signals and communications. The station was developed under the guidance of the chief designer M. M. Magid. and worked in the modes of noise and echo direction finding. Detection range from 1 to 20 thousand m.
Communication facilities - ultra-short-wave, short-wave and medium-wave radio stations. The boats were equipped with a “Paravan” buoy-type pop-up VLF antenna, which made it possible to receive signals from a satellite navigation system and target designation at depths of less than 50 meters. An important innovation was the use (on submarines for the first time in the world) of the ZAS (communication secret) equipment. When using this system, automatic encryption of messages transmitted through the "Integral" line was ensured. The electronic armament consisted of the Chrom-KM "friend or foe" radar transponder (installed on a submarine for the first time), the Zaliv-P search radar and the Albatross radar.
The main armament of the Project 667-A nuclear submarine with ballistic missiles consisted of 16 R-27 liquid-propellant single-stage ballistic missiles (ind. GRAU 4K10, western designation - SS-N-6 "Serb", under the SALT treaty - RSM-25) with a maximum range 2, 5 thousand km, installed in two rows in vertical shafts behind the felling fences. The launch mass of the rocket is 14.2 thousand kg, the diameter is 1500 mm, the length is 9650 mm. Warhead weight - 650 kg, circular probable deviation - 1, 3 thousand m, power 1 Mt. Rocket silos with a diameter of 1700 mm and a height of 10100 mm, made of equal strength with the submarine's hull, were located in the fifth and fourth compartments. To prevent accidents in the event of liquid fuel components entering the mine during missile depressurization, automated systems for gas analysis, irrigation and maintaining the microclimate in the specified parameters were installed.
The missiles were launched from flooded mines, exclusively in the submerged position of the submarine, when the sea is less than 5 points. Initially, the launch was carried out by four consecutive four-rocket salvoes. The interval between launches in a salvo was 8 seconds: calculations showed that the submarine, as the missiles were fired, should gradually emerge, and after the start of the last, fourth, missile, it should leave the "corridor" of the launch depths. After each volley, it took about three minutes in order to return the submarine to its original depth. Between the second and third salvo, it took 20-35 minutes to pump water from the annular gap tanks into the missile silos. This time was also used to trim the submarine. But the real shooting revealed the possibility of the first eight-missile salvo. Such a volley was fired for the first time in the world on December 19, 1969. The size of the shelling sector of the submarine of project 667-A was equal to 20 degrees, the latitude of the launch point was to be less than 85 degrees.
Torpedo armament - four bow 533 mm torpedo tubes providing a maximum firing depth of up to 100 meters, two bow torpedo tubes 400 mm caliber with a maximum firing depth of 250 meters. The torpedo tubes had fly-by-wire control and fast loading systems.
Project 667-A submarines were the first missile carriers to be armed with the Strela-2M type MANPADS (portable anti-aircraft missile system), which is designed to defend the surfaced ship from helicopters and low-flying aircraft.
In the 667-A project, considerable attention was paid to the issues of habitability. Each compartment was equipped with an autonomous air conditioning system. In addition, a number of measures were implemented to reduce acoustic noise in living quarters and at combat posts. The submarine's personnel were accommodated in small quarters or cabins. An officer's wardroom was organized on the ship. For the first time on a submarine, a dining room for the foremen's staff was provided, quickly transforming into a cinema or a gym. In residential premises, all communications were removed under removable specials. panels. In general, the internal design of the submarine met the requirements of that time.
New missile carriers in the fleet began to be called SSBNs (strategic missile submarine cruiser), which emphasized the difference between these submarines and SSBNs of the 658th project. With their power and size, the boats made a huge impression on sailors, since before they dealt only with "diesel" or much "less solid" submarines of the first generation. The undoubted advantage of the new ships in comparison with the ships of the 658th project, according to the sailors, was a high level of comfort: "industrial" colorful interiors with interweaving of pipelines and multi-colored harnesses gave way to a thoughtful design of light gray tones. Incandescent bulbs have been replaced by "coming into fashion" fluorescent lamps.
For their outward resemblance to the American atomic submarines with ballistic missiles "George Washington", the new missile carriers in the Navy were dubbed "Vanka Washington". In NATO and the United States, they were given the name Yankee class.
Modifications of the project 667-A.
The first four nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines of Project 667-A were equipped with a project developed in 1960 under the leadership of V. I. all-latitude navigation complex "Sigma". Since 1972, the Tobol navigation complex (OV Kishchenkov - chief designer) began to be installed on the submarines, consisting of an inertial navigation system (for the first time in the Soviet Union), an absolute hydroacoustic log, which measured the speed of the vessel relative to the seabed, and a system information processing, built on a digital computer. The complex ensured confident navigation in Arctic waters and the ability to launch a rocket launch at latitudes up to 85 degrees. The equipment determined and saved the course, measured the speed of the submarine relative to the water, calculated geographic coordinates with the issuance of the necessary data to the ship's systems. On submarines of the latest construction, the navigation complex was supplemented with the "Cyclone" - a space navigation system.
Submarines of late construction had automated radio communication systems "Molniya" (1970) or "Molniya-L" (1974), the head of these developments was chief designer A. A. Leonova. The complexes consisted of an automated radio receiver “Basalt” (provided reception on one SDV channel and several KB channels) and a radio transmitting device “Mackerel” (it allowed for hidden auto tuning to any of the frequencies of the working range).
The entry into service of the US Navy of the improved Polaris A-3 missiles (maximum firing range of 4, 6 thousand km) and the deployment in 1966 of the program for the creation of the Poseidon C-3 ballistic missile, which has higher characteristics, required retaliatory measures to increase the potential of Soviet nuclear submarines with ballistic missiles. The main direction of work was to equip submarines with more advanced missiles with an increased firing range. The development of the missile system for the modernized submarines of the 667-A project was taken up by the Arsenal design bureau (the 5MT project). These works led to the creation of the D-11 complex with ballistic solid-propellant missiles of the R-31 submarines. The D-11 complex was installed on the K-140 - the only SSBN of the 667-AM project (re-equipment was carried out in 1971-1976). In the West, this boat was given the designation Yankee II class.
In parallel, KBM was developing an upgraded D-5U complex for R-27U missiles with a range of up to 3 thousand km. On June 10, 1971, a government decree was issued, which provided for the modernization of the D-5 missile system. The first experimental launches from the submarine began in 1972. The D-5U complex was adopted on 1974-01-04 by the Navy. The new R-27U missile (in the West, it was designated SS-N-6 Mod2 / 3), in addition to the increased range, had a conventional monoblock warhead or an improved “scattering” type warhead, which had three warheads (power of each 200 Kt) without an individual guidance. At the end of 1972, the 31st division received the K-245 submarine - the first submarine of the 667-AU project - with the D-5U missile system. In the period from September 1972 to August 1973, the R-27U was tested. All 16 launches from the K-245 submarine were successful. At the same time, the last two launches were made at the end of combat service from the combat patrol area (the Tobol navigation complex with an inertial navigation system was tested on the same submarine, and at the end of 1972 the submarine made a trip to the equator to test the capabilities of the complex). In the period from 1972 to 1983, the fleet received 8 more SSBNs (K-219, K-228, K-241, K-430, K-436, K-444, K-446 and K-451), completed or upgraded according to project 667-AU ("Burbot").
The K-411 became the first Project 667-A nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine to be withdrawn from the strategic nuclear forces as a result of the US-Soviet arms reduction agreements. In January-April 1978, this relatively “young” submarine had its missile compartments “amputated” (subsequently disposed of), and the missile submarine itself, according to project 09774, was converted into a special purpose nuclear submarine - a carrier of an ultra-small submarine and combat swimmers.
SSBN pr.667-A. Photo from a helicopter of the USSR Navy
SSBN pr.667-A
The K-403 missile carrier was transformed into a special-purpose boat according to project 667-AK ("Axon-1"), and later according to project 09780 ("Axon-2"). In an experimental manner, specials were installed on this submarine. equipment and a powerful SAC with a towed extended antenna in a fairing on the tail unit.
In 1981-82, the K-420 SSBNs were modernized according to the 667-M (Andromeda) project for testing the high-speed strategic missile launchers “Thunder” (“Meteorite-M”) developed by OKB-52. The 1989 trials ended in failure, so the program was scrapped.
Five more vessels of Project 667-A were to be converted according to Project 667-AT ("Pear") into large nuclear torpedo submarines carrying subsonic small-sized SKR "Granat", by adding an additional compartment with onboard torpedo tubes. According to this project, four submarines were converted in 1982-91. Of these, only the K-395 nuclear submarine has remained in service to date.
Construction program.
The construction of submarines according to Project 667-A began at the end of 1964 in Severodvinsk and proceeded at a rapid pace. K-137 - the first SSBN was laid down at the Northern Machine-Building Plant (Shipyard No. 402) 1964-09-11. Launching, or rather filling the dock with water, took place on 1966-28-08. On K-137 at 14:00 on September 1, the naval flag was raised. Then the acceptance tests began. K-137 entered service on 05.11.1967. A new missile carrier under the command of Captain First Rank V. L. On December 11, he arrived in the thirty-first division based in Yagelnaya Bay. The submarine was transferred to the nineteenth division on November 24, becoming the first ship of this division. On 1968-13-03, the D-5 missile system with R-27 missiles was adopted by the Navy.
The Northern Fleet was quickly replenished with second-generation "Severodvinsk" missile carriers. K-140 - the second boat of the series - entered service on 1967-30-12. It was followed by another 22 SSBNs. A little later, the construction of project 667-A submarines began in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. K-399 - the first "Far Eastern" nuclear-powered ship - entered the Pacific Fleet on 1969-24-12. Subsequently, this fleet included 10 SSBNs of this project. The last Severodvinsk submarines were completed according to the improved project 667-AU with D-5U missile systems. The entire series of submarines of projects 667-A and 667-AU, built in the period from 1967 to 1974, comprised 34 vessels.
Status for 2005.
As part of the Northern Fleet, ships of project 667-A were part of the nineteenth and thirty-first divisions. The service of the new nuclear submarines did not start very smoothly: numerous "childhood diseases", natural for such a complex complex, affected. So, for example, during the first exit of the K-140 - the second ship of the series - the left side reactor went out of order. However, the cruiser under the command of Captain First Rank A. P. Matveev successfully completed a 47-day hike, part of which passed under the ice of Greenland. There were other troubles as well. However, gradually, as the personnel mastered the technique and "fine-tuned" it, the reliability of the submarines increased significantly, and they were able to realize their capabilities, which were unique for that time.
In the fall of 1969, the K-140 fired an eight-rocket salvo for the first time in the world. In April-May 1970, two missile carriers of the thirty-first division - K-253 and K-395 - took part in the largest naval maneuvers "Ocean". During them, rocket launches were also made.
Nuclear submarine with ballistic missiles K-408 under the command of Captain First Rank V. V. Privalov in the period from January 8 to March 19, 1971, she carried out the most difficult transition from the Northern Fleet to the Pacific Fleet without surfacing. On March 3-9, during the campaign, the submarine performed combat patrols off the American coast. The campaign was led by Rear Admiral V. N. Chernavin.
On August 31, the K-411 missile carrier under the command of Captain First Rank S. E. Sobolevsky (senior on board Rear Admiral G. L. Nevolin), first equipped with an experienced special. equipment for detecting streaks in ice and polynyas, reached the North Pole region. The submarine maneuvered for several hours in search of a hole, but none of the two found were suitable for surfacing. Therefore, the submarine returned to the ice edge to meet the icebreaker waiting for her. Due to poor radio signal passability, the report on the fulfillment of the task was transmitted to the General Staff only through the Tu-95RTs aircraft hovering over the ascent point (upon its return, this aircraft crashed during landing at the Kipelovo airfield due to thick fog; the aircraft crew - 12 people - died). K-415 in 1972 made a successful transition under the ice of the Arctic to Kamchatka.
Initially, SSBNs, like the ships of the 658th project, were on alert near the east coast of North America. However, this made them more vulnerable to the growing American anti-submarine weapons, which included the underwater surveillance system, specialized nuclear submarines, surface ships, as well as helicopters and coastal and ship-based aircraft. Gradually, with the increase in the number of Project 667 submarines, they began to patrol around the Pacific coast of the United States.
At the end of 1972, the 31st division received the K-245 submarine - the first submarine of the 667-AU project, with the D-5U missile system. In September 1972 - August 1973, during the development of the complex, the R-27U missile was tested. 16 launches made from the K-245 submarine were successful. At the same time, the last two launches were made at the end of combat service from the combat patrol area. The K-245 also tested the Tobol navigation complex with an inertial system. At the end of 1972, to test the capabilities of the complex, the submarine made a trip to the equatorial region.
K-444 (project 667-AU) in 1974 carried out rocket firing without surfacing to periscope depth and from a stationary position, using a depth stabilizer.
The high activity of the American and Soviet fleets during the Cold War many times led to a collision of submarines that were submerged during covert surveillance of each other. In May 1974, in Petropavlovsk, near the naval base, one of the Project 667-A submarines, located at a depth of 65 meters, collided with the US Navy's Pintado nuclear torpedo submarine (type Sturgeon, SSN-672). As a result, both submarines received minor damage.
Explosion-damaged missile silo K-219
K-219 in profile on the water surface. It is easy to see the orange smoke of nitric acid vapors from the destroyed missile silo, just behind the wheelhouse.
A snapshot of the emergency boat K-219, taken from an American aircraft
On October 6, 1986, the submarine K-219 was lost during combat service 600 miles from Bermuda. On a nuclear submarine with a BR K-219 (commander Captain II Britanov I.), which was in combat service near the east coast of the United States, the rocket fuel leaked with a subsequent explosion. After a heroic 15-hour struggle for survivability, the crew was forced to leave the submarine due to the rapid flow of water into the solid hull and fire in the holds of the fourth and fifth compartments. The boat sank at a depth of 5 thousand meters, taking with it 15 nuclear missiles and two nuclear reactors. The accident killed two people. One of them, sailor S. A. Preminin. at the cost of his own life, he shut down the starboard reactor manually, thereby preventing a nuclear catastrophe. He was posthumously awarded the Order of the Red Star, and on 07, 07.1997, by the decree of the President of the Russian Federation, he was awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.
During the entire period of operation, missile submarines of projects 667-A and 667-AU made 590 combat patrols.
In the late 1970s, in accordance with the Soviet-American agreements in the field of arms reduction, the submarines of projects 667-A and 667-AU began to be withdrawn from the Soviet strategic nuclear forces. In 1979, the first two submarines of these projects were brought into conservation (with a cutout of the missile compartment). In the future, the withdrawal process accelerated, and already in the second half of the 1990s, not a single missile carrier of this project remained in the Russian Navy, except for the K-395 project 667-AT, which was converted into a cruise missile carrier and two special-purpose submarines.
The main tactical and technical characteristics of the submarine project 667-A "Navaga":
Surface displacement - 7766 tons;
Underwater displacement - 11,500 tons;
Maximum length (at design waterline) - 127, 9 m (n / a);
Maximum width - 11.7 m;
Draft at design waterline - 7, 9 m;
Main power plant:
- 2 VVR type VM-2-4, with a total capacity of 89.2 mW;
- 2 PPU OK-700, 2 GTZA-635;
- 2 steam turbines with a total capacity of 40 thousand hp. (29.4 thousand kW);
- 2 turbogenerators OK-2A, 3000 hp each;
- 2 diesel generators DG-460, power of each 460 kW;
- 2 ED of the economic course PG-153, with a capacity of 225 kW;
- 2 shafts;
- 2 five-blade propellers.
Surface speed - 15 knots;
Submerged speed - 28 knots;
Working immersion depth - 320 m;
Maximum immersion depth - 550 m;
Autonomy - 70 days;
Crew - 114 people;
Strategic missile armament - 16 launchers of R-27 / R-27U SLBMs (SS-N-7 mod.1 / 2/3 "Serb") of the D-5 / D-5U complex;
Anti-aircraft missile armament - 2 … 4 PU MANPADS 9K32M "Strela-2M" (SA-7 "Grail");
Torpedo armament:
- 533 mm torpedo tubes - 4 bow;
- 533 mm torpedoes - 12 pcs;
- 400 mm torpedo tubes - 2 bow;
- 400 mm torpedoes - 4 pcs;
Mine armament - 24 mines instead of part of the torpedoes;
Electronic weapons:
Combat information and control system - "Cloud";
General detection radar system - "Albatross" (Snoop Tray);
Hydroacoustic system - sonar complex "Kerch" (Shark Teeth; Mouse Roar);
Electronic warfare equipment - "Zaliv-P" ("Kalina", "Chernika-1", "Luga", "Panorama-VK", "Vizir-59", "Vishnya", "Veslo") (Brick Pulp / Group; Park Lamp D / F);
GPA funds - 4 GPA MG-44;
Navigation complex:
- "Tobol" or "Sigma-667";
- SPS "Cyclone-B" (latest modifications);
- radiosextant (Code Eye);
- ANN;
Radio communication complex:
- "Lightning-L" (Pert Spring);
- towed buoy antenna "Paravan" (SDV);
- VHF and HF radio stations ("Depth", "Range", "Fastness", "Shark");
- station for underwater communication;
State recognition radar - "Chrom-KM".
