Project 677: Lada class submarine

They didn´t fail. That were "paper" projects. Things that the design bureau and yards could build if someone wanted them. Each design bureau has dozens such projects. If one or two get realised after 10 or more years they are lucky.

TASS

TWOO project 677 (Lada class) submarines will be laid down this year.

https://tass.ru/obschestvo/14142549

MOSCOW, 14 April. /TASS/. The second stage of factory sea trials of the Kronstadt submarine, built at the Admiralty Shipyards, has been completed. This was reported on Thursday in the press service of the enterprise.

JSC Admiralty Shipyards (part of the USC) has successfully completed the second stage of factory sea trials of the Kronstadt Project 677 submarine.
According to the press service, at the second stage of testing, which took place in the ranges of the Gulf of Finland for nine days, the submarine was immersed and the ship's systems were checked. After returning to the outfitting wall, the company's employees will begin preparing the submarine for the next, third stage of factory sea trials.

The shipyard specialists have now completed the docking of the pressure hull of the third Project 677 submarine Velikie Luki. Metal cutting continues for the fourth and fifth submarines of the project. The state contract for their construction was concluded between JSC "Admiralty Shipyards" and the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation in June 2019 as part of the Army-2019 forum.

Project 677 submarines belong to the fourth generation of non-nuclear submarines and today are recognized as the most modern and promising domestic non-nuclear submarines both in terms of combat effectiveness and other performance characteristics. "Admiralty Shipyards" is the only plant that builds ships of this class.

https://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/14374217

RIA Novosti; 03:18 05/25/2022 (updated: 03:19 05/25/2022)


USC confirms laying of two non-nuclear submarines

USC confirms laying of two diesel-electric submarines of project 677 "Lada"

MOSCOW, May 25 - RIA Novosti. The laying of two large diesel-electric submarines of project 677 "Lada" will take place this year at the St. Petersburg enterprise "Admiralty Shipyards" (part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation, USC), the head of the corporation Alexei Rakhmanov told RIA Novosti.
"We keep the deadlines, the laying of two Ladas will be this year," Rakhmanov said.

He clarified that everything is ready at the enterprise to start construction, but the exact dates for the laying of two new ships will be determined by the customer - the Russian Ministry of Defense. The contract with the military department for the construction of two submarines was signed in June 2019.
Earlier it was reported that the first two serial boats of the project - "Kronstadt" and "Veliky Luki" - should be transferred to the Russian Navy in 2022. The lead submarine "St. Petersburg" was accepted into the Russian Navy, but since 2010 has been in trial operation in the Northern Fleet. In September 2021, she completed trial operation and became a full-fledged combat unit in the Russian Navy.

In total, this year USC is to hand over 24 vessels and ships, 10 of them under the state defense order. In particular, by the end of the year, the fleet should receive two nuclear submarines of project 955A (code "Borey-A") "Generalissimo Suvorov" and project 885M (code "Ash-M") "Krasnoyarsk", as well as one non-nuclear submarine "Ufa" project 636.3.

https://ria.ru/20220525/zakladka-1790522242.html

Keels were laid for two new submarines "Vologda" and "Yaroslavl".
Factory number for "Vologda" is 01573 and 01574 for "Yaroslavl".

"Lada" polar: the newest submarine will replenish the Northern Fleet in the fall, by Roman Kretsul for Izvestia. 24.07.2022.

Silent boat "Kronstadt" will cover submarine strategic missile carriers.

The underwater "black hole" - that's what the Navy calls this submarine - will replenish the Northern Fleet in the fall. The Ministry of Defense approved a plan for the transfer of the Kronstadt submarine of Project 677 Lada to the Navy. She is currently being tested. By the end of autumn, the submarine must make the transition to Polyarny, where it will join the brigade of submarines of the Northern Fleet. Today, the Kronstadt is considered the quietest boat in its class - it is capable of hitting underwater and surface targets, including Caliber and Onyx missiles. Experts believe that in the North, Kronstadt will be able to solve several tasks at once, including covering strategic missile carriers.

Heading North

The Ministry of Defense has approved a plan for the transfer of the unique Kronstadt submarine of Project 677 to the Navy, sources in the military department told Izvestia. According to the interlocutors of the editorial office, the submarine is currently undergoing factory tests.

Already at the end of summer - the beginning of autumn, the submarine should make the transition to the Murmansk region. There, the submarine is waiting for additional tests, which should be completed before the end of autumn. After passing them, Kronstadt will become part of the submarine brigade of the Northern Fleet.

“Today, the 161st submarine brigade of the Northern Fleet consists mainly of Project 877 boats,” military historian Dmitry Boltenkov told Izvestia. - Two of them - "Vladikavkaz" and "Kaluga" - were modernized in the 2010s, but in general they are outdated boats, and it's time to just write them off. The 161st brigade performs important tasks - ensuring the deployment of the main forces of the Northern Fleet in the Barents Sea - submarine strategic missile carriers, surface warships. In the context of deteriorating relations between Russia and NATO, it is necessary to supply the Northern Fleet not only with nuclear submarines, but also with diesel ones.

In addition to covering the main forces of the fleet, the tasks of the submarines of the 677th project will include anti-submarine operations in the North Atlantic, the expert added.

Protracted streak

The Lada series became the development of the 877 Halibut project. These submarines have a displacement of 1.8 thousand tons, a speed of up to 21 knots and a diving depth of more than 300 m. So far, the Navy has only the lead ship of the 677th series - the submarine "St. Petersburg", built in 2010. Two years ago, it underwent modernization and can use torpedoes, missiles and mines, operate in the near and middle sea zone, hit both surface and underwater targets. At the end of 2021, she became part of the 161st submarine brigade of the Northern Fleet. In February, the St. Petersburg boat took part in large-scale maneuvers in the Mediterranean Sea, where she came with a detachment of ships from the Northern Fleet. As Izvestia reported, the exercises took place in conditions close to combat.

The Kronstadt boat was laid down in 2005, but in 2009 its construction was suspended. In 2013, the submarine continued to be built, but according to an updated project. It was equipped with an improved navigation system and a more powerful and quieter electric propulsion system. The ship's arsenal now includes Caliber cruise missiles, which it can launch through torpedo tubes.

In February, the general director of JSC Admiralty Shipyards, Alexander Buzakov, said that Kronstadt was "somewhat delayed due to problems with contractors."

In addition to the Kronstadt, this year it is planned to transfer to the fleet another Project 677 boat, the Velikiye Luki. In addition, two more ships, Vologda and Yaroslavl, were laid down at the Admiralty Shipyards last June.

The Lada project turned out to be quite difficult for the developers, Dmitry Boltenkov also noted.

- But in the end, "St. Petersburg" brought to mind. Project 677 ships can now fire Kalibr cruise missiles. So, in addition to the tasks of covering the main forces and anti-submarine operations in the North Atlantic, these submarines will be able to perform the third round of tasks - to hit ground and surface targets, the expert summed up.

Without noise and dust

One of the two divisions of strategic submarine missile carriers, the 31st, is serving in the Northern Fleet of Russia. The ships included in it regularly go on combat duty. As Izvestia previously reported, it is to this formation that the latest strategic submarines of project 955 Borey and 955A Borey-A are being built as they are built. This decision was made based on the results of the maneuvers. During the exercises, three submarines simultaneously rose to the surface in the Arctic, breaking through a layer of ice one and a half meters thick. As Commander-in-Chief of the Navy Admiral Nikolai Evmenov reported to the President, the ascent in a limited area with a radius of 300 m was made for the first time in the history of the Russian fleet. Besides, according to the developers, due to new technical solutions, the visibility of the Lad is already lower than that of the diesel-electric submarines (DEPL) of Project 636.3 Varshavyanka now being mass-produced. After the installation of an air-independent power plant, their noise level will be below the background level in the sea. That is, it will be almost impossible to detect them.

Initially, it was announced that an advanced air-independent power plant (VNEU) would be developed for Lada. With it, the submarine could move for a long time without surfacing. It was planned to equip modern Ladas with an engine with an electrochemical generator developed by the Rubin Central Design Bureau of MT, and hydrogen would be produced from diesel fuel and oxygen. But the development of this engine has not yet been completed, which has led to delays in the construction of boats. In 2019, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and Rubin signed a new contract to continue work, which is scheduled to be completed by the mid-2020s.

https://iz.ru/1369621/roman-kretcul/lada-zapoliarnaia-noveishaia-submarina-uzhe-oseniu-popolnit-severnyi-flot

The first serial Lada has started the final stage of sea trials

August 9, 2022 at 9: 13 am Subject: Industry

The final stage of factory sea trials of the Project 677 diesel-electric submarine Kronstadt (code Lada) has begun in the Gulf of Finland. This was reported in the press service of the United Shipbuilding Corporation.

As part of the event, which will be held in the landfills of the Gulf of Finland, specialists will check the electric propulsion system, the effectiveness of the hydroacoustic complex, technical means and devices at the working depth. The delivery team will test the torpedo and missile armament, check the maneuverability of elements in the underwater position and steering devices at maximum speed.

After the submarine returns to the Admiralty Shipyards ' mooring wall, the company's employees will begin to eliminate the comments and prepare the Kronshtadt for state tests.

The first serial submarine of Project 677 "Kronshtadt was laid down at Admiralty Shipyards in 2005, but construction was suspended and resumed only in 2013. In September 2018, the submarine was launched. In October 2021, it became known that the diesel-electric submarines are planned to be transferred to the Navy in 2022.

The press service of the USC noted that Admiralty Shipyards built the Kronstadt submarine according to an adjusted project, based on the results of the pilot operation of the lead Lada – the Saint Petersburg diesel-electric submarine. The submarine's technical equipment management system, electric propulsion system, and navigation system have been upgraded.

Sea trials of the Kronshtadt began in December. Then they continued in early April.

Recall that the lead submarine of Project 677 "St. Petersburg" has been in trial operation in the Northern Fleet since 2010, which was planned to be completed before the beginning of 2017, but did not have time. In April 2020, she arrived at the Kronstadt Marine Plant for modernization. At the end of September 2021, it was announced that the trial operation of the submarine was completed.

At the Admiralty Shipyards, the docking of the solid hull of the third Project 677 submarine, Velikiye Luki, has been completed. In June 2022, the company laid the fourth and fifth diesel – electric submarines of Project 677-Vologda and Yaroslavl.

Project 677 diesel-electric submarines of the Lada type belong to the fourth generation of non-nuclear submarines. They are designed to fight submarines and surface ships, to defeat coastal targets of a potential enemy, to set up minefields, to transport special-purpose units and cargo. "Lada" is characterized by a low level of noise.

The displacement of the Project 677 Lada submarines is 1,765 tons, the hull length is 66.8 meters, and the width is 7.1 meters. Underwater speed – up to 21 knots, diving depth - up to 300 meters, autonomy-45 days. The crew is 36 people. Diesel submarines are equipped with six 533-mm torpedo tubes. Ammunition – 18 torpedoes.

https://flotprom.ru/2022/АдмиралтейскиеВерфи13/

Latest picture of Russian diesel-electric submarines B-586 "Kronshtadt". I think the submarine will soon be handed over to the Russian Navy.

Podlodka77
Latest picture of Russian diesel-electric submarines B-586 "Kronshtadt". I think the submarine will soon be handed over to the Russian Navy.

This looks more recent with ice

DEPL pr.677 "Kronshtadt"

It seems that a submarine with the registration number B-587 will be launched tomorrow, at least that's what they write on the Russian forum balancer.ru.
It is about the project 677 "Velikiye Luki" submarine or another Lada submarine.
And more about 677 Lada submarines...


Submarine "Kronstadt" project 677 will begin state tests at the end of December
Ministry of Defense: Project 677 submarine Kronstadt will begin state tests at the end of December




MOSCOW, December 22 - RIA Novosti. Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, Admiral Nikolai Evmenov, approved December 23 as the date for the launch of the new diesel-electric submarine Velikiye Luki, project 677 Lada, which is being built at the Admiralty Shipyards in St. Petersburg, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday.
"At the end of December this year, Admiralty Shipyards JSC will begin state testing of the Kronstadt Project 677 submarine," the release says.

Project 677 submarines belong to the IV generation of non-nuclear submarines. According to the RF Ministry of Defense, the boats are the most modern and promising Russian non-nuclear submarines "in terms of combat effectiveness and a number of other tactical and technical characteristics."

https://ria.ru/20221222/kronshtadt-1840569784.html

https://t.me/imperialherald/7498

Launch ceremony in St. Petersburg for the Veliki Luki diesel attack submarine

B-587 "Velikiye Luki" submarine of the 677 project.



The picture was uploaded by Vovanych (Вованыч) on balancer.ru. I will not steal credit for other people's pictures and in the future I will write who the source is.

Will Russia cancel AIP development and go with Lithium batteries instead? I know they have been experimenting with them. The Japanese have launched a sub with Li batteries and apparently its better then AIP and the batteries can be charged in about 30 min of snorkeling!!

The AIP technology the Russians are working on is revolutionary, and has a few features that make it really amazing.

First of all it generates rather more electricity than standard hydrogen fuel cells generate so if they could get it to work properly it would actually be a more viable solution than the units the Japanese were using, and secondly it could be applied not just to submarines but also aircraft and motor vehicles... everything that currently uses fossil fuels really.

The point is that trillions are currently invested in the extraction and refining and production and also transport and storing and handling of hydrocarbons that is not in place for hydrogen and oxygen which are the two separate components needed for hydrogen fuel cells to be viable.

If they can work out some method of collecting and storing the solid carbon byproduct from their process this will be immensely important for the world.

Imagine a fuel cell that ran on petrol or diesel or kerosene or benzine or any other hydrocarbon... you could keep buying from your local fuel station and use all the existing fuel stations without modification... but when your AIP consumed the fuel the carbon is not released into the atmosphere as carbon monoxide, but created a lump of solid carbon that you could sell to the fuel station to offset the cost of your fuel... solid carbon has value and could be used in making carbon fibre and carbon nanotubes and other uses.

I rather suspect that for the time being it would make sense to just make extra lithium ion batteries and use those, but new battery technologies are being developed all the time and the next breakthrough might make all battery powered SSKs that only have to charge up once every two months... or some small AIP unit that can charge the batteries in a few minutes.

It seems the low energy output of the western AIPs means if you are running the sub and using the AIPs to also charge the batteries that it can take days to get a full charge, which is why Japan decided that 30 minutes near the surface with a snorkle fast charging the batteries was more useful than spending a day being pretty much useless while the batteries were charged where you couldn't move fast or run all the electronics onboard...

The Japanese submarines did not use fuel cells. They used Stirling engines similar to the Swedish Gotland-class submarines made by Kockums. A Stirling engine is a combustion engine. Current Stirling engines are really inefficient. Heavy and bulky. So you get snail like underwater speeds with them. Also because these are mechanical combustion engines they make noise while operating making it easier to track submarines underwater.

The hydrogen PEM fuel cells are basically a membrane. You push the hydrogen and oxygen through the fuel cell, those combine in the membrane into water, and provide you with electricity. You do not need either the heavy mechanical components in a Stirling engine, nor do you need a separate alternator to generate electricity from the fuel cells to charge the batteries. The problem is handling the hydrogen in port facilities and the whole low density aspect of hydrogen. The oxygen is much easier to acquire and handle in comparison since it is pretty widely available for all sorts of applications, like medical and industrial ones, and is higher density.

From what I get Russia wants to use a hydrocarbon reformer. You basically have a unit which breaks down diesel or whatever into smaller hydrocarbons or pure hydrogen gas which can then be processed by the fuel cell. The Spanish want to do a similar thing on their S-80 Plus class submarine. The advantage would be denser fuel and less hassle at port facilities. You would not need dedicated handling facilities for hydrogen anymore. Problem is no one has quite gotten this to work yet.

Usage of lithium ion batteries is not exclusive to having fuel cells or not. Lithium ion batteries seem like a fairly easy thing to retrofit to the submarines. Probably did not happen earlier because of lack of production facilities in Russia for such batteries. The easiest way to go around this would be to import battery cells from China and make the battery packs in Russia. But because of government requirements on the defense sector the cells have to be made in Russia. So much for that. When Russia makes appropriate cells inside Russia, and they are working on that, we will see them go into submarines.

In the technology and innovation thread they mentioned funding factories to not just make lithium ion cells, but also reprocess used cells to recycle their components and put them to good use.

There was also a mention of new graphene technology that offered the potential for batteries of high efficiency that would retain their charge at minus 50 degrees C, though that is more important for land and air based vehicles than in a submarine or ship.