Project 955: Borei class SSBN #2

SSBNs/SSGNs much better than surface ships.

A Russian DDG/FFG can unleash 3.5 ton of warhead, A Russian SSBN/SSGN will have unleashed 3x of that.

Having only submarines is like having only air power... there is some strength there and mobility and reach, but there are serious limitations too.

Even an enlarged Corvette can operate for months off the coast of Africa on anti piracy duties... every few months send a support ship to replace its supplies and with a replacement crew... or simply escorting ships or ensuring access to regions you need surface ships too.

Those models of new sub concepts are very interesting because they show subs with drones that can be carried and released and presumably also recovered via an SLBM missile tube, which will transform the versatility of SSBNs and might lead to all Russian subs (SSK, SSN, SSGN, SSG) having a couple of SLBM launch tubes even just to carry drones or even SAMs or other devices or equipment that can be swapped out at sea or at port...

07.11.2022
Izvestia.ru

Strategic decision: what will give Russia a new submarine of the project "Borey-A"


Image source: Photo: Sevmash Press Service

Missile carrier "Generalissimo Suvorov" in the framework of state tests fired a ballistic missile "Bulava"

At the end of October, the Project 955A Borei-A submarine strategic missile carrier Generalissimus Suvorov left Severodvinsk for the White Sea for the third time for sea trials. This is the third ship of the modernized series, which in the coming decades will become the basis of the naval component of the Russian nuclear triad. What is the Borey-A strategic missile carrier, how is it different from the usual Boreys, and what did the Generalissimo Suvorov test on November 3 - in the material of Izvestia.

Third went

"Generalissimo Suvorov" (serial number 206) became the third missile nuclear submarine of project 955A "Borey-A". The first two ships of this series - K-549 "Prince Vladimir" and K-552 "Prince Oleg" - were accepted by the Russian fleet in 2020 and 2021. Following the Generalissimo Suvorov, four more boats of the project are being built, and in the coming months, it is possible to lay the foundation for two more missile carriers. In total, the Russian Navy in the 2020s can receive nine “strategists” of the Borey-A project, which will complement the three nuclear submarines of the original Project 955 Borey already adopted by the fleet. In total, this family will thus have 12 nuclear missile carriers.
Their common name is "Nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines" or SSBNs. In the Russian Navy, they are called RPKSN - missile submarine cruisers of strategic purpose.


Rocket launch "Bulava"
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti / Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

The main weapons of submarines of the Borei family are 16 intercontinental ballistic missiles 3M-30 Bulava developed by the Moscow Institute of Thermal Engineering. Today, Bulava is one of the most highly effective solid-propellant ballistic missiles in the world. Three march stages, a payload breeding stage, and three to six individually targetable warheads. Each such block is directed by a rocket at its target and carries a thermonuclear charge with a capacity of 150 kilotons.
In order for all blocks to reach the target without loss, the Bulava can carry a set of means to overcome anti-missile defense. These can be light inflatable decoys that mask warheads in the atmospheric part of the trajectory. And heavy false targets can also be used, which enter the atmosphere along with warheads and take on the blows of the last line of anti-missile defense.
Such a missile submarine can send 96 warheads in one salvo to the target. And 12 Boreevs can keep up to 1152 warheads in total on combat duty.


Long road to the sea

The lead boat of the Borey project, the K-535 Yuri Dolgoruky, was laid down in Severodvinsk on November 2, 1996, 26 years ago. The boat was built under the missiles of the Makeev GRTs from Miass "Bark" until 1998, when it was decided to replace the "Bark" with the "Bulava" unified with the then newest ICBM "Topol-M".

The Moscow Institute of Thermal Engineering in difficult times came up with trump cards - unification in terms of missiles, combat equipment, savings and high efficiency of new types of solid fuel, multiplied by MIT's vast experience in the development of compact intercontinental missiles. And "Borey" began to remake under the "Mace (Bulava)". Along the way, realizing that there were no resources to build boats from scratch, a decision was made that made it possible to release a series of SSBNs of project 955 - in their design, hull parts of unfinished and decommissioned nuclear-powered ships of other projects were used. This compromise made it possible to release the first Boreas into the sea and bring the construction of the series to the end.


The crew of the strategic missile submarine (SSBN) "Yuri Dolgoruky"
Image source: Photo: TASS/Lev Fedoseev

In 2003, the Yuri Dolgoruky was relaunched at the Sevmash production facility in Severodvinsk, and the fleet received the first three Boreas in 2012, 2013 and 2014. At the same time, the dramatic tests of the Bulava were successfully completed, which at first were difficult - with accidents. But in the end, the fleet received both Borea and Bulava.
During the 2000s, work was underway on the new Borey-A project, which Sevmash was supposed to build completely from scratch, only Russian and without any constructive compromises. A more advanced case design, completely new equipment, modern electronics - no borrowing from previous projects.

Visually, the Borey-A differs markedly from the old Boreys - other hull lines, the wheelhouse has been changed, the horizontal rudders and the keel have been changed, which has become all-moving. "Borey-A" has become even less noisy than the boats of the basic project. More advanced sonar equipment and torpedo armament allow not only to defend against enemy submarines, but also to engage in duels almost on an equal footing. Of course, the main task of SSBNs is to carry a strategic missile arsenal and accurately use it in a retaliatory or retaliatory nuclear strike.

The lead "Borey-A" K-549 "Prince Vladimir" is serving in the Northern Fleet. The first serial ship of the project - K-552 "Prince Oleg" - in the Pacific Ocean. The second serial and the third general submarine of the project, the Generalissimo Suvorov, was launched in January of this year and has been undergoing sea trials in the White Sea since July. In the intervals between test exits, the ship returns to Sevmash to eliminate the identified comments - this is a common practice in the construction of ships. And now, when the Generalissimo Suvorov went to sea for the third time, as part of state tests, it successfully fired a Bulava missile at the Kura training ground, the Ministry of Defense announced on November 3.


The crew of the submarine cruiser "Yuri Dolgoruky", from which the missiles "Bulava" are launched at the Kura range
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti / Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

The Kura test site in Kamchatka was ready to receive warheads. The flight path of the rocket too. All necessary areas in the White Sea and along the route were cleared of civil aircraft. Even our overseas "partners" kept their "cobra dein" in the air, which monitored the arrival of warheads on the Kura. The launch of the Bulava should complete the testing of SSBNs and ensure that the fleet receives the sixth Borey.

The production cycle of a submarine of this class is quite long. The complexity of modern submarines makes itself felt - with the coordinated work of hundreds of allied enterprises and the uninterrupted supply of components and materials, the production cycle of SSBNs is about seven years, from the moment of laying to the receipt of the nuclear-powered ship by the fleet. And, of course, nuclear submarine missile carriers remain and will remain one of the most stable components of the strategic nuclear triad - they are difficult to detect and destroy, and they can deliver a decisive blow. And this will not change in the coming decades - thanks to Borey-A.

Dmitry Kornev

https://vpk.name/news/650424_strategicheskoe_reshenie_chto_dast_rossii_novaya_lodka_proekta_borei-a.html

The strategic nuclear submarine cruiser Generalissimo Suvorov has completed state tests
and the shooting of the Bulava from the White Sea at the Kura range in Kamchatka was the finishing touch. Mikhail Budnichenko, General Director of Sevmash, spoke about this.


The general director of the enterprise watched the firing of the nuclear submarine cruiser, being on the escort vessel. According to Budnichenko, the crew of the submarine and the commissioning team of Sevmash carried out all the necessary tests. Now the Generalissimo Suvorov will return to Sevmash for a final audit and preparation for transfer to the combat strength of the Russian Navy, which should take place before the end of the year.

"Generalissimo Suvorov" completed all stages of testing, having completed several exits to the sea. The ship's systems have been tested in various modes. Further, on the nuclear submarine, the agro-industrial complex will be prepared for transfer to the Navy

The final test was the launch of the Bulava ballistic missile on November 3 from a submerged position. APRKSN fired back from the White Sea, hitting a target at the Kura training ground in Kamchatka with a missile.

"Generalissimo Suvorov" is the second serial strategic nuclear missile carrier of the modernized project "Borey-A". Laid down on December 26, 2014, decommissioned on December 25, 2021, launched on January 11, 2022. Underwater displacement - 24,000 tons, diving depth - 480 meters, crew - 107 people, autonomy - 90 days, underwater speed - 29 knots. It is armed with R-30 Bulava SLBM, 533 mm torpedoes, RPK-6M Vodopad torpedo missiles. It has high maneuverability and acoustic stealth.

https://topwar.ru/204662-vtoroj-serijnyj-atomnyj-podvodnyj-raketonosec-proekta-borej-a-zavershil-gosudarstvennye-ispytanija.html

AMCXXL wrote:The strategic nuclear submarine cruiser Generalissimo Suvorov has completed state tests
and the shooting of the Bulava from the White Sea at the Kura range in Kamchatka was the finishing touch. Mikhail Budnichenko, General Director of Sevmash, spoke about this.


The general director of the enterprise watched the firing of the nuclear submarine cruiser, being on the escort vessel. According to Budnichenko, the crew of the submarine and the commissioning team of Sevmash carried out all the necessary tests. Now the Generalissimo Suvorov will return to Sevmash for a final audit and preparation for transfer to the combat strength of the Russian Navy, which should take place before the end of the year.

"Generalissimo Suvorov" completed all stages of testing, having completed several exits to the sea. The ship's systems have been tested in various modes. Further, on the nuclear submarine, the agro-industrial complex will be prepared for transfer to the Navy

The final test was the launch of the Bulava ballistic missile on November 3 from a submerged position. APRKSN fired back from the White Sea, hitting a target at the Kura training ground in Kamchatka with a missile.

"Generalissimo Suvorov" is the second serial strategic nuclear missile carrier of the modernized project "Borey-A". Laid down on December 26, 2014, decommissioned on December 25, 2021, launched on January 11, 2022. Underwater displacement - 24,000 tons, diving depth - 480 meters, crew - 107 people, autonomy - 90 days, underwater speed - 29 knots. It is armed with R-30 Bulava SLBM, 533 mm torpedoes, RPK-6M Vodopad torpedo missiles. It has high maneuverability and acoustic stealth.

https://topwar.ru/204662-vtoroj-serijnyj-atomnyj-podvodnyj-raketonosec-proekta-borej-a-zavershil-gosudarstvennye-ispytanija.html

Generalissimus Suvorov was launched on December 25, 2021, not decommissioned.
Well, I follow your posts and see that you know what you are writing about (especially for the Air Force), so I know that this text was published in a hurry..
The submarine "Suvorov" was launched on January 11, 2022, while it was pulled out of Tsekh No. 55 on December 25, 2021.
This submarine will reach operational status the fastest of all Borei project submarines (09551 Borei and 09552 Borei-A).

* K-549 Knyaz Vladimir; launched on November 17, 2017; underwent sea trials for the first time on November 28, 2018; On May 28, 2020, the acceptance act on joining the Russian Navy was signed, while the submarine joined the 31st Submarine Division of the NF on June 12, 2020 - when the flag of Saint Andrew was raised.

* K-552 Prince Oleg; launched on July 16, 2020; first time on sea trials on May 30, 2021; the acceptance act was signed on December 16, 2021, and on December 21, 2021, the flag of St. Andrew was raised on the submarine and it became part of the 25th submarine division in TOF.

* K-553 Generalissimus Suvorov; it was pulled out of Tsekh No. 55 on December 25, 2021 and launched on the water on January 11, 2022; for the first time on sea trials from July 20, 2022. There is every chance that the submarine will be handed over to the Russian Navy by the end of the year.


* K-XXX Emperor Alexander III; If Suvorov was launched in January of this year and there are great chances that it will enter the active composition of the Russian fleet in December 2022, then we can expect the same with this submarine.

The pace of construction of Borei submarines has been increased, and the period from launch to commissioning date has been particularly shortened.

Hail the beast; K-552 "Knyaz Oleg"...

Generational change...
Borei submarines soon take the lead in relation to "Delphin" submarines.
The moment the K-553 "Generalissimus Suvorov" strategic submarine enters active service, the "Borei" and "Borei-A" project submarines will become the backbone of the Russian nuclear triad at sea.
6 out of 7 submarines 667 BDRM Dolphin submarines are currently active. Five submarines serve their basic purpose, as strategic submarines, while the BS-64 "Podmoskovye" submarine has been converted into a special purpose submarine. Submarine K-84 Ekaterinburg has reportedly been decommissioned but I think that "Ekaterinburg" is still in a reserve.


K-549 "Knyaz Vladimir" (Project 955A "Borei-A") and ond the right side is K-84 "Ekaterinburg" (Project 667BDRM "Dolphin").

Arrow wrote:Finally, the new Russian SSBNs do not have this characteristic hump for launchers. It certainly did not have a positive effect on the acoustic characteristics.

"Dolphin" submarines are good, bro, but there is no doubt that the Borei (and Borei-A) is far more modern in all parameters - you are certainly right.
ALAMO wrote that they were all thoroughly modernized, which is true, and they all received "Sineva" SLBMs.
They did the job they were built to do and they're still doing the job - great. I appreciate that you like the navy too.

Indeed. They even had many special missions for the dolphin ballistic missiles. Thry had some with extra stages to test launching small satellites into orbit. A safeguard I think for the big war when satellites would get knocked out. I even heard of testing non nuclear payloads like tungsten rods and even tungsten rods with nuclear payload to destroy the heaviest bunkers.

Nice pic of Kynaz Vladimir in the boathouse prior to her launch.

Finally, the new Russian SSBNs do not have this characteristic hump for launchers. It certainly did not have a positive effect on the acoustic characteristics.

Once they reach their patrol area most of the time an SSBN will lurk at very low speed so its shape is not really very critically important.... they normally don't rush around at high speed for any reason so their enlarged shape does not effect the amount of noise they make by a large margin.

26.12.2022
RIA Novosti

Sevmash plans to optimize testing of Borei and Yasen submarines
Sevmash optimizes tests of Borei and Yasen submarines, which will save 600 million rubles


Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Tests of the Borey-class submarine missile carrier. Archive photo


MOSCOW, December 26 - RIA Novosti. Sevmash (part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation, USC) plans to optimize the methodology for factory testing of nuclear submarines of the Borey-A and Yasen-M projects being built at the shipyard, which will save more than 600 million rubles, the press service of Sevmash reported on Monday .

"The working group analyzed the end-to-end process of manufacturing order bodies for the Borey-A and Yasen-M projects, from the issuance of materials to the stage of hydraulic testing on the slipway. Based on the results of the analysis, a set of measures was proposed and implemented to optimize the sequence of work, intrashop and intershop logistics, as well as a number of other organizational and technological improvements.
The economic effect of reducing the duration and labor intensity of hull work amounted to more than 600 million rubles," the press service said.

It is clarified that optimization affects all shipbuilding specializations, including hull, mechanical, pipe fitting and outfitting works. The working group included the heads and specialists of the warehousing shop, the hull processing shop, the hull-welding, slipway-delivery production, the scientific and technological department, the planning and dispatching department and the product quality department.

"In accordance with the principle of continuous improvement, in 2023, the next cycle of analysis of the production and management processes of the company, the development and implementation of plans to improve their efficiency is planned," Mikhail Budnichenko, General Director of the enterprise, is quoted at Sevmash.

Project 955A "Borey-A" strategic missile submarines have been built at Sevmash since 2012 according to a modified project of the 955 "Borey" family and belong to the fourth generation of nuclear submarines. The ships are armed with 16 Bulava ballistic missiles and are designed to carry out tasks of strategic nuclear deterrence. There are three Project 955 boats and three 955A boats in service. Four more 955A boats are in various stages of construction.

Sevmash is also building multi-purpose nuclear submarines with Project 885M Yasen-M cruise missiles, which are a modernized version of Project 885. Yaseni are armed with Caliber and Oniks cruise missiles, and in the future it is planned to equip the boats with Zircon hypersonic missiles. The Russian Navy now has one boat of project 885 and two - 885M. Another six modernized "Yasen" in different stages of construction.

https://ria.ru/20221226/ispytaniya-1841430719.html

Despite this, the designers are constantly striving to lower the hydroacoustic signature of the SSBN:D The Borey-A has much smoother shapes than the previous SSBNs, for sure it has a better effect on the hydroacoustics caused by the sound of the water flowing over the hull. Of course, many other solutions have been used, thanks to which these new SSBNs are probably very quiet.

You could say that but you are not really being fair to the Soviet sub designers... the fact of the matter is that the Delta class subs were upgraded instead of being replaced during a period when SLBMs dramatically increased in range and size and so rather than develop new subs they modified the in service subs for the very reason that once on station they didn't have to move very far or very fast to launch their missiles.

More importantly the enlarged missiles have the added range that these launch locations can be enormous distances from any place an enemy could safely operate.

It made more sense to put bumps on the subs than keep using short ranged missiles forcing the subs to get close to the enemy to launch their missiles.

December 29, 11:30 am
updated December 29, 12:39

The ships "Generalissimo Suvorov", "Anatoly Shlemov", "Grad" were accepted into the Russian Navy


Russian President Vladimir Putin gave the command to raise the flag on the new ships of the Navy
Upper left corner; the introduction of the small missile ship "Grad" into the active composition of the Russian Navy.
Upper right corner; Emperor Alexander III,
Lower left corner; Generalissimo Suvorov,
Lower right corner; Anatoly Shlemov

MOSCOW, 29 December. /TASS/. The naval flag was hoisted on Thursday on the Generalissimo Suvorov nuclear submarine, the Grad small missile ship, and the Anatoly Shlemov sea minesweeper.

This marks the acceptance of the ships into the Russian Navy. Russian President Vladimir Putin also took part in the ceremony.

"I allow the hoisting of the naval flag on ships entering the Navy," the head of state gave the command. "The ships have been accepted into the Navy," Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported at the end of the ceremony.

"Generalissimo Suvorov"

The Generalissimo Suvorov is the sixth missile carrier of the Borey-A family of Russian strategic nuclear submarines. Such ships are capable of carrying 16 Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles. "Generalissimo Suvorov" was assigned to the Pacific Fleet. The start of sea trials of the seventh submarine missile carrier (Emperor Alexander III, was launched during today's ceremony) is scheduled for June next year. As part of the current state armament program, it is planned to build and transfer four more submarines of the Borey-A project.

"Grad"

The Grad small rocket ship is the tenth in a series of twelve ships of the Buyan-M project. They have proven their effectiveness in a special military operation, as well as in solving combat missions in Syria.

"Grad" enters the formation of missile ships of the Baltic Fleet. The ship is equipped with the latest missile and artillery, as well as anti-sabotage, anti-aircraft and electronic weapons.

"Anatoly Shlemov"

The sea minesweeper "Anatoly Shlemov" belongs to a new generation of mine defense ships and is the seventh minesweeper of project 12700. It was named in honor of Vice Admiral Anatoly Fedorovich Shlemov, who served in the Main Directorate of Shipbuilding of the Navy, and then worked as director of the state defense order department of the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC).

In the medium term, it is planned to create ten more ships of this class. A feature of these ships is a modern anti-mine system and high maneuverability, as well as a fiberglass hull invisible to magnetic fuses of sea mines. The mass of such a case is much lower compared to a metal case, while its strength is significantly increased. The hull of the minesweeper is not afraid of corrosion, and its service life is not limited.

"Anatoly Shlemov" enters the Pacific Fleet.

https://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/16713883




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December 29, 11:39 am
updated December 29, 12:25

The nuclear submarine "Imperator Alexander III" was launched into the water

This is the seventh missile carrier of the Borey and Borey-A family of Russian strategic nuclear submarines.

MOSCOW, 29 December. /TASS/. The nuclear submarine "Imperator Alexander III" was launched on Thursday. Russian President Vladimir Putin also took part in the ceremony.
Imperator Alexander III is the seventh missile carrier of the Borey-A family of Russian strategic nuclear submarines. Such ships are capable of carrying 16 Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles. The start of sea trials of the submarine missile carrier "Emperor Alexander III" is scheduled for June next year. The previous, sixth missile carrier of the family (Generalissimo Suvorov) was accepted into the Navy during today's ceremony.

As part of the current state armament program, it is planned to build and transfer four more submarines of the Borey-A project.

Submarines "Borey" and "Borey-A" were developed by the Central Design Bureau of Marine Engineering "Rubin". According to the military department, Borey-A differs from the submarines of the basic project in lower noise, better systems for maneuvering and keeping at depth, as well as an improved weapon control system.

https://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/16713917

Podlodka77 wrote:

The ships "Generalissimo Suvorov", "Anatoly Shlemov", "Grad" were accepted into the Russian Navy

Very good news !!!  

It is already a tradition that Christmas gifts arrive from Santa Claus in the form of Nuclear Submarines


Since 2013, 10 nuclear submarines have been received, including 6 SSBN Borey´s, this is the half of planned necesary SSBN´s

Hopefully next Christmas there will be more gifts of this type

 AMCXXL Today at 7:34 pm

It's good news, I agree, but I also expected the K-571 "Krasnoyarsk" submarine.
Maybe tomorrow, who knows...
I know that submarine "Kranoyarsk" is more or less ready, but it has not yet entered active service.
I expect that to happen soon and I expect the K-564 "Arkhangelsk" to be launched soon.
However, 3 submarines is not a small number in one year; K-329 "Belgorod", K-553 "Generalissimus Suvorov" and B-588 "Ufa".

If we take for example that the Russian Navy receives 3 submarines each year, that is 60 submarines in 20 years. That's actually a very high pace. Next year will surely be more fruitful than this one.

K-553 "Generalissimus Suvorov"
Status; in active service...