Russian Navy : Discussions and Updates
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Kinzhal hyper-sonic missile and it was air-launched. Thank you.
WATCH Russia’s hypersonic Kinzhal missile IN ACTION during large-scale drills in the Black Sea (VIDEO)
The Kinzhal was launched from the MiG-31 but a ship launches a missile after that.
Russian Submarine Nuclear - Russian Submarine Laika
Russia Unveils Laika, Its Next-Gen Nuclear Attack Submarine
It looks like an exotic sea creature.
By Kyle Mizokami
Feb 24, 2020
MALACHITE DESIGN BUREAU
The Russian Federation retains one of the largest submarine fleets in the world, including nuclear and conventional attack submarines, guided missile submarines armed with cruise missiles, and ballistic missile submarines armed with long range nuclear weapons. Although large, the fleet has a secret: many of the ships are decades old and in need of replacement. Of the 16 nuclear-powered attack submarines in operation, almost all were built by the Soviet Union before the end of the Cold War.
The new Borei-class ballistic missile submarine Kynaz Vladimir, 2019.
SERGEI BOBYLEVGETTY IMAGES
The submarine arm of the Russian Navy, like most of the Russian military, suffered for decades after the end of the Soviet Union. Only recently has the submarine force gained new ships, including the new Borei-class ballistic missile submarines and Yasen-class guided missile submarines. Like the USSR, Russia considers submarines useful in a rivalry with the West, as they could threaten U.S. aircraft carriers and threaten enemy shipping.
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The Laika class is the third new post-Cold War submarine scheduled to enter production and will replace the Akula (“Shark”) and Victor (NATO code name) submarine classes. According to submarine authority H.I. Sutton, author of the Covert Shores website and contributor at Naval News, the Laika class will incorporate many new design features to allow Russia’s attack submarine fleet to catch up to western standards.
The Laika class is being developed by the Malachite design Bureau in St. Petersburg, Russia. The submarines will displace 11,340 tons, making them considerably larger than the U.S. Navy’s current Virginia class submarines at 8,700 tons. Sutton reports the nuclear-powered submarine will have a top speed of 35 knots, or about the equivalent of 40 miles per hour on land. It will have a maximum dive capability of 1,698 feet. The maximum depth of the Virginia class is secret, but it's known to be at least 800 feet, and probably closer to 1,600 feet.
The Virginia-class submarine USS Indiana, showing more of a prominent, taller sail than the Laika class.
NURPHOTOGETTY IMAGES
The new submarine is in line with Russian submarines in having more of an “organic” look than many western subs. While U.S. submarines have large, conspicuous sails and a tubular, almost pencil-like design, Russian submarines tend to have thicker, wider hulls and a lower, longer sail. As a result, Russian subs tend to look more like exotic sea creatures than their American, British, and French counterparts.
RELATED STORIES
Russia Launches the World’s Longest Submarine
Navy Pilot Says ‘Dark Mass’ Made Torpedo Disappear
One of the First Hypersonic Weapons Rides on Subs
The submarines have some catching up to do and will feature a conformal sonar array that wraps around the hull, providing sound detection in all directions. The submarine likely has about eight 533-millimeter (21-inch) torpedo tubes, the size standard used by navies worldwide, including the U.S. Navy. The torpedo tubes will launch heavyweight guided torpedoes for use against other submarines and surface ships. The submarines will also have up to 16 vertical launch missile silos for Kh-35 anti-ship missiles and Klub land attack cruise missiles.
Russia plans to replace its aging Akula- and Victor-class submarines on more or less of a 1:1 basis, which means about a dozen Laika boats. That depends, however, on how trouble-free the development of this new class of submarines is, and the health of the Russian economy. Moscow’s Borei- and Yasen-class missile submarines each spent nearly two decades in development due not only to their complexity, but a lack of funds to complete production, too. While Russia’s economy has since improved, a global economic downturn, Western sanctions over Moscow’s assassination campaign abroad, and annexation of the Crimea could threaten economic growth.
Russia Unveils Laika, Its Next-Gen Nuclear Attack Submarine
It looks like an exotic sea creature.
By Kyle Mizokami
Feb 24, 2020
MALACHITE DESIGN BUREAU
- The designs for Russia’s next class of nuclear attack submarine, the Laika class, were recently revealed.
- The Laika ships will replace the existing Alfa-class boats, which have been in production for nearly 50 years.
- The new submarines will embark regular guided torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and land attack cruise missiles.
The Russian Federation retains one of the largest submarine fleets in the world, including nuclear and conventional attack submarines, guided missile submarines armed with cruise missiles, and ballistic missile submarines armed with long range nuclear weapons. Although large, the fleet has a secret: many of the ships are decades old and in need of replacement. Of the 16 nuclear-powered attack submarines in operation, almost all were built by the Soviet Union before the end of the Cold War.
The new Borei-class ballistic missile submarine Kynaz Vladimir, 2019.
SERGEI BOBYLEVGETTY IMAGES
The submarine arm of the Russian Navy, like most of the Russian military, suffered for decades after the end of the Soviet Union. Only recently has the submarine force gained new ships, including the new Borei-class ballistic missile submarines and Yasen-class guided missile submarines. Like the USSR, Russia considers submarines useful in a rivalry with the West, as they could threaten U.S. aircraft carriers and threaten enemy shipping.
MORE FROM POPULAR MECHANICS
Instant Stitches
Play Video
The Laika class is the third new post-Cold War submarine scheduled to enter production and will replace the Akula (“Shark”) and Victor (NATO code name) submarine classes. According to submarine authority H.I. Sutton, author of the Covert Shores website and contributor at Naval News, the Laika class will incorporate many new design features to allow Russia’s attack submarine fleet to catch up to western standards.
The Laika class is being developed by the Malachite design Bureau in St. Petersburg, Russia. The submarines will displace 11,340 tons, making them considerably larger than the U.S. Navy’s current Virginia class submarines at 8,700 tons. Sutton reports the nuclear-powered submarine will have a top speed of 35 knots, or about the equivalent of 40 miles per hour on land. It will have a maximum dive capability of 1,698 feet. The maximum depth of the Virginia class is secret, but it's known to be at least 800 feet, and probably closer to 1,600 feet.
The Virginia-class submarine USS Indiana, showing more of a prominent, taller sail than the Laika class.
NURPHOTOGETTY IMAGES
The new submarine is in line with Russian submarines in having more of an “organic” look than many western subs. While U.S. submarines have large, conspicuous sails and a tubular, almost pencil-like design, Russian submarines tend to have thicker, wider hulls and a lower, longer sail. As a result, Russian subs tend to look more like exotic sea creatures than their American, British, and French counterparts.
RELATED STORIES
Russia Launches the World’s Longest SubmarineNavy Pilot Says ‘Dark Mass’ Made Torpedo DisappearOne of the First Hypersonic Weapons Rides on SubsThe submarines have some catching up to do and will feature a conformal sonar array that wraps around the hull, providing sound detection in all directions. The submarine likely has about eight 533-millimeter (21-inch) torpedo tubes, the size standard used by navies worldwide, including the U.S. Navy. The torpedo tubes will launch heavyweight guided torpedoes for use against other submarines and surface ships. The submarines will also have up to 16 vertical launch missile silos for Kh-35 anti-ship missiles and Klub land attack cruise missiles.
Russia plans to replace its aging Akula- and Victor-class submarines on more or less of a 1:1 basis, which means about a dozen Laika boats. That depends, however, on how trouble-free the development of this new class of submarines is, and the health of the Russian economy. Moscow’s Borei- and Yasen-class missile submarines each spent nearly two decades in development due not only to their complexity, but a lack of funds to complete production, too. While Russia’s economy has since improved, a global economic downturn, Western sanctions over Moscow’s assassination campaign abroad, and annexation of the Crimea could threaten economic growth.
Video Shows Thrusters, Sauna, Other Features Of Russia's Newest Ballistic Missile Submarine
A guided tour of sorts of the first of Russia's nuclear-powered Project 955A Borei-A class ballistic missile submarines, the Knyaz Vladimir, one of the country's most advanced types, which is in the very final stages of construction, is something that promises to be interesting from the start. With the Russian Navy's submarine force and its activities being major topics of discussion recently, including within the U.S. government, as well as the public at large, it's something even more worth watching now.
TV Zvezda, the official television channel of the Russian Ministry of Defense, released a special on the Knyaz Vladimir, which is also known by the hull number K-549, on Mar. 7, 2020. This submarine is the first of the improved Borei-A subclass and has been under construction at the Sevmash shipyard since 2012. It conducted initial sea trails in 2018, followed by a second phase of at-sea testing last year, which included the launch of an RSM-56 Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile from one of its 16 missile tubes. Unspecified issues have delayed the ship's commissioning, which is presently scheduled to occur in May. The Russian Navy already has three regular Project 955 Borei class submarines in service.
It's not clear when TV Zvezda actually shot the footage for the special, but says its the first time any media outlet has been onboard Knyaz Vladimir. The video very clearly shows work continuing on the outside and the inside of the submarine.
TV Zvezda's reporter similarly gets a look at various features of the boat, inside and out. Among the most interesting segments of the special is a close-up look at one of the submarine's two auxiliary thrusters.
Veteran U.S. Navy submariner Eric Moreno, a friend of The War Zone and the man behind the Reddit page R/Submarines and the Tac Ops podcast, highlighted on Twitter that the thruster appears to have an advanced type of shrouded propeller. The tips of the blades are welded to ring that rides inside the propeller shroud.
This design would make the thrusters quieter, especially by reducing the noisy cavitation that the tips of the blades would create if they were exposed. This is one of the reasons why enclosed pump-jet propulsors have become increasingly the standard design for the main screws on military submarines, something that veteran U.S. Navy submariner Aaron 'Jive Turkey' Amick, another friend of the War Zone, has explained in detail in this past, as you can read about in this previous War Zone piece. He also explains the benefits of shrouded propellers versus standard types.
Being as quiet as possible is absolutely critical for a submarine's survival. So, it's not surprising that the Borei and Borei-A class boats feature pump-jet propulsors, too, something not typically found on most earlier Soviet-era submarine designs. The Project 955 design was actually the first Russian nuclear-powered submarine type to use this type of propulsion system ever. Russia has claimed that even the initial three Boreis are substantially quieter than the latest variants of the Cold War-era Akula class attack submarines, understood to be some of the Russian Navy's most advanced types.
Pump-jets, however, are not particularly efficient at the low-end of a submarine's performance envelope. The auxiliary thrusters offer the benefit of additional power during low-speed cruising, which also helps reduce the noise a submarine makes. Other Russian submarines, with and without pump-jets, such as the Akulas, as well as other types in service around the world, including the U.K. Royal Navy's Vanguard class ballistic missile submarines, have similar thrusters for these same reasons.
It's important to note that the Boreis, and future Borei-As, are critical parts of Russia's second-strike nuclear deterrent. Their entire purpose is to disappear into the vast expanses of the ocean and remain as concealed as possible. As a result, sailing around slowly and quietly at low speed is especially relevant to them, making the thrusters a particularly valuable addition to the design.
Compared to the original Project 955 design, the 955As have other major structural differences, including the streamlining of the hull to remove the box-like missile tube structure behind the sail, a redesign of the rudders and vertical endplates, and a change in the shape of the sail. These alterations, coupled with other improvements, are supposed to give the Borei-As better maneuverability and efficiency, as well as a reduced acoustic signature overall. The boats also have updated communications and sonar suites.
Russian Ministry of Defense
The Project 955 Borei class ballistic missile submarine Alexander Nevsky.
HoteitH via Wikimedia
A low-quality image of Knyaz Vladimir, the first Project 955A Borei-A class submarine, during sea trials either in 2018 or 2019.
TV Zvezda capture
Another view of the streamlined lines of the Knyaz Vladimir.
TV Zvezda's tour also highlights various internal compartments, including a medical bay, a mess, and crew berths. The berthing areas we see in the footage feature sound systems that individuals can use to play music, including via headphones, when they're off duty.
TV Zvezda capture
A view inside one of the berthing areas. The black box in the corner is the sound system that sailors can use to listen to music.
There is also what appears to be an officer's lounge or recreation area with red-cushioned sofas and chairs, wood-paneled closets and cabinets, a large television, a coffee maker, and other amenities. There are also a number of Russian Orthodox icons on the wall, which is not entirely surprising.
TV Zvezda capture
TV Zvezda capture
TV Zvezda capture
Under President Vladimir Putin, the Russian military has significantly expanded its relationship with the Russian Orthodox Church. Patriarch Kirill is a major Putin ally. However, recently, there has been growing debate, even from within, about the morality of the Church being so heavily involved in military affairs, including in the blessing of weapon systems, especially weapons of mass destruction, such as nuclear-armed ballistic missiles.
Lastly, TV Zvezda's reporter doesn't miss an opportunity to see Knyaz Vladimir's aspen-wood-walled banya, or sauna, a distinctly Russian feature on the submarine. It's not clear if the original Project 955 design included the sauna or not, but Vitaliy Bukovskiy, a Sevmash shipyard official, made clear that each of the Project 955As will have one, capable of accomodating three to four people at a time, in an interview with state-run media outlet TASS in December 2019.
TV Zvezda capture
Inside Knyaz Vladimir's banya.
The banya is a big deal in Russia and having one on board the submarine would be an important morale boost, especially on extended deterrent patrols. Knyaz Vladimir wouldn't be the first Russian submarine to have this feature, either. The Soviet-era Typhoon class ballistic missile submarines, of which only one remains in service today, had one of these saunas, as well as a small pool.
All told the television special on Knyaz Vladimir is a fascinating look at one of Russia's most advanced submarines that highlights a number of interesting and unique features. Feel free to let us known in the comments section below if we've missed anything else, too!
Video Shows Thrusters, Sauna, Other Features Of Russia's Newest Ballistic Missile Submarine
A guided tour of sorts of the first of Russia's nuclear-powered Project 955A Borei-A class ballistic missile submarines, the Knyaz Vladimir, one of the country's most advanced types, which is in the very final stages of construction, is something that promises to be interesting from the start. With the Russian Navy's submarine force and its activities being major topics of discussion recently, including within the U.S. government, as well as the public at large, it's something even more worth watching now.
TV Zvezda, the official television channel of the Russian Ministry of Defense, released a special on the Knyaz Vladimir, which is also known by the hull number K-549, on Mar. 7, 2020. This submarine is the first of the improved Borei-A subclass and has been under construction at the Sevmash shipyard since 2012. It conducted initial sea trails in 2018, followed by a second phase of at-sea testing last year, which included the launch of an RSM-56 Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile from one of its 16 missile tubes. Unspecified issues have delayed the ship's commissioning, which is presently scheduled to occur in May. The Russian Navy already has three regular Project 955 Borei class submarines in service.
It's not clear when TV Zvezda actually shot the footage for the special, but says its the first time any media outlet has been onboard Knyaz Vladimir. The video very clearly shows work continuing on the outside and the inside of the submarine.
TV Zvezda's reporter similarly gets a look at various features of the boat, inside and out. Among the most interesting segments of the special is a close-up look at one of the submarine's two auxiliary thrusters.
Veteran U.S. Navy submariner Eric Moreno, a friend of The War Zone and the man behind the Reddit page R/Submarines and the Tac Ops podcast, highlighted on Twitter that the thruster appears to have an advanced type of shrouded propeller. The tips of the blades are welded to ring that rides inside the propeller shroud.
This design would make the thrusters quieter, especially by reducing the noisy cavitation that the tips of the blades would create if they were exposed. This is one of the reasons why enclosed pump-jet propulsors have become increasingly the standard design for the main screws on military submarines, something that veteran U.S. Navy submariner Aaron 'Jive Turkey' Amick, another friend of the War Zone, has explained in detail in this past, as you can read about in this previous War Zone piece. He also explains the benefits of shrouded propellers versus standard types.
Being as quiet as possible is absolutely critical for a submarine's survival. So, it's not surprising that the Borei and Borei-A class boats feature pump-jet propulsors, too, something not typically found on most earlier Soviet-era submarine designs. The Project 955 design was actually the first Russian nuclear-powered submarine type to use this type of propulsion system ever. Russia has claimed that even the initial three Boreis are substantially quieter than the latest variants of the Cold War-era Akula class attack submarines, understood to be some of the Russian Navy's most advanced types.
Pump-jets, however, are not particularly efficient at the low-end of a submarine's performance envelope. The auxiliary thrusters offer the benefit of additional power during low-speed cruising, which also helps reduce the noise a submarine makes. Other Russian submarines, with and without pump-jets, such as the Akulas, as well as other types in service around the world, including the U.K. Royal Navy's Vanguard class ballistic missile submarines, have similar thrusters for these same reasons.
It's important to note that the Boreis, and future Borei-As, are critical parts of Russia's second-strike nuclear deterrent. Their entire purpose is to disappear into the vast expanses of the ocean and remain as concealed as possible. As a result, sailing around slowly and quietly at low speed is especially relevant to them, making the thrusters a particularly valuable addition to the design.
Compared to the original Project 955 design, the 955As have other major structural differences, including the streamlining of the hull to remove the box-like missile tube structure behind the sail, a redesign of the rudders and vertical endplates, and a change in the shape of the sail. These alterations, coupled with other improvements, are supposed to give the Borei-As better maneuverability and efficiency, as well as a reduced acoustic signature overall. The boats also have updated communications and sonar suites.
Russian Ministry of Defense
The Project 955 Borei class ballistic missile submarine Alexander Nevsky.
HoteitH via Wikimedia
A low-quality image of Knyaz Vladimir, the first Project 955A Borei-A class submarine, during sea trials either in 2018 or 2019.
TV Zvezda capture
Another view of the streamlined lines of the Knyaz Vladimir.
TV Zvezda's tour also highlights various internal compartments, including a medical bay, a mess, and crew berths. The berthing areas we see in the footage feature sound systems that individuals can use to play music, including via headphones, when they're off duty.
TV Zvezda capture
A view inside one of the berthing areas. The black box in the corner is the sound system that sailors can use to listen to music.
There is also what appears to be an officer's lounge or recreation area with red-cushioned sofas and chairs, wood-paneled closets and cabinets, a large television, a coffee maker, and other amenities. There are also a number of Russian Orthodox icons on the wall, which is not entirely surprising.
TV Zvezda capture
TV Zvezda capture
TV Zvezda capture
Under President Vladimir Putin, the Russian military has significantly expanded its relationship with the Russian Orthodox Church. Patriarch Kirill is a major Putin ally. However, recently, there has been growing debate, even from within, about the morality of the Church being so heavily involved in military affairs, including in the blessing of weapon systems, especially weapons of mass destruction, such as nuclear-armed ballistic missiles.
Lastly, TV Zvezda's reporter doesn't miss an opportunity to see Knyaz Vladimir's aspen-wood-walled banya, or sauna, a distinctly Russian feature on the submarine. It's not clear if the original Project 955 design included the sauna or not, but Vitaliy Bukovskiy, a Sevmash shipyard official, made clear that each of the Project 955As will have one, capable of accomodating three to four people at a time, in an interview with state-run media outlet TASS in December 2019.
TV Zvezda capture
Inside Knyaz Vladimir's banya.
The banya is a big deal in Russia and having one on board the submarine would be an important morale boost, especially on extended deterrent patrols. Knyaz Vladimir wouldn't be the first Russian submarine to have this feature, either. The Soviet-era Typhoon class ballistic missile submarines, of which only one remains in service today, had one of these saunas, as well as a small pool.
All told the television special on Knyaz Vladimir is a fascinating look at one of Russia's most advanced submarines that highlights a number of interesting and unique features. Feel free to let us known in the comments section below if we've missed anything else, too!
Video Shows Thrusters, Sauna, Other Features Of Russia's Newest Ballistic Missile Submarine
Russia’s Borei-class & Delta IV-class SSBNs to Deploy Burak-M EW Buoys
Defense Ministry sources said the buoys are on trials with Russian submarines. Burak-M is an electronic warfare device. It is discharged by a submarine to the water surface, activates and operates as a jammer. It jams the communication channels of acoustic buoys — submarine detection stations dropped by adversary airplanes and helicopters.
The fight against such stations is very important for the Russian Navy. NATO countries engage such buoys to search for submarines, expert Igor Kurdin said. “In particular, the United States has recently upgraded Orion antisubmarine aircraft. It is armed with magnetometers, acoustic and other equipment to detect submarines. The aircraft drops buoys in the area of a detected submarine. The equipment lowers hydrophones to a specific depth to determine the exact coordinates of the submarine,” he said.
Disrupted communications between the antisubmarine aircraft and the buoys make their use senseless and allows a submarine to escape. The Russian Navy has not had such systems before, the expert said.
Turboprop Orion P-3 was the main NATO antisubmarine aircraft in the Cold War and after it. Close to 700 aircraft were produced. Today Poseidon P-8 jet aircraft developed from passenger Boeing 737-800 is replacing Orion. The new aircraft has upgraded onboard equipment and longer patrol time. The speed allows the aircraft to quickly approach the position for submarine search. The first P-8 were delivered to the US Navy in 2013. A total of 177 submarine hunters have to be procured. Great Britain and India also procured Poseidon.
An aerial starboard bow view of a Russian Navy Northern Fleet DELTA IV class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine underway on the surface, supposedly this is K-18 “Karelia”. Date Shot: 1 Jan 1994. US DoD picture.
The new Russian buoys have to promote covert operations of SSBN of projects 667BDRM and 955 which are the backbone of the naval component of the Russian strategic nuclear forces. All Russian SSBN are operated by the Northern and Pacific fleets. Fourth-generation nuclear Borey-A-class submarines of projects 955 and 955A have to become the backbone of the Russian strategic nuclear naval force and replace project 677BDRM and the last Kalmar-class submarines of project 667BDR and 941.
Burak-M will be also used by Lada-class diesel-electric submarines of projects 636.3 and 677. The submarines have to destroy warships and U-boats, engage in patrol, reconnaissance, and defend communications in brown waters. They are armed with torpedoes and Kalibr cruise missiles, the Izvestia said.
Russia's Borei-class & Delta IV-class SSBNs to Deploy Burak-M EW Buoys - Naval News
Defense Ministry sources said the buoys are on trials with Russian submarines. Burak-M is an electronic warfare device. It is discharged by a submarine to the water surface, activates and operates as a jammer. It jams the communication channels of acoustic buoys — submarine detection stations dropped by adversary airplanes and helicopters.
The fight against such stations is very important for the Russian Navy. NATO countries engage such buoys to search for submarines, expert Igor Kurdin said. “In particular, the United States has recently upgraded Orion antisubmarine aircraft. It is armed with magnetometers, acoustic and other equipment to detect submarines. The aircraft drops buoys in the area of a detected submarine. The equipment lowers hydrophones to a specific depth to determine the exact coordinates of the submarine,” he said.
Disrupted communications between the antisubmarine aircraft and the buoys make their use senseless and allows a submarine to escape. The Russian Navy has not had such systems before, the expert said.
Turboprop Orion P-3 was the main NATO antisubmarine aircraft in the Cold War and after it. Close to 700 aircraft were produced. Today Poseidon P-8 jet aircraft developed from passenger Boeing 737-800 is replacing Orion. The new aircraft has upgraded onboard equipment and longer patrol time. The speed allows the aircraft to quickly approach the position for submarine search. The first P-8 were delivered to the US Navy in 2013. A total of 177 submarine hunters have to be procured. Great Britain and India also procured Poseidon.
An aerial starboard bow view of a Russian Navy Northern Fleet DELTA IV class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine underway on the surface, supposedly this is K-18 “Karelia”. Date Shot: 1 Jan 1994. US DoD picture.
The new Russian buoys have to promote covert operations of SSBN of projects 667BDRM and 955 which are the backbone of the naval component of the Russian strategic nuclear forces. All Russian SSBN are operated by the Northern and Pacific fleets. Fourth-generation nuclear Borey-A-class submarines of projects 955 and 955A have to become the backbone of the Russian strategic nuclear naval force and replace project 677BDRM and the last Kalmar-class submarines of project 667BDR and 941.
Burak-M will be also used by Lada-class diesel-electric submarines of projects 636.3 and 677. The submarines have to destroy warships and U-boats, engage in patrol, reconnaissance, and defend communications in brown waters. They are armed with torpedoes and Kalibr cruise missiles, the Izvestia said.
Russia's Borei-class & Delta IV-class SSBNs to Deploy Burak-M EW Buoys - Naval News
Russian Submarines Getting Countermeasures That Jam Sonobuoys Dropped By Enemy Aircraft
Russian Submarines Getting Countermeasures That Jam Sonobuoys Dropped By Enemy Aircraft
Russian ballistic missile submarines, as well as other types, will use these jammers to help escape from prowling anti-submarine warfare aircraft.
BY JOSEPH TREVITHICKMARCH 13, 2020
DOD
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Russia is reportedly working to equip certain classes of submarines, especially ballistic missile-armed types that form the core of its second-strike nuclear deterrent capabilities, with new expendable electronic warfare jammers. These are primarily meant to help protect the boats from sonobouys by preventing them from transmitting data to maritime patrol aircraft and anti-submarine helicopters flying above. This development comes as the United States, as well as its NATO allies, have been stepping up anti-submarine operations amid a notable uptick in Russian submarine activity.
Russian newspaper Izvestia first reported these developments on Mar. 12, 2020. It's unclear from their story whether the Russian Navy has begun taking delivery of these countermeasures, known as the Burak-M, already, or if they are still in development. Typically, in Russia's weapon naming conventions, an "M" at the end stands for the Russian word for "modernized," which could imply that there was an earlier Burak design that may already be in service.
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Izvestia said that Burak-M functions by floating the surface and then automatically activating its jamming system, which blocks sonobuoys from transmitting information gathered from their onboard acoustic sensors. It's unclear how submarines launch them in the first place, but the most likely method is via tubes that military submarines have in order to launch other countermeasures, such as acoustic decoys meant to counter homing torpedoes.
The report also did not give any approximate range far-reaching the Burak-M's jamming capabilities might be and whether it might be capable of scrambling other systems beyond sonobouys' communications and data links. Izvestia did indicate that the system was intended to provide sufficient room to maneuver for the launching submarine so that it could slink away from its pursuers.
Even if Burak-M's capabilities were limited to blocking the ability of these floating sensors to communicate with their launching aircraft and helicopters, it would still be a valuable addition to the overall countermeasures suite available to Russian submarines. Though anti-submarine warfare has evolved considerably since the end of World War II, sonobuoys remain a key tool for maritime patrol aircraft and anti-submarine helicopters. The U.S. Navy's latest P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol planes actually lack a magnetic anomaly detector (MAD), something that used to be a default for anti-submarine aircraft, in favor of an improved acoustic sensor system that includes sonobuoys.
During regular anti-submarine warfare operations, aircraft and helicopters will drop large sonobuoy arrays in order to fix the position of an opposing submarine and monitor its movements, something you can read about in more detail in this past War Zone piece. During an actual conflict, this might then allow the aircraft or helicopter orbiting above to directly engage the threat, or to feed that information to other assets, including ships and submarines in the area.
It is certainly possible for submarines to escape a sonobuoy net, especially nuclear-powered types or diesel-electric boats with advanced air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems, which can remain submerged for weeks or even months at a time. Improved designs with features to reduce their acoustic signature are difficult to detect in the first place. However, none of this completely eliminates the chances of being spotted and Burak-M would offer an additional option for a submarine looking to rapidly disengage from hostile aircraft or helicopters attempting to pin it down.
It's perhaps not surprising then that Izvestia said that the first submarines set to receive Burak-M would be the Russian Navy's ballistic missile boats, including the new Project 955 Borei and future Project 955A Borei-A classes, as well as the Project 677BDRM Delfin class, also known a the Delta IV class. It is critical to Russia's nuclear deterrent posture that these submarines remain as hidden as possible while on patrol to ensure their ability to launch nuclear retaliatory strikes, if necessary.
RUSSIAN MINISTRY OF DEFENSE
The Project 955 Borei class ballistic missile submarine Alexander Nevsky.
Project 636.3 Varshavyanka class attack submarines, also known as Improved Kilo class boats, as well as examples of the Project 677 Lada class, of which there is only one built so far, could also receive Burak-M. These are both diesel-electric types. The Project 636.3s notably lack an AIP system, meaning that persistent harassment from sonobuoys could potentially force them to surface, where they would be especially vulnerable, depending on how well charged their batteries are and the state of their oxygen supply during an engagement. One of these submarines caught snorkeling, or even recharging on the surface, could have to quickly dive and try to escape in a limited amount of time before having to resurface again.
RUSSIAN MINISTRY OF DEFENSE
The Project 636.3 Varshavyanka class attack submarine Krasnodar.
Burak-M is also just another example of the growing importance of electronic warfare to military forces around the world, especially in the maritime domain. Russia, in particular, has invested significant resources in developing advanced electronic warfare capabilities, but primarily for land-based applications.
The development of this new electronic warfare countermeasure comes as the United States, together with its NATO allies, have significantly stepped up anti-submarine operations in recent years. This has been in response to increased Russian submarine patrols, especially in the Atlantic Ocean and Arctic region.
Maritime patrol planes dropping sonobuoys have been a core part of those efforts to monitor Russia's submarine activities. This is reflected particularly well in U.S. Navy budget requests, the lastest of which, for the 2021 Fiscal Year, asks for nearly $238 million to buy tens of thousands of sonobuoys. The service is also looking to get almost $26.2 million more for sonobuoys in the supplemental Overseas Contingency Operations budget for this upcoming fiscal cycle.
USN
A naval aircrewman removes a sonobuoy from a rack inside a P-8A Posiedon.
This is less money than the Navy received for these air-dropped anti-submarine warfare sensors in the 2020 Fiscal Year budget, but still more than it got in the 2019 Fiscal Year budget. The service expects to continue buying sonobuoys every year at approximately the same rate through at least Fiscal Year 2025.
The United States, in particular, does not look like it will be scaling back its anti-submarine activities any time soon. The news about Burak-M may only be the start of more reports of Russia deploying other new countermeasures in response.
Russian Submarines Getting Countermeasures That Jam Sonobuoys Dropped By Enemy Aircraft
Russian ballistic missile submarines, as well as other types, will use these jammers to help escape from prowling anti-submarine warfare aircraft.
BY JOSEPH TREVITHICKMARCH 13, 2020
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Russia is reportedly working to equip certain classes of submarines, especially ballistic missile-armed types that form the core of its second-strike nuclear deterrent capabilities, with new expendable electronic warfare jammers. These are primarily meant to help protect the boats from sonobouys by preventing them from transmitting data to maritime patrol aircraft and anti-submarine helicopters flying above. This development comes as the United States, as well as its NATO allies, have been stepping up anti-submarine operations amid a notable uptick in Russian submarine activity.
Russian newspaper Izvestia first reported these developments on Mar. 12, 2020. It's unclear from their story whether the Russian Navy has begun taking delivery of these countermeasures, known as the Burak-M, already, or if they are still in development. Typically, in Russia's weapon naming conventions, an "M" at the end stands for the Russian word for "modernized," which could imply that there was an earlier Burak design that may already be in service.
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Izvestia said that Burak-M functions by floating the surface and then automatically activating its jamming system, which blocks sonobuoys from transmitting information gathered from their onboard acoustic sensors. It's unclear how submarines launch them in the first place, but the most likely method is via tubes that military submarines have in order to launch other countermeasures, such as acoustic decoys meant to counter homing torpedoes.
The report also did not give any approximate range far-reaching the Burak-M's jamming capabilities might be and whether it might be capable of scrambling other systems beyond sonobouys' communications and data links. Izvestia did indicate that the system was intended to provide sufficient room to maneuver for the launching submarine so that it could slink away from its pursuers.
Even if Burak-M's capabilities were limited to blocking the ability of these floating sensors to communicate with their launching aircraft and helicopters, it would still be a valuable addition to the overall countermeasures suite available to Russian submarines. Though anti-submarine warfare has evolved considerably since the end of World War II, sonobuoys remain a key tool for maritime patrol aircraft and anti-submarine helicopters. The U.S. Navy's latest P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol planes actually lack a magnetic anomaly detector (MAD), something that used to be a default for anti-submarine aircraft, in favor of an improved acoustic sensor system that includes sonobuoys.
During regular anti-submarine warfare operations, aircraft and helicopters will drop large sonobuoy arrays in order to fix the position of an opposing submarine and monitor its movements, something you can read about in more detail in this past War Zone piece. During an actual conflict, this might then allow the aircraft or helicopter orbiting above to directly engage the threat, or to feed that information to other assets, including ships and submarines in the area.
It is certainly possible for submarines to escape a sonobuoy net, especially nuclear-powered types or diesel-electric boats with advanced air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems, which can remain submerged for weeks or even months at a time. Improved designs with features to reduce their acoustic signature are difficult to detect in the first place. However, none of this completely eliminates the chances of being spotted and Burak-M would offer an additional option for a submarine looking to rapidly disengage from hostile aircraft or helicopters attempting to pin it down.
It's perhaps not surprising then that Izvestia said that the first submarines set to receive Burak-M would be the Russian Navy's ballistic missile boats, including the new Project 955 Borei and future Project 955A Borei-A classes, as well as the Project 677BDRM Delfin class, also known a the Delta IV class. It is critical to Russia's nuclear deterrent posture that these submarines remain as hidden as possible while on patrol to ensure their ability to launch nuclear retaliatory strikes, if necessary.
RUSSIAN MINISTRY OF DEFENSE
The Project 955 Borei class ballistic missile submarine Alexander Nevsky.
Project 636.3 Varshavyanka class attack submarines, also known as Improved Kilo class boats, as well as examples of the Project 677 Lada class, of which there is only one built so far, could also receive Burak-M. These are both diesel-electric types. The Project 636.3s notably lack an AIP system, meaning that persistent harassment from sonobuoys could potentially force them to surface, where they would be especially vulnerable, depending on how well charged their batteries are and the state of their oxygen supply during an engagement. One of these submarines caught snorkeling, or even recharging on the surface, could have to quickly dive and try to escape in a limited amount of time before having to resurface again.
RUSSIAN MINISTRY OF DEFENSE
The Project 636.3 Varshavyanka class attack submarine Krasnodar.
Burak-M is also just another example of the growing importance of electronic warfare to military forces around the world, especially in the maritime domain. Russia, in particular, has invested significant resources in developing advanced electronic warfare capabilities, but primarily for land-based applications.
The development of this new electronic warfare countermeasure comes as the United States, together with its NATO allies, have significantly stepped up anti-submarine operations in recent years. This has been in response to increased Russian submarine patrols, especially in the Atlantic Ocean and Arctic region.
Maritime patrol planes dropping sonobuoys have been a core part of those efforts to monitor Russia's submarine activities. This is reflected particularly well in U.S. Navy budget requests, the lastest of which, for the 2021 Fiscal Year, asks for nearly $238 million to buy tens of thousands of sonobuoys. The service is also looking to get almost $26.2 million more for sonobuoys in the supplemental Overseas Contingency Operations budget for this upcoming fiscal cycle.
USN
A naval aircrewman removes a sonobuoy from a rack inside a P-8A Posiedon.
This is less money than the Navy received for these air-dropped anti-submarine warfare sensors in the 2020 Fiscal Year budget, but still more than it got in the 2019 Fiscal Year budget. The service expects to continue buying sonobuoys every year at approximately the same rate through at least Fiscal Year 2025.
The United States, in particular, does not look like it will be scaling back its anti-submarine activities any time soon. The news about Burak-M may only be the start of more reports of Russia deploying other new countermeasures in response.
Russia's New Super Quiet Ballistic Missile Sub In “Final” Sea Trials After Years Of Delays
The Borei-A class Knyaz Vladimir is out for sea trials again and could get commissioned very soon after years of delays.
www.thedrive.com
Russia’s Newest Submarine Caught In Unusual Satellite Image
On Monday, a satellite passing over Russia’s arctic north captured an intriguing image. You can see a bright light, followed by a long plume stretching miles behind it. At first glance you could be forgiven for thinking that it has caught a rocket launch in mid-flight. But it is in fact Russia’s newest submarine, the Knyaz Vladimir.
The image was spotted by open-source intelligence expert Frank Bottema (twitter). Bottema was researching other vessel movements when he noticed what looked like a missile streaking out into the White Sea from the port city of Severodvinsk. Its location, and the fact that no warning notices or sea closures were reported (which can indicate missile tests) quickly pointed to something other than a missile test. But visually,it is unusual for a submarine to look like this in satellite imagery.
The sea conditions must be responsible for the wake remaining visible so far behind it. In fact you can trace the submarine right back to its berth in Severodvinsk. Knyaz Vladimir uses a pump-jet propulsor like the latest U.S. Navy Virginia Class boats and this may be contributing to the unusual wake.
Knyaz Vladimir is the first improved Borei-A Class ballistic missile submarine to join the Russian fleet. It was only formally commissioned into the fleet on June 12. The Russian Ministry of Defense subsequently announced (in Russian) that the submarine left Severodvinsk, where it was built, to transit to its operational home at Gadzhievo on the Kola Peninsular. There it will be part of Russia’s Northern Fleet and operate in the arctic.
This official Russian Navy photo shows Knyaz Vladimir on the White Sea. The disturbance of the ... [+]
The Borei-A class submarine is armed with 16 Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles. These have a range of about 5,000 miles, possibly more, and can carry 6-10 nuclear warheads. Each warhead is a MIRVs meaning a multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle. And each can be 100-150 kilotons. Altogether this means that the submarine is carrying up to 160 nuclear warheads totaling around 24 megatons.
The submarine also has to leave Severodvinsk to make room for Russia’s next new Submarine, the unique Pr.09851 Khabarovsk. That submarine will be armed with six giant Poseidon nuclear-powered intercontinental torpedoes. These are part of a range of ‘super weapons’ unveiled by President Putin in 2018. All three of the berths where new submarines are fitted out were taken, but with Knyaz Vladimir gone there will be room for the new boat.
According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, before it arrives in Gadzhievo the sub will conduct “planned combat training tasks in the waters of the White and Barents Seas". It will also “check the operation of the ship’s systems and mechanisms in various modes.” In fact in the satellite imagery there is a warship a few miles dead ahead of it, suggesting that it will rendezvous for exercises. This could possibly be a Admiral Gorshkov class guided missile frigate.
It is difficult to spot submarines on low resolution satellite imagery at the best of times, and even rarer to catch them at sea. Obviously once it submerges the submarine is hidden from the prying eyes in low earth orbit. At least the civilian ones we have access to! So chance images like this provide a rare glimpse at submarine operations.
www.forbes.com
On Monday, a satellite passing over Russia’s arctic north captured an intriguing image. You can see a bright light, followed by a long plume stretching miles behind it. At first glance you could be forgiven for thinking that it has caught a rocket launch in mid-flight. But it is in fact Russia’s newest submarine, the Knyaz Vladimir.
The image was spotted by open-source intelligence expert Frank Bottema (twitter). Bottema was researching other vessel movements when he noticed what looked like a missile streaking out into the White Sea from the port city of Severodvinsk. Its location, and the fact that no warning notices or sea closures were reported (which can indicate missile tests) quickly pointed to something other than a missile test. But visually,it is unusual for a submarine to look like this in satellite imagery.
The sea conditions must be responsible for the wake remaining visible so far behind it. In fact you can trace the submarine right back to its berth in Severodvinsk. Knyaz Vladimir uses a pump-jet propulsor like the latest U.S. Navy Virginia Class boats and this may be contributing to the unusual wake.
Knyaz Vladimir is the first improved Borei-A Class ballistic missile submarine to join the Russian fleet. It was only formally commissioned into the fleet on June 12. The Russian Ministry of Defense subsequently announced (in Russian) that the submarine left Severodvinsk, where it was built, to transit to its operational home at Gadzhievo on the Kola Peninsular. There it will be part of Russia’s Northern Fleet and operate in the arctic.
This official Russian Navy photo shows Knyaz Vladimir on the White Sea. The disturbance of the ... [+]
The Borei-A class submarine is armed with 16 Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles. These have a range of about 5,000 miles, possibly more, and can carry 6-10 nuclear warheads. Each warhead is a MIRVs meaning a multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle. And each can be 100-150 kilotons. Altogether this means that the submarine is carrying up to 160 nuclear warheads totaling around 24 megatons.
The submarine also has to leave Severodvinsk to make room for Russia’s next new Submarine, the unique Pr.09851 Khabarovsk. That submarine will be armed with six giant Poseidon nuclear-powered intercontinental torpedoes. These are part of a range of ‘super weapons’ unveiled by President Putin in 2018. All three of the berths where new submarines are fitted out were taken, but with Knyaz Vladimir gone there will be room for the new boat.
According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, before it arrives in Gadzhievo the sub will conduct “planned combat training tasks in the waters of the White and Barents Seas". It will also “check the operation of the ship’s systems and mechanisms in various modes.” In fact in the satellite imagery there is a warship a few miles dead ahead of it, suggesting that it will rendezvous for exercises. This could possibly be a Admiral Gorshkov class guided missile frigate.
It is difficult to spot submarines on low resolution satellite imagery at the best of times, and even rarer to catch them at sea. Obviously once it submerges the submarine is hidden from the prying eyes in low earth orbit. At least the civilian ones we have access to! So chance images like this provide a rare glimpse at submarine operations.
Russia’s Newest Submarine Caught In Unusual Satellite Image
On June 29 a satellite passing over Russia’s arctic north captured an intriguing image. It looks like a rocket plume racing across the sky, but it is in fact Russia's latest submarine.
www.forbes.com
They do have a modern 100mm gun now, but they will need a replacement for their vintage 130mm guns on larger ships with capability to fire smart ammunition. Making use of 152mm makes sense.
The Udaloy class destroyer, Marshall Shaposhnikov was recently modernized and also reclassified as a frigate (might not have officially been a destroyer in the first place but clarification was given with this refurbishment). This ship caught fire in 2018, so was likely chosen ahead of its sister ships in class.
BEFORE
AFTER
Besides some maintainence and sensor upgrades, the main change is the removal of the metel missile batteries and one of the 100 mm guns and the installation 16 UKSK missile cells and 8 Kh-35 cells.
BEFORE
AFTER
Besides some maintainence and sensor upgrades, the main change is the removal of the metel missile batteries and one of the 100 mm guns and the installation 16 UKSK missile cells and 8 Kh-35 cells.
40 ships??? Well last time I checked for USN, they had 27 ships to be commissioned this year. 40 ships is a very large number. Would like to see how much of the claimed number they achieve.