Spy Subs -Project 09852 Belgorod
Russia is building a new military complex deep under the Arctic, and is bringing the new KANYON strategic nuclear weapon into service. The massive new Project 09852 Belgorod submarine will play a key role in both projects.
KC-139 "Belgorod" (KS-139 "Белгород") is an unfinished OSCAR-II cruise missile submarine which is being converted to serve as a Special Missions mother submarine (known as Project 09852). It will be crewed by the Russian Navy but operated under GUGI, the secretive Main Directorate Deep Sea Research organization. In order to conduct covert special missions, it will carry a deep diving midget submarine, large payloads and the new KANYON (Status-6) strategic nuclear torpedo weapon. The project started in 2010, with the refit commencing in 2012, and is expected to be completed this year.
On 1st March 2018 a video was released by the Russian MoD (Океанская многоцелевая система с беспилотными подводными аппаратами оснащенная ядерной энергетической установкой : Министерство обороны Российской Федерации) inviting people to name Russia's newest weapon(s). The clip showed the Belgorod launching a KANYON and Harpsichord-2P-PM AUV:
Pr09852 Belgorod Specifications (Provisional)
Displacement: greater than 14,700 tonnes surfaced (est. 17,000 tonnes), 24,000 tonnes submerged (estimated 30,0000 tonnes)
Length: 184 meters
Beam: 18.2 meters
Speed: < 32 knots
Range: Unlimted
Endurance: Approximately 4 months
Operating depth: Estimated as 500-520 meters per OSCAR-II SSGN
Propulsion: nuclear (2 x pressurized water reactor OK-650M.02 with a capacity of 190 MW driving two steam turbines and twin screws. Plus at least two outboard thrusters.
Crew: TBC. estimated 110
Armament: 6 x KANYON nuclear torpedoes (if fitted), 2 x 650 mm and 4 x 533 mm torpedo tubes with up to 28 torpedoes
‘HARMONY’ submarine detection network
Analysis suggests that the main special mission of Belgorod will be the covert placement of large underwater systems on the sea floor. Russia is working on a new multi-sensor submarine detection network similar in concept to the US Navy’s classic SOSUS system which is intended to detect submarines operating under the arctic at ranges of 100km or more. According the sources quoted in the Russian media (Izvestia, 20th July 2016) the new complex will involve ‘underwater sensors’ (sonar arrays and possibly pressure/wake detectors) and sonar buoys, and will communicate with control stations via satellites. The system itself, or components of it, are codenamed HARMONY.
The Arctic Ocean has two basins in the middle, divided in half by a massive mountainous ridge. The basins are surrounded by shelfs where the sea floor drops from about 1,000m down to around 4,000m. Given that the midget submarines carried by Belgorod can dive to about 1,000m, these shelves represent the edge of where the sensor arrays might be placed. Additionally there are areas with mountain peeks at less than 1,000m where arrays could be placed.
This system will require the exact placement of a series of underwater constructions. Placement under the ice cap (which is implied) will be extremely complex, especially considering the need to power the system. Cables from the shore are difficult to place without surface ships above which is both impracticable and indiscrete, and are vulnerable to USN tracing and interference. The answer that the Russian planners have come up with it to place a series of self-contained nuclear power plants. These ATGU (Automated installation of the nuclear turbine generator) will be carried into position on the back of the submarine, and placed by the midget submarine (see below).
The ATGU has an integral Pressurized Water Reactor, a small-sized turbine generator installation, a simple thermal-hydraulic circuit and the minimum of ancillary equipment. It is enclosed in a cylindrical ‘Energokapsule’ which is 14m (45ft) long and 8m (25ft) in diameter.
According to the manufacturers the integral reactor allows for a simplified arrangement of the circulation path, reducing flow resistance. This provides a relatively high power level when operating on natural circulation (at least 65% of the max). It is still a relatively small low-density reactor however at 44 kW / l. It has moderate heat fluxes and significant reserves of coolant boiling.
The ATGU is a general purpose installation intended for on-land and undersea applications, and is likely to be passed off as having civilian applications even when carried by a Navy submarine. The ATGU will connect to one or more sensor arrays by a relatively short (and therefore light) cable. Any large sensor systems are likely to be carried on the Belgorod’s back in the same manner as the ATGU.
Deep diving midget submarine
The ATGU and other payloads will be placed on the sea floor by a nuclear powered deep submergence midget submarine, termed an ACS (deep nuclear station). Russia has used large ‘mother submarines’ to carry its special mission midget subs into position since the 1980s. The Russian approach is to dock the midget submarine with the underside of the mother submarine, making it invisible to the observers when on the surface. This positioning has actually been used since the 1960s when deep diving capsules where towed underneath specially modified submarines. This arrangement was continued with the emergence of the Project 1851 X-RAY Class nuclear powered midget submarine in the 1980s. The X-RAY was a close equivalent to the US Navy’s NR-1 submersible and is 44m (145ft) long and equipped with grabbers and manipulators.
There are currently four ACS midget submarines operational with the Russian Navy which are designed to be carried by mother submerines:
The LOSHARIK will reportedly be docked with Belgorod (as well as with BS-64 Podmoskovye, a project 09787 DELTA-IV STRETCH which is also an incredible 174m (570ft) long). Additionally the three smaller X-RAY / PALTUS boats can be docked.
Russia is building a new military complex deep under the Arctic, and is bringing the new KANYON strategic nuclear weapon into service. The massive new Project 09852 Belgorod submarine will play a key role in both projects.
KC-139 "Belgorod" (KS-139 "Белгород") is an unfinished OSCAR-II cruise missile submarine which is being converted to serve as a Special Missions mother submarine (known as Project 09852). It will be crewed by the Russian Navy but operated under GUGI, the secretive Main Directorate Deep Sea Research organization. In order to conduct covert special missions, it will carry a deep diving midget submarine, large payloads and the new KANYON (Status-6) strategic nuclear torpedo weapon. The project started in 2010, with the refit commencing in 2012, and is expected to be completed this year.
On 1st March 2018 a video was released by the Russian MoD (Океанская многоцелевая система с беспилотными подводными аппаратами оснащенная ядерной энергетической установкой : Министерство обороны Российской Федерации) inviting people to name Russia's newest weapon(s). The clip showed the Belgorod launching a KANYON and Harpsichord-2P-PM AUV:
![Belgorod_GCI_940_1.jpg](/forums/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hisutton.com%2Fimages%2FBelgorod_GCI_940_1.jpg&hash=b9595fbbf4232abe033298fbba166c45)
![Belgorod_GCI_940_AUV.jpg](/forums/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hisutton.com%2Fimages%2FBelgorod_GCI_940_AUV.jpg&hash=7a78e8bb23c47822ea2b412b5dc367ea)
![Belgorod_GCI_940_KANYON.jpg](/forums/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hisutton.com%2Fimages%2FBelgorod_GCI_940_KANYON.jpg&hash=5b26817b3116cf14b21aa3406632e40e)
Pr09852 Belgorod Specifications (Provisional)
Displacement: greater than 14,700 tonnes surfaced (est. 17,000 tonnes), 24,000 tonnes submerged (estimated 30,0000 tonnes)
Length: 184 meters
Beam: 18.2 meters
Speed: < 32 knots
Range: Unlimted
Endurance: Approximately 4 months
Operating depth: Estimated as 500-520 meters per OSCAR-II SSGN
Propulsion: nuclear (2 x pressurized water reactor OK-650M.02 with a capacity of 190 MW driving two steam turbines and twin screws. Plus at least two outboard thrusters.
Crew: TBC. estimated 110
Armament: 6 x KANYON nuclear torpedoes (if fitted), 2 x 650 mm and 4 x 533 mm torpedo tubes with up to 28 torpedoes
![Pr_08952_pptSTRETCH.jpg](/forums/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hisutton.com%2Fimages%2FPr_08952_pptSTRETCH.jpg&hash=88173d784313aa1fbb392b443143d17d)
![Belgorod_subsCompare940.jpg](/forums/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hisutton.com%2Fimages%2FBelgorod_subsCompare940.jpg&hash=b51ae56eac0bc69ffb7e0f6e583fe5fb)
‘HARMONY’ submarine detection network
Analysis suggests that the main special mission of Belgorod will be the covert placement of large underwater systems on the sea floor. Russia is working on a new multi-sensor submarine detection network similar in concept to the US Navy’s classic SOSUS system which is intended to detect submarines operating under the arctic at ranges of 100km or more. According the sources quoted in the Russian media (Izvestia, 20th July 2016) the new complex will involve ‘underwater sensors’ (sonar arrays and possibly pressure/wake detectors) and sonar buoys, and will communicate with control stations via satellites. The system itself, or components of it, are codenamed HARMONY.
![Arctic_map.jpg](/forums/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hisutton.com%2Fimages%2FArctic_map.jpg&hash=52e1a0420b8df1b28a774c673e5c1aca)
The Arctic Ocean has two basins in the middle, divided in half by a massive mountainous ridge. The basins are surrounded by shelfs where the sea floor drops from about 1,000m down to around 4,000m. Given that the midget submarines carried by Belgorod can dive to about 1,000m, these shelves represent the edge of where the sensor arrays might be placed. Additionally there are areas with mountain peeks at less than 1,000m where arrays could be placed.
This system will require the exact placement of a series of underwater constructions. Placement under the ice cap (which is implied) will be extremely complex, especially considering the need to power the system. Cables from the shore are difficult to place without surface ships above which is both impracticable and indiscrete, and are vulnerable to USN tracing and interference. The answer that the Russian planners have come up with it to place a series of self-contained nuclear power plants. These ATGU (Automated installation of the nuclear turbine generator) will be carried into position on the back of the submarine, and placed by the midget submarine (see below).
The ATGU has an integral Pressurized Water Reactor, a small-sized turbine generator installation, a simple thermal-hydraulic circuit and the minimum of ancillary equipment. It is enclosed in a cylindrical ‘Energokapsule’ which is 14m (45ft) long and 8m (25ft) in diameter.
According to the manufacturers the integral reactor allows for a simplified arrangement of the circulation path, reducing flow resistance. This provides a relatively high power level when operating on natural circulation (at least 65% of the max). It is still a relatively small low-density reactor however at 44 kW / l. It has moderate heat fluxes and significant reserves of coolant boiling.
![ATGU3.jpg](/forums/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hisutton.com%2Fimages%2FATGU3.jpg&hash=8faa22b173ffd5f9c9cda4d2e9238937)
The ATGU is a general purpose installation intended for on-land and undersea applications, and is likely to be passed off as having civilian applications even when carried by a Navy submarine. The ATGU will connect to one or more sensor arrays by a relatively short (and therefore light) cable. Any large sensor systems are likely to be carried on the Belgorod’s back in the same manner as the ATGU.
Deep diving midget submarine
The ATGU and other payloads will be placed on the sea floor by a nuclear powered deep submergence midget submarine, termed an ACS (deep nuclear station). Russia has used large ‘mother submarines’ to carry its special mission midget subs into position since the 1980s. The Russian approach is to dock the midget submarine with the underside of the mother submarine, making it invisible to the observers when on the surface. This positioning has actually been used since the 1960s when deep diving capsules where towed underneath specially modified submarines. This arrangement was continued with the emergence of the Project 1851 X-RAY Class nuclear powered midget submarine in the 1980s. The X-RAY was a close equivalent to the US Navy’s NR-1 submersible and is 44m (145ft) long and equipped with grabbers and manipulators.
There are currently four ACS midget submarines operational with the Russian Navy which are designed to be carried by mother submerines:
- AC-23, the original Project 1851 Nelma (X-RAY) submarine. 44m long, can dive to about 1,000m (3,000ft)
- AC-21, an improved Project 18511 Halibut (PALTUS) class boat. About 55m long and can probably dive to around 1,000m (3,000ft) per the X-RAY
- AC-35, the second Project 18511 PALTUS. Slight differences to the first.
- AC-31, Project 10831 LOSHARIK. Significantly larger at 70m and probably deeper diving.
![XRay1.jpg](/forums/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hisutton.com%2Fimages%2FXRay1.jpg&hash=a6068489229d0efb41a8a6b0ac4d6421)
The LOSHARIK will reportedly be docked with Belgorod (as well as with BS-64 Podmoskovye, a project 09787 DELTA-IV STRETCH which is also an incredible 174m (570ft) long). Additionally the three smaller X-RAY / PALTUS boats can be docked.
![XRAY_water1.jpg](/forums/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hisutton.com%2Fimages%2FXRAY_water1.jpg&hash=870f52918a4e5ec7274f9a876fc6f9ca)