RUSSIAN SEVERODVINSK SUB TO ENTER SERVICE SOON

The Sevmash Shipyard in Severodvinsk in northern Russia says it will finally deliver a nuclear-powered attack submarine to the navy after it was financially challenged for two decades, reports RIA Novosti.   Construction of the Severodvinsk sub began in 1993, but financial problems led to numerous delays.   The boat was launched last June, is being readied for sea trials in May and expected to enter operational service before the end of the year.   The Severodvinsk can carry up to 24 cruise missiles and has eight torpedo tubes. The sub can also be armed with mines and anti-ship missiles. Commissioning of Severodvinsk-type nuclear-powered submarines will significantly enhance combat capabilities of Russian Navy, reported RIA Novosti citing Vladimir Pialov, director and general designer of Malakhit design bureau (the project developer). “This new generation of Russian submarine fleet meets standards of 21st century”, Pialov said commenting SSGN Severodvinsk to be launched atSevmash shipyard.  According to expectations, President Dmitry Medvedev will attend the launching ceremony of lead sub Severodvinsk. He is also about to inspect salvage tug Zvezdochka.  In contrast to 4-gen SSBNs (Yury Dolgoruky armed with SLBM Bulava), weapons of SSGN Severodvinsk have already passed all trials.  “Those are long-range cruise missiles”, said Pialov not specifying the missiles’ features due to classified information.  He only pointed out that those missiles were capable to hit sea and land targets at significant distances.  As for now, the second submarine of this type (Project 885 Yasen) has been laid down at Sevmash‘s slipway.  SSGN Severodvinsk will become the Navy’s first nuclear-powered attack submarine of the newest 4th generation. She is capable to accomplish all tasks assigned for general-purpose naval force which are about delivering strikes upon various underwater, sea surface, and land targets. It is planned to deliver SSGN Severodvinsk to Russian Navy in 2010-2011.  Initially, launching of SSGN Severodvinsk from Sevmash‘s covered slipway had been scheduled on May 7, but was postponed due to technical reasons connected with the shipyard’s workload, informed RIA Novosti referring to a source in United Shipbuilding Corporation. In any case, the sub will be launched this year and pass all trials scheduled in 2010, underlined the source.  Project 885 Yasen nuclear-powered 4-gen attack submarine (on NATO classification, GRANAY) designed by Malakhit Maritime Engineering Bureau (headquarters is in St. Petersburg, director and general designer is Vladimir Pialov), was laid down atSevmash shipyard in 1993. Extended building period was conditioned not only by economic difficulties but crucially new hull architecture and arms.  SSGN Severodvinsk is a double-hulled single-shaft nuclear submarine with reduced level of acoustic field. Conning tower has streamlined oval shape; strength hull is subdivided into 10 compartments. For the first time in Soviet/Russian shipbuilding, torpedo tubes are located not in bows but behind central station; that enabled to use bow space for advanced sonar antenna.  Eight vertical launch tubes are designed for missile arms. Powerful weapon system includes supersonic cruise missiles and multipurpose deep-water homing torpedoes. The sub is also equipped with state-of-the-art communication hardware and navigation aids, powered by crucially new nuclear powerplant. Latest developments of Russian military industry will provide Severodvinsk-type subs with incontestable superiority in silence characteristics among foreign analogs.  Displacement of SSGN Severodvinsk is 8,600/13,800 tons; dimensions are 119 x 13.5 x 9.4 meters; test depth is 600 meters; speed is 16/31 knots; crew is 90 (32 officers).