Description:
The Project 941, Akula Russian nickname and Typhoon NATO-designation, class submarines have been designed to perform long endurance nuclear deterrence patrols. They are the largest submarines ever built with a multi-hulled (up to 5) design. Its design has been optimized for under ice operations and ice-breaking in the case of a strategic launch.
The Akula-class submarines are equipped with 20 RSM-52 ballistic missiles carrying 10 nuclear warheads each. Six torpedo tubes (2 650mm and 4 533mm) provide engagement capability against surface ships and submarines employing torpedoes and missiles.
The Soviet Navy deployed 6 Akula-class submarines beginning in 1981. Currently the Russian Navy only operates 3 submarines due to be decommissioned before 2010. There are plans to extend the service life of remaining submarines but that option seems unlikely due to spare parts unavailability and their high noise emission levels.
Specifications Accommodation: Crew 160
Number of Weapons: 20
Dimensions: Length 172 m, Width 23 m
Weights: Max Weight 48,000 t, Min Weight 24,500 t
Performance: Endurance 120 day, Max Operating Depth 500 m (1,640 ft), Top Speed 14 mps (27 kt)
Power: Power 100,000 shp
Other: Torpedo Tubes 6
Operators
Russia / 6
As of
Holdings
2008
1 (another two ships are being upraded to carry Bulava missiles)
Ships
TK-12
Commissioning: 1984
TK-13
Commissioning: 1985
TK-17
Commissioning: 1987
TK-20
Commissioning: 1989
TK-202
Commissioning: 1983
TK-208 Dmitrii Donskoy
Upgraded with new equipment and Bulava missiles in 2008
Commissioning: 1981
Image Gallery
Notes (*) lead contractor
IOC: Initial Operating Capability
FOC: Full Operating Capability
CEP: Circular Error Probable
Comm: Commissioning Date
Meters (m) Kilometers (km) Nautic Miles (nm) Inch (in) Yard (yd) Foot (ft) Millimeter (mm)
Pound (lb) Kilogram (kg) kN (KiloNewton) Ton (t)
Meters per Second (mps) Kilometers per Hour (kph) Knot (kt) Miles per Hour (mph)
Liter (l) Galon (gl)
Year (yr) Minutes (min) Second (sec)
Shaft-Horse-Power (shp)
Russia / 6 