Project 941 Typhoon-type nuclear missile cruiser. The Shark Submarine is the largest submarine in the world.

September 23, 1980 at the shipyard of the city of Severodvinsk, on the surface of the White Sea, the first Soviet submarine of the class "Shark". When her hull was still in the stocks, on its bow, below the waterline, one could see a painted grinning shark, which wrapped itself around a trident. And although after the descent, when the boat got into the water, the shark with the trident disappeared under the water and no one else saw it, the people have already dubbed the cruiser the “Shark”. All subsequent boats of this class continued to be called the same, and a special sleeve patch with the image of a shark was introduced for their crews. In the West, the boat was given the code name " Typhoon". Subsequently Typhoon om this boat began to be called with us.

Yes, myself Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev , speaking at the XXVI Party Congress, said: "The Americans have created a new submarine" Ohio“with rockets” Trident“. Similar system - „ Typhoon“We also have it.”

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In the early 70s in the United States (as Western media wrote, “in response to the creation of the Delta complex in the USSR”), the implementation of the large-scale Trident program began, which provides for the creation of a new solid-propellant missile with an intercontinental (more than 7000 km) range, as well as SSBNs a new type capable of carrying 24 of these missiles and having an increased level of stealth. The ship with a displacement of 18.700 tons had maximum speed 20 knots and could carry out missile launches at a depth of 15-30 m. In terms of its combat effectiveness, the new American weapon system should have significantly surpassed the domestic 667BDR / D-9R system, which was at that time in serial production. The political leadership of the USSR demanded from the industry an "adequate response" to the next American challenge.

Tactical and technical specifications for a heavy nuclear submarine missile cruiser-project 941 (code "Shark") - was issued in December 1972. On December 19, 1973, the government adopted a decree providing for the start of work on the design and construction of a new missile carrier. The project was developed by the Rubin Central Design Bureau, headed by General Designer I.D. Spassky, under the direct supervision of the chief designer S.N. Kovalev. The main observer from the Navy was V.N. Levashov.

“The designers faced a difficult technical task- place on board 24 missiles weighing almost 100 tons each, - says S.N. Kovalev. - After a lot of study of the rocket, it was decided to place it between two strong hulls. There are no analogues to such a solution in the world.” “Only Sevmash could build such a boat,” says the head of the department of the Ministry of Defense A.F. Helmets. The construction of the ship was carried out in the largest boathouse - shop 55, which was led by I.L. Kamai. Applied fundamentally new technology buildings - an aggregate-modular method, which significantly reduced the time. Now this method is used in everything, both underwater and surface shipbuilding, but for that time it was a serious technological breakthrough.

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The indisputable operational advantages demonstrated by the first domestic solid-fueled R-31 naval ballistic missile, as well as the American experience (which was always highly respected in the Soviet military and political circles) led to the categorical requirement of the customer to equip the 3rd generation submarine missile carrier with solid-propellant missiles . The use of such missiles made it possible to significantly reduce the time of pre-launch preparation, eliminate the noise of its implementation, simplify the composition of ship equipment, abandoning a number of systems - gas analysis of the atmosphere, filling the annular gap with water, irrigation, draining the oxidizer, etc.

Preliminary development of a new intercontinental missile system for equipping submarines began at the Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering under the leadership of Chief Designer V.P. Makeev in 1971. Full-scale work on the D-19 RK with R-39 missiles was launched in September 1973, almost simultaneously with the start of work on the new SSBN. When creating this complex, an attempt was made for the first time to unify underwater and ground-based missiles: the R-39 and the heavy ICBM RT-23 (developed at Yuzhnoye Design Bureau) received single engine first step.

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The level of domestic technologies of the 70-80s did not allow the creation of a solid-propellant ballistic intercontinental missile high power in dimensions close to the dimensions of previous liquid rockets. The growth in the size and weight of weapons, as well as the weight and size characteristics of the new radio-electronic equipment, which increased by 2.5-4 times compared to the previous generation of electronic equipment, led to the need for unconventional layout solutions. As a result, an original, unparalleled type of submarine with two strong hulls located in parallel (a kind of “underwater catamaran”) was designed. Among other things, such a "flattened" shape of the ship in the vertical plane was dictated by draft restrictions in the area of ​​​​the Severodvinsk shipbuilding plant and repair bases of the Northern Fleet, as well as technological considerations (it was necessary to ensure the possibility of simultaneously building two ships on one slipway "thread").

It should be recognized that the chosen scheme was largely a forced, far from optimal solution, which led to a sharp increase in the displacement of the ship (which gave rise to the ironic nickname of the boats of the 941st project - "water carriers"). At the same time, it made it possible to increase the survivability of a heavy submarine due to the separation of the power plant into autonomous compartments in two separate strong hulls; improve explosion and fire safety (by removing the missile silos from the pressure hull), as well as the placement of the torpedo room and the main command post in isolated strong modules. The possibilities for upgrading and repairing the boat have also expanded somewhat.

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When creating a new ship, the task was to expand the zone of its combat use under the ice of the Arctic up to the extreme latitudes by improving navigation and sonar weapons. To launch missiles from under the Arctic "ice shell", the boat had to float in polynyas, breaking ice up to 2-2.5 m thick with a cutting fence.

Flight tests of the R-39 missile were carried out on an experimental diesel-electric submarine K-153, converted in 1976 according to project 619 (it was equipped with one mine). In 1984, after a series of intensive tests, missile system The D-19 with the R-39 missile was officially adopted by the Navy.

The construction of Project 941 submarines was carried out in Severodvinsk. For this, a new workshop had to be built at the Northern Machine-Building Enterprise - the largest covered slipway in the world.

The first TAPKR, which entered service on December 12, 1981, was commanded by Captain 1st Rank A.V. Olkhovnikov, who was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for the development of such a unique ship. It was planned to build a large series of heavy submarine cruisers of the 941st project and create new modifications of this ship with increased combat capabilities.

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However, at the end of the 1980s, for economic and political reasons, it was decided to abandon the further implementation of the program. The adoption of this decision was accompanied by heated discussions: the industry, the developers of the boat and some representatives of the Navy advocated the continuation of the program, while the General Staff of the Navy and the General Staff of the Armed Forces advocated the cessation of construction. The main reason was the difficulty of organizing the basing of such large submarines, armed with no less "impressive" missiles. Most of the existing Sharks' bases simply could not be entered because of their tightness, and the R-39 missiles could be transported at almost all stages of operation only along the railway track (they were also fed along the rails to the pier for loading onto the ship). The missiles were to be loaded by a special heavy-duty crane, which is a unique engineering structure of its kind.

As a result, it was decided to limit the construction of a series of six Project 941 ships (that is, one division). The unfinished hull of the seventh missile carrier - TK-210 - was dismantled on the slipway in 1990. It should be noted that a little later, in the mid-90s, the implementation of the American program for the construction of Ohio-class submarine missile carriers also ceased: instead of the planned 30 SSBNs, the US Navy received only 18 nuclear-powered ships, of which it was decided to leave in service by the beginning of the 2000s only 14.

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The design of the submarine of the 941st project is made according to the "catamaran" type: two separate strong hulls (each with a diameter of 7.2 m) are located in a horizontal plane parallel to each other. In addition, there are two separate sealed capsule-compartments - a torpedo compartment and a control module located between the main buildings in the diametrical plane, in which there is a central post and a radio-technical armament compartment located behind it. The missile compartment is located between the pressure hulls at the front of the ship. Both cases and capsule-compartments are interconnected by transitions. The total number of watertight compartments -19.

At the base of the cabin, under the fence of retractable devices, there are two pop-up rescue chambers that can accommodate the entire crew of the submarine.

The compartment of the central post and its light fencing are shifted towards the stern of the ship. Strong hulls, the central post and the torpedo compartment are made of titanium alloy, and the light hull is made of steel (a special hydroacoustic rubber coating is applied to its surface, which increases the stealth of the boat).

The ship has a developed stern plumage. The front horizontal rudders are located in the bow of the hull and are retractable. The cabin is equipped with powerful ice reinforcements and a rounded roof, which serves to break the ice when surfacing.

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For the crew of the boat (consisting for the most part of officers and midshipmen) conditions of increased comfort have been created. Officers placed in relatively spacious two- and four-bed cabins with washbasins, televisions and air conditioning, and sailors and foremen - in small cockpits. The ship received a sports hall, a swimming pool, a solarium, a sauna, a lounge for relaxation, a "living corner", etc.

Power plant of the 3rd generation with a nominal capacity of 100.000 liters. from. made according to the block layout principle with the placement of autonomous modules (unified for all boats of the 3rd generation) in both durable hulls. The adopted layout solutions made it possible to reduce the dimensions of the nuclear power plant, while increasing its power and improving other operational parameters.

The power plant includes two water-cooled reactors on thermal neutrons OK-650 (190 MW each) and two steam turbines. The block layout of all units and component equipment, in addition to technological advantages, made it possible to apply more effective vibration isolation measures that reduce the noise of the ship.

The nuclear power plant is equipped with a batteryless cooling system (BBR), which is automatically activated in the event of a power failure.

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Compared to previous nuclear submarines, the reactor control and protection system has changed significantly. The introduction of pulse equipment made it possible to control its state at any power level, including in a subcritical state. A self-propelled mechanism is installed on the compensating organs, which, in the event of a power failure, ensures that the gratings are lowered to the lower limit switches. In this case, there is a complete “silencing” of the reactor, even if the ship capsizes.

Two low-noise, seven-blade fixed-pitch propellers are mounted in ring nozzles. As a backup means of movement, there are two DC motors with a power of 190 kW, which are connected to the line of the main shaft through couplings.

Four 3200 kW turbogenerators and two DG-750 diesel generators are installed on board the boat. For maneuvering in cramped conditions, the ship is equipped with a thruster in the form of two folding columns with propellers (in the bow and stern). The thruster propellers are driven by 750 kW electric motors.

When creating the Project 941 submarine, great attention was paid to reducing its hydroacoustic visibility. In particular, the ship received a two-stage system of rubber-cord pneumatic shock absorption, a block layout of mechanisms and equipment was introduced, as well as new, more effective soundproof and anti-sonar coatings. As a result, in terms of hydroacoustic secrecy, the new missile carrier, despite its gigantic size, significantly surpassed all previously built domestic SSBNs and, probably, came close to the American counterpart, the Ohio-type SSBN.

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The submarine is equipped with a new Symphony navigation system, a combat information and control system, an MG-519 Arfa sonar mine detection station, an MG-518 Sever echometer, a MRCP-58 Buran radar system, and an MTK-100 television system. On board there is a radio communication complex "Molniya-L1" with a satellite communication system "Tsunami".

The Skat-3 digital sonar complex, which integrates four sonar stations, is capable of providing simultaneous tracking of 10-12 underwater targets.

Retractable devices located in the felling fence include two periscopes (commander's and universal), radio sextant antenna, radar, radio antennas of the communication and navigation system, direction finder.

The boat is equipped with two pop-up buoy-type antennas that allow you to receive radio messages, target designations and satellite navigation signals when you are at a large (up to 150 m) depth or under ice.

The D-19 missile system includes 20 solid-propellant three-stage intercontinental ballistic missiles with multiple warheads D-19 (RSM-52, western designation - SS-N-20). The launch of the entire ammunition load is carried out in two volleys, with minimal intervals between missile launches. Missiles can be launched from a depth of up to 55 m (without restrictions on weather conditions on the sea surface), as well as from a surface position.

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The three-stage R-39 ICBM (length - 16.0 m, hull diameter - 2.4 m, launch weight - 90.1 tons) carries 10 individually targetable warheads with a capacity of 100 kg each. Their guidance is carried out by means of an inertial navigation system with full astro-correction (CVO of about 500 m is provided). The maximum launch range of the R-39 exceeds 10,000 km, which is more than the range of the American counterpart - the Trident S-4 (7400 km) and approximately corresponds to the range of the Trident D-5 (11,000 km).

To minimize the dimensions of the rocket, the engines of the second and third stages have retractable nozzles.

For the D-19 complex, an original launch system was created with the placement of almost all elements of the launcher on the rocket itself. In the mine, the R-39 is in a suspended state, relying on a special shock-absorbing rocket launch system (ARSS) on a support ring located in the upper part of the mine.

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The launch is carried out from a "dry" mine using a powder pressure accumulator (PAD). At the moment of launch, special powder charges create a gas cavity around the rocket, which significantly reduces hydrodynamic loads in the underwater section of movement. After leaving the water, the ARSS is separated from the rocket by a special engine and taken away to a safe distance from the submarine.

There are six 533-mm torpedo tubes with a fast-loading device capable of using almost all types of torpedoes and rocket-torpedoes of this caliber in service (typical ammunition load is 22 USET-80 torpedoes, as well as Shkval rocket-torpedoes). Instead of part of the missile and torpedo armament, mines can be taken on board the ship.

For self-defense of a surfaced submarine against low-flying aircraft and helicopters, there are eight sets of Igla (Igla-1) MANPADS. The foreign press reported on the development of the 941 project for submarines, as well as a new generation of SSBNs, an anti-aircraft self-defense missile system capable of being used from a submerged position.

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All six TAPRKs (which received the western code name Typhoon, which quickly “took root” with us) were consolidated into a division that is part of the 1st flotilla of nuclear submarines. The ships are based in Zapadnaya Litsa (Nerpichya Bay). The reconstruction of this base to accommodate new super-powerful nuclear-powered ships began in 1977 and took four years. During this time, a special berthing line was built, specialized piers were manufactured and delivered, capable, according to the designers, to provide TAPKR with all types of energy resources (however, at present, for a number of technical reasons, they are used as ordinary floating piers). For heavy missile submarines, the Moscow Design Bureau of Transport Engineering has created a unique complex of missile loading facilities (KPR). It included, in particular, a double-console gantry-type loader crane with a lifting capacity of 125 tons (it was not put into operation).

There is also a coastal ship repair complex in Zapadnaya Litsa, which provides maintenance for boats of the 941st project. Specifically to provide a “floating rear” for boats of the 941st project in Leningrad, at the Admiralty Plant in 1986, a sea transport-missile carrier “Alexander Brykin” (project 11570) was built with a total displacement of 11.440 tons, having 16 containers for R-39 missiles and equipped with 125 -ton crane.

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However, only the Northern Fleet managed to create a unique coastal infrastructure that provides maintenance for ships of the 941st project. In the Pacific Fleet, until 1990, when the program for the further construction of the Sharks was curtailed, they did not manage to build anything of the kind.

The ships, each of which is manned by two crews, carried (and probably continue to carry even now) constant combat duty even while at the base.

The combat effectiveness of the "Sharks" is largely ensured by the constant improvement of the communications system and combat control of the country's naval strategic nuclear forces. To date, this system includes channels using various physical principles, which increases reliability and noise immunity in the most adverse conditions. The system includes stationary transmitters broadcasting radio waves in various ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum, satellite, aircraft and ship repeaters, mobile coastal radio stations, as well as hydroacoustic stations and repeaters.

The huge reserve of buoyancy of the heavy submarine cruisers of the 941st project (31.3%), combined with the powerful reinforcements of the light hull and cabin, provided these nuclear-powered ships with the ability to emerge in solid ice up to 2.5 m thick (which was repeatedly tested in practice). Patrolling under the ice shell of the Arctic, where there are special hydroacoustic conditions that reduce even with the most favorable hydrology the detection range of an underwater target by means of the most modern sonar to only a few kilometers, the Sharks are practically invulnerable to US anti-submarine nuclear submarines. The United States also does not have air assets capable of searching for and destroying underwater targets through the polar ice.

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In particular, the "Sharks" carried out military service under the ice of the White Sea (the first of the "941s" such a trip was made in 1986 by the TK-12, on which the crew was replaced during patrols with the help of an icebreaker).

The growth of the threat from the potential adversary's predicted missile defense systems required an increase in the combat survivability of domestic missiles during their flight. In accordance with one of the predicted scenarios, the enemy could try to "blind" the optical astro-navigation sensors of the BR using space nuclear explosions. In response to this, at the end of 1984, under the leadership of V.P. Makeeva, N.A. Semikhatov (rocket control system), V.P. Arefieva (command devices) and B.C. Kuzmin (astro-correction system), work began on the creation of a stable astro-corrector for submarine ballistic missiles, capable of restoring its performance after a few seconds. Of course, the enemy still had the opportunity to carry out nuclear space explosions at intervals of every few seconds (in this case, the missile guidance accuracy should have been significantly reduced), but such a solution was difficult to implement for technical reasons and pointless for financial reasons.

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An improved version of the R-39, which in its main characteristics is not inferior to the American Trident D-5 missile, was put into service in 1989. In addition to increased combat survivability, the upgraded missile had an increased warhead disengagement area, as well as increased firing accuracy (the use of the GLONASS space navigation system in the active phase of the missile’s flight and in the MIRV guidance sector made it possible to achieve accuracy no less than the accuracy of silo-based ICBMs of the Strategic Missile Forces). In 1995, TK-20 (commander Captain 1st Rank A. Bogachev) fired missiles from the North Pole.

In 1996, due to lack of funds, TK-12 and TK-202 were withdrawn from service, in 1997 - TK-13. At the same time, additional funding from the Navy in 1999 made it possible to significantly accelerate the protracted overhaul of the lead missile carrier of the 941st project - K-208. For ten years, during which the ship was in the State Center for Nuclear Submarine Shipbuilding, the main weapon systems were replaced and modernized (in accordance with project 941 U). It is expected that in the third quarter of 2000 the work will be fully completed, and after the end of the factory and running acceptance tests, in early 2001, the renewed nuclear-powered ship will again be put into operation.

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In November 1999, two RSM-52 missiles were fired from the Barents Sea from the side of one of the TAPKR 941 projects. The interval between launches was two hours. The warheads of the missiles hit targets at the Kamchatka test site with high accuracy.

According to the domestic press, the existing plans for the development of Russia's strategic nuclear forces provide for the modernization of the Project 941 ships with the replacement of the D-19 missile system with a new one. If this is true, the Sharks have every chance of remaining in service in the 2010s.

In the future, it is possible to re-equip part of the nuclear-powered ships of the 941st project into transport nuclear submarines (TAPLs) designed to transport goods along transpolar and cross-polar under-ice routes, the shortest route linking Europe, North America and the countries of the Asia-Pacific region. The cargo compartment built instead of the missile compartment will be capable of receiving up to 10,000 tons of cargo.

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As of 2013, out of 6 ships built under the USSR, 3 ships of project 941 "Shark" have been disposed of, 2 ships are awaiting disposal, and one has been modernized under project 941UM.

Due to the chronic lack of funding, in the 1990s, it was planned to decommission all units, however, with the advent of financial opportunities and the revision of military doctrine, the remaining ships (TK-17 Arkhangelsk and TK-20 Severstal) underwent maintenance repairs in 1999-2002. TK-208 "Dmitry Donskoy" was overhauled and upgraded under project 941UM in 1990-2002 and since December 2003 has been used as part of the test program for the latest Russian SLBM "Bulava". When testing the Bulava, it was decided to abandon the previously used test procedure.
The 18th submarine division, which included all the Sharks, was reduced. As of February 2008, it consisted of TK-17 Arkhangelsk (last combat duty - from October 2004 to January 2005) and TK-20 Severstal ”(last combat duty - 2002), as well as converted to the Bulava K-208 Dmitry Donskoy. TK-17 "Arkhangelsk" and TK-20 "Severstal" more three years were awaiting a decision on disposal or re-equipment with new SLBMs, until in August 2007 the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Admiral of the Fleet V. V. Masorin, announced that until 2015 the modernization of the Akula nuclear submarine for the Bulava-M missile system was not planned.

The option of re-equipping them to accommodate cruise missiles is being considered, by analogy with the rearmament of the US Navy Ohio-class submarines. On September 28, 2011, a statement was published by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, according to which, "Typhoons", as they do not fit into the START-3 treaty limits and are excessively expensive compared to the new Borey-class missile carriers, are planned to be decommissioned and cut into metal up to 2014. The options for converting the three remaining ships into transport submarines according to the Rubin TsKBMT project or cruise missile arsenal submarines were rejected due to the excessive cost of work and operation.

At a meeting in Severodvinsk, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said that Russia had decided to temporarily abandon the disposal of third-generation strategic nuclear submarines currently in service with the Navy. As a result, the service life of the boats will last up to 30-35 years instead of the current 25. The modernization will affect the strategic nuclear submarines of the Akula type, where the electronic filling and weapons will change every 7 years.

In February 2012, information appeared in the media that the main weapons of the Akula-type nuclear submarine, RSM-52 missiles, were not completely disposed of, and until 2020 it is possible to commission the Severstal and Arkhangelsk boats with standard weapons on board.

In March 2012, information appeared from the sources of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation that the strategic nuclear submarines of project 941 Akula would not be upgraded for financial reasons. According to the source, the deep modernization of one Shark is comparable in cost to the construction of two new Project 955 Borey submarines. Submarine cruisers TK-17 "Arkhangelsk" and TK-20 "Severstal" will not be upgraded in light of the recent decision, TK-208 "Dmitry Donskoy" will continue to be used as a test platform for weapons systems and sonar systems until 2019.

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Interesting Facts:

• For the first time, the placement of missile silos in front of the felling was carried out on boats of the Shark project.
• For the development of a unique ship, the title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded to the Commander of the first missile cruiser, Captain 1st Rank A.V. Olkhovnikov in 1984
• The ships of the project "Shark" are listed in the Guinness Book of Records
• The commander's chair in the central post is inviolable, there is no exception for anyone, not for the commanders of a division, fleet or flotilla, and even the minister of defense. Breaking this tradition in 1993, P. Grachev during a visit to the "Shark" was awarded the dislike of submariners.

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And here is . Here is a somewhat controversial title and The original article is on the website InfoGlaz.rf Link to the article from which this copy is made -

The two largest nuclear submarines in the world of the Akula project will be part of the Russian Navy until 2019, Commander-in-Chief of the Navy Vladimir Vysotsky told reporters.

Project 941 "Akula" ("Typhoon" according to NATO classification) heavy strategic missile submarines are the world's largest nuclear-powered strategic submarines.

December 19, 1973 The government of the USSR adopted a resolution providing for the start of work on the design and construction of a new missile carrier, created as a counterweight to the American nuclear submarine Ohio.

The project was developed at the Rubin Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering (TsKB MT) (St. Petersburg), headed by General Designer Igor Spassky, under the direct supervision of Chief Designer Sergey Kovalev.

The construction of Project 941 submarines was carried out in Severodvinsk. For this, a new workshop had to be built at the Northern Machine-Building Enterprise.

On June 30, 1976, the lead missile strategic submarine cruiser (RPKSN) of project 941 was laid down at the slipway of the Severodvinsk shipbuilding plant.

Heavy strategic missile submarines of project 941 "Akula" (SSBN "Typhoon" according to NATO codification) - a series of Soviet and Russian submarines, the world's largest nuclear submarines (and submarines in general).

Submarines of the project 941 "Shark" - video

The performance specification for the design was issued in December 1972, and S. N. Kovalev was appointed chief designer of the project. The new type of submarines was positioned as a response to the US construction of Ohio-class SSBNs (the first boats of both projects were laid almost simultaneously in 1976). The dimensions of the new ship were determined by the dimensions of the new solid-fuel three-stage intercontinental ballistic missiles R-39 (RSM-52), with which it was planned to arm the boat. Compared with the Trident-I missiles, which the American Ohio was equipped with, the R-39 missile had the best characteristics of flight range, throwable mass and had 10 blocks against 8 for the Trident. However, at the same time, the R-39 turned out to be almost twice as long and three times as heavy as its American counterpart. To accommodate such large missiles, the standard SSBN layout did not fit. On December 19, 1973, the government decided to start work on the design and construction of a new generation of strategic missile carriers.

The first boat of this type TK-208 (which means "heavy cruiser") was laid down at the Sevmash enterprise in June 1976, the launch took place on September 23, 1980. Before descending in the bow below the waterline, the image of a shark was applied to the side of the submarine, later shark patches appeared on the crew uniform. Despite the later launch of the project, the lead cruiser entered sea trials a month earlier than the American Ohio (July 4, 1981). TK-208 entered service on December 12, 1981. In total, from 1981 to 1989, 6 Shark-type boats were launched and put into operation. The planned seventh ship was never laid down; hull structures were prepared for it.

The construction of "9-story" submarines provided orders for more than 1000 enterprises of the Soviet Union. Only at Sevmash, 1219 people who participated in the creation of this unique ship received government awards. For the first time, the creation of the Shark series was announced by Leonid Brezhnev at the XXVI Congress of the CPSU.

To ensure reloading with missiles and torpedoes, in 1986, a diesel-electric transport-missile carrier "Alexander Brykin" of project 11570 was built with a total displacement of 16,000 tons, it took on board up to 16 SLBMs.

In 1987, the TK-12 "Simbirsk" carried out a long high-latitude voyage to the Arctic with repeated replacement of crews.

On September 27, 1991, during a training launch in the White Sea on the TK-17 Arkhangelsk, a training rocket exploded and burned out in the mine. The explosion blew off the cover of the mine, and the warhead of the rocket was thrown into the sea. The crew was not injured during the incident; the boat was forced to stand up for a small repair.

In 1998, the Northern Fleet underwent tests, during which a "simultaneous" launch of 20 R-39 missiles was carried out.

The design of submarines of the project 941 "Shark"

The power plant is made in the form of two independent echelons located in different robust housings. The reactors are equipped with an automatic shutdown system in case of loss of power supply and pulse equipment for monitoring the condition of the reactors. When designing, the TTZ included a clause on the need to ensure a safe radius; for this, methods for calculating the dynamic strength were developed and tested by experiments in experimental compartments complex knots hulls (fastening of modules, pop-up chambers and containers, interhull connections).

For the construction of "Sharks" at Sevmash, a new workshop No. 55 was specially erected - the largest covered boathouse in the world. Ships have a large margin of buoyancy - more than 40%. When submerged, exactly half of the displacement falls on ballast water, for which the boats received the unofficial name “water carrier” in the fleet, and in the competing design bureau “Malachite” - “victory of technology over common sense". One of the reasons for this decision was the requirement for the developers to ensure the smallest draft of the ship to be able to use existing piers and repair bases. Also, it is a large reserve of buoyancy, coupled with a strong cabin, that allows the boat to break through ice up to 2.5 meters thick, which for the first time made it possible to conduct combat duty in high latitudes up to the North Pole.

Frame

A design feature of the boat is the presence of five manned durable hulls inside the light hull. Two of them are the main ones, have a maximum diameter of 10 m and are located parallel to each other, according to the principle of a catamaran. In front of the ship, between the main strong hulls, there are missile silos, which were first placed in front of the wheelhouse. In addition, there are three separate pressurized compartments: the torpedo compartment, the control module compartment with a central post, and the aft mechanical compartment. The removal and placement of three compartments in the space between the main hulls made it possible to increase the fire safety and survivability of the boat.

Both main strong hulls are interconnected by three transitions through intermediate strong capsule compartments: in the bow, in the center and in the stern. The total number of watertight compartments of the boat is 19. Two pop-up rescue chambers, designed for the entire crew, are located at the base of the cabin under the fence of retractable devices.

Durable hulls are made of titanium alloys, light - steel, covered with a non-resonant anti-radar and soundproof rubber coating with a total weight of 800 tons. According to American experts, durable boat hulls are also equipped with soundproof coatings. The ship received a developed cruciform stern plumage with horizontal rudders placed directly behind the propellers. The front horizontal rudders are retractable.

In order for the boats to be able to carry out duty at high latitudes, the felling fence is made very strong, capable of breaking through ice 2-2.5 m thick (in winter, the ice thickness in the Arctic Ocean varies from 1.2 to 2 m, and in some places reaches 2.5 m). From below, the ice surface is covered with growths in the form of icicles or stalactites of considerable size. When surfacing, the submarine cruiser, having removed the bow rudders, slowly presses against the ice ceiling with a specially adapted nose and a wheelhouse fence, after which the main ballast tanks are blown sharply.

Power point

The main nuclear power plant is designed according to the block principle and includes two water-cooled reactors on thermal neutrons OK-650 with a thermal power of 190 MW each and a shaft power of 2 × 50,000 l. with., as well as two steam turbine installations, located one at a time in both strong hulls, which significantly increases the survivability of the boat. The use of a two-stage system of rubber-cord pneumatic damping and a block layout of mechanisms and equipment made it possible to significantly improve the vibration isolation of the units and, thereby, reduce the noise of the boat.

Two low-speed, low-noise, seven-blade fixed-pitch propellers are used as propellers. To reduce the noise level, the propellers are installed in annular fairings (fenestrons). The boat has reserve means of propulsion - two DC electric motors of 190 kW each. For maneuvering in cramped conditions, there is a thruster in the form of two folding columns with 750 kW electric motors and rotary propellers. Thrusters are located in the bow and stern parts of the ship.

Habitability

The crew is placed in conditions of increased comfort. The boat has a lounge for relaxation, a gym, a swimming pool measuring 4 × 2 m and a depth of 2 m, filled with fresh or salty outboard water with the possibility of heating, a solarium, a sauna sheathed with oak boards, a “living corner”. The rank and file is accommodated in small cockpits, the command staff - in two- and four-bed cabins with washbasins, TVs and air conditioning. There are two wardrooms: one for officers, the other for midshipmen and sailors. Submarines of the "Shark" type, sailors call the "floating" Hilton "".

Environment regeneration

In 1984, for participation in the creation of TRPKSN pr. 941 "Typhoon" FSUE "Special Design and Technology Bureau for Electrochemistry with a Pilot Plant" (until 1969 - the Moscow Electrolysis Plant) was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labor.

Armament of submarines of project 941 "Shark"

The main armament is the D-19 missile system with 20 three-stage solid-propellant ballistic missiles R-39 "Variant". These missiles have the largest launch weight (together with the launch canister - 90 tons) and length (17.1 m) of the SLBMs put into service. The combat range of the missiles is 8300 km, the warhead is divided: 10 individually guided warheads of 100 kilotons of TNT each.

Due to the large dimensions of the R-39, the Akula project boats were the only carriers of these missiles. The design of the D-19 missile system was tested on the BS-153 diesel submarine, specially converted according to project 619, which was based in Sevastopol, but they could only place one mine for the R-39 on it and limited themselves to seven launches of throw models. The launch of the entire Akula missile ammunition load can be carried out in one salvo with a small interval between the launch of individual missiles.

The launch is possible both from the surface and from the underwater positions at depths up to 55 m and without restrictions due to weather conditions. Thanks to the shock-absorbing rocket-launch system ARSS, the launch of the rocket is carried out from a dry mine using a powder pressure accumulator, which makes it possible to reduce the interval between launches and the level of pre-launch noise. One of the features of the complex is that with the help of ARSS, rockets are suspended at the mouth of the mine. When designing, it was planned to place an ammunition load of 24 missiles, but, by decision of the Commander-in-Chief of the USSR Navy, Admiral S. G. Gorshkov, their number was reduced to 20.

In 1986, a government decree was adopted on the development of an improved version of the missile - R-39UTTKh Bark. In the new modification, it was planned to increase the firing range to 10,000 km and implement a system for passing through the ice. The re-equipment of the missile carriers was planned to be carried out until 2003 - the expiration date of the guaranteed resource of the produced R-39 missiles. In 1998, after the third unsuccessful launch, the Ministry of Defense decided to stop work on the 73% ready complex. The development of another solid-propellant SLBM "Bulava" was entrusted to the Moscow Institute of Thermal Engineering, the developer of the "land" ICBM "Topol-M".

In addition to strategic weapons, the boat is equipped with 6 torpedo tubes of 533 mm caliber, designed to fire torpedoes and rocket-torpedoes, as well as to lay minefields.

Air defense is provided by eight sets of Igla-1 MANPADS.

The missile carriers of the Shark project are equipped with the following electronic weapons:

• combat information and control system "Omnibus";
• analogue hydroacoustic complex "Skat-KS" (on TK-208, in the process of medium repair, a digital "Skat-3" was installed);
• sonar mine detection station MG-519 "Arfa";
• echometer MG-518 "North";
• radar complex MRCP-58 "Buran";
• navigation complex "Symphony";
• the Molniya-L1 radio communication complex with the Tsunami satellite communication system;
• television complex MTK-100;
• two pop-up buoy-type antennas that allow you to receive radio messages, target designation and satellite navigation signals when you are at a depth of up to 150 m and under ice.

Representatives

The first boat of this type, TK-208, was laid down at the Sevmash enterprise in June 1976 and entered service in December 1981, almost simultaneously with a similar Ohio-class US Navy SSBN. Initially, it was planned to build 7 boats of this project, however, under the OSV-1 agreement, the series was limited to six ships (the seventh ship of the series, TK-210, was dismantled on the slipway).

All 6 TRPKSNs built were based on the Northern Fleet in Zapadnaya Litsa (Nerpichya Bay), 45 km from the border with Norway, these are: TK-208 "Dmitry Donskoy"; TK-202; TK-12 "Simbirsk"; TK-13; TK-17 "Arkhangelsk"; TK-20 Severstal.

Disposal

In accordance with the OSV-2 strategic arms limitation treaty, as well as due to the lack of funds to maintain the boats in combat-ready condition (for one heavy cruiser - 300 million rubles a year, for 667BDRM - 180 million rubles) and in connection with the cessation of production of R missiles -39, which are the main armament of the Sharks, it was decided to dispose of three of the six built ships of the project, and not to complete the seventh ship, TK-210, at all. As one of the options for the peaceful use of these giant submarines, they were considered to be converted into underwater transports to supply Norilsk or into tankers, but these projects were not implemented.

The cost of dismantling one cruiser was about $10 million, of which $2 million was allocated from the Russian budget, the rest was funds provided by the United States and Canada.

Modern status

As of 2013, out of 6 ships built under the USSR, 3 ships of project 941 have been disposed of, 2 ships are in reserve, and one has been modernized according to project 941UM.

Due to the chronic lack of funding, in the 1990s, it was planned to decommission all units, however, with the advent of financial opportunities and the revision of military doctrine, the remaining ships (TK-17 Arkhangelsk and TK-20 Severstal) underwent maintenance repairs in 1999-2002. TK-208 "Dmitry Donskoy" was overhauled and upgraded under project 941UM in 1990-2002 and since December 2003 has been used as part of the test program for the latest Russian SLBM "Bulava".

The 18th submarine division, which included all the Sharks, was reduced. As of February 2008, it consisted of TK-17 Arkhangelsk (last combat duty - from October 2004 to January 2005) and TK-20 Severstal ”(last combat duty - 2002), as well as converted to the Bulava K-208 Dmitry Donskoy. TK-17 "Arkhangelsk" and TK-20 "Severstal" for more than three years were waiting for a decision on the disposal or re-equipment with new SLBMs, until in August 2007 the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Admiral of the Fleet V.V. it is planned to modernize the nuclear submarine "Akula" under the missile system "Bulava-M".

In March 2012, information appeared from the sources of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation that the strategic nuclear submarines of project 941 Akula would not be upgraded for financial reasons. According to the source, the deep modernization of one Shark is comparable in cost to the construction of two new Project 955 Borey submarines. Submarine cruisers TK-17 Arkhangelsk and TK-20 Severstal will not be upgraded in light of the recent decision, TK-208 Dmitry Donskoy will continue to be used as a test platform for weapons systems and sonar systems until 2019.

Tactical and technical characteristics of submarines of project 941 "Shark"

Speed ​​(surface)…………..12 knots
Speed ​​(underwater)…………..25 knots (46.3 km/h)
Operating immersion depth…………..400 m
Maximum immersion depth…………..500 m
Endurance of navigation…………..180 days (6 months)
Crew…………..160 people (including 52 officers)

Overall dimensions of the boats of the project 941 "Shark"
Surface displacement…………..23 200 t
Underwater displacement…………..48 000 t
Maximum length (on design waterline)…………..172.8 m
Hull width max……………23.3 m
Average draft (on design waterline)…………..11.2 m

Power point
2 water-water nuclear reactor OK-650VV, 190 MW each.
2 turbines of 45000-50000 hp each
2 propeller shafts with 7-bladed propellers with a diameter of 5.55 m
4 steam turbine NPPs 3.2 MW each
Reserved:
2 diesel generators ASDG-800 (kW)
Lead-acid battery, product 144

Armament
Torpedo-mine armament…………..6 TA caliber 533 mm;
22 torpedoes: 53-65K, SET-65, SAET-60M, USET-80. Rocket torpedoes "Waterfall" or "Shkval"
Missile weapons…………..20 R-39 SLBMs (RSM-52) or R-30 Mace (Project 941UM)
Air defense…………..8 MANPADS "Igla"

TPKSN TK-12 "Simbirsk" project 941 "Shark". The third submarine of this series is being scrapped.

The first cases of the use of submarines for combat purposes date back to the middle of the 19th century. However, due to its technical imperfection, submarines long time played only a supporting role in the naval forces. The situation changed completely after the opening atomic energy and the invention of ballistic missiles.

Goals and dimensions

Submarines have different purposes. The size of the world's submarines varies depending on their purpose. Some are designed for a crew of only two people, others are capable of carrying dozens of intercontinental missiles on board. What tasks do the largest submarines in the world perform?

"Triumph"

French strategic nuclear submarine. Its name means "triumphant" in translation. The length of the boat is 138 meters, the displacement is 14 thousand tons. The vessel is armed with three-stage ballistic missiles M45 with multiple warheads, equipped with individual guidance systems. They are capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 5300 kilometers. At the design stage, the designers were tasked with making the submarine as invisible to the enemy as possible and equipping it with an effective system for early detection of enemy anti-submarine defense systems. Careful study and numerous experiments have shown that the main reason for disclosing the location of a submarine is its acoustic signature.

When designing the Triumfan, all known methods for reducing noise were used. Despite the impressive size of the submarine, it is a rather difficult object to detect acoustically. The specific shape of the submarine helps to reduce hydrodynamic noise. The level of sound produced during the operation of the ship's main power plant has been significantly reduced due to a number of non-standard technological solutions. Triumfan has on board an ultra-modern sonar system designed for early detection of enemy anti-submarine weapons.

"Jin"

A strategic nuclear-powered missile submarine built for the Chinese Navy. Due to the heightened level of secrecy, much of the information about this ship does not come from the media, but from the intelligence services of the United States and other NATO countries. The dimensions of the submarine are based on a photograph taken in 2006 by a commercial satellite designed to digitally image the earth's surface. The length of the ship is 140 meters, the displacement is 11 thousand tons.

Experts note that the dimensions of the nuclear submarine "Jin" are larger than the dimensions of the previous, technically and morally obsolete Chinese submarines of the "Xia" class. The ship of the new generation is adapted to launch the Juilang-2 intercontinental ballistic missiles equipped with multiple nuclear warheads. The maximum range of their flight is 12 thousand kilometers. Missiles "Juilang-2" are an exclusive development. Their design took into account the dimensions of the Jin-class submarines intended to carry this formidable weapon. According to experts, the presence of such ballistic missiles and submarines in China significantly changes the balance of power in the world. Approximately three-quarters of the territory of the United States is in the zone of destruction of the Jin boats located in the Kuril Islands. However, according to information available to the US military, test launches of Julang missiles often end in failure.

"Vangard"

A British strategic nuclear submarine that rivals the largest submarines in the world. The vessel is 150 meters long and has a displacement of 15,000 tons. Boats of this type have been in service with the Royal Navy since 1994. To date, the Vanguard-class submarines are the only carriers of British nuclear weapons. They are equipped with Trident-2 ballistic missiles. This weapon deserves special mention. It is produced by the famous American company for the US Navy. The British government took on 5% of the cost of developing missiles, which, according to the designers, were supposed to surpass all their predecessors. The Trident-2 hit zone is 11 thousand kilometers, the accuracy of hitting reaches several feet. Missile guidance is independent of the US Global Positioning System. "Trident-2" deliver to the target atomic warheads at a speed of 21 thousand kilometers per hour. Four Vanguard boats carry a total of 58 of these missiles, representing the UK's "nuclear shield".

Murena-M

Soviet submarine built during the Cold War. The main goals of the creation of the boat were to increase the range of missiles and overcome American sonar detection systems. The expansion of the affected area required a change in the dimensions of the submarine compared to previous versions. The launch silos are designed for D-9 missiles, the launch weight of which is twice the normal one. The length of the ship is 155 meters, the displacement is 15 thousand tons. According to experts, the Soviet designers managed to complete the original task. The range of the missile system has increased by about 2.5 times. In order to achieve this goal, the Murena-M submarine had to be made one of the largest submarines in the world. The dimensions of the missile carrier did not change in the worst side its level of secrecy. The design of the boat was designed to dampen the vibration of the mechanisms, since at that time the US sonar tracking system became a serious problem for Soviet strategic submarines.

"Ohio"

"Borey"

The development of this nuclear submarine began in the Soviet Union. It was finally designed and built in the Russian Federation. Its name comes from the name of the ancient Greek god of the north wind. In accordance with the plans of the creators, the boat "Borey" in the foreseeable future should replace the submarines of the "Shark" and "Dolphin" classes. The length of the cruiser is 170 meters, the displacement is 24 thousand tons. Borey became the first strategic submarine built in the post-Soviet era. First of all, the new Russian boat serves as a platform for launching Bulava ballistic missiles equipped with multiple nuclear warheads. The range of their flight exceeds 8 thousand kilometers. Due to funding problems and the disruption of economic ties with enterprises located on the territory of the former Soviet republics, the deadlines for completing the construction of the ship were repeatedly postponed. The boat "Borey" was launched in 2008.

"Shark"

According to NATO classification, this ship has the designation "Typhoon". The dimensions of the submarine "Shark" surpass anything that has been created throughout the history of the existence of submarines. Its construction was the answer of the Soviet Union to the American Ohio project. The huge size of the Akula heavy submarine was due to the need to place R-39 missiles on it, the mass and length of which significantly exceeded those of the American Trident. Soviet designers had to put up with large dimensions in order to increase the flight range and weight of the warhead. The Shark boat, adapted to launch these missiles, has a record length of 173 meters. Its displacement is 48 thousand tons. To date, the Shark remains the largest submarine in the world.

Generation of an era

The first lines of the rating are also occupied by the USSR. This is understandable: the superpowers involved in cold war, believed in the possibility of delivering a preemptive strike. They saw their main task in quietly placing nuclear missiles as close to the enemy as possible. This mission was entrusted to large submarines, which became the legacy of that era.

In general, there are no Typhoons in the official documents of the Russian Navy. This name was invented by the Western military. They love to endow military equipment with terrible nicknames. Although, you see, the “Project 941 strategic nuclear missile cruiser” sounds much less impressive.

The birth of Typhoon was preceded by a long history. At the beginning of our century, when the first combat submarines appeared, military theorists were more than skeptical about this type of technology. Few people could have imagined that a thin-walled, slow-moving tin with the barrels of small-caliber guns absurdly sticking out over a short bridge would turn into an aggressive sea predator, the most dangerous enemy of surface fleet ships, in a decade.

But the strength of the submarine is not in guns and armor, and not even in torpedoes, which, by the way, were very imperfect for a long time. Stealth is the main advantage of combat submarines. An underwater predator quietly sneaks up on the victim and discharges its torpedo tubes almost point-blank.

But what about the enemy's objects located on land? Torpedoes cannot run along the coast, the range of artillery fire is too small. Maybe planes? The Japanese at the end of World War II created a whole flotilla of submarine aircraft carriers. And they were ready to strike at the locks of the Panama Canal. Fortunately, we didn't.

And the creation of such aircraft carriers is difficult and quite expensive. Rockets are another matter. With the advent of this type of weapon, it became clear in which direction the submarine fleet would develop. Underwater missile carriers are the solution to the problem.

And the first such projects appeared in the USSR in 1949. Initially, it was planned to use captured FAUs, though not winged, but ballistic. But then a much more advanced R-11 rocket designed by S.P. Korolev arrived in time.

On January 26, 1954, the Council of Ministers of the USSR adopted a secret resolution on the creation of a large missile-armed submarine. This date can be considered the birthday of our submarine missile fleet. A pair of R-11s were installed on a B-67 boat, and on September 16, 1955, for the first time in the world, a ballistic missile was launched from a submarine.

In order to launch, the first rocket carriers had to surface. The launch procedure itself took more than 10 minutes, which naturally gave the enemy a good chance of destroying the boat. Underwater launch technology was developed only by 1960.

In 1970, a strategic submarine missile carrier of project 667 appeared. But the trouble is - it turned out to be too noisy. The NATO sonar tracking system detected the missile carriers even when leaving the base. The main component of the noise spectrum of a boat is propeller noise. The smoother the blade surface, the less noise. Machines that allow you to create such parts had to be purchased in Japan, but the rubber-like material that covers the outside of the boat's hull was borrowed from the British. Both caused considerable scandals.

It is believed that the Typhoon is the most comfortable boat in the world. A six-meter fresh water swimming pool, a sauna, two gyms where you can play tennis, a cinema hall, a library. It would seem that all this is more suitable for a pleasure yacht than for a submarine cruiser. In fact, the need for comfort is dictated by iron logic - "habitability" is no less important than nuclear missile weapons.

The flight range of such "toys" is more than three thousand kilometers. The missiles have one to three individually targetable thermonuclear warheads. The power of each is one and a half megatons, and the accuracy of shooting is such that it ensures that it hits a circle with a diameter of 30 meters. No fleet in the world has more advanced weapons.

With a standard displacement of 23,000 tons on the surface, the Typhoon outperformed most heavy cruisers last war. And the fact that a heavier and larger submarine has not yet been built is absolutely certain.

True, the underwater speed of our submarine is not too high, but the range and time spent at sea are excellent. No one has yet beaten the indicator of 120 days, and that is how much Typhoon can autonomously swim. And at the same time, dive to depths of up to 400 m and successfully launch missiles from a depth of 30-60 m.

Now the Russian Navy is armed with six such submarines. And only in 2003 will they have to embark on modernization!

A. KONSTANTINOV
Inventor and innovator 2000 №8

Modern status

Due to the chronic lack of funding, in the 1990s, it was planned to decommission all units, however, with the advent of financial opportunities and the revision of military doctrine, the remaining ships (TK-17 Arkhangelsk and TK-20 Severstal) underwent maintenance repairs in 1999-2002. TK-208 "Dmitry Donskoy" was overhauled and upgraded under project 941UM in 1990-2002 and since December 2003 has been used as part of the test program for the latest Russian SLBM "Bulava". When testing the Bulava, it was decided to abandon the previously used test procedure:

• throws from a submersible stand in Balaklava,
• throws from a specially converted experimental submarine
• at the next stage - a series of launches from a ground stand
• only after successful launches from a ground stand, the rocket was allowed to flight tests from a submarine - its regular carrier

“Today we no longer have Balaklava. An experienced submarine is expensive to build. The ground stand near Severodvinsk is not in the best condition. And for a new missile system, it must be adapted, rebuilt. Therefore, at our suggestion, a rather bold - from the point of view of designers - justified decision was made: all tests of the Bulava ballistic missile (BR) should be carried out from the converted lead submarine of project 941U Typhoon "

The 18th submarine division, which included all the Sharks, was reduced. As of February 2008, it included TK-17 Arkhangelsk (last combat duty from October 2004 to January 2005) and TK-20 Severstal "(Last combat duty - 2002), as well as the TK-208 "Dmitry Donskoy" converted for the "Mace". TK-17 "Arkhangelsk" and TK-20 "Severstal" for more than three years were waiting for a decision on the disposal or re-equipment with new SLBMs, until in August 2007 the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Admiral of the Fleet V.V. it is planned to modernize the nuclear submarine "Akula" under the missile system "Bulava-M".

On May 7, 2010, Commander-in-Chief of the Navy Vladimir Vysotsky announced that two nuclear submarines of the Akula project would be part of the Russian Navy until 2019 in combat condition. At the same time, no decision has yet been made on the fate of submarines, in particular, the issue of the timing of possible modernization has not been resolved. However, the modernization capabilities of this type of submarines are very large, Vysotsky noted. In particular, the option of re-equipping them to accommodate cruise missiles was considered, by analogy with the rearmament of the US Navy Ohio-class submarines.

On September 28, 2011, a statement was published by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, according to which, "Sharks", as they do not fit into the START-3 treaty limits and are excessively expensive compared to the new Borey-class missile carriers, are planned to be decommissioned and cut into metal up to 2014. The options for converting the three remaining ships into transport submarines according to the Rubin TsKBMT project or cruise missile arsenal submarines were rejected due to the excessive cost of work and operation.

At a meeting in Severodvinsk, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said that Russia had decided to temporarily abandon the disposal of third-generation strategic nuclear submarines currently in service with the Navy. As a result, the service life of the boats will last up to 30-35 years instead of the current 25. The modernization will affect the strategic nuclear submarines of the Akula type, where the electronic filling and weapons will change every 7 years.

In February 2012, information appeared in the media that the main weapons of the Akula-type nuclear submarine, RSM-52 missiles, were not completely disposed of, and until 2020 it is possible to commission the Severstal and Arkhangelsk boats with standard weapons on board.

In March 2012, information appeared from the sources of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation that the strategic nuclear submarines of project 941 Akula would not be upgraded for financial reasons. According to the source, the deep modernization of one Shark is comparable in cost to the construction of two new Project 955 Borey submarines. Submarine cruisers TK-17 Arkhangelsk and TK-20 Severstal will not be upgraded in light of a recent decision, TK-208 Dmitry Donskoy will continue to be used as a test platform for weapons systems and sonar systems until 2019

In June 2016, it was announced that the service life of Dmitry Donskoy in the Navy was extended until 2020.

In January 2018, the final decision was made to dispose of Arkhangelsk and Severstal after 2020.