MOSCOW, 25 Feb-RIA Novosti, Nikolai Protopopov. Advanced weapons systems, quietness and high stealth — the first serial diesel-electric submarines of the project 677 "Lada" fleet will receive in 2022. The development took more than 20 years. This sumbarine can carry precision-guided weapons, and to trace its route is extremely difficult. About the features of the project-in the material of RIA Novosti.
"Difficult child"
The submarines "Kronstadt" and "Velikiye Luki" were planned to be handed over to the sailors in 2021, however, as explained by the general director of the shipbuilding enterprise "Admiralty Shipyards" Alexander Buzakov, due to problems with contractors, the date moved to the right.
In September, the head of the United Shipbuilding Corporation, Alexey Rakhmanov, reported that two production ships would be completed late, as one of the equipment suppliers was out of schedule.
Delays have plagued the project from the start. Work started in the late 1990s-the head ship "St. Petersburg"was laid down. It was launched in 2004 and was supposed to be sent to the Navy in 2006. However, the Northern Fleet took the submarine into trial operation only in 2010.
"Ladami" was going to replace the outdated "dizelyukhi" project 877 "Halibut". The new submarines are smaller, which means they are not so visible to sonar. Acoustic stealth is also enhanced by the non-standard single-hull scheme for domestic shipbuilding. In addition, the "Lada" - the first Russian submarines with an air-independent (anaerobic) power plant.
Perhaps the deadlines were constantly disrupted just because of the many new design solutions and the complexity of their implementation "in hardware". So, during the tests of the lead ship, serious problems with the hydroacoustic complex were revealed, and the insufficient power of the rowing electric motor did not allow developing the required speed under water.
But the Navy was still waiting for new DAPL, so instead of " Lad " ordered for the Pacific Fleet six time-tested and well-mastered submarines of the project 636 "Varshavyanka".
Diesel-electric submarine B-271 " Kolpino"
Image source: © RIA Novosti / Vitaly Timkiv
Dangerous " babies"
According to experts, "Lada" — the most modern and promising domestic non-nuclear submarines.
Despite their modest size, they are highly multifunctional. They are capable of resisting submarines and surface ships, striking coastal targets, laying minefields, protecting the coast from amphibious landings, and transporting special-purpose units or cargo.
The main advantages are high automation and low noise, mobility and maneuverability, which allows them to be effectively used in sabotage and reconnaissance operations. They are equipped with a powerful sonar system and three sensitive antennas at once: one in the bow, two on the sides.
The speed of the submarine with a displacement of about 1.8 thousand tons reaches 20 knots. Depth — up to 350 meters. At the same time, the number of the crew is only 30 people.
As for weapons, the "Lada" in standard equipment carry on board 18 torpedoes with a caliber of 533 mm and about 20 mines. The torpedo tubes are also adapted for firing anti-submarine high-speed missiles-torpedoes "Shkval", accelerating to 300 kilometers per hour. And of course, "Lady", as many modern Russian warships equipped with cruise missiles "Caliber".
The first two serial submarines are built without an air-independent power plant, since, according to Buzakov, Russia has not yet created such a system. But the rest of the family ships will get it.
Arrival of warships in St. Petersburg to participate in the Navy Day
Image source: © RIA Novosti / Alexey Danichev
Invisible Guardians
"Lada" — a completely new class of submarines, based on previous projects, explains RIA Novosti chairman of the All-Russian Movement of Fleet Support, Captain First Rank Mikhail Nenashev. — Over the past 15-20 years, Lada has mastered about 150 development projects. No project has ever had so much. It is, in fact, a large underwater laboratory."
As the expert stressed, in comparison with previous projects, the "Lada" take on board more torpedoes. Thanks to their unique tactical and technical characteristics, they are able to solve problems in all tactical and strategic areas. In addition, the design allows the placement of missile systems.
"The noise level of these dApps is comparable to the noise of the sea, and the new sonar system listens to a much larger space than other ships," says Nenashev. — This is very important, as the " Lada "will be based in the Arctic. Another plus is the modest size, which allows the use of submarines both in shallow water and at great depths. Nuclear-powered ships of a likely enemy will not deploy everywhere, but it is possible to defend the territory on such submarines as the Lada very successfully."
Russian diesel submarines have long been recognized as the best in their class. Six Project 636.3 submarines serve in the Black Sea Fleet, and six more will be transferred to the Pacific Fleet in the coming years — two submarines are preparing to move to a permanent duty station. For their quietness and stealth, they were nicknamed "black holes"in NATO.
But the "Frets" are even quieter. Trials "Saint-Petersburg" has shown that the level of secrecy 677-y project exceeds all previous series "disalah".
Diesel submarine " Saint Petersburg"
Image source: © RIA Novosti / Alexey Danichev
