SSBN TYPHOON CLASS (TYPE 941) STRATEGIC MISSILE SUBMARINE,
RUSSIA
The Typhoon ballistic missile nuclear-powered (SSBN) submarines are
the largest submarines ever to be built. They were constructed at
the Severodvinsk Shipyard, on the White Sea near Archangel. The
first of the six members of the class to be commissioned was TK 208
in 1981, followed by TK 202 in 1983, TK 12 in 1984, TK 13 in 1985,
TK 17 in 1987 and TK 20 in 1989. The submarines were stationed with
the Russian Northern Fleet at Litsa Guba.
Of the six, only TK 17 and TK 20 are operational. TK 208 has been
relaunched and is to be outfitted as a trials ship. TK 12 and TK 13
are decommissioned, waiting to be scrapped. With assistance from
the United States, through the Co-operative Threat Reduction
Program, TK 202 has had its nuclear fuel removed by US funded
processing facilities and converted into forms suitable for long
term storage or re-use. The UK has also agreed to take part in the
dismantling of Russia's decommissioned nuclear submarines.
DESIGN
The Typhoon class submarine is of multi-hulled design five inner
hulls are situated inside a superstructure of the two parallel main
hulls. The superstructure is coated with sound-absorbent tiles.
There are 19 compartments including a strengthened module which
houses the main control room and electronic equipment compartment
which is above the main hulls behind the missile launch
tubes.
The submarine's design includes features for travelling under ice
and ice-breaking. It has an advanced stern fin with horizontal
hydroplane fitted after the screws. The nose horizontal hydroplanes
are in the bow section and are retractable into the hull. The
retractable systems include two periscopes (one for the commander
and one for general use), radio sextant, radar, radio
communications, navigation and direction-finder masts. They are
housed within the sail guard. The sail and sail guard have a
reinforced rounded cover for ice-breaking.
Maximum diving depth is 400m. Speed is 12 knots when surfaced and
25 knots when submerged. Typhoon is capable of spending 120 days at
sea.
MISSILES
The submarine carries 20 RSM-52 intercontinental, three-stage solid
propellant ballistic missiles. The two rows of missile launch tubes
are situated in front of the sail between the main hulls. Each
missile consists of ten independently targetable multiple re-entry
vehicles (MIRV's), each with a 100kt nuclear warhead. Guidance is
inertial with stellar reference updating. Range is 8,300km with
accuracy (CEP) of 500m. The missile weighs 84,000kg at launch and
was designed by the Makayev Design Bureau. It has the NATO
designation of SS-N-20 Sturgeon.
TORPEDOES
Typhoon has four 630mm torpedo tubes and two 533mm torpedo tubes
with a total of 22 anti-submarine missiles and torpedoes of varying
types. The torpedo room is in the upper part of the bow between the
hulls. The torpedo tubes can also be used to deploy mines.
SYSTEMS
The sonar is an active/passive search and attack type with the
sonar mounted on the hull under the torpedo room. The submarine is
fitted with I/J band surface target detection radar.
Countermeaures include ESM (electronic support measures), radar
warning system and direction-finding system.
The submarine has both radio and satellite communications systems.
It is fitted with two floating antenna buoys to receive radio
signals, target designation data and satellite navigation signals,
at depth and under ice cover.
PROPULSION
The submarine main machinery consists of two nuclear water reactors
and two turbogear assemblies comprising steam turbine and gearbox.
One reactor and one turbogear assembly are fitted in each main
hull. Each nuclear water reactor produces 190MW. These drive two
50,000hp steam turbines and four 3,200kW turbogenerators. Two 800kW
diesel generators serve as standby propulsion units and are coupled
to the shaft line. The two propellers are seven-blade, fixed-pitch
shrouded. The built-in thrusters on the bow and stern are two
telescopic turning screw rudders and are powered by a 750kW
motor.
