Boat cheetah 971 mooring bollards project. Gepard is the first nuclear submarine cruiser of the 21st century. Guards multi-purpose nuclear submarine "Gepard"

The latest multi-purpose Russian nuclear boat"Gepard" 5th generation is designed to destroy aircraft carriers, as well as destroy coastal facilities and targets.

"Gepard" - multi-purpose nuclear Submarine improved project 971 (class "Bars", according to NATO classification - "Shark-2").
The project was developed by the Marine Engineering Bureau "Malachite". This is the eleventh Bars-class submarine built in the Northern machine-building enterprise since 1988. Two of them - "Gepard" and "Vepr" (adopted into the Northern Fleet in 1996) - have been significantly modernized. Russian designers claim that these nuclear-powered submarines are the quietest and fastest in the world.

On board the ship there are two DG-300 diesel generators with reversible converters (2 x 750 hp) with a fuel reserve for 10 days of operation. They are designed to generate direct current for propulsion motors and alternating current for general ship consumers.

Hydroacoustic complex MGK-503 "Skat-KS" with digital system information processing has a powerful system of direction finding and sonar. It includes a developed bow antenna, two long-range onboard antennas, as well as a towed extended antenna placed in a container located on the vertical tail (the dimensions of the container are much larger than on the nuclear submarine of project 671RTM). In addition to the SJSC, Project 971 nuclear submarines are equipped with a highly effective, unparalleled world-wide system for detecting enemy submarines and surface ships along the wake (the equipment installed on the boat makes it possible to record such a trail many hours after the enemy submarine has passed).

The ship is equipped with the Medveditsa-971 navigation complex, as well as the Molniya-M radio communication complex with the Symphony space communication system and a towed antenna.

The torpedo-missile complex includes four 533 mm torpedo tubes and four 650 mm torpedo tubes (the total ammunition load is more than 40 units of weapons, including 28 units of 533 mm caliber). It is adapted to fire Granat cruise missiles, underwater missiles and Shkval, Vodopad and Veter rocket-torpedoes, as well as torpedoes and self-transporting mines. In addition, the boat can carry out the setting of conventional mines. Fire control of Granit cruise missiles is carried out by a special hardware complex.

In the 90s. The universal deep-sea homing torpedo UGST, created by the Research Institute of Marine Thermal Engineering and GNPP Region, entered service with submarines. It replaced the TEST-71M electric anti-submarine torpedo and the 53-65K high-speed anti-ship torpedo.

At the same time, on the basis of the Soviet-American agreements in 1989, weapons systems with nuclear warheads were excluded from the armament of multi-purpose nuclear submarines - the Shkval and Vodopad rocket-torpedoes with SBC, as well as 28 long-range cruise missiles RK-55 "Granit "to destroy coastal targets at ranges up to 3000 km, which can be equipped with a 200 kiloton nuclear warhead.

The lead nuclear-powered ship of the 971st project - K-284 - was laid down on the banks of the Amur in 1980 and entered service on December 30, 1984. Already in the process of its testing, the achievement of a qualitatively higher level of acoustic secrecy was demonstrated. The noise level of the K-284 turned out to be 12-15dB (ie, 4-4.5 times) lower than the noise level of the "quietest" domestic boat of the previous generation - 671RTM. According to the NATO classification, the new nuclear submarines received the designation Akula.
After the first "just Sharks" ships appeared, which in the West were called Improved Akula (probably, boats of Severodvinsk construction, as well as the last "Komsomol" ships) were included among them. Compared to their predecessors, they had better stealth than the improved Los Angeles-class boats (SSN-688-I) of the US Navy.

In 1996, the Vepr submarine built in Severodvinsk entered service. Retaining the old contours, he had a new design of a durable hull and internal "stuffing". Again, a serious leap forward was made in the field of noise reduction. In the West, this ship (as well as subsequent nuclear submarines of the 971 project) was called Akula-2.

According to US naval intelligence, the robust hull of the upgraded Bars has a 4 m long insert. The additional tonnage made it possible, in particular, to equip the boat with "active" systems to reduce the vibration of the power plant, almost completely eliminating its impact on the ship's hull. According to American experts, in terms of stealth characteristics, the upgraded submarine of the 971st project is approaching the level of the fourth-generation American multi-purpose nuclear submarine SSN-21 Seawolf.

High stealth and combat stability give the "Bars" the opportunity to successfully overcome anti-submarine lines equipped with stationary systems for long-range sonar surveillance, as well as countering anti-submarine forces. They can operate in the zone of enemy domination and inflict sensitive missile and torpedo strikes on him. Armament "Bars" allows them to fight with submarines and surface ships, as well as with high precision hit ground targets with cruise missiles.
The speed under water reaches 36 knots. In autonomous mode, the submarine can operate up to 100 days. Crew - 61 people.

The predecessors of the "Cheetah" left the plant two years after the laying. Before the "Cheetah" were "Bars", "Panther", "Wolf", "Leopard", "Tiger", "Vepr". Sailors call this series of cat boats, although officially project 971, to which the Gepard belongs, has the code Pike-B, and according to the NATO classification, Shark-2. Despite the difference in names, they are all close to the new boat. They notice one main feature of the "cat" series - the noiselessness of the move. These are boats of the third generation.
Even under the most favorable conditions, an American Los Angeles-class submarine, which has the most advanced hydroacoustics, will be able to detect a “cat” boat no more than 10 kilometers away. This distance is critical. A nuclear submarine that crept unnoticed can already unhinderedly carry out a combat mission.

American naval analyst N. Polmer at a committee hearing national security House of Representatives of the US Congress noted: “The advent of the Akula-class submarines, as well as other third-generation Russian nuclear submarines, demonstrated that Soviet shipbuilders closed the noise gap faster than expected. In 1994, it became known that the gap no longer exists.”

The "cat" series of boats is the closest relative of the Project 945 nuclear submarine "Barracuda" created in the Nizhny Novgorod Central Design Bureau "Lazurit". Recall that this boat is deep-sea, with a titanium hull. Today, the name of its chief designer, Hero of Russia Nikolai Kvasha, is widely known.
Until May 1990, six submarines of this type were built.
The Barracuda had one significant drawback. It was very expensive, and not every Russian shipyard where submarines were made could work with titanium. The fleet needed a series of submarines general profile, cheap and easy to implement. Project 945 was taken as a basis, but the hull of the boat was made of low-magnetic steel. new series boats were assigned to project 971.

This series of nuclear submarines inherited its “cat” name from the first Russian boats beginning of the 20th century. That former "Cheetah" was founded in September 1913 at the Baltic Shipyard in St. Petersburg. A year and a half later, the boat was already in service with warships. She participated in the First World War, providing search and reconnaissance operations on enemy sea lanes. The boat made 15 military campaigns. But in October 1917, while on patrol in the Baltic Sea, she disappeared without a trace. The cause of the tragedy and the place of death have not yet been established.
A series of boats of project 971 was developed by Leningraders. In addition to the fact that the boats are quiet, they are also formidable. The torpedo-missile complex includes a total ammunition load of more than 40 units of weapons. The boats can launch Granat cruise missiles, underwater missiles and Shkval, Vodopad and Veter torpedo missiles. The boat can also be used as a mine layer.

With the appearance of "cat" nuclear submarines in the waters of the northern seas and in the Pacific Ocean, the Americans had to forget the words that they constantly repeated: "Russian submarines are larger than ours, but they are badly made."
And the head of the operational detachment of the US Navy, Admiral Jermie Borda, after analyzing all the contacts of his boats with submarines of the "cat" series, came to the conclusion that in terms of low noise they correspond to fourth-generation boats.
Concerned about the rapid development of Russian submarine shipbuilding, the American side made an attempt to involve the international non-governmental environmental organization Greenpeace in the planned operation. In obedience to customers, she transferred all her activities to the northern seas, fighting their nuclear contamination. As soon as the construction of new submarines in Russia stopped, Greenpeace immediately left the northern waters.

There was another incident related to these boats. In the early 80s, our country acquired unique high-precision metal cutting machines from the Japanese company Toshiba. The deal was secret, but the press found out about it and immediately trumpeted it all over the world. These machines allowed the use of new technologies in the processing propeller shafts and propeller blades, thereby dramatically reducing the noise of the submarine. The United States, having learned about the deal, immediately announced to Toshiba the introduction of economic sanctions. But it was already too late.
The hull of the boat has a hydroacoustic coating and is divided into seven main compartments. Created for the crew comfortable conditions: restroom, gym and even a small sauna with a swimming pool. Living quarters for four people are very similar to the compartment of a passenger train.

An interesting incident occurred on February 29, 1996, in the midst of a NATO exercise. Warships were searching for a conditional underwater enemy. The training task was completed, when suddenly a Russian submarine got in touch. Her commander asked for help. It was necessary to urgently evacuate a sailor with an acute attack of appendicitis.
For the British, to whom the request was addressed, it was a shock. Until now, they are at a loss: whether the help was really needed, or whether it was a well-conceived operation. When the boat surfaced, everyone saw that it was in the very center of the order of NATO ships. Whether the combat situation is real ...

"Cheetah" at a working speed that allows it to quickly survey a sufficiently large area is not detected at all by existing sonar facilities. And even when he picks up speed, he is able to "see" and "hear" any adversary in the ocean before he notices him.
The Americans were also shocked when they "accidentally" discovered our "Pike" near their territorial waters.
Another "Pike" distinguished itself in the summer of 1999 during the NATO aggression against Yugoslavia. Then there was a message that our submarine was seen in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. She was indeed noticed when she passed the narrow Strait of Gibraltar. But then she kind of melted away. After some time, she appeared off the coast of Corsica and Yugoslavia. She was hunted by both surface ships and anti-submarine aircraft. After playing hide and seek, the boat calmly left the Mediterranean Sea.
The shock came later when NATO headquarters found out that, along with at least short term noticed by them "Pike" in the Mediterranean Sea was the submarine cruiser "Kursk" and "Barracuda" ("Pskov"). They were discovered only when they were already returning to their native shores.

According to representatives of the US Navy, at operational speeds of the order of 5-7 knots, the noise of Improved Akula-class boats, recorded by means of hydroacoustic reconnaissance, was less than the noise of the most advanced US Navy nuclear submarines of the Improved Los Angeles class.
According to US Navy Chief of Operations Admiral D. Burda, american ships were unable to escort the Improved Akula nuclear submarine at speeds less than 6-9 knots (contact with the new Russian boat took place in the spring of 1995 off the east coast of the United States). According to the admiral, the improved Akula-2 nuclear submarine meets the requirements for fourth-generation boats in terms of low noise characteristics.

Appearance after the end of the Cold War as part of Russian fleet new ultra-secret nuclear-powered ships has caused serious concern in the United States. In 1991, this issue was raised in Congress. Several proposals were submitted for discussion by American legislators aimed at correcting the current situation in favor of the United States. In accordance with them, it was supposed, in particular:
- to demand from our country to make public its long-term programs in the field of submarine shipbuilding;
- to establish for the Russian Federation and the United States agreed restrictions on the quantitative composition of multi-purpose nuclear submarines;
- to assist Russia in the re-equipment of shipyards building nuclear submarines for the production of non-military products.
The international non-governmental environmental organization Greenpeace also joined the campaign to combat Russian submarine building, actively advocating a ban on nuclear-powered submarines (first of all, of course, Russian ones, which, according to the "greens", represent the greatest environmental danger). With the aim of "avoiding nuclear catastrophes", Greenpeace recommended that governments Western countries supply provision financial assistance Russia, depending on the solution of this issue.

The concern of the American side is also caused by the fact that India, China and South Korea have shown great interest in the boats of the "cat" series. Moreover, the Indian Navy was ahead of everyone else. The conditions for the purchase of two submarines, which are now being completed on the stocks of Sevmash, were discussed.
It's a pity, of course, that this strategic reserve goes to the side, but these are the realities, otherwise our Navy would not have received the Gepard.
Currently, all multi-purpose nuclear submarines of the 971st project are part of the Northern (Yagelnaya Bay) and Pacific (Rybachy) fleets. They are quite actively (of course, by the standards of the present time) are used for military service.

Nuclear submarine "Gepard"

The newest multi-purpose Russian nuclear submarine "Gepard" of the 3rd generation is designed to destroy aircraft carriers, as well as destroy coastal facilities and targets.

As part of sea trials, the Project 971 submarine (according to the NATO classification of the Shark type) went to sea to check the reliability of the nuclear power plant, weapons systems, navigation, reconnaissance and other onboard equipment and mechanisms.

The nuclear submarine Gepard (K-335) was laid down on September 23, 1991 at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk, and launched on September 17, 1999. The eleventh Bars-class submarine (code "Pike-B") entered the Russian Navy on December 4, 2001.

Not without reason in the international classification it is called "Akula-II". They are so different from their "predecessors" that the acoustic characteristics exceed three times. This was achieved through unique engineering solutions. For example, a two-stage depreciation of noise sources was used on nuclear submarines, i.e., the equipment is placed on sprung deck blocks, which are called "whatnots". The nose compartments contain the minimum required number of working mechanisms. In addition, the outer lightweight hull of the submarine has an anti-acoustic coating. It is lined with perfectly fitted coatings of special rubber. According to available data, the Gepard submarine is quieter than the American Los Angeles-class submarines, not to mention Ohio submarines with Trident missiles. Moreover, experts suggest that the "Gepard" in these indicators is comparable to the last submarine of the US Navy "Sea Wolf"

"Gepard" is a multi-purpose nuclear submarine of the improved project 971 ("Bars" class, according to NATO classification - "Akula-2"). The project was developed by the Marine Engineering Bureau "Malachite". This is the eleventh Bars-class submarine produced at the Northern Machine-Building Enterprise since 1988. Two of them - "Gepard" and "Vepr" (adopted into the Northern Fleet in 1996) - have been significantly modernized. Russian designers claim that these nuclear-powered submarines are the quietest and fastest in the world.

The submarine "Gepard" can perform many different tasks, therefore it belongs to the class of multi-purpose submarines of the Russian Navy. It is designed both to combat submarines and enemy surface ships. For this purpose, the submarine has a formidable missile and torpedo armament. The torpedo-missile complex includes a total ammunition load of more than 40 units of weapons. In addition, the submarine can lay conventional mines.

The combat campaigns of the Project 971 nuclear submarines showed that the Soviet Union had achieved a lot in the technical level of these ships. According to the testimonies of the commanders of submarines of this class, for the first time they felt themselves on an equal footing with the Americans and even more.

Nuclear submarine "Gepard" is not only the latest, but also the most secret submarine of the Navy Russian Federation, although there are places on it that do not remind in any way that people are under water. In the living quarters of the submarine there are special TVs made on a special spring-loaded platform. The corridors and cabins of the living deck are more like the interiors of the SV-class compartment cars. After the watch, divers can relax in the psychological relief room. Next to it is a pine-clad sauna. Inside there is a built-in artificial frozen illuminating window, creating the illusion of a winter evening. Nearby is a small gym with modern exercise equipment. The fight against noise is carried out on the submarine "Gepard" constantly, so in all rooms, including the gym - even weights are covered with football swords.

Gepard is armed with torpedoes, 82-R anti-ship missile-torpedoes and 28 RK-55 Granit long-range cruise missiles to destroy coastal targets at a distance of up to 3,000 km, which can be equipped with a 200-kiloton nuclear warhead. The speed under water reaches 36 knots. In autonomous mode, the submarine can operate up to 100 days. Crew - 61 people.

The last one is the first one

Izvestia quoted the words of Pavel Nychko, head of the military representation of the Ministry of Defense at Sevmash. When asked about the comparison of the relative characteristics of this boat and American submarines of a similar class, he said:

“Gepard compared to NATO submarines is like a Mercedes compared to Volga.

Today we all have a good idea of what a Mercedes is and what advantages it has over the Volga, so it will be easy for us to imagine what kind of new Gepard boat it is.

Newspapers did not leave the new atomic marina unattended this year either. The boat was reported to have gone sea trials. They ended successfully. And here is a completely new message. At the end of November, the factory workers are preparing to say goodbye to Gepard. There will be no celebrations. Let's hope that they will show us the surrender of the boat to military sailors.

If you know the history of the construction of the boat, then this event will also be symbolic. In the workshops of Sevmash, the boat was laid down on September 23, 1991, when the Soviet Union still existed. Now this nuclear submarine has automatically become the first Russian built boat, and even the new millennium. So ten years of our disorder are laid in the boat.

Even under the most favorable conditions, an American Los Angeles-class submarine, which has the most advanced hydroacoustics, will be able to detect a “cat” boat no more than 10 kilometers away. This distance is critical. A nuclear submarine that crept unnoticed can already unhinderedly carry out a combat mission.

The American naval analyst N. Polmer at a hearing in the National Security Committee of the House of Representatives of the US Congress noted: “The appearance of submarines of the Akula type, as well as other third-generation Russian nuclear submarines, demonstrated that Soviet shipbuilders closed the gap in noise levels faster than expected . In 1994, it became known that the gap no longer exists.”

Silent and dangerous

Until May 1990, six submarines of this type were built.

The Barracuda had one significant drawback. It was very expensive, and not every Russian shipyard where submarines were made could work with titanium. The Navy needed a series of wide-profile submarines that were cheap and easy to build. Project 945 was taken as a basis, but the hull of the boat was made of low-magnetic steel. The new series of boats was assigned to project 971.

This series of nuclear submarines inherited its “cat” name from the first Russian boats of the early 20th century. That former "Cheetah" was founded in September 1913 at the Baltic Shipyard in St. Petersburg. A year and a half later, the boat was already in service with warships. She participated in the First World War, providing search and reconnaissance operations on enemy sea lanes. The boat made 15 military campaigns. But in October 1917, while on patrol in the Baltic Sea, she disappeared without a trace. The cause of the tragedy and the place of death have not yet been established.

A series of boats of project 971 was developed by Leningraders. In addition to the fact that the boats are quiet, they are also formidable. The torpedo-missile complex includes a total ammunition load of more than 40 units of weapons. The boats can launch Granat cruise missiles, underwater missiles and Shkval, Vodopad and Veter torpedo missiles. The boat can also be used as a minelayer.

And the head of the operational detachment of the US Navy, Admiral Jermie Borda, after analyzing all the contacts of his boats with submarines of the "cat" series, came to the conclusion that in terms of low noise they correspond to fourth-generation boats.

Concerned about the rapid development of Russian submarine shipbuilding, the American side made an attempt to involve the international non-governmental environmental organization Greenpeace in the planned operation. In obedience to customers, she transferred all her activities to the northern seas, fighting their nuclear contamination. As soon as the construction of new submarines in Russia stopped, Greenpeace immediately left the northern waters.

There was another incident related to these boats. In the early 1980s, our country purchased unique high-precision machine tools from the Japanese company Toshiba. The deal was secret, but the press found out about it and immediately trumpeted it all over the world. These machines made it possible to apply new technologies in the processing of propeller shafts and propeller blades, thereby dramatically reducing the noise of the submarine. The United States, having learned about the deal, immediately announced to Toshiba the introduction of economic sanctions. But it was already too late.

Shock is our way

"Gepard" is a double-hulled submarine with a high stern empennage, on which a towed antenna radome is installed. The crew can talk to the ground even from underwater.

The hull of the boat has a hydroacoustic coating and is divided into seven main compartments. Comfortable conditions have been created for the crew: a relaxation room, a gym and even a small sauna with a swimming pool. Living quarters for four people are very similar to the compartment of a passenger train.

The sailors who come to serve on the Gepard will learn a lot of interesting things from the history of boats of this class. They will certainly be told about the incident that occurred on February 29, 1996, in the midst of a NATO exercise. Warships were searching for a conditional underwater enemy. The training task was completed, when suddenly a Russian submarine got in touch. Her commander asked for help. It was necessary to urgently evacuate a sailor with an acute attack of appendicitis.

For the British, to whom the request was addressed, it was a shock. Until now, they are at a loss: whether the help was really needed, or whether it was a well-conceived operation. When the boat surfaced, everyone saw that it was in the very center of the order of NATO ships. Whether the combat situation is real ...

The Americans were also shocked when they "accidentally" discovered our "Pike" near their territorial waters.

Another "Pike" distinguished itself in the summer of 1999 during the NATO aggression against Yugoslavia. Then there was a message that our submarine was seen in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. She was indeed noticed when she passed the narrow Strait of Gibraltar. But then she kind of melted away. After some time, she appeared off the coast of Corsica and Yugoslavia. She was hunted by both surface ships and anti-submarine aircraft. After playing hide and seek, the boat calmly left the Mediterranean Sea.

The shock came later when NATO headquarters learned that, along with the Pike they had noticed for at least a short time, the submarine cruiser Kursk and Barracuda (Pskov) were in the Mediterranean Sea. They were discovered only when they were already returning to their native shores.

Their black silhouettes, similar to ancient reptiles and with powerful shark backs, silently slip out from behind the polar fjords and already in space disappear for months in their native element - in the icy waters of the Arctic Ocean. It was with the nuclear submarine "Gepard" that the countdown of submarines of the 21st century began.

Specificationsnuclear submarine of the "Bars" type of project 971:
Length - 110.3 m;
Width - 13.5 m;
Draft - 9.7 m;
Surface displacement - 8140 tons;
Underwater displacement - 12770 tons;
Power plant - one nuclear reactor of the OK-650M type;
Surface speed - 11.6 knots;
Underwater speed - 33 knots;
Working depth of immersion - 480 m;
Maximum immersion depth - 600 m;
Crew - 73 people;
Autonomy - 100 days;

Armament:
Torpedo tubes 650 mm - 4;
Torpedo tubes 533 mm - 4;
Rocket-torpedoes and cruise missiles RK-55 "Granat";
Launch containers of the Strela-ZM anti-aircraft missile system - 3;

Igor Lisochkin

In the near future, Sevmashpredpriyatie will host the ceremony of handing over to the Navy of the new Gepard nuclear submarine, which, according to its tactical and technical data, has no equal in the world. It was reported from Severodvinsk that the factory team had already left the boat, giving way to the crew of military sailors. The main event has not yet happened, but the circles from it are already going around the world, causing increased interest of military experts and politicians not only in Russia, but also in many other countries. There is a lot to think about and talk about here. "Gepard" was built according to the design of the St. Petersburg Marine Engineering Bureau "Malachite". Its general designer - head of the bureau, laureate of the State Prize of the Russian Federation Vladimir PYALOV was asked by our columnist Igor LISOCHKIN to talk about the new nuclear submarine.

It cannot be said that "Malachite" flashes on the pages of the press. On the one hand, Peregudov, Isanin, Chernyshev and other great shipbuilders worked in your bureau, projects of many submarines were born in it. On the other hand, I'm afraid that the name of your bureau will seem completely unfamiliar to many of our readers.

We (the former SKB-143) are already half a century old. For decades, we have been creating the basis of the modern Navy - nuclear submarines that combine stealth, mobility and striking power, capable of operating in any areas of the oceans, without even requiring the conquest of regional supremacy at sea and in the air.

It is difficult for me to judge what your readers know about our bureau. But his projects and deeds are widely represented in scientific, historical and memoir literature. "Malachite" itself publishes a series of books "Underwater shipbuilding: past, present, future". There are already 15 of them.

We have something to talk about. After all, according to our project, the first domestic nuclear submarine (project 627) was built. Ballistic missiles were launched from our boats for the first time: in 1955 - from the surface of the sea, and in 1960 - from under the water. Finally, in 1962, our boat "Leninsky Komsomol" for the first time twice passed under the ice of the Arctic Ocean, surfaced three times at the North Pole ...

The bureau is specialized in the design of so-called multi-purpose submarines. Vladimir Nikolayevich, please explain again for the reader what this term means.

Submarines fall into two categories. One is strategic missile carriers. Their task is to covertly take a position in the oceans and be ready to unleash a crushing nuclear strike on the aggressor. Another category is those boats that are capable of searching for and destroying any enemy submarines and surface ships in the ocean, hit coastal targets with high-precision weapons, conduct reconnaissance, carry out mining and perform a number of other functions. They are called multipurpose.

By the way, these boats are accompanied by strategic missile carriers when going on combat duty in order to protect them from possible troubles.

As you know, "Malachite" has created projects for the third generation of such boats: the "Bars" series (according to NATO classification - Akula). Is it true that these are the best boats in the world that operate in the oceans?

Right. And let no one take this as a boast of the general designer - the head of the bureau. This is generally recognized. In foreign scientific and technical literature, "Bars" is also devoted to many words used in the most superlative degree. We have built 14 such boats: seven in Komsomolsk-on-Amur and seven in Severodvinsk. "Gepard" is the last boat of this series that came off the stocks.

- But how does it differ from the ordinary "Bars"?

- "Private" "Bars" is not in nature. The fact is that any boat is built for quite a long time, several years. During this time, the situation in the oceans is changing, new scientific ideas, types of weapons and methods of their use are emerging. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the boat. There are directive documents that directly oblige us, designers, to do this. So each new boat is not a simple repetition of the previous one.

About the same - abroad. For example, since the beginning of the 70s, Americans have been leading a very large series of boats "Los Angeles" (in our opinion - "Los"). The series is one, but the ships are different. Since their project has undergone major upgrades five times.

If we talk about the Gepard, then it uses all the previous experience of underwater shipbuilding, the latest achievements of military science and technology.

- In NATO, this nuclear submarine has already been qualified as Akula-II ...

I don't know what to answer... Probably, it would be more correct - Akula-III. But this is the business of NATO experts, let them do it.

They say that the Gepard is the fastest and quietest boat ... The representative of the Ministry of Defense at Sevmash, Captain 1st Rank Pavel Nychko, said: "Now we can proudly say - the second boat that can be compared in its technical capabilities with " Cheetah, "there is no world."

But there were times when the Americans called our nuclear submarines "roaring cows" and were convinced that they recorded their movements with sufficient accuracy. Meanwhile, of course, it is very important "who follows whom in the ocean." And at one fine time, the Americans were surprised to see that they were not following someone, but, on the contrary, they were following them! When did it happen?

In the mid-80s, with the advent of Bars. Up to this time, things were not always going well with noise. And all our boats have always been fast.

- The problem of low-noise propellers? There has been a lot of talk about this...

Many people think so, but this is not entirely correct. Of course, the role of the screw is significant here. But the noise from it arises only on high speeds. The turbine is noisy in the boat, hundreds of mechanisms with which it is stuffed. And not because of design flaws. American boats were quieter due to a higher production culture than ours.

And we quarreled with our production workers for a long time, demanding in all mechanisms the absence of imbalances and eccentricities, which cause not only noise, but also resonance of adjacent structures of the boat. The same task was set before the industry by the country's decision-making bodies.

Not immediately and not quickly, but this problem was finally dealt with. Already the first "Bars" was a low-noise boat, and during the construction of the series, the noise level was reduced by another 3.5 times.

And the picture has changed. Remember the case when our submariners handed over a sailor with peritonitis to the British? The British sailors were not struck by the very fact of such contact, they were shocked for another reason: the boat surfaced right in the area of \u200b\u200btheir exercises, and they had no idea about its presence in it.

- A Veer reactor is installed on the boat. One. Why?

The use of two reactors on submarines was aimed at improving reliability. But the modernized OK-650 nuclear propulsion system with one pressurized water reactor has such power, reliability and safety that there is no need to duplicate it. We have been going this way for a long time, it has been tested. This is not an innovation.

There were reports that the Gepard successfully passed two cycles of state tests, including test firing and testing of all combat systems.

I would put it more precisely: I passed all the stages of testing. And just surprisingly successful, almost without comment. This happens very rarely.

- Now the tragedy of "Kursk" is superimposed on any reasoning about the nuclear submarine. What can you say about this?

Almost nothing. "Malachite" was not involved in the research of this accident, and no one asked our designers about anything. We use the same press and television reports as you do.

But if you want to know the private opinion of a specialist, I will say: neither the Rubin designers nor the crew can be blamed for the death of the ship. The Kursk was a magnificent boat. And the accident most likely arose because of the incredible and unexpected convergence of many circumstances, such a convergence that happens only once in the life of several generations.

It must be understood that now nuclear submarines both here and abroad are at such a high level of development that they can be considered unsinkable. That is, in essence, what they are. Many scientists and designers are convinced of this.

I will say that devices were removed from our boats of the third generation, which allowed the diver to negotiate with the crew, to supply air to the boat from a surface ship. For obvious uselessness.

The tragedy of "Kursk" forced many views in the field of shipbuilding to be clarified...

In Severodvinsk, journalists tried for a long time to answer the question: "What changes have been made to the means of saving the crew in the event of a severe accident?" They were assured that these tools were made at the highest technical level, but they did not talk about the details, citing the impossibility of disclosing the design features of the boat.

It can be assumed that since everything is done "at the highest level" on the "Gepard", you did not need to make any changes. So?

Well, firstly, I believe that the means of rescuing sailors cannot and should not be secret. Second, your assumption is wrong. After the well-known tragic events, we carried out a thorough revision of the entire system of collective and individual means of rescue and made noticeable changes to it.

I will give just one example. During the construction of the "Gepard", mindful of the difficulties experienced by the crew of the "Komsomolets" when launching life rafts, we proposed to equip the boat with fundamentally new devices. We met objections at scientific and technical councils. A year ago, the objections fell away.

Now the crew member just needs to press the button, the powder charge will cut off the lid and throw the life raft into the water, which will open automatically. There are four such devices on the Gepard. I'm sure the crew will never have to use them. However, it is known that God protects the safe.

By the way, long before the sinking of the Kursk, we came up with a proposal to unify the means of rescuing submariners in all the fleets of the world. This will allow one boat to come to the aid of another in peacetime, regardless of its nationality. Our proposal was not rejected and continues to be considered.

But you work in an industry where the contacts of designers different countries hardly welcome.

Why? Such contacts exist. For example, we met with our American colleagues. They laughed at us for a long time about the top secrecy that surrounds our activities. Then the sailors invited the Americans to their boats, showed them, so to speak, "live".

- And it is not fraught with consequences?

No. The design of the submarine, its layout is carried out according to the well-known laws of shipbuilding. The secret is many know-how concentrated in its mechanisms, units and devices. But you can't see them with your eyes. And the designers are tactful people, they don’t ask unnecessary questions.

The Americans promised to show us their boats as well. But so far they haven't decided on it. Now we laugh at them.

They stubbornly claim that the president of Russia will be present at the ceremony of transferring the Gepard to the Northern Fleet ...

This can only be decided by the president himself. But in the Northern Fleet, at Sevmash-enterprise, at Malachite they have such hopes. Moreover, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is familiar with Gepard. In October 1999, while still being prime minister, he "brought" him to sea trials from the 55th workshop.

The last time I was on Malachite was three years ago. The Bureau was then in such financial position which doesn't seem to be worse. How can you understand the situation has improved?

Yes, we believe that the worst is over. The industry began to “breathe”, and customers got the opportunity to gradually repay us their considerable debts. In addition, the bureau successfully participated in tenders for conversion projects. One plant designed by us has already been bought by Belarus. Iran has shown interest in him... Of course, I would like to live better, but even complaining today is a sin.

Over the past few years, you have created many interesting projects- from underwater icebreakers to the city theater on the water. Without the slightest hope of funding. What's this? Stubbornness of professionals?

Let's look at a well-known phenomenon in today's industry. As soon as she revived a little, there was an instant shortage of personnel. A qualified machine operator, welder, installer is worth its weight in gold. Businesses poach them from each other...

An even more critical situation, if one does not think about it in advance, can arise in science and design. Therefore, we sought not only to retain a team of highly qualified specialists (we succeeded), but also to work on projects (in particular, ships for the development of the sea shelf) and scientific ideas designed for the long term. I am convinced that the Russian economy will rise from its knees, and we should be prepared for this.

Nuclear submarine project 971 "Pike-B" is a series of Soviet multi-purpose nuclear submarines (MPLATRK), the development of which began in the mid-70s at the Malachite design association. By the combination of their characteristics, these submarines belong to the third generation of nuclear submarines. The lead ship of this project (K-284 "Shark") was launched in 1984, and in 2001 the submarine K-335 "Gepard" was put into operation - the last submarine of this series built for the Russian fleet.

In total, fifteen Shchuk-Bs left the stocks, although it was originally planned to build 25 warships under this project. Currently, the Russian Navy includes 11 Project 971 Schuka-B nuclear submarines. In 1993, the K-152 Nerpa was laid down, which in 2012 was leased to India on a long-term basis.

Serial production of ships was carried out at two shipbuilding enterprises: Shipbuilding Plant No. 199 (Komsomolsk-on-Amur) and Northern Machine-Building Enterprise No. 402. Initially, Project 971 boats were developed according to the same terms of reference as the Project 945 Barracuda titanium submarines, so the Soviet fleet received two different ships with similar characteristics to perform the same combat missions.

Since the start series production"Pike-B" has been repeatedly modernized. For example, the submarines "Leopard" and "Tiger" differ from the basic modification best performance secrecy. According to a slightly modified project, the Gepard nuclear submarine was also created, which in the West received the name Akula-III. Submarines "Vepr" and "Dragon" differ from the basic version in the contours and dimensions of the complex, they have a more advanced set of electronic equipment.

Since 2014, several ships of the project (submarines "Volk", "Leopard", submarine "Samara") are undergoing a deep modernization at the Severodvinsk "Zvezdochka", after which they will come close to fourth-generation submarines in terms of their characteristics. Further development The concepts incorporated in the project 971 "Pike-B" are the nuclear submarines of the project 885 "Ash".

The history of the appearance of "Pike-B"

In the mid-70s of the last century, the most important event in the history of the Cold War took place - the Los Angeles multi-purpose nuclear-powered ships were adopted by the US Navy. According to the totality of their characteristics, they belonged to the third generation of nuclear submarines. These submarines were distinguished by low noise level, excellent habitability, as well as electronic and sonar equipment perfect for their time. The Soviet fleet had nothing to respond to the new threat ...

At that time, the USSR Navy was armed with nuclear submarines of the previous second generation, which, in all main characteristics, lost to their American counterparts. Especially great was the advantage of the Americans in stealth and enemy detection range - qualities that are key for any combat submarine. Naturally, such a state of affairs could not but cause serious concern among the Soviet leadership. Taking into account the emerging challenges, at that time the development of new concept anti-submarine defense of the country, which received the name "Argus". In the course of its development, the military had a clear understanding that the best means against the new enemy submarines would be their own multi-purpose submarines with comparable combat characteristics. However, they still had to be created ...

Back in 1972, the Soviet military prepared technical task for a multi-purpose nuclear submarine of the third generation. The main targets of the new warship were to be enemy nuclear submarines, as well as its surface ships, which are part of convoys and aircraft carrier strike groups (AUG). The implementation of this project was entrusted to the Central Design Bureau "Lazurit" (Gorky). Its result was the creation of the Project 945 Barracuda submarines, the hull of which was made of a titanium alloy. The use of this material gave shipbuilders a lot of serious advantages, but there were also serious disadvantages, the main of which was the high cost of titanium. Yes, and it was difficult to work with him, not all shipbuilding enterprises were able to master such technologies.

Therefore, in 1976, it was decided to create another multi-purpose nuclear submarine with a hull made of ordinary low-magnetic steel. So the project 971 "Pike-B" appeared. Its implementation was entrusted to the Leningrad SKB Malachite. The development of a new warship was carried out according to the tactical and technical specifications prepared for the 945 Barracuda project, therefore, preliminary design was not carried out. Roughly speaking, the designers were tasked with creating a cheaper submarine based on Project 945, which could be put into mass production at lower cost.

The main task facing the creators of the new nuclear submarine was a significant (several times) reduction in its noise. To solve it, the developments obtained by the SKB designers in the course of the implementation of earlier projects were used. Looking ahead, it should be noted that the Leningrad shipbuilders managed to achieve their goals - Project 971 submarines became the first Soviet ships, which, in their secrecy, not only caught up with their American counterparts, but even somewhat surpassed them.

In September 1977, the technical design of the new ship was considered and approved. Although, in the future, as the work progressed, changes were repeatedly made to it. First of all, they were caused by improvements to the hydroacoustic complex (HAC) of the boat, the efficiency of which they wanted to increase to the level of American submarines. Another reason for the changes in the project was the need to place Granit cruise missiles on the nuclear submarine. As a result, Project 971 submarines received the latest for their time digital SAC with very advanced characteristics, as well as a weapons control system that provided for the use of the Granit cruise missile.

To reduce the noise level, several technical solutions were used, the main of which was the use of the so-called two-stage depreciation system for zone blocks. Its essence was that all mechanisms with a high level of vibration were installed on special shock absorbers, in addition, they were combined into special blocks isolated from a strong body and equipped with their own shock absorbers. Such two-level protection turned out to be very effective and significantly reduced the noise of the project submarines. If the second-generation Soviet submarines were often called “roaring cows” by NATO sailors, then regarding the Pike, US Navy Admiral Jeremy Burda noted that their noise level was lower than that of their American counterparts.

In addition, Project 971 nuclear submarines received new hull contours with a minimum of protruding parts, all holes and cutouts were closed on it, vibration-absorbing coatings were used both outside and inside the strong hull. All systems of ship equipment were selected taking into account the new, more stringent standards for the level of vibration.

Naturally, far from all the innovative ideas and solutions implemented in the Pike design concerned reducing its acoustic visibility. Project 971 differed from other third-generation Soviet boats in the greater automation of ship equipment. Thanks to this, it was possible to significantly reduce the number of crew. It was envisaged that the Project 971 submarine would have a rescue pop-up chamber, and the living conditions for sailors were also improved.

Since the boats were planned to be built in a large series, it is already at the stage technical project a block-modular method of assembling the ship was provided.

The lead ship of the K-284 project was laid down in 1980 at a shipyard in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. In 1984 the boat was commissioned. Tests have shown that the noise level of the submarine is 4-4.5 times lower than that of the quietest Soviet submarine of the previous generation. Such a result, of course, can be called a real breakthrough.

Another one is connected with project 971 interesting story. In 1980 Soviet Union managed to secretly purchase metal-cutting machines from the Japanese company Toshiba, with the help of which low-noise seven-bladed propellers were made. This deal became known to journalists, and there was a loud scandal, which resulted in sanctions imposed by the United States against the Japanese manufacturer.

Initially, Project 971 submarines had only serial numbers, but in 1990 they received their own names. The first such honor was awarded to the K-317 Panther submarine.

In 1988, the first submarine, built at the Sevmashpredpriyatie shipbuilding association, entered the fleet. It is curious that all nuclear submarines manufactured in Severodvinsk have "cat" names. In fact, they are named after Russian submarines of the Bars type, the most advanced domestic submarines of the early 20th century. Another part of the ships was named after Russian cities (Bratsk submarine) or regions (Kuzbass or Magadan submarines).

In the course of serial production, the ships were constantly improved in all respects. The most advanced of the series is the Cheetah submarine, which in the West received the designation Akula-III.

Design Description

Project 971 boats are made according to the classic two-hull scheme for domestic shipbuilding. The strong hull of nuclear-powered ships is made of high-strength steel and is divided by bulkheads into six compartments. It allows warship dive to a depth of 600 meters. The light hull of the submarines of this project is covered with a special anti-radar layer.

The Project 971 nuclear submarine has a vertical tail with a streamlined boule, in which a towed antenna is located. There are also retractable bow horizontal rudders and two thrusters. The tail unit is smoothly mated with the body, which helps to reduce noise during movement. The ships of this series have a low-noise seven-blade propeller with a reduced speed.

The first compartment is divided by a sealed deck into the upper part, in which the breech torpedo tubes and racks with ammunition are located, as well as the lower part with a complex of electronic and hydroacoustic equipment.

The second compartment is divided into four decks. The first is the main post and the equipment of the combat control system. The remaining three decks are reserved for residential, medical facilities, and they also contain part of the equipment of general ship systems.

The third compartment also has four decks, here are the mechanisms and equipment. Including diesel generator set, compressors, refrigeration units, pumps, part of mast lifting devices.

The fourth compartment is occupied by the reactor.

The fifth compartment is turbine, it contains a steam turbine plant with turbogenerators and refrigeration machines.

Auxiliary mechanisms are located in the sixth compartment.

Retractable device guards are located above the second and third compartments. The cabin is made in the form of a pop-up rescue chamber. Here is the main entrance to the submarine. Thanks to high degree automation, the crew of Project 971 submarines was reduced to 73 people.

The power plant of the submarines of this project consists of a pressurized water reactor OK-650B with a capacity of 190 MW with four steam generators, as well as a steam single-shaft steam turbine plant OK-9V. There are two alternating current turbogenerators (3200 kW each) and two diesel generators with a fuel reserve for 10 days of travel. The first compartment contains two groups of batteries.

Project 971 submarines are armed with four 533-mm torpedo tubes and four 650-mm torpedo tubes. Submarines can fire torpedoes, torpedo missiles (Waterfall, Flurry, Wind), and Granat cruise missiles. Ammunition is 40 units. Through torpedo tubes it is also possible to install min.

Submarines of this series are equipped with the Skat-3 sonar complex with digital data processing. It has a powerful nose and two side antennas, as well as a towed antenna located in the tail boule.

Also on the "Pike-B" is installed a complex for detecting enemy ships along the wake "Toucan". It should be noted the Symphony-U navigation complex, and the Molniya-MTs satellite radio communication system, as well as the Radian radar complex.

Cheetah
project 971 "Pike-B", serial number 835

Photo

history reference

1991 September 23
was laid down in shop No. 50 of the Production Association Sevmashpredpriyatie in the mountains. Severodvinsk is like a big nuclear submarine.

1993 February 22
enrolled in the lists of ships of the Navy, given the name "Cheetah".

1993
construction was suspended due to insufficient funding;

1997 December 4
transferred Guards name, Guards flag and historical journal from "B-22" project 675mkv.

1999 September 17
removed from the shop in the presence of the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Klebanov I.I., Director of the FSB Patrushev N.V. and etc. officials.

1999 from December 15 to September 22, 2000
the mooring test program was completed.

2000 from 10 to 25 December
the program of the first stage of factory tests was completed.

2001 from 10 to 26 July
the program of the third stage of factory tests, combined with state sea trials, was completed.

2001 December 3
acceptance certificate signed, entered service. Chairman of the Gospriemki commission - cap. 1st rank Sorokin G.A., commander - cap. 1st rank Kosolapov D.D., responsible deliverer - Sorokin V.N., delivery mechanic - Deev A.G., leading military representative - cap. 2nd rank Troyanov S.L.

2001 December 4
the Guards Naval flag was solemnly raised in the presence of the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin. and other officials, the date of January 4 is approved as the annual holiday of the crew.

2002 January (approx)
included in the 24th detachment of the 3rd Fpl of the Northern Fleet, based in b. Yagelnaya gb. Sayda.

2004 September to October
completed the tasks of the first military service under the command of Capt. 1st rank Kabantsova K.P. in the Atlantic Ocean.

2004
won the prize of the Civil Code of the Navy "For long-term tracking of a foreign submarine" and

2005 September to October
completed the tasks of the second military service under the command of Capt. 1st rank Kabantsova K.P. and senior on board the commander of the 24th dpl cap. 1st rank Minakov A.N.

2005 year
took part in the exercises of the UPASR SF with the involvement of diverse forces of the fleet.

November 2006
a documentary was filmed on board by the camera team of the RTR channel.

2007 from June to July
completed the tasks of military service under the command of Capt. 1st rank Vakulenko E.A. and senior on board NS cap. 1st rank Kochemazov V.N. in the Atlantic Ocean.

October 2007
completed the tasks of test torpedo firing with the 266th crew under the command of Capt. 2nd rank Petrova E.A.

2007
was awarded the Challenge Cup of the Governor of the Murmansk Region "Best Submarine of the Northern Fleet".

2008 September to October
completed the tasks of military service under the command of Capt. 1st rank Vakulenko E.A. and senior on board the commander of the 24th dpl cap. 1st rank Kochemazov V.N.

year 2009
completed the tasks of test torpedo firing under the Kant program with the 608th crew under the command of Capt. 1st rank Dmitrova A.V.

2009 from June to September
completed the tasks of combat service with the 608th crew under the command of cap. 1st rank Dmitrova A.V. and senior on board the ZKD 24th dpl cap. 1st rank Zverev O.Yu.

year 2009
was awarded the Challenge Cup of the Governor of the Murmansk Region "Best Submarine of the Northern Fleet".

2010 from June to August
completed the tasks of combat service with the crew of the "K-154" "Tiger" under the command of Capt. 2nd rank Bulgakov P.I. and senior on board the commander of the 24th dpl cap. 1st rank Kabantsov K.P.

2012 from April to May
completed the tasks of military service under the command of Capt. 2nd rank Bulgakov P.I. and senior on board the commander of the 24th dpl cap. 1st rank Kabantsov K.P.

is in the Navy

commanders:

1. Maidannikov S.V. (09/06/1993 - 09/15/1996);
2. Semenov A.G. (09/15/1996 - 11/27/1997);
3. Minakov A.N. (08.12.1997 - 03.12.1998);
4. Kosolapov D.D. (03.12.1998 - 17.06.2003);
5. Kabantsov K.P. (06/17/2003 - 08/31/2005);
6. Kotenkov A.Yu. (31.08.2005 - 06.04.2006);
7. Vakulenko E.A. (04/06/2006 - 2010);
8. Shport K.V. (2010 - present).

submarine crew

Photo

crew background

1993 July 21
on the basis of the Navy General Staff of July 21, 1993, the formation of the crew began on the basis of the 24th detachment of the 3rd Fpl of the Northern Fleet.

1993 from May 12 to September 6, 1994
in the 270th Training Center of the Navy in the mountains. Sosnovy Bor was trained under the program of the newly formed crew.

1997
due to delay in construction most of the personnel of the crew located at the base point was reassigned to other crews with an understaffing of personnel. To replenish the staff and in connection with the disbandment of the K-337 Cougar crew, it was decided to reassign the personnel of the latter in full force to the staff of the K-335 Gepard crew.

1999 September 7
the crew arrived at the production association "Sevmashpredpriyatie" in the mountains. Severodvinsk, temporarily subordinated to the 339th brigade of the BelVMB.

2002 from May 9 to September 10
in the 270th Training Center of the Navy in the mountains. Sosnovy Bor was trained under the advanced inter-trip training program.

2005 from March 2 to April 22

2007 from December to February 2008
in the 270th Training Center of the Navy in the mountains. Sosnovy Bor was trained under the program of inter-trip training.

2010
in the 270th Training Center of the Navy in the mountains. Sosnovy Bor was trained under the program of inter-trip training.

September 2010
crew under the command of Capt. 2nd rank Vakulenko V.A. on the "K-154" "Tiger" fired a cruise missile at the battlefield. "Chizh".

2011 from April to June
completed the tasks of combat service on the "K-154" "Tiger" under the command of Capt. 2nd rank Shport K.V. and senior on board the NSh 24th dpl cap. 1st rank Kotenkov A.Yu.

is in the Navy

Additionally:

Photo album K-335 "Gepard"

Project description 971

List of accepted abbreviations

sources:

Berezhnoy S.S. "Submarines of Russia and the USSR", manuscript;
Berezhnoy S.S., Spirikhin S.A. “Surface ships and submarines built by plant No. 402 - SMP - in the USSR Navy. 1944 - 1966, reference book, ed. SMP, Severodvinsk, 2000;
Osintsev V.V. "Nuclear submarine K-335 "Gepard" pr.971". "24th division of the submarine of the Northern Fleet", special issue of the almanac "Typhoon", St. Petersburg, 2010;
Booklet "20 years of 24 nuclear submarine divisions", anniversary issue, ed. OJSC MIPP Sever, Murmansk, 2005;
Booklet "25 years of 24 nuclear submarine divisions", anniversary issue, Gadzhiyevo, 2010;
Memoirs of Navy veterans - participants in the events;
Information from media news reports.

A big request to everyone who can add something to the data or make corrections, contact the author by e-mail: