Armament: Four 650mm and two 533mm torpedo tubes with an estimated 30 weapons
Machinery: Two PWRs with steam turbines driving one 7-bladed screw; 45,000 SHP
Speed (knots): 35 (submerged)
Number in class: 2/1 + 1
Users: Russia
Comments: The evolutionary descendant of the Alfa, the Sierra is a titanium-hulled follow-on to the previous classes of Soviet SSNs. Very quiet and well armed, it has been overshadowed by the highly successful steel-hulled Akula-class boats. Reportedly, once the last Sierra II is completed, Krasnaya Sormova will convert to civilian ship production.
Class name: Charlie II (Project 670M)
Producer (country/manufacturer): Russia/Krasnaya Sormova
Displacement (surfaced/submerged): 4,300/5,500
Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 337.8/103 Beam: 32.8/10 Draft: 26.2/8
Armament: Eight SS-N-9s in external tubes; six 533mm torpedo tubes with 12 weapons
Machinery: One PWR with steam turbines driving one 5-bladed screw; 15,000 SHP
Speed (knots): 24 (submerged)
Number in class: 6
Users: Russia
Comments: These boats may possibly be the oldest guided missile submarines that will be retained by Russia. Relatively noisy, but they can still pack a powerful punch with their battery of SS-N-9 Siren antiship missiles.
Class name: Oscar I/II (Russian: Granite/Antey classes) (Project 949 & 949A)
Producer (country/manufacturer): Russia/Severodvinsk
Displacement (surfaced/submerged): Oscar I-13,900/16,700; Oscar; II-15,000/18,000
Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 478.9/146 or 505.1/154 Beam: 59/18 Draft: 32.8/10
Armament: Twenty-four SS-N-19s in external tubes; six 650mm and 533mm torpedo tubes with 24 weapons
Machinery: Two PWRs with steam turbines driving two 7-bladed screws; 90,000 SHP
Speed (knots): 33 (submerged)
Number in class: 2/7+
Users: Russia
Comments: Oscar carries the nickname of "Mango" for her size and firepower. She also is as quiet as Sierra and carries the same sonar system, including a towed array from the tube on top of the rudder, as the Sierra-class boats. With 24 SS-N-19 Shipwreck heavy antiship missiles and a full array of torpedoes, this is the largest and most heavily armed attack submarine in the world. Probably capable of taking one or more torpedo hits and still surviving.
Class name: Fourth generation SSN (Akula follow-on) (Project:?)
Producer (country/manufacturer): Russia/Severodvinsk
Displacement (surfaced/submerged): [?] 10,000 (submerged)
Dimensions (ft/m): (unknown)
Armament: Six to eight 650mm and 533mm torpedo tubes with 30+ weapons
Machinery: PWRs with steam turbines driving one 7-bladed screw;? SHP
Speed (knots): [?] 30–35 (submerged)Number in class:?
Users: Russia
Comments: If the Russians choose to continue SSN production, they will probably base the fourth-generation design on their formidable Akula class. In terms of capability, this boat will probably be the equal of a 688I in terms of quieting, and will have improvements in sonar, computers, and weapons. Should a decision be made to produce it, the first boat will probably be commissioned somewhere in the 2003–2005 time frame.
Class name: Typhoon (Russian: Akula class) (Project 941)
Producer (country/manufacturer): Russia/Severodvinsk
Displacement (surfaced/submerged): 18,500/25,000
Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 560.9/171 Beam: 78.7/24 Draft: 41/12.5
Armament: Twenty SS-N-20 SLBMs; six 650mm and 533mm torpedo tubes with an estimated 24 weapons
Machinery: Two PWRs with steam turbines driving two shrouded 7-bladed screws; 90,000 SHP
Speed (knots): 25 (submerged)Number in class: 6
Users: Russian-operated but under CIS control
Comments: The world's biggest submarine, pure and simple. The Typhoon seems to have been designed as a direct counter to the Ohio-class SSBNs. She carries 20 equally huge SS-N-20 (RSM-52) Sturgeon submarine-launched ballistic missiles. Essentially two Delta IV pressure hulls slapped together, with additional spaces for torpedo tubes and storage and ship control, this monster of the deep is equipped for long-term operations, particularly in the Arctic areas. Because of its double hull and massive bulk, to sink it with just a single heavy torpedo hit would be nearly impossible. The Russians call this beast Akula.
Class name: Delta IV (Russian: Del'fin class) (Project 667 BRDM)
Producer (country/manufacturer): Russia/Severodvinsk
Displacement (surfaced/submerged): 10,800/13,500
Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 537.9/164 Beam: 39.4/12 Draft: 28.5/8.7
Armament: Sixteen SS-N-23 SLBMs; six 650mm and 533mm torpedo tubes with 18 weapons
Machinery: Two PWRs with steam turbines driving two 7-bladed screws; 50,000 SHP
Speed (knots): 24 (submerged)Number in class: 7
Users: Russian-operated but under CIS control
Comments: A direct descendant of the highly successful Delta III SSBNs, the Delta IV was originally seen as a "just in case" program should the Typhoons not perform as desired. Unveiled in the light of the START II world, this formidable design has been seen for what it is, a very capable and quiet SSBN able to sustain long operations, even in the Arctic regions. Delta IVs carry 16 liquid-fueled SS-N-23 (RSM-54) Skiff submarine-launched ballistic missiles.
Class name: Delta III (Russian: Kal'mar class) (Project 667 BDR)
Producer (country/manufacturer): Russia/Severodvinsk
Displacement (surfaced/submerged): 10,600/13,250
Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 510/155.5 Beam: 39.4/12.0 Draft: 28.2/8.6
Armament: Sixteen SS-N-18 SLBMs; six 533mm torpedo tubes with 18 weapons
Machinery: Two PWRs with steam turbines driving two 5-bladed screws; 50,000 SHP
Speed (knots): 24 (submerged)
Number in class: 14
Users: Russian-operated but under CIS control
Comments: First appearing in the mid-1970s, the Delta IIIs were the first Soviet SSBNs to truly rival the American SSBNs in weapons. Specifically, her long-range SS-N-18 (RSM-50) Stingray missiles with multiple reentry vehicles gave her the ability to hit numerous targets in North America from pier side at either Petropavlovsk or Murmansk bases. Delta IIIs will probably be the oldest SSBNs retained by the Russian Navy under START II, and some will probably serve until the beginning of the twenty-first century.
