In 1983, the first Project 941 Akula (‘Typhoon’) SSBN appeared, a colossal 18,797-tonne (18,500-ton) boat armed with 24 R-39 Taifun (SS-N- 20 ‘Sturgeon’) missiles. Unlike the ‘Delta’ and older SSBNs, the six ‘Typhoons’ were intended to spend up to a year on the seabed, surviving a nuclear exchange to make a ‘second strike’.
The Typhoon class was developed under Project 941 as the Russian Akula class, meaning shark. It is sometimes confused with other submarines, as Akula is the name NATO uses to designate the Russian Project 971 Shchuka-B class attack submarines.
Typhoon submarines are among the quietest sea vessels in operation, being quieter and yet more maneuverable than their predecessors. Besides their missile armament, the Typhoon class features six torpedo tubes; two are designed to handle RPK-2 (SS-N-15) missiles or Type 53 torpedoes, and the other four are designed to launch RPK-7 (SS-N-16) missiles, Type 65 torpedoes, or mines. A Typhoon class submarine can stay submerged for periods up to 180 days in normal conditions, and potentially more if necessity arises (e.g. nuclear war).
Typhoon class submarines feature multiple pressure hulls that simplify internal design while making the vessel much wider than a normal submarine. In the main body of the sub, two Delta class pressure hulls lie parallel with a third, smaller pressure hull above them (which protrudes just below the sail), and two other pressure hulls for torpedoes and steering gear. This also greatly increases their survivability – even if one pressure hull is breached, the crew members in the other are safe and there is less potential for flooding. High internal volume also allows Typhoon class submarines to provide good conditions for their crews, including rooms for relaxation, a sauna and a swimming pool.
Six Typhoon class submarines were built, with each carrying 20 R-39 missiles (SS-N-20) with a maximum of 10 MIRV nuclear warheads each. Originally, the submarines were designated by hull numbers only. Names were later assigned to the four vessels retained by the Russian Navy, which were sponsored by either a city or company. The construction of an additional vessel (hull number TK-210) was canceled and never completed. Only the first of these submarines to be constructed, the Dmitry Donskoi, is still in active service with the Russian Navy, serving as a test platform for the Bulava (SS-NX-30) missile currently under development. The Arkhangelesk (TK-17) and Severstal (TK-20) remain commissioned, though not currently active with the Russian fleet. All the R-39 missiles have been retired. The Typhoons are slated to be replaced with the Borei class starting in 2007.
Noise Level?
The noise level of the Typhoon, it is noticed that the noise level of this SSBN is relatively low for her size, but I don’t know exactly the noise level of her, so as the Oscar II. Just bear in mind that the Oscars are very quiet too and the Russians never afraid to send the Oscar to operations alone. The Oscar is probably not the most quiet thing Russia has put out to sea. I have no data on Oscar, but since they use the same powertrain as the Typhoon, we can use it as a standard. The Typhoon is rated at 150/130dB, which doesn’t sound all THAT bad when you consider the fact the Typhoon is HUGE, broad, and has two nuclear reactors, two screws, and a double hull, all noise makers.
Larry Bond’s Harpoon – Commander’s Edition
