Typhoon-Class: Russia Built the Biggest Submarine Ever (Navy Could Not Match It)

 

Typhoon-Class Submarine

The Russian Navy decommissioned the Project 941 Akula (Typhoon-class) submarine Dmitry Donskoy in February 2023, several years earlier than expected.

-Originally commissioned in 1981, the Dmitry Donskoy was the last of the Typhoon-class submarines in service, known for being the largest submarines ever built.

The vessel, which served as a weapons test platform in recent years, was retired due to cost considerations. The Typhoon-class submarines were designed during the Cold War to counter the U.S. Navy's Ohio-class submarines, carrying 20 RSM-52 SLBMs with multiple warheads.

Over a year ago, Russia decommissioned the Project 941 Akula (NATO reporting name Typhoon) heavy nuclear-powered missile-carrying submarine cruiser Dmitry Donskoy several years earlier than expected. In fact, it had been only three years ago that the Kremlin announced the boat would remain in service until at least 2026, even as its role was reportedly limited to that of a weapons test platform for the new Borei-, Borei-A-, Yasen-and Yasen-M-class submarines.

In February 2023, it was officially confirmed that Dmitry Donskoy was decommissioned in February due to cost considerations. The submarine had served for more than 40 years in the Northern Fleet.

Initially designated the TK-208, she was the lead vessel of the Soviet third-generation Akula-class (Russian for "Shark"). She entered service in 1981 with the Soviet Navy, and after a 12-year overhaul and refit that began in 1990, she reentered service in 2002 as the Dmitry Donskoy, named after the Grand Duke of Moscow Dmitry Donskoy (1359–1389), the reputed founder of Moscow.

According to Russian media, Dmitry Donskoy initially carried D-19 strategic intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) as its basic armament. Following its upgrade under Project 941UM, it was involved in the tests of the seaborne Bulava ICBM.

Typhoon-Class: Project 941 Boats

The Sevmash Shipyard built six of a planned seven Project 941 submarines for the Russian Navy, and all were operational with the Northern Fleet. Though the oldest of the submarines, the Dmitriy Donskoy was also the last of the class to remain in service.

The TK-202, TK-12 – later renamed the Simbirsk – and T-13 were withdrawn from active service between 1996 and 2009, and scrapped with the financial support of the United States. Two other boats: the TK-17/Arkhangelsk and TK-20/Severstal remained in service until they were decommissioned circa 2013. A seventh boat, TK-210, was laid down but scrapped before completion.

With a displacement of 48,000 tons, a length of 175 meters (nearly 600 feet), a 23-meter beam, and a 12-meter draught, the Typhoon-class was the largest class of submarines ever built. Developed with multiple pressure hulls, including five inner hulls situated inside a superstructure of two parallel main hulls, the Typhoon-class was also wider than any other submarine ever built. The submarines were powered by OK-650 pressurized-water nuclear reactors, two 50,000 horsepower steam turbines, and four 3,200 KW turbogenerators and this provides the boat with the ability to sail at a speed of up to 22.2 knots on the surface and 27 knots whilst submerged.

Each contained nineteen compartments, including a strengthened module, which housed the main control room as well as an electronic equipment compartment above the main hulls and behind the missile launch tubes. It even was reported that there was a sauna on board as well as a small swimming pool for the crew. The sheer size of the submarines was likely welcomed by the approximately 160 sailors who called the submarine home on voyages lasting 120 days or longer, oftentimes without surfacing for months at a time.

The Typhoon-class subs were designed to counter the United States Navy's Ohio-class subs, which were capable of carrying up to 192 100-kiloton nuclear warheads. By contrast, the Soviet Typhoons could carry a primary cache of 20 RSM-52 SLBMs (submarine-launched ballistic missiles), each of which contained up to 10 MIRV (multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle) warheads.

Though the Dmitriry Donskoiy has been decommissioned, in 2021, a new sub of the Borei-class has already begun construction; and when launched, will bear the name of the legendary founder of Moscow.

USS Idaho: Futuristic nuclear-powered fast attack Navy submarine launched

 

USS Idaho: Futuristic nuclear-powered fast attack Navy submarine launched

The future USS Idaho (SSN 799) has been successfully launched into the Thames River from the shipyard of General Dynamics Electric Boat, one of the U.S. Navy’s latest attack submarines.

The launch, also known as “float off,” marks a construction milestone in the life of a ship when it moves from the shipbuilder’s facilities and into the water for the first time to begin final outfitting, testing, and crew certification.

“Today’s launch is a testament to the strong collaboration the Navy has with its shipbuilding partners,” said Capt Mike Hollenbach, Virginia Class Submarine program manager. 

“IDAHO will be a valuable national asset and source of pride for our Sailors, the shipbuilders and all Americans for years to come.”

Virginia-class fast-attack submarine submarine sponsor Terry Stackley christened the boat on March 16, 2024, with water she collected from several lakes in Idaho. 

The submarine began construction in 2017 and will be the 26th Virginia-class fast attack submarine to deliver to the fleet and the fifth U.S. Navy ship named for the state. 

The last ship named Idaho was battleship BB 42, commissioned in 1919.

Virginia-class fast-attack submarines allow the Navy to maintain the nation’s undersea supremacy well into the 21st century.  

Virginia submarines have enhanced stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities, and special warfare enhancements that enable them to meet the Navy’s multi-mission requirements. 

Additionally, through the extensive use of modular construction, open architecture, and commercial off-the-shelf components, the Virginia class is designed to remain state-of-the-art for its entire operational life by rapidly introducing new systems and payloads.

The submarine will undergo rigorous US Navy sea trials.

Sea trials are an intense series of tests to demonstrate the satisfactory operation of all installed shipboard equipment. 

Sea Trials ensure that the submarine’s overall performance is in accordance with its plans and specifications. 

New construction ships undergo Builder’s Trials and Acceptance Trials prior to the submarine’s delivery and Final Contract Trials several months after delivery before sailing away.

The sail away is the submarine’s final departure from the construction yard for its homeport or commissioning site. 

It signifies the end of the new construction period and the beginning of its life as it prepares to perform the mission it was designed to undertake.

Capabilities and missions

The USS Idaho SSN 799 will have Acoustic Stealth, developed at Acoustic Research Detachment, Bayview, Idaho.

The submarine features nuclear power, and the original nuclear submarine propulsion system was built at Idaho National Lab in 1953—all of the nuclear training officers and crew from the USS Nautilus SSN 571 trained in Idaho.

The submarine is built at an estimated cost of $2.6 billion; its life is expected to be 30 years.

The submarine’s armament includes 12 Vertical-Launch Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles and 4 Horizontal Torpedo Tubes capable of launching Mark 48 Advanced Capability Torpedoes and Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles.

The special operations of the submarine include an integrated Lock In / Lockout chamber for Navy SEAL Operations Capability.

The missions of this submarine are sea control and freedom of navigation operations, land attack, antisubmarine warfare, carrier/task force battle group escort, mine laying and detection, special operations control/support, antisurface ship warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and launch/recovery of Unmanned Underwater Vehicles.

The submarine is expected to be commissioned in 2025.

Guam slated to homeport its first Virginia-class fast-attack submarine

 

The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Minnesota transits Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on June 20, 2024, as it begins sea trials after undergoing a two-year maintenance period. (Claudia LaMantia/U.S. Navy)

The Navy will beef up its submarine squadron on Guam in the coming months by homeporting one of the service’s most advanced fast-attack subs there. 

The Virginia-class USS Minnesota is expected to arrive in the U.S. territory sometime during the next fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, Lt. Cmdr. Rick Moore, a spokesperson for U.S. Pacific Fleet Submarine Force, said by email Friday.

 “We are committed to posturing our most capable platforms to preserve peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region,” he wrote. “Although I am unable to discuss specifics at this time, the Navy routinely assesses its overseas force positioning, to include forward-deployed naval force submarines homeported in Guam.”

 USS Minnesota, which was commissioned in 2013, is currently homeported at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. In early July, it completed a two-year maintenance overhaul at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility in Hawaii.

 Guam is of growing importance to the Pentagon’s Indo-Pacific strategy as China continues to expand its Navy and its ambitions in the region. The U.S. territory is home to Andersen Air Force Base, Naval Base Guam and Camp Blaz, a massive Marine Corps base still under construction.

 The island would serve as a crucial hub in the event of a conflict with China because it is the westernmost American territory and closest to the South China Sea, a flashpoint in the region. The nuclear-powered Virginia-class subs will eventually replace the Navy’s aging fleet of Cold War-era Los Angeles-class vessels.

 Virginia-class subs are designed for a greater range of missions, with an emphasis on littoral operations, according to a Navy fact sheet. They support a host of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike warfare, surveillance and reconnaissance.

 The subs are designed so that their torpedo rooms can be reconfigured to hold a large number of special operations forces and their equipment during extended deployments. Guam was homeport to five Los Angeles-class submarines for most of 2022, a group that included USS Annapolis, USS Jefferson City, USS Asheville, USS Springfield and USS Key West.

 In early 2023, however, the Key West headed back to the U.S. mainland after 35 years of service in the fleet and awaits decommissioning.

Read more at: https://www.stripes.com/branches/navy/2024-08-02/navy-guam-submarine-uss-minnesota-14716907.html?utm_source=Stars+and+Stripes+Emails&utm_campaign=Daily+Headlines&utm_medium=email

Source - Stars and Stripes

The U.S. Navy's Seawolf-Class Submarine Nightmare Is An Awful Reality

 

Seawolf-Class Submarine

© Provided by National Interest

The Seawolf-class submarines are considered the best undersea vessels, equipped with advanced torpedoes, missiles, and capable of high-speed silent cruising.

Originally designed to counter Soviet submarines, only three Seawolf-class subs were built due to their high cost. The U.S. Navy prioritized expensive Ford-class aircraft carriers over expanding the Seawolf fleet.

With just two operational Seawolf subs, the strategic advantage is limited, especially against rivals like China and Russia. The USS Jimmy Carter is notable for special operations, but the limited fleet reflects a missed opportunity for enhancing U.S. naval power through a larger, more effective submarine force.

Why the Seawolf-Class Submarines Could Have Changed Naval Warfare"

The U.S. Navy’s Seawolf-class submarines are widely considered to be the best vessels to ever “run silent, run deep.” At $3.5 billion per sub, these undersea demons keep Russian and Chinese war planners up at night. 

Seawolf-class submarines are usually equipped with powerful heavyweight 533-mm Mark 48 torpedoes. They are armed with Harpoon anti-ship missiles as well, and the platform can fire Tomahawk cruise missiles at targets on land. Seawolf-class subs can cruise underwater at an astonishing 35 knots, or 20 knots when rigged for silent running. 

Designed in 1983 to respond to Soviet attack submarines such as the ubiquitous Akula class, the Seawolf class was intended to replace aging Los Angeles-class attack submarines. Washington planned to build and deploy around 30 of these technological marvels over the course of a decade. 

After 41 years of existence, however, only three Seawolf-class subs are in service.

The reason there are so few of these lethal submarines is their high cost per unit. Back in the 1990s, the Seawolf class accounted for about 25% of the U.S. Navy’s entire construction budget. Of course, given the nightmare fuel that the Seawolf-class serves up to America’s two biggest geostrategic challengers — Russia and China — it strains credulity that either Congress or the Pentagon would believe that the money could have been better spent.

Alas, they did think that. 

The Navy’s Wastefulness is Unbelievable

Rather than investing in the dynamic Seawolf class, the U.S. government opted instead to invest in the Navy’s lavishly funded aircraft carrier program. At an initial cost of  $13 billion per ship, and an additional $700 million per year, America’s Navy decided to build the Ford-class aircraft carrier. For the same cost, at $3.5 billion per unit, the Navy could have built four more Seawolf-class submarines. 

Because of the advent and refinement of the anti-access/area-denial capabilities of America’s main strategic rivals, all of the investment into new aircraft carriers is basically a waste. If China or Russia can seriously threaten the safety of American aircraft carriers, Washington will keep those assets far removed from any war zone, creating a hulking gap in its power-projection capabilities. 

Had the Navy been smarter and simply invested those funds in the far more useful Seawolf class, they could afford to risk losing some of these assets in combat. As it stands now, however, with just three units in the fleet and no others coming down the pipeline, the Seawolf class could essentially be made extinct by damage in combat against a great power rival. 

Only Two Operational Seawolf Subs

The USS Connecticut is one of the three Seawolf-class subs in the fleet. In 2021, the submarine was patrolling the South China Sea, operating very near China’s sophisticated submarine base on Hainan Island. While performing its mission in international waters, the submarine crashed into an underwater mountain and suffered nearly catastrophic damage. It limped back to port and has been undergoing a refit. The Connecticut is not expected to return to service for at least another year. 

That means that the U.S. fleet has only two Seawolf-class subs right now.

One of the Seawolf-class submarines, the USS Jimmy Carter, was selected to be used for special operations missions. It was extended to 100 feet long in 2005. The Jimmy Carter’s capabilities are noteworthy, even for a submarine of this class. Should China successfully invade Taiwan, one could see the Jimmy Carter being covertly deployed to drop Special Forces operators and weapons behind enemy lines in occupied Taiwan, where they would support the inevitable Taiwanese insurgency against the Chinese invaders. 

Seawolf-Class Submarine: Wasted Assets

But that is one sub. Imagine if the Pentagon had followed through on its plan for a minimum of 30 Seawolf systems. The Seawolf-class submarine is probably far more relevant to any potential war with China or Russia than the entire U.S. aircraft carrier fleet. Building up this class of submarine is probably impossible now – America’s declining defense industrial base cannot support the demand. (The shoddy state of American shipyards is one of the reasons the Connecticut is taking so long to repair) 

The Navy missed the boat on the Seawolf-class submarine revolution. It is now about to pay the ultimate price for its shortsightedness when it favored the interests of big defense contractors and their preference for carriers over the national interest in shifting the Navy’s focus toward submarines.

About the Author

Brandon J. Weichert is a former Congressional staffer and geopolitical analyst who is a contributor at The Washington Times, as well as at American Greatness and the Asia Times. He is the author of Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower (Republic Book Publishers), Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. Weichert can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.

All images are Creative Commons and/or Shutterstock. 

US Navy nuclear ballistic missile submarine surfaces off Norway in unusual flex as 'Doomsday' plane flies overhead

 

The US Navy nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine Tennessee in the Norwegian Sea on Sunday. US Naval Forces Europe-Africa/US 6th Fleet

© US Naval Forces Europe-Africa/US 6th Fleet

• A US Navy nuclear-powered ballistic-missile submarine surfaced in the Norwegian Sea.
• It was accompanied by a guided-missile cruiser and two naval aircraft.
• The show of force came weeks after Russia sent a submarine and naval fleet to Cuba.

A US Navy nuclear-powered ballistic submarine popped up in the Norwegian Sea this week in a rare show of force. It was accompanied by a guided-missile cruiser and two naval aircraft.

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US Naval Forces Europe-Africa/US 6th Fleet announced the movement of the USS Tennessee (SSBN 734) in the Norwegian Sea on Tuesday, writing that the sub was joined by the USS Normandy (CG 60) as well as a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft and an E-6B Mercury strategic communications plane.

Per the US military post on X, the fleet was in the Norwegian Sea on Sunday. The specific intention wasn't overtly stated, but these assets send a message to potential adversaries.

The flex notably comes amid persistent tensions with Russia, which has been rattling the nuclear saber lately, and just a few weeks after Russia sent a naval flotilla, including one of its own nuclear-powered subs, to Cuba.

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The USS Tennessee is an Ohio-class ballistic-missile sub able to carry as many as 20 Trident nuclear missiles. Its accompanying E-6B Mercury "provides survivable, reliable, and endurable airborne Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) for the president, secretary of defense, and US Strategic Command," according to Naval Air Systems Command.

Like the Air Force E-4B "Nightwatch," the Navy plane is sometimes called the "Doomsday plane," as it can relay National Command Authority directives to US submarines as part of the "Take Charge and Move Out" mission and fulfill "Looking Glass" obligations, which involves directing nuclear forces if the ground-based options are gone.

The E-6B Mercury had been tracked flying an operation off the coast of Norway on Sunday, which Hans Kristensen, the director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists, wrote on X "indicated forward operations with nuclear missile submarines."

While Kristensen said this was expected, he said he didn't expect to see a nuclear sub surface, calling it "a blunt signal to Russia."

The Russian nuclear-powered submarine Kazan, part of the Russian naval detachment visiting Cuba, arriving at Havana's harbor on June 12. ADALBERTO ROQUE/AFP via Getty Images© ADALBERTO ROQUE/AFP via Getty Images

As the "boomers," or ballistic-missile subs, are an element of the US nuclear triad, the US Navy doesn't regularly reveal where they are. Other elements of the submarine force also tend to be far less visible than the surface fleet.

But since 2020, it has been more frequently making its presence known in the North Atlantic and nearby seas, particularly around Norway and other NATO allies. Part of this reflects increased cooperation between Norway, the US, and other NATO partners.

Russian Submarine's Damaged Hull During Cuba Visit Raises Questions

 

Russian Marines stand guard on top of the Russian nuclear-powered submarine Kazan, part of the Russian naval detachment visiting Cuba, arrives at Havana's harbor, June 12, 2024. The Russian nuclear-powered submarine Kazan -- which was not carrying nuclear weapons -- and three other Russian naval vessels, docked in the Cuban capital from June 12-17.

© YAMIL LAGE/AFP/Getty Images

Images of a Russian nuclear-powered submarine that docked in Havana last week for military drills appear to show some damage to its hull, raising questions on social media.

The nuclear-powered submarine Kazan and other naval vessels docked in the port of Havana on June 12 and left on Monday after a five-day stay. Russia deployed warships and aircraft to the Caribbean Sea last week for planned military drills—a move the U.S. has said it is not alarmed by.

Newsweek

Russian Flotilla Arrives in Port of Havana

Observers of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war shared photographs of the docked submarine on social media, pointing to gaping holes in the vessel's hull.

Submarines are typically fitted with stealth coatings, or anechoic tiles, which are designed to absorb sound waves, making them less vulnerable to attacks and harder for enemy ships to track. It is common to see patches of missing tiles on submarine hulls.

Newsweek contacted Russia's defense ministry for comment by email.

"The Russian submarine started falling apart during its trek to Cuba," wrote Igor Sushko, a Ukrainian military blogger and the executive director of the Wind of Change Research Group, in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"Will it make it back to Russia?? I say declaring an emergency and heading to a port a few hours away in Florida to defect is the best course of action," he added.

Marijn Markus, a Netherlands-based data scientist, said on LinkedIn: "Russia's newest nuclear submarine, the Kazan, falls apart as it visits Cuba. Its soundproofing panels are falling off, meaning the 'stealth' sub is likely very loud underwater and lights up on sonar."

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"Anechoic tiles are meant to be replaceable but OMG that gaping hole on the right...," Markus wrote.

"While docked, Russian divers were seen around the sub, presumably trying to repair the tin tub. Shockingly, the sub is only 6 years old. Note losing tiles is a problem Western subs also suffer from. Usually adhesive problem and the continual compression and expansion of the hull."

H.I. Sutton, a maritime security researcher, said in an article for Forbes in 2020 that the anechoic coatings present an engineering challenge because they "need to stay attached in some of the most challenging environments on earth."

"The hull of the submarine, despite being made of super-strong steel, flexes as the submarine goes deep. And the coating is exposed to temperature changes," he said.

"The U.S. Navy is not alone in having challenges with its stealth coatings. The Royal Navy, which deploys in similar patterns, often has parts of the coating come off. And the Russian Navy, which operates in the harsh Arctic, faces similar problems," said Sutton. "Their challenges are further exacerbated by the titanium hulls of some of its submarines, which appears to be even harder to stick the coating to.

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"So next time you see a submarine with visible scars where the coating has come off, realize that it is a common problem which reflects the hard operating conditions. A fix may be in the works."

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