Underwater fleet of Russia: history

The creation of the first underwater vessel in the Russian Empire can be attributed as early as 1921. Then, under the decree of Peter I, the Russian carpenter Yefim Nikonov built the first submarine, which Russian history knew. Underwater fleet of Russia, the creation of which was planned for the next centuries, was created mainly on paper, although there were exceptions. So, from 1879 to 1881 in Russia 50 submarines designed by the Polish-Russian engineer SK Dzhevetsky were produced, which, however, worked exclusively due to muscular strength. The history of the Russian submarine fleet as an integral part of the country's navy begins in 1906. It was then that Emperor Nicholas II signed a decree on its creation. At that time, there were 10 submarines in the Russian Empire.

Creation of an underwater fleet

At the turn of the XIX-XX centuries. In the leadership of the Russian Empire began to clearly understand the need to create their own military submarine fleet. This need was due to the successful development of such a shipbuilding industry in Europe and the United States. Part of the shipbuilding leaders believed that Russia's submarine fleet should be created at the expense of foreign production. Some of them believed that the Russian Empire should have its own technologies and enterprises for the production of submarines.

The decisive factor that influenced the management of shipbuilding was the disruption of the deal on the delivery of American combat boats to Russia. After that, a decision was taken on the domestic production of the Russian submarine fleet.

The first combat submarine vessel, powered by a gasoline engine, was launched in 1904. This ship was the destroyer "Dolphin", also called the torpedo boat No. 133. "Dolphin" had advantages over its foreign counterparts. He possessed a tonnage of 113/135 tons, developed a speed of up to 9 knots on the water surface and up to 4.5 knots under water. When underwater, the ship moved by an electric motor and could make raids up to 28 miles.

However, it was precisely from 1906, when the emperor signed a special decree on the creation of a special class of ships - submarines, and it was customary to count their history. The shipbuilding industry of the country in the following years developed very rapidly. Already by 1917, in the Russian Navy, the submarine fleet numbered 73 submarines.

Development of the submarine fleet in the USSR

The years of the revolution and civil war forced the entire shipbuilding industry of the country to practically stay in development for many years to come. Only in 1926 the plan was adopted, aimed at reviving the once powerful submarine fleet of Russia. It is from this time begins the restoration of old models, as well as the creation of new ones. So, in the first place it was planned to create submarines of the type "Decembrist". Six such boats were produced in the coming years. They came to replace the old "Bars" and possessed at the time characteristics that are not inferior to the performance of foreign models. So, the Soviet submarines could reach speeds of up to 14 knots and have a range of sailing to three and a half thousand miles. In addition, they had six torpedo tubes and accommodated up to 53 people. Not the last factor in the successful development of shipbuilding in the country was the appointment of the talented engineer BM Malinin to the post of head of the design bureau.

It is worth noting that the Soviet Union conducted an active cooperation in the field of shipbuilding with Germany. So, to equip submarines like "Decembrist" from Germany, diesel engines were delivered. In addition, German specialists rendered technical assistance in the process of creating submarines of type C. They possessed high combat characteristics and were actively introduced into the Soviet Navy. In addition to a large displacement - up to 1073 tons - class C submarines could reach speeds of up to 19.5 knots and perform cruises up to 8,200 miles. They also had six torpedo installations.

A special achievement of domestic shipbuilding at this time was the design and construction of a submarine type K. She possessed an impressive arsenal consisting of ten torpedo tubes and a powerful radio station. In addition, a submarine of type K had automatic remote control of the system of diving and ascent. It could reach a speed of up to 21 knots, and the range of its swimming struck even experienced submariners - up to 14 040 miles.

Postwar time

The development of the shipbuilding industry in the postwar period is characterized by a great leap in the technical equipment of submarines, a significant improvement in their characteristics. Submarines of postwar production had a significant speed, increased depth of immersion, a large number of torpedo tubes. In addition, the tonnage of underwater vessels and the duration of autonomous navigation increased.

However, a serious problem remained the diesel-electric device of boats. In other words, the designers had to build a single engine for both surface water and underwater.

Nevertheless, during this period, oceanic submarines began to develop extensively. Together with the sea, they comprised two types of existing submarine vessels. Soviet submarines were able to be deployed anywhere in the world's oceans and conduct reconnaissance activities there.

However, the problem with the ability to maneuver the boat at high speeds, as well as the need for frequent surfacing to charge the battery and regulate air reserves, has not yet been solved. Despite this, in the post-war period the Soviet Union enjoyed exceptional superiority over the rest of the powers, including the United States, in the quality and quantity of submarine ships being created. So, the superiority was achieved in such important characteristics as speed, depth of immersion, professionalism and stability of the crew.

Since the second half of the 50's. In the country a new spiral of development of underwater shipbuilding begins. Now the main goal of the shipbuilding industry was the creation and development of ocean nuclear missile submarines. Such boats were supposed, at any point in the World Ocean, to strike a nuclear-missile strike against strategically important positions of the enemy. They were also equipped with torpedo protection.

Another type of submarine was the multi-purpose vessel, which was created in order to carry out reconnaissance and sentinel activities, as well as to combat nuclear submarine missile carriers, to destroy enemy ships and transport ships.

Creation of nuclear submarines

The creation of the nuclear submarine in 1958 opened a new milestone in the development of underwater shipbuilding. Thanks to nuclear shipbuilding, the problem concerning the inability of a submarine to stay under water for a considerable amount of time was radically solved. In addition, atomic engineering allowed the submarines to significantly increase the speed of their own travel both above the water and under water.

Replacement of the motor power of the boat was brewing for a long time. Submarines were not able to carry out long diving due to the weak power of electric motors, despite the fact that they were constantly improved. Gasoline engines were also far from the most efficient in operation. In addition, the need for frequent surfacing was also caused by the constant need to replenish air reserves.

The first nuclear submarine, created by the Soviet Union in 1958, was K3 "Lenin Komsomol". The ship was laid in 1955. It had a large number of defects. Many components of its construction were made specifically for it. So, it did not use the standard body for the submarine, but it was designed exactly which would maximize its navigational characteristics. With this in mind, as well as, of course, the nuclear reactor, the test boat reached a speed of 28 knots. And this result was not the maximum possible, since the resources of the boat were not used at full capacity. It was enough for her, as has already been noted, and shortcomings, and ill-considered features. So, the submarine had no anchors, spare diesel generators and the ability to defend itself. And besides, she had limitations in maneuvering.

It should be noted, however, that specially designed layouts allowed to train future crew members even before it was published and make them professionals, so that the nuclear submarine could immediately fulfill the tasks assigned to it. The nuclear submarine fleet of Russia allowed it to retain the leading world positions in the USSR and to defend its independence in the 1990s.

Development of the industry in the 70-90's.

In the late 60's - early 70's. Submarines of the second generation began to develop. They were distinguished by high speed, improved combat characteristics. Submarine vessels of the second generation were equipped with an electrochemical air ventilation system in place of the obsolete hazardous chemical. They also had improved electronic weapons.

Between 1967 and 1992, 48 nuclear submarines were built at three plants in the country. From 1973 to 1982, the USSR produced 18 diesel-electric submarines with a rubber sound-absorbing coating of the hull. This innovation has significantly increased their secrecy. In addition, for greater efficiency, modern diesel engines of the time were installed on them.

Since the beginning of the 1980s, submarine ships of the third generation have been designed and developed. Distinctive and their main features were improved weapons and significantly increased tonnage of the vessel. In addition, work was done to improve the stealth of submarines, and to improve their means of detecting the enemy. The speed of such boats could be up to 35 knots. Improved and the conditions of the crew. Also, the submarines were equipped with rescue chambers, which allowed in the event of an emergency to complete the evacuation of the crew from a submarine boat.

Of particular note is the submarine project 941 "Shark", which were the largest underwater vessels in the world. Production began in 1981, and by the early 90's the number was 6 pieces. The basis of their armament was the 20 largest of its type solid rockets. In addition, these submarines were equipped with a strong multi-level body.

Submarines of the fourth generation, developed since the late 70's., In the 90's. Did not receive due development due to the collapse of the USSR and the financial crisis of 1998. Nevertheless, their design had significant advantages that manifested itself in the depth of the dive (up to 400 meters) and in the low noise level of operation.

The modern submarine fleet of the Russian Federation

The submarine fleet of Russia at the present stage consists of 76 submarines of different types and purposes. In the area of their application includes the destruction of both underwater targets and ships, as well as the defeat of enemy ground strategic points. These include diesel submarines, nuclear multi-purpose submarines, strategic missile submarines and submarines for special purposes.

The basis of the submarine fleet of Russia consists of boats built in the times of the Soviet Union. However, it should be noted that after a difficult period in the country until the beginning of the 2000s, the nuclear submarine fleet of Russia begins to revive.

Missile cruisers of strategic purpose

A significant part of the military power, which is represented by the Russian submarine fleet, is the nuclear submarines of Project 667BDRM "Dolphin". Currently, there are six such vessels in service with the country. All of them belong to the Northern Fleet. Also a significant threat to the enemy is the boat project 667BDR "Kalmar". Unfortunately, now there are only three such submarines in the arsenal of the Russian Federation, the newest of which was launched in 1982. These submarines serve in the Pacific latitudes.

The submarine fleet of Russia in 2014 can boast of the presence of 941 and 941UM "Akula" projects in its structure, although partially in reserve, nuclear submarines. So, in the Northern Fleet there is a cruiser TK-208 "Dmitry Donskoy".

Multipurpose nuclear submarines

The submarine fleet of Russia also includes high-combat multi-purpose nuclear submarines. Their bright representatives are the submarines of project 971 "Pike-B". Their task is to destroy submarine, surface and ground targets. Their armament consists of torpedoes and cruise missiles. These submarines are part of the Northern Fleet (6 units) and the Pacific (5 pieces).

The submarines of the project 949F "Antey" make up a significant power of the multi-purpose nuclear submarines of the Russian Federation. At the moment they are distributed between the Northern and Pacific fleets. The number of them reaches 8 pieces.

The type of such boats includes the submarine K-141 "Kursk" that was sunk in 2000, tragically. This was the largest tragedy of the submarine fleet, which is known to the newest Russian history. The submarine fleet of Russia, fortunately, at the present stage is in a much more reliable state than in the early 2000s. This allows you to be sure that mistakes and tragedies of the past will not be repeated.

The Northern Fleet, among other things, has submarines of projects 945 Barracuda and 945F Condor, complementing the military power that the Russian navy makes up. 2014 was marked by the launching of modern K-560 Severodvinsk. This project 885 Yasen boat has become the latest achievement of Russian shipbuilding. According to the plans of the country's leadership, by 2020 such boats are planned to produce 8 pieces.

Non-nuclear submarines

The largest in terms of the number of diesel-electric submarines are the submarines of Project 877 "Paltus". They are in the arsenal of the Northern, Pacific and Black Sea fleets. There are several varieties of this project. It is also planned to replenish the Black Sea Fleet with submarines of Project 636.3 - B-261 Novorossiysk, consisting of 5 units.

Previously, there were significant plans for the introduction of the battle system of the boats project 677 Lada. However, the tests showed great shortcomings in the design of the submarine, so that specialists had to make significant changes.

Other types of submarine vessels

The submarine fleet of the United States and Russia, as is known, is a junction of the most powerful underwater ships in the world. However, in both countries considerable attention is paid to the design and construction of special underwater equipment. So, the new submarine fleet of Russia possesses deepwater rescue vehicles of Project 1855 Prize. It is known that only the Northern Fleet includes up to ten submarines of different directions, which include both rescue equipment and research.

Of the most famous such vehicles, we can note the boat AS-12 "Losharik", capable of sinking to a considerable depth up to several kilometers. So, this device in 2012 carried out research work in the Arctic at a depth of 2 kilometers.

Prospects for the development of the industry

Despite the decline of the country in the 90s, which affected the underwater shipbuilding in the strongest way, we can say that with the beginning of the 2000s, The situation gradually began to change. In addition, there is a popularization of the submarine fleet, celebrating memorable dates. So, in 2006, the submarine fleet of Russia celebrated its 100th anniversary, in honor of which festive events were held in many cities, and a monument to submariners was opened in Ufa. In addition, the country annually marks the day of the Russian submarine fleet on 19 March. The history of the Russian fleet is popularized and becomes public. The profession of a submariner beckons to many schoolchildren.

However, the development of the industry as a whole should first of all be based on the design and creation of new types of submarine vessels. So, by 2020, it is planned to create up to several dozens of new submarines. It is planned to design an updated version of the 677 Lada project using a modern power plant. Thus, a significant step will be taken in the development of non-nuclear submarine shipbuilding.

It is also worth noting that the legacy of the Soviet Union in the form of old submarines is gradually being written off and replaced with newer samples. Thus, the submarine of the Russian submarine fleet was reworked the submarine B-396 of the TsKB MT Rubin project. It was part of the Northern Fleet of the Russian Federation and served until 2000.