Yury Dolgoruky has completed the year-long trials

22.12.2010 Four-generation nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) Yury Dolgoruky built in Severodvinsk has successfully finished trials program of 2010, reported ITAR-TASS on Dec 21 referring to Anastasia Nikitinskaya, press secretary of Sevmash. Talking with the shipyard's director general Nikolai Kalistratov, White Sea Naval Base Commander Capt 1 rank Viktor Liina who is in charge for trials said that SSBN Yury Dolgoruky was the most maneuverable sub he ever had sailed.

"The submarine is not going to be delivered to the Navy so far; as is known, Yury Dolgoruky will undergo trials of standard weapon – new missile system Bulava", specified the shipyard's representative. Yury Dolgoruky which is the Project 955 Borei lead sub was laid down in 1996 and launched for outfitting in April 2007. The submarine has completed sea trials program in the current year and will be commissioned along with submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) Bulava. The missile's first test launch with standard carrier – SSBN Yury Dolgoruky – had been initially scheduled on Dec 17, although was postponed because of 50-cm thick ice covered the firing range in the White Sea.

Sevmash shipyard launched the Project 955 first serial submarine Alexander Nevsky in December; the construction cost was about RUR 23 bln. The yard continues to build the next sub of this project – SSBN Vladimir Monomakh. Borei class nuclear subs were developed by Rubin Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering(St. Petersburg).

Each submarine is supposed to be armed with 16 Bulava missiles. Submarines of this project are equipped with surfacing rescue chamber which accommodates the whole crew. The sub's hull length is 170 meters; beam is 13.5 meters; diving depth is 450 meters; crew is 107 men. Defense ministry plans to build at least eight submarines of this project; they are to become the core element of Russia's naval strategic nuclear force in 21st century.