SSBN Yury Dolgoruky prepares to complete trial program

27.05.2011 Lead submarine of 4th generation SSBN Yury Dolgoruky built by defense shipyard Sevmash (Severodvinsk, Russia) left covered slipway to complete trial program, reported ITAR-TASS referring to the shipyard's press secretary Anastasia Nikitinskaya.

According to her, the submarine was moved to floating dock Sukhona for further putting afloat. In the covered slipway the sub has been prepared for final phase of state sea trials.

"Presently, trial team and crew of SSBN Yury Dolgoruky actively prepare the sub for coming tests", said Mrs. Nikitinskaya.

SSBN Yury Dolgoruky is the lead sub of Project 955 Borei; she was laid down in 1996 and launched in Apr 2007. The submarine finished shipyard's sea trials last year and is planned to join Russian Navy along with new missile system Bulava which undergoes trials as well. First test of submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) Bulava carried out by SSBN Yury Dolgoruky will be presumably held in the current year.

First serial sub of Project 955 – SSBN Alexander Nevsky – was launched at Sevmash in Dec 2010. Reportedly, her cost equals to that of the lead sub and makes about RUR 23 bln. The shipyard continues building of the third Borei class sub – SSBN Vladimir Monomakh.

The Borei project was developed by Rubin Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering (St. Petersburg). According to open sources, the most up-to-date achievements in shipborne radioelectronics and noise-reducing technology were applied in this project. Each Borei class nuclear sub will carry 16 Bulava missiles. Submarines of this project are equipped with surfacing rescue chamber accommodating the whole crew. The sub's length is 170 meters; beam is 13.5 meters; diving depth is 450 meters; crew is 107. Russian defense ministry plans to acquire at least eight Borei subs. They are destined to become the key component of Russian maritime strategic nuclear force in the 21st century.