15.12.2009
Keel of fourth Project 955/955A Borei nuclear-powered submarine will be laid on Dec 22, 2009 as scheduled, informs RIA Novosti referring to the source in defense ministry. New sub will be named Svyatitel Nikolai and laid down at Sevmashpredpriyatie shipyard. So far, Ministry of Defense has not considered time displacement of Project Borei implementation.
It was previously reported by
Izvestiya newspaper that Russian MoD decided to suspend development of
Borei-project due to faulty 12th test launch of SLBM
Bulava. That missile has to become basic armament of perspective
Borei-class subs. Three Project 955/955A SSBNs are currently under construction at
Sevmash shipyard –
Yury Dolgoruky,
Alexander Nevsky and
Vladimir Monomakh. In total, it is planned to build eight submarines of that type.
According to Nikolai Kalistratov, Director General of
Sevmashpredpriyatie, the final decision whether or not to suspend Project
Borei realization will be made after state panel promulgates causes of
Bulava's faulty launch. The panel holds an inquiry since Dec 9, 2009 when the missile significantly deviated from required track after test launch from SSBN
Dmitry Donskoy. Supposedly, the cause was unstable operation of third stage powerplant.
Displacement of
Borei-project SSBNs makes 17,000 tonnes; max submerged speed is 26 knots; hull length is 170 meters; endurance is up to 100 days.
Source: , photo: SSBN Yury Dolgoruky (pilot.strizhi.info)
