SSBN Novomoskovsk to be launched after upgrade in Nov

18.03.2010
Northern Fleet's nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) K-407 Novomoskovsk in Nov 2010 will be launched after interim overhaul and modernization at Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center in Severodvinsk, reported today ITAR-TASS referring to the shipyard's press service. Thereby Severodvinsk shipbuilders will complete upgrading of the whole series of Project 677BDRM nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines.

SSBN Novomoskovsk is going to be the sixth nuclear sub of this project modernized at Zvezdochka. The shipyard has already upgraded similar submarines: K-51 Verkhoturye (1999), K-84 Yekaterinburg (2003), K-114 Tula (2006), K-117 Bryansk (2008), and K-18 Karelia (2010). Consequently, their service lives were extended for 10 years.

Novomoskovsk was built at Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk and delivered to the Navy in 1990. In 1991 the sub was the first in Russian Navy to launch all carried missiles in submerged condition. In 1998 Novomoskovsk for the first time performed underwater spacecraft launch by ballistic missile.

According to free sources, such subs have length of 167 meters; their beam is 12 meters; displacement is about 12,000 tons; test depth is 400 meters; cruising submerged speed is up to 24 knots (44.5 kph); crew is 140. Each sub is armed with 16 sea-launched ballistic missiles. Project 667BDRM nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines are the basis of sea component of Russia's strategic nuclear forces.

Source: Military Parity, photo: SSBN Novomoskovsk (militaryparitet.com)