Medvedev attended output of SSGN Severodvinsk from covered slipway

16.06.2010 Output of new-gen nuclear submarine Severodvinsk from covered-in slipway was held at Sevmash shipyard; President Dmitry Medvedev attended the ceremony.

SSGN Severodvinsk is a lead sub of Project 885 Yasen. According to public domain information, displacement of the sub is up to 9,500 tons, and length is 120 meters. The submarine was designed by St. Petersburg-headquartered Malakhit Maritime Engineering Bureau and laid down at Sevmash shipyard in 1993. Output from covered-in slipway to open platform is next to the last stage in shipbuilding process and means high level of a submarine's completeness.

Extended building period was conditioned not only by economic difficulties but crucially new hull architecture and arms. The sub carries powerful arms, and the combat load varies depending on the task assigned. As for experts' appraisal, SSGN Severodvinsk will be the world's most silent submarine; as of today, she hasn't analogs worldwide.

As was reported Tuesday by RIA Novosti referring to Vladimir Pialov, director and general designer of Malakhit design bureau, commissioning of Severodvinsk-type nuclear-powered submarines will "multiply enhance combat capabilities" of Russian Navy. According to him, in contrast to 4-gen SSBNs (Yury Dolgoruky armed with SLBM Bulava), weapons of SSGN Severodvinsk have already passed all trials.

SSGN Severodvinsk will become the Navy's first nuclear-powered attack submarine of the newest 4th generation. She is capable to accomplish all tasks assigned for general-purpose naval force which are about delivering strikes upon various underwater, sea surface, and land targets. SSGN Severodvinsk is a double-hulled single-shaft nuclear submarine with reduced level of acoustic field. Conning tower has streamlined oval shape; strength hull is subdivided into 10 compartments. For the first time in Soviet/Russian shipbuilding, torpedo tubes are located not in bows but behind central station; that enabled to use bow space for advanced sonar antenna.

Eight vertical launch tubes are designed for missile arms. Powerful weapon system includes supersonic cruise missiles and multipurpose deep-water homing torpedoes. The sub is also equipped with state-of-the-art communication hardware and navigation aids, and powered by crucially new nuclear powerplant.

Displacement of SSGN Severodvinsk is 8,600/13,800 tons; dimensions are 119 x 13.5 x 9.4 meters; test depth is 600 meters; speed is 16/31 knots; crew is 90 (32 officers).

It is planned to deliver SSGN Severodvinsk to Russian Navy in 2010-2011.

Currently, Sevmash continues building of the second Project 885 submarine - SSGN Kazan - which was laid down in 2009.