14.01.2010
Northern Fleet's nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine K-18 Karelia will sail from Severodvinsk to permanent basing site in Gadzhievo, Murmansk region on Jan 15.
In Dec 2009 the sub had completed builder's sea trials at
Zvezdochka shipyard where it had been passing interim overhaul and modernization since Oct 2004. Over 100 innovations improving sub's performance characteristics were applied. The sub is armed with a new rocket torpedo system
TVR-671RTM; SLBM
Sineva has become the basic armament of
Karelia. Noisiness of the submarine was reduced; its detection capability of enemy subs has been significantly increased; casualty control and nuclear safety were also improved.
Official acceptance memorandum will be signed on Jan 22, said the source in
Zvezdochka. According to the shipyard's press service, operation life of the sub will make 10 years.
K-18 Karelia is a Project 667BDRM
Delfin 2-gen SSBN.
REGISTRATION
Gadzhievo, Northern Fleet
CONSTRICTION
The sub was laid down in February, 1987 in Severodvinsk; launched in 1988; commissioned in 1989.
MILESTONES
The submarine performed over 14 missile firings and covered over 140,000 miles. In April 2000 Vladimir Putin was sailing the sea on board the sub.
PERFORMANCE
Surface speed: 14 knots
Submerged speed: 24 knots
Operating depth: 320-400 meters
Test depth: 550-650 meters
Endurance: 90 days
Crew: 135 - 140 men
DIMENSIONS
Surface displacement: 11,740 tonnes
Submerged displacement: 18,200 tonnes
Extreme length (at design waterline): 167.4 meters
Extreme beam: 11.7 meters
Mean draft (at design waterline): 8.8 meters
ARMAMENT
The submarine is armed with 4 torpedo tubes (533-mm), load is 12 torpedoes. Installation of 24 mines instead of torpedoes is possible. Missile armament: RSM-54
Sineva,
TVR-671RTM rocket torpedo system, 9K310
Igla-1 / 9K38
Igla MANPADS launcher.
Source: RusNavy.com, photo: Project 667BDRM submarine (submarine.id.ru)
