Delta class submarine

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A Delta I class submarine.

Delta class submarines are Russian-built strategic nuclear missile submarines designed to attack cities, military and industrial installations, and naval bases.

Four different types exist. All have a reasonably similar appearance, but each type has different capabilities and systems. The NATO classification system groups them together under the 'Delta' Class, but Russian classification actually distinguishes three different submarines (treating the Delta II as an 'improved' Delta I).

As of June 2000 the Russian Navy claimed that it operated 26 strategic nuclear submarines carrying 2,272 nuclear warheads on 440 ballistic missiles. It broke down the total to include 5 Typhoon class submarines, 7 Delta IV class submarines, and 13 Delta III class submarines.

Contents

1 \"Delta I\" (Project 667B, Murena) 18 boats
2 \"Delta II\" (Project 667BD, Murena-M) 4 boats
3 \"Delta III\" (Project 667BDR, Kalmar) 14 boats
4 \"Delta IV\" (Project 667BDRM, Delfin) 7 boats
5 See also
6 External links

\"Delta I\" (Project 667B, Murena) 18 boats

Main article: Delta I class submarine

The Delta-class submarines could deploy on alert patrols in the marginal ice-seas of the Soviet Arctic littoral, including the Norwegian and Barents seas. Consequently, unlike their predecessors, they no longer needed to pass through Western SOSUS sonar barriers to come within range of their targets. To improve the accuracy of the missiles, the Delta I submarines carry the Tobol-B navigation system and the Cyclone-B satellite navigation system.

After authorization of the development of the class in 1965, the K-279 became the first of this type. Their decommissioning began in 1994, with removal of the missile compartments scheduled by 1997. Observers anticipate that the Russian Navy will decommission all 667B submarines in compliance with the provisions of the START-1 treaty.

\"Delta II\" (Project 667BD, Murena-M) 4 boats

''Main article: Delta II class submarine

\"Delta III\" (Project 667BDR, Kalmar) 14 boats

''Main article: Delta III class submarine

\"Delta IV\" (Project 667BDRM, Delfin) 7 boats

Main article: Delta IV class submarine

The Russian Navy operates seven Delta IV class strategic missile submarines. The submarines, based at the Saida Guba Naval Base, operate in the Northern Fleet. The Severodvinsk Shipyard built these vessels between 1981 and 1992.

The design of the Delta IV resembles that of the Delta III and constitutes a double-hulled configuration with missile silos housed in the inner hull.

The submarine has an operational diving depth of 320 meters, with a maximum depth of 400 meters. The propulsion system allows speeds of 24 knots (44 km/h) surfaced or submerged using two VM-4 pressure water reactors rated at 180 MW. It features two turbines of type GT3A-365 rated at 27.5 MW. The propulsion system drives two shafts with seven-bladed fixed-pitch propellers.

External links

http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/russia/667B.htm
http://www.aeronautics.ru/archive/fleet/russian/667.htm
http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/delta