Borei class submarine

Russian Borei class submarine Yuriy Dolgorukiy on sea trials
Class overview
Name:	Borei (Борей) - Russian designation; also Dolgorukiy - NATO designation[citation needed]
Builders:	Sevmash, designed by Rubin
Operators:	Russian Navy
Preceded by:	Delta IV class, Typhoon class
Building:	Vladimir Monomakh
Planned:	8
Completed:	K-535 Yuriy Dolgorukiy (in trials) K-550 Alexander Nevskiy(in trials)
General characteristics
Type:	Ballistic missile submarine
Displacement:	14,720 t (14,488 long tons) surfaced 24,000 t (23,621 long tons) submerged
Length:	170 m (557 ft 9 in)
Beam:	13.5 m (44 ft 3 in)
Draught:	10 m (32 ft 10 in)
Propulsion:	1 × ОК-650В nuclear reactor 1 × AEU steam turbine 1 × shaft and propeller (pump-jet)
Speed:	Submerged: 29 knots (33 mph; 54 km/h)[1] Surfaced: 15 knots (17 mph; 28 km/h)
Range:	Unlimited except by food stores
Test depth:	planned 450m
Complement:	55 officers, 52 enlisted
Armament:	16 × RSM-56 Bulava SLBMs with 6-10 MIRVed warheads[2] 6 × 533 mm torpedo tubes RPK-2 Viyuga cruise missiles

The Borei class (Russian: Борей; sometimes transliterated as Borey, also known as the Dolgorukiy class after the name of the lead vessel, the Yuriy Dolgorukiy) is a class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine produced and operated by the Russian Navy. The class is intended to replace the Delta III, Delta IV and Typhoon classes now in Russian Navy service. The class is named after Boreas, the North wind.

History and description

Work on the first unit of the Borei class (officially designated Project 935) started in 1996. A new submarine-launched ballistic missile was developed in parallel, called the R-39UTTH "Bark". However, the work on this missile was abandoned, and a new missile called the Bulava was designed. The submarine needed to be redesigned to accommodate the new missile, and the project name was changed to Project 955. The vessels are being built at the Northern Machinebuilding Enterprise (Sevmash) in Severodvinsk, and were designed by the Rubin Marine Equipment Design Bureau (Rubin). Because of the repeated failures during Bulava test launches, some experts have suggested that the Borei submarine could instead be armed with R-29RMU Sineva missiles.^[3] The Sineva is already in active duty on the Delta IV class submarine.

Advances include a compact and integrated hydrodynamically efficient hull for reduced broadband noise and the first ever use of pump-jet propulsion on a Russian nuclear submarine.^[4] Costing some 23 bln RUR ($890 million USD), ^[5][6] Borei is approximately 170 metres (560 ft) long, 13 metres (43 ft) in diameter, and has a maximum submerged speed of at least 46 kilometres per hour (25 kn; 29 mph). In comparison the cost of an Ohio class SSBN was around 2 billion USD per boat (1997 prices).^[7] Smaller than the Typhoon class, the Borei was initially slated to carry 12 missiles but was able to carry 4 more due to the decrease in mass of the 45-ton Bulava SLBM (a modified version of the Topol-M ICBM) over the originally proposed R-39UTTH Bark.

Launch and trials

The launch of the first submarine of the class, the Yuriy Dolgorukiy (Юрий Долгорукий), was scheduled for 2002 but was delayed because of budget constraints. The vessel was eventually rolled out of its construction hall on 15 April 2007 in a ceremony attended by many senior military and industrial personnel.^[8][9] The Yuriy Dolgorukiy was the first Russian strategic missile submarine to be launched in seventeen years since the end of the Soviet era. Currently, there are two more Borei class submarines under construction, named Aleksandr Nevskiy (Александр Невский) and Vladimir Monomakh (Владимир Мономах). The next submarine in the series, Svyatitel Nikolay (Святитель Николай) was planned to be laid down on 22 December 2009, the anniversary of the establishment of the Sevmash Shipyard. The planned contingent of eight strategic submarines is expected to be commissioned within the next decade (five Project 955 are planned for purchase through 2015^[10]).

President Dmitry Medvedev with the submarine Yuriy Dolgorukiy in the background

Although the Yuriy Dolgorukiy was officially rolled out of its construction hall on 15 April 2007 the submarine was not put into the water until February 2008. By July 2009 it had yet to be armed with Bulava missiles and is therefore not fully operational, although ready for sea trials on 24 October 2008.^[11] On November 21, 2008 the reactor on the Yuriy Dolgorukiy was activated^[12] and on 19 June 2009 began its sea trials in the White Sea. The submarine will undergo up to six trials before being commissioned and the problem with the Bulava missile could delay it even more.^[13]

On 28 September 2010 the Yury Dolgoruky completed company sea trials. ^[14][15] By late October the Russian Pacific Fleet was fully prepared to host Russia's new Borey class strategic nuclear-powered submarines. ^[16] It is expected that four subs will be deployed in the Northern fleet and four subs in the Pacific fleet. ^[17] On 9 November 2010 Yury Dolgoruky passed all sea trials directed to new equipment and systems. ^[18]

Initially, the plan was to conduct the first torpedo launches during the ongoing state trials in December 2010 and then in same month conduct the first launch of the main weapon system, R-30 (RSM-56) Bulava missile. ^[19] The plan was then postoned to mid-summer 2011 due to ice conditions in the White Sea ^[20]

On 2 December 2010 the second Borei class submarine, the Alexander Nevsky, was moved to a floating dock in Sevmash shipyard. There the final preparations took place before the submarine was launched.^[21][22] Submarine was launched on 6 December 2010 and begin sea trials on 24 October 2011. ^[23]

On 28 June 2011 a Bulava missile was launched for the first time from the Borei class submarine Yury Dolgoruky. The test was announced as a success.^[24][25]

Project 955U Borei II

On 15 December 2009 a defense Ministry official announced that the laydown of the fourth Borei class submarine had been postponed from December to the first quarter of 2010. The reason for the delay was said to be "organizational and technical reasons".^[26] Fourth ship of class will be constructed under new 955U modification.^[27] It is reported by unnamed sources that this modification will include major structural changes and the installation of 4 more (20 total) launch tubes, and probably other changes.^[28] If these reports are true, technically the fourth ship will be the lead ship of a new Borei II class (not official).

Ships

Name	Project	Laid down	Launched	Commissioned	Fleet	Note
K-535 Yuriy Dolgorukiy	955	2 November 1996	13 February 2008	Expected in late 2011 [29][30][31]	Pacific	As of August 2011[update] the Yuriy Dolgorukiy is performing missile tests with its main armament the Bulava missile.[32]
K-550 Aleksandr Nevskiy	955A [28]	19 March 2004	6 December 2010	Expected in 2012	Pacific [6]	On sea trials since 24 October 2011 [33]
K-??? Vladimir Monomakh	955A [28]	19 March 2006	N/A	Expected in 2012 [34][35]	Pacific (?)
K-??? Svyatitel Nikolay	955U	Expected in 2010	N/A	N/A		Work began in 2010.[36] Still not been officially laid down.

References

1. ^ Проект 955. Deepstorm.ru. Retrieved on 2010-10-19.
2. ^ "www.rian.ru". En15.rian.ru. http://en15.rian.ru/img/118575033_free.html. Retrieved 2011-08-14. 
3. ^ Bulava missile test: insistent mistake making?. Ria Nostovi. en.rian.ru (2008-11-14). Retrieved on 2010-10-19.
4. ^ Russian Borei Class Submarine
5. ^ "Россия спустила на воду атомную подлодку". BBC News. 15 April 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/russian/russia/newsid_6558000/6558315.stm. Retrieved 26 April 2010. 
6. ^ ^{a b} "Construction of SSBN Alexander Nevsky will cost RUR 23 bln – shipbuilder". Rusnavy.com. 2010-12-13. http://rusnavy.com/news/navy/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=11052. Retrieved 2011-08-14. 
7. ^ Frost, Peter. "New Sub Role Could Buoy Our Economy" dailypress.com Retrieved December 2, 2010.
8. ^ Russia to launch new nuclear submarine
9. ^ First RF submarine hits the water; Missile defence update
10. ^ (Russian) ВЕДОМОСТИ - Оружия не хватит - Для переоснащения армии нет средств
11. ^ "The new-generation head strategic nuclear-propelled sub “Yuri Dolgoruky” readied for trials". ITAR TASS. 2008-10-24. http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=13207122&PageNum=0. Retrieved 2008-10-24. ^{[dead link]}
12. ^ Reactor on Russia's newest nuclear submarine fired up. RIA Novosti. en.rian.ru (2008-11-21). Retrieved on 2010-10-19.
13. ^ Yury Dolgoruky sub to undergo 5-6 tests before commissioning. RIA Novosti. en.rian.ru. Retrieved on 2010-10-19.
14. ^ "Russia's newest nuclear sub completes sea trials". RIA Novosti. en.rian.ru. Retrieved on 2010-10-19.
15. ^ "SSBN Yury Dolgoruky completed sea trials". russnavy.com Retrieved December 2, 2010.
16. ^ Russia's Pacific Fleet ready to receive Borey class submarines RIA Novosti. en.rian.ru. Retrieved on 2010-10-19.
17. ^ "Batch of Bulava may exceed 150 missiles".
18. ^ "SSBN Yury Dolgoruky completed trials phase".
19. ^ "SSBN Yury Dolgoruky to launch torpedoes for the first time". russnavy.com Retrieved December 2, 2010.
20. ^ 15.12.2010 (2010-12-15). "Названа новая дата испытаний "Булавы"". Flot.com. http://flot.com/news/navy/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=60343. Retrieved 2011-08-14. 
21. ^ "SSBN Alexander Nevsky was moved to floating dock". russnavy.com Retrieved December 2, 2010.
22. ^ "Most Viewed" (in (Russian)). Sevmash.ru. 2010-11-15. http://www.sevmash.ru/eng/photogallery?func=special. Retrieved 2011-08-14. 
23. ^ http://russianforces.org/blog/2011/10/aleksandr_nevskiy_begins_see_t.shtml
24. ^ "Russia test fires troubled Bulava missile after 8-month break | Defense | RIA Novosti". En.rian.ru. http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20110628/164890616.html. Retrieved 2011-08-14. 
25. ^ "Bulava missile to go into serial production - Defense Minister | Defense | RIA Novosti". En.rian.ru. 1961-08-13. http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20110701/164951691.html. Retrieved 2011-08-14. 
26. ^ "Russia delays construction of 4th Borey-class nuclear sub". RIA Nostovi en.rian.ru (2009-12-15). Retrieved on 2010-10-19.
27. ^ "Fourth Borei-class sub will be upgraded". rusnavy.com (2009-12-09). Retrieved on 2010-10-19.
28. ^ ^{a b c} SSBN Yury Dolgoruky completed sea trials. Rusnavy.com (2010-09-28). Retrieved on 2010-10-19.
29. ^ "To commission Bulava, six effective launches are required – Ivanov". rusnavy.com Retrieved December 2, 2010.
30. ^ "АПК "Юрий Долгорукий" введут в состав флота в 2011 году, заявил Иванов". Flot.com. 2010-12-14. http://flot.com/news/navy/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=60169. Retrieved 2011-08-14. 
31. ^ http://rusnavy.com/news/navy/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=12896
32. ^ http://flot.com/news/vpk/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=56574
33. ^ http://russianforces.org/blog/2011/10/aleksandr_nevskiy_begins_see_t.shtml
34. ^ "SSBN Alexander Nevsky was moved to floating dock". Rusnavy.com. http://rusnavy.com/news/navy/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=10963. Retrieved 2011-08-14. 
35. ^ "Путин посетил АПЛ "Александр Невский"". Flot.com. 2010-12-14. http://flot.com/news/navy/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=60179. Retrieved 2011-08-14. 
36. ^ "Четвертую АПЛ проекта "Борей" построят модернизированной". Flot.com. http://flot.com/news/vpk/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=43700&sphrase_id=180225. Retrieved 2011-08-14. 

External links

• Yuriy Dolgorukiy picture gallery
• Photo of Yuriy Dolgorukiy on sea trials June 2009
• Yuriy Dolgorukiy in dry dock, Sevmash, Severodvinsk (satellite photo)
• Yuriy Dolgorukiy will carry 16 ballistic missiles^{[dead link]}
• New pictures of the Yuriy Dolgorukiy
• Announcement that the first boat will be launched in April 2007
• Announcement (in Russian) that first boat would not be ready until 2007.
• Project 935 / Project 955 Borei
• Image gallery:Yuriy Dolgorukiy, a Borei-class nuclear missile submarine
• Borei-class missile complement
• Photos of Alexander Nevsky while the sub was launched at Sevmash shipyard