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Soviet`s Delta class, Project 667B, one of the most successful of all SSBN’s
 The Delta class (Project 667B), Soviets Murena (Eel), has formed the backbone of the Soviet, and later on Russian strategic submarine fleet since its introduction in 1973.The Soviet navy’s Delta class has been one of the most successful of all SSBNs (Ballistic missile Nuclear submarine) with some 43 units built over a 20-year period. It was the mainstay of the Soviet/Russian deterrent force throughout the 1980s and 1990s, exerting a major influence on the East- West strategic nuclear balance.
When the Delta I/SS-N-8 combination became operational in 1973, it ended the superiority in both quality and performance which the US Navy had enjoyed since the appearance of the Washington (SSBN 598)/Polaris in 1960.
By Soviet Navy standards the Yankee class SSBN (Project 667) was a very satisfactory design, so when a new class of SSBN was required to take the new SS-N-8 missile to sea it was decided to avoid disruption in the shipyards by producing an evolutionary development of the Yankee, thus avoiding the complications of a new missile and a new submarine. As a result, the Delta had the same forward end (torpedo tubes, sonar, command center and accommodation) and after end (nuclear reactors, propulsion) as the Yankee, but with a totally new mid-section housing 12 ballistic missiles. Because of the difference between the Yankee’s SS-N-6 and the Delta’s SS-N-8 the missile section had to be higher and was covered by a raised casing, known in the West as a “turtlback”.
The Delta is a double hulled design with a thin low magnetic steel outer hull wrapped around a thicker inner pressure hull. Development began in mid 60s at the Rubin Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering. During the years the family of Deltas evolved in to 4 types.
Specifications, Delta I class, Project 667B, Murena (Eel):
After authorization of the development of the class in 1965, the first Delta-I, K-279, was commissioned into the Soviet Northern Fleet on the 22nd of December, 1972. A total of 18 submarines of this class were built, all between 1972 to 1977 (9 units by Shipyard 402, Severodvinsk and 9 units by Shipyard 199, Komsomol Na Amur). Their decommissioning began in 1994, with removal of the missile compartments. All submarines of this class were taken out of service by 1998 and were scrapped by 2005.
Displacement (srf/sub tons): 8,700/10,200
Dimensions (L*B*D feet/meter): 459’4*39’4*28’7/140.0*12.0*8.7
Propulsion: 2*77.5MWt VM-2S Pressurized Water nuclear Reactor (PWR), 2*GT3A-365 geared steam turbines 18,700hp, 2 shafts 5 bladed propellers
Speed (sub knots): 25/19
Range (srf/sub miles@knots): not relevant
Diving depth (feet/meter): 1,250-1,312/380- 400
Complement: 38+82 officers and crew
Missile: SLBMs- D-8 launch tubes for 12*R-29 (US/NATO-SS-N-8 Sawfly)
Mod 1: range 4,210 n/miles, warhead nuclear 800kT, Mod 2: range 4,910 n/miles, warhead nuclear 2 MIRV each 500kT
Torpedo: 4*21" (533mm) bow torpedo tubes with a total mixture of 12 missiles or torpedoes, 2*16" (400mm) bow torpedo tubes with a total of 6 torpedoes
Armament: none
Mines: none
Specifications, Delta II class, Project 667BD, Murena-M (Eel):
The Delta-II class submarine was designed to remedy shortcomings in the Delta-I class Submarine. The design was essentially the same; however the submarine was lengthened in the 4th and 5th compartments by 16 meters to allow the installation of 4 more missile tubes. A total of 4 boats were built by Shipyard 402, Severodvinsk, between 1974 and 1975. The new type of Delta also received additional quietening measures including having the steam turbines mounted on shock absorbers, having all pipes and hydraulics separated from the hull through rubber insulation, and a special hydro acoustic coating being applied to the hull.
All 4 submarines of the class were taken out of service, decommissioned, in 1993-94.
Displacement (srf/sub tons): 10,000/12,750
Dimensions (L*B*D feet/meter): 508’6*39’4*28’10/156.0*12.0*8.8
Propulsion: 2*90MWt VM-4S Pressurized Water nuclear Reactor (PWR), 2*GT3A-365 geared steam turbines 18,700hp, 2 shafts 5 bladed propellers
Speed (sub knots): 24/14
Range (srf/sub miles@knots): not relevant
Diving depth (feet/meter): 1,250-1,312/380- 400
Complement: 40+86 officers and crew
Missile: SLBMs- D-9 launch tubes for 16*R-29 (US/NATO-SS-N-8 Sawfly)
Mod 1: range 4,210 n/miles, warhead nuclear 800kT, Mod 2: range 4,910 n/miles, warhead nuclear 2 MIRV each 500kT
Torpedo: 4*21" (533mm) bow torpedo tubes with a total mixture of 12 missiles or torpedoes, 2*16" (400mm) bow torpedo tubes with a total of 6 torpedoes
Armament: none
Mines: none
Specifications, Delta III class, Project 667BDR, Kalmar (Squid):
The submarine was the first that could launch any number of missiles in a single salvo, also the first submarine capable of carrying ballistic missiles with MIRV (Multiple Independently targetable Reentry Vehicles) .
All 14 boats of the class were built by Shipyard 402, Severodvinsk, between 1975 and 1982. The Delta III was also equipped with a new battle management system the "Almaz-BDR" for the fire control of torpedoes in deep-water, also a new inertial navigation system "Tobol-M-1", and later the "Tobol-M-2". A hydroacoustic navigational system called "Shmeľ" (Bumblebee) allows the submarine to determine its position from hydro acoustic buoys. Finally a new sonar system called "Rubikon" was fitted.
Some 10 submarines of the class were taken out of service, decommissioned gradually, between 1996 and 2004. Only 4 units are steel in active service, July 2008.
Displacement (srf/sub tons): 10,500/13,250
Dimensions (L*B*D feet/meter): 524’8*39’4*28’7/160.0*12.0*8.7
Propulsion: 2*90MWt VM-4S Pressurized Water nuclear Reactor (PWR), 2*GT3A-365 geared steam turbines 18,700hp, 2 shafts 5 bladed propellers
Speed (sub knots): 24/14
Range (srf/sub miles@knots): not relevant
Diving depth (feet/meter): 1,250-1,312/380- 400
Complement: 40+90 officers and crew
Missile: SLBMs- D-9 launch tubes for 16*R-29R Makeyev (US/NATO-SS-N-18 Stingray)
Mod 1: range 3,500 n/miles, warhead nuclear 3 MIRV each 200kT, Mod 2: range 4,320 n/miles, warhead nuclear 450kT, Mod 3: range 3,500 n/miles, warhead nuclear 7 MIRV each 100kT
Torpedo: 4*21" (533mm) bow torpedo tubes with a total mixture of 12 missiles (SS-N-16) or torpedoes, 2*16" (400mm) bow torpedo tubes with a total of 6 torpedoes
Armament: none
Mines: none
Specifications, Delta IV class, Project 667BDRM, Delfin (Dolphin):
Delta IVs were the last and the largest of the Deltas. Seven units were built by Shipyard 402, Severodvinsk between 1981 and 1992. All are still in active service (July 2009) with Russian Northern Fleet.
Unlike previous modifications, the Delta IV submarine is able to fire missiles in any direction from a constant course in a circular sector. The underwater firing of the ballistic missiles can be conducted at a depth of 55 meters while cruising at a speed of 6-7 knots. All the missiles can be fired in a single salvo. Unlike the Delta III, it is capable of using all types of torpedoes, antisubmarine torpedo-missiles and anti-hydro acoustic devices. The battle management system "Omnibus-BDRM" controls all combat activities, processing data and commanding the torpedo and missile-torpedo weapons. The "Shlyuz" navigation system provides for the improved accuracy of the missiles and is capable of stellar navigation at periscope depths.
Displacement (srf/sub tons): 10,800/13,500
Dimensions (L*B*D feet/meter): 544’7*39’5*28’6/166.0*12.0*8.7
Propulsion: 2*90MWt VM-4S Pressurized Water nuclear Reactor (PWR), 2*GT3A-365 geared steam turbines 18,700hp, 2 shafts 7 bladed propellers
Speed (sub knots): 24/14
Range (srf/sub miles@knots): not relevant
Diving depth (feet/meter): 1,250-1,312/380- 400
Complement: 40+95 officers and crew
Missile: SLBMs- D-9RM launch tubes for 16*R-29RM Makeyev (US/NATO-SS-N-23 Skiff)
Mod 1: range 4,500 n/miles, warhead nuclear 4-10 MIRV each 100kT
SSM sub-launched anti-ship missiles, Novator SS-N-15 Starfish/Tsakra (24 n/miles nuclear warhead 200kT
Torpedo: 4*21" (533mm) bow torpedo tubes with a total mixture of 18 missiles (Novotor, SS-N-15, Starfish) or torpedoes Type 40
Armament: none
Mines: none
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Guinea-Bissau |
2007 |
Delta class, Soviet SSBN |
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Saint Thomas |
2008 |
Soviet Submarine Delta class |
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