4 × 533 mm (21.0 in) and 2 × 650 mm (26 in)
torpedo tubes in bow
28 × 533mm and 650mm weapons, including
RPK-2 Vyuga (SS-N-15 Starfish) anti-submarine missiles with 15 kt nuclear warheads and
RPK-6 Vodopad/RPK-7 Veter (SS-N-16) anti-submarine missiles with 200 kt nuclear warhead or Type40 anti-submarine torpedo or 32 ground mines
24 ×
P-700 Granit (SS-N-19 Shipwreck) cruise missiles with 750 kilograms (1,650 lb) HE or 4 × 100Mt
Poseidon drones
The Oscar class, Soviet designations Project 949 Granit and Project 949A Antey (
NATO reporting namesOscar I and Oscar II respectively), are a series of
nuclear-poweredcruise missile submarines designed in the
Soviet Union for the
Soviet Navy. First built in the 1970s, six remain in service with the
Russian Navy. Two other vessels were slated to be modernized since at least 2017 as Project 949AM, to extend their service life and increase combat capabilities but it is unclear whether work continues as of 2023.
The first submarine of Project 949 was
laid down in the mid-1970s and was
commissioned in 1980. In 1982 an updated and larger version (Project 949A) replaced the earlier version. In total fourteen submarines were constructed. The Oscar class was designed to attack
NATOcarrier battle groups using long-range
P-700 Granit (SS-N-19 "Shipwreck")
anti-ship missiles and targeting data provided by the
EORSAT [
it] satellite system (via the submarine's "Punch Bowl" antenna).[5][6][7] In the financial problems that followed the
fall of the Soviet Union the Oscar class was prioritized by the Russian Navy, and when many older submarine classes were retired the Oscar class remained active in both the
Northern and
Pacific Fleets.
Modernization
The
Rubin Design Bureau started working on Project 949A modernization in 2011, with Zvezdochka and
Zvezda shipyards to carry out modernization of the vessels.[8] In September 2015, Russian Defence Minister
Sergey Shoygu announced during his visit to Zvezda shipyard, that at least three Oscar-class submarines will undergo repair and modernization to extend their service life by 20 years.[9] The upgraded submarines will be known as "Project 949AM", according to the Russian officials. Modernization cost was estimated at RUB12 billion (US$182 million) per submarine.[10]
In September 2016, it was reported submarines K-132 Irkutsk and K-442 Chelyabinsk are currently being modernized to 949AM.[11] According to the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia
Yury Borisov, Russia's
Pacific Fleet may get four modernized Oscar II-class submarines armed with Kalibr cruise missiles by 2021.[12]
Versions
Project 949 Granit (Oscar I)
Two Project 949 Granit submarines were built at
Severodvinsk between 1975 and 1982 and assigned to the
Soviet Northern Fleet.
K-525 was laid down in 1975 and
K-206 was laid down in 1979. After the construction of the first two submarines, production continued with the improved project 949A Antey. Both submarines of the Project 949 were
decommissioned in 1996[13] and
scrapped in 2004.[14]
Project 949A Antei (Oscar II)
Eleven Project 949A Antey submarines were completed at
Severodvinsk, of which five were assigned to the Soviet Northern Fleet. At one stage it had been planned to develop a new fourth-generation follow-on to the Project 949A, but this plan was later dropped. The external differences between the two classes were that the 949A class is about 10 metres (33 ft) longer than its predecessor (approximately 154 metres, 505 ft rather than 143 m, 469 ft), providing space and buoyancy for improved electronics and quieter propulsion.
Some sources speculate that the acoustic performance of the Oscar II class is superior to early
Akula class but inferior to the Akula II class as well as subsequent (4th generation) designs.[15] It also has a larger fin, and its
propellers have seven blades instead of four.[16]
Like all post-World War II Soviet designs, they are of
double hull construction.[17] Similarly, like other Soviet submarine designs, Project 949 not only has a
bridge open to the elements on top of the
sail but, for use in inclement weather, there is an enclosed bridge forward and slightly below this station. A distinguishing mark is a slight bulge at the top of the fin. A large door on either side of the fin reaches this bulge. These are wider at the top than on the bottom, and are hinged on the bottom. The
Federation of American Scientists[16] reports that this submarine carries an emergency crew escape capsule; it is possible that these doors cover it. The VSK escape capsule can accommodate 110 people.[18]
Project 949AM
Modernization of Project 949A submarines, first announced by the
Russian Defence Ministry in 2011.[8] As part of the modernization, submarines will have their 24 P-700 Granit anti-ship missiles replaced with up to 72 newer
3M-54 Kalibr or
P-800 Oniks anti-ship cruise missiles. The upgrade requires no design changes to the hull as the new missiles will fit into the existing launchers outside the pressure hull. The modernized boats will also get upgraded Omnibus-M combat information and Simfoniya-3.2 navigation systems, as well as new fire-control system, communications, sonar, radar, and electronic intercept equipment.[10] The modernization aims to bring the submarines up to the same technological level as Russia's next-generation
Yasen-class nuclear-powered cruise missile submarines.[9]
In December 2012, construction began on a special purpose research and rescue submarine, designated Project 09852, and based on the incomplete Project 949A (Oscar II class) submarine
Belgorod.[19][20][21] The submarine is reportedly designed to carry both manned (e.g. Project 18511 midget submarine) as well as unmanned (e.g. Klavesin-1R) underwater vessels.[20][22] However, while carrying smaller unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) would be possible as-is on an Oscar-class hull, the accommodation of a midget submarine such as Project 18511 Paltus or the even larger
Project 10831 Losharik,[23] would probably require a major hull extension in order to accommodate a docking compartment. For example, the length of the submarine BS-64 Podmoskovye was increased by 9 metres (30 ft) even though the SLBM missile compartment was completely removed.[24][25]
It is estimated that Belgorod will be 184 metres (604 ft) long which would make it the longest submarine in the world.[22][29]
On 23 April 2019, Belgorod was floated out of a slipway during a ceremony at the Sevmash shipyard, watched by the President of Russia
Vladimir Putin via a TV-link. Further work was to be completed afloat and the submarine was scheduled to start its factory and state trials in 2020 after which it was to be delivered to the Russian Navy.[30][31] However, this schedule was delayed with sea trials then projected to begin in May 2021.[32] After some delays, sea trials were reported to have started on June 25, 2021.[33] The submarine was delivered to the Russian Navy on 8 July 2022.[34]
Active, originally laid down in July 1992; reconfigured as special operations vessel and relaid in December 2012.[53] Underwent sea trials in 2021.[33][54][55][32][56]
K-135
Volgograd
949A
2 September 1993
Unfinished, parts used in the construction of newer submarines[57] Construction may be restarted[1]
K-160
Barnaul
949A
April 1994
Unfinished, parts used in the construction of newer submarines[57] Construction may be restarted[1]
Gallery
This picture clearly displays the arrangement of the hatches in the hull above the missile tubes, on either side of the dorsal fin. Also shown is the opening for the forward hydroplane (currently folded in), as well as the bulge on the top of the fin under which the rescue capsule is located. Although partially obscured by shadow, the seam between the capsule and the fin is faintly visible.
K-186 Omsk during 2008
Naval Parade in Vladivostok
K-266 Orel after completion of its overhaul
Disassembling of an Oscar-class submarine at the Zvezdochka shipyard in Severodvinsk, Russia
Artist impression of a Soviet ballistic missile submarine base during the 1980s
The Encyclopedia Of Warships, From World War Two To The Present Day, General Editor Robert Jackson.
Further reading
Hampshire, Edward (2018). Soviet Cruise Missile Submarines of the Cold War. London: Osprey Publishing.
ISBN978-1-47282-499-8.
Pavlov, A. S. (1997). Warships of the USSR and Russia 1945–1995. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press.
ISBN1-55750-671-X.
Polmar, Norman & Moore, Kenneth J. (2004). Cold War Submarines: The Design and Construction of U.S. and Soviet Submarines. Washington, D. C.: Potomac Books.
ISBN978-1-57488-594-1.
Polmar, Norman & Noot, Jurrien (1991). Submarines of the Russian and Soviet Navies, 1718–1990. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press.
ISBN0-87021-570-1.
Vilches Alarcón, Alejandro A. (2022). From Juliettes to Yasens: Development and Operational History of Soviet Cruise-Missile Submarines. Europe @ War (22). Warwick, UK: Helion & Co.
ISBN978-1-915070-68-5.