Oscar-class submarine

Oscar II class Template:Infobox ship image Template:Infobox ship class overview Template:Infobox ship characteristics

The Oscar class, Soviet designations Project 949 Granit and Project 949A Antey (NATO reporting names Oscar I and Oscar II respectively), are a series of nuclear-powered cruise 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 Project 949 submarines were the largest cruise missile submarines in service until some Template:Sclass ballistic missile submarines were converted to carry cruise missiles in 2007. They are the fourth largest class of submarines in displacement and length. Only the Soviet Template:Sclass2, Russian Template:Sclass2 and American Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines are larger.

History

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 NATO carrier battle groups using long-range P-700 Granit (SS-N-19 "Shipwreck") anti-ship missiles and targeting data provided by the Template:Ill satellite system (via the submarine's "Punch Bowl" antenna).<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name=lenta.ru>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name=janes2015>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name=janes2016>Template:Cite web</ref>

In September 2016, it was reported submarines K-132 Irkutsk and K-442 Chelyabinsk are currently being modernized to 949AM.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Versions

Project 949 Granit (Oscar I)

Template:Stack 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<ref name="mtoday">Template:Cite news</ref> and scrapped in 2004.<ref name="bellona">Template:Cite news</ref>

Project 949A Antei (Oscar II)

Template:Stack 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 Template:Convert longer than its predecessor (approximately Template:Convert rather than Template:Convert), 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 Template:Sclass but inferior to the Akula II class as well as subsequent (4th generation) designs.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It also has a larger fin, and its propellers have seven blades instead of four.<ref name="fas" >Template:Cite web</ref>

Like all post-World War II Soviet designs, they are of double hull construction.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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<ref name="fas" /> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Project 949AM

Modernization of Project 949A submarines, first announced by the Russian Defence Ministry in 2011.<ref name=lenta.ru/> 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.<ref name=janes2016/> 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.<ref name=janes2015/>

Belgorod, Project 09852

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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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="world-nuclear-news1">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="world-nuclear-news1"/><ref name="hisutton.com">Template:Cite web</ref> 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,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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 Template:Convert even though the SLBM missile compartment was completely removed.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Belgorod will be reportedly used as a carrier of the rumored Poseidon (NATO reporting name Kanyon) nuclear-powered, thermonuclear armed unmanned underwater device capable to carry a 100 Mt thermonuclear warhead, with at least four such devices being carried horizontally in place of the 24 P-700 Granit (SS-N-19 Shipwreck) launchers for a total yield of 600 megatonnes of TNT.<ref name="hisutton.com"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

It is estimated that Belgorod will be Template:Convert long which would make it the longest submarine in the world.<ref name="hisutton.com"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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.<ref name="Belgorod floated out">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> However, this schedule was delayed with sea trials then projected to begin in May 2021.<ref name="ReferenceA">Template:Cite web</ref> After some delays, sea trials were reported to have started on June 25, 2021.<ref name="ReferenceB">Template:Cite web</ref> The submarine was delivered to the Russian Navy on 8 July 2022.<ref name="TASS Belgorod">Template:Cite web</ref>

Units

No	Name	Project	Laid down	Launched	Commissioned	Fleet	Status
K-525	Template:Ship	949	25 July 1975	3 May 1980	30 December 1980	Northern	Scrapped in 2005<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
K-206	Template:Ship (ex-Minskiy Komsomolets)	949	22 April 1979	10 December 1982	30 November 1983	Northern	Scrapped by 2005<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
K-148	Template:Ship	949A	22 July 1982	3 March 1985	30 September 1986	Northern	Scrapped in 2014<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
K-173	Template:Ship	949A	4 August 1983	27 March 1986	31 December 1986	Pacific	Scrapped in 2016/17<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
K-132	Irkutsk	949A	8 May 1985	27 December 1987	30 December 1988	Pacific	Launched http://www.deepstorm.ru/DeepStorm.files/45-92/nsrs/949A/K-132/K-132.htm
K-119	Voronezh	949A	25 February 1986	16 December 1988	29 December 1989	Northern	Inactive, in reserve from 2020<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
K-410	Smolensk	949A	9 December 1986	20 January 1990	22 December 1990	Northern	Active, after overhaul completed in December 2013<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
K-442	Template:Ship	949A	21 May 1987	18 June 1990	28 December 1990	Pacific	In modernization to 949AM at Zvezda shipyard since 2016.<ref name="navaltoday.com">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="tass.com">Template:Cite web</ref>
K-456	Template:Ship (ex-Kasatka, Vilyuchinsk)	949A	9 February 1988	28 June 1991	18 August 1992	Pacific	Active Template:As of.<ref name=korabel20221028>Template:Cite web</ref>
K-266	Template:Ship (ex-Severodvinsk)	949A	19 January 1989	22 May 1992	30 December 1992	Northern	Active, after overhaul completed in April 2017<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
K-186	Omsk	949A	13 July 1989	10 May 1993	15 December 1993	Pacific	Active, after overhaul completed in 2008<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
K-150	Tomsk	949A	27 August 1991	20 July 1996	30 December 1996	Pacific	Active, after overhaul completed in 2019<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
K-141	Template:Ship	949A	22 March 1992	16 May 1994	30 December 1994	Northern	Lost on 12 August 2000
K-329	Template:Ship	09852	20 December 2012	23 April 2019<ref name="Belgorod floated out"/>	8 July 2022<ref name="TASS Belgorod"/>	Northern	Active, originally laid down in July 1992; reconfigured as special operations vessel and relaid in December 2012.<ref name="auto">Template:Cite web</ref> Underwent sea trials in 2021.<ref name="ReferenceB"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
K-135	Volgograd	949A	2 September 1993				Unfinished, parts used in the construction of newer submarines<ref name="defendingrussia.ru">Лодки с крылатыми ракетами Template:Webarchive defendingrussia.ru</ref> Construction may be restarted<ref name="rusnavy.com">Template:Cite web</ref>
K-160	Barnaul	949A	April 1994				Unfinished, parts used in the construction of newer submarines<ref name="defendingrussia.ru"/> Construction may be restarted<ref name="rusnavy.com"/>

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.
  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-186 Omsk during 2008 Naval Parade in Vladivostok
• K-266 Orel after completion of its overhaul
  K-266 Orel after completion of its overhaul
• Disassembling of an Oscar-class submarine at the Zvezdochka shipyard in Severodvinsk, Russia
  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
  Artist impression of a Soviet ballistic missile submarine base during the 1980s

See also

• List of submarine classes in service

References

Bibliography

• The Encyclopedia Of Warships, From World War Two To The Present Day, General Editor Robert Jackson.

Further reading

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External links

• Template:Commons category-inline
• Template:Cite web
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• Line drawing of Oscar-class submarine Template:Webarchive