Amur Project 1650/ Lada Class Submarine

The Lada-Class Project 1650 Diesel Electric Submarine is the export model of the Project 677 Lada Class Submarine, featuring modifications according to specific client requirements. Designed for mine-laying missions, anti-sub and anti-ship missions as well as special forces deployments, the Project 1650 Sub is a fourth-generation sub following in the wake of Type 877 and type 636 Kilo Class submarine projects.

At 1,600 tons of displaced water, these single hull, single-shaft vehicles are considerably smaller than the Kilo class subs. With a maximum diving depth of 250 meters, the Amur 1650 has a submerged speed of 21 knots (nautical miles per hour), and a surface speed of 10 knots, using a skewed seven-bladed propeller. Each of the Amur Diesel Electric subs were designed at the Rubin Marine Design Bureau in St. Petersburg.

Armaments

Like the Amur 1450 and 1850, the Amur 1650 is equipped with torpedo-launched missiles, as well as torpedoes that are quickly reloaded, reducing time to load the six torpedo launchers between salvoes to only a few minutes. The compact size and low-level noise signature of the Amur 1650 subs allows for undetected preemptive attacks and completion of the aforementioned missions. The Amur 1650’s weapon system allows for long-range engagement of enemy ships and timely evasion of anti-sub weaponry as well.

Communications Technology

An automated command system with operators’ consoles in the main control room features high speed processing and analysis of sensor data, along with an inertial navigation system for precision command and missile deployment. A optronic periscope mast with optical and TV channels features an infrared camera for tracking movement of vessels in the surrounding water, and an integrated GPS receiving antenna for up-to-the second location information.

The sonar system relies upon highly-sensitive direct listening transducers, both on the forward end and towed on the bow end. This highly-sensitive passive antenna array represents the state-of-the-art, with an area several times greater than that of any other class of diesel-electric submarine. Accordingly, the Amur 1650’s communications system is equipped to pick up command and information messages at a depth of up to 100 meters.