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Project 941 Typhoon Class
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Displacement
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48,000 t
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Torpedo Tubes
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6
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Ammunition Load
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20
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Ammunition Calibre
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533 mm & 650 mm
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Length
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175 m
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Beam
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23 m
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Underwater Speed
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27 kts
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Snorkel Range
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unknown
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Underwater Range
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unknown
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Diving Depth
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400 m
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Endurance (days)
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120
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Description
Project 941 Typhoon Class
The Typhoon Class Nuclear Submarine was a formidable force in the Cold War years, as this type of sub was equipped with up to 20 long range ballistic missiles that were reportedly aimed at the United States. The Soviet name for these subs is 941 Akula. The Typhoon name designated by NATO apparently derived from a speech by Leonid Brezhnev during which he mentioned a new SSBN called the “Tayfun.” Subs of this class have an estimated service life of 20 to 30 years but require service every 7 years or so.
Propulsion
Two pressurized water reactors and two steam turbines power the ship, via two 7-blade fixed-pitch shrouded propellers. Despite being the world’s largest submarine (170 to 172 meters long, displacing from 33,800 to 48,000 tons of water when submerged), the Project 941 Typhoon class sub is capable of speeds up to 12-16 knots (surface) and 25-27 knots (submerged.)
Armaments
The Typhoon Project 941 Sub is capable of firing long-range missiles without submerging, even while docked. These subs feature two 650 millimeter torpedo tubes and four 533 millimeter torpedo tubes, along with a D-19 launch system equipped with 20 R-39 missiles. The sub’s missile compartment is seated in the upper part between the two pressure hulls.
Construction
Typhoon Class subs can accommodate a crew of 150 men (including 50 officers) for 90 to 120 days. Two pressure hulls of 7.2 meters each make up the main exterior structure. Five inhabitable interior hulls are divided into 19 compartments. The main structure is based upon to separate pressure hulls that are seated parallel to each other. The main control room and an electronic equipment compartment is situated above the main hulls, behind the missile silos and guarded by retractable shields. The Typhoon class subs feature titanium pressure hulls, a titanium center plane, and a titanium torpedo compartment, while the light outer hull is made from steel.
These subs were conceived at the Leningrad Design Bureau,.
Project 941 Subs features two periscopes, one for general use and one for the commander. Communications such as radio communications, radar, and navigation electronics are housed within the sail guard, which features a reinforced, rounded cover capable of breaking through ice. Project 941 subs are capable of traveling under ice as well. The sub submerges or emerges using hydroplanes that are retractable into the hull.
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Gallery
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