PAK DA news

Russian source reports PAK DA is developed by Sukhoi, 120 t class, and will be equipped with 4 Al-41 engines. It means Sukhoi has finally won competition with Tupolev for PAK DA program. The new prospective bomber will have the same range like Tu-160 (14+ thousand kms) and will gradually replace Tu-95 (60+ units), Tu-160 (15 units) and partially Tu-22M3. The technical-economic reasons played important role in the decision, the better shape of Sukhoi design house too. To make an adequate replacement  for such high number of planes  by Tu-160 size bombers (a new kind or refurbished)  is impossible, they said.

Indian SSN plans and Nerpa leasing

''Nerpa will help India in its objective to have three SSBNs (nuclear-powered submarines with long-range missiles) and six SSNs (nuclear-powered attack submarines) in the long-term" - wrights Rajat Pandit  in 'The Times of India'. His article was written in the wake of the news from Russia, confirming, that a group of Indian personal (50 crewmen with 8-10 officers between them) is coming to Russia for training on Akula-II class submarine.

Interestingly, I was right, when early have supposed the existence of Indian SSN ambitions and the link between them and the Nerpa leasing. It's despite only few information was about this in media. But sometimes it's easy to guess... I think, I will not be much wrong if say, that 1) the design works are already started and 2) the prospective Indian SSN will be based on Akula-II technologies and constructive solutions.

Topol-M and other stuff video

The May 9 Victory Day rehearsal in Russia. First time Topol-M missiles on an 8-axle chassis are demonstrated in number.

Project 855 'Yasen' SSN

Due to a great interest of the readers for prospective Russian submarine projects and repeated questions, I put here the essential from the article about Pr. 855 'Yasen' SSN. In general, two pr. 855 subs are under building in Russian 'Sevmash' plant on White Sea. One - 'Severodvinsk' - is in advance stage of building. Additional one - 'Kazan' - is only started in July 2009, and is made by modified 'Yasen-M' project with some advance features.

(Update: the mooring tests will start in May, 2010. ARMS-TASS, Dec, 23.)

The specs of pr.855:

- full underwater displacement , t                 13,800
- lenght, m                                                   119
- reactors                                               water-water OK-650B
- reactor life (without reload), years              25-30
- speed underwater  , knots                          31
 - max deepness, m                                      600
- autonomity , days                                      100
- crew                                                          90 (Seawolf, Virginia - 134)
- officers number                                          32 (Seawolf, Virginia - 14)
- acoustic                                                     Irtysh-Amphora
- FCS                                                          "Morinformsystema-Agat", NPO 'Aurora'
- EW                                                           5th gen on 'Yasen'-M', domestically made only.
- main caliber                                               8 triple=24 P-800 'Onyx'
- guiding                                                      submarine+satelite based MKRTs 'Legenda' + self guiding
- missile seeker                                            active/passive
- range of lock-on , km                                70-90 depending on target RCS
- torpedo apparata                                       533 mm
- mines
- imitation measures

- All kind of domestic torpedos and missile-torpedos can be used, with conventional and nuclear warheads, torpedo-launches 'Caliber-PL' (domestic 'Club' analog) for hitting surface target on distance up to 300 km, enemy subs on 40 km distance.

- Nuclear cruise missiles: the old 'Granat' - 3000 km range, a prospective one 'Grom' with 5000 km range.

The original Russian OCRed text is below:

'Borei' and 'Bulava'

As I predicted before, US and Russia have not reached the new agreement about strategic forces in time. In December, 5 the term of the START treaty was expired, but no new accord was signed. In the common declaration yesterday Obama and Medvedev have officially confirmed their failure.

Is a new nuclear race probable now?

Anyway, due to the new circumstances the modern Russian strategic programs become more interesting to everybody. This article from Russian 'Army & Navy Review' magazine 4, 2009, is about 4th generation 'Borei'-class SSBN and 'Bulava' missile. Interesting comparable data between 'Bulava' and early competing 'Bark' program are published in the article. Because limited time I cannot translate the article in full, sorry. Thus, use, please the online translators.

A cheap alternative for submarine launched ICBMs

Dec. 5, 2009 the SALT-1 Agreement is expired. I want to be wrong, but personally I think there is only a few possibility to finalize the new Strategic Weapon limitation treaty between US and RF. The difference in positions is too wide and the time remained is too little. So, the ideas about what to do if a new nuclear race starts, are still actual as well despite some progress occurs in US-Russia relations during Obama presidency. This article is the opinion of a Russian military expert in the Russian English-language magazine 'National Defence', issue 1, 2009.

Russia's strategic nuclear forces development

Sabbatical reading. An interview of Commander of the Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces (SMF) Col. Gen. Michail Solovtsov, and an article about Russia's SMF development plans, published in English-language 'National Defense' issues.

Nerpa-Chakra bhai-bhai!

As the Russian RIA-Novosti news agency on Friday reports with reference to 'a high-ranking fleet official': the Nerpa nuclear attack submarine will enter service with Russia's Pacific Fleet in December 2009 and will then be leased out to the Indian Navy. "The submarine has undergone a range of sea trials, and [final] state tests will begin in late October or early November, after which the Nerpa will be adopted by the Pacific Fleet," the spokesman said. He said a crew of Indian submariners would undergo a course of training together with Russian specialists and servicemen in early 2010. They will subsequently operate on their own under the supervision of Russian instructors, after which the submarine will be leased to the Indian Navy under the name INS Chakra. India reportedly paid $650 million for a 10-year lease of the 12,000-ton K-152 Nerpa, an Akula II class nuclear-powered attack submarine. End of report.

The Indo-Russian special relationship in nuclear sphere is continuing despite growing Obama's pressure for 'non-proliferation', and could be only comparable to the relationship between US and GB in strategic weapons. In my humble opinion of course…

Very revolutionary Russian submarine will keep peace near US borders

In September 2007 a little Russian non-commercial newspaper from N-Novgorod made a row when published information about a previously unknown submarine project. In this news was noted that 'Sarov' submarine is finished its building in Severodvinsk (White Sea). Even the name of its commander, captain Sergey Kroshkin, became known to public. The basic specs of this submarine were also published there. The displacement – 2,300/3,950 t, dimension 72.6 x 9.9 m, deepness – 300 m, draught – 7 m, speed 10/17 knots, autonomy – 45 days. No people was disciplined for this seemingly severe leakage. So, the supposition says it could be an 'intended leakage' of information, kind of peaceful Russian gesture for putting pressure on hawkish Bush administration.

First picture of Indian SSBN

"India Today" has published the first picture of the newly built 'Arihant' Indian first SSBN (via livefist blog). Although the picture is intentionally downgraded and PS-ed the visible resemblance with Russian Delta-IV class SSBN is clear. It rather disproves previous reports (mostly in Pakistani and Chinese media) that 'Arihant' could be a copy of obsolete 'Charlie'-class SSN. The Russian support in 'Arihant' design was  confirmed early by number of sourses.  

Project 667BDRM 'Dolphin' (Delta-IV) – is the backbone of modern Russian strategic marine nuclear forces.  There are 8 subs of this class on service now. The first submarine of this class was laid down in February 1984. According to the most trustful Russian site 'Atrina'  issued to sub-surfice warfare this class of submarines is very quite. Then an American hunter SSN of «Improved Los Angeles» class can detect Delta-IV from 30 km distance only in ideal condition. However, 92% of time the weather and hydro-acoustic conditions aren’t ideal in Ice Ocean, then American sonar BQQ-5 cannot detect it at all or the distance of detection is reduced to only 10 km.There are clear visible anechoic plates on the Arihant's skin too, so its probably level of acoustic emission must be close to Russian Delta-IV class.