Delta-class submarine#"Delta IV" (Project 667BDRM, Delfin) 7 boats
{{Short description|Class of Russian nuclear powered ballistic submarines}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Delta-class submarine}}
File:Submarine Delta IV class.jpg
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The Delta class, (Russian: Дельта) Soviet designations Project 667B Murena, Project 667BD Murena-M, Project 667BDR Kalmar, Project 667BDRM Delfin, (NATO reporting names Delta I, Delta II, Delta III, Delta IV respectively) are a family of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, designed and built in the Soviet Union, which formed the backbone of the Soviet and Russian strategic submarine fleet since their introduction in 1973. They carry nuclear ballistic missiles of the R-29 Vysota family, with the Delta I, Delta II, Delta III and Delta IV classes carrying the R-29/SS-N-8 'Sawfly', R-29D/SS-N-8 'Sawfly', R-29R/SS-N-18 'Stingray' and R-29RM/SS-N-23 'Skiff' (and later on improved versions) respectively.
The Soviets viewed the Deltas as an iterative improvement of the Yankee-class submarines, which carried R-27 Zyb missiles with a range of {{convert|2500|-|3000|km|mi|abbr =on|0}}. The R-29s gave the Deltas much needed standoff distance; with a range of {{convert|7700|km|mi|abbr=on|0}} the Deltas were able to perform their deterrence patrols within relative safety of the Arctic Ocean, while the Yankee-class had to patrol off the US coastline to do so. The Deltas were supplemented by the largest submarines ever built, the {{sclass2|Typhoon|submarine|1}}s, which served as guarantors of the Soviet second strike capability. The earlier Delta boats remained in service until the 1990s, when the Soviet Union ceased to exist and many classes of submarines were decommissioned due to the severe budget cuts that resulted. A few Delta-IIIs and all of the Delta-IVs were retained by the nascent Russian Navy.
34 boats were built and commissioned during 1972–1990; approximately five or six remain active in 2023. A handful were converted into special-purpose submarines operated by GUGI.
Development
In the 1960s the Soviet Navy wanted new submarine-launched nuclear missiles that could threaten targets in North America without their launch platforms needing to pass the SOSUS sensors in the GIUK gap to be within range.{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/cno/n87/history/cold-war-asw.html#PhaseIV |title=The Third Battle: Innovation in the U.S. Navy's Silent Cold War Struggle with Soviet Submarines |first=Dr. Owen R. |last=Cote |date=March 2000 |website=U.S. Navy |access-date=2014-02-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060410054823/https://www.navy.mil/navydata/cno/n87/history/cold-war-asw.html#PhaseIV |archive-date=2006-04-10 |url-status=dead}} The resulting project was an iterative improvement of the Project 667A Navaga; The 667B could accommodate larger, more capable missiles within its enlarged dorsal hump.
Delta I (Project 667B ''Murena'') 18 boats
| {{Infobox ship begin
| display title = none }} {{Infobox ship image | Ship image = Delta I class SSBN.svg | Ship image size = 300px | Ship caption = A Delta I-class submarine }} {{Infobox ship class overview | Name = Delta I class | Builders = *Komsomolsk-on-Amur | Operators = Soviet Union | Class before = {{sclass2|Yankee|submarine|4}} | Class after = Delta II class | Subclasses = | Cost = | Built range = 1965-? | In service range = 1972-2004 | In commission range = | Total ships building = | Total ships planned = | Total ships completed = 18 | Total ships cancelled = | Total ships active = | Total ships laid up = | Total ships lost = | Total ships retired = 18 | Total ships preserved = }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Hide header = | Header caption = | Ship type = | Ship displacement = *Surfaced: 7,800 tons
| Ship length = {{convert|139|m|ft|abbr=on}} | Ship beam = {{convert|12|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship height = | Ship draught = {{convert|9|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship draft = | Ship ice class = | Ship power = | Ship propulsion = 2 pressurized water-cooled reactors powering 2 steam turbines driving 2 shafts and each developing {{convert|38.7|MW|shp|abbr=on}} | Ship speed = *Surfaced: {{convert|12|kn|lk=in}}
| Ship range = Unlimited, except by food supplies | Ship endurance = | Ship test depth = | Ship complement = 120 | Ship sensors = | Ship EW = | Ship armament = * D-9 launch tubes for 12 R-29 (SS-N-8 Sawfly) SLBMs
| Ship notes = }} |
The Project 667B Murena/Delta I submarines could deploy on combat patrols in the marginal sea ice of the Soviet Arctic coastal zone, and often patrolled in the Norwegian and Barents Seas. Consequently, unlike their predecessors, they no longer needed to pass through Western SOSUS sonar barriers to come within range of their targets. To improve the accuracy of the missiles, the Delta I-class submarines carry the Tobol-B navigation system and the Cyclone-B satellite navigation system.
After construction was authorized in 1965, the first Delta I, {{ship|Soviet submarine|K-279||2}}, was commissioned into the Soviet Northern Fleet on 22 December 1972. A total of 18 submarines of this class were built, and all served the Soviet Navy.
In 1991, nine Delta I-class submarines were still in active service. Their decommissioning began in 1994, with removal of the missile compartments scheduled by 1997. All submarines of this class were taken out of service by 2004 and were scrapped by 2005. The last active submarine of this project was the K-447 Kislovodsk, which was in service for more than 30 years and was decommissioned on March 5, 2004.{{cite web |title=Проект 667Б "Мурена" (NATO – "Delta"). |url=http://www.deepstorm.ru/DeepStorm.files/45-92/nbrs/667B/list.htm |website=deepstorm.ru |publisher=DEEP STORM |access-date=9 January 2024}}
The 400 mm tubes carry either the MG-44 swimming noise-simulation sonar decoy or the SET-40 anti-submarine torpedo.{{cite web |title=Nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines - Project 667B |url=https://russianships.info/eng/submarines/project_667b.htm |website=russianships.info}}
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Delta II (Project 667BD ''Murena-M'') 4 boats
| {{Infobox ship begin
| display title = none }} {{Infobox ship image | Ship image = Delta II class SSBN.svg | Ship image size = 300px | Ship caption = A Delta II-class submarine }} {{Infobox ship class overview | Name = Delta II class | Builders = Severodvinsk | Operators = Soviet Union | Class before = Delta I class | Class after = Delta III class | Subclasses = | Cost = | Built range = 1964-1974 | In service range = ?-1996 | In commission range = | Total ships building = | Total ships planned = | Total ships completed = 4 | Total ships cancelled = | Total ships active = | Total ships laid up = | Total ships lost = | Total ships retired = 4 | Total ships preserved = }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Hide header = | Header caption = | Ship type = | Ship displacement = * Surfaced: 9,350 tons
| Ship length = {{convert|155|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship beam = {{convert|12|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship height = | Ship draught = {{convert|9|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship ice class = | Ship power = | Ship propulsion = 2 pressurized water-cooled reactors powering 2 steam turbines driving 2 shafts each developing {{convert|41|MW|shp|abbr=on}} | Ship speed = * Surfaced: {{convert|12|kn}}
| Ship range = Unlimited, except by food supplies | Ship endurance = | Ship test depth = | Ship complement = 130 | Ship sensors = | Ship EW = | Ship armament = * D-9D launch tubes for 16 R-29D SLBMs
| Ship notes = }} |
The 667BD Murena-M/Delta II submarines were designed to remedy the shortcomings of the Delta I submarine. The planform was largely the same, but the submarine was lengthened in the fourth and fifth compartments by {{convert|16|m|ft|sp=us}} to allow the installation of four more missile tubes. The Delta-IIs also received additional quieting measures such as mounting the steam turbines on shock absorbers, having all pipes and hydraulics separated from the hull through rubber insulation, and a special hydroacoustic coating being applied to the hull.{{Citation needed|date=May 2010}}
Only four submarines of this class were built between 1964 and 1974, apparently in favor of building the following class, the Delta III, and all Delta IIs were out of service by 1996.{{Cite web |last=Carlin |first=Maya |date=2024-02-20 |title=Russia's Delta II-Class Submarines Had Just One Mission |url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/russias-delta-ii-class-submarines-had-just-one-mission-209549 |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=The National Interest |language=en}}
File:Delta-II class nuclear-powered ballistic missle submarine 2.jpg
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Delta III (Project 667BDR ''Kalmar'') 14 boats
{{Main|Delta III-class submarine}}
| {{Infobox ship begin
| display title = none }} {{Infobox ship image | Ship image = Delta III class SSBN.svg | Ship image size = 300px | Ship caption = A Delta III-class submarine }} {{Infobox ship class overview | Name = Delta III class | Builders = Severodvinsk | Operators = Soviet Union, Russia | Class before = Delta II class | Class after = * {{sclass2|Typhoon|submarine|4}} & Delta IV class | Subclasses = | Cost = | Built range = 1974-1982 | In service range = 1976-present | In commission range = | Total ships building = | Total ships planned = | Total ships completed = 14 | Total ships cancelled = | Total ships active = 1 | Total ships laid up = | Total ships lost = | Total ships retired = | Total ships preserved = }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Hide header = | Header caption = | Ship type = | Ship displacement = * Surfaced: 13,500 tons
| Ship length = {{convert|166|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship beam = {{convert|12.3|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship height = | Ship draught = {{convert|8.8|m|ft|abbr=on}} | Ship power = | Ship propulsion = 2 pressurized water-cooled reactors powering 2 steam turbines delivering {{convert|44,700|kW|shp|abbr=on}} to 2 five-bladed fixed-pitched shrouded propellers. | Ship speed = * Surfaced: {{convert|14|kn}}
| Ship range = Unlimited, except by food supplies | Ship endurance = | Ship test depth = | Ship complement = 135 | Ship sensors = | Ship EW = | Ship armament = * 16 missiles
| Ship notes = }} |
The 667BDR Kalmar/Delta III-class submarine is a further development of Project 667, maintaining the double-hulled design with a thin, low magnetic steel outer hull wrapped around a thicker inner pressure hull. Development began in 1972 at the Rubin Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering.{{Citation needed|date=May 2010}} The submarine was the first that could launch any number of missiles in a single salvo, as well as the first submarine capable of carrying ballistic missiles with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles. The submarine carried 16 of the R-29R missiles each carrying 3 to 7 MIRVs, with a range of {{convert|6,500|to|8,000|km|abbr=on}}, depending on the number of re-entry vehicles.
As of 2023 two Delta-IIIs remain; K-44 Ryazan, and the heavily modified BS-136 Orenburg.
Delta IV (Project 667BDRM ''Delfin'') 7 boats{{anchor|Delta_IV_.28Project_667BDRM.2C_Delfin.29_7_boats}}
| {{Infobox ship begin
| display title = none }} {{Infobox ship image | Ship image = Delta IV class SSBN.svg | Ship image size = 300px | Ship caption = A Delta IV-class submarine }} {{Infobox ship class overview | Name = Delta IV class | Builders = Severodvinsk | Operators = Soviet Union, Russian Federation | Class before = Delta III & Typhoon classes | Class after = {{sclass|Borei|submarine|4}} | Subclasses = | Cost = | Built range = 1981-1992 | In service range = | In commission range = 1984-present | Total ships building = | Total ships planned = | Total ships completed = 7 | Total ships cancelled = | Total ships active = 6 | Total ships converted = 1 | Total ships laid up = | Total ships lost = | Total ships retired = | Total ships preserved = }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Hide header = | Header caption = | Ship type = | Ship displacement = | Ship length = | Ship beam = | Ship height = | Ship draught = | Ship ice class = | Ship power = | Ship propulsion = 2 pressurized water-cooled reactors powering 2 steam turbines with two fixed-pitched shrouded propellers. | Ship speed = * Surfaced: {{convert|14|kn}}
| Ship range = Unlimited, except by food supplies | Ship endurance = | Ship test depth = | Ship complement = | Ship sensors = | Ship EW = | Ship armament = *16 R-29RMU Sineva ballistic missiles; each with 4 MIRV
| Ship notes = }} |
Seven Project 667BDRM Delfin/Delta IV-class submarines were built, which were yet another iterative improvement of the Delta-class. All were retained and operated by the Russian Navy. The submarines, based at the Sayda Guba Naval Base, operate in the Northern Fleet. The Severodvinsk Shipyard built these vessels between 1981 and 1992. The last vessel completed was {{ship|Russian submarine|K-407 Novomoskovsk||2}}.
=Armament=
The Delta IV-class submarines employs the D-9RM launch system and carries 16 R-29RMU Sineva liquid-fueled missiles which each carry four independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs). Unlike previous modifications, the Delta IV-class submarine is able to fire missiles in any direction from a constant course in a circular sector. The underwater firing of the ballistic missiles can be conducted at a depth of {{convert|55|m|sp=us}} while cruising at a speed of {{convert|6|-|7|kn}}. All the missiles can be fired in a single salvo.
The 667BDRM Delfin submarines are equipped with the TRV-671 RTM missile-torpedo system that has four bow-mounted torpedo tubes with a calibre of {{convert|533|mm|in|abbr=on|0}}. Unlike the Delta III-class design, it is compatible with all types of torpedoes, anti-submarine torpedo-missiles and anti-hydroacoustic devices. The battle management system Omnibus-BDRM controls all combat activities, processing data and commanding the torpedo and missile-torpedo weapons. The Shlyuz navigation system provides for the improved accuracy of the missiles and is capable of stellar navigation at periscope depths. The navigational system also employs two floating antenna buoys to receive radio-messages, target destination data and satellite navigation signals at great depth. The submarines are also equipped with the Skat-VDRM hydroacoustic system.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}
The Delta IVs executed Operation Behemoth ({{langx|ru|Бегемот}}) during the twilight of the Soviet Union; they remain the only class of SSBN to successfully fire its entire payload of ballistic missiles.
In 2011 K-84 Ekaterinburg successfully test-fired a new version of the SS-N-23 missile, reportedly designated R-29RMU2 Layner. The missile has improved survivability against anti-ballistic missiles.{{cite web |url=http://rusnavy.com/news/newsofday/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=13244 |title=Russian SLBM Liner Completed Flight Tests |website=RusNavy |date=2011-05-20 |access-date=2011-12-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111230223829/http://rusnavy.com/news/newsofday/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=13244 |archive-date=2011-12-30 |url-status=dead}} Later on K-114 Tula conducted another successful launch.{{cite web |url=http://www.severnyflot.ru/news.php?extend.2375 |script-title=ru:Центр обновления |website=Severnyflot |access-date=2011-12-27 |language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331014533/http://www.severnyflot.ru/news.php?extend.2375 |archive-date=31 March 2012 |url-status=dead}}
=Deployment=
Initially all the Delta IV-class submarines were based with the Russian Northern Fleet at Olenya Bay. All the submarines of this class serve in 12th Squadron (the former 3rd flotilla) of strategic submarines of the Northern Fleet, which now located in Yagelnaya Bay.{{cite web |url=http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/856043 |script-title=ru:Северный флот |date=2008-02-25 |website=Kommersant |language=ru |access-date=13 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030164244/http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/856043 |archive-date=30 October 2013 |url-status=live}}{{cite journal |last1=Kristensen |first1=Hans M. |last2=Korda |first2=Matt |title=Russian nuclear weapons, 2021 |journal=Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists |volume=77 |issue=2 |year=2021 |pages=90–108 |issn=0096-3402 |doi=10.1080/00963402.2021.1885869 |bibcode=2021BuAtS..77b..90K |quote=All Delta IVs are part of the Northern Fleet and based at Yagelnaya Bay (Gadzhiyevo) on the Kola Peninsula.|doi-access=free}}
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In popular culture
The submarine in the Doctor Who episode Cold War that Clara Oswald and the eleventh Doctor were stranded on is likely a Delta-Class submarine. {{Cite AV media |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01s1cz7/doctor-who-20052022-series-7-9-cold-war |title=Doctor Who (2005–2022) - Series 7: 9. Cold War |language=en-GB |access-date=2024-08-29 |via=www.bbc.co.uk}}
See also
Citations
{{Reflist}}
References
- {{cite book |first=Robert |last=Jackson |date=2006 |title=The Encyclopedia Of Warships, From World War 2 To The Present Day |location=San Diego |publisher=Thunder Bay Press |isbn=978-1-59223-627-5}}
External links
{{Commons category|Delta class submarines}}
{{colbegin}}
- [https://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/russia/667b.htm 667B Murena/Delta I] at GlobalSecurity.org
- [https://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/russia/667bdr.htm 667BDR Delta III] at GlobalSecurity.org
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20020202124156/http://www.aeronautics.ru/archive/fleet/russian/667.htm Type 667 "Delta" class] at Aeronautics.ru
- [http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/delta SSBN Delta Class IV (Project 667.BDRM)] at Naval-technology.com
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20061013190908/http://www.armscontrol.ru/atmtc/Arms_systems/Navy/Submarine/Kalmar_Proj667_StratSub.htm Project 667.BDR Kalmar Strategic Missile Undersea Cruiser (Delta-3 class, 14 subs)] at Armscontrol.ru
- [http://www.fas.org Federation of American Scientists]
- [http://www.hazegray.org/worldnav/russia/ Haze Gray & Underway: World Navies Today: Russia]
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{{Delta-class submarine}}
{{Soviet and Russian submarines after 1945}}
{{SSBN classes in service}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}