Russia to Continue Development and Test Work on New Lada Class SSK Submarine (Project 677) - TASS

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Naval Forces News - Russia
 
 
 
Russia to Continue Development and Test Work on New Lada Class SSK Submarine (Project 677)
 
Developmental and test operation of non-nuclear submarine Saint Petersburg, Project 677 /codename Lada/ lead boat, will be continued in 2016, Igor Vilnit, the head of the Rubin Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering, the developer of the submarine, has reported.
     
Developmental and test operation of non-nuclear submarine Saint Petersburg, Project 677 /codename Lada/ lead boat, will be continued in 2016, Igor Vilnit, the head of the Rubin Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering, the developer of the submarine, has reported.
Lada class Diesel Electric Submarine (SSK) Project 677

     
"The boat has fulfilled a range of tasks, confirming its specifications. In terms of capabilities this is the best boat in our non-nuclear fleet," he stressed.

"Given that today this is our sole such boat, I presume it will be decided to continue the developmental operation in 2016 for accumulating the experience for the crews running the series-produced boats," Vilnit specified.

The head of the bureau noted that construction of the second and third Project 677 submarines at the Admiralty Dockyards Joint-Stock Company /incorporated by the United Shipbuilding Corporation, USC/ in Petersburg proceeds as per approved schedule while the fourth boat is "at the stage of contract preparation."

The non-nuclear submarine Saint Petersburg was laid down as early as 1997. In 2010 it was handed over to the Navy. It was expected to go into service with the Russian Navy as early as 2014. However, it was later declared that the developmental operation of the Saint Petersburg would be completed only in 2015.

Project 677 submarines are fourth generation non-nuclear boats. They are designed for independent actions against surface ships and submarines in pre-assigned areas by using cruise missiles and anti-submarine defense in the coastal zone. They displace 2,650 t, measuring 68 m in length. The maximum submerged speed is 21 knots, cruising range in the surface condition is 6,000 miles at 7 knots. The boats are armed with six 533 mm torpedo tubes. The crew is 37 men. -

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