| Typhoon-class submarines are the world’s largest. They are quieter than their predecessors, largely due to their enormous size and improvements in quieting techniques. Despite their size, they are also more maneuverable than their immediate predecessors. The main body of the sub contains two “pressure hulls,” which lie parallel to each other and a third, which sits on top of them. This unique design increases the width and simplifies the internal arrangement of the sub. As part of a cooperative arms reduction program with former Soviet states, most of the six submarines in the Typhoon class are scheduled for dismantling by 2003. |
| A 'YANKEE' class (Project 667A "Navaga/Nalim") ballistic missile submarine. The 'YANKEEs' were the first Soviet ballistic missile submarines designed for surface-launched missiles; they carried 16 SS-N-6 SLBMs abaft the sail, much like US SSBNs. |
| A Soviet Typhoon class ballistic missile submarine underway. Photograph from CORBIS |
| Length: Approx. 574 ft (175 m) Beam: 75 ft (23 m) Draft: 38 ft (12 m) Displacement: 33,800 tons Propulsion: 2 pressurized-water nuclear reactors, 2 propellers Crew: 150 Armament: 6 torpedo tubes, 20 ballistic missiles First Sub Commissioned: December 12, 1981 Maximum Speed: Approx. 27 knots (31 mph/50 kph) |
| A Soviet Typhoon 1 |
| Overhead view of a 'DELTA IV', showing missile hatch arrangement. |
| Another stern quarter view of a 'DELTA IV' underway. |
| A bow closeup of a 'DELTA IV' on a cold day. |
| An overhead view of a 'DELTA III'. The missile "hump" is free-flooding; note the numerous limber holes. |
| 1981: Typhoon Class (Soviet and Russian) World’s Largest Submarines |
| Soviet & Russian Navy Ballistic Missile Submarines |
| Beam: width of the sub at its widest part Draft: Depth of the submerged part of the ship when sub is floating at the surface Displacement: Weight of water displaced by a vessel. Submarines have both surfaced and submerged displacements (figures given here represent displacement of fully submerged sub) |
| A Soviet Typhoon 2 |
| Alfred Leo Pelletier Help build this submarine the BATFISH SSN 681 which change the course of history. This is the Soviet Russian Yankee Class Ballistic Missile Submarine the SSN 681 Tracked FOR 50 DAYS. |
| SOVIET DELTA SUBMARINE FIRING SS-N-18 MISSILES - Edward L. Cooper, 1987 A Soviet DELTA III nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine firing SS-N-18 missiles. The DELTA III submarine was 155 meters long, had 16 missile firing tubes, and carried SS-N-18 nuclear missiles. |
