Alexei Konovalov

FUTURE PROJECTS

 

Searches in the definition of shape NPS 5-th generation in the Soviet Union began, apparently, in the late 80's - early 90-xx years. and continued even during the most difficult time for Russia, but of course they know very little. In particular, in 1996, were carried out research on the development of advanced power plants, which, among other things, showed competitive submarine PPU with liquid coolant loop in the implementation of state of the art. Well known that since 2004 SPMDB "Malachite" project is being developed APL 5 th generation on the basis of specifically formulated technical specifications. Finally, in early 2006, the command of the Russian Navy decided to develop a competition based on promising project a multi-purpose submarines, apparently intended to replace after 2020 to be the conclusion of the fighting strength of SSNs third-generation projects 671RTM, 945 and 971 buildings of 80 - ies. Expect that the laying of new submarine will happen after 2017 at the end of production SSN 885M project. In contrast to the "Ash", the new project should have a considerably smaller surface ships with a displacement of about 5.000 - 6.000 m. There will also be altered profile of its combat use. Small displacement will not allow to place on board a large number of weapons, especially missile silos for the RCC and RCS, but the focus will shift to the anti-submarine actions, such as patrols in the areas of deployment of SSBNs to ensure their combat stability. This solution will significantly reduce the cost of a new project with a view to its large scale production.

The principal bidders are TSKBMT Rubin and SPMDB "Malachite", while earlier, the main developer of the torpedo, and multi-purpose submarines was only "Malachite", and direct Competing virtually absent. Experts of both CB have similar views on the shape of a submarine 5-th generation. It is expected the final transition to polutorakorpusnoy or single-architecture with a reserve buoyancy of the order of 15%. As the main structural material remains Low magnetic steel, but will significantly increase the proportion of composite materials for both external and for internal use (permeable areas, OMC, designs, subjected to excessive vibration and stress, minor construction, vibration isolation and acoustic insulation). A search for possible rejection of the traditional barriers retractable devices in favor of alternative design solutions, such as retractable undercarriage bridge (studied in a 60-70 - s Project 673 and the program CONFORM), non-penetrating PMU, folding in the developed suspension, etc. At this There are no prerequisites and the need to increase the maximum depth, velocity, or the autonomy of new projects, but reducing the displacement can reduce the crew by automating ship products based on existing components with an "open architecture", etc.

Power plant can grow both on the basis of water-moderated PPU, and on the basis of the LMC reactors, although less likely, given the experience with similar RTD in the USSR and the USA.Further improvement in weight and size characteristics of nuclear power can be achieved through the use of so-called reactors with superheated steam in the core. All three types of power plants would mean a monoblock integral performance and long service life of active zones of equal service life of the submarine. In the steam turbine plant preparing to move either to the full elektrodvizheniyu with the rejection of GTZA and the extended line of propeller shaft in favor of large stand-alone turbine generators, or study the possibility of the APG, in addition to the classical scheme for short-term "afterburning" of the regime. Both options would require additional volumes in the power compartment, but these volumes will be significantly less than the volumes on American experimental nuclear submarine with a full elektrodvizheniem in the 60's and 70's through the use of compact propulsion motors with permanent magnets. Such a decision would give a reduction in overall noise level boats, increase its flexibility in regard to speed and simplify the structure of power equipment. It is also expected the final transition to water jets, possibly even with outboard performance of Gad, as a main propulsion system with the final expulsion of the classical propellers.

With the advent of diesel-electric submarines of Project 677 the first SAC with quasiconformal bow antenna large area of ​​Lira, there was a tendency equipment like arc antennas and submarines in addition to the airborne antenna, whose size is also growing steadily. These activities will sharply increase the aperture of the antenna devices. At the expense of extremely large and heavy spherical antennas GAK with solid capsules, ballast systems and solid fasteners may be released significant amounts in the bow of the boat, on the one hand, further reduces the size of the body making it easier to construct and less expensive all the sonar system, On the other hand, allows you to return to the nasal location of the TA, more favorable to the tactical and technical point of view. At a certain period of time considered retrofitting SSN 971 project quasiconformal nasal antennas in medium-sized repairs with modernization.

As for sea underwater weapon among experts broad array of opinions about the prospects of its development. It is believed that the caliber of torpedoes and missiles - torpedo 533 mm (21 inches) are no longer enough to realize the high transport characteristics (range and speed) and therefore requires a return to a more high-caliber 650 mm with an opportunity to place on these torpedoes are more powerful homing and combat units. However, existing models of caliber 650 mm have a very large mass (ca. 11 m) and long (up to 5 m instead of 2 tons of torpedo-caliber 533 mm), which reduces the ammunition boats and increases the complexity and the torpedo compartment, battery and torpedopogruzochnyh devices. Therefore, it seems logical to create the truncated heavy torpedoes with a length corresponding to the torpedoes caliber of 533 mm (approx. 7 m). Voiced the opposite view that the standard Caliber retains its right to exist, as the tactical situation on the battlefield often makes shooting at long distances (30 km), even high-speed torpedoes (up to 70 knots), inefficient, and the only alternative in the duel of the situation with the submarine the enemy may be rocket - a torpedo. However, as experience shows, even for them, it is easier to achieve high combat performance in the large caliber. However, to a large extent, it is possible to say about the RCC, or TFR, launched from the TA.

It is also believed that the future of submarines makes sense to increase the number of torpedo tubes to provide massive bursts of numerous, including the diverse objectives, different kinds of weapons. This requirement has led to the revision of the role of torpedo and elaborate on the alternatives of MPO from penetrating singly TA, external unit PU or the method of free fall of the so-called "Bomb bay". The latter option offers additional advantages of using unmanned or manned diversionary devices. In the long run possible removal of the torpedoes on standalone APP and an increase in this score as the volley of power and military stability of the boat carrier.Most likely, the Russian designers preferred embodiment of outboard and mezhkorpusnogo placement of weapons as a more simple, as evidenced by the activation of similar works in the Bureau of leading subsea engineering, research institutes, among manufacturers of naval weapons.From this perspective, it is expedient to develop small-sized weapons caliber 324 mm and smaller (down to 254 or even 127 mm) with unification for submarines, surface ships and aircraft carriers.Such small calibers do not allow a sufficiently effective models of weapons for use on surface ships, but are well suited for anti-submarine torpedoes, protivotorped, means sonar counter (sources of interference and false targets), small samotransportiruyuschihsya mines and anti-aircraft short-range missiles. Accommodation is also available as a separate tubular penetrating IP in the nasal volume and suitable for this section of OMC and the superstructure, and the creation of interchangeable modules, which include several PU. For them, in addition to the above-mentioned areas, it is reasonable accommodation in double-hulled boat parts, if any. Promising for the mine of defense and maintenance of electronic surveillance may be placing a similar IP remotely operated and autonomous APP with the TV, magnetometric, hydroacoustic and other systems developed on the basis of the electric propulsion of torpedoes. Since the late 90's in Russia are a number of R & D in all the above directions, however, their implementation will require at least another 10 years.

Missiles for submarines 5 th generation appear to be very different from today's systems, the transition to hypersonic flight speeds. Their development is in improving on-board electronics and algorithms to combat use.

As part of work on the perspective of nuclear submarines in TSKBMT Rubin was formulated an interesting proposal to reduce cost and increase operational efficiency - so-called method of a base model, which was first researched back in the 70's during the research and development for submarine third generation. This method consists in the fact that different types CARDS SSBN and SSGN are based on a single project and must include a fully identical compartments and sections, with the exception of weapons bays. SSBNs, in this case is a torpedo boat with embedded missile compartment, as has been done on the first atomic submarine. Nasal sections with residential bays, CPU, and the torpedo room, and feed energy compartments, thus, did not differ from the original BOARDS. Such a concept would be fully unified infrastructure maintenance is almost identical boats, despite the fact that, formally, they will have different purposes. Also simplify the mass production of submarines and the training of personnel, since the difference in the number of crew members will be determined by specific weapons systems, associated servicing and management systems. The disadvantages of a base model include greater complexity of its design, as even at an early stage will consider all trade-offs associated with different conditions of use of submarines. Part of the design decisions missile submarines may for reasons of strength or hydrodynamics go counter to the action required for multipurpose nuclear submarine or a torpedo. The main problem may be the choice of suitable dimensions, in particular, the diameter of the pressure hull and architecture, which, in turn, will put very strict requirements for developers of weapons and power plant. Not achieve the specified weight and size characteristics of these two systems often leads to an adjustment projects submarines, in the case of the "base model" means a multiple increase in complexity, duration and cost of such work.

Well this concept is illustrated by the rationale and proposed a pilot project multipurpose submarines 5 th generation, having worked in 2005-2006 in the Krylov Shipbuilding Research Institute. Acad. Krylov. This study included the elaboration of the actual SSN as a base model and SSBNs based on it. Despite the fact that these works in no way be regarded as a reliable description of promising projects, it's worth trying to analyze inherent in these ideas.

Apparently, in the base case we are talking about polutorakorpusnoy submarine with classic lines and very short segment of double-hulled - about 10% of the length of the hull, divided into seven sections. Overall length approx. 110 m width 12 m, which corresponds to the maximum diameter of the pressure hull. The estimated displacement is about 8.000 tons surfaced and Bole 9.000 tons submerged. Thus, the boat takes on the dimensions of an intermediate position between projects 945 and 971. In the fore part of the body is the arc antenna GAK and 8 SLT, half of which lies below the radome. The first compartment is a torpedo and is divided into 4 decks.Followed by pyatipalubny CPU compartment. 3rd and 4 th sections are residential and have 4 decks. Between 2 nd and 3-m-bay is the entrance to the rescue chamber. Form of cutting has no features, except for use only by penetrating the hoisting masts. Also, the third compartment has a smaller diameter than the nearby. 5-th compartment allotted under the PRP, 5 th - a turbine, and 7-under auxiliary power equipment. Followed by the steering compartment. Stern rudders taken classic cruciform shape, as an engine used water cannon. Throughout the whole hull is an easy add-permeable.

Option SSBN different 35-meter doublecase chetyrehpalubnoy insertion between the 3 rd and 4 th compartments, including two missile bays with 20 mines. The height of this box, perfectly inscribed in the contours of the rest of the case, is approx. 13 m and can be placed inside an SLBM of not more than 12 m, taking into account the different bindings clearance, mine closures, depreciation and items, etc. The total length of the boat, at the same time, equal to approximately 145 m, with evaluative full displacement of 12.000 tons (slightly more than SSN Project 885) that, given such a large ammunition would be if implemented, a record figure for the ratio of tonnes of dead weight tonne payload or combat unit. Due to unification based on the basic model SSBN inherits a considerable depth immersion inherent SSNs.

As a further development of the principle underlying platform in Krylov Shipbuilding Research Institute. Krylov said the concept is completely versatile boat that can carry as strategic weapons, and serve as SSNs, superseding all major types of submarines. To do this it must be equipped with interchangeable modules of weapons and other payloads, giving it extreme flexibility in the application for a variety of tasks. According to calculations of the authors of this concept, while ensuring a fairly rapid change modules and maintaining the combat readiness of the order of 80%, the submarine fleet of the Russian Federation may be limited to only 10-12 units of this type.However, this statement should be read with caution, as this high rate of operating voltage will hardly be achievable in the near future, despite the fact that the unification of the boats and their modular design, combined with advanced technology avionics repair contribute to the shortened duration and short duration of routine maintenance . But even if the required implementation of KOH, the presence of each of the two major fleets only 5-6 boats seems insufficient, given the current composition of the Navy from the countries - potential enemies. Laying the functions of strategic nuclear deterrence SSNs could subject a significant reduction in ammunition SLBM improve the combat stability of the entire group by sharing the missiles to more carriers. These carriers would have the most secretive in comparison with today's SSBNs, but certainly would be lost by this criterion specialized SSNs because of too large dimensions. In addition, it seems problematic inscribing this idea in today's international agreements on arms reduction, since each submarine would count as a potential carrier SLBMs, regardless of whether the mines are loaded ballistic missiles or other types of weapons. Because this model of NS 5-th generation can advance with a high degree of probability be considered a dead end.