The Russian Navy has 16 Bars class Project 971 submarines known in the west as the Akula class nuclear powered submarines (SSN). A number of Russian Akula class submarines are deployed in the Pacific region. The Project 971 Shuka-B Bars-class attack submarine multi-purpose submarine is capable of strikes against groups of hostile ships and against coastal installations.
Designated the "Akula" class by the West, and also widely known as the Bars (Snow Leopard) class, the submarine is reported to be officially designated Project 971 Shuka B (shuka is an aggressive breed of fresh water pike). Some 110 meters long, the Akula is double-hulled with considerable distance between the outer and inner hulls to reduce the possible damage to the inner hull. The hull is constructed of low magnetic steel, and divided into eight compartments, and features a distinctive high aft fin. The Project 971, using a steel hull, was initiated in 1976 when it became evident that existing industrial infrastructure was inadequate to mass produce the expensive titanium hulls of the Project 945 Sierra class. The performance of the Project 971 boats was a close approximation to that of the Project 945 design, though the later was significantly more expensive to build and maintain. It has 650 mm and 533 mm torpedo tubes which can use mines as well as Granat cruise missiles, antisubmarine missiles, and torpedoes.
The submarines feature double hull construction, dramatically increasing the reserve buoyancy of the submarine by as much as three times over that of a single hull craft. Ballast tanks and other gear are located between the inner and outer hulls, and limber holes are provided for the free-flooding sections between the hulls. Akula class submarines incorporate limber hole covers that can be closed to reduce or eliminate this source of unwanted noise. The submarines were built by the Amur Shipbuilding Plant Joint Stock Company at Komsomolsk-on-Amur and at the Severodvinsk shipbuilding yard. Seven Akula I submarines were commissioned between 1986 and 1992, and three Improved Akula between 1992 and 1995.
One Akula II was commissioned in 1992 and two more are being built. The Akula submarine design is under constant upgrade and Russia claims the Akula is the quietest of its domestically built submarines and is fitted with acoustic countermeasure equipment. The multi-purpose submarine is capable of strikes against groups of hostile ships and against coastal installations
TORPEDOES The Akula can launch a range of anti-submarine and anti-surface vessel torpedoes. SENSORS The Akula's surface search radar is the Snoop Pair or the Snoop Half. The surface search radar antennae are installed on the same mast as the Rim Hat radar intercept receiver. The submarine is fitted with the MGK 540 sonar system which provides automatic target detection in broad and narrow band modes by active sonar operating in the audible low frequency and infra-sound bands. It gives the range, relative bearing and range rate. the sonar system can also be used in a passive, listening mode for detection of hostile sonars. The sonar signal processor can detect and automatically classify targets as well as reject spurious acoustic noise sources and compensate for variable acoustic conditions.
HULL The submarine has a double-hulled configuration with a distinctive high aft fin. The aft fin is equipped with a towed array dispenser. The hull has seven compartments and the stand-off distance between the outer and inner hulls is considerable to reduce the possible inner hull damage. There is a releasable escape chamber for the crew. The very low acoustic signature has been achieved by incremental design improvements to minimise noise generation and transmission, for example the installation of active noise cancellation techniques. The low acoustic signature increases the survivability of the submarine by evading detection and also increases the sensitivity of the submarines own sonar for detection of torpedoes, mines, submarines and surface ships.
ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS The retractable masts viewed from bow to stern are the periscopes, radar antennae, radio and satellite communications and navigation masts. PROPULSION The main machinery consists of a VM-5 pressure water reactor rated at 190 MW with a GT3A turbine developing 35 MW. Two auxiliary diesels rated at 750 horsepower provide emergency power. The propulsion system drives a seven bladed fixed pitch propeller. PERFORMANCE The propulsion system provides a maximum submerged speed of 33 knots and a surface speed of 20 knots. A reserve propeller system, powered by two motors rated at 370 kw, provides a speed of 3 to 4 knots. The submarine is rated for a diving depth to 600 metres. The submarine carries sufficient supplies for an endurance of 100 days and is operated by a complement of 73 crew.
