The first submarine to be equipped with the air independent system will be a 'Lada' class, with delivery expected within the 2016. The only "Lada" submarine, the "Sankt Peterburg", came into service four years ago, after more than a decade of alterations and testing at sea. The production of 'Lada' was arrested in 2012 for modifications to the original design. The new propulsion system was developed at Sevmash, the country's largest shipyard.
Specifically, the Russian designers would be addressing again (they tried us with the "Quebec" lighters, very unreliable and subject to explosions and fires, in service from the 1955 to the early 70) on air-powered propulsion (AIP ), which would make the submarines much quieter than those of nuclear propulsion. AIP systems allow the non-nuclear submarine to operate without the use of external air. The benefits, at least conceptually, are many. While for the reactor of a nuclear submarine it is necessary to continuously pump coolant, generating a certain amount of detectable noise, non-nuclear powerboats powered by AIP battery, would fly in silence.
Russian designers, last November, also provided some data. An AIP propulsion submarine could work for patrol or deterrence missions for 30 / 40 days, estimating about 15 years of development to optimize new technology. The United States, after some experiments, has decided to continue with nuclear propulsion.
Finally, Russia would be moving for a modular mass production, used in the construction of surface ships. Submarines of the future - concluded Chirkov - will reach a high level of automation.
Attack submarines class 'Lada'
The construction of "Sankt Peterburg", the first of the '677 Lada' project, began in December of 1997, but the boat was delivered to the Navy for sea trials only in April of the 2010.
The construction of the 'Lada' submarines was suspended shortly after the collapse of the Soviet Union, but the Russian government decided to resume production with two other boats: Kronstadt and Sevastopol.
The 'Lada' class will replace the 'Kilo' class
A submarine class 'Lada' is equipped with six 533 mm throttle tubes and can fire cruise missiles. It is designed to defend naval bases and communication lines on the sea. It can be effectively used both against surface ships and Hunter Killer submarines.
The Russian Navy plans to complete the 'Lada' fleet with eight boats within the 2020.
The Russian Navy is currently based on third-generation submarines, with fourth-generation "Borey" and "Yasen" class attack ships, in production.
Within the 2020, the new Russian fleet will consist of eight 'Borey' and eight 'Yasen'. The sixteen vessels will become the pillar of the nuclear-powered submarine fleet. They will be at least for the next two decades.
Fifth-generation submarines could enter production in fifteen years.
Franco Iacch
(in the picture a Lada class submarine Source: Ria Novosti)
