K-157 Vepr

The K-157 Vepr is a nuclear-powered, Akula-II class submarine in service with the Russian Navy since 1995. Also known as Project 971U, it was modernized and updated with new armament and power plant between 2016 and 2017 at the Nerpa shipyard. It is now part of the Northern Fleet. It is an attack submarine, which can destroy targets on sea and on land, using its wide array of missiles and torpedoes.

Technical Characteristics

Having been completely overhauled, the K-157 Vepr is 3 meter longer than it used to be, when it was an Akula-I class submarine. The added length was employed for additional stealth technology, making of it one of the most surreptitious submarines in the world. Thus, it displaces 700 tons more than it used to. It also features the high-tech MGK-540 Skat-3 sonar system, which can pick up the slightest vessel noise from 200 km away. Most experts agree that it is quieter than the US Navy's Los Angeles class submarines.

Armament

The Project 971U, Vepr, is equipped with a wide variety of weapons. It is fitted with 40 Kalibr hypersonic missiles, which can be used to attack both enemy ships and land targets, eight 533mm torpedo tubes, which fires the latest generation of smart torpedoes; Onix anti-ship cruise missiles, as well as surface-to-air missiles.

Specifications

Length: 113.3 m

Beam: 13.6 m

Draft: 9.7 m

Displacement: 8,450 tons

Power Plant: one 190 MW pressurized water nuclear reactor, with one 43,000 HP steam turbine and one 7-bladed propeller; two retractable electric propulsors for low speed.

Speed: 35 knots (underwater)

Crew: 60

Below, the K-157 Vepr (Project 971U) Akula II submarine in the Baltic Sea during test trials