Yasen Class

Also known as Project 885, the Yasen class are the latest model of nuclear cruise-missile submarines, in service with Russian Navy since 2013. They are feared by NATO nations because of their stealth and armament, as they bristle with different types of hypersonic and supersonic cruise and anti-ship missiles. As of today, four subs have been produced so far; they are Severodvinsk (K-560), Kazan (K-561), Novosibirsk (K-573), and Krasnoyarsk (K-571).

The Yasen class submarine was designed and developed by Malakhit Marine Engineering Bureau and is presently being built by Sevmash, which signed a contract with the Russian government to produce a total of twelve Project 885 submarines. Three of the four subs already in service have recently been upgraded to the Yasen-M version, which are now fitted with a more compact and extremely silent nuclear reactor and a more powerful spherical sonar. The new power plant, the noise-reducing insulation, and external rubberized skin make of the Yasen class (Project 885) the stealthiest submarines in the world today.

The structure of these ultra-silent and lethal submarines consists of a tubular-shaped single hull, which is made of low-magnetic steel, with an spherical nose. The purpose of the low-magnetic steel is to reduce its magnetic signature. The tapering tail portion of the hull is fitted with four fins; two vertical ones, equipped with the rudder, and two horizontal ones, which have movable stabilizers, which reminds of an aircraft tail elevators. On the body of their Zircon hypersonic missiles, there is a legend in that says: "From Russia, with Love".

Specifications

Type: attack cruise-missile submarine

Length: 139 m (458 feet); Yasen-M: 130 m (430 feet)

Beam: 13 m (43 feet)

Displacement: 13,800 tons (submerged); 8,600 tons (on surface)

Power Plant: one KTP-6 pressurized water reactore, with two 210-MW, GT3A turbines, generating 43,000 HP.

Maximum Speed: 28 knots (submerged and silent mode); 20 knots (on surface).

Range: 30 years, which is the life-time of the nuclear reactor. (it has to stop for food supply, though)

Armament: 3M22 Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles; 3M-54 Kalibr cruise missiles; Oniks anti-ship missiles; ten 533-mm torpedo tubes, with 28 Futlyar heavy-weight deep-water torpedoes.

Compliment: 70 men

Below, the Yasen class submarine Kazan (K-561) on sea trials in 2018.

Novosivirsk about to be launched in late 2019.

Below, Severodvinsk (K-560) in 2015.