A Delta IV-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine
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The Delta class, (Russian: Дельта) Soviet designations Project 667B Murena, Project 667BD Murena-M, Project 667BDR Kalmar, Project 667BDRM Delfin, (NATO reporting names Delta I, Delta II, Delta III, Delta IV respectively) are a family of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, designed and built in the Soviet Union, which formed the backbone of the Soviet and Russian strategic submarine fleet since their introduction in 1973. They carry nuclear ballistic missiles of the R-29 Vysota family, with the Delta I, Delta II, Delta III and Delta IV classes carrying the R-29/SS-N-8 'Sawfly', R-29D/SS-N-8 'Sawfly', R-29R/SS-N-18 'Stingray' and R-29RM/SS-N-23 'Skiff' (and later on improved versions) respectively.

The Soviets viewed the Deltas as an iterative improvement of the Yankee-class submarines, which carried R-27 Zyb missiles with a range of 2,500–3,000 km (1,553–1,864 mi). The R-29s gave the Deltas much needed standoff distance; with a range of 7,700 km (4,785 mi) the Deltas were able to perform their deterrence patrols within relative safety of the Arctic Ocean, while the Yankee-class had to patrol off the US coastline to do so. The Deltas were supplemented by the largest submarines ever built, the Typhoon-class submarines, which served as guarantors of the Soviet second strike capability. The earlier Delta boats remained in service until the 1990s, when the Soviet Union ceased to exist and many classes of submarines were decommissioned due to the severe budget cuts that resulted. A few Delta-IIIs and all of the Delta-IVs were retained by the nascent Russian Navy.

34 boats were built and commissioned during 1972–1990; approximately five or six remain active in 2023. A handful were converted into special-purpose submarines operated by GUGI.

Development

In the 1960s the Soviet Navy wanted new submarine-launched nuclear missiles that could threaten targets in North America without their launch platforms needing to pass the SOSUS sensors in the GIUK gap to be within range.[1] The resulting project was an iterative improvement of the Project 667A Navaga; The 667B could accommodate larger, more capable missiles within its enlarged dorsal hump.

Delta I (Project 667B Murena) 18 boats

A Delta I-class submarine
Class overview
NameDelta I class
Builders
OperatorsSoviet Union
Preceded byYankee class
Succeeded byDelta II class
Completed18
Retired18
General characteristics
Displacement
  • Surfaced: 7,800 tons
  • Submerged: 10,000 tons
Length139 m (456 ft)
Beam12 m (39 ft 4 in)
Draught9 m (29 ft 6 in)
Propulsion2 pressurized water-cooled reactors powering 2 steam turbines driving 2 shafts and each developing 38.7 MW (51,900 shp)
Speed
  • Surfaced: 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
  • Submerged: 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph)
RangeUnlimited, except by food supplies
Complement120
Armament
  • D-9 launch tubes for 12 R-29 (SS-N-8 Sawfly) SLBMs
  • 4 × 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes
  • 2 × 400 mm (16 in) torpedo tubes

The Project 667B Murena/Delta I submarines could deploy on combat patrols in the marginal sea ice of the Soviet Arctic coastal zone, and often patrolled in the Norwegian and Barents Seas. Consequently, unlike their predecessors, they no longer needed to pass through Western SOSUS sonar barriers to come within range of their targets. To improve the accuracy of the missiles, the Delta I-class submarines carry the Tobol-B navigation system and the Cyclone-B satellite navigation system.

After construction was authorized in 1965, the first Delta I, K-279, was commissioned into the Soviet Northern Fleet on 22 December 1972. A total of 18 submarines of this class were built, and all served the Soviet Navy.

In 1991, nine Delta I-class submarines were still in active service. Their decommissioning began in 1994, with removal of the missile compartments scheduled by 1997. All submarines of this class were taken out of service by 2004 and were scrapped by 2005. The last active submarine of this project was the K-447 Kislovodsk, which was in service for more than 30 years and was decommissioned on March 5, 2004. [2]

Delta II (Project 667BD Murena-M) 4 boats

A Delta II-class submarine
Class overview
NameDelta II class
BuildersSeverodvinsk
OperatorsSoviet Union
Preceded byDelta I class
Succeeded byDelta III class
Completed4
Retired4
General characteristics
Displacement
  • Surfaced: 9,350 tons
  • Submerged: 10,500 tons
Length155 m (508 ft 6 in)
Beam12 m (39 ft 4 in)
Draught9 m (29 ft 6 in)
Propulsion2 pressurized water-cooled reactors powering 2 steam turbines driving 2 shafts each developing 41 MW (55,000 shp)
Speed
  • Surfaced: 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
  • Submerged: 24 knots (44 km/h; 28 mph)
RangeUnlimited, except by food supplies
Complement130
Armament
  • D-9D launch tubes for 16 R-29D SLBMs
  • 4 × 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes
  • 2 × 400 mm (16 in) torpedo tubes

The 667BD Murena-M/Delta II submarines were designed to remedy the shortcomings of the Delta I submarine. The planform was largely the same, but the submarine was lengthened in the fourth and fifth compartments by 16 meters (52 ft) to allow the installation of four more missile tubes. The Delta-IIs also received additional quieting measures such as mounting the steam turbines on shock absorbers, having all pipes and hydraulics separated from the hull through rubber insulation, and a special hydroacoustic coating being applied to the hull.

Only four submarines of this class were built, apparently in favor of building the following class, the Delta III, and all Delta IIs were out of service by 1996.

Delta-II-class, 1997

Delta III (Project 667BDR Kalmar) 14 boats

A Delta III-class submarine
Class overview
NameDelta III class
BuildersSeverodvinsk
OperatorsSoviet Union, Russia
Preceded byDelta II class
Succeeded byTyphoon class & Delta IV class
Completed14
Active2
General characteristics
Displacement
  • Surfaced: 13,500 tons
  • Submerged: 18,200 tons
Length166 m (544 ft 7 in)
Beam12.3 m (40 ft 4 in)
Draught8.8 m (29 ft)
Propulsion2 pressurized water-cooled reactors powering 2 steam turbines delivering 44,700 kW (59,900 shp) to 2 five-bladed fixed-pitched shrouded propellers.
Speed
  • Surfaced: 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph)
  • Submerged: 24 knots (44 km/h; 28 mph)
RangeUnlimited, except by food supplies
Complement135
Armament
  • 16 missiles
  • 4 × bow 533 mm (21.0 in) torpedo tubes

The 667BDR Kalmar/Delta III-class submarine is a further development of Project 667, maintaining the double-hulled design with a thin, low magnetic steel outer hull wrapped around a thicker inner pressure hull. Development began in 1972 at the Rubin Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering. The submarine was the first that could launch any number of missiles in a single salvo, as well as the first submarine capable of carrying ballistic missiles with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles. The submarine carried 16 of the R-29R missiles each carrying 3 to 7 MIRVs, with a range of 6,500 to 8,000 km (4,000 to 5,000 mi), depending on the number of re-entry vehicles.

As of 2023 two Delta-IIIs remain; K-44 Ryazan, and the heavily modified BS-136 Orenburg.











Delta IV (Project 667BDRM Delfin) 7 boats

A Delta IV-class submarine
Class overview
NameDelta IV class
BuildersSeverodvinsk
OperatorsSoviet Union, Russian Federation
Preceded byDelta III & Typhoon classes
Succeeded byBorei class
Completed7
Active6
General characteristics
Propulsion2 pressurized water-cooled reactors powering 2 steam turbines with two fixed-pitched shrouded propellers.
Speed
  • Surfaced: 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph)
  • Submerged: 24 knots (44 km/h; 28 mph)
RangeUnlimited, except by food supplies

Seven Project 667BDRM Delfin/Delta IV-class submarines were built, which were yet another iterative improvement of the Delta-class. All were retained and operated by the Russian Navy. The submarines, based at the Sayda Guba Naval Base, operate in the Northern Fleet. The Severodvinsk Shipyard built these vessels between 1981 and 1992. The last vessel completed was K-407 Novomoskovsk.

Armament

The Delta IV-class submarines employs the D-9RM launch system and carries 16 R-29RMU Sineva liquid-fueled missiles which each carry four independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs). Unlike previous modifications, the Delta IV-class submarine is able to fire missiles in any direction from a constant course in a circular sector. The underwater firing of the ballistic missiles can be conducted at a depth of 55 meters (180 ft) while cruising at a speed of 6–7 knots (11–13 km/h; 6.9–8.1 mph). All the missiles can be fired in a single salvo.

The 667BDRM Delfin submarines are equipped with the TRV-671 RTM missile-torpedo system that has four bow-mounted torpedo tubes with a calibre of 533 mm (21 in). Unlike the Delta III-class design, it is compatible with all types of torpedoes, anti-submarine torpedo-missiles and anti-hydroacoustic devices. The battle management system Omnibus-BDRM controls all combat activities, processing data and commanding the torpedo and missile-torpedo weapons. The Shlyuz navigation system provides for the improved accuracy of the missiles and is capable of stellar navigation at periscope depths. The navigational system also employs two floating antenna buoys to receive radio-messages, target destination data and satellite navigation signals at great depth. The submarines are also equipped with the Skat-VDRM hydroacoustic system.

The Delta IVs executed Operation Behemoth (Russian: Бегемот) during the twilight of the Soviet Union; they remain the only class of SSBN to successfully fire its entire payload of ballistic missiles.

In 2011 K-84 Ekaterinburg successfully test-fired a new version of the SS-N-23 missile, reportedly designated R-29RMU2 Layner. The missile has improved survivability against anti-ballistic missiles.[3] Later on K-114 Tula conducted another successful launch.[4]

Deployment

Initially all the Delta IV-class submarines were based with the Russian Northern Fleet at Olenya Bay. All the submarines of this class serve in 12th Squadron (the former 3rd flotilla) of strategic submarines of the Northern Fleet, which now located in Yagelnaya Bay.[5][6]

Units

Delta IV class — significant dates
# Shipyard Name Laid down Launched Commissioned Fleet Status
K-51 SEVMASH, Severodvinsk Verkhoturye 23 February 1981 7 March 1984 28 December 1984 Northern Active, overhaul 2010–12, overhaul completed, upgraded Sineva missiles installed[7]
K-84 SEVMASH, Severodvinsk Ekaterinburg 17 February 1982 17 March 1985 30 December 1985 Northern Inactive. Upgraded Sineva missiles installed,[7] overhaul 2011–14 (29 December 2011 a fire broke out while ship was drydocked and the vessel was partially submerged to control the flames.[8]) Re-commissioned in December 2014.[9] Removed from active service and prepared for decommissioning in 2020[10]
BS-64 (ex K-64) SEVMASH, Severodvinsk Podmoskovye 18 December 1982 2 February 1986 23 December 1986 Northern Active, in 1999–2016 was in conversion to a Project 09787 special purpose platform.[11][12] Cut out all the missile silos.[13]
K-114 SEVMASH, Severodvinsk Tula 22 February 1984 22 January 1987 30 October 1987 Northern In overhaul 2014–2017, returned to active duty in December 2017,[14][15] upgraded Sineva missiles installed[7]
K-117 SEVMASH, Severodvinsk Bryansk 20 April 1985 8 February 1988 30 September 1988 Northern Active, overhaul 2002–08, overhaul complete, upgraded Sineva missiles installed.[7] Technical conditioning to extend service life by 3.5 years scheduled to commence post March 2018.[16]
K-18 SEVMASH, Severodvinsk Karelia 7 February 1986 2 February 1989 10 October 1989 Northern Active, overhaul 2004–10, overhaul complete,[17] upgraded Sineva missiles installed[7]
K-407 SEVMASH, Severodvinsk Novomoskovsk 2 February 1987 28 February 1990 27 November 1990 Northern Active, overhaul 2008–2012, overhaul complete,[18][19] upgraded Sineva missiles installed[7]

See also

Citations

  1. ↑ Cote, Dr. Owen R. (March 2000). "The Third Battle: Innovation in the U.S. Navy's Silent Cold War Struggle with Soviet Submarines". U.S. Navy. Archived from the original on 10 April 2006. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  2. ↑ "Проект 667Б «Мурена» (NATO – "Delta")". deepstorm.ru. DEEP STORM. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  3. ↑ "Russian SLBM Liner Completed Flight Tests". RusNavy. 20 May 2011. Archived from the original on 30 December 2011. Retrieved 27 December 2011.
  4. ↑ Центр обновления. Severnyflot (in Russian). Archived from the original on 31 March 2012. Retrieved 27 December 2011.
  5. ↑ Северный флот. Kommersant (in Russian). 25 February 2008. Archived from the original on 30 October 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
  6. ↑ Kristensen, Hans M.; Korda, Matt (2021). "Russian nuclear weapons, 2021". Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. 77 (2): 90–108. Bibcode:2021BuAtS..77b..90K. doi:10.1080/00963402.2021.1885869. ISSN 0096-3402. All Delta IVs are part of the Northern Fleet and based at Yagelnaya Bay (Gadzhiyevo) on the Kola Peninsula.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Norris, Robert S.; Kristensen, Hans M. (January 2010). "Russian Nuclear Forces, 2010". Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. 66 (1): 74–81. Bibcode:2010BuAtS..66a..74N. doi:10.2968/066001010. S2CID 145187667. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
  8. ↑ "Russia battles fire on nuclear submarine". Reuters. 29 December 2011. Archived from the original on 29 December 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  9. ↑ Podvig, Pavel (19 December 2014). "Ekaterinburg and Vladimir Monomakh join the fleet". Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces. Archived from the original on 19 December 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  10. ↑ Грашин, Рудольф. "Игорь Британов: командир, ушедший с гибнущей К-219 последним" [Igor Britanov: the commander who left the dying K-219 last]. Oblgazeta.ru (in Russian).
  11. ↑ й-64, ая-64 оПНЕЙР 667адпл. DeepStorm (in Russian). Archived from the original on 10 February 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2010.
  12. ↑ "Project 09787 Special-Purpose Submarine BS-64 "Podmoskovye" Handed Over to Russian Navy". Navy Recognition. December 2016. Archived from the original on 3 January 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  13. ↑ "й-64, ая-64 оПНЕЙР 667адпл". DeepStorm (in Russian). Archived from the original on 10 February 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  14. ↑ "Russian Delta-class SSBN 'Tula' leaves hangar during refit". Naval Today. 27 February 2017. Archived from the original on 6 March 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  15. ↑ ""Звёздочка" завершила ремонт АПЛ "Тула"" [Zvezdochka completes repair of the nuclear submarine "Tula"]. Zvezdochka.ru (in Russian). 28 December 2017.
  16. ↑ ""Звездочка" способна продлить срок службы АПЛ "Брянск" на 5 лет" [Zvezdochka can extend the service life of the nuclear submarine "Bryansk" by 5 years]. FlotProm (in Russian). Archived from the original on 4 January 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  17. ↑ Podvig, Pavel (22 January 2010). "Karelia submarine returns to service". Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2010.
  18. ↑ "Продолжаются ремонт и модернизация РПКСН "Новомосковск"" [The repair and modernization of the SSBN "Novomoskovsk"]. Flot (in Russian). 19 November 2010. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
  19. ↑ "Repair and upgrade of SSBN Novomoskovsk is in progress". RusNavy. 19 November 2010. Archived from the original on 18 October 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2011.

References

  • Jackson, Robert (2006). The Encyclopedia Of Warships, From World War 2 To The Present Day. San Diego: Thunder Bay Press. ISBN 978-1-59223-627-5.
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