Posted on 05/25/2016 6:12:12 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Russia has started the multi-year program to upgrade Project 949A (Antey-class, NATO reporting name: Oscar II) nuclear-powered submarines armed with cruise missiles (SSGN), according to a source in Russian defense industry.
"The upgraded Project 949A submarines will be designated as Project 949AM (M stands for upgraded, Modernizirovannaya). The number of cruise missiles is planned to be increased from 24 to 72 and 3M45 Granit (SS-N-19 Shipwreck) cruise anti-ship missiles (ASM) are to be replaced by a mix of 3M55 Onyx (SS-N-26 Strobile) ASM and 3M54 Kalibr (SS-N-27 Sizzler) ASM/land-attack missiles. The upgrade of Project 949A SSGNs does not require drastic design changes to the submarines` hulls. Russian defense industry is developing new standard launching tube suitable for both 3M55 and 3M54 missiles. The Project 949AM SSGNs will also receive new fire control system (FCS), navigation and communication suites, sonar, radar and electronic warfare (EW) equipment, as well as updated Omnibus-M combat information system and Simfoniya navigation suite," the source said. He did not mention the total cost of the program. According to open sources, the cost of one boat`s upgrade is estimated at RUB12 billion (about USD180 million). Most of Project 949A submarines are planned to be turned into Project 949AM boats by 2020.
At present, Russian Navy has deployed eight Project 949A SSGNs.
The Project 949A nuclear-powered submarine has a length of 155 meters, a displacement of 24,000 tons, a depth of submersion of 600 meters and an underwater speed of 32 knots. Its crew totals 107. The Project 949A nuclear-powered submarine is armed with six torpedo tubes and 24 launchers to fire Granit cruise missiles with a range of about 500 kilometers (311 miles).
It seems Russian and China are rapidly upgrading and strengthening their navies but the US is downgrading and weakening ours. Didn’t I read the other day that our number of combat ships in service is now down to a number less than December 7, 1941??
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