Russia To Use Advanced Sensors For New Attack Submarine

Russia plans to use an advanced sonar system aboard the 885M Yasen-class attack submarine for early detection of enemies.

The Novosibirsk, the third of eight Yasen-class boats (designated Graney-class by NATO), is to be laid down at the Sevmash shipyard near the White Sea on Friday.

The new Yasen-M will be have an advanced design that would significantly increase its ability to detect enemy vessels at speeds far higher speed that those of its predecessors, Malakhit Marine Engineering Bureau company said.

In order to reduce noise and increase its stealth capability, new power supply and acoustic defense systems have been developed for the boat, Malakhit added.

In addition to the torpedo tubes, the Yasen class will be armed with a multirole missile system including a vertical-launcher for cruise missiles. Both the torpedo and missile tubes could be used “for a variety of weapons without being specially re-equipped.”

Sevmash plans to deliver the Severodvinsk, the first Yasen-class nuclear attack boat, by the end of this year.

The submarine’s armament will include 3M55 Oniks (SS-N-26) and 3M54 (SS-N-27) Kalibr cruise missiles and conventional torpedoes, rocket-torpedoes and mines, according to Malakhit.

The second Project 885M vessel, the Kazan, was laid down in 2009 and is already under construction at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk.