Soviet Cold War Attack Submarines

Nuclear classes from November to Akula

Soviet Cold War Attack Submarines cover

Description

In this highly detailed book, naval historian Edward Hampshire reveals the fascinating history of the nuclear-powered attack submarines built and operated by the Soviet Union in the Cold War, including each class of these formidable craft as they developed throughout the Cold War period.

The November class, which were the Soviet Union's first nuclear submarines, had originally been designed to fire a single enormous nuclear-tipped torpedo but were eventually completed as boats firing standard torpedoes. The Alfa class were perhaps the most remarkable submarines of the Cold War: titanium-hulled (which was light and strong but extremely expensive and difficult to weld successfully), crewed with only thirty men due to considerable automation and 30% faster than any US submarines, they used a radical liquid lead-bismuth alloy in the reactor plant. The Victor class formed the backbone of the Soviet nuclear submarine fleet in the 1970s and 1980s, as hunter-killer submarines began to focus on tracking and potentially destroying NATO ballistic missile submarines. The Sierra classes were further titanium-hulled submarines and the single Mike-class submarine was an experimental type containing a number of innovations. Finally, the Akula class were being constructed as the Cold War ended, and these boats form the mainstay of the Russian nuclear attack submarine fleet today.

This book explores the design, development, and deployment of each of these classes in detail, offering an unparalleled insight into the submarines which served the Soviet Union throughout the Cold War period. The text is supported by stunning illustrations, photographs and diagrams of the submarines.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Weapons Systems and Sensors
November Class (Projects 627, 627A and 645)
Victor Class (Projects 671, 671RT, 671RTM, 671RTMK)
Alfa Class (Project 705)
Mike Class (Project 685)
Sierra I and II Classes (Projects 945/945A)
Akula Class (Project 971)
Operational Service
Bibliography
Index

Product details

Published Sep 17 2020
Format Ebook (PDF)
Edition 1st
Extent 48
ISBN 9781472839329
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations Illustrated throughout with 40 photos and 8pp of colour illustrations
Series New Vanguard
Short code NVG 287
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Edward Hampshire

Edward Hampshire is a historian at the Naval Histo…

Illustrator

Adam Tooby

Adam Tooby is an internationally renowned digital…

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