Soviet Kamikazes

Building Skywave's 1/700 K-428 (Echo II) SSGN

by Vladimir Yakubov
History

In the aftermath of WWII when the former allies became locked in the Cold War, one of the biggest threats to the Soviet Union was
the ability of the US Navy's aircraft carriers to strike anywhere along the Soviet coasts with near impunity. Soviet Navy realized that
they will not be able to catch up to the Americans in the aircraft carriers any time soon but they also knew that they needed to be able
to defend themselves. They placed their bet on the development of the cruise missiles. The development of the anti-ship cruise
missiles started in the Soviet Union in 1948, but due to the complexity of the missiles and the guidance systems for them, took some
time. In 1956 Soviet navy adopted a P-5 land attack missile and ordered project 659 (Echo I in the NATO classification) submarines to
carry them. These were 112m long nuclear submarines that carried 6 missiles in the containers that folded into the hull. The were
intended to carry out the nuclear strikes against the US cities along the coast during the war, but had no anti-ship capability.

At the same time the work on the anti-ship version of the P-5 missile continued and by 1958 P-6 missile, as it was now called, was
accepted into production. At the same time the Navy ordered the construction of the project 675 (Echo II) submarines. These were the
first submarines that would be able to provide the stand off capability to attack USN CVBGs and they were solely needed by the
Soviet Navy. To save time the project 659 (Echo I) was used as a starting point. The main difference between these subs was the
addition of another pair of missile launchers in the bow, which changed the hull form of the forward half of the boat and lengthened it
by 3 meters and the addition of the guidance systems in the enlarged sail. A total of 29 submarines of the class were laid down
between 1961 and 1966, commissioning between 1963 and 1968.

The main armament of these submarines was a fairly unique for its time P-6 missile complex. It consisted of the P-6 anti-ship missiles
and the "Argument" guidance system. The missiles were 10.8 meter long and weighted 5.3 tons. They had a maximum range of 380km
and maximum speed of 1.3 mach. The procedure for launching them was as follows, the submarine would come up to periscope depth,
receive targeting instructions (like range and bearing) from the patrol aircraft or other ships in the area, program the information into
the missiles, surface, raise and open the missile tubes and fire salvoes for four missiles per salvo. Each missile was individually guided
by the operator by hand until they reached the general area where the enemy ships were detected at which time the missile's radar was
turned on and guided it onto the target. One salvo took 12-15 minutes and all eight missiles took 20-30 minutes to launch and guide.
During that entire time the submarine was surfaced which made it extremely vulnerable. The Soviet navy estimated that even if 10%
of these submarines came back to the base after an assignment it would be a success.

These submarines for all of their vulnerabilities remained the main long range strike force of the Soviet navy throughout 1970s and as
such were constantly modernized. The first modernization was project 675K which installed the "Kasatka" targeting system which
allowed the submarine to get the targeting information from satellites, one submarine was modernized this way in 1970-73. The next
modernization, called project 675MK, was a lot more widespread and has involved adding the "Kasatka-B" satellite targeting system
and replacing the missiles with more modern P-500 "Bazalt" missiles. This modernization involved 10 boats and was carried out from
1977 to 1983. P-500 missiles were 11.7 meters long, weighted 4.8 tons, had top speed of mach 2.5 and range of 500km. They were a
lot more capable than their predecessors and allowed the salvo firing of all 8 missiles as opposed to only 4 in the previous versions.
The also added features like datalink and target sharing between the missiles. The missiles had armored warheads to increase their
survivability while in the anti-aitcr4aft envelope of the CVBG. All of these features greatly increased the capabilities of the
submarines. The main identifying feature of modernized submarines were two large bulges on the sides of the sail.

Final modification of these boats was the project 675MKV. This project was carried out on 5 submarines in the mid 80s once again
replaced the missiles with even more capable P-1000 "Vulkan" missiles. These missiles were similar to P-500 but had even longer
range of 700km, which finally allowed the submarine to strike at the CVBGs from outside their strike range and gave a reasonable
chance of the submarine actually surviving the attack. In addition to the missiles they were also armed with "Strela-3M" anti-aircraft
missiles for defense against enemy aircraft. The main identifying feature of the subs modernized under this project were covered from
the top exhaust cutouts.

The boats had a long career and were served in both Northern and Pacific fleets and were deployed in the Mediterranean Sea and
Indian Ocean. Because of their numbers and long service histories these subs were involved in numerous incidents. One of the most
famous one was the collision in the Mediterranean between K-22 and USS Voge FF-1047 on August 28 1976. Because of the unsafe
maneuvers by the captain of the K-22 while trying to evade two US frigates, K-22 collided with one of them damaging the forward
part of the hull and the sail, but leaving under its own power after surfacing while USS Voge lost power and had to be towed to base.
There were no casualties. There were several other collisions that the submarines of the class were involved in. In 1973 K-56 collided
with a civilian research ship "Academic Berg" near Vladivostok and as a result 2nd compartment was flooded and 26 people inside it
were killed. The investigation ruled that both the submarine and the civilian ship were not following the rules of the road and not
paying sufficient attention to their surroundings. On June 20th, 1970 K-108 collided with USS Tautog SSN-639 underwater near
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskii while performing anti-submarine evasion maneuver called by the Americans "crazy Ivan". The collision
was very violent (USS Tautog returned to base with a piece of the K108 screw imbedded in its sail) and for a long time in the west it
was thought that the Soviet submarine had sunk, but in reality it started sinking but was able to recover and returned to its base
without casualties. In 1968 K-189 and 1983 K-10 have both collided with unidentified submarines while underwater. In both cases
there were no casualties. Submarines of this class were involved in two nuclear reactor incidents in 1985 when K-116's reactor
overheated near Kamchatka and in 1989 when K-172 had a bad reactor leak and was towed back to base. In both cases following the
leak subs were laid up and never repaired. In both cases there were no casualties but crews received high doses of radiation while
combating the accidents.

Project 675 subs belonged to the first generation of the Soviet submarines and as such shared all of their faults. They were noisy,
which in this case was made even worse by the exhaust deflecting cutouts in the submarine's hull and they had unreliable reactors,
through they were safer than the other submarines of the same generation with only two serious accidents out of 29 ships in the class.
They were also very vulnerable due to the need to surface launch and hand guide their missiles. However they were the first Soviet
submarines that provided the Soviet Navy with the long range missile punch to be able to take on the US carriers and while the
chances of their survival after launch were relatively low, the chances of a successful strike by coordinated group of several of these
submarines were pretty high.

The retirement of these submarines started in 1988 and by 1992 most of these were retired. Last two project 675MKV submarines K-
22 and K-34 were retired in 1994. Many of these subs are still rusting inside the Russian naval bases awaiting utilization. You can see
a photo tour of one of these subs in storage here and here. These submarines were replaced in the Russian service by famous project
949A (Oscar II) class submarines.
 Nuclear submarines with cruise missiles. Project 675 (Echo-II class)
In the experimental design bureau Chelomeya at the end of the 1950s. RK-based P-5, the main purpose of which was shooting at shore targets,
developed PPH P-6. Work on the antiship weapon, having a system of end-seeker, the Soviet Union began in 1948, but the first firing range anti-ship
missiles were several 10-km s. With all of this major surface targets South American aircraft carriers had vsesutochnoy depth and all-weather anti-
(anti-) Defence 150 200 km. First-1960s in service of the U.S. Navy, new interceptors F-4 Phantom, equipped by all-aspect AIM-7 missiles
Sparrow air-to-air and decked AWACS E-2A Hawkeye. Because the depth of the defense was increased to 250 300 km. It sought a response
the creation of anti-ship missiles with a huge range (around a few hundred kilometers).
Under the direction of VN Chelomeya in the suburban Reutovo in 1956 began studies on the formation of the form of long-range anti-ship missile. Most
firing range cruise missile, which is part of the complex, was to be more than 300 km to the ability of the defeat of carrier strike groups of compounds
and the enemy without entering the zone of their anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare. Anti-ship missile was to have a management system that ensures
the defeat of surface targets of almost all classes, high-explosive and nuclear warheads of high power. Rocket ship's equipment and control systems have
been developed complex NII-49 (in the upcoming Scientific and Production Association "Granite"), led by Charina NA
Creating a "protivoavianosnoy" of the system for use on submarines was impractical without ensuring reliable intelligence gathering and targeting in the
ocean zone. To solve the puzzles under the control of head designer Kudryavtseva IV at the Kiev Institute of Radio Electronics (now NPO "Quantum")
made aviation intelligence system "Success" hosted on a specially developed for this purpose media 95RTs and Tu-Tu-16RTS. Was located on the media
radar detection of aircraft targets at sea with the upcoming transfer of signals to ships for data processing and target designation missile system. So
makarom in Russian Union for the first time in the world designed RUS (reconnaissance-strike system), consisting of reconnaissance, percussion
instruments and their carriers (both marine and air).
Shipborne automatic "Argument" task was solved flight control several cruise missiles during a salvo launch, also pointing to the purpose of PPH using
radar sighting device. Upon detection of multiple targets has been the possibility of electoral defeat due to the broadcasting aboard the submarine radar
target missiles on board the ship and transfer to the teams about choosing a particular purpose.
A significant drawback of the Republic of Kazakhstan T-6 was launched missiles from surface position. With all this time finding the nuclear submarines
with cruise missiles filled the P-6 in relation to submarines, having on board the P-5 increased, as required flight control until the capture target missile
seeker. Notwithstanding this trivial defect, believed that P-6 gave the Navy tangible advantages against large surface ships of potential opponents. In
addition, the program intensively supported and NS Khrushchev personally As a result, 17/07/1956 USSR issued a decree on the initiation of nuclear
missile submarines Project 675, equipped with anti-ship missiles P-6, and strategic KR P-5M, which were intended for the destruction of coastal targets.
The design of a nuclear submarine started running head designer Pustyntseva PP in CDB ME "Rubin". The main observing from the Navy appointed
Captain 1st Rank Mikhail Fadeev, who was replaced by Captain 2nd Rank Ivanov VN SSGN intended for attacks on ships and ships of the enemy missiles
P-6 during operations at sea and oceanic communications, and for the destruction of naval bases, administrative and industrial centers of the enemy
using cruise missiles P-5M.
Structurally SSGN 675-year project twin-twin-shaft Submarine Developed with fencing of the superstructure and conning tower. Strong body having
for almost the entire cylindrical shape, is made from 22-35-mm steel AK-25. Extremities was betrayed form of truncated cones.
Strong body was divided into 10 sections:
1st torpedo;
 2nd battery and residential (thereof was located mess);
3rd control station missiles;
Fourth the central office;
5th diesel generator compartment;
2nd reactor;
Seventh Turbine;
Eighth turbine generators, switchboards, electric motors;
Ninth Residential;
Tenth aft torpedo.
For the production of mezhotsechnyh bulkheads used 10 millimeter steel AK-25. When the rocket fire rocket launch mass compensation is received in a
special water. tank replacement. A set of lightweight body and trim made of steel S, the thickness of which ranged from 4 to 16 mm. The surface of the
body was covered protivogidroakusticheskim coating.
Power plant (total capacity to 2-shafts 35 thousand hp) consisted of 2-type reactors VM-A (70 MW each), 2-steam turbines and 2-core units
turbozubchatyh 60-D1. There were also two diesel generators DG-400 (diesel engines M-860) and two 900-horsepower electric motor sneak PG-116. The
battery is "38-CM" Lead-acid, two groups of 112 pieces each. Overall, the power plant is actually similar submarines to 627 th, 658 th and 659 th
project.
The antenna control missile weapon system "argument" set on a rotating mast in front of the cabin. In the inoperative position carrying large emitters
coupled into the antenna enclosure of felling so that the fairing, located at the rear of the antenna, "turned" in front of a wall enclosing cuttings.
The main armament of the submarine 8 cruise missiles P-6 (ind 4K88) housed in containers that podymali at an angle of 14 degrees to the start
position. Containers tightly held together in pairs and placed in an inoperative position in nadsroyke boat horizontally. Shooting, as well as on submarines
of Project 659, was likely only on the surface.
Dimensions missiles P-6 were as follows: length 10800 mm, width 900 mm, wingspan 2500 mm and a launch weight 5300 kg. The missile was
equipped with starting solid propellant sustainer and TRD. The spectrum ranges shooting from 35 to 380 km, maximum speed M = 1.3. The height
of the rocket 400-7500 meters, before attacking targets antiship rocket was reduced to 100 meters.
On nuclear submarines with cruise missiles 675-year project for the first time in the world have implemented the ability volley of rocket fire from the
electoral defeat of the enemy ships that are in the mix. Nuclear submarine could be completed within 15 minutes. chetyrehraketny volley, volley two
for 20-30 minutes. taking into account the time required for the ascent, launch preparation, launch and missile flight to the target. Allows simultaneous
shooting targets with different carriers 12-P-6 missiles, which provided bridging the densest air defense aircraft carrier compounds used in the 1960s. To
receive data about the purposes of the aviation system, reconnaissance and targeting radar system was provided for "Success-U" (receive carried out on
the surface or submerged). But by the time of construction of submarines, and she had not been mounted on a submarine after modernization project
675-MU. Other SSGN equipped with a system of "Killer Whale", set up to receive target d
esignations from satellites (10 modernized submarine project 675 Go to and MK-675).
SSGN pr.675 with raised container-ship cruise missiles
Reconnaissance-strike complex was used, followed by: the submarine, which was in the area, having received an order to combat the use of missiles, was
rising to periscope depth to establish communication with the aircraft reconnaissance and target acquisition, transmission aboard a nuclear submarine
with cruise missiles, radar information to the enemy . This information is displayed on the operator panel display complex targeting submarine. Command
analyzed the situation by appointing a motivated purpose for which it was necessary to find the coordinates (range and bearing). Then these data are
entered into the ship's control system of missile system, an assessment tool and reach the expected ability to detect missile radar target reticle. On the
basis of these data makes the final decision to open fire. The boat lay on the course, made the pre-start training, floated on the surface and produced a
missile salvo (the largest number of anti-ship missiles in the volley four). Flight control of the missile salvo in relation to the plane of fire produced by a
single operator bearing the marks on the radar display. In the event of a mark on this line anti-ship missile vorachivalas operator in the plane of the
shooting. Upon reaching the estimated range (elaborated ship control system), the operators were given the command to switch reticles radar missiles
and radio transmitters to broadcast disk imaging acquired viziers. After the capture of a radar target reticle ASM missile, by the operator, is put on
homing (first missile homing only in the horizontal plane, then produced a shallow dive RCC, a few kilometers to the target vertical homing mode input).
Torpedoes boat consisted of four 533-mm bow torpedo tubes (maximum depth of firing 100 meters) and 2-feed 400-mm torpedo tubes (maximum
penetration depth 250 meters). Ammunition consisted of 20 torpedoes. As a management tool used torpedo "Ladoga".
The submarine is armed with complex navigation systems, "The Power of N-675," SJC "Arktika-M" gyro "Mayak" radar "Albatross", astronavigation system
"Lira-11" and other equipment.
In the west, boats 675-year project was considered a modernized version of the project SSGN 659 and assigned the designation Echo-II class.
Modifications
Boats 675-year project were among the more intensively modernize the Russian Navy ships. To a large extent, this is conditional on the improvement of
the high-spirited main enemy submarines aircraft carriers of the Navy United States. Thus, the missile P-6 has been upgraded to P-6M (4K48).
Under the direction of A. Tsvetkov in NII-49 in 1959 were working at the station "Lightning", which provides for self-horizon target designation with the
introduction of the phenomenon of the tropospheric scattering of microwave radio waves. Station "Lightning" in December 1969 adopted the Navy for use
in nuclear missile submarine Project 675 diesel-powered missile and submarine project 651. On some ships, the SJC "Arktika-M" changed more
sophisticated sonar system "Kerch".
Project 675-K provided for the installation of equipment "Killer Whale", providing reception and processing of disk imaging target designation from the
satellites. For this project, a modernized nuclear submarine with cruise missiles K-48.
In the 1960s and 70s of 10 submarines of Project 675 were modernized under the project MK-675 (K-23, -57, -56, -94, -104, -128, -175, -184, -189) and
Project 675-MU (K-28 station "Success-U"). Submarines are equipped with new S-500 anti-ship missiles "Basalt" (the same as on missile cruisers Project
1164). On upgraded submarines excluding new anti-ship missiles positioned equipment reception system gallakticheskogo targeting "Killer Whale-B" (not
counting the one project 675-MU). Displacement boats with all this increased to 600 tons.
Modernization of nuclear submarines with cruise missiles designed by MKB-675 began in the late 1980s. The submarines were equipped the new missile
system S-1000 "Volcano" owning substantially increased range of fire, as modern HOOK "Kerch". In the process of modernization SSGN got a portable
anti-aircraft system "Strela-3" providing defense on the surface of the air attacks. Displacement Project 675 ships-MAC has increased by 1,000 tons. The
whole project 675-MAC has been upgraded 5 ships K-1, K-22, K-35, K-34 and K-10 (the latter written off before the upgrade).
In 1986, K-86 one of the SSGN 675 project the project was upgraded 675-H and has been converted into a carrier midget submarines and frogmen.
With missile submarines dismantled gun, rocket and fire control equipment, special equipment installed, equipped with the necessary space to
accommodate swimmers and their release under the water, and is also the gateway for securing SMPL Project 1861 (X-Ray class).
The program of construction
Construction of submarines of Project 675 was conducted in SMEs in Severodvinsk and SZLK in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. K-166 Severodvinsk vessel head
the Northern Fleet was adopted in 1963. This was preceded by state. tests, successfully culminating in chetyrehraketnym volley fire. Just 1963-1968
years. Navy received 29 submarines of Project 675 (13 hulls were built at the NWTC, 16 on SMP).
Status for 2007
Project 675 submarines began to arrive in the Russian Navy in 1960, the 16 submarines of the Northern Fleet (one in 1966 was transferred to the Pacific
Fleet), 13 ships of the Pacific Ocean. All ships of this project, 25 July 1977 attributed to Division BPL, and January 15, 1978 they were again returned to
Division KrPL.
Boats 675-year project used extensively in the Pacific and Northern fleets. Submarines patrolled the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. In
November 1965 directive Commander of the Navy commander of the Federation Council was tasked to prepare two nuclear-powered ship to go to the
Pacific Fleet in one of the southern routes. For a role in the transition, it was decided to allocate K-166 submarine and torpedo boat project 627-A. The
ships began to move 2 February 1966. The distance between the ships bound for submerged, was equal to 60 miles. From time to time approached for
the submarines due to the ultra-short waves or via sonar communication. Overcoming nearly 25 thousand miles March 20, 1966 the submarine entered
the bay on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Avacha. Moving artfully served by the official propaganda of the USSR, was a significant political impact. All crew
members have presented with medals and orders, and 5 participants received the title of Hero of the Russian Union.
To extend the acts Russian submarines were looking for new home maneuverable Fri. In 1967, for this purpose in the equatorial waters of the Atlantic
expedition sent an overarching "Rush" directed by Admiral Vladimir LA It has been and nuclear submarine K-128.
In the period from 01 March to 31 December 1969, the submarine K-131 is in the Mediterranean sea in the war zone, produced help the Egyptian armed
forces.
To combat service in the Indian Ocean in 1970, sent the first Soviet nuclear submarines K-7. This boat is in the same place on the corner reflector
completed missile firing (used for target designation Tu-95RTs). Within three months of 1971 in the Indian Ocean and the service was carrying submarin
e K-31.
Boats 675-year project to put to use only in the tracking of surface vessels, but from time to time "spoiled blood" of the South American U-boats, carrying
the alert. For example, in 1967, K-135 for 5.5 hours without annoying watching the nuclear submarine armed with ballistic missiles, "Patrick Henry."
SSGN project 675 in 1989-92. become intensely output from the Navy. The first fleet in 1985, left the K-116, and in 1987, K-431 (formerly K-31) due to
accidents in major power plants. The most recent in 1994 left: B-47 (K-47), B-22 (K-22) and K-131.
The main tactical and technical characteristics of nuclear submarines with cruise missiles Project 675:
Surface displacement 4450 tons;
Water displacement 5760tonn;
 Great length 115.4 m;
The large width 9.3 m;
Draught at DWL 7.8 m;
The main power plant:
2 pressurized water reactor VM-A, with total capacity of 140 MW;
2 GTZA-601;
2 PPU OKA-150;
2 steam turbines with total capacity of 35,000 hp (29,400 kW);
2 GPM-21 turbo, power 1400 kW each;
2 diesel generators DG-400, the power of 450 kW each;
2 auxiliary ED PG-116, Power 140 hp each;
2 shafts;
2 propellers;
Surface speed range 14 15 knots;
The underwater speed 29 knots;
Operating depth 240 m;
Maximum diving depth 300 m;
Endurance 50 days;
The crew 137 people (including 22 officers);
Missiles:
launchers SCRC P-6/P-6M 8 X 1;
4K88/4K48 anti-ship missile (SS-N-3B Sepal) or cruise missile P-5D (SS-N-3C Shaddock) 8;
Torpedoes:
Torpedo tubes 533 mm 4 (nasal);
533-mm torpedo SET-53M and 53-61 8;
Torpedo tubes caliber 400 mm 2 (feed);
400-mm torpedoes SET-40 4;
Mine armament can carry torpedoes instead of the mines;
Radio-electronic equipment:
Combat Information Control System NA;
The radar system generic detection RLC-101 "Albatross (Snoop Tray);
Hydroacoustic system:
MG-200M "Arktika-M";
The fire control radar "Argument (Front Piece / Front Door) for the SCRC T-6;
Electronic warfare:
"Roll forward-M (Quad Loop D / F) RTR
"Van (Stop Light) EW (Brick Pulp)
 Navigation system:
-"The strength of the H-675";
"Lear-11" astronavigation system;
"Lighthouse" gyro;
The complex radio a set of tools;
Radar IFF MCI.

1
1
Project 659 / Echo I
Project 675 / Echo II
The 'ECHO I' class (Project 659) boats were originally built as the first Soviet SSGNs, carrying SS-N-3 Shaddock SSMs. This missile was employed in the strategic role, rather than
an anti-ship role, as the boats could not accommodate the guidance radar needed for anti-ship operations. The Project 659 [Echo I] carried 6 Shaddock missiles in erectable launch
tubes mounted in pairs above the pressure hull on both sides of the sail. The Echo I boats used a reactor and propulsion system similar to the Hotel SSBN and November SSN
classes. The SS-N-3 proved unsuited for the strategic role, resulting in the conversion of these boats to conventional torpedo-attack boats, Project 659T. At least one and possibly two
were decommissioned in the mid-1980s, while the remaining three or four units were decommissioned in 1990.

The Project 675 [Echo II] nuclear-powered cruise-missile submarines were modified to carry the Front series of radars [also featured on the Juliet-class SSG] that enabled them to
launch the anti-shipping version of the Shaddock. These were primarily anti-carrier weapons, intended originally as a response to nuclear strikes against the Soviet Union by carrier-
based aircraft like the A-3 Skywarrior. As such, their SS-N-3s came in both nuclear and conventional versions. A total of eight missiles were carried, two more than on the Echo-I, and
the hull was lengthed five meters to accomodate the extra pair of launchers. According to Western estimates about 20 minutes was required to launch all eight missiles. To fire its
missiles the submarine surfaced, deployed and activated a tracking radar, and remained on the surface linked to the high altitude cruise missile in flight via datalink, providing
guidance commands based on the submarine radar's tracking data. The submarine itself was highly vulnerable to attack while on the surface operating its radar. A total of 29 Echo IIs
were constructed between 1962 and 1968, of which perhaps 10 were converted to carry the improved SS-N-12 by the mid-1980s. All had been de-commissioned by the mid-1990s.

At least four Echo submarines have suffered serious accidents. In August 1980 a fire in an Echo II off Japan killed at least nine crewmembers. On 26 June 1989 a fire erupted in of
the the two reactor compartments on an Echo II submarine of the Northern Fleet. The reactor had to be shut down, and the submarine surfaced to return to Murmansk under auxiliary
diesel power. Several crew members were injured, but none were killed in the incident. There is some confusion over the numbering of the damaged submarines. According to one
reasobably authoritative account, the Navy has four damaged submarines, of which three are in the Far East, in the Pavlovski Bay (project 675, serial No. 175 and 541 and project
671, serial No. 610) and one - in the North (project 675, serial No. 533). The cores of submarines No. 541 and 533 are planned to be discharged. These numbers are at variance with
those reported by other sources, and certainly reflect at least in part the annoying Russian habit of re-designating their ships.

ject 659 / Echo I

Project 675 / Echo II
Specifications
Project 659 / Echo I Project 675 / Echo II

Displacement (tons): 4,500 tons surfaced 5,000 tons surfaced

5,500 tons submerged 6,000 tons submerged

Speed (kts): 20 kts surfaced 20 kts surfaced

25 kts submerged 23 kts submerged

Dimensions (m): 110.0 meters long 115.0 meters long

9.0 meters beam 9.0 meters beam
7.5 meters draft 7.5 meters draft

Propulsion 2 pressurized-water nuclear reactors 2 pressurized-water nuclear reactors

steam turbines; 25,000 shp steam turbines; 30,000 shp
2 shafts 5-bladed propellers 2 shafts 5-bladed propellers

Endurance:

Crew about 75 about 90

Armament: 6 - SS-N-3 8 - SS-N-3 or

6 21-in (533-mm) torpedo tubes (fwd) 8 - SS-N-12
4 16-in (406-mm) torpedo tubes (aft) 6 21-in (533-mm) torpedo tubes (fwd)
4 16-in (406-mm) torpedo tubes (aft)

Electronics Radar Radar

Front Door or Front Piece targeting Snoop Tray Surface Search
Snoop Tray Surface Search Sonar
 Sonar Feniks
Herkules low-frequency
Fez

K-431 (Project 675)

K-431 was an Echo II class submarine. Construction was started in January 1964, and she was commissioned in September of 1965, in a very rapid construction process. The Echo II class was a twin reactor ship which carried cruise missiles for
attacking surface ships.

The Echo II class carried eight anti-ship missiles near the top of the hull, stored in four water-tight compartments on either side. Interestingly, launching these missiles required the submarine to surface. The ship would be surfaced, the missile
tube elevated 15 degrees, and the missile launched.

The submarine would have to remain surfaced for 30 minutes to launch all 8 missiles, as they could not be launched all at once, and they also required guidance from the submarine while in flight. Apparently the danger to hostile surfaced
submarines was not as acute in the 1960's as it would be today.

Below: A November II Class submarine. Note the horizontal missile compartments (between the cutouts) on each side of the hull. It is possible these cutouts were to provide seawater quenching of the missile exhaust during launch.
K-431 did not meet her end in the depths of the ocean. She fulfilled her duties, but her career ended suddenly, right next to the pier. What ended her sea-going days was a pretty significant event that you probably never heard about, thanks to
the Cold War.

In August 1985, K-431 was in the process of undergoing a refuelling at Chazma Bay near Vladivostok.
Fresh fuel had been installed in the ship, and the reactor vessel head was set in place. The head was not mating correctly to the reactor vessel, and the decision was made to lift the reactor vessel head partially with a crane to re-position it for
correct alignment.

Re-aligning the head was complicated by the fact that the control rods for the reactor had already been attached to the control rod drive mechanisms (CRDMs), which are mounted to the reactor vessel head. This meant that when the reactor
vessel head was lifted, all of the control rods would come out of the reactor core.

To help visualize the scenario, below is a diagram to help.

Below: A cut-away of a large power plant reactor. The reactor vessel head is the dome-shaped shell at the top that is bolted onto the reactor pressure vessel. The control rods are operated by motors that will later be installed on the CRDM
nozzles.
Disconnecting each of the control rods to re-position the reactor vessel head slightly would have taken a great deal of time. Rather than disconnect each control rod to re-position the head, a calculation was performed to determine how high the
reactor vessel head could be safely lifted. It was possible that the reactor could become critical as the control rods lifted out of the core along with the head. After this calculation was made, a steel beam was installed above the reactor vessel
head to prevent it from being raised too high by the crane.

The reactivity calculation was correct, however the placement of the steel beam was not. When crane lifted the reactor vessel head (and all of the control rods), the reactor became prompt critical. This instant burst of power caused an immediate
release of heat, neutron and gamma radiation, followed by a massive steam explosion as the fuel vaporized the surrounding coolant. The explosion expelled the new load of fuel, destroyed machine enclosures, ruptured the submarine's pressure
hull and aft bulkhead, and partially destroyed the refueling shack, with the shack's roof falling 200 feet away in the water. A fire followed, which was extinguished after 4 hours.

Ten people were killed by the blast. Radiation injuries (burns) were observed in 49 others, mainly those who had fought the fire after the initial explosion. Ten people developed radiation sickness (vomiting, hair loss), but there were no other
immediate casualties.

Fortunately, since this was fresh fuel (20% enriched U-235), it did not carry a load of highly radioactive split atoms in it. The only fission products generated were created by the brief criticality. After just four days, the ship could be approached
safely and cleanup and repairs could begin. The nuclear fuel was gathered up and disposed of, and within six months radiation levels were down to background levels.

K-431 was decommissioned in 1987 and scrapped.

Below, a mothballed or neglected Echo II class submarine with the missile compartments removed.

Below: Allegedly this is K-431 after the accident and decommissioning. Note the flotation devices alongside. As noted before, submarines are not particularly buoyant.
 Echo Class / Project 675
Guided Missile Submarine

Echo Class Submarine Echo I Echo II

Russian Designation: Project 659 Project 675
Komsomolsk Shipyard
Manufacturer: Komsomolsk Shipyard
and Severodvinsk
Role: Nuclear Powered
Missile submarine, but later
Guided Missile
converted into an attack submarine.
Submarine
Year Adopted: 1961 1962
Number in Class: 5 built (1961 - 1962) 29 built (1962 - 1967)
Displacement: 4,500 Tons Surfaced 5,000 Tons Surfaced
5,500 Tons Submerged 6,000 Tons Submerged
Russia - No longer in active service.
Operational Status:
(All phased out of service in early 1990's)
Armament: 6x 533mm (21 inch) torpedo tubes, in ship's bow
2x 406mm (16 inch) torpedo tubes in stern
4x SS-N-3 'Shaddock' launchers (Echo II only)*
*About a dozen of these were converted to fire newer SS-N-
12 'Sandbox' missiles.
Basic Weapons Load: 16 x 533mm torpedoes with high explosive warheads
4 x 533mm torpedoes armed with 15 kiloton warheads
2 x 406mm torpedoes with high explosive warheads

Echo II's carried these additional missiles...

4 x SS-N-3 'Shaddock' 350 kiloton nuclear missiles
4 x SS-N-3 'Shaddock' high explosive missiles

-or-

4x SS-N-12 'Sandbox' high explosive missiles

4x SS-N-12 'Sandbox' 350 kiloton nuclear missiles
Sensor Suite: 1x 'Snoop Tray' surface search radar
1x 'Front Piece' SS-N-3 fire control radar*
1x 'Front Door' SS-N-3 fire control radar*
1x High frequency 'Hercules' bow sonar
1x Medium frequency 'Fenik' sonar
1x 'Stop Light' ESM system
1x underwater telephone
*On Echo II submarines only
Engine: One pressurized-water nuclear reactor, powering two steam
turbines delivering a total of 24,000 shp to two shafts.
Crew: 90 Officers and Sailors
 364 feet, 4 inches 377 feet, 4 inches
Length:
(111.0 meters) (115.0 meters)
24 feet, 7 inches 24 feet, 7 inches
Draught:
(7.5 meters) (7.5 meters)
29 feet, 6 inches 29 feet, 6 inches
Beam:
(9.0 meters) (9.0 meters)
20 knots surfaced
Maximum Speed:
23 knots submerged
Operational: 300 meters (984 feet)
Operating Depth:
Maximum: 500 meters (1,640 feet)

Echo Class / Project 675

Guided Missile Submarine in pictures
This section is dedicated to pictures of the 'Echo' class submarine. The pictures are all authentic and were taken at some time when the
submarine was in active service. Most of these pictures were taken by the United States Navy during the Cold War. Hopefully some
Soviet pictures will be made available soon for us to display.
An Echo I Submarine at Sea
This picture was taken by the US Navy in September 1975. The differences between this variant and the Echo II on the main
page can clearly be seen. The photo does not give any indication of where it was taken.
An Echo II on the surface
In this rear view of the Echo II details of the missile launch tubes can be made out along with other
small features. This picture was taken by the US Navy at some point during the Cold War. The photo
does not tell when or where it was taken.
The Echo II mod
Here we have a view of the modified Echo II. This version can be most easily noted by the large blister on the side of
the tower. Otherwise it shares the same small hull blisters as the Echo II's. This photo was taken by the US Navy on
21 June 1980. No location was given.