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A gigantic new research submarine designed by Russia will travel underneath ice floes, mapping its underwater surroundings with a pair of huge plane-like wings. The sub will help Moscow exploit its Arctic frontier as it prepares to harvest previously untouchable natural resources.
The Arctic Research Submarine was designed by the famous Rubin Design Bureau, which was also responsible for the Typhoon-class missile submarines, the largest subs ever built. This vessel will weigh in at 13,280 tons, making easily the largest civilian research submersible ever built, and will be 442 feet long. The sub will have a maximum speed of 12.6 knots and a crew of 40.
The most striking detail is the presence of two sets of wing-like sonar receivers that give the sub a futuristic appearance. The "wings," which retract into the hull like the blade of a pocket knife, are meant to receive sonar signals broadcast from the ship's hull. This allows the Arctic Research Submarine to image its surroundings in all directions as it cruises along underwater at a leisurely 3 knots.
Probably then also great for tapping underwater cables (Operation Ivy Bells)
Source: Popular Mechanics
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(Score: 3, Interesting) by looorg on Sunday May 28 2017, @09:16PM (1 child)
I found the story interesting on many levels, which I guess is why I submitted it.
Firstly it's the part about the wings. If it is indeed a pure research vessel then it won't matter much. If not one would think that extending and retracting the wings would create a fair amount of noise. Having gigantic wings just seem like it would take a big dump on the whole stealth factor.
The size of the vessel at 442 feet long and weighing 13k tons might sound large and impressive but it is still 130 feet shorter and about 10k tons lighter then the Typhoon/Akula. That it comes from the same company that designed the Typhoon/Akula is also interesting. As far as I know there are no Akulas left in service. So it might be interesting what 40 years (give or take a few years) of design improvements will do the submarine. While the speed might not sound impressive, 12 knots or 3 knots with the wings out, one should keep in mind that this is below the surface so the weather, ice or nuclear firestorm on top won't ever matter much - in comparison to a surface vessel.
The second part is about the response to the vessel. How are the other powers going to react to it. I doubt they are buying the whole "we only built it to survey the arctic sea floor" explanation. Certainly not after as an example Ivy Bells became known. One would think it would be cheaper to build a fair amount of somewhat smaller subs for the same price as a big one to do the job, which sort of screams ulterior motive, but perhaps it's a bit of a prestige project. I recon it could also serve as a civilian test platform for future military designs. Even tho that would be some time away since the current Borei-class of subs is still in production.
Even if it's "pure research" how much time or effort would be required for it to be turned military, or at least dual purpose.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday May 30 2017, @03:12AM
> So it might be interesting what 40 years (give or take a few years) of design improvements will do the submarine.
If it's anything like companies I know, all the good stuff worked out by clever engineers and designers 40 years ago has been lost and will either have to be re-invented, or worked around some other way. Often looking at the old drawings isn't enough to explain why it was done that way, or even how it was made that way (for difficult-to-make parts). Institutional memory isn't very good over (nominal) two generations.
Sometimes it's possible to find the retired old timers to explain things, but often it's too late.