Journalists accidentally photographed a top-secret Russian submarine

a reply to: Zaphod58

I wasn't implying this is a Borei, you are right about it not being that boat in the article… the part I brought was about armament. Just that its a missile boat, maybe. They are developing muti role vessels, this one is new.

Can't tell either if there is a "hump", the boat is too low in the water. Maybe intentionally?

Can't see the rear deck from above, either. Again, how do you know its "apparently outfitted for reconnaissance"?

a reply to: intrptr

Based on reports of the class. It was designed to go very deep and take samples, according to the Russian designers.

It's too small to be a missile submarine, and even low in the water you would be able to tell there was a hump in the deck for missiles. It comes up right behind the conning tower, and slopes down further down the deck towards the rear of it. This deck is perfectly flat.

Looks like a stretched Oscar class to me. Looks a little cleaner, though, either they improved the anechoic tiles or left them off.

a reply to: JIMC5499

It does now that you mention it. I thought that conning tower looked familiar but couldn't place the class. Some of the numbers they're saying are nuts. This thing can go extremely deep.

a reply to: Zaphod58

t comes up right behind the conning tower, and slopes down further down the deck towards the rear of it. This deck is perfectly flat.

okaaay…

!0831

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a reply to: Zaphod58

That would explain the lack of tiles. They would fall off as the hull compressed and expanded on a deep dive. I was watching "Down Periscope" the other night. The scene where the Chief hangs the cord across the hull and it sags during the dive isn't made up. I saw the same thing on a 688 boat in 1985.

a reply to: stormcell

I thought the same thing...reminds me of the movie Down Periscope

a reply to: intrptr

An article in Russian and a bunch of sub pics proves.....

Project 10831

AS-31

What's that? Devoid of weapons you say?

originally posted by: grey580
a reply to: smurfy

is it me or does that have windowed deck?

interesting.

You have a great point there. It does look like there are windows...


Zaphod58, please explain. You seem to have a great insight of this topic. I would like to know about, what look likes, windows.

a reply to: SirKonstantin

This is the first I've looked into this boat with any detail. Give me some time and I'll see if there's anything out there.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Yeah,

Because i was reading somewhere that this sub can go lower than most in the world. Would be hard to accomplish with glass. Yet, if it is do-able. That would certainly give an edge in battle.

a reply to: SirKonstantin

It most likely won't be armed. Too deep and any sort of opening is a Bad Thing, including torpedo tubes. Add in the size, and the tiny crew, and this thing would be brutal to try to fight.

a reply to: SirKonstantin

Several classes of Russian submarines have windows in the conning tower (the B-39 on display in San Diego comes to mind). The section of the conning tower with the windows floods during submergence, negating any pressure difference. I believe they are there so that portion of the conning tower can be used for watch standing during inclement weather.

**Did some more reasearch, and it seems some boats also have/had a secondary bridge where the boat could be steered from while navigating a harbor

Some great pics of other Russian boats, some with conning tower windows.
englishrussia.com...

a reply to: JJRichey

That actually makes a lot of sense. Smart too.

a reply to: Zaphod58

What's that? Devoid of weapons you say?

Famous last words. So boat in the OP pic is a "research" vessel, got it.

a reply to: intrptr

Yes, because you have to have something to test a concept and see if it works. The first is used for research to test the concept.

At the depths this boat will operate, even with tubes closed, that's a structural weakness that could lead to disaster. Not to mention that 25 crew members would make fighting this thing a nightmare.

a reply to: JIMC5499

I went to school with a guy that just had gotten out of the Navy. He was on fast attack subs. He said the bulkheads would shrink at depth and you had to be careful not to hit your head.

*refresh made comment not needed

a reply to: SirKonstantin

Windows in battle? It's pretty dark deep under the ocean...?