SSBN "Prince Oleg": from acceptance into the Navy to the start of duty

Bookmark SSBN "Prince Oleg", July 27, 2014

Passed the test last year and was accepted into the fleet the newest strategic missile submarine "Knyaz Oleg", built according to project 955A "Borey-A". Currently, the crew continues the development of the boat and conducts various training activities. In addition, preparations are underway for a future inter-naval transition to a permanent duty station in the Pacific.

Ship at sea

The laying of the future "Prince Oleg" took place at the Sevmash plant at the end of July 2014. Due to the complexity of the work, construction dragged on for several years. On July 16, 2020, the almost completely finished ship was taken out of the shed and launched. By this time, the crew was formed and trained.

After all the necessary preparations, on May 30, 2021, the new SSBN went to sea for the first time to conduct factory sea trials. The first months of testing were spent on testing various systems and devices. On October 21, the submarine launched the Bulava ballistic missile for the first time. The crew successfully coped with the task and hit a conditional target at the Kura training ground.

The withdrawal of the boat from the slipway, July 16, 2020

On December 21, 2021, a solemn ceremony was held for the acceptance of the Knyaz Oleg cruiser into the Navy. The act of acceptance was signed, and the flag of the fleet was raised on the submarine. In accordance with previously announced plans, she was included in the 25th Red Banner Submarine Division of the Pacific Fleet. Previous Boreas are already serving in this formation.

After the ceremony, the crew of the cruiser began preparations for the future military service. January 31, 2022 "Prince Oleg" arrived at the main base of the Northern Fleet, Severomorsk. There, the submariners had to undergo a basic training complex, as well as pass coursework at sea. After passing the training and inspections, the cruiser will have to go to the place of permanent deployment, which is chosen as the Kamchatka Vilyuchinsk.

Training Course Objectives

Recently, the details of the combat training course for the crew of the new submarine, as well as its success in the development and use of technology, have become known. This was announced on May 13 by the press service of the Northern Fleet. It is reported that by now the submariners have completed a training course at the base, and have also passed tasks at sea. Various combat training tasks were also carried out. In particular, "Prince Oleg" practiced patrolling under the ice.

"Prince Oleg" during the handover ceremony to the customer, December 21, 2021

Torpedo firing was carried out. One of the episodes of this kind involved the development of anti-submarine defense with the participation of another submarine of the Northern Fleet. Of great interest is another exercise conducted at one of the training grounds in the Barents Sea. "Prince Oleg" from a submerged position launched a torpedo on the ice cover. As a result of this, a polynya was formed, sufficient for the cruiser to surface and the subsequent launch of missiles of the main ammunition load.

According to known data, in the near future "Prince Oleg" will remain in a temporary base. The following training events of various kinds will be held in Severomorsk and nearby water areas. After their completion, the submarine will be able to go to Vilyuchinsk. At the same time, the timing of the inter-fleet transition remains unknown.

In the Pacific Ocean

In 2013-14 The Pacific Fleet received two submarines, project 955 - "Alexander Nevsky" and "Vladimir Monomakh". The latest "Prince Oleg" will be his third pennant of the "Borey" type. However, so far this cruiser has only been accepted into the Pacific Fleet and has not yet begun full-fledged service. Combat duty and combat patrols will begin only after the future inter-fleet transition.

The submarine arrived in Severomorsk on January 31, 2022.

It should be noted that the re-equipment of the Pacific Fleet will not end with "Prince Oleg". Two new SSBNs are currently being built for the Pacific Fleet. The first of them, the Generalissimo Suvorov, was taken out of the shed in January. Preparations are now underway for sea trials, which will begin this year. The delivery of the finished ship is scheduled for mid-2023. By the end of the year, it is planned to launch the next submarine, the Emperor Alexander III, which can be accepted into the fleet a few months after the Suvorov.

Thus, in the coming months, the submarine forces of the Pacific Fleet will have three combat-ready and fit for duty Borei, and in a year and a half or two years their number will grow to five. This will, in a certain way, improve the fleet's operational capabilities and expand its role in the system of strategic nuclear deterrence.

In addition, the Pacific Fleet will have the opportunity to complete the process of decommissioning obsolete SSBNs pr. 667BDR. To date, only one such ship has remained in service, and its fate has already been decided. With the advent of the next Boreev, the Ryazan cruiser will end its service.

Commander of the Northern Fleet Admiral Alexander Moiseev aboard the Knyaz Oleg, January 31, 2022

Modern modification

The Knyaz Oleg missile cruiser was built according to the updated project 955A and is its first serial representative - after the lead ship Knyaz Vladimir. The construction of this submarine faced some difficulties, but they managed to cope with them. As a result, the submarine was launched on time, tested and accepted into the fleet.

The construction process of "Prince Oleg" showed that the industry represented by "Sevmash" and subcontractors mastered the production of a new version of "Borea". They will be able to organize the serial and rhythmic production of ships in the interests of the fleet. Right now, these achievements are being demonstrated during the construction of two SSBNs for the Pacific Fleet and the next three ships ordered for the Northern Fleet.

Etc. 955A has a number of important differences from the base Borea, which provide operational and technical advantages. Also, combat qualities are probably increased. Thus, Borea-A does not use the production capacity for nuclear submarines of previous projects, which removes some technical limitations. The design of the submarine and general ship systems was finalized. Instrumentation has undergone modernization.

Departure from the slipway of the nuclear submarine "Generalissimo Suvorov", December 25, 2021

The weapons complex of the updated SSBN remained the same. Its basis is the D-30 missile system with 16 silo launchers for the R-30 Bulava ballistic missile. There are also six 533-mm torpedo tubes, with the help of which several types of mine-torpedo and missile weapons are used. For self-defense in the surface position, the submarines carry modern types of portable anti-aircraft missile systems.

Nuclear submarines pr. 955A have a length of 170 m and an underwater displacement of 24 thousand tons. A modern high-capacity nuclear power plant is used. Propulsion and maneuvering is provided by a stern water jet and thrusters. Measures have been taken to simplify the operation and maintenance of equipment. When developing both versions of Boreev, new ideas and solutions were used to reduce noise. In this regard, pr. 955 (A) is several times superior to domestic submarines of the previous generation.

For fleet and strategic security

Thus, the construction and acceptance into the Navy of the strategic cruiser "Prince Oleg" is the next step in the development of the domestic fleet and strengthening the strategic deterrence system. A well-known contribution to both directions is made both by the very fact of the appearance of a new SSBN, and by its technical characteristics and capabilities.

At the moment, the new "Prince Oleg" and its crew are performing combat training tasks at the base of the Northern Fleet. In the near future, an inter-naval transition to Kamchatka will take place, after which the ship will be able to begin full-fledged service with regular cruises, exercises and combat duty. And the result of this will be a new strengthening of the existing national security system.

Comments

[Borik]

Long and no emergency service.

[Mouse]

I would like to wish ... the speedy development of the submarine and success in teaching ...

[Vmf949a]

For a long time you tof amplify the Japs are not asleep

[NOMADE]

How do you amplify? From the sofa?

[7gor]

16 years.........

[Evgenijus]

The name of the SSBN is symbolic - "Prince Oleg". It was he who united the Russian lands, establishing Kyiv as the capital.

1130 years ago, in 882, the north and south of Russia, the two main centers of the Russian land - Kyiv and Novgorod were united into a single state. This dramatically increased the power of the Russian state. Oleg decided that Kyiv would be more convenient for managing the Russian land and declared it the capital. “May this be the mother of Russian cities!” - the chroniclers convey the words of the Grand Duke

So it is said in an article on VO dated April 26, 2012 "Prophetic Oleg is the creator and guardian of the Russian state. To the 1130th anniversary of the unification of the north and south of Russia."

[Murat]

This, of course, is not bad, but a number of questions remain open. Has the problem of stealth of our boats been solved when the enemy uses low-frequency active illumination? Are issues with torpedoes and anti-torpedoes closed? And the main question: who and how commands these boats? In the United States, the success of the fleet is due to the fact that the PLO forces are commanded by those who previously served on submarines, and the general leadership of the fleet is staffed by those who have experience in serving in naval aviation.

[Alexey RA]

You will also ask whether the main issue has been resolved - ensuring the exit of the SSBNs from the bases, the transition to positional areas and covering the areas themselves.
Three Boreas in the Pacific Fleet is great ... exactly until the moment you find out that there is one live ICAPL for the entire Pacific Fleet. Which in one person should cover both the SSBN and the SSGN.

[Murat]

You will also ask whether the main issue has been resolved - ensuring the exit of the SSBNs from the bases, the transition to positional areas and covering the areas themselves.

I won’t ask, because this question in the context of the SSBN is, oddly enough, far-fetched. In the event of an unlimited nuclear war, SSBNs will not be destroyed at the exit from the bases, but TOGETHER with the bases - by an ICBM strike (or SLCM with special warheads). And if the United States wants the war to be non-nuclear, then in principle it is impossible to destroy SSBNs (neither at the exit, nor at the transition to the positional area, nor at the database), because this is guaranteed to mean the start of a nuclear war. The meaning of tracking SSBNs by Virginia is only when it is planned to destroy not only all SSBNs at once SIMULTANEOUSLY BEFORE LAUNCH, but also all ground and mobile ICBMs: in the spirit of the alarmist FANTASTIC of Alexei Doronin or Maxim Kalashnikov - twenty years ago.

there is one live ICAPL for the entire Pacific Fleet. Which in one person should cover both the SSBN and the SSGN.

I'm sorry, but this is illogical. The submarine, in principle, should not be covered by another boat. If the SSBN itself has sufficient secrecy and security to complete the task, then there is no point in discussing the number of ICAPLs. And if SSBNs DO NOT HAVE sufficient stealth, then there is no point in building them at all, but you need to put the Mace on surface ships: they have air defense and high speed, unlike submarines.

[Alexey RA]

Quote: Murat

In the event of an unlimited nuclear war, SSBNs will not be destroyed at the exit from the bases, but TOGETHER with the bases - by an ICBM strike (or SLCM with special warheads).

When there is one submarine per fleet on the database, and the rest are at the bases - yes, the scenario will be just that.
But such a situation is not normal for SSBNs, even in peacetime. If you apply them in this way, then it is not clear at all - why build them. SSBNs are a guarantee of the inevitability of a retaliatory strike, even in the event of a surprise attack. Even in peacetime. And for this, at least a third of them must be at sea. And this means that they need to be covered so that the tempting scenario of a "disarming strike" is faced with the harsh reality of unacceptable losses in a retaliatory strike.
And secondly, so far the scenario of a sudden nuclear strike is not the main and only one. In the case of a classic slide into a nuclear war with a gradual increase in DEFCON, the SSBNs will have time to leave the base before the SBC exchange begins.

Quote: Murat

I'm sorry, but this is illogical. The submarine, in principle, should not be covered by another boat.

Well, why does almost everyone at the word "cover" have a picture of an ICAPL or a BOD walking like a string behind the SSBNs.
Clearing an area in advance or cutting off enemy forces on the lines of defense of an area also refers to cover.

[Murat]

And for this, at least a third of them must be at sea.

You can’t argue, but this is a question for the material and financial support of the relevant KOH. In the USA, KOH was 0,5-0,6, in the USSR it never rose above 0,35, but more often 0,2-0,25.

And this means that they need to be covered so that the tempting scenario of a "disarming strike" is faced with the harsh reality of unacceptable losses in a retaliatory strike.

It is easier to do this asymmetrically, such as lake missile systems or surface ships with ICBMs. That is, it is more expensive than the SSBNs themselves, but cheaper than their cover.

In the case of a classic slide into a nuclear war with a gradual increase in DEFCON, the SSBNs will have time to leave the base

... but the PGRK and strategic long-range aviation will have enough of this time))) And the SSBNs will no longer play the first fiddle.

Clearing an area in advance or cutting off enemy forces on the lines of defense of an area also refers to cover.

An extremely controversial possibility, given the a priori superiority of the enemy at sea.

[Alexey RA]

Quote: Murat

It is easier to do this asymmetrically, such as lake missile systems or surface ships with ICBMs.

This is done even easier, with the existing technical means.
Instead of SSBNs, two regiments of PGRKs are ordered. Positional areas with a large number of roads and positions are being equipped. And the practice of patrolling launchers in positional areas is being introduced - for the same 30% of the regiments, with rotation.

Quote: Murat

An extremely controversial possibility, given the a priori superiority of the enemy at sea.

Then you need stretch legs on clothes: build SSBNs not at a faster pace, but together with cover forces. That is, to exchange part of the SSBN in the construction for the ICAPL and the same IPC with TS. Otherwise, most of the built SSBNs will die without having time to launch.

In general, with one hand, at an accelerated pace, build new SSBNs, leaving 40% of the strategic SBCs under the jurisdiction of the Navy, and with the other, deprive the carriers of these SBCs of protection already starting from the exit from the bases - this is very similar to the situation with pre-war mechanized corps: all forces are thrown into tanks, and motorized infantry, mechanized there are no artillery and rears. How it ended - everyone remembers.

[Serg65]

Quote: Murat

the general leadership of the fleet is recruited from those who have experience in serving in naval aviation.

Well, we are not the United States, we have a submariner in command of the fleet!

[bk0010]

They would make a shift for Anteev at the Boreev base ...

[Andrei from Chelyabinsk]

This is indeed a great achievement - the development of 955A both in production and, gradually, in operation. I am very happy for the fleet and production workers, my congratulations to everyone involved!

[Skipper]

Even visually, Borey and Borey-A differ for the better because Borey-A no longer has these bulges of a flat hump on top ... in Borey, due to this better flow and better hydrodynamic shape, the maximum speed increased from 29 to 30 knots.

[Boa kaa]

Quote: Skipper

Even visually, Borey and Borey-A differ for the better because Borey-A no longer has these bulges of a flat hump on top ... in Borey, due to this better flow and better hydrodynamic shape, the maximum speed increased from 29 to 30 knots.

The main thing is different. Due to the fact that the contours of the hull were cut not from the fact that from the 971 project remained in reserve, but according to the original patterns of the native hull, calculated by "digit" on a computer and welded taking into account the laminar flow around the flow at various underwater speeds, the boat has a lower PGA. And this is stealth, reducing the detection range of you by the enemy. And yes, it has gotten a little smaller. And this is also in the treasury of invisibility. The configuration of device No. 1 GAK has changed. The main antenna became horseshoe-shaped, more advanced flank canvases of the GAS of increased area appeared, allowing you to more accurately determine the place of the adversary in a passive way ... (And that's all about him! (c)))).
All this suggests that constant work is underway to improve the project, taking into account operating experience and comments from the crews. And the fact that the Yankees are really afraid of these units suggests that we have learned and achieved something in underwater shipbuilding.
I am sure that the same work is underway to improve the weapons of the boat. Surely, new torpedoes appeared in the BC, such as UET-2, new means of protection, the main RK is also being improved ...
And I would like to wish the ship and crew GOOD LUCK and that the number of ascents is equal to the number of dives!