The concept of the strategic submarine missile cruiser "Arktur"

Submarine "Arcturus" in a submerged position

The navy and shipbuilders are working on ways to further develop submarine forces, and the next ideas of this kind were presented at the recent Army-2022 forum. Central Design Bureau MT Rubin for the first time showed the concept of a promising strategic missile submarine with the code "Arktur". Such a submarine is designed for construction and operation in the distant future, and therefore the most interesting and bold ideas are used in it.

concept submarine

This year, the Rubin Central Design Bureau of MT presented several promising developments of different classes at once. One of them was the concept of the SSBN of the future Arcturus. A model of such a ship was demonstrated at the stand of the High Command of the Russian Navy. For comparison, next to it was a mock-up of a modern nuclear submarine, pr. 955A "Borey-A". They also showed a model of the Surrogat-V autonomous uninhabited underwater vehicle suitable for use with the Arcturus.

It is reported that the concept of the submarine was worked out with an eye to the second half of the XXI century. In this regard, the project uses promising solutions and components. Several new features are also included. In particular, in addition to the regular weapons of the SSBN, it is proposed to use a set of AUVs of various kinds.

It is assumed that all such tools will improve the situational awareness of the submarine. She will be able to detect the enemy earlier and better dodge possible attacks. In addition, the introduction of certain underwater vehicles will change the purpose of the submarine and the range of tasks to be solved.

The shown layout and published images of the Arcturus allow us to understand the general architecture of the ship and some of its design features. In addition, the developers revealed some information about the internal equipment, main parameters, etc.

Ballistic missile launch

Arcturus is only a concept project, and therefore its prospects are quite understandable and predictable. Naturally, they will not build such a submarine. However, the current project solves other problems. It shows the current views and opinions in a promising area, and also helps to find the necessary technologies and solutions. Some of them will be able to get into the real next generation SSBN project, which will be developed in the indefinite future.

The face of the future

The Arctur project proposes the design of a nuclear submarine of an unusual appearance with missile and torpedo weapons, as well as various systems for lighting the situation, reconnaissance, etc. Due to the improvement of strategic missile weapons, they plan to reduce the displacement by 20% compared to the current SSBNs, and without loss in the number of missiles and combat characteristics. In addition, measures are proposed to further improve stealth.

The architecture of the submarine was not specified. Probably, a one-and-a-half or two-hull design is used - antenna devices and hangars for AUVs are placed outside the strong hull. At the same time, the case is distinguished by an unusual shape that combines curved and straight surfaces. A pronounced line runs along the sides of the hull, in which the inclined elements of the sides converge. The fencing of retractable devices is made as streamlined as possible. It is claimed that such forms are one way to improve stealth.

Arcturus will receive a nuclear power plant. In order to reduce noise, a shaftless version of energy is proposed. Two stern water cannons built into the hull were used as a mover. Water intake is carried out through windows on the sides of the hull, ejection - through rectangular nozzles. Trapezoidal vertical planes are provided on the water cannon channels.

In the nose of the hull, on the sides of the main antenna of the hydroacoustic complex, four torpedo tubes are placed. Behind the cabin in the hull are 12 silo launchers of the main missile system. They will be loaded with next-generation ballistic missiles, characterized by reduced dimensions and improved combat characteristics.

Arcturus at the Army-2022 forum. in the background - "Borey-A"

The submarine can carry a developed complex of hydroacoustic means. The main antenna is located in the nose. Side-view antenna compartments are provided on the sides. Apparently, the ship can be equipped with radar and other means.

Autonomous uninhabited underwater vehicles of various types will become an additional means of illuminating the situation. For the transportation of large AUVs, such as Surrogat-V, it is proposed to use a separate compartment in the stern of the submarine. Products of smaller displacement can be launched from vertical shafts. The number and types of AUVs should be determined taking into account the task.

AUVs can become a key component of the entire underwater complex, incl. defining its tasks. Representatives of the developer organization said that the emergence of new types of underwater vehicles in the future will make it possible to turn the Arktur SSBN into a ship for a different purpose.

Looking for solutions

The Arctur concept, like other similar projects, is not intended for the full implementation and construction of a series of submarines. However, it solves an equally important problem. As part of such projects, designers are looking for and working out new ideas, which can then be used to create real nuclear submarine projects for fleet. The current concept contains several similar solutions at once, which may interest the customer and be developed. And you can expect that they will not go unnoticed.

The proposed hull design and its specific contours naturally attract attention. In recent decades, the global submarine industry has shown great interest in new forms that improve hydrodynamic performance, as well as reduce noise and optimize the placement of internal units. The Arcturus project once again clearly shows that Russian specialists are also dealing with these issues - and have succeeded in this matter.

Aft compartment with AUV "Surrogat-V"

The proposed energy is also interesting. While maintaining the nuclear power plant traditional for domestic SSBNs, it is proposed to abandon the most noisy units. In addition, a new design of water jets has been developed. Probably, it has advantages over existing designs, and the customer will have to evaluate them.

Fundamental innovations are not envisaged in the field of missile weapons. At the same time, the authors of Arcturus are counting on the emergence of a new generation of SLBMs, which will be smaller in size. In addition, the proposal to use launchers to launch small-sized AUVs is interesting. In this case, the SSBN without restructuring and re-equipment will be able to get new functions and capabilities.

It is easy to see that the main innovations of the Arcturus concept are in the field of unmanned systems. The nuclear submarine will be able to carry AUVs of various types, dimensions and displacement. With their help, it will be possible to solve various tasks of an auxiliary or combat nature. AUVs will take over reconnaissance, incl. at a considerable distance from the carrier submarine, they will be able to perform the functions of false targets to deceive the enemy and even carry one or another weapon to attack underwater or surface targets.

In fact, with the help of a set of several AUVs, the submarine will improve its situational awareness and increase safety. In addition, with such equipment, the SSBN will be able to participate not only in the processes of strategic deterrence, but also to perform other work and tasks. Perhaps it will even lead to the emergence of a completely new class of submarines with enhanced capabilities.

Choice

Thus, the Central Design Bureau MT "Rubin" continues its scientific work and is looking for ways to further develop the submarine fleet. Various solutions and technologies are proposed, studied and developed for use in promising projects, incl. in those that will appear only in the distant future. The next result of this work was the concept of "Arctur".

Apparently, the documentation for this project has already been transferred to the relevant organizations of the Ministry of Defense. They should review this development and evaluate it. It is likely that some of the proposed ideas will be approved and will fall into the next projects of domestic nuclear submarines. Others, characterized by increased complexity or redundancy, will be postponed until better times. But even in this case, the Arcturus concept will make a certain contribution to the development of our submarine fleet.

Comments

[neworange88]

Such a submarine is designed for construction and operation in the distant future, and therefore the most interesting and bold ideas are used in it.

This is the distant future that is alarming. How many? 10 years, more?

[Flooding]

Quote from: neworange88

This is the distant future that is alarming. How many? 10 years, more?

ibid.

It is reported that the concept of the submarine was worked out with an eye to the second half of the XXI century

[Ros 56]

Well, not earlier than 40-50 years, but are you in a hurry and where is it interesting?

[nickname7]

Well, not until the 40s or 50s.

The layouts are certainly beautiful, but we will not live to see the release of products in hardware, but the layouts are already ready.
It looks like the Chigushi have found a layout firm in China and a bunch of government agencies are ordering their "breakthroughs" there.

[Krasnoyarsk]

Quote: nickname7

The layouts are certainly beautiful, but we will not live to see the release of products in hardware, but the layouts are already ready.

And what, the Husky project is already FSE? The guys gave the project "Husky" to the mountain. they received a denyuzhka, now they have issued the Arcturus project on the mountain, they are again, as it were, "working", it will take 3-4 years to draw some other project. And again - well done, again in business. There are no boats, but the design bureau is in business.

[nickname7]

There are no boats, but design bureaus are in business

That's exactly how it all works. Also, part of the money will be spent on fees to the author of VO for advertising articles. I remember there was an article about the breakthrough of the EU missile defense system by SU-57 aircraft, and then readers are looking for reasons why Izyum and Kherson lost with such cool weapons.

[yuriy55]

Quote from: neworange88

This is the distant future and is alarming. How much? 10 years, more?

And this worries me more:

Naturally, they will not build such a submarine. However, the current project solves other problems. It shows the current views and opinions in a promising area, and also helps to find the necessary technologies and solutions.

The second and third sentences of the phrase are more intelligible and understandable. Especially the tasks that, in the absence of the necessary capacities for the construction of the fleet (equipment and specialists too), can be reduced to a trivial suction of funds from the budget.
As for current views and opinions, you can find them out like this:

[lis-ik]

Can you tell me what movie or series it is?

[solar]

series "In the first circle", according to Solzhenitsyn
Roman Madyanov as Abakumov, Minister of State Security of the USSR.

[frog]

The same Abakumov, who headed "Smersh" (now beloved by many))) and was adopted under Kobe? True, he "left for Canada" already without him. But he left...

[solar]

The same one.

On July 2, 1951, V.S. Abakumov was arrested and charged with high treason and a Zionist conspiracy in the MGB.

[nickname7]

Solzhenitsyn

The fact that the anti-Soviet enemy of the Russian Federation Solzhenitsyn is actually heroized is a shame, recently, at his Valdai speeches, the GDP read out the theses of this Solzhenitsyn.
China, well done there, Solzhenitsyn was declared not a law.

[bk0010]

The three of us could have squinted the screamer quietly ...

[nickname7]

The old man pronounces something like this to the ranks, he is a real leader, and the guarantor is at the table listening to some reports so similar to the chatter of grandmothers, they chatted and nodded, they apparently chose a successor to Yeltsin so that he would balance the interests of the oligarchs by good will.

[Sergei_tactics]

This is the distant future that is alarming. How many? 10 years, more?

What is worrying you? You are so strange. Borey began to be developed in 1987, and the lead boat entered service in 2013. And this is with a clear concept. And in this case, even the concept of a new generation of nuclear submarines is still in the process of being developed

[g1v2]

We have built 5 Boreevs and Boreevs. Another 5 units are being built and are being tested. 2 more are on order. Might order a couple more later. Arcturus should come to replace Boreas. So add the service life of the strategist to the date of delivery of the first Boreas. 25-30 years minimum. That is, this is what, according to Rubin's ideas, should be built in 25-30 years. In general, a very distant future.

[Losyara]

Seriously? And I here is how yesterday I remember the First and Second Chechen. Just 25 years have passed. Time flies, flies...

[nickname7]

In general, a very distant future

The future is far away, and the authorities make ratings for themselves in the present in order to be elected again. But the generation of privatizers cannot organize production.
Therefore, the more such projects are published, the less likely they are to be implemented.

[Ermak_Timofeich]

the concept of the submarine was worked out with an eye to the second half of the XXI century

And the flag in hand, but only on the condition that they come to replace the existing fifty in the ranks - hundreds of Boreys.

[Ros 56]

Let them develop for now, there is something to think about and very firmly. In the meantime, we are liquidating Banderastan, and those who wish to follow it.

[Genry]

ANPA

Author, if you use an abbreviation, then its first use should be tied to the transcript.
It should have been like this:
"They also showed a model of an autonomous uninhabited underwater vehicle (AUV) "Surrogate-B", suitable for use with the Arcturus."
In scientific and technical literature, this is determined by the rules of registration in accordance with GOST.

[Boa kaa]

This is our response to the Yankees on their working draft of the new COLOMBIA-class SSB(N) SSBN, which should enter the database (according to their calculations) as early as 2031. The Yankees have already placed orders for the manufacture of silos, the purchase and cutting of metal for the first hull has been carried out ... We have a CONCEPT - a kind of "answer to Curzon!" But, to our sheep.
1. If the Yankee Columbia remains practically in the dimensions of the NUTS, well, the hull is somewhat "wider" (12,8m), then ARCTUR will be the widest of the 4-5 generation SSBNs - hull width = 15,7m. Apparently the "double-hull" design will affect. The length will decrease by 36 (!) m compared to Borey. about 20-955 tons, instead of 19200 tons.
2. On the layout, 3 side canvases of the HAC are visible, and in 955 there is only one canvas in the aft part of the boat hull. This indicates the advancement of the concept in terms of the capabilities of the OPO. But the presence of a flexible extended towed antenna did not notice something. But surely she is.
3. As stated by the designers, the traffic pattern of the new SSBN will change. It will be fully electric. The PPU will turn the PTG, then the current to the control system by movement and to the all-mode HED in the annular fairing outside the strong hull of the boat. There will be no GTZA, bus-couplings, shaft lines, thrust bearings and all other vibrating crap!
4. Missile weapons will shrink. In general, this is already a global trend. The Yankees have gone from 24 to 16. The British want to limit themselves to 12 SLBMs. We, apparently, will also stop at 12 units. Only now there are doubts about the "more powerful" in smaller dimensions SLBMs ... It will be necessary to try very hard with the avionics of missiles and solid propellant rocket engines on new mixed components!
5. The Anglo-Saxons are very alarmed by the presence of 2 Surrogat-Vs aboard the Arcturus. They directly write that this is an AUV to search for and destroy enemy submarines in their radiation-chemical trace! And 4 NTAs are apparently for fighting enemy NK and firing anti-ship missiles and CRBD.
6. Judging by the contours, the LC will be made as on the 212A project from a composite. Painfully similar! Yes, and it will not be magnetic, which is also not unimportant.
7. Nothing has been said about minced meat yet, but for sure by the 2050s we will still have an autonomous navigation system for the relief of the seabed. A sort of topographic map of the ocean floor. Communications, BIUS / ASBU / AKUS and other crap - only specialists apparently know how far they have gone ...
8. Crew less than 100 people... Automation. But who will lead the BZZH? Or is it already in the past?
Something like this. Not very thick, but still.

[agond]

At the stand next to the nuclear submarine pr. 955A "Borey-A". displacement of 24000 tons and this so-called conceptual Arkt ur "invented at the Rubin Central Design Bureau of MT with a displacement of 20% less, and .. what .. is this the strategy concept? I recall the French Ryubi multi-purpose nuclear submarines from 1976, g, displacement 2607t 9 times less than that of Borey (designer Rubin has a nine times difference !!!), though Ryubi does not have ballistic missiles, but they are 1.5 times smaller than your diesel Varshavyanka, which also crushes missiles.
There is only one strategic concept for submarines and it is called secrecy, mainly due to a decrease in the size of the submarine.
1 to abandon the stupid two-hull scheme
2 so as not to tie the diameter of the boat hull to the length of the rocket, it's time to abandon the vertical launch from the mines,
ideally a concept, a small submarine carries one but large ballistic missile in a pop-up container fixed outside the hull behind the wheelhouse.

[Boa kaa]

Quote: agond

There is only one strategic concept for submarines and it is called secrecy, mainly due to a decrease in the size of the submarine.
1 to abandon the stupid two-hull scheme
2 so as not to tie the diameter of the boat hull to the length of the rocket, it's time to abandon the vertical launch from the mines,
ideally a concept, a small submarine carries one but large ballistic missile in a pop-up container fixed outside the hull behind the wheelhouse.

You have an original approach to the combat capabilities of the RPK SN.
1. Stealth? Yes, it is needed for patrolling in the ROP outside the water area protected from PLS. And if you shoot straight from the pier? And even from NP? As it was tested at one time ... Here we need fire performance and the number of BR in a series or salvo ... Therefore, 1 SLBM could come off at the dawn of submarine shipbuilding. R-11/14, so it generally rose from the fence on the launch pad ... True, the whales made themselves a completely modern submarine with 2 SLBMs in the retractable fence. But this is clearly against the Yankee island bases in the China Seas and Okinawa.
2. The double-hull design still somehow protects new British (American) torpedoes with a directed explosion (like a shock core) BZO from BZO. A single-hull is completely deprived of such an opportunity. Then in the inter-building space a lot of interesting things can be placed. Well, at least an active PTZ system, VVD cylinders, tanks, drives. steering machines ... Then, the light body will "smooth" all the irregularities of the PC, which can be made simpler in shape.
3. As for the "non-vertical" launch of the BR. The boat is on the move, the oncoming stream "breaks" the starting BR, so let everything remain as it is accepted all over the world. In addition, this is the most "economical" arrangement of weapons on the boat. Reached this position empirically.
4. About PC diameter. It is like this because you need a place to place a 2-stage depreciation system for the most noisy components and mechanisms. Therefore, the Yankees do not reduce the diameter of their latest SSBN.
5. About container with BR inside. This system (according to OBS) has entered the database with us. This is our "Skif" - a product of the "State Rocket Center named after Academician V.P. Makeev" from Chelyabinsk Miass.

The first tests of the Skif took place in 2008. According to their results in 2009, prototypes were sent for revision. In 2013, the rocket was handed over for state testing. The Sarov diesel-electric specialized submarine of the Main Directorate of Deep Sea Research of the Navy took part in the tests of the system - it delivered the container to a given point. The AS-12 (Losharik) deep-sea nuclear vehicle also took part in the operation of placing the container on the bottom.
Putting the Scythians on duty on the Arctic shelf significantly reduces the time for ICBMs to reach the American continent. The Skif was put into service in 2017.

Sincerely.

[Zadok]

cartoons are annoying. sit and drink to yourself quietly. even in 2040, if such a bells and whistles - HH-NA!. brag why? which most likely won't be...

[shpon123]

Another fantasy that won't come true. We have a "new" tank, shown 7 YEARS ago, they still can't finish it, what can I say about new submarines.

[FoBoss_V]

I agree. All these blue-eyed huskies, seals with manatees and storms .... There were a lot of beautiful concepts and models dragged around exhibitions

[agond]

Quote: Boa constrictor KAA

You have an original approach to the combat capabilities of the RPK SN.

1. Stealth? Yes, it is needed for patrolling in the ROP outside the water area protected from PLS. And if you shoot straight from the pier? And even from NP?
---- In order to shoot from the pier at the NP, you do not need to build a nuclear submarine, you can get by with an ordinary barge. the main purpose of the submarine is the covert placement of weapons on it

2. The double-hull design still somehow protects new British (American) torpedoes with a directed explosion (like a shock core) BZO from BZO. A single-hull is completely deprived of such an opportunity. Then in the inter-building space a lot of interesting things can be placed. Well, at least an active PTZ system, VVD cylinders, tanks, drives. steering machines ... Then, the light body will "smooth" all the irregularities of the PC, which can be made simpler in shape.
----- If a boat is discovered, then the second hull and even the third one will not help in any way, it is doomed, The extra hull dramatically increases the dimensions of the boat and also dramatically reduces its stealth, not to mention maneuverability, and under ice at shallow depths of the northern seas it’s generally dangerous to enter, yes, of course, the second case also has pluses, but they don’t compensate for the shortcomings in any way, while supporters of two cases need to know that a light case is several times larger in surface area than a durable one and therefore, despite the difference in metal thickness in weight, it is close to durable and this weight must be compensated by an increase in the internal volume of the strong body, and all this mass of metal of the light body does not bear the load from water pressure, this stupid scheme, you can’t call it otherwise, they don’t use it anywhere in the world
3. As for the "non-vertical" launch of the BR. The boat is on the move, the oncoming stream "breaks" the starting BR, so let everything remain as it is accepted all over the world.
------ Quite the contrary, an oncoming stream can break a vertically launched rocket, and separation from a boat "not vertically" of a pop-up container with a rocket can occur at any speed
4. About PC diameter. It is like this because you need a place to place a 2-stage depreciation system for the most noisy components and mechanisms. Therefore, the Yankees do not reduce the diameter of their latest SSBN.
-----, if we say a rocket with a length of 14m, then the diameter of the hull of the boat cannot be less, but meanwhile the optimal length of the rocket is somewhere around 24m and above, this is if we talk about high energy and a large cast mass (by the way, for comparison, it is useful to correlate the cast mass warheads to the underwater displacement of submarines), therefore large missiles are energetically and tactically more profitable than small ones, if there are no range restrictions, you can even launch from the coast of Antarctica, try to track the launch, and the trajectory can be very high, you can’t intercept anything.
Well, since the missiles are so large, it is logical to place them 1-2 units per boat.

[Plane_Junkers]

our wonderful prototypes, their decrepit serial products. I hope at least this goes into series.

[Dedok]

The concept of the strategic submarine missile cruiser "Arktur"

you create a separate section on the VO: like "Youth Technique" or "Murzilka" - place all these "projects" there, and there - chew, suck - you still can't swallow, but paper - it will endure everything

[AVESSALOM]

I see another drink. When I lived in the USSR, I didn’t see models of either “Sharks”, or MIGs, or any others. It’s just that everything was developed and put into operation.

[kig]

By that time ... see the statements of H. Nasreldin

[Glagol1]

Huskies are 2030s and this proposal is more like 2040s and beyond. Search work always precedes R&D. Lots of interesting things ahead. In the meantime, Boreas and Ashes!

[Dronza]

Beautiful, infection! A beautiful ship should sail beautifully! Let them build, but hurry up.

[Alexior_Brante]

Well, in general, the concept of underwater drones is very true. In general, a good concept would have turned out to be a small and maximally secretive fighter submarine of small displacement, which operates with a flock of underwater hunters in absolute secrecy.