Projects of small submarines development SPMBM "Malachite"
On July 29, the TASS news agency published an interview with the general director of the St. Petersburg Marine Bureau of Mechanical Engineering (SPMBM) Malakhit, Vladimir Dorofeev. The head of the project organization told about current work and plans of the domestic shipbuilder in the context of the development of the submarine fleet. In addition, the topic of promising projects and the interest shown to them by potential customers in the face of foreign military fleets was touched upon.
According to V. Dorofeev, the list of interested parties almost does not change. Interest in Russian submarines traditionally show the states of Africa and Asia. In addition, Latin American countries can fill up the list of customers. The head of SPMBM "Malachite" expressed the hope that the existing interest in the future will lead to the appearance of real contracts.
For export SPMBM "Malachite" offers small diesel-electric submarines of several models. These are both new projects and developments created on the basis of small “Piranha” type submarines. Project 865 "Piranha" was created in the eighties in the interests of the navy of the Soviet Union. Two such submarines were built, which for some time were used by submariners. Now available practices are used in new projects. Also, the designers of “Malachite” are engaged in the development of new projects for diesel-electric boats with a displacement of less than 1 thousand tons.
V. Dorofeev said that the Malakhit SPMBM is consulting with the Russian Ministry of Defense regarding the full range of projects being developed. Among other things, designers and the military are jointly studying the subject of non-nuclear small-displacement submarines. However, while such collaborations have not led to the appearance of contracts and real orders for the development of promising technology.
The leadership of “Malachite” hopes that the recent significant change in the nearby maritime theaters may lead to a change in the tasks of the navy. Thus, in response to new threats, the domestic fleet may be interested in small submarines. An additional factor capable of enhancing this interest will be the possibility of using the most modern complexes, the dimensions of which allow installation on small ships.
At the present level of development of technology and technology, small submarines can have quite high characteristics. V. Dorofeev noted that submarines of this class cannot have large ammunition, but are able to work effectively in the near sea zone. At the same time, however, new problems and challenges arise. Due to the shallow coastal areas, the reduction of electromagnetic fields is of particular importance. In addition, there is a problem of visual visibility, since at a shallow depth the water can not always hide the submarine.
One of the ways to develop non-nuclear submarines, regardless of their size and displacement, is the creation and implementation of air-independent power plants. According to V. Dorofeev, the use of such systems on small submarines is one of the options for the further development of existing and future improvements. To date, a bench sample of an air-independent power plant has been created. In the future, similar equipment is planned to be introduced into promising submarine projects. However, for the time being these are only plans for the distant future, since the new power plants should be the first to receive larger ships.
The scheme of a small submarine type "Piranha-T". Figure Malachite-spb.ru
The promising projects of small submarines currently being developed and offered to customers are a further development of the basic ideas embodied in the Piranha 865 project. The development of this project began in the late seventies, in the middle of the next decade the main submarine was built. Boats "Piranha" were intended to ensure the work of combat swimmers engaged in reconnaissance or sabotage operations. Depending on the task, this technique could deliver a reconnaissance and sabotage group to the place where the combat mission was to be carried out, could conduct reconnaissance or secretly attack various targets.
"Piranhas" had a displacement of 218 t with a length of 28,2 m and a width of up to 4,7 m. The design of the titanium case allowed to dive to depths of 200 m. The power plant of the submarines was composed of a diesel generator with a power of 160 kW and 60-kilowatt rowing motor. With their help, the boat could reach an underwater speed of up to 6,6 nodes or go from an economic at the level of 4 nodes. Sailing range reached 1000 nautical miles. Continuous range underwater - up to 130 miles.
The work of all the onboard systems was to be managed by a crew of three. The possibility of transportation of a reconnaissance and sabotage group of six people with the necessary diving equipment, weapons, etc. was also envisaged. To accommodate the payload, two containers were offered, placed outside the robust hull. They could carry diving towers or other equipment, mine-laying devices or small-sized torpedoes. In the case of the transportation of weapons, the Piranha ammunition could consist of two 400-mm torpedoes or four mines of the PMT type.
From 1984 to 1990, the Soviet industry built only two small submarines of the 865 project. The operation of the boats did not last long: in the late nineties, they were written off and sent for stripping. The reasons for this were due to lack of funding and general problems of the Navy. It is interesting that one of the small submarines, despite the short service life, managed to act in films. It was with the help of "Piranha", called "Baby", that the heroes of the comedy "Peculiarities of National Fishing" tried to save their supplies. Thanks to this film, everyone could get an opportunity to see the internal compartments of the once secret submarine.
Using the experience gained during the development of the project 865 "Piranha", SPMBM "Malachite" has developed several new variants of equipment of a similar class. Currently, potential customers are offered three options for small submarines with different characteristics. Despite noticeable differences in characteristics, all such projects have a similar purpose. Prospective submarines are offered for covert patrols and combat missions in the coastal zone. Boats can conduct patrols and reconnaissance, support reconnaissance and sabotage groups, as well as set mines or attack targets of various types.
The scheme of a small submarine project P-550. Figure Malachite-spb.ru
The prospective Piranha-T project proposes the construction of a submarine 47,5 m long and 5,2 m wide with normal draft 3,9 m and displacement 370 t. Due to hull strength characteristics, the boat should be able to work at depths up to 200 m. 315-kilowatt diesel generator and propeller motor 400 kW are included. Maximum speed under water should reach 12 nodes, economic - node 4. The range of navigation is declared at the level of 2,2 thousand miles. The range of the underwater course without the need for ascent - 200 miles. Autonomy - 20 days. Crew - five people.
It is proposed to mount two 533-mm torpedo tubes in the nose of the Pirany-T. The ammunition of the boat should consist of two torpedoes of caliber 533 mm, six torpedoes of caliber 324 mm or eight sea mines. If necessary, the submarine should take on board a group of combat swimmers numbering up to six people, as well as the necessary equipment for it.
The modified version of the project "Piranha-T" with the increase of some characteristics is a submarine of the type P-550. It is characterized by increased dimensions, due to which it was possible to allocate more space for storing ammunition. Also in the project П-550 more powerful units of the power plant are used. The displacement foreseen by this project reaches 750 m. The length of the boat is 55,1 m, the width is 6,4 m, and the draft is 4,9 m. Due to the more durable hull, the maximum depth is increased to 300 m.
The project P-550 uses a diesel generator with a power of 630 kW and a rowing motor with a power of 900 kW. With their help, an underwater speed of up to an 14,5 node can be achieved. Economic speed in a submerged position - 4 node. The maximum cruising range is 2200 miles, the continuous scuba range is 160 miles. Provided autonomy up to 20 days. Crew - 9 man.
For use with 533-mm torpedo tubes, the P-550 submarine can carry four torpedoes or 533 caliber rockets, eight 324-mm torpedoes, or up to 24 naval mines. The possibility of carrying six combat swimmers with weapons and equipment remains.
The scheme of a small submarine project P-650. Figure Malachite-spb.ru
The largest of the small submarines offered by the Malakhit SPMBM is the P-650E. While maintaining common goals and objectives, this version of the submarine has the largest displacement - 870 tons. Dimensions of such a boat should correspond to the displacement: length 60,5 m, width 6,4 m and draft 5 m. Extreme depth of immersion should be 300 m. generator power 630 kW and propeller motor power 900 kW. It also provides for the use of an electrochemical generator with a capacity of 15000 kW ∙ h. The maximum underwater speed is declared at the level of 14 nodes, the economic - 4 node. Cruising range is up to 2000 miles, continuous underwater - 1200 miles. To manage the submarine must crew of nine people. Fuel reserves and provisions provide autonomy for 20 days.
The P-650 project involves the use of 533-mm torpedo tubes. With their help, the submarine can transport and use up to 4 torpedoes (or corresponding missiles) of caliber 533 mm, eight 324 mm torpedoes or up to 24 sea mines. Inside the robust hull provides space for accommodating six combat swimmers and the equipment they use.
Small submarines developed by Malachit SPMBM are currently being offered to various customers. In particular, advertising materials and models of such equipment are regularly displayed at various exhibitions of weapons and military equipment. Nevertheless, while such developments only attract the attention of potential customers, but do not become the subject of contracts. According to available data, from the entire spectrum of small submarines created by the Malachite designers, only the Piranha 865 project reached the production and subsequent operation of the navy. However, for a number of reasons, this technique was not built in a large series and did not remain in service for too long.
Based on the experience gained during the creation and operation of the Pirani, domestic experts have developed several promising submarines of a similar class. During exhibitions and showrooms, these projects attract the attention of potential customers, but they are still not in a hurry to sign contracts. The domestic customer represented by the Ministry of Defense also shows interest in promising developments and conducts technical consultations, but does not yet plan to develop such cooperation and initiate the construction of a new technology.
To date, Russian specialists have developed several projects of small submarines with a displacement of no more than 750-870 t. Such developments attract attention, but are not yet being built in the interests of various military fleets. Nevertheless, the observed changes in the strategic situation, as the authors of the new projects believe, can change the military’s views on the need for such equipment. As a result, in the future, promising projects may reach the construction of submarines, which will enrich the composition of domestic or foreign fleets.
On the materials of the sites:
http://tass.ru/
http://malachite-spb.ru/
http://navy.su/
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