The Russian Navy's Project 677 Лада (Lada

Lada and Lado

Lada or Lado is the names of a putative Slavic pagan deity of harmony, merriment, youth, love and beauty .The word 'Lado' does indeed appear in many Slavic and Baltic wedding and folk songs, particularly those sung during Ivan Kupala and other summer festivals. Its meaning, if indeed it has any, is...

) is a submarine

Submarine

A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...

 class designed by the Russia

Russia

Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...

n Rubin Design Bureau

Rubin Design Bureau

Rubin Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering in Saint Petersburg is one of the main Russian centers of submarine design, having designed more than two-thirds of all nuclear submarines in the Russian Navy...

. The class is also referred to as the Petersburg (or Sankt Peterburg or Peterburg) class, after the lead ship. A program to develop a "fourth generation" diesel-electric submarine, it produced a highly improved version of the Project 636 Kilo class

Kilo class submarine

The Kilo class is the NATO reporting name for a naval diesel-electric submarine that is made in Russia. The original version of the vessels were designated Project 877 Paltus in Russia. There is also a more advanced version, designated as Improved Kilo in the west, and Project 636 Varshavyanka in...

 with much quieter, new combat systems, and possibly air-independent propulsion

Air-independent propulsion

Air-independent propulsion is a term that encompasses technologies which allow a submarine to operate without the need to surface or use a snorkel to access atmospheric oxygen. The term usually excludes the use of nuclear power, and describes augmenting or replacing the diesel-electric propulsion...

.

Project 677 Lada submarines are series of Russian diesel electric subs developed in the late 1990s. The project general designer is Yury Kormilitsyn. Unique feature of the project is combination of small size and low noise with powerful torpedo and missile armament; use of hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells generating electricity.

The subs are designed for antisubmarine and antisurface warfare, defense of naval bases, seashore and sea lanes, as well as for conducting reconnaissance.

Mono-hull design was used during the sub's construction for the first time since 40s.

In comparison to double-hulled Kilo-class, surface displacement has been reduced by 25 percent – from 2,300 down to 1,765 tonnes. Full submerged speed has been increased from 19 up to 21 knots. Crew complement has been decreased from 52 to 34; endurance has been increased up to 45 days. Lada-type subs are marketed as being comparatively less expensive compared to foreign projects, like the German-Italian Type 212 and Franco-Spanish Scorpene.

The sub is equipped with Litiy combat control automated system.

First vessel, the Sankt Peterburg, was launched in October 2004 and began initial sea trials in November 2005. After undergoing extensive testing it was transferred to Russian Navy in April 2010.

Another two vessels are under construction at the Admiralty Shipyard with plans to launch four to six submarines by 2015. The Russian Navy set a requirement for total Lada-class force of eight submarines.

Several smaller variants — like the Project 1650 Амур class

Amur class submarine

The Amur class submarine, designated as the project 950 Амур, , is one of the latest Russian submarine class which are advertised as the export version of the Lada class, a highly improved version of the with much better quieting, new combat systems, and an option for air-independent...

 (named for the Amur river) — have been designed for export

Export

The term export is derived from the conceptual meaning as to ship the goods and services out of the port of a country. The seller of such goods and services is referred to as an "exporter" who is based in the country of export whereas the overseas based buyer is referred to as an "importer"...

.

Vessels

• Sankt Peterburg (B-585)

Laid down on December 26, 1997, Launched October 28, 2004. Delivered to Russian Navy on 24 April 2010 and commissioned on 8 May 2010 http://www.rian.ru/defense_safety/20100508/232060077.html; assigned to Baltic fleet. Other sources claim the boat has not entered service yet.

• Kronshtadt (B-586)

Laid down on July 28, 2005 at the Admiralty Shipyard

Admiralty Shipyard

The Admiralty Shipyard is one of the oldest and largest shipyards in Russia, located in Saint Petersburg. The shipyard's building ways can accommodate ships of up to , 250 meters in length and 35 meters in width...

s, will be assigned to Baltic fleet. Construction suspended.

• Sevastopol (B-587)

Laid down on 10 November 2006 at the Admiralty Shipyard

Admiralty Shipyard

The Admiralty Shipyard is one of the oldest and largest shipyards in Russia, located in Saint Petersburg. The shipyard's building ways can accommodate ships of up to , 250 meters in length and 35 meters in width...

s, will be assigned to Black Sea fleet. Construction suspended.

External links

• http://www.ckb-rubin.ru
• Project-677 class submarine set for final sea trials
• http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/677.htm
• http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/row/rus/677.htm
• Завершаются ходовые испытания подводной лодки "Санкт-Петербург" 24 января 2007 Russian version of he above translation
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAWXjenykgg