November (class) / (Project 627)

History

Like the US Navy and other major submarine powers during the Cold War (1947-1991), the Soviet Navy finally transformed its underwater power with its first nuclear-powered attack submarine, the November class (Type 627). The class was built from 1957 to 1963 and included a total of 13 ships.

The group was eventually replaced by an upgraded 1967 nuclear-powered Victor class (48 completed), detailed elsewhere on this site.

The ships in November are scheduled to displace between 3,065 and 3,415 tons when they surface and between 4,000 and 4,750 tons underwater. The total length is 109 meters, the width is 8.3 meters, and the draft is as high as 5.6-6. 4 meters.

The differences between the vessels are mainly due to minor modifications that occurred between the Project 627 and Project 627A/Project 645 vessels.

Power comes from 2 water-cooled nuclear reactor units, which also include steam generators, turbine gear assemblies (35,000 hp total output), turbo generators, a pair of diesel generators, and 2 auxiliary electric motors (each rated at 450 hp) ). All this drives power to 2 axles mounted aft. Surface speeds reached 14.5 to 15.5 knots and underwater speeds reached nearly 30 knots.

The double-hull design has been tested to a depth of 340 meters.

With a crew of about 105 on board, the ship's range is essentially unlimited due to its suitability for nuclear reactors. In fact, the ship can stay at sea for up to 60 days, as crew fatigue and food availability are a factor to consider and a limiting factor.

The ship carries MG-200 Arktika-M series sonars to locate and track targets and weapons, centred on 8 x 533mm torpedo tubes, all mounted in the bow, carrying 20 torpedo loads.

Design work on the class began as early as 1952, although several large diesel-electric attack platforms were still in service with the Soviet Navy. Work on a new group of combat boats continued for the better part of a decade before the sophistication of its design could be released for construction and post-service. The ships were originally intended as infiltration raiders, designed to engage U.S. submarines while they were still moored and destroy enemy forces before they began to move. However, this soon changed after completing the course as a traditional ship hunter.

This shift has resulted in small changes to focus on abilities (decrease) and weapons (increase).

In profile, the November boats have a distinctive profile with their rounded prow (curved at the keel), ribbed stern and forward sailing. The tail of the sail is tapered, and various communication equipment and sensors are installed on it.

Both torpedo ports are located at the very end of the bow and are installed in groups of four. The rudder is placed as usual at the stern, and the twin propeller unit spans the stern.

The K-3 was the first ship of its class, launched on July 4, 1958. In September 1967, it suffered a fatal fire while on patrol, killing 39 crew members before the ship could return home. Nonetheless, the ship had a good career in the late 1980s. Modified item 627A was formed from base item 627, including K-3, K-5, K-8, K-14, K-52, K21, K-11, K-133, K-181, K-. 115, K-159, K-42 and K-50.

Changes include the addition of a hydrophone antenna near the torpedo port and a bow-mounted sonar dome. The K-27 was formed under Project 645, an entry that relied on paired VT-1 series nuclear reactors (liquid metal cooled).

The design features a slightly revised hull, revised internal layout and fast-loading mechanism for torpedo tubes.

All classes except K-8 survived. Launched in May 1959 and commissioned in December of that year, the K-8 sank on return voyage in the Bay of Biscay on December 4, 1970. The cause was blamed on the ship's electrical system, which ended the voyage with a fire on board.

Seventy-three crew members were rescued, fifty-two were killed in the chaos, and the nuclear-powered ship was totally lostthe first disaster of its kind for the Soviet Navy.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Wing