Overview
The Delta-I Class Submarine was a large Soviet Ballistic missile Submarine designed to attack targets in the United States of America without needing to pass the SOSUS sensors to fire it's missiles. The construction of this new class of submarine was authorised in 1965, and the first Delta-I, K-279, was commissioned into the Soviet Northern Fleet on the 22nd of December, 1972. A total of 18 submarines of this class were built, and all served Soviet Navy, under the designation Murena.
As of 1991, nine Delta-I Submarines were still in active service. Decommisioning began in 1994, and by 1997 the Ballistic Missile Launch Tubes were supposed to be filled with concrete pending removal of the missile launch compartments. All submarines of this class were taken out of service by 1998.
General characteristics
- Displacement:
- 9,000 m³ surfaced
- 11,000 m³ submerged
- Operating Depth:
- 390 m test depth
- 450 m never-exceed depth
- Propulsion:
- 2 Pressurised Water Nuclear Reactors
- 2 steam turbines generating 52,000 hp each
- 2 propellers
139 m
- Beam:
12 m
9 m
- Armament:
- D-9 Missile Launch System with 12 SS-N-18 'Stingray' Submarine-launched ballistic missiles
- 4 x 533 mm Torpedo Tubes
- assorted small arms for security. (Locked away when away from port)
- Crew:
120 total
- Commissioned: 1972
External links
Federation of American Scientists Haze Gray & Underway: World Navies Today