Yankee class submarine
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The Yankee class is the general NATO classification for a type of nuclear-powered submarine that was originally constructed by the Soviet Union around 1968. In the USSR, they were produced under Project 667. The 24 of them built at Severodvinsk for the Northern Fleet were known as the Navaga ("cod") class, while the remaining 10 built in Komsomolsk-na-Amur for the Pacific Fleet were the Nalim ("burbot") class. Though K-137 Leninets was the first Navaga to enter service, Soviet (and Russian) ship classes are not named for their "lead ships."
The Yankees were the first class of Soviet subs to have comparable firepower, in terms of ballistic missile batteries, to their American counterparts. Yankee subs were quieter than their Hotel-class predecessors and had smoother lines that made them more efficient in the water. The ships were armed with 16 ballistic missiles during the Cold War, although the START II treaty has meant that most of the ships have been decommissioned. The two that remain have seen their missile complements reduced.
Variants
There were seven different versions of the Yankee subs:
- Yankee I subs were ballistic missile submarines that first saw service in 1968; 34 were built. The subs carried 16 SS-N-6 missiles, had 6 torpedo tubes, and carried 18 Type 53 torpedoes.
- Yankee II subs were ballistic missile submarines that first appeared in 1976; at least one was a converted Yankee I sub. These carried 12 SS-N-17 missiles, had 6 torpedo tubes, and carried 18 Type 53 torpedoes.
- Yankee Notch subs were attack submarines that first appeared in 1983; two to four were converted Yankee I subs. These had 6 launch tubes for up to 20 SS-N-21 missiles and had 6 torpedo tubes for Type 53 torpedoes. The vessels may have also been able to fire Type 65 torpedoes.
- Yankee SSGN subs (also known as Yankee Sidecar) were cruise missile submarines that also first appeared in 1983; one was a converted Yankee I sub. These carried 12 SS-NX-24 missiles and had 6 tubes for Type 53 torpedoes.
- Yankee SSN subs were attack submarines that first appeared in 1984; 16 were converted Yankee I subs. Some were not completely converted, although they cannot carry ballistic missiles, so they were called Yankee SSNX. 6 tubes for Type 53 torpedoes.
- One sub (K-403) has been converted to a trials submarine. This class is known as Yankee Pod.
- One sub (K-411) has been converted to a support ship for special mission submarines. This class is known as Yankee Stretch.
General characteristics
- Length: 128.0 m (420 feet)
- Beam: 11.7 m (38 feet)
- Draught: 9 m (29 feet)
- Displacement: 7,760/11,500 tonnes
- Speed: 28 knots
- Hull: Low magnetic steel
- Crew: 114
- Compartments: 10
- Armament:
- 6 torpedo tubes
- roughly 16 liquid-propellant ballistic missiles
References
- National Geographic: Yankee class (http://www.nationalgeographic.com/k19/sub_detail_sov4.html) accessed March 14, 2004.
- NATO Code Names for Submarines and Ships (http://www.ais.org/~schnars/aero/nato-shp.htm) accessed March 14, 2004.