According to information published by Tass on June 17, 2021, the Project 971 "Shchuka-B" (Akula-class) nuclear-powered underwater cruiser Gepard successfully struck a notional enemy’s submarine with an anti-submarine missile during the Northern Fleet’s drills in the Barents Sea, the Fleet’s press office reported.
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Project 971 or Akula-class submarine Gepard from the Russian Navy (Picture source: Pinterest account of Picamlse)
Before the firings, the crew of the submarine Gepard practiced hunting and tracking a hypothetical enemy’s sub, the statement says.
The area of the drills was closed off for shipping in advance for security reasons, the press office said.
Project 971 "Shchuka-B" third-generation multirole nuclear-powered subs are distinguished by their enhanced quietness that makes them actually invulnerable. The Northern Fleet’s division of submarines with animal names operates the Project 971 underwater cruisers Pantera (Panther), Vepr (Wild Boar) and Gepard (Cheetah). One submarine of this Project is operational in the Russian Pacific Fleet.
The K-335 Gepard is the 14th submarine of the class and the only completed Akula III (see the table below) built for the Russian Navy.
The Project 971 nuclear-powered submarines equipped with missiles and torpedoes belong to the third generation of submarines and are designed to destroy surface, underwater and ground targets using 533- and 650-mm torpedoes and cruise missiles. The submarine can use the 65-76-type torpedoes, anti-submarine missile systems, and Granat cruise missiles (SS-N-21 Sampson). The boat is fitted with a large amount of equipment, including the MGK-540 Skat-3 sonar system. The submarine features an increased level of acoustic stealth, typical of the third-generation boats. By this indicator, the Project 971 submarine is very close to U.S. Navy’s Los Angeles class boats.
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