According to information from the Russian press agency TASS, the Knyaz Oleg Project 955A Borei-A class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (NATO reporting name: Dolgorukiy-class) of the Russian Navy has returned to the base after its first sea trials, a source in the Russian defense industry told TASS.
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Knyaz Oleg Project 955A Borei-A class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine during sea trials. (Picture source Twitter account WarshipCam)
“The Knyaz Oleg has returned to the Sevmash Shipyard after its first sea trials that started on May 30,” the source said. The Sevmash Shipyard’s press office refused to comment on the information provided by the source. According to initial plans, the first serial Project 955A submarine Knyaz Oleg was expected to join the Navy on the Russian Navy Day that will be celebrated on July 25 this year.
According to the TASS source, this will not happen on that day as the submarine tests program envisages a launch of a Bulava (SS-NX-32) intercontinental ballistic missile from the underwater position in the Barents Sea against a target at the Kura range in Kamchatka in the Far East.
As of today, the Navy operates four Project 955 and 955A submarines. Apart from the Knyaz Oleg, another three Project 955A submarines are at various stages of their construction at the Sevmash Shipyard. Earlier, Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov said in an interview with the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper that the Navy would receive the Knyaz Oleg submarine by the end of 2021.
The Knyaz Oleg is a Borei-class (Project 955A) nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine developed by the Rubin Design Bureau and constructed by the Sevmash for the Russian Navy. She was officially launched from its shipyard on 16 July 2020. On June 1, 2021, Navy Recognition has reported the first sea trials for the Knyaz Oleg SSBN submarine.
The Borei class, Russian designation Project 955 Borei and Project 955A Borei-A are series of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines being constructed by Sevmash for the Russian Navy. The Borei submarine is approximately 170 meters (560 ft) long, 13 meters (43 ft) in diameter, and has a maximum submerged speed of at least 46 kilometers per hour (25 knots).
Borei-A submarine is equipped with improved communication and detection systems, improved acoustic signature and has major structural changes such as the addition of all moving rudders and vertical endplates to the hydroplanes for higher maneuverability, and a different sail geometry. This submarine is also equipped with hydraulic jets and improved screws that allow them to sail at nearly 30 knots while submerged with minimal noise. According to a Russian report, the Borei-A is able to carry 20 Bulava SLBM and is armed with 16 SLBMs with 6-10 nuclear warheads atop each, just like the Borei submarines.
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