Russia’s third submarine of the 885M (Yasen-M) nuclear class submarine project, that has been designed to increase its naval capability will commence naval tests shortly.
According to a report from Russian news agency TASS, the Krasnoyarsk nuke sub, which incidentally was built at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk, has sailed to the White Sea for the first time for sea tests. The foundation for the submarine was laid in 2014.
“On June 26, the Krasnoyarsk submarine left the Sevmash shipyard for the first sea tests of the submarine in the White Sea. The suitability of the ship’s equipment, seaworthiness, and operational characteristics with the designed parameters will be tested at sea,” reported TASS.
Incidentally, the Yasen-M class submarines (project 885M) are an upgraded version of the Yasen nuclear attack submarine, and are capable of detecting enemy ships at much higher speeds than its predecessors. The Krasnoyarsk is equipped with a new energy source and an acoustic protection system that reduces traces of noise and thus increases its invisibility.
The Krasnoyarsk features an optimized hull, improved electronic warfare (EW) and automation systems, and includes two silos for vertical launch systems, as well as a pump propulsion system that allows it to operate silently; it also has newly designed torpedo tubes.
The Yassen-M class submarines are equipped with eight vertical launch systems (VLS) for launching surface-to-air cruise missiles. It is also equipped with torpedo launchers.