PROJECT 76 - AMUR SSK
Special thanks to the Rubin Design Bureau for the following information
Vessel Type: Submarine, Amur 1650 or Amur 950.
Structure: Not Known.
Displacement:
Submerged;
1750 tons - Amur 1650.
...................Submerged; 1150 tons - Amur 950.
Dimensions:
Length - 66.8 meters
- Amur 1650.
.................Beam - 7.1 meters - Amur 1650.
.................Length - 58.8 meters - Amur 950.
.................Beam - 5.65 meters - Amur 950.
Diving Depth: 300 meters (approximately 984 feet) for both Amur 1650 or Amur 950.
Main Machinery: Features anaerobic power plants of an unspecified design.
Maximum Speed:
Submerged; 21 knots - Amur 1650.
.......................Submerged; 20 knots - Amur 950.
Maximum Range:
Submerged;
650 miles at economical cruising speed of 3 - 4 knots (Amur 1650).
.......................Snorkel Mode;
6000 miles at speed of 7 knots (Amur 1650).
.......................Submerged;
600 miles at economical cruising speed of 3 - 4 knots (Amur 950).
.......................Snorkel Mode;
3000 miles at speed of 7 knots (Amur 950).
Maximum
Endurance:
45 days (Amur 1650)
.............................30 days
(Amur 950)
Complement:
35 personnel - Amur 1650.
..................18 personnel - Amur 950.
Sonar: An integrated reel-able towed array sonar system and thermal cameras are planned to be fitted. The sonar may be the MGK-400EM, fitted on the Type 636 Kilo Class boats, or an improved version. The current MGK-400EM sonar can detect a low noise submarine at 20 km.
Weapons Control: Not Known.
Weapons: The Amur 1650 will feature six 533mm torpedo tubes, while the Amur 950 will feature four 533mm torpedo tubes. The Amur 950 will also have 10 vertical missile launchers fitted with the Klub family of missiles (the 3M-54E1 ASCM or the 3M-14E LACM). The Amur 1650 can carry a maximum of 18 torpedoes or missiles, while the Amur 950 can carry a maximum of 16 torpedoes or missiles. The torpedo tubes can discharge its package within 15 seconds, with a two minute reload. A variety of torpedoes and mines can be carried.
Countermeasures: Fitted with sonar decoys which are used to misguide incoming torpedoes.
Comments: The Amur Class submarine is the export version of Project 677 Class submarine. Described as the successor to the Kilo Class, the boat will incorporate anechoic tile coatings and a quiet seven-bladed skewed propeller. Somewhat smaller than its predecessor, it will be more capable with the the sonar signature level being several times less in comparison with the Kilo Class submarine. The boat will feature a new integrated combat system of Russian design unless otherwise specified. The principle feature of the submarine is the ability of striking salvo missile blows at different targets. The boat can be fitted with an AIP (Air Independent Propulsion) module, on the basis of fuel cells, thus permitting to increase considerably the submerged endurance and cruise range. The module, which can be incorporated into the submarine during construction or in the course of a mid-life refit, is 10 to 12 meters long and has a reported endurance of 15 days. PEM (Polymer Electrolyte Membrane) fuel cells from Siemens of Germany could also be installed aboard these boats as an alternative to the AIP module and will likely offer superior performance.
With the purchase of the Scorpene SSK by the Indian Navy in October 2005, taking up the first production line under the Project 75 program, it has been suggested that the Amur SSK could be second under the aegis of the Project 76 program. The Indian Navy has reportedly planned for six to eight Amur Class boats as part of its 30-year sub-building program. With a confirmed order of six Scorpene SSKs plus a projected 6 - 8 Amur SSKs, the remaining 12 to 10 boats are planned to be based on an indigenous design and will marry the best of what the Scorpene and Amur SSKs have to offer. It was reported in 2005, that Fincantieri of Italy had entered into a partnership with Russia's Rubin Naval Design Bureau to design a new diesel-electric submarine - called the S1000 - which is based on the Amur SSK and features AIP (Air Independent Propulsion) technology. Both Fincantieri and Rubin gave a joint presentation to the Indian Navy, sometime in 2005 or 2006, to build six S1000 boats at an estimated value of USD $3.5 billion. It was reported in The Tribune on 25 January 2007, that the Ministry of Defence was hopeful of an agreement to build Amur Class boats during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit. However nothing constructive came of the visit and acquisition of the Amur SSK still remains up in the air.