Yankee-class (Project 667A/AU)

History of the Yankee Class (Project 667A/AU)

The Soviet Union developed the first modern strategic ballistic missile submarines, known as Projects 667A "Navaga" and 667AU "Nalim," or "Yankees" by NATO. A total of 34 submarines were built from 1964 to 1974, serving from 1967 until after the Soviet Union's collapse in 1995. Thirty-three were decommissioned, and one, K-219, was lost in 1986.

These submarines, part of the Type 667 class, were designed to launch long-range ballistic missiles (SLBMs) at strategic targets. Initially, they carried eight R-21 (SS-N-5) missiles, later replaced by the R-27 (SS-N-6) with a range of 1,350 nautical miles, capable of being launched from underwater.

The Type 667 submarines, known as "Project 667A," were 433 feet long, 38 feet wide, and had a draft of 26 feet. They displaced 7,700 tons surfaced and 9,300 tons submerged. They were powered by two nuclear reactors driving four steam turbines, providing unlimited range and speeds over 13 knots on the surface and 27 knots submerged. The crew consisted of 120 members.

These submarines were considered advanced but noisy, offset by greater diving depth and improved attack capabilities compared to their US counterparts. They housed 16 R-27 SLBMs in vertical launchers and were equipped with four 533 mm (21 in) and two 400 mm (16 in) torpedo tubes for conventional attacks.

Specification

BASICS

Year of Service: 1967

Origins: Soviet Union

Status: Stop service

Class: Yankee class

Class Size: 34

Carrier: Soviet Union

Roles

Underwater Attack: Move subsurface to find, track and/or attack or reconnaissance areas.

Sea Patrol: Active patrolling of critical waterways and sea areas; also serves as a local deterrent against air and maritime threats.

Fleet Support: Provide support (fire or materiel) to major surface fleets in blue water environments.

Dimensions and Weight

Length: 433.0 feet (131.98 m)

Ray: 38. 0 feet (11.58 m)

Draft: 26. 0 feet (7.92 m)

Shift: 7,700 t

No. submerged: 9,300 t

Power and Performance

Installed Power: 2 x water-cooled pressurized nuclear reactors, driving 4 x steam turbines, driving 2 x shafts.

Surface Velocity: 15.0 km/h

Underwater speed: 31.1 km/h

Weapons

Yankee I: 4 x 533 mm (21") torpedo tubes. 2 x 400 mm (16") torpedo tubes. 16 x R-27 (SS-N-6 "Serbe") long-range strategic ballistic missiles (SLBM).

Yankee II: 4 x 533mm (21") torpedo tubes. 2 x 400mm (16") torpedo tubes. 12 x R-31 (SS-N-17 "Sniper") submarine-launched missiles.

Aircraft

None.