ST.PETERSBURG. Nov 29 (Interfax-AVN) - The Admiralteiskiye Verfi shipyard started sea trials of the Project 677 (Lada) diesel-electric fourth-generation submarine at a proving range in the Baltic Sea on Tuesday, the shipyard's press service reported.
"The Sankt-Peterburg submarine will go through a set of tests, including maneuverability tests, in the next few months. The submarine will also dive to different depths, and performance of its systems, mechanisms and equipment in extreme conditions will be checked," the report reads. When the test program is complete, the submarine will arrive in Kronshtadt to spend winter there.
After comprehensive tests, the submarine will be handed over to the Russian Navy. Admiralteiskiye Verfi laid down the first mass-produced submarine of this class, the Kronshtadt, for the Russian Navy in July this year.
Previous reports said that the Sankt-Peterburg diesel electric submarine started to be built at Admiralteiskiye Verfi in December 1997. It is the flagship submarine of fourth-generation Project 677 Lada (export variety Amur-1650), designed by the Rubin Naval Materiel Design Bureau.
The sub has a displacement of 1,765 tonnes, a length of 67 m, a width of 7.1 m, an underwater speed of 21 knots, a surface speed of 10 knots, a maximum dive depth of 300 m, and a self-sufficiency period of 45 days. It is operated by a 35-man strong crew.
The sub is armed with six 533-mm torpedo launch tubes with an ammunition allowance of 18 torpedoes, and fitted with a 4,100 kW main screw engine. Its hull has new hydro-acoustic coating, which ensures advanced stealth capabilities.
In order to use weapons efficiently, the submarine is equipped with up-to-date target detection devices, providing target designation for torpedoes and anti-ship cruise missiles, as well as with efficient protection assets in the main physical fields.
The St. Petersburg-based Admiralteiskiye Verfi shipyard specializes in building submarines and surface oil carriers.