The Russian Nuclear Underwater Fleet Day is celebrated on 17 December. On the same day in 1958 the acceptance act for the first Soviet nuclear submarine K-3 designed by Special Design Bureau-143 (today St. Petersburg Marine Engineering Bureau Malachite) was signed. Two months prior to that, on 17 October 1958, the first Soviet SSBN of Project 658 designed by Central Design Bureau-18 (today Rubin Design Bureau) was laid at Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk. Ship's outline was defined by future General Designer of three SSBN generations Sergei Kovalev and future Head of Rubin and General Designer Igor Spassky. From that moment development of nuclear submarines armed with ballistic and cruise missiles has become primary activity for Rubin.

Total 148 nuclear submarines have been constructed to 15 designs developed by Rubin. Two largest series of Soviet underwater missile carriers are among them. These are 34 strategic submarines of Project 677A and 29 submarines of Project 675 with anti-ship cruise missiles. The ability of salvo missile firing with selective destruction of enemy ships within formations for the first time was implemented in the submarine of Project 675.

Project 667A SSBNs of the second generation formed naval nuclear strategic weapons system, a major factor of strategic deterrence. Project 667A allowed to develop several modifications on its basis, including submarines of Project 667BDRM which today are in service with the Russian Navy. Owing to the work of the Design Bureau and all the cooperation of Contractors, noise level of Project 667BDRM was reduced by 30 times as compared to the initial Project 667A.

A variety of the most outstanding nuclear submarines was reinforced in 1983 with Project 685 submarine Komsomolets, which set up world submergence record - 1027 meters, and carried out torpedo firing at a depth of 800 meters remaining out-of-reach for anti-submarine weapons. Another record was set in December 1983 - April 1984 by the lead nuclear submarine of Project 941 Dmitry Donskoy that for the first time continuously operated in submerged condition during 121 days.

Today Rubin is providing support for construction of the fourth generation of underwater missile carriers of Project 955A with performance characteristics significantly superior to those of their predecessors and working towards creation of the fifth generation.

Photos: Oleg Kuleshov & Rubin Design Bureau