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Data History & Modifications Pictures |
The Hotels were the first SSBNs, and were based on the Golf design. All mounted 3
SS-N-4 missiles in an enlarged fin. Originally, all 8 Hotels were of the same class.
Between 1963 and 1967, the five of the six boats of the Northern fleet were refitted with new missiles and redesignated Hotel II. A single boat was modified further with six missile tubes, and is known as Hotel III. |
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Data History & Modifications Pictures |
The missiles carried by the Yankees did not have enough range to be fired from Russian
controlled waters. With the increasing attention given by NATO to antisubmarine warfare,
the Deltas were built to carry the new 4200NM range SS-N-8.
The Delta Is can be distinguised from the Delta II/III/IV by the stepped rear casing. |
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Data History & Modifications Pictures |
The Delta Is could only carry 12 missiles, the same number as the Yankees. So the design was lengthened by some 15m, to enable 4 more tubes to be carried. The Delta IIs also introduced the angled casing aft. |
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Data History & Modifications Pictures |
The Typhoons are the largest submarines yet built. They were intended to operate
in Russian controlled waters, so speed was less important, but weapon load was more
so.
The sheer size of the boats caused much speculation in the West. It was suggested that a new 'magnetic' propulsion system was fitted, requiring dedicated reactors. It seems more likely that the boats are divided into several seperate pressure hulls, and the large size is simply for survivability. |
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Data History & Modifications Pictures |
The Delta IVs are lengthened Delta IIIs, carrying a new SLBM. They were intended as a backup system in case the Typhoon project was a failure. As the Typhoons are being disposed of, the Delta IVs are now the backbone of the Russian SSBN force. |