|
K123 K316 K373 K377 K432 K463 K493 |
The Alfas were a major step forward for Russian technology, featuring both a
titanium alloy hull and liquid metal reactor. Their speed and overestimated diving
depth caused panic in the West, and led to some expensive and abortive torpedo
developments.
All of the class were withdrawn by the mid-1990s. Officially this was because of safety fears arising from the loss of the Komsomolets. More likely, it was because of the difficulty in maintaining their powerplants. K123, K432 and K493 were built to Project 705K standard, and featued two primary loops, whereas the other boats had three. |
| K278 Komsomolets | Mike was an experimemental submarine with a titanium hull. Many of the details about the boat remain uncertain. Although it seems series production was intended, the loss of K278 prevented this. |
|
K239 Karp K276 Krab |
The Sierras were the second class to enter series prodution with a titanium hull.
Silencing and sensors were improved greatly over previous classes, largely due
to experience with the sole Mike class boat.
A total of 40 submarines were planned, but production was cancelled due to the expense of construction. |
|
K336 Okun K534 Zubatka |
The Sierra IIs were lengthened Sierra Is to increase weapon load. A third unnamed boat, known as Project 945B Mars, was laid down, but scrapped incomplete in 1993. |