[ Main ] [ Russian Navy ] [ SSN ]

K278 Komsomolets (Mike Class)


Click for full picture Click for full picture


Laid down 22nd April 1978
Launched 3rd June 1983
Completed N/A
Commissioned 20th October 1983
Fate Sank:
7th April 1989
Builders Sevmashpredpriatie, Severodvinsk
Russia
Complement 57
Maximum depth 3280' maximum depth
4100' crush depth
Dimensions
Displacement 5750 tons surfaced
7810 tons dived
Dimensions 385' 5" x 35' 1" x 26' 2"
117.50m x 10.70m x 8.00m
Armament
Torpedo tubes 6 x 21" bow
16 torpedos
Torpedoes RK-55
SAET-50M
Guns None
Other weapons SLCM:
1 x RPK20 / SS-N-15 Starfish per torpedo space
Countermeasures N/A
Electronics Fit
Radar Chibis surface search
Sonar MGK-400 active
MG-24 mine avoidance
ECM Bukhta ESM
Other Molniya communications
Sintez satellite communications
Myedvyeditsa-685 navigation
Machinery
Engines 1 x OK-650B-5 pressurized water reactor
1 x OK-7 steam turbine
2 x creep motors
2 x turbogenerators
1 x diesel generator
Battery type 112 cells
Power output 190MW reactor
45000shp steam turbine
600KW creep motors
4000KW turbogenerators
500KW diesel
Speed 14kts surfaced
30.6kts dived
Shafts 1
Range & Endurance N/A
Fuel N/A

K278 was commissioned in the Pacific Fleet.

On 7th April 1989, she was returning to base submerged when a fire started in an aft compartment. The fire caused electrical circuits to short, and the reactor to shut down. Leaks in the high pressure air system were also caused by the fire, which helped it spread. The submarine began to lose buoyancy, and the order was given to surface and abandon ship.

The survivors were rescued by the Aleksandr Khlobystsov, but 42 of the crew died, including the commander. The submarine sank in some 5200' of water about 110NM southwest of Medvyezhiy Island.