Key Points and Summary: The Russian Navy has commissioned the first of its new, modernized Lada-class conventional submarines, the “Kronstadt.”
-While the Lada name is known for cheap cars, this submarine is a technologically advanced platform featuring a new single-hull design, advanced anechoic (stealth) coatings for quiet operation, and the ability to fire Kalibr cruise missiles.
-Most significantly, the Lada-class is being designed to carry and launch both aerial reconnaissance drones and underwater autonomous vehicles from its torpedo tubes, adding a new and versatile capability to Russia’s non-nuclear submarine fleet.
Russia’s New Single Hull Lada-Class Submarine
The Russian Navy commissioned its first Lada-class submarine in February 2024 in St. Petersburg. The submarine has recently undergone a redesign to produce a brand-new, modernized variant, the B-586 “Kronstadt.”
The new Lada-class is a conventional multipurpose class of submarines built by the Admiralty Shipyards, according to a plan for a modified Project 677 Lada-class.
Kronstadt is the first unit produced after the prototype B-585 St. Petersburg. Following its launch, Kronstadt was assigned to the 161st Submarine Brigade of the Kolsk Flotilla based in Polyarnyy as a part of the Northern Fleet.
Rubin Central Design Bureau
Project 677 Lada was developed by the Rubin Central Design Bureau of Maritime Technology in St. Petersburg, one of the oldest and most well-known Russian submarine design centers.
Rubin is not only Russia’s leading developer of strategic nuclear submarines, such as Project 955 Borei, but also non-nuclear multipurpose submarines, like Project 636 Varshavyanka, also known in NATO as the “Improved Kilo class of submarines in addition to Project 677 Lada.
The Lada Submarine, Not The Car
When one hears the name Lada, it usually conjures up a vision of a cheaply made car of the same name, but the submarines are quite different.
Igor Vilnit, the general director of the Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering (Rubin), the submarine’s developer, said, “We have created a whole series of new equipment, more than 130 units, which were created on new principles, which made it possible to make this boat more advanced and more combat-ready.”
The Lada design used a single-hull design for the first time, a pressure hull made of the new AB-2 strength steel, a new Molniya hull anechoic covering.
Features Of the Lada-Class Submarine
Specialized material, such as rubber or synthetic polymers, containing thousands of tiny voids, make up the anechoic tiles and coverings.
These materials are attached to the outer hull of the submarine and function in two primary ways to enhance stealth.
They absorb the sound waves produced by active sonar systems, reducing the strength of the reflected signal and making it harder for the sonar to detect the submarine.
The anechoic covering helps to dampen the sounds generated within the submarine, such as those from the engines, reducing the range at which passive sonar systems can detect it.
The skewed seven-bladed propeller pushes the submarine along at a surface speed of 10 knots and submerged at 21 knots. The submerged cruising range using economic speed is 500 nautical miles at 3 knots. The maximum diving depth is 250 to 300 meters, with an endurance of 45 days with a crew of 34.
Other new features include a new SED-1 synchronous electric motor with permanent magnetic excitation, the Lira sonar system (the first time a Russian bow sonar had a conformal antenna), the Litiy automated combat management system, the Parus-98 optronic mast, the Distantsiya integrated communications system, and others.
The Kronstadt is about 200 feet long and has a displacement of 2,700 tons when submerged. Its armament includes Kalibr land attack cruise missiles—used extensively in Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine—launched from the six 21-inch torpedo tubes. These can also be loaded with torpedoes or mines.
The Russian Ministry of Defense says the submarine has a diving depth of more than 300 meters (984 feet) and the ability to operate submerged for relatively long periods without needing to surface to recharge its batteries.
Other notable features include extensive automation, resulting in a crew of just 35 people.
The Lada-Class Will Carry Drones
The Russians announced that the Lada-class will carry both maritime and aerial drones.
The submarines will be modified to launch aerial drones for use on reconnaissance missions, as well as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) that can be employed for mine detection or hunting for other submarines.
The drones, whether airborne or underwater, would be launched from the submarine’s torpedo tubes.
According to other reports, they would be fired from the tubes either as standalone vehicles or housed within specialized launch containers.
About the Author: Steve Balestrieri
Steve Balestrieri is a National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing on defense, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
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