The Ship Model Forum

[quote="richter111"]looking at the flag draped nose, I can make out 4, possibly as many as 6 torpedo tubes. The active sonar unit is compromising the lower 1/2 of the bow. I wonder how impressive it really is, with such a small active unit.
Granted, true detection would be in the towed array carried behind the sub, and I am sure few if any photos and/or specs of that unit would be available.

Ric[/quote]

The big sonar dome in the nose of most western submarine actually house a spherical hydrophone array. What's inside the dome is actually a big metal sphere whose surface is honeycombed with holes, each containing a hydrophone. It could be used in conjunction with active sonar, but the shape and size is dictated largely by the need to precisely pinpoint the direction of sound it is passively listening to.

The Sonar on every Soviet and Russian submarine since the 1950s and before 2003 have occupied only the lower 1/2 of the bow. Apparently the Russians never found reason to adopt the western style spherical hydrophone array that occupies the entire nose cone of most western Subs.

looking at the flag draped nose, I can make out 4, possibly as many as 6 torpedo tubes. The active sonar unit is compromising the lower 1/2 of the bow. I wonder how impressive it really is, with such a small active unit.
Granted, true detection would be in the towed array carried behind the sub, and I am sure few if any photos and/or specs of that unit would be available.

Ric

From what I have read the Chinese version of submarine is actually the export version of the Lad Project, therefore, with some technology cuts. Apparently Russians are not willing to share every piece of technology the submarines has in the export version. Wonder why!!!!!!!! :big_grin:

The Chinese appears to have completed one or more very similar looking submarine recently:

[url]http://www.sinodefence.com/navy/sub/yuan.asp[/url]

Could this be a common development project with Lada?

I couldn't help but chuckle when seeing the name - "Lada", at least in this country, doesn't exactly suggest high tech... :wink: :big_grin:

Jorit

Of what I can see from the photo it looks some sort of improved Kilo design with the diving planes on the tower. Looks nice indeed.

At least one unit of the new Russian Project 677 Lada class, St. Petersburg, has apparently been completed.

Photo is at

http://voiska.ru/

A rough Babelfish translation of the text is: "It is aDiesel submarine of &.tsuot;Sankt-Peterburg&.tsuot; project 677 it will become part of fleet prior to the end of 2007, ITAR- TASS reports. The head unit of new project at present undergoes tests in Baltic region. The increased reticence and cruising range differs from the submarines of its previous generation. Boat is intended for the destruction of underwater, surface and coast targets with the aid of the torpedoes and the cruise missiles. The submarines of project 677 are constructed by enterprise &.tsuot;Admiralteyskiye of verfi&.tsuot;. At present on different stages of building are located three PL of this type. Up to 2015, according to different information, the fleet will be obtained from 4 to 6 boats of this type. The displacement of new boat composes 1765 tons, submerged speeds - 21 knots, armament - six torpedo pipes by the caliber of 533 millimeters."

The boat should be quieter & have greater underwater cruising range than the preceding Kilo class.