[FPSPACE] Soviet DSRVs for Nuclear Missile Subs

[Dwayne Allen Day]

On Mon, 14 Aug 2000, Chuck Donaldson wrote:

> Don't the Russians have DSRV Rescue subs for Oscar II class submarines.

Yes.  Also, the American DSRV might also be compatible (they apparently
have generic docking collars and it makes perfect sense for the US Navy to
develop one for Soviet-era submarines Just In Case...)


> Wasn't a Russian ship used in the filming of the Titanic that had one or two
> deep sea search vessels?  Now I know they can't pick up people, but they
> could be used to take lines down to the sub.

Yes.  The Russians actually are very advanced in this area, with a number
of deep-diving minisubs developed for civilian use.  The US neglected the
field for a time and then switched to robots.  The US Navy does have some
capabilities that it does not let anybody know about.  But the naval
community has a lot of respect for Russian technology in this field.


>  I know this is slightly off topic, but this thing carries Chelomey ICBMs.

Nope.  Wrong boat.  The Kursk was launched in 1994.  It is the only
nuclear post-Soviet boat.  It is an Oscar II class guided missile sub,
intended to attack US aircraft carriers.

Supposedly the crew is using oxygen cannisters to generate air.  These are
the same type as used on Mir.


>     [Note: "The Soviets have had considerable problems in operating their
> submarines. Since 1975, they have had over 200 submarine accidents, some of
> which have resulted in lost submarines, serious damage, and fatalities.
> Reactor shielding in soviet submarines was initially very poor, and while
> there have been improvements, shielding is not believed to be up to Western
> standards." "Nuclear Weapons Databook" Volume IV Soviet Nuclear Weapons
> Thomas B. Cochran, William M Arkin, Robert S. Norris, Jeffrey I. Sands.]

That's a very dated source.  There are better ones.  Try a web search
looking up the term "bellona" (possibly www.bellona.org).  That is a
Scandinavian environmental group that did a lot of research on
Soviet/Russian nuclear sub issues, both accidents and environmental
degradation.  There should be a link through the Greenpeace site.

Initial reports are that the Kursk collided with something, possibly an
"underwater object."  If true, the most likely culprit is a US Navy
submarine.



DDAY