By TASS Russian news agency
“Since May 12, the submarine has operated in a surfaced state to check running and maneuvering capabilities. The underwater trials are assisted by two tugs of Belomorskaya naval base and the Mikhail Rudnitsky rescue vessel,”
Russian Ministry of Defence
The trial team and the crew check the elimination of previously exposed drawbacks and the operability of all systems and mechanisms.
After the trials, a decision will be made to include the submarine into the Northern fleet and deploy it in the Kola Peninsula.
The Knyaz Vladimir SSBN underwent missile and underwater fire trials in late 2019.
It is the lead SSBN of upgraded project 955A. It differs from project 955 by hull lines, low noise and improved controls.
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About Project 955A
Fourth-generation SSBN of projects 955 and 955A will be the backbone of Russian strategic nuclear naval forces for decades. They carry 16 Bulava R-30 intercontinental solid-fuel ballistic missiles. Their range exceeds 9 thousand km. A salvo from SSBN can destroy dozens of targets. It is impossible to intercept the missiles, as they carry multiple independently-guided reentry vehicles.
The Pacific fleet will receive upgraded submarines of project 955A. They lost characteristic overhangs in the bow to make the hull more streamlined. The profile of mast housing changed. It no longer narrows to the deck.
The Navy command said upgraded SSBN of project 955A will be more maneuverable underwater. They will get upgraded arms controls. The new hull lines will better keep the sub at a depth.
Already three Project 955 submarines are currently in service. The five others expected are 955A. Among them four are currently under construction.
