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{| class="wikitable" align="right" width="300px" style="margin-left: 4px; margin-top: 0px;"
[[Image:Damaged Yankee class submarine 2.JPG|right|thumb|300px|[[soviet submarine K-219|K-219]], a damaged Yankee class submarine.]]
|-
The '''''Yankee'' class''' is the general [[NATO]] classification for a type of nuclear-powered [[submarine]] that was originally constructed by the [[Soviet Union]] around [[1968]]. In the USSR, they were produced under '''Project 667'''. The 24 of them built at [[Severodvinsk]] for the Northern Fleet were known as the ''[[Navaga]]'' class, while the remaining 10 built in [[Komsomolsk-na-Amur]] for the Pacific Fleet were the ''Nalim'' ("[[burbot]]") class. Though [[Soviet submarine K-137|K-137 ''Leninets'']] was the first ''Navaga'' to enter service, Soviet (and Russian) ship classes are not named for their "[[lead ship]]s."
! colspan="2" style="color: white; background: navy;" | ''Yankee'' class submarines <br>[[image:Damaged Yankee class submarine 2.JPG|300px|]] <br>Class Overview
|-
| Class Type || [[Supercarrier|Ballistic missile submarine, nuclear-powered]]
|-
| Class Name || NATO reporting code. Russian class names: ''Navaga''/''Nalim''.
|-
| Preceded By || [[Hotel_class_submarine|''Hotel''-class SSBNs]]
|-
| Succeeded By || [[Delta_class_submarine|''Delta I''-class SSBNs]]
|-
! colspan="2" | Ships of the Class
|-
| colspan="2" | ''K-137 Leninets'' <br>''K-140'' <br>''K-26'' <br>''K-32'' <br>''K-216'' <br>''K-207'' <br>''K-210'' <br>''K-249'' <br>''K-253'' <br>''K-395'' <br>''K-408'' <br>''K-411'' <br>''K-418'' <br>''K-420'' <br>''K-423'' <br>''K-426'' <br>''K-415'' <br>''K-403'' <br>''K-205'' <br>''K-245'' <br>''K-219'' <br>''K-228'' <br>''K-241'' <br>''K-444'' <br>''K-399'' <br>''K-434'' <br>''K-236'' <br>''K-389'' <br>''K-252'' <br>''K-258'' <br>''K-446'' <br>''K-451'' <br>''K-436'' <br>''K-430''|}



The Yankees were the first class of Soviet subs to have comparable firepower, in terms of [[ballistic missile]] batteries, to their [[United States|American]] counterparts. ''Yankee'' subs were quieter than their [[Hotel class|''Hotel''-class]] predecessors and had smoother lines that made them more efficient in the water. The ships were armed with 16 ballistic missiles during the [[Cold War]], and served in the Soviet front lines: in the [[1970s]] up to three ''Yankee''s were continually stationed in a "patrol box" east of [[Bermuda]][http://www.theroyalgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051230/MIDOCEAN/112300121]. Now, the [[START II]] treaty has meant that most of the ships have been decommissioned. The two that remain have seen their missile complements reduced.
The '''''Yankee'' class''' is the general [[NATO]] classification for a type of nuclear-powered [[submarine]] that was originally constructed by the [[Soviet Union]] from [[1968]] onward. In the USSR, they were produced under '''Project 667'''. The 24 built at [[Severodvinsk]] for the Northern Fleet were known as the ''Navaga'' (after the [[navaga]] fish) class, while the remaining 10 built in [[Komsomolsk|Komsomolsk-na-Amur]] for the Pacific Fleet were the ''Nalim'' ("[[burbot]]") class. Though [[Soviet submarine K-137|K-137 ''Leninets'']] was the first ''Navaga'' to enter service, Soviet (and Russian) ship classes are not named for their "[[lead ship]]s."

The Yankees were the first class of Soviet subs to have comparable [[ballistic missile]] firepower to their [[United States|American]] counterparts. ''Yankee'' subs were quieter than their [[Hotel class|''Hotel''-class]] predecessors (but still louder than NATO submarines) and had smoother lines that improved their submerged performance. The ships were armed with 16 ballistic missiles during the [[Cold War]], and served in the Soviet front lines: in the [[1970s]] up to three ''Yankee''s were continually stationed in a "patrol box" east of [[Bermuda]][http://www.theroyalgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051230/MIDOCEAN/112300121]. Their forward deployment was seen as a balance against the presence of American and NATO nuclear weapons in Western Europe. As a result of the [[SALT I]] and [[START II|START I/II]] treaties, most of the ships have been decommissioned and/or disarmed.


==Variants==
==Variants==


There were seven different versions of the ''Yankee'' subs:
There were seven different versions of the ''Yankee'' subs (most of which are no longer are service):
*'''''marcy''''' subs were [[ballistic missile submarine]]s that first saw service in 1968; 34 were built. The subs carried 16 [[SS-N-6]] missiles, had 6 torpedo tubes, and carried 18 [[Type 53 torpedo]]es.
*'''''Yankee I (Project 667A):''''' The baseline configuration, these were [[ballistic missile submarine]]s that first saw service in 1968; 34 were built. The subs carried 16 [[SS-N-6]] missiles, had 6 torpedo tubes, and carried 18 [[Type 53 torpedo]]es. They were the first Soviet SSBNs to carry their ballistic missiles within the hull (as opposed to the sail).
*'''''Yankee II (Project 667AM/''Navaga M''-class):''''' A single-ship class, this was a ''Yankee I'' submarine (''K-140'') converted to carry 12 [[SS-N-17]] missiles, which was the Red Fleet's first [[Solid-fuel_rocket|solid-fuelled]] SLBM. The existence of this individual prototype led to several theories about the ''Yankee II'' having a unique role in the Soviet arsenal that justified maintaining a single ship with such a unique weapon. One theory suggested that it was designed to perform an emergency satellite-launching function. Subsequently, it was proposed that the SS-N-17 may have had a retargeting capability to allow strikes on aircraft carrier battle groups.
*'''''Yankee II''''' subs were ballistic missile submarines that first appeared in [[1976]]; at least one was a converted ''Yankee I'' sub. These carried 12 [[SS-N-17]] missiles, had 6 torpedo tubes, and carried 18 [[Type 53 torpedo]]es.
*'''''Yankee Notch (Project 667AT/''Grosha''-class):''''' This conversion subs were [[attack submarine]]s that first appeared in [[1983]]; six ''Yankee I'' boats were rebuilt to this configuration. They incorporated a "notch waisted" center section, which replaced the old ballistic missile compartment, that featured 8 21-inch (533mm) torpedo tubes for up to 40 [[SS-N-21]] missiles or additional torpedoes. The forward torpedo tubes were retained as well, with some reports suggesting that the vessels may have also been able to fire 26.5-inch (650mm) [[Type 65 torpedo]]es. The emphasis on additional SS-N-21 missile carriage suggested a tactical role for these submarines, or as second-strike nuclear submarines. Their configuration was a combination of [[Strategic_Arms_Limitation_Talks|SALT]] treaty limitations (which affected SLBMs but not cruise missiles) and a typical Soviet unwillingness to completely discard any military hardware that might still have some use. The conversion increased the overall length by 39.4 feet (12m) to 464.2 feet (141.5m), with a displacement of up to 11,500 tons submerged. While classed as SSNs (attack subs), these boats might also be considered [[cruise missile submarine|SSGN]]s by virtue of their heavy missile armament.
*'''''Yankee Notch''''' subs were [[attack submarine]]s that first appeared in [[1983]]; two to four were converted ''Yankee I'' subs. These had 6 launch tubes for up to 20 [[SS-N-21]] missiles and had 6 torpedo tubes for Type 53 torpedoes. The vessels may have also been able to fire [[Type 65 torpedo]]es.
*'''''Yankee Sidecar (Project 667AM/''Andromeda''-class)''''' Also known as ''Yankee SSGN'', this was another single-ship (in this case ''K-420'') class, converted into a [[cruise missile submarine]]. It appeared in 1983, carrying 12 [[SS-NX-24]] nuclear-tipped cruise missiles instead of the original ballistic missiles. The SS-NX-24 was an experimental cruise missile, with a supersonic flight regime and twin nuclear warheads. It was meant as a tri-service strategic weapon, and thus would have filled a rather different role than the tactically-oriented [[Oscar_class_submarine|Oscar-class]] SSGNs of the same era. In the end, the missile was not adopted, and the ''K-420'' became a weapon system without a weapon. It was fully 13,650 tons displacement (dived), and was even longer than the Yankee Notch to accomodate the massive cruise missiles; it was 501.8 feet (153m) in overall length, according to Jane's.
*'''''Yankee SSGN''''' subs (also known as '''''Yankee Sidecar''''') were [[cruise missile submarine]]s that also first appeared in 1983; one was a converted ''Yankee I'' sub. These carried 12 [[SS-NX-24]] missiles and had 6 tubes for Type 53 torpedoes.
*'''''Yankee SSN''''' subs were attack submarines that first appeared in [[1984]]; 16 were converted ''Yankee I'' subs. Some were not completely converted, although they cannot carry ballistic missiles, so they were called '''''Yankee SSNX'''''. 6 tubes for Type 53 torpedoes.
*'''''Yankee SSN''''' 16 of this type were converted from the basic ''Yankee I'' specification. Some were not completely converted, although they cannot carry ballistic missiles, so they were called ''Yankee SSNX''. They retained only their forward torpedo tubes, with the central missile sections having been removed. Some are being scrapped.
*'''''Yankee Pod (Project 09774)''''' The Yankee Pod (also known as the ''Yankee SSAN'' is a converted trials submarine for sonar equipment, with the namesake pod mounted atop the rudder (a la [[Victor_class_submarine|Victor III class]] SSNs. It had other sensor systems incorporated as well, notably alongside the sail.
*One sub (K-403) has been converted to a trials submarine. This class is known as '''''Yankee Pod'''''.
*'''''Yankee Stretch (Project 09780)''''' The Yankee Stretch, ''K-411'', conversion is a "mothership" for [[Paltus_class_submarine|Paltus-class]] mini-submarines. It is fully 525 feet (160m) in length, making it the largest of the Yankee conversions. Like the ''Yankee Pod'', it lacked missile armament. Its mission was believed to be a combination of oceanographic research, search and rescue, and underwater intelligence-gathering.<ref>http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/row/rus/1083.htm</ref>
*One sub (K-411) has been converted to a support ship for special mission submarines. This class is known as '''''Yankee Stretch'''''.


==General characteristics==
==General characteristics (''Yankee I'')==
*Length: 128.0 m (420 feet)
*Length: 128.0 m (420 feet)
*Beam: 11.7 m (38 feet)
*Beam: 11.7 m (38 feet)
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*Compartments: 10
*Compartments: 10
*Armament:
*Armament:
**6 [[torpedo]] tubes
**6 21-inch (533mm) [[torpedo]] tubes for 18 Type 53 torpedoes or mines.
**roughly 16 liquid-propellant ballistic missiles
**16 SS-N-6 liquid-fueled ballistic missiles


==References==
==References==
*[http://www.nationalgeographic.com/k19/sub_detail_sov4.html National Geographic: Yankee class] accessed March 14, 2004.
*[http://www.nationalgeographic.com/k19/sub_detail_sov4.html National Geographic: Yankee class] accessed March 14, 2004.
*[http://www.ais.org/~schnars/aero/nato-shp.htm NATO Code Names for Submarines and Ships] accessed March 14, 2004.
*[http://www.ais.org/~schnars/aero/nato-shp.htm NATO Code Names for Submarines and Ships] accessed March 14, 2004.
*[http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/russia/slbm/667A.htm Federation of American Scientists: Yankee class] accessed June 11, 2006.
*[http://www.bellona.no/imaker?sub=1&id=10107 Bellona Report: Project 667 A (Nalim, Navaga) - Yankee Class] accessed June 11, 2006.
*[http://www.hazegray.org/worldnav/russia/submar.htm World Navies Today: Russian Submarines] accessed June 11, 2006.
*Jane's Fighting Ships of the World, 1994.


[[Category:Russian and Soviet navy submarine classes]]
[[Category:Russian and Soviet navy submarine classes]]

Revision as of 08:22, 11 June 2006

Yankee class submarines
File:Damaged Yankee class submarine 2.JPG
Class Overview
Class Type Ballistic missile submarine, nuclear-powered
Class Name NATO reporting code. Russian class names: Navaga/Nalim.
Preceded By Hotel-class SSBNs
Succeeded By Delta I-class SSBNs
Ships of the Class
K-137 Leninets
K-140
K-26
K-32
K-216
K-207
K-210
K-249
K-253
K-395
K-408
K-411
K-418
K-420
K-423
K-426
K-415
K-403
K-205
K-245
K-219
K-228
K-241
K-444
K-399
K-434
K-236
K-389
K-252
K-258
K-446
K-451
K-436
K-430|}


The Yankee class is the general NATO classification for a type of nuclear-powered submarine that was originally constructed by the Soviet Union from 1968 onward. In the USSR, they were produced under Project 667. The 24 built at Severodvinsk for the Northern Fleet were known as the Navaga (after the navaga fish) class, while the remaining 10 built in Komsomolsk-na-Amur for the Pacific Fleet were the Nalim ("burbot") class. Though K-137 Leninets was the first Navaga to enter service, Soviet (and Russian) ship classes are not named for their "lead ships."

The Yankees were the first class of Soviet subs to have comparable ballistic missile firepower to their American counterparts. Yankee subs were quieter than their Hotel-class predecessors (but still louder than NATO submarines) and had smoother lines that improved their submerged performance. The ships were armed with 16 ballistic missiles during the Cold War, and served in the Soviet front lines: in the 1970s up to three Yankees were continually stationed in a "patrol box" east of Bermuda[1]. Their forward deployment was seen as a balance against the presence of American and NATO nuclear weapons in Western Europe. As a result of the SALT I and START I/II treaties, most of the ships have been decommissioned and/or disarmed.

Variants

There were seven different versions of the Yankee subs (most of which are no longer are service):

  • Yankee I (Project 667A): The baseline configuration, these were ballistic missile submarines that first saw service in 1968; 34 were built. The subs carried 16 SS-N-6 missiles, had 6 torpedo tubes, and carried 18 Type 53 torpedoes. They were the first Soviet SSBNs to carry their ballistic missiles within the hull (as opposed to the sail).
  • Yankee II (Project 667AM/Navaga M-class): A single-ship class, this was a Yankee I submarine (K-140) converted to carry 12 SS-N-17 missiles, which was the Red Fleet's first solid-fuelled SLBM. The existence of this individual prototype led to several theories about the Yankee II having a unique role in the Soviet arsenal that justified maintaining a single ship with such a unique weapon. One theory suggested that it was designed to perform an emergency satellite-launching function. Subsequently, it was proposed that the SS-N-17 may have had a retargeting capability to allow strikes on aircraft carrier battle groups.
  • Yankee Notch (Project 667AT/Grosha-class): This conversion subs were attack submarines that first appeared in 1983; six Yankee I boats were rebuilt to this configuration. They incorporated a "notch waisted" center section, which replaced the old ballistic missile compartment, that featured 8 21-inch (533mm) torpedo tubes for up to 40 SS-N-21 missiles or additional torpedoes. The forward torpedo tubes were retained as well, with some reports suggesting that the vessels may have also been able to fire 26.5-inch (650mm) Type 65 torpedoes. The emphasis on additional SS-N-21 missile carriage suggested a tactical role for these submarines, or as second-strike nuclear submarines. Their configuration was a combination of SALT treaty limitations (which affected SLBMs but not cruise missiles) and a typical Soviet unwillingness to completely discard any military hardware that might still have some use. The conversion increased the overall length by 39.4 feet (12m) to 464.2 feet (141.5m), with a displacement of up to 11,500 tons submerged. While classed as SSNs (attack subs), these boats might also be considered SSGNs by virtue of their heavy missile armament.
  • Yankee Sidecar (Project 667AM/Andromeda-class) Also known as Yankee SSGN, this was another single-ship (in this case K-420) class, converted into a cruise missile submarine. It appeared in 1983, carrying 12 SS-NX-24 nuclear-tipped cruise missiles instead of the original ballistic missiles. The SS-NX-24 was an experimental cruise missile, with a supersonic flight regime and twin nuclear warheads. It was meant as a tri-service strategic weapon, and thus would have filled a rather different role than the tactically-oriented Oscar-class SSGNs of the same era. In the end, the missile was not adopted, and the K-420 became a weapon system without a weapon. It was fully 13,650 tons displacement (dived), and was even longer than the Yankee Notch to accomodate the massive cruise missiles; it was 501.8 feet (153m) in overall length, according to Jane's.
  • Yankee SSN 16 of this type were converted from the basic Yankee I specification. Some were not completely converted, although they cannot carry ballistic missiles, so they were called Yankee SSNX. They retained only their forward torpedo tubes, with the central missile sections having been removed. Some are being scrapped.
  • Yankee Pod (Project 09774) The Yankee Pod (also known as the Yankee SSAN is a converted trials submarine for sonar equipment, with the namesake pod mounted atop the rudder (a la Victor III class SSNs. It had other sensor systems incorporated as well, notably alongside the sail.
  • Yankee Stretch (Project 09780) The Yankee Stretch, K-411, conversion is a "mothership" for Paltus-class mini-submarines. It is fully 525 feet (160m) in length, making it the largest of the Yankee conversions. Like the Yankee Pod, it lacked missile armament. Its mission was believed to be a combination of oceanographic research, search and rescue, and underwater intelligence-gathering.[1]

General characteristics (Yankee I)

  • Length: 128.0 m (420 feet)
  • Beam: 11.7 m (38 feet)
  • Draught: 9 m (29 feet)
  • Displacement: 7,760/11,500 tonnes
  • Speed: 28 knots
  • Power plant: VM-4 reactor
  • Hull: Low magnetic steel
  • Crew: 114
  • Compartments: 10
  • Armament:
    • 6 21-inch (533mm) torpedo tubes for 18 Type 53 torpedoes or mines.
    • 16 SS-N-6 liquid-fueled ballistic missiles

References