Sarov-class submarine

The Sarov class is a submarine class built by Russia. There is a single boat of the class, the Sarov itself. It serves to test and develop new technologies and new weaponry for the Russian Navy. It was first revealed publicly when details of the boat were published by accident on the Sarov, Nizhny Novgorod region's local government website as part of an account of a meeting with its commander. The number of the submarine project was given as 20120 and some technical and tactical characteristics were revealed as well.

Description
The hull of the Sarov is believed to be based on the Kilo class submarine. In common with that class, it has a diesel electric power system, although it is believed that a small nuclear reactor is also installed. This doesn´t drive the propeller itself, but may produce electricity to recharge the conventional battery system, greatly extending the underwater endurance of the submarine. It has been noted that since electric propulsion is inherently very quiet, but tends to lack range, possession of a long range electrical system would make the Sarov class an excellent intelligence gathering platform. The Russians have not revealed whether the boat is employed in this role.

The submarine was designed by Federal State Unitary Enterprise Central Design Bureau for Maritime Technology (FSUE CDB MT) in 1989. Construction was started in the same year at Krasnoye Sormovo Shipyard, Nizhniy Novgorod, and completed at FSUE Sevmash.

Specifications

 * Length: 72.6 m
 * Width: 9.9 m
 * Draught: 7 m
 * Displacement: 2300/3950 tons
 * Diving depth: 300 m
 * Speed: 10/17 kts
 * Endurance: 45 days