350-034 SOVIET NUCLEAR-POWERED SUBMARINE PR. 685 PLAVNIK/MIKE-CLASS

The K-278 Komsomolets (other designations: Mike class or project 685) was a Soviet nuclear powered fighter submarine (SSN) - the only representative of the Mike class. The K-278 was built at the shipyard in the city of Severodvinsk, and its entry into service took place in 1984. The length of the ship was 118.4 m, width 11.1 m, and the underwater displacement reached 8,500 tons. The maximum underwater speed was over 30 knots. The unit was equipped with six 533 mm torpedo tubes. The K-278 was developed by the CKB-18 design office (the so-called Rubin office) and was constructed with the best underwater performance in mind and with the use of many, avant-garde as for the 1980s, technical solutions. The new ship received a hull made of titanium alloys, so that it could reach a depth of 900-1000 meters. It was also assumed to achieve a very high underwater speed, exceeding 30 knots, which determined the necessity to obtain good hydrodynamic properties and the installation of a power unit with considerable power. However, the ship also had - probably - a completely new forward sonar with considerable combat capabilities, and could probably fire early versions of the WA-111 Szkwał supercavitating torpedo. It was also very highly automated. It is worth adding that to this day there is no comprehensive and reliable information on all systems installed on the K-278. Due to the financial problems of the USSR in the late 1980s, no new units of this class were built. K-278 Komsomolets sank as a result of a fire on April 7, 1989. 39 members of its crew were killed.