N700096 SOVIET SUBMARINE PROJECT 675 (NATO NAME ECHO II)

The Echo II-class (or Project 675) ships were Soviet nuclear-powered submarines carrying cruise missiles (SSGNs) that began entering service in 1962. In total, 29 ships of this class were built. A single unit of this type was 116 m long and 9.8 m wide, with an underwater displacement of up to approx. 6,200 tons. The maximum underwater speed was 22-23 knots. The armament consisted of 8 SS-N-3A and later SS-N-15 cruise missiles, and probably 6 bow 533 mm torpedo tubes and 4 aft 400 mm torpedo tubes. The Echo II class units (or Project 675) were theoretically a development of the Echo I class, but in essence they were actually a completely new type of submarine. First of all, compared to their predecessors, they have been slightly elongated, their width has also increased and - above all - the underwater displacement has significantly increased. The number of main armament launchers has also been increased (from 6 to 8) and its type has been changed. The electronic equipment has also undergone considerable changes, especially in the homing means of cruise missiles. Above all, however, the Echo II ships were intended to attack large US Navy surface units, not land targets, such as the Echo I Type. Undoubtedly, the Echo II-class (or Project 675) ships were more successful designs than their predecessors, but still duplicated their main drawback - the main armament could only be used from the surface, and the launch of all 8 rockets took up to 30 minutes! Thus, the unit became very easy to track and destroy. Echo II units were decommissioned in 1989-1995.