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Characteristics of the Kalitka NickNamed LOSHARIK Special Purpose Russian Nuclear Submarine

By Bruce Rule - May 3, 2015

The following information was derived from open sources.

Kalitka – hereafter referred to as LOSHARIK - is a small (230-foot length) deep-diving nuclear submarine with a Russian Project number of 10831 – or, more likely Project 210 - and a NATO designation of NORSUB-5. The submarine was laid down in 1988 but not launched until 2003 due to financial problems the Russian military experienced in 1990s.

The Russian designation for LOSHARIK is AC-12 which stands for "Атомная Станция" from the official Russian naval term "атомная глубоководная станция", "nuclear deepwater station"), a designation previously used for PALTUS, an older deep-diving platform.

Instead of a conventional pressure-hull, the LOSHARIK has 7 circular titanium spheres inside the outer hull. The five forward spheres provide crew quarters and space for sensor systems while the after two – probably not accessible while underway – contain the nuclear reactor and the propulsion system.(http://www.reddit.com/r/ThingsCutInHalfPorn/comments/2wzet3/occutaway_of_russian_losharik_spy_sub_see/)

The propulsion system consists of a single, controllable-pitch 4-bladed propeller mounted within a fixed acceleration shroud (Kort nozzle). Advantages of a Kort Nozzle are increased efficiency at speeds below 10 knots and less vulnerability to debris.

Based on size, weight and the reduced diameter of shaft-line penetrations of the propulsion system sphere, It is probable the propeller is directly-driven by a single-speed electric motor powered by a turbo-generator, essentially a turbo-electric system with changes in ship's speed achieved by changing the pitch of the propeller blades. Maximum LOSHARIK speed is estimated to be less than 10 knots.

The LOSHARIK, has an acknowledged depth capability of 8200 feet, and may be capable of depths as great as 20,000 feet – essentially a bathyscaphe without the usual endurance and space limitations of such platforms. The LOSHARIK has external manipulators for the recovery of object from the sea-floor.

The LOSHARIK is transported to areas of intended operation attached beneath a Project 667BDRM DELTA IV (K-64) modified beginning in 1999 to be a Project 09774 nuclear submarine for special purposes. This entailed the elimination of the missile launch tubes and the insertion of an additional section from KS-411 (Yankee Stretch) with a length of about 140 feet which increased the overall length of the K-64 – now KS-64 - to about 570 feet.