Project 877 Paltus class
NATO: Kilo class
Overview
Project 877 Paltus class
Left side view of Project 877 class diesel-electric submarine B-227 Vyborg.
Source: Vitaly V. Kuzmin -
© GNU Attribution Share Alike license
1984 - 1997 (Pr 877EKM)
Soviet Union - Komsomolsk-na-Amur
Soviet Union - Admiralty shipyard, St Petersburg
1 Project 877V
1 Project 877E
18 Project 877EKM
1 Project 8773
Paltus
Russian for "halibut"
Desciption
Introduction
Project 877 Paltus is a class of diesel-electric attack submarines of Soviet origin. In the West these are best known by the NATO reporting name "Kilo class". The Kilo designation also applies to the improved Project 636 Vashavyanka, which is described separately. Project 877 was designed in the 1970's to replace the Project 641B Som (NATO: Tango) class. The Kilo is a great improvement over the previous Tango class, but is considered fairly basic compared to contemporary designs in the West. The new Lada class is destined to complement the Kilo in Russian service.
Layout
Project 877 Paltus is a diesel electric attack submarine. The major improvement over the earlier Tango class is the new low drag shape of its hull. The layout is conventional with the torpedo tubes are at the front, the crew compartment and conning tower in the middle and the engine compartment at the rear. The hull is highly compartmentalized and an excess buoyancy of 32 percent. This allows the Project 877 to survive multiple punctures of the hull. Vertical and horizontal control fins are fitted at the rear. There is no upper vertical fin.
Firepower
Project 877 Paltus has six 533mm torpedo tubes and up to 18 torpedoes can be carried. Various models of Soviet 533mm torpedoes can be launched, including the 53-65 and SET-53. Later versions are also able to launch wire guided torpedoes such as TEST-71 and USET-80. Instead of torpedoes up to 24 mines can also be carried. In Russian service a MANPADS system is carried.
Sensors
Project 877 Paltus is equipped with the MGK-400 (NATO Shark Gill) sonar system that includes the MG-519 Arfa (NATO Mouse Roar) sonar. An MRP-25 (NATO Snoop Tray) surface search radar is also fitted.
Mobility
Project 877 Paltus is fitted with two diesel engines that charge the batteries and provide propulsion under normal circumstances. When submerged below snorting depth an electrical motor is used. A single fixed pitch propeller provides propulsion. The maximum speed is 10 knots at the surface and 17 knots submerged. The maximum depth is 300 m, although a maximum of 240 m is maintained for safety reasons.
Users
The main use of the Kilo class was the USSR and currently is Russia. The Kilo class was exported to several Russian allies with India and China being the major foreign users. The new Lada class attack submarine will complement the Kilo in Russian service. However, Project 636 is expected to remain in production for both domestic use and export.
Details
Media
Project 877 Paltus class
Iran navy Project 877 Paltus (NATO: Kilo) class diesel-electric submarine in 1996.
Source: US Navy
Copyright: Public domain
Project 877 Paltus class
Forward view of Project 877 class diesel-electric submarine B-227 Vyborg.
Source: Vitaly V. Kuzmin
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
Project 877 Paltus class
Rear view of Project 877 class diesel-electric submarine B-227 Vyborg.
Source: Vitaly V. Kuzmin
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
Subcomponents
Type 53-65
Standard heavyweight wake homing torpedo for use against surface vessels.
TEST-71
The Project 877 Paltus was one of the first types of submarine to be equipped with the TEST-71 wire guided torpedo.
USET-80
Universal heavyweight torpedo for use against submarines and surface vessels.
Related articles
Project 636 Varshavyanka class
The Project 636 is a modernized variant of the Project 877 Paltus. In the West Project 636 is known as the Improved Kilo class.