Tango class submarine

The Russian Tango class submarines (Project 641B) were the successors to the Foxtrot class submarine based in the Black Sea and Northern Fleet areas. The first of the class was completed in 1972 at Gorky. A total of 18 were built in two slightly different versions. The later type was several metres longer than the first possibly because of installation of ASW missile equipment.

The bow sonar installations appear to be similar to those fitted into Soviet nuclear attack submarines. The propulsion plant was the same as the last subgroup of the Foxtrot class submarine. The Tango class had much more battery capacity far higher than previous conventional submarine class in the Soviet Navy. As a result, pressure hull volume increased. This allowed an underwater endurance in excess of a week before snorkelling was required.

Coupled with new armament and sensor fit, the Tango class were ideal for ambush operations against Western nuclear submarines at natural chokepoints.

Construction of this class has now stopped but four of the class remain in service with the Russian Navy's Northern Fleet at Polyarny. However, the condition of these vessels is unknown.

Museum ships

Three 641B class submarines operate as museum ships:
* B-307, fully raised on ground - Togliatti Museum of Technology
* B-396, afloat in Tushino reservoir - Moscow Navy Museum
* B-515 (U-434), afloat in Baakenhafen in Hamburg - museum in Hamburg

Conning towers of stricken B-319 and B-474 are on display in Polyarny and Ryazan.

References

*The Encyclopedia Of Warships From World War Two To The Present Day, General Editor Robert Jackson.

External links

* [http://www.russianwarrior.com/STMMain.htm?1979vecindex.htm&1 RussianWarrior page about the Tango Class]