VICTOR III class submarine (1977)

Project 671RTM/RTMK Shchuka (NATO “VICTOR III”) nuclear attack submarines
25 submarines: К-524, К-254, К-502, К-527, К-298, К-358, К-299, К-244, К-247, К-507, К-251, К-255, К-324, К-355, К-360, К-218, К-242, К-492, К-412, К-305, К-264, К-315, К-292, К-388, К-138, К-414, B-448. Built 1976-1991, 2 active 2025

Soviet Cold War Subs

Pr.613 Whiskey | Pr.611 Zulu | Pr.615 Quebec | Pr.633 Romeo | Pr.651 Juliet | Pr.641 Foxtrot | Pr.641 buki Tango | Pr.877 Kilo

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Pr.627 kit November | Pr.659 Echo I | Pr.675 Echo II | Pr.671 Victor I | Pr.671RT Victor II | Pr.671RTMK Victor III | Pr.670/670M skat Charlie | Pr.705 lira Alfa | Pr.949 antey Oscar | Pr.945 barrakuda Sierra | Pr.971 bars Akula | Pr.885 graney Yasen | Pr. 545 Laika

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Pr.629 Golf | Pr.658 Hotel | Pr.667A Yankee | Pr.667B Murena Delta I | Pr.667D Delta II | Pr.667BDR Kalmar Delta III | Pr.667 BDMR delfin Delta IV | Pr. 941 akula Typhoon | Pr.995 borei Dolgorukiy | Pr.09851 Khabarovsk

The Victor III Class (Project 671RTM/RTMK Shchuka Class) are the last, most numerous and best known of the whole VICTOR (NATO) lineage. These were the penultimate serial Russian Nuclear-Powered Attack Submarine before the Akula, since the SIERRA class were a short serie. Soviet designation was Project 671RTM/RTMK Shchuka (“pike”). They entered service from 1979 onwards with 25 launched and completed until 1991 so up to the very end of the cold war, before the serie was cancelled. Compared to the previous ones they were even more quieter and like the VICTOR II, combined heavy 65 and standard 53 cm tubes. The large tubes were now capable of launching the SS-N-16 missiles; but they also had an optional 36 mines. Its most recoignisable trait were a distinctive pod on the vertical stern-plane which spurred a lot of speculation in the west, some arguing it was a new exotic silent propulsion system, possibly magnetohydrodynamic…
The last subs of the class remained in service until very recently in 2023 after oberhauls.

VICTOR III development and story

A transitional 2nd/3rd gen. SSN

The rapid development of science, technology and industry created prerequisites for a more radical approaches to multi-purpose submarines, with new requirements on noise reduction, which in the context of better ASW systems, became more stringent, as well as better sensors in general but also better navigation, and combat information and control system, as well as better communications. Work on the new projects 945 Barrakuda (Sierra) and 971 Shchuka-B (Akula class) saw USSR managing to make a very successful attempt at squeezing the maximum possible out of what incorporated the previous projects 671 and 671RT (Victor).

In this regard, Malakhit design bureau under chief designer G.N. Chernyshev managed to create a 3rd generation SSN via a massive amount of upgrade to 1960s designs. The Project 671 remained relevant thanks to these many modifications, and incorporated the latest electronic suites, latest in weaponry. Such serie was called Project 671RTM. By many aspects, they were a transitional 2/3nd gen SSNs, an in-between to the Sierra/Akula classes. This modernized Project 671RTM (codename “Shchuka”) was based on the development of a new generation of sonar, navigation system, combat information and control system, automated radio communications system, reconnaissance equipment, as well as measures to reduce noise and all types of acoustic signatures.

In fact, Project 671RTM, as well as the Project 667BDRM SSBNs (Delta IV), “smoothly transitioned” from the second to the third generation of nuclear-powered submarines in USSR. The titanium sail was replaced with a non-metallic one to defeat magnetic anomaly detection. This work was carried out by Central Research Institute “Okeanpribor” (E.L. Shenderov), and Academician A.N. Krylov (B.P. Grigoriev, M.K. Larry and N.A. Piskovitina) as well as TsNIITS (N.G. Sudareva).

The new sonar, most powerful ever fitted in a Soviet SSN, was created at the Okeanpribor Central Research Institute (Director and Chief Designer V.V. Gromkovsky, Chief Engineer D.D. Mironov). The bureau decided to install the Omnibus combat information and control system developed by the Agat Scientific and Production Association (Director A.A. Moshkov, Chief Engineer Ya.A. Khetagurov, Chief Designer A.I. Troyan). The outdated Sigma navigation system was replaced with the latest Medveditsa system (NPO Azimut, Director and Chief Designer V.G. Peshekhonov).

In July 1974, the technical project was approved, by a joint decision and it was agreed that the delivery of the lead submarine would be carried out without the new SKAT-KS, Omnibus-RTM and Medveditsa-RTM combat information and control systems, still in development. This decision turned out to be absolutely correct, since these systems were improved for three more years after delivery instead of rushed up to be integrated as soon as possible.

A major contribution to the installation of the new systems was the the Molniya-L and Tsunami-BM radio communication systems, also innovative, created by the bureau employees under the leadership of the chief designers of electrical equipment V.P. Goryachev and subsequently S.P. Katkov. The placement of advanced electronic equipment, which significantly improved their communication suite, including satnav/satcom, closer to the 3rd-generation submarines. The Victor III were trailblazer for these new systems as The Omnibus, Skat and Medveditsa were all installed in 3rd gen. subs (Project 945, 949 and 941).

The bureau started to develop working drawings in parallel for two plants before the end of the technical project, in accordance with the joint decision of the minister and the Navy dated November 14, 1973. The lead submarine of Project 671 RTM was laid down on the LAO slipways on May 7, 1976. The development of Project 671RTM submarines was somewhat delayed notably due to the development of the Omnibus combat information and control system dragging on. Until the mid-1980s, the system was not full operational. On early-built ships, the Omnibus system needed tedious adjustments slowing down operation and significantly limited their combat capabilities.

Design of the class

1 — main antenna GAK “Rubin”
2 – sonar antenna “Radian-1” (mine detection)
3 – 533-mm TA;
4 – torpedo loading hatch
5 – bow (torpedo) compartment
6 – bow emergency buoy
7 – bow hatch
8 – partition for spare torpedoes with a quick-loading device
9 – bubble-less torpedo firing tank
10 – bow trim tank
11 – equipment partition for the Brest-671 fire control system and the Rubin sonar
12 – battery
13 – bow horizontal rudder with drives
14 – central battery
15 – second (central post) compartment
16 – Rubin sonar antennas
17 – navigation bridge
18 — gyrocompass repeater
19 — Orion-10 periscope
20 — forward control of the Zaliv-P SORS antenna;
21 — forward control of the Kaskad radar complex antenna
22 — forward control of the Zavesa radio direction finder antenna
23 — forward control of the Iva-MV antenna (Molniya KSS)
24 — strong wheelhouse
25 — central post
26 — enclosures for electronic weapons and acoustics
27 — enclosures for auxiliary equipment and general ship systems (bilge pumps, general ship hydraulic system pumps, converters and air conditioners)
28 — high-pressure air conditioning system cylinders
29 — third (reactor) compartment
30 — reactor with steam generators, circulation pumps and biological protection tanks
31 — fourth (turbine) compartment
32 — steam turbine
33 — planetary gear
34 — main thrust bearing
35 — condenser
36 — fifth (electromechanical and auxiliary equipment) compartment
37 — aft emergency buoy
38 — high-pressure water system compressors
39 — sixth (living) compartment
40 — seventh (powerplant and steering gear) compartment
41 — aft trim tank
42 — horizontal rudder drives
43 — vertical stabilizers

Hull and general design

The placement of new weapons and equipment, as well as the implementation of additional measures to reduce the acoustic signature of the ship, required cutting a cylindrical insert into the hull of the submarine in the area of ​​the 2nd compartment. As a result, the length of the pressure hull increased by 4.2 m (13.77 feet), the displacement increased, and maximum underwater speed decreased. The designers reinforced the sail and the outer hull, which provided the submarine with a safer surfacing capabilities under ice.
The displacement compared to the submarine of Project 671 RT increased by 400 m3 and amounted to 4,750 m3, the greatest length up to reached 107.1 m.
This made this serie the largest of the Victor serie, at 4,950 tons light, surfaced, 6,990 tons under normal displacement, surfaced and 7,250 tons submerged.
The hull was longer at 102 m (334 ft 8 in) for the outer hull and 93m (305 ft 1 in) for the pressure hull, for a similar beam as the VICTOR II of 10 m (32 ft 10 in) and a relatively comparable draft of 7 m (23 ft 0 in).

The general hull shape was still however about the same, with the now caracteristic teardrop hull with wide entries due to the sonar and fine exit lines to the stern, and the “hump” above and behind the nose divided between the torpedo tubes (upper third) and massive sonar (lower 2/3). For the first time the sonar suite included good flank arrays. The original 7-bladed prop was later replaced by a tandem prop for lower acoustic signature (see later). The sail was also of the same shape and general size, albeit no longer made of titanium as too costly. Externally, Project 671RTMK were practically no different from the the VICTOR II still, apart their signature tail radome, differences were in the internal arrangement and fire control.

Powerplant

The submarine’s main power plant (31,000 hp) was essentially identical to the main power plant of the submarines of projects 671RT and 671: two water-cooled reactors of the VM-4 type, GTZA-615, one 290-rpm propeller, two auxiliary electric motors with a capacity of 375 hp each. The single VM-4P unit comprised two pressurized-water nuclear reactors of 75 MW each, 180 MW combined. There were also two sets of OK-300 steam turbines. The output of 31,000 shp (23,000 kW) was obtained at 290 shaft rpm.
In addition wre installed two low-speed electric cruise motors for creeping operations, coupled with two small props on stern planes powered by electric units for 1,020 shp (760 kW) at 500 rpm. Added to the tandem props after the 7-bladed original model was replaced, making for the only sub ever fitted with 4 propellers… The Auxiliary power, also electric was rated for a total of 4,460 kw, with two 2,000-kw units, 380-V, 50-Hz a.c. OK-2 turbogenerators. There was at last a single 460-kw diesel emergency set in case of general failure. Technically it could power some emergency systems, blow pumps, raise or lower the diving planes, albeit slowly. But in that case, the sub instantly lost its acoustic stealth.

It was decided to switch in construction from a seven-bladed propeller to a less “noisy” “tandem” scheme (two coaxial four-bladed counter-rotating propellers), which resulted in the boat being lengthened by 1 m. On the ships of Project 671RTM, various measures were implemented to reduce noise (including replacing the seven-bladed propeller with two four-bladed propellers installed in a “tandem” configuration) in order to bring it to the level of the Los Angeles-class SSNs. However, due to the cessation of funding for the work, this problem could not be fully solved. The submarine’s autonomy increased to 80 days thanks to extra internal space, but the crew of 100 was the largest so far, especially compared to the Alfa class. 32 knots (59 km/h; 37 mph) was still considered enough for their tasks, as it was acertain tha stealthiness was more important than top speed at that time. And as before, top speed meant more noise. In service, these subs very rarely reached this figure.

Sound proofing

A large number of measures were taken on the Project 671RTM submarine to ensure that the ship’s noise level was no greater than that of the American Los Angeles-class multipurpose nuclear submarines. An additional set of measures was taken to increase the submarine’s stealth by introducing fundamentally new solutions for shock absorption (the so-called “disabling foundations”), acoustic decoupling of mechanisms and structures. The submarine was equipped with enclosures for the ventilation system and vertical scuppers, creating less hydrodynamic noise. The ship received a demagnetizing device, making it difficult to detect by aircraft magnetometers. The noise level decreased from boat to boat, and only the cessation of funding during the perestroika period prevented the bureau from fully solving this problem. It was solved on the next-generation Project 971 submarine).

B396 museum; tandem 4-bladed prop of the Victor III

Armament

The class came out with two 650 mm bow tubes above the waterline and four bow torpedo tubes of the standard caliber 533 mm (21 in) (16 weapons in store) below.
The sonar was located below, occupying most of the nose.
The 18 533-mm ammunition on board consosted in 53-65K or SET-65 torpedoes, but also M-5 underwater missiles and 81R missile-torpedoes. And there were the six 650-mm super-heavy, long-range 65-76 torpedoes.
The 533 mm tubes could fire a large variety of ordnance:
-Type 83RN/Type 53-65K/USET-80 torpedoes
-Type 84RN/SS-N-15 Starfish cruise missiles*
-MG-74 Korund and Siren decoys
-Up to 36 naval mines.
The VA-111 Shkval rocket torpedoes were fired, like the 65-76 torpedoes by the larger tubes.
*fas.org: 2 SS-N-15 Starfish or 2 SS-N-21 cruise missiles, and 6 SS-N-16 Stallion or 6 P-100 Oniks/SS-N-22 Sunburn.

Type 53-65K Torpedoes

Improved versions of the 53-65M Acoustic wake following homing torpedoes. Weight 4,630 lbs. (2,100 kg), lenght 283 in (7.200 m), with a 661 lbs. (300 kg) warhead. Setting was 20,800 yards (19,000 m) at 45 knots thanks to a Kerosene-Hydrogen Peroxide Turbine.

Type 84RN Vyuga 53/65(SS-N-15 Starfish) Missiles

anti-submarine missile system “Vyuga”, the development of which was carried out since 1960 at the Sverdlovsk OKB-9 Uralmashzavod under the leadership of chief designers F. F. Petrov and N. G. Kostrulin. The missile included in the system was to be fired from submarine TA at a depth of 50-60 m, took off, flying along a ballistic trajectory, to deliver a tactical nuclear charge to the target area. It was envisaged to create missiles with a caliber of 533 and 650 mm (“Vyuga-53” and “Vyuga-65”). On August 4, 1969, by government decree No. 617-209, the Vyuga system with the 81R (533 mm) missile was accepted into service with the Navy.
It could hit underwater targets at ranges of 10-40 km. It should be noted that the American analogue, the UUM-44A SUBROC, started developement in 1958 and was accepted into service in 1965. Compared to the Soviet system, it had a slightly greater maximum firing range (about 50 km), which was due to the greater
range of the American Raytheon sonar system AN/BQQ-2 compared to the domestic Rubin sonar.

USET-80 torpedoes

This 1980 model was an acoustic wake following torpedo with active/passive homing.
It Weighted 4,410+ lbs. (2,000+ kg) for an overall Length of 311 inches (7.900 m) carrying a 440 or 661 lbs. (200 – 300 kg) warhead, for a setting in Range/speed of about 22,000 yards (20,000 m) at 40-50 knots, powered by a Silver-zinc battery and usable under depths of over 1,300 feet (400 m).

RK-55 Granat (SS-N-21 Sampson)

The most important improvement introduced on the submarine of project 671RTM was a fundamentally new type of weapon – a strategic small-sized subsonic cruise missiles “Granat” with a maximum firing range of 3,000 km. Equipping submarines with cruise missiles turned them into fully multi-purpose ships capable of solving a wide range of tasks in both conventional and nuclear wars. In terms of their weight and size characteristics, the “Granat” cruise missiles were virtually no different from standard torpedoes. This made it possible to use them from standard 533-mm torpedo tubes.
This Subsonic cruise missile measured 8.09 m complete with booster and capsule, for an exact diameter of 0.51 m, a launch weight of 1,7t, Single warhead HE 410 kg (optional Nuclear 200 kT). It was powered by a Turbofan, solid booster for a range up to 2,400 km, in service from 1984.

VA-111 Shkval System

One of the most important elements of the modernized nuclear submarine’s armament was to be the 533 mm caliber Shkval anti-submarine missile system, the development of which began in accordance with the decree of the Central Committee of the CPSU and the USSR Council of Ministers in 1960. The “ideologists” of the new system were scientists from the Moscow branch of the TsAGI named after Professor N. Ye. Zhukovsky (now the State Research Center TsAGI), in particular Academician G. V. Logvinovich.

The weapon was directly developed by NII-24 (now the State Research and Production Association “Region”) under the supervision of Chief Designer I. L. Merkulov (he was later replaced by V. R. Serov, and the work was completed by E. D. Rakov). The Shkval system included a super-fast underwater missile capable of 200 knots (with a range of 11 km). This was achieved by using an engine running on hydroreactive fuel, as well as by moving the projectile in a gas cavity, which ensured the minimization of hydrodynamic resistance. The missile, equipped with a nuclear warhead, was controlled by an inertial system that was not sensitive to interference.
The first launches of the underwater missile were carried out on Lake Issyk-Kul in 1964, and on November 29, 1977, the VA-111 Shkval complex with the M-5 missile was accepted into service by the Navy. It should be noted that there are currently no analogues of this highly effective complex abroad, which has an almost absolute probability of hitting a target that falls within its reach. It is widely believed today one of these cost the “Kursk”.

Golets Mines

The sub could also provided monelaying capabilities in wartime, with up to 36 Golets-type mines. No more info. If carried all, they replaced torpedoes.

Decoys and “spec ops” devices

The sub could also fire hydroacoustic countermeasures of the MG-74 Korund-2 wake sound imitators to defeat acoustic torpedoes, launched by 533 mm tubes.
In addition were provided the special diversionary guided missiles “Sirena” and other “special purpose” systems many of which would have been the envy of super agent 007: In particular, in 1975, the Kamov Design Bureau created a folding single-seat Ka-56 helicopter designed to transport spec ops, compact enough when folded to launched from a 533-mm torpedo tube while submerged, along with its pilot in frogman suit.

Type 65-76 “Kit” torpedoes

In Service by 1973 the previous 65-73 weighted 8,820+ lbs. (4t) for an overall Length of 433 in (11 m) and an optional nuclear warhead. Range and Speed were 54,700 yards (50,000 m) at 50 knots, powerted by a Kerosene-Hydrogen Peroxide Turbine. Straight course, non-homing, for sinking an aircraft carrier or coastal target with a single torpedo. In 1976 was introduced the improved 65-76 “Kit” (Whale). Non-nuclear version with a conventional 992 lbs. (450+ kg) payload, but otherwise identical. It was however a wake following torpedo for more precision. The SSGN Kursk is believed to have exploded because of the leaking SET 65-76.
These were very costly torpedoes, no more models were designed of such caliber afterwards.

Upgrades

After K-254 submarine on which the new Granat cruise missile was tested, six ships were equipped with cruise missiles (Project 671RTMK, with a weapons system supplemented by cruise missiles). During the mid-life overhaul, K-502 submarine was also modernized that way. K-524 submarine was modernized to test the new 3K-14 (54) “Kalibr” and CLUB-S.
Modifications of the 671RTM “Shchuka”: Modernization of electronics, weapons and extra noise reduction measures such as a tandem four-bladed propes.
671RTMK: New SOKS (Wake Detection System) system installed and of the Granat cruise missiles with a range of up to 3,000 km and associated fire control system.

Sensors

The main surface Radar was the impressive MRK-50 Albatros (NATO Snoop Tray-2) for navigation and search.
The new Sonar was the massive MGK-503 Skat-KS (NATO Shark Gill) suite comprising an LF active/passive array, a passive flank array and the Barrakuda towed passive linear array as well as the complementary MT-70 active ice avoidance sonar
For electronic warfare in addition to the decoys, these subs were given the MRP-10 Zaliv-P/Buleva (NATO Brick Pulp) intercept.
There was also the “Park Lamp” direction-finder.
Full list:

• MRK-50 Topol Surface Search radar
• MG-29 KhostUnderwater communications
• Medvyedista-671 Navigation system
• Tsunami-B Satellite communications
• Kiparis, Anis, Sintez and Kora Communications antennas
• Paravan Towed VLF Antenna
• PZKG-10 Periscope
• Vodopod Combat direction system [671 RTM]
• Viking Combat direction system 671RTMK]
• Leningrad-671 Fire control system
• MGK-400 Rubikon,active/passive Sonars
• Akula flank arrays
• pithon towed array
• MG-24 Luch mine detection Sonar
• Bulava ESM/ECM
• 2 MG-74 Korund noise simulation decoys (torpedo-sized)
• MT-70 Sonar intercept receiver
• Nikhrom-M IFF

The Skat sonar suite (Gromkovsky V.V. Chief Designer, 1st Deputy Chief Designer Paperno A.I., Idin V.B. Deputy Chief Designer) enabled a completely new way of detection and classification of targets, automatic tracking, noise direction finding in sound/infrasound frequency ranges. It could detect targets by echo direction finding with distance measurement to feed initial data for target designation, greatly shortening the chain between detection and fire.
In terms of capabilities, the Skat system was three times superior to the previous generation of sonar systems and was very close to American systems (although it was still inferior to them in terms of weight and size characteristics). The maximum the target detection range under normal hydrological conditions was an amazing 230 km. Onboard noise receivers operating in passive mode were used, as well as an extended towed infrasound antenna, which was folded and placed in a special bulb-shaped container located above the vertical tail of the boat.

The Medveditsa-671RTM navigation complex provided continuous automatic generation of location coordinates, course, speed relative to water and ground, roll and pitch angles, as well as automatic transmission of these parameters to other ship systems. The Omnibus combat information control system performed automated collection, processing and visual display of information that ensured decision-making on maneuvering, combat use of weapons, and control of torpedo and missile fire.
The ship was equipped with a new automated communications complex Molniya-L with the Tsunami-B space communications system, as well as a special reconnaissance system.

CC Profile by mike1979Russia

Evaluation

USS Peterson (DD-969) and a surfaced VICTOR III boat in 1983: B-324 in November 1983 after becoming entangled in the sonar line of the towed USS McCloy (FF-1038). The Soviet reconnaissance ship SSW-506 Nakhodka is visible nearby. In the background is the American destroyer USS Peterson (DD-969).

Submarines of Project 671RTM saw the largest series in class. Admiralty Shipyard (Director V.L. Alexandrov) and Leninsky Komsomol Shipyard (Director Yu.Z. Kuchmin) cranked up 26 submarines in total, 13 at each plant, an unprecedented effort for any SSN. Their long life came from the many choices made originally, correct assumptions allowing them good maneuverability and seaworthiness, efficient architectural forms, well-thought-out placement of systems and equipment. Over their entire life cycle, they maintained their main advantages in speed, diving depth, modern torpedo and missile weapons, and more importantly as far as Soviet standards were concerned, reliability.

Although there had been incidents (see later), the fleet did not lost a single one in this serie and they conducted hundreds of cruises in all naval theaters from northern to southern latitudes. Perhaps one of the most high profile actions were the large-scale operations “Aport” and “Atrina”, conducted in the Atlantic by the 33rd division, significantly shaking confidence of NATO and the US in the ability to track down and detect Soviet submarines.

The 671RTM and 671RTMK project subs also took part in more peaceful uses such as the “Daniil Moskovsky” (Captain 1st Rank P. I. Litvin) which after escorting TK-20 from the North Pole, delivered 10 tons of sugar and flour to the polar base of Kharasavey, completely enclosed by ice at the end of August 1995.
In 1981 USS Drum collided with a Victor III (K-324) while attempting to photograph her pod for too close. This event was covered up by the Reagan Administration and never made public but nearly cost lives. This incident was declassified and disclosed by the Clinton Administration in February 1993.
On 21 March 1984, K-314 collided with USS Kitty Hawk in the Sea of Japan. Neither were significantly damaged.
On 6 September 2006, “Daniil Moskovskiy” suffered an electronics fire while in the Barents Sea, killing two crew members. Being 16 years old and overdue for overhaul she was towed back to Vidyayevo and still served apparently into the latter 2010s, likely static, formally decommissioned on 28 October 2022.

Nevertheless, the Navy command and most of the personnel which served on board highly valued these boats. Enormous credit for this goes to General Designer G. N. Cheryshev which was awarded the Hero of Socialist Labor medal and was laureate of State Prizes. Her was Doctor of Technical Sciences and Honorary Academician of the St. Petersburg Engineering Academy. R. A. Shmakov was appointed Chief Designer of the three VICTOR classes. Modernizations were als osucessful and many awards orders and medals were give, notably to Deputy Chief Designer V. A. Sobakin and V. S. Beshelev, Chief Designer R. A. Shmakov, Chief Engineer V. A. Ostapenko, Chief Designer (Electrical Equipment) O.A. Zuev-Nosov, Deputy Chief Designer O.A. Aleshkov, Head of the Armament Department V.F. Nikolaev, Deputy Chief Engineer of the Plant V.I. Vodyanov and Chief Builder S.P. Zelensky later received Prizes in Science and Technology in the new Russian federation.

In 1992 Project 671RTM and 671RTMK subs were reclassified from “cruisers” to “large 1st rank nuclear submarines”. In the mid-1990s, the earlier boats started to leave service. The first written off were K-247, K-492 and K-412 in the Pacific Fleet. They had performed by then 12, 10 and 6 cruises. After a fire in the turbine compartment in 1994, K-305 never returned to service and was sent to the technical reserve.
In 1998-2001 the withdrawal accelerated given the new budget-constrained context, despite relatively short careers. It was also decided they would never undergo modernization. In 2015, all modernization programs were cancelled. The last two left service in 2024-2025 albeit their exact fate is uncertain.

Victor III Career

Project 671RTM

К-524, was renamed in 10.1982 “Let Shefstva” and in June 1992- B-524. She was laid down under yard number 01636 at Admiralty Yd, Leningrad on 7.5.1976, launched on 31.7.1977, and completed on 28.12.1977 as a Project 671RTM. In August 1977 she was transferred via the White Sea-Baltic Canal to Severodvinsk for testing. On February 17, 1978, she joined the Northern Fleet, 33rd submarine division, based on Zapadnaya Litsa.
In 1980, under the command of Captain 1st Rank S. I. Rusakov, she made her first long-distance Arctic cruise, combined with testing of the Medveditsa system and surfaced at the North Pole. In 1981, she she was transferred to the 6th submarine division. In 1982, she made another Arctic cruise ande tested the ability to surface in ice holes formed by torpedo detonations. She provided cover and direction for K-92 (SSBN Project 667BD). The same year, she was transferred to the 33rd Submarine Division. In 1982-1992, she received the honorary title “60 Years of Patronage of the Komsomol”. In 1984 she made an Arctic cruise, escorting SSBN K-211 (Delta II) and then operating in the Chukchi Sea and Lincoln Sea, off the coast of Canada.
In August-November 1985, she made a long 80-day cruise off Greenland, passing through Baffin Bay and bypassing SOSUS and manage to enter the security perimeter of the USS America (CV-66) carrier strike group, successfully carrying out a simulated kill. Commander V. V. Protopopov was later for this awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union.
In March-June 1987 she took part in Operation Atrina.
From 1987 to 1996 (9 years !!!!) she was in overhaul at Nerpa shipyard, modernized as a Project 671RTMK. In 1992, she was renamed B-524, and in 1996 she added to this the name “Zapadnaya Litsa”. She had her last cruise in 1997. In 2002, she was decommissioned and in 2006, transferred to the Zvezda Shipyard to be scrapped in 2007-2008.

К-254 (6.1992 B-254) was laid down under number 01638 at Admiralty Yd, Leningrad on 24.9.1977, launched on 6.9.1979 and completed on 30.12.1979.
In 2000, she was decommissioned from the Navy and laid up. She was scrapped in 2006.

К-502 (6.1992 B-502, 3.1999 B-502 Volgograd) was laid down under number 01641 at Admiralty Yd in Leningrad on 23.7.1979, launched on 17.8.1980 and completed on 31.12.1980. Discarded c1998.

К-527 (6.1992: B-527) was laid down under number 01643 at Admiralty Yd, Leningrad on 28.9.1978, launched on 24.7.1981 and completed on 30.12.1981.
On January 24, 1981, she became part of the 33rd division of the 1st submarine flotilla of the Northern Fleet. Subsequently, she was repeatedly transferred to other divisions: in the same year, she became part of the 6th, in 1982 – the 33rd, in 1985 – the 11th, in 1992 – the 33rd, in 1994 – the 11th.
From 1988 to 1992, she underwent intermediate repairs at the Nerpa shipyard.
On June 3, 1992, she was reclassified as a large nuclear submarine and renamed B-502.
On March 21, 1999, she received the name Volgograd. In 2000, she was decommissioned from the Navy and laid up. She was scrapped in 2006.

К-298 (6.1992 B-298) was laid down under N° 01645 at Admiralty Yd on 25.2.1981, launched on 14.7.1982 and completed on 27.12.1982 as a Project 671RTM. She was stricken in May 1998.

К-358 (12.1987 K-358 Murmanskiy Komsomolets, 6.1992 B-358), was laid down at N°01647 at Admiralty Yd on 23.7.1982, launched on 15.7.1983 and completed on 29.12.1983 as a Project 671RTM. She was stricken on May 1998.

К-299 (6.1992 B-299) was laid down as N°01649 at Admiralty Yd on 20.12.1983, launched on 29.6.1984 and completed on 22.12.1984. She was stricken in 2000.

К-244 (6.1992 B-244) was laid down under N°01652 at Admiralty Yd on 25.12.1984, launched on 9.7.1985 and completed 25.12.1985. She was stricken in May 1998.

К-247 (6.1992 B-247) was laid down as N°271 at Leninskiy Komsomol Yd on 15.7.1977, launched on 13.8.1978 and completed 30.12.1978. She was stricken on July 1996.

К-507 (6.1992 B-507) was laid down as N°282 at Leninskiy Komsomol Yd on 2.11.1977, launched on 1.10.1978 and completed on 30.11.1979. She was stricken in May 1998.

К-251 (6.1992, B-251) was laid down as N°295 at Leninskiy Komsomol Yd on 29.7.1979, launched 3.5.1980 and completed on 30.9.1980. She was stricken in May 1998.

К-255 (6.1992 B-255), was laid down as N°296 at Leninskiy Komsomol Yd on 7.11.1979, launched on 20.7.1980 and completed on 28.12.1980. She was stricken in 1998.

К-324 (6.1992: B-324)was laid down as N°297 in Leninskiy Komsomol Yd, Komsomolsk-on-Amur on 23.2.1980, launched on 7.9.1980 and completed on 30.12.1980 as a Project 671RTM. In 1981, she collided with an unidentified submarine of the Sturgeon class (possibly USS Drum) in Peter the Great Bay off Vladivostok as she sortied and the US SSN was gathering intel. Reports told she was badly damaged. The US government denied being in the area, while Russia at the time alleged there was no other of their own in the area as K-324. K-324 made an Arctic cruise in November and was officially transferred to the Northern Fleet on 3 December 1982. On 31 October 1983 she snagged the US frigate USS McCloy’s towed sonar array cable. It happened 282 miles (454 km) west of Bermuda, and this damaged her propeller. She was was towed to Cienfuegos in Cuba for repairs, as soon as a a Soviet salvage ship arrived. Parts of McCloy’s array were recovered for study. K-324 was detected in US waters in 1985, reported to have detected three SSBNs and shadowing them for 28 hours, hiding thanks to temperature variations in the Gulf Stream. She was placed in reserve by 1997, written off in 2000 and scrapping commenced.

К-355 (6.1992 B-355) wa slaid down as N°299 at Leninskiy Komsomol Yd on 31.12.1980, launched on 8.8.1981 and completed on 29.12.1981. She was stricken in 1998.

К-360 (6.1992 B-360) was laid down as N°300 at Leninskiy Komsomol Yd on 9 May 1981, launched on 27 April 1982, completed on 29 September 1982. She was stricken in May 1998.

К-218 (6.1992 B-218) was laid down as N°301 at Leninskiy Komsomol on 7.11.1981, launched on 24.7.1982 and completed on 28.12.1983. She was stricken in May 1998.

К-242 (50 50 Let Komsomolsku-na-Amure 6.1992 and B-242) was laid down as N°302 at Leninskiy Komsomol on 12.6.1982, launched on 29.4.1983, completed on 25.10.1983. She was stricken in 1998.

К-492 (6.1992 B-492) was laid down as N°303 at Leninskiy Komsomol on 23.2.1978, launched on 28.6.1979 and completed on 30.12.1979. She was stricken in July 1996.

К-412 (6.1992 B-412) was laid down as N°304 at Leninskiy Komsomol Yd on 29.10.1978, launched 6.9.1979 and completed on 30.12.1979. She was stricken un July 1996.

К-305 (6.1992- B-305) was laid down N°308 at Leninskiy Komsomol on 27.7.1980, launched on 17.5.1981 and completed on 30.9.1981. She was stricken in May 1998.

К-264 (6.1992 B-264) was laid down as N°333 in Leninskiy Komsomol on 29.7.1983, launched on 8.6.1984, completed on 26.10.1984. She was stricken in 2003.M

К-315 was laid down as N°334 in Leninskiy Komsomol Yd on 1982 but contract was cancelled in January 1983 and she was BU on slip.

Project 671RTMK

К-292 (6.1992 B-292,, 7.2002 B-292 Perm) was laid down as N°01655 at Admiralty Yd on 15.4.1986, launched on 29.4.1987 and completed on 27.11.1987 as first Project 671RTMK.
She Joined the 33rd Division of the 1st Flotilla of the Red Banner Northern Fleet on December 30, 1987. From 1988 to 1993, served in the Arctic, Greenland and Barents Seas. Later, a difficult-to-fix malfunction was discovered.
She has not been to sea since 1996. On July 28, 2002, an agreement was signed under which Perm took patronage over the submarine. Thanks to the assistance and increased attention of the city, the Russian Navy command determined the cost and deadline for putting it in for repairs – 2004. However, a fire broke out on a more modern submarine of the 7th division, and the funds intended for repairing B-292 Perm were transferred to repair the damaged submarine. In June 2006, the nuclear submarine B-292 Perm arrived at berth No. 9 of the Zvezdochka plant for disposal. The funds were allocated by Canada under the international Cooperative Threat Reduction program. B-292 Perm became the eighth nuclear submarine disposed of at that country’s expense.
She was stricken in 2006.

К-388 (6.1992 B-388 – 2.2005 B-388 Petrozavodsk), laid down as N°01657 at Admiralty Yd on 8.5.1987, launched on 3.6.1988, completed on 30.11.1988.
In June 1988 she was moved to Severodvinsk to undergo acceptance trials before being commissioned. On March 1, 1989, she was accepted in the Northern Fleet.
On December 15, 1988, the Naval Ensign was raised, and on December 25, she arrived at its home base in Bolshaya Lopatkina Bay, joining the 33rd Submarine Division. In 1991, she completed sorties with crew 603, under commander V. N. Ivanov. Based on results of 1991 service, her crew was declared the best in the Northern Fleet. She also repeatedly won the Navy Commander-in-Chief’s Prize. On June 3, 1992, she was assigned a new class and renamed B-388.
In 1998, an agreement on patronage and cooperation was signed with the administration of the city of Snezhnogorsk (Murmansk Region), and so she was named “Snezhnogorsk”. On February 22, 2005, she was renamed “Petrozavodsk”. By 2012, B-388 “Petrozavodsk” was part of the 11th submarine division of the Northern Fleet, Zaozersk. In 2013, she was presumably decommissioned, laid up, still listed in the 11th submarine division. In December 2015, a tender was announced for her disposal, with a completion deadline by the end of 2017. She was stricken in 2016.

К-138 (6.1992 B-138, 5.2000 B-138 Obninsk) was laid down as N°618 01659 at Admiralty Yd. Sources differs on this. For some, she was laid down on 7.12.1988, launched on 5.8.1989, completed on 10.5.1990. For others, she was ordered on March 10, 1987 and then laid down on December 7, 1988. By the fall of 1989, she was moved to Severodvinsk for acceptance trials. On February 28, 1991, she entered the 33rd submarine division of the Northern Fleet, Zapadnaya Litsa.
She won the Commander-in-Chief’s Prize for torpedo training three times, in 1991, 1993 and 1995. On June 3, 1992, she was renamed B-138. On May 5, 2000, a sponsorship agreement was signed with the Obninsk city administration, and she was honorary named “Obninsk”.
In 2001, when transferred from the disbanded 33rd division, the crew was reformed into a numbered submarine crew, without being tied to a specific ship, transferred to the 7th division. “Obninsk” was accepted by sailors of the 505th submarine crew (“Sosnovy Bor”) on a permanent basis.
In 2008, B-138 “Obninsk” was part of the 11th submarine division of the Northern Fleet in Zaozersk.
From 2011 to autumn 2014, she underwent repairs at Nerpa shipyard. On May 16, 2014, she returned to service and by the fall of 2014, she successfully launched a missile from the Barents Sea at a target at the Chizha test site.
In July 2015, she took part in Navy Day, in Severomorsk.
On December 23, 2015, she made her first long patrol after modernization and returned to the Zaozersk submarine base in Murmansk.
On August 15, 2016, she attacked a detachment of ships in a “blue on red” scenario with torpedo, for exercises in the Barents Sea. She sent four practice torpedoes from a specified depth and distance and estimated four kills. The adversary was the new Project 1155 Vice-Admiral Kulakov and Severomorsk (Udaloy class DDs) and small ASW vessels of Project 1124, Brest and Yunga (Grisha class).
On June 23, 2017, at the naval ranges in the Barents Sea, she fired a torpedo at a ships detachment including the Kirov class Pyotr Velikiy, and the Kara-class Severomorsk and Vice-Admiral Kulakov, also making allegedly three kills.
Not further records. Last alleged Cdr. was from 2008 Captain 1st Rank Mikhail Vladimirovich Domnin.

К-414 (6.1992 B-414, 9.1996 B-414 Daniil Moskovskiy) she was laid down on 01695 Admiralty Yd on 1.12.1989, launched on 31.8.1990 and completed on 30.12.1990.
She was transferred to Severodvinsk before being commissioned and later being accepted at the 6th Submarine Division based in Vidyaevo.
On June 3, 1992, she was reclassified, renamed B-414. In 1993 she made a long patorl in the Atlantic. In 1994 she escorted the Delta class SSBN K-18, and took part in a group Arctic cruise, surfacing at the North Pole. The crew commander was at hos return awarded the title “Hero of Russia”. In 1994, when the 6th Submarine Division was disbanded, she was transferred to the 7th Submarine Division.
On August 25, 1995, she escorted the tests of TK-20 missile submarine, and in September transported 10 tons of food to Kharasavey base. On September 18, 1996, she received the personal name “Daniil Moskovsky” in honor of the first appanage prince of Moscow, Daniil Alexandrovich.
On September 6, 2006, while at a test site in the Barents Sea with the 505th crew on board, a fire broke out in an electromechanical compartment and the emergency protection was triggered, the reactors stopped. Midshipman Shabanov and contract sailor Etyuyev were the first to fight the fire, but died of carbon monoxide poisoning. They were evacuated to an approaching rescue vessel but it wass too late. The fire was extinguished and was towed to Vidyayevo base with the help of surface vessels.
On November 18, 2012, she made a cruise in the Barents Sea, when called to help the crew of the trawler Rybachy, after sending out a distress signal. Being in the immediate vicinity they started the rescue in difficult weather conditions. The whole crew was safely delivered to shore.
She was stationed at the village of Vidyayevo, part of the 7th submarine division but annoounced to be sold for scrap with three others.
On October 28, 2022, the naval flag was lowered and she decommissioned and on November 12, 2022, towed for disposal to the Nerpa shipyard.

К-448 (B-448 Tambov from 3.1995) was laid down as a Project 671RTMK under number 01696 at Admiralty Yd, St. Peterburg on 31.1.1991, launched on 17.10.1991 and completed on 24.9.1992. She was ordered on 20, 1989. In 1992, she was reclassified and renamed B-448. She joined the Northern fleet on February 5, 1993 and by March 25, 1995, received the name “Tambov” to commemorate the 360th anniversary of the city. On February 29, 1996, in her third sortied under commander M. L. Ivanisov, there was a widely publicized incident.

During NATO naval exercises, after a successful simulation of enemy detection, an undetected Russian submarine contacted NATO ships, asking for help. Soon, in the middle of the NATO formation, a submarine surfaced, identified by British sailors as a Project 971 Shchuka-B. One of the crew members needed indeed urgent medical care due to peritonitis, after an appendectomy. Sources often indicate the cause of an acute attack of appendicitis. The submariner was taken to the British destroyer HMS Glasgow, and from there, flown to the nearest hospital by a Westland Lynx. The British press covered this, the Times noted that it was a demonstration of the VICTOR III stealth as none of the NATO ship was able to detect her prior to surfacing, but it was mis-identified as a Shchuka-B.

From June 22 to 26, 1999, she took part in the large Zapad-99 strategic command and staff exercises attended by MoD Marshal I. Sergeyev.
From August 20 to 26, 1999, she procured a target for sonar tests of Admiral Chabanenko as she was underway from the Baltic to the Northern fleet base.
In 1999, she won the Navy Commander-in-Chief Prize for torpedo training.
In February to May 2000 she “on combat duty” (no sortie that year).
In April 2001, she took part in a training cruise of Northern Fleet ships, competing for the Navy CiC Prize.
In August-October 2001, she was “on combat duty”.
In June 2003, she took part in the Northern Fleet command and staff exercises, searching for foreign submarines, and carried out simulated strikes on sea and coastal targets, with the ships of the 7th Special Squadron, Northern Fleet.
On July 27, 2003, she made surfazcing and diving demonstrations for a gathered crowd in the waters of Severomorsk at Navy Day.
In 2015, she was sent to the Nerpa Shipyard for overhaul modernization, which, scheduled to be completed in 2021 but postponed to 2022. In 2023, she returned to service and by July 2024, she was planned to participate together with K-561 Kazan in the naval parade for Navy Day in Kronstadt roadstead.
No more logs. Updates expected.

Read More

Reed, W. Craig (2020). Spies of the Deep. US: Permuted Press. pp. Chapter 4.
Norman Polmar, Kenneth J. Moore. Cold War Submarines: The Design and Construction of U.S. and Soviet.
Polmar, Norman and Moore, Kenneth (2004). Cold War Submarines: the design and construction of U.S. and Soviet submarines. Brassey’s, p. 160.
Thompson, Roger (2007). Lessons not learned: the U.S. Navy’s status quo culture. NIP

web.archive.org/ armscontrol.ru/ Victor-class
on fas.org
on navypedia.org k524
en.wikipedia.org K-324
odin.tradoc.army.mil/ VICTOR III
web.archive.org deepstorm.ru/
old.redstar.ru/
http://flotprom.ru/
on ru.wikipedia.org/
web.archive.org/ www.warships1.com/
web.archive.org lenta.ru/ obninsk/
web.archive.org /flot.com/
navweaps.com post-WWII.php
en.wikipedia.org Victor-class_submarine
militaryperiscope.com
hazegray.org/
web.archive.org/ submarine.id.ru
web.archive.org/ bellona.no/

Model Kits

Submarine HMS Revenge vs Soviet Victor III DML 1:700
Victor III Class Attack Submarine Blue Water Navy 1:350 BN-35046
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3D

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