Im guessing the new 5000 / 6000 ton submarine will be a Malachite design and a smaller Akula successor designed to fight enemy submarines in Russia’s littorials and bastans, ie A Russian Virgina counter. Im guessing Pumpjet and a sound level even lower than Seawolf / Virginia with much emphasis on wake and other nonacoustic signatures. Cots capability from the outset (to finally negate American edge in processing) and likely a very large Yankee Pod 2 / Kazan type bow array or possible conformal and stealth shaping of masts and sail at 30 degree hull crossection angles to further reduce signature. More emphasis on supporting special forces to match American abilities. New generation Soks sensors. Quite possibly a shape similar to Beluga though modified for ease of construction to obtain a very high admiralty coefficient (LA has 400 or so, Vanguard similar, Beluga had 600), else a Gepard development. A high coefficient means less power, smaller wakes and with only 4 units planned, shaping may not be such a cost issue. Likely a more enriched reactor up from 40 percent enrichment (akula/ Sierra) to perhaps 60 -80 percent to reduce refuelings; an issue for the Russian navy during the dark years of the 90s. Conformal side arrays to give instant ranging without drag of U.S WAA / non penetrating optics. In fact Russians speak of whole sub being a large sensor. Expect LPI seach radars and stealth masts, some polymer capability (for burst operations of roughly 30 mins duration, tanks between hulls / Beluga tests reportedly successful). Some ocean interface ability like Jimmy Carter but to launch unmanned underwater vehicles and lay down mobile sosus nets (active I presume for diesel electrics) to match capabilities the US are developing. Reduced manning. Fin may however be less sloped like Gepard presumably to reduce wake signatures. Anyone else have a projection?
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