The strategic nuclear
Delta-IV class submarine K-18 “Kareliya” has returned from its second
sea trial in the White Sea following modernization to improve its
tactical and technical performance.
Submarine Kareliya (Photo Star.ru)
This was the second successful round of a total of
three planned sea trials, Zvezdochka Shipyard’s press service reports,
according to ARMS-TASS. The submarine is planned to be returned to the Northern Fleet before the end of the year.
The submarine has been at the Zvezdochka shipyard in Severodvinsk,
Arkahangelsk Oblast, since October 2004. The modernization has
prolonged the submarine’s lifetime with approximately ten years and
improved its tactical and technical performance considerably.
According to Wikipedia,
“Kareliya” is one of seven Delta-IV class nuclear submarines built from
1985 to 1992. All are still in service in the Russian navy today. Five
submarines have already gone through modernization at the Zvezdochka
shipyard.
After the modernization the submarine’s main weapon system is the Sineva ballistic missile. According to Wikipedia, it can carry ten 100kT warheads. In a test launch on 11 October 2008, an R-29RMU travelled 11,547 kilometers downrange.(Original News)
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