Seamen safety

Russia's newest attack submarine tests escape chamber

Karl Soper, Washington, DC - IHS Jane's Navy International

27 November 2014

   

The Russian Navy's Project 885 Yasen-class submarine, host platform for the navy's first post-Soviet submarine escape chamber trials. Source: Russian Ministry of Defence

Key Points

• Russia tests floating escape chamber system on new SSN Severodvinsk
• Escape chamber operated successfully from a depth of 40 m

The Russian Navy's newest nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) Severodvinsktested in early November its floating escape chamber, in waters near its Zapadnaya Litsa base in northern Russia, according to a report from the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Severodvinsk is the lead boat of the Project 885 Yasen class. It was formally accepted into service in June.

Northern Fleet commander Admiral Vladimir Korolev told Russian news services that this was the first submarine escape chamber test undertaken by the post-Soviet Russian Navy.

According to the MoD, Severodvinsk submerged to a depth of 40 m and stabilised motionless to simulate a distressed submarine. A five-man test team then executed actions to abandon the submarine via its escape chamber, which is housed in a vertical section of the fin.

In addition to the test team, the escape chamber carried ballast equal to the weight of the entire crew.

The escape chamber seen on the surface alongside support ships and rigid-hull inflatable boats, following the test. (Russian Ministry of Defence)

After the escape chamber successfully separated and surfaced, rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) towed it alongside the Project 05360/1 salvage and mooring vesselMikhail Rudnitsky . The test crew exited the escape chamber, and the chamber was hoisted aboard the ship.

Meanwhile, Severodvinsk took on ballast to stabilise its position and to compensate for the chamber's weight, and then surfaced.

Adm Korolev told the media that the success of this exercise confirmed the design and reliability of the submarines coming into the fleet. He commended his submarine command and the Severodvinsk crew for thorough preparation which enabled the safe conduct of the training scenario.

A fleet spokesman stated that all modern Russian submarines, including those currently in build, are equipped with escape chambers.

COMMENT

The navy's first built-in detachable chamber appeared on the Soviet Project 705 Alfa-class submarine in the 1970s. The chamber could accommodate the entire crew and was equipped with radio communications, lighting, oxygen regeneration and ventilation systems, and supplies of food, water, and clothing sufficient for six days on the surface. The system became a feature of all Soviet third-generation nuclear-powered submarines.

The escape chamber was used in one real-world emergency. Five crew members remaining aboard the one-of-a-kind Mike-class submarine Komsomolets as it sank in April 1989 tried to escape in the chamber from a depth of more than 400 m. Two survived by donning individual breathing gear, but one of the two died when pressure blew out the hatch when the chamber surfaced. Only warrant officer 

Viktor Slyusarenko was rescued. The chamber sank in rough seas.

The loss of the Project 949A Antyey Oscar II-class Kursk in August 2000 spurred Russia to participate for the next decade in co-operative efforts like NATO's 'Bold Monarch' submarine rescue exercises. 

However, the recent downturn in relations between Russia and the West raises doubts as to whether Russia would request help in an emergency and how effectively assistance could be rendered. Testing the navy's independent submarine escape capability seems to underscore Russia's intent to rely solely on its own resources.

Source: http://www.janes.com/article/46370/russia-s-newest-attack-submarine-tests-escape-chamber