|
KILO CLASS SUBMARINE
The Kilo Class submarines are designed for operations in
shallower, coastal waters, and are tasked with anti-ship
and anti-submarine warfare. These subs are known for
their quietness and feature some of Russia’s most
advanced submarine technology.
While both the Kilo- and improved-Kilo-Class are quiet,
the latter has reportedly been called “Black Holes” by
the US Navy due to their noise-reduction measures. The
engines sit on a rubber base rather than being rooted to
the hull. This dampens and absorbs vibrations caused by
the running of the engine.
The hull and fins of Kilo submarines are covered with
anechoic
rubber tiles
to absorb sound waves emitted by enemy active sonars,
thus reducing the probability of detection. These tiles
also help attenuate sounds emitted from inside the
submarine which reduces the range at which the submarine
may be detected by enemy passive sonars.
The subs are powered by diesel-electric propulsion with
two 1,000kW diesel generators and one 5,500hp propulsion
motor. The seven-blade propeller can move the sub at a
speed of 11k when surfaced and 20k when submerged.
Maximum diving depth is 300m.
A Kilo class sub has six torpedo tubes and carries 18
heavyweight torpedoes. Two targets can be engaged
simultaneously. Five targets can be tracked
simultaneously, two automatically and three manually.
Two of the launch tubes can fire electric homing
torpedo, which has an active sonar homing system with
wire guidance which allows
the operator to manually switch to an alternative
target.
Wake-homing torpedoes can also be launched. The torpedo
is fired to cross behind the stern of the target ship
through the wake, as it does so it uses sonar to look
for changes in the water caused by the passage of the
ship. This will eventually bring it to the rear of the
ship.
This
feature has no countermeasures. Its the only wake-homing
torpedo in existence. It carries a 400 lb warhead.
The Kilo sub also carries a launcher with 8
anti-aircraft missiles for short range air defense. The
missiles have a 6 Km range. Each missile is enclosed
into a canister. The sub launches the canister from the
torpedo tubes and once the canister reaches the water
surface, the missile launches from the canister, so that
in practice, the water never touches the missile. In the
sea skimming mode, the missiles can flight at a low
altitude of about 10-12 ft above the water surface.
Kalibr missiles are designed to perform evasive
maneuvers instead of making a straight line approach,
thus making it easier to evade the target’s air
defenses. It is allegedly capable of disabling or even
sinking an aircraft carrier.
The boats are equipped with a rescue hatch, allowing the
personnel to leave while the sub is submerged at a depth
of up to 250 meters.
The first Kilo submarine entered service in the Soviet
Navy in 1980, and the class remains in use with the
Russian Navy today. 14 original Kilo are still in active
service and eight improved Kilo had been delivered as of
2021. About forty have been exported, mainly to China,
India, and Vietnam.
The Kilo class is small and compact. 242 feet in length,
displacement of 2,350t surfaced and 4,000t submerged, it
can accommodate 52 crew members for 45 days. In the
event of a conflict in the South China Sea, the United
States, which has tended to favor larger, less
maneuverable nuclear-powered subs, maybe at a distinct
disadvantage against a smaller, quieter, and more
maneuverable enemy.
This primarily wood
Kilo class
submarine model is
20" long (1/144 scale)
$1,570 Shipping and insurance in the US included.
Canada $90.
Other countries, $150 flat rate.
29" long (1/100 scale)
for $1,990. Shipping and insurance in the US included.
Canada $120.
Other countries, $200 flat rate.
Other sizes, please
contact us for a quote:
services@ModelShipMaster.com.
Learn
more about the Kilo class submarines here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilo-class_submarine
|
