Project 661 Anchar / Papa
A predecessor to the famous ALFA-class attack submarine, the Project 661 Anchar [Papa] was designed as an extremely fast anti-shipping cruise missile submarine. The Papa design included 10 SS-N-9 missiles in individual tubes forward of the sail, between the inner (pressure) hull and the outer hull. The US Navy was surprised in 1970 by the deployment of the Alfa-class attack submarine, whose 45 knot speed and 2000-2500 foot operating depth greatly surpased previous Soviet or American submarines. The Alfa used a high power density, liquid metal reactor plant which greatly increased her power-to-weight and volume ratios. It also featured a titanium pressure hull which reduced the hull weight needed for extreme operating depths.
The Papa SSGN appeared to incorporate similar design technologies for the antiship cruise missile mission. The K-162 was the world's fastest submarine, reportedly reaching a record speed of 44.7 knots on trials [causing signficant damage to topside equipment in the process]. The high speed of the design came at the price of excessive noisy and high construction costs. The Alfa did not enter production until the late 1970s, with only six units built, while only a single PAPA was ever deployed. Instead, the Soviets focused on building the more traditional submarines.
In July 2008 the Nuclear submarine ?-222 (until 1978. – ?-162) was moved from PO “Sevmash” to berth of ship repairing center “Zvezdochka” for future utilization. This pilot high speed nuclear submarine of 661 project is a unique submarine which had no analogs in world shipbuilding. In fact a new industry branch was established to create the first soviet nuclear submarine with shell from titanic alloy. Ship was being built at Sevmash during 6 years. In 1969 it was delivered in pilot operation, in 1971 it obtained record underwater speed of 44.7 knots [according to Sevmash]. Due to high cost of building and exclusive combat features it was called “Goldfish” (“Zolotaya Rybka”).
On 30 November 1980 submarine K-222 was at the plant in Severodvinsk. It was undergoing a comprehensive check of main power plant. Troops killed the ship lunch, and the staff of the plant remained on the submarine. In violation of instructions have been filed on food management compensates grills without power at the control devices. As a result of improper functioning of the automatic compensation lattice spontaneously began to walk up. There was unauthorized access to the nuclear power reactor. As a result, reactor core had been damaged. Official data does not report on the levels of pollution submarine, the environment and levels of exposure of troops.
In 1989 the submarine was excluded from Naval Fleet and in 1999 towed to Sevmash for recycling. But project originality did not allow using traditional technologies of submarine cutting. Within ten years Sevmash civil crew provided ship survivability, and yesterday moved submarine to ship repairing center “Zvezdochka”. Builders of this submarine came to part with the submarine. Farewell sirens were heard from Sevmash berths.
Taking into account significance of ?-222 in the history of shipbuilding, the community and Naval Fleet veterans suggested keeping submarine deckhouse as memorial.
