What improvements have been made in submarines? STEALTH!

This Broadband Quieting Comparison comes to us from official US Navy Intelligence sources. The constant theme in Russian submarine improvements over the past decade has been improved STEALTH. Dynamic & long-term acoustic & magnetic quieting programs have produced significant results - note the ACOUSTIC QUIETING table directly above; and the MAGNETIC SIGNATURE table.

Today - for the first time - Russia's front-line submarines are as quiet OR QUIETER in some respects than America's best. Programs to provide still further reductions in reduced noise are active today and are expected to continue.

By the year 2000, over half the remaining Russian submarine force will have incorporated stealth technologies on a par with those of modern Western submarines, and 20% of Russia's nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSN) will be QUIETER than the US Navy's front-line IMPROVED LOS ANGELES Class SSNs.

In December 1993, in an unprecedented public announcement, Russia revealed that the keel for the first unit of a new-generation nuclear-powered attack submarine class had been laid down inside the same building hall that previously built the TYPHOON Class SSBN. This new multi-mission submarine, the SEVERODVINSK, is scheduled to become operational by 2000.

Designed to emphasize improvements in quieting, sensor performance, and weapons delivery, SEVERODVINSK is projected to outperform today's most advanced Western submarines in many respects.

In 1995, 35% of the 2nd generation and 75% of the 3rd generation Russian submarines have improved quieting.

By the year 2000 all 100% of 2nd generation AND 3rd generation submarines will have improved quieting.

This US Navy Intelligence report will continue next month as we cover - NEW WEAPONS, NEW TECHNOLOGIES.