Project 949A(M) Antey submarines (NATO designation: Oscar II) are the last class of Russian submarines equipped with P-700 Granit long-range supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles. They are approximately 4 times larger than standard cruise missiles on modern submarines, according to The Military Watch Magazine.
Each Project 949A(M) Antey submarine carries 24 "Granits," designed to engage well-defended aircraft carrier strike groups at ranges of approximately 500 kilometers. The P-700 guidance systems were considered advanced for their time.
The Russian Navy is gradually decommissioning Project 949A(M) Antey submarines, replacing them with 885 Yasen submarines. The latter are superior in stealth, volume, and missile arsenal.
The P-700 Granit was developed by specialists at NPO Mashinostroyeniya. The anti-ship missile was adopted into service in 1983. It has a cigar-shaped form with an annular air intake and folding cruciform tail fins. The P-700 is launched from SM-225 containerized launchers.
Characteristics of the P-700 Granit:
- Length — 10 m
- Body diameter — 1.14 m
- Launch weight — 7000 kg
- Speed at altitude — M2
- Range — 550 km
- Warhead — penetrating or nuclear
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