The Priz class (Project 1855) is a type of
Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle
A deep-submergence rescue vehicle (DSRV) is a type of deep-submergence vehicle used for rescue of downed submarines and clandestine missions. While DSRV is the term most often used by the United States Navy, other nations have different design ...
(DSRV) operated by the government of
Russia
Russia (, , ), or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. It is the largest country in the world, with its internationally recognised territory covering , and encompassing one-eig ...
. There are known to be at least five vessels of the class, several of which were involved in the failed rescue attempt when the ''
Kursk
Kursk ( rus, Курск, p=ˈkursk) is a city and the administrative center of Kursk Oblast, Russia, located at the confluence of the Kur, Tuskar, and Seym rivers. The area around Kursk was the site of a turning point in the Soviet–German stru ...
'' sank on 12 August 2000. The
Russian
Russian(s) refers to anything related to Russia, including:
*Russians (, ''russkiye''), an ethnic group of the East Slavic peoples, primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries
*Rossiyane (), Russian language term for all citizens and peo ...
word "Priz" (“приз”) means "prize".
Specifications
The
titanium
Titanium is a chemical element with the Symbol (chemistry), symbol Ti and atomic number 22. Found in nature only as an oxide, it can be reduced to produce a lustrous transition metal with a silver color, low density, and high strength, resista ...
hulled
Husk (or hull) in botany is the outer shell or coating of a seed. In the United States, the term husk often refers to the leafy outer covering of an ear of maize (corn) as it grows on the plant. Literally, a husk or hull includes the protective ...
vessels are 13.5 m long, 3.8 m wide and 4.6 m high, with a displacement of 55 tonnes. Capable of operating at depths up to 1000 metres, they have a range of , at a top speed of 3.3 knots (6 km/h). With a crew of four, they can stay submerged for up to 120 hours, but with the crew and a full complement of 20 passengers aboard this is reduced to 10 hours. The Priz vessels are equipped with manipulators that can lift up to 50 kg.
According to a report on Russian television (Vesti, on Rossiya channel, August 7, 2005), the Project 1855 Priz vessel was designed by the
Lazurit Design Bureau
The Lazurit Central Design Bureau (russian: Центральное конструкторское бюро "Лазурит") is a company based in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. It is part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation.
The Lazurit Central Desi ...
of
Nizhny Novgorod
Nizhny Novgorod ( ; rus, links=no, Нижний Новгород, a=Ru-Nizhny Novgorod.ogg, p=ˈnʲiʐnʲɪj ˈnovɡərət ), colloquially shortened to Nizhny, from the 13th to the 17th century Novgorod of the Lower Land, formerly known as Gork ...
, and four modifications were made: AS-26 (1986), AS-28 (1989), AS-30 (1989), and AS-34 (1991).
Operations
The Priz is thought to be operable either manned or unmanned with a battery endurance of three hours. Over the 2006-2016 years, an upgrade of the class to improve its navigational, search and life-support ability was conducted.
The Priz submarines are carried by ''Pionier Moskvyy'' class submersible support ships (Project 05360/05361), which can carry up to two of the submarines. The ships are equipped with special equipment to deploy Priz in rough seas.
List of boats
There are currently four Priz vessels operating.
*
* (disabled off the coast of
Kamchatka
The Kamchatka Peninsula (russian: полуостров Камчатка, Poluostrov Kamchatka, ) is a peninsula in the Russian Far East, with an area of about . The Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Okhotsk make up the peninsula's eastern and west ...
, August 5, rescued August 7, 2005)
*
*
See also
*
*
*
*
External links
Navy Recognition- ''Hammernews''
{{authority control
Kursk submarine disaster