New OSINT on Russian 'Shelf' autonomous underwater reactor (ATGU)
Sometimes a connection between two systems is hiding in plain sight. In this case, the information was right here on Covert Shores! Thank you to Andre G who alerted me to this.

St. Petersberg based design bureau Malachite, famous for designing many Russian submarines including the ALFA, AKULA and now Laika, have left an interesting hint in one of their patent applications.

The reactor section on the "Submarine for servicing underwater mining complexes on the Arctic shelf and other underwater operations" is identical to the 'Shelf' Automated ATGU (Атомная турбогенераторная установка: Nuclear Turbine Generator).

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Both projects are quasi-civilian, and relate to hydrocarbon exploitation of the arctic ocean. In particular, under the ice cap. These platforms have a clear dual-use potential in naval operations, particularly sensor networks and intelligence. The submarine is intended for the maintenance and repair of underwater mining complexes on the Arctic shelf. The ATGU is a general purpose nuclear power installation intended for on-land (in arctic) and undersea applications. The Malachite website provides a power output of 4 Megawatts in the submarine platform. It is likely to be less for the Shelf application.

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