H I Sutton - Covert Shores

Russian X-RAY Class Special Mission submarine Flag

Flag The Russian Project 1851 Nelma class (NATO: X-RAY class) midget submarine is shrouded in secrecy. It was designed by the famous SPMBM "Malachite" bureau and was first publicly reported by Western intelligence in 1984. In the mid-1990s she was been joined by two modified Project 18511 Halibut (NATO: PALTUS Class).

Original artwork. CLICK for high-resolution image.

Russian texts suggest that the X-RAY was designed in 1971, but that construction followed much later. She was the first Russian “Deep Water Station” (AGS) designed to be carried under a host submarine, termed a Nuclear Powered Axillary Submarine (SSAN). The first Project 675N ECHO-II SSAN conversion as carried out at Yargy Island between 1976 and 1979 and was relaunched in December 1980, suggesting that the X-RAY entered service some time before being reported in 1983.

"There is considerable obscurity concerning this small class of small submarines, starting with the project designation. Some sources reference the X-Ray class as Project 678, while more authoritative sources reference it as Project 1851. Both project numbers seem to be associated with this program, though what difference they make is opaque."
(GlobalSecuriy.org)

Russian Spy subs GUGI - Covert Shores

Now for the first time the midget submarine (length 40m) is visible in detail. The design is equivalent to the US NR-1 but differs in: a) having a double hull construction, b) having a diver lock-out capability (suspected), c) being carried by a host submarine (SSAN)

Russian Spy subs GUGI - Covert Shores
PALTUS Class on the surface. Some details have been obscured/censored, possibly due to security concerns.

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Russian Spy subs GUGI - Covert Shores

Russian Spy subs GUGI - Covert Shores
Project 675N ECHO-II Class SSAN at Olenya in Saida, late 1980s. Modifications to carry X-RAY under the keel are completely hidden beneath the waterline.

Specifications
Displacement: 550 tons surfaced, 1,000 tons submerged
Length: 40 meters
Beam: 5.3 meters
Draft: 5 meters
Speed: 6 knots
Operating depth: 1,000 meters
Crew: TBC
Endurance: Est 1 month
Armament: none
Payload: TBC