Multifunctional underwater station (MPS)

In 2010 the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade patented a ‘Multifunctional underwater station (MPS) (Russian: Многофункциональная подводная станция (МПС). Two years later Russian submarine design bureau Lazurite proposed the same design for a range of underwater engineering tasks. Although presented as a civilian platform the design gives us good insight into the Russian ‘deep station’ spy submarines operated by GUGI (Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research, Military Unit 40056). Critically, the design is quite slow (just 12 knots) but has a massive 1,060 cubic meter integral payload bay (about as large as a three story house) allowing it to place or retrieve large items on the sea floor.

Lazerite listed its roles as all-weather and under-ice underwater search / survey, scientific research, underwater engineering and ‘general diving operations.

CLICK for high-resolution image:

Specifications
Displacement: 5,800 tons surfaced
Length: 116 meters
Beam: 11 meters
Height: 15 meters
Speed: 12 knots
Operating depth: 400 meters
Crew: 40
Endurance: 45 days supplies
Armament: none
Payload: 4 x AUVs (UUVs), payload bay for ocean engineering items

Get The essential guide to World Submarines
This Covert Shores Recognition Guide Covers over 80 classes of submarines including all types currently in service with World Navies.
Check it out on Amazon

2015 model
In 2015 Lazurite proposed a refined design:

A Lazurite Design Bureau model on display at the Naval Show in St. Petersburg, 2015.

Original Artwork - CLICK for high-resolution image:

Specifications
Displacement: 5,900 tons surfaced
Length: 117 meters
Beam: 15 meters
Height: 16.2 meters
Speed: 13 knots
Operating depth: 400 meters
Crew: 40 + 48 scientists/divers/passengers for a total of 128 people
Endurance: 30 days supplies
Armament: none
Payload: 4 x AUVs (UUVs), payload bay for ocean engineering items
Diving operations depth: 300m

The main payload bay has clamshell doors in the roof to allow dockside access to load or unload large items.

---

Related Articles
USS Jimmy Carter (SSN-23)
NR-1
USS Parche spy sub par-excellence

Soviet BS-64 Podmoskovye Special Mission (spy) Host Submarine

Project 09852 Belgorod Special Mission submarine (spy sub)

Russian Typhoon Class SSBN

P.09851 KHABAROVSK and KANYON (Status-6)

SIERRA Class SSN

Russian Losharik spy sub

Project 1910 UNIFORM Class deep diving spy sub

USS Halibut

USS Seawolf (SSN-575)

Russian X-RAY Class spy sub

Yantar spy ship loitering over undersea cables

Russia seeks submarine advantage in Arctic (SHELF system, GUGI special mission subs)