Editing Akula-class submarine (section)

==Versions==
As with many Soviet/Russian craft, information on the status of the ''Akula''-class submarines is sparse, at best. Information provided by sources varies widely.

===Project 971 (''Akula I'')===
[[File:AkulaProjekt971klein.png|thumb|left|The four known versions of the ''Akula'' class]]
Of the seven original ''Akula''s, only three are known to still be in service. These boats are equipped with MGK-540 Skat-3 sonar system (NATO reporting name Shark Gill).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.harpoondatabases.com/Sensor.aspx?DB=5&ID=420 |title=MGK-500 Shark Gill (Bow) |website=HarpoonDatabases.com |access-date=2012-10-04 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130419042826/http://www.harpoondatabases.com/Sensor.aspx?DB=5&ID=420 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-04-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://submarine.su/mgk500.shtml |title=Armament "MGK-500" automated sonar complex |website=Submarine.su |access-date=2012-10-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018134247/http://submarine.su/mgk500.shtml |archive-date=2012-10-18}}</ref> The lead boat of the class, K-284 ''Akula'', was decommissioned in 2001, apparently to help save money in the cash-strapped Russian Navy. K-322 ''Kashalot'' and K-480 ''Bars'' [currently ''Ak Bars''] are in reserve. K-480 ''Bars'' was put into reserve in 1998,<ref name="Podvodnye Lodki 2003">{{cite book |first=Yu. V. |last=Apalkov |date=2003 |title=Подводные лодки ВМФ СССР |trans-title=Submarines of the Soviet Navy |location=Sankt-Peterburg |publisher=Galeya Print |isbn=5-8172-0071-6}}</ref> and was being dismantled in February 2010. ''Pantera'' returned to service in January 2008 after a comprehensive overhaul.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rusnavy.com/nowadays/strength/k-317.htm |title=K-317 Pantera |website=Rusnavy.com |access-date=2012-10-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418225646/http://rusnavy.com/nowadays/strength/k-317.htm |archive-date=2012-04-18 |url-status=dead}}</ref> All were retrofitted with the SOKS hydrodynamic sensors. All submarines before K-391 ''Bratsk'' have reactor coolant scoops that are similar to the ones of the {{sclass2|Typhoon|submarine|4}} SSBNs, long and tubular. ''Bratsk'' and subsequent submarines have reactor coolant scoops similar to the short ones on the Oscar IIs (the ''Typhoon'', ''Akula'' and ''Oscar'' classes use the similar OK-650 reactor).

===Project 971 and 971I (Improved ''Akula I'')===
The six ''Akula''s of this class are all thought to be in service. They are quieter than the original ''Akula''s. Sources also disagree as to whether construction of this class has been suspended, or if there are a further two units planned.

Improved ''Akula I'' Hulls: K-328 ''Leopard'', K-461 ''Volk'', K-154 ''Tigr'', K-419 ''Kuzbass'', K-295 ''Samara'' and K-152 ''Nerpa''. These submarines are much quieter than early ''Akula''-class submarines and all have the SOKS hydrodynamic sensors except ''Leopard''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/deep.htm |title=Run Silent, Run Deep |website=FAS.org |access-date=2012-10-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060205165346/https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/deep.htm |archive-date=2006-02-05 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=July 2023}}

===Project 971U (''Akula II'')===
K-157 ''Vepr'' is the only completed ''Akula II'' (see the table below).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rusnavy.com/nowadays/strength/submarines/k-157/ |title=K-157 Vepr |website=Rusnavy.com |access-date=2017-07-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701101151/http://rusnavy.com/nowadays/strength/submarines/k-157/ |archive-date=2017-07-01 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The ''Akula II'' is {{convert|3|m}} longer and displaces about 700 tons (submerged displacement) more than the ''Akula I''. The added space was used for additional quieting measures.  K-157 ''Vepr'' became the first Russian submarine that was quieter than the latest U.S. attack submarines of that time, which was the improved {{sclass|Los Angeles|submarine|4}} (SSN 751 and later).<ref>Adm. Boorda, statement at a meeting of the Naval & Maritime Correspondents Circle, Washington, D.C., 27 February 1995.</ref> Two of these submarines were used to build the {{sclass2|Borei|submarine|0}} SSBNs.

===Project 971M (''Akula III'')===
The K-335 ''Gepard'' is the 14th submarine of the class and the only completed ''Akula III'' (see the table below) built for the Russian Navy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rusnavy.com/nowadays/strength/submarines/k-335/ |title=K-335 Gepard |website=Rusnavy.com |access-date=2017-07-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170717072836/http://rusnavy.com/nowadays/strength/submarines/k-335/ |archive-date=2017-07-17 |url-status=dead}}</ref> It was the first submarine commissioned in the Russian Navy since the ''Kursk'' disaster, as a result, its commissioning ceremony was an important morale boost for the Russian Navy with President Vladimir Putin in attendance.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/41924 |title=President Vladimir Putin attended a ceremony of adopting the Gepard nuclear-powered submarine by the Russian Navy |date=4 December 2001 |website=[[President of Russia]] |access-date=2019-01-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190113122415/http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/41924 |archive-date=2019-01-13 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.spacedaily.com/news/submarine-01a.html |title=Putin Inauguration of New Sub Seen As Balm To Russian Navy |first=Bernard |last=Besserglik |date=4 December 2001 |website=SpaceDaily.com |access-date=2019-01-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808132053/http://www.spacedaily.com/news/submarine-01a.html |archive-date=2014-08-08 |url-status=live}}</ref> There is no NATO classification for the ''Akula III''. It is longer and has a larger displacement compared to the ''Akula II'', also it has an enlarged sail and a different towed-array dispenser on the vertical fin. Again, more noise reduction methods were employed. The ''Gepard'' was the most advanced Russian submarine before the submarines of the {{sclass|Severodvinsk|submarine|5}} and ''Borei'' class were commissioned.

The Soviet advances in sound quieting were of considerable concern to the West, for acoustics was long considered the most significant advantage in U.S. submarine technology compared to the Soviets.

In 1983–1984 the Japanese firm [[Toshiba]] sold sophisticated, nine axis milling equipment to the Soviets along with the computer control systems, which were developed by Norwegian firm [[Kongsberg Gruppen|Kongsberg Vaapenfabrik]]. U.S Navy officials and Congressmen announced that this technology enabled the Soviet submarine builders to produce more accurate and quieter propellers.<ref>{{cite news |title=Quieter Soviet subs cost U.S. at least $30 billion |date=14 March 1988 |work=Navy News & Undersea Technology}}</ref> This is known as the [[Toshiba–Kongsberg scandal]].

Due to the [[breakup of the Soviet Union]] in 1991, production of all ''Akula''s slowed.

The 1999–2000 edition of ''[[Jane's Fighting Ships]]'' incorrectly listed the first ''Akula III'' as ''Viper'' (the actual name is "Vepr", "wild boar" in Russian), commissioned on 25 November 1995. ''Gepard'' (Cheetah), was launched in 1999 and was commissioned 5 December 2001.