According to the Russian online website Gazeta.ru Russian Company Malakhit is currently building Husky-class fifth-generation submarines. The Husky has to replace Antey-class SSGN of project 949A, as well as SSN of project 971, Shchuka-class project 671TMK, Condor-class project 945A, and Barracuda-class project 945. Malakhit Marine Engineering Bureau has designed nuclear-powered attack submarines including the November, Victor-class, Alfa, Akula and Husky. Malakhit also designs torpedo tubes and submarine missile armament complexes. In addition it designs small submersibles for intelligence collection, deep-diving oceanographic research and rescue, and commercial applications.
Reports said the Husky is designed in two options. The anti-submarine role to fight submarines is especially considered against mostly SSBN of the US Columbia class and the British Vanguard. The second option will be armed with Tsirkon hypersonic missiles to destroy big surface warships, nuclear aircraft carriers, cruisers and destroyers, universal amphibious assault ships, etc. Tsirkon has a cruising speed of over 7000 km/h and can hit targets at a distance of 1000 km. The Husky-class submarines will be less noisy than fourth-generation submarine. They will have a composite hull using composites that will decrease the reflection of the opposing sonar and the weight of the submarine.
The Husky-class fifth-generation submarine will have a completely new reactor instead of the water-cooled and water-moderated one (VVER). It is likely to be a development of the reactor installed in Lira-class SSN of project 705. “The main power plant of the project was a reactor and a steam generator with a liquid crystal heat exchanger (lead and bismuth alloy) and a single-shaft steam turbine. Submarines with liquid-metal plant exceeded second-generation VVER submarines two times in maneuverability and 1.5-2.5 times in power/weight ratio. They are 1.3-1.5 times better in specific weight indicators.
Late in 2018, Malakhit Marine Engineering Bureau has launched R&D work codenamed Laika (Husky) to develop a fifth-generation multipurpose nuclear-powered submarine. The Malakhit Marine Engineering Bureau said in its annual report that the R&D work on the promising fifth-generation multipurpose nuclear-powered submarine was due to begin in 2019. It has been reported on many occasions that Russia is working on the conceptual design of a new-generation submarine. Russia is currently building a series of fourth-generation multipurpose submarines, namely, Yasen-class subs and Borei strategic underwater missile cruisers.
