Mike

🇨🇳China

SEVMASH

1983 – Present

Overview

The Submarine Mike class is a cutting-edge series of submarines designed for advanced naval operations, featuring exceptional stealth, superior underwater performance, and advanced technology for effective communication and situational awareness. With a focus on long-endurance missions, high speed, and crew comfort, these versatile submarines are equipped to handle various tasks, including intelligence gathering and strategic deterrence, while prioritizing safety and operational efficiency.

Specifications

General

Crew64

Beam M10.7 m

Length M117.5 m

Propulsion1 OK-650 b-3 reactor with a power of 45,000 hp - 1 propeller

Torpedo Tubes6

Diving Depth M1,250 m

Cruise MissilesSET-65, VA-111 Shkval, SS-N-15, SS-N-16

Speed Submerged Knots30 knots

Displacement Submerged Tons8,000 tons

Research Notes

Project 685 Mike / K-278 Komsomolets: Development Context

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Project 685 Mike / K-278 Komsomolets was developed as a deep-diving nuclear attack submarine shaped by Soviet Cold War naval requirements.

Project 685 Plavnik, known to NATO as Mike, was a one-off Soviet nuclear attack submarine built to test extreme-depth performance and advanced titanium construction. K-278 Komsomolets was not a mass-production class; it was a technology demonstrator and operational boat intended to push Soviet submarine design beyond ordinary pressure-hull limits.

Section Sources

Mike Class - Project 685GlobalSecurity.org Soviet submarine K-278 KomsomoletsWikipedia

Technical Profile And Mission Fit

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Project 685 Mike / K-278 Komsomolets's design matched its deep-diving nuclear attack submarine mission through specific hull, propulsion, sensor and weapons choices.

The submarine used a titanium hull, nuclear propulsion and design features intended for very deep diving. Its armament included torpedo tubes compatible with standard and nuclear-capable weapons. The design traded cost and complexity for depth performance, giving it a unique profile among Soviet submarines but limiting repeat production.

Section Sources

Mike Class - Project 685GlobalSecurity.org Soviet submarine K-278 KomsomoletsWikipedia

Operational Use And Significance

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Project 685 Mike / K-278 Komsomolets's importance comes from service experience, fleet role or influence on later naval development.

Komsomolets served with the Soviet Navy until the 1989 fire and sinking in the Norwegian Sea. The loss made the boat important not only technically but also as a nuclear-safety and rescue case. Its operational legacy is therefore a combination of deep-diving innovation, limited service and enduring environmental concern around the wreck.

Section Sources

Mike Class - Project 685GlobalSecurity.org Soviet submarine K-278 KomsomoletsWikipedia

Sources & References

NAVYPEDIA fighting ships of the worldNavypedia • 2026

Naval EncyclopediaNaval Encyclopedia • 2026

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