NOTICE: Something in the update has caused the bomb protection system to make this thing explode on spawn, will fix in time.

Project 629 Ballistic Missile Submarine

Users:
CCCP (Soviet Navy)
PLAN(Chinese Navy)
KPN(North Korean Navy)

In Commission: 1958-Present (PLAN)

In the mid 1950's after Six Zulu Class submarines were successfully modified to carry and launch Ballistic Missiles, a specialized class of Ballistic Missile Submarine was developed. Based on the existing Diesel Electric Foxtrot class, the Golf was originally designed to carry 3 R-11FM Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles. Only the first three would end up using the R-11, with subsequent vessels using the improved R-13 Missile. Being an early Ballistic missile submarine, the Golf Class had to Surface in order to launch its missiles.

Alongside having improved Range over its prececessor, the R-13 Ballistic Missile was unique in being the first Soviet Designed Missile to use Vernier Thrusters. Small rocket engines used for course correction instead of the usual aerodynamic control surfaces. It did retain the use of aerodynamic stabilizers for launch.

One Golf Class submarine, K-129 would become the subject of a famous recovery operation known as Project Azorian. After exeeding crush depth, K-129 would be lost and never found by the Soviet Navy. It would be discovered by the USS Halibut, an old Cruise missile submarine converted for use of Deep Sea Research and Espionage. The project would involve the development of a specialized ship purpose built for picking up the submarine. The mission went smoothly up until one of the claws used to pick it up malfunctioned, causing most of the submarine to fall back to the bottom. The bow section would ultimately be recovered, and some say nuclear tipped torpedoes were recovered.

Source(s)
Wikipedia-Golf Class
Wikipedia-R-13 Missile

Features:

• Fully functional Pitch and Rudder control, with improved Rudder system.
• Unlimited Dive.
• Near 1:1 Scale
• Simulated Ballast System.
• 3 Deployable Ballistic Missiles

Instructions:

Submarine Operation
1)LandingGear to deploy/retract bow planes
2)Pitch for Pitch, used for depth control.
3)Roll for Rudder control.
4)VTOL for Ballast Control, used for depth control independent of speed and pitch.

Missile Launch Procedure
1)Surface at speed and set Ballast all the way up while deploying bow planes.
2)Retract Bow Planes, Recommended to reduce speed to zero.
3)Switch to the camera view for the corresponding missile.
4)Press the Activation Group (1-3) Corresponding to that camera.
5)Wait a moment for the missiles to launch, then use Pitch and Yaw to steer them.
6)Navigate to target area, switch to Air to Ground mode, then aim the Missile to Target.
7)FireWeapon to deploy payload.

This thing gave me some troubles along the way, but I ultimately managed! Thankfully installing the missiles was no hassle. I decided after observing the steering of previous subs to introduce a new rudder system. This sub has a second rudder hidden in the front, not realistic but it makes for much better turning. The missiles are based on the R-13, and actually use engines to change direction like the real thing! Though they don't quite work like the real thing in terms of delivering payload, but I did try for that and it didn't quite work out the way I wanted.

This thing was a lot of work, and though the front visuals are a little rough I'm happy with how it came out!

After this and the R-13 upload I'm thinking of taking a break from this game, play other games and keep this game fresh. I do appreciate the support, comments, and upvotes thus far though, and I will return soon! Though not before another Underwater Update, which will have some important info for when I do.