The S-80: A Pioneer in Soviet Submarine Development and Missile Integration

The S-80 was a pivotal diesel-electric submarine, serving as an integral component of the Soviet Navy's ambitious post-World War II expansion and modernization programs. This vessel holds significant historical importance not only as a standard Project 613 unit, recognized by NATO as the "Whiskey class," but more critically for its later transformation into a pioneering platform for guided missile technology.

Construction and Initial Service as a Project 613 "Whiskey" Class Submarine

The keel of the S-80 was formally laid down on March 13, 1950, at the renowned Krasnoye Sormovo Shipyard in Gorky, a city now known as Nizhny Novgorod. This facility was a crucial industrial hub, instrumental in the production of numerous Soviet naval vessels, especially submarines. S-80 was constructed as a Project 613 vessel, a class that would become the most ubiquitous conventional submarine design built by the Soviet Union, with an impressive total exceeding 215 units manufactured. The Project 613, often referred to by its NATO designation "Whiskey class," was significantly influenced by advanced German Type XXI U-boat technology, captured and studied after World War II, which contributed to its improved underwater performance compared to earlier designs.

S-80 was successfully launched on October 21, 1950. Following its launch, it was delivered to Baku on the Caspian Sea on November 1 for initial trials and comprehensive testing. The Caspian Sea, an expansive inland body of water, provided a controlled and secure environment, ideal for conducting these vital preliminary evaluations before full operational deployment. After completing these crucial tests, S-80 embarked on a complex transfer northward in December, likely utilizing the extensive network of internal waterways, including the strategically important Volga-Don Canal system, to reach its assigned fleet. On December 2, 1952, S-80 was officially commissioned into the formidable Northern Fleet, one of the Soviet Navy's primary strategic formations, headquartered in the Arctic regions near Polyarny and Murmansk. It operated actively within this fleet, undertaking various conventional naval duties, until mid-1957.

Revolutionary Conversion to a Project 644 "Whiskey Twin-Cylinder" Guided Missile Submarine

A transformative phase in the S-80's operational history commenced in July 1957. The submarine entered a period of extensive overhaul and radical conversion at the strategically vital Severodvinsk shipyard. Located on the White Sea, Severodvinsk was (and remains) a paramount naval base and shipbuilding center, renowned for constructing and maintaining the Soviet Union's most advanced naval assets. During this comprehensive refit, S-80 was dramatically transformed into a Project 644 guided missile submarine, a distinctive designation NATO subsequently termed the "Whiskey Twin-Cylinder," owing to the unique, prominent external containers housing its new missile armaments.

This pioneering conversion represented an ambitious early stride by the Soviet Union to integrate long-range cruise missile capabilities onto its existing conventional submarine platforms. It clearly foreshadowed the future role of submarines as strategic launch vehicles in naval warfare. The core of the Project 644 conversion involved fitting two massive, external launch tubes designed to accommodate the formidable SS-N-3 Shaddock anti-ship missiles. Known officially in Soviet service as the P-5 Pyatyorka, the SS-N-3 was a revolutionary, large, long-range cruise missile, initially conceived for strategic land-attack roles but later effectively adapted for anti-ship warfare. Its integration onto a relatively smaller submarine like S-80 marked a significant leap in naval armaments, endowing a previously conventional submarine with formidable stand-off strike capabilities against enemy surface fleets. The necessity of mounting these colossal missile tubes externally vividly underscored the immense size of the P-5 missiles relative to the Project 613's hull, which was never originally engineered to house such substantial weapon systems internally. While functional, this external placement inevitably impacted the submarine's hydrodynamic efficiency and acoustic stealth. Following this extensive overhaul and the successful integration of its groundbreaking missile system, S-80 triumphantly returned to sea for continued operations in April 1959, ready to contribute its enhanced capabilities to the Soviet Navy's evolving strategic posture during the intense Cold War era.

Frequently Asked Questions About the S-80 Submarine

What type of submarine was S-80 initially?

S-80 began its service as a diesel-electric submarine, belonging to the Project 613 series. This class, known to NATO as the "Whiskey class," was a prolific and crucial component of the Soviet conventional submarine fleet in the immediate post-World War II period, forming its numerical backbone.

Where was the S-80 constructed?

The S-80 was constructed at the Krasnoye Sormovo Shipyard, situated in Gorky (now known as Nizhny Novgorod). This shipyard was a key industrial center vital for Soviet naval production, particularly for submarine construction.

What was the historical significance of S-80's conversion to Project 644?

The conversion of S-80 to Project 644, designated by NATO as the "Whiskey Twin-Cylinder," was a landmark event. It transformed the vessel into one of the Soviet Union's earliest guided missile submarines. This pioneering modification enabled a conventional submarine to externally carry and launch the large SS-N-3 Shaddock (P-5 Pyatyorka) anti-ship cruise missiles, showcasing the Soviet Navy's innovative efforts to integrate long-range missile strike capabilities into its underwater fleet and marking a significant step in naval weapon development during the Cold War.

What specific missiles did the Project 644 submarines, including S-80, carry?

Project 644 submarines, prominently including S-80, were armed with two formidable SS-N-3 Shaddock anti-ship cruise missiles. These missiles, known domestically as the P-5 Pyatyorka, were housed within distinctive, large external launch tubes, differentiating these converted vessels from their conventional counterparts.