Russian (and Soviet) submarines are identified by a letter and a
number.  Sometimes they have names, but not always.  Examples of
submarines lost by accident include B-37, M-200, S-117, and most
famously K-141 Kursk. What do the initial letters (B, M, S, K) stand
for, and what do they indicate about the type of submarine?

Dear wikipedian-ga;

Thank you for allowing me an opportunity to answer your interesting
question. There are a few Russian and Soviet submarines whose names
were know but the majority of the rest are a mystery:

The ?M? in the M-200, for example, was known to have stood for ?Mest?,
or in Russian, ?The Revenge?

MAQ-4007 1/400 M-200 Mest (The Revenge) Soviet Submarine
http://www.aviapress.com/viewonekit.htm?MAQ-4007

As for nomenclature however, Soviet submarines, like those of other
nations including the US, were constructed for a variety of purposes
in a variety of designs. These, like the Los Angeles Class and Ohio
Class submarines of the US, were given names to discern their class
(size, type, design, purpose, etc). The Soviets of course called their
classes by name also, but the US took to calling the classes by letter
for simplicity reasons. Only a few others are known:

IN ENGLISH	IN RUSSIAN
M Class		Matyutka Class
D Class		Dekabrist Class
 		

?Because the names of individual Soviet submarines are seldom known
abroad, the usual practice is to refer to them only as a member of a
submarine class. The most widely known class names are those assigned
as phonetic code names by NATO, such as Alpha (A), Charlie (C), and
Kilo (K).?

SOVIET SUBMARINES
http://americanhistory.si.edu/subs/const/anatomy/sovietsubs/


?NATO ?Reporting Names? were code names for Soviet equipment. These
were created to facilitate communications between military units
speaking different languages. Also, in most cases the actual Soviet
names for these items were not known, and in many cases were not known
for many years. NATO maintained lists of these names. Much of that
equipment can still be found in use around the world, and those names
are still used to refer to it.?

So you see, the Russians NEVER referred to these vessels as S-117 or
B-37 and so forth so those designations are meaningless to them in
terms of what they stand for. In English, the letter and number
nomenclature doesn?t stand for any particular word or name so much as
it is indicative of what ?size?, ?type?, ?design? and ?purpose? of
submarine the English assigned letter and number refer, to as seen in
these photos:

3AKA3 MO CCCP (Underwater Ship USSR)
http://www.quiknet.com/~jeruff/ussr.html

In this list of NATO ?Reporting Names? for various submarines the
often used term ?project? refers to the classified documentation about
the vessel, but it still give you a good idea as to which types of
vessel were name what:
List of NATO reporting names for ballistic missile submarines
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NATO_reporting_names_for_ballistic_missile_submarines

List of NATO reporting names for guided missile submarines
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NATO_reporting_names_for_guided_missile_submarines

List of NATO reporting names for hunter-killer and experimental submarines
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NATO_reporting_names_for_hunter-killer_and_experimental_submarines

So, in summary, the names that we know the vessels by are NATO
contrived for purposes of coded identification.


Below you will find that I have carefully defined my search strategy
for you in the event that you need to search for more information. By
following the same type of searches that I did you may be able to
enhance the research I have provided even further. I hope you find
that my research exceeds your expectations. If you have any questions
about my research please post a clarification request prior to rating
the answer. Otherwise, I welcome your rating and your final comments
and I look forward to working with you again in the near future. Thank
you for bringing your question to us.

Best regards;
Tutuzdad ? Google Answers Researcher


INFORMATION SOURCES

M CLASS SERIES XII
http://www.steelnavy.com/Combrig%20M%20Class%20Subs.htm

D2 NARDOVOLETS
http://www.steelnavy.com/Combrig%20D2.htm

others defined above

SEARCH STRATEGY


SEARCH ENGINES USED:

Google ://www.google.com




SEARCH TERMS USED:

Russian soviet submarine type class nomenclature name designation

---

Request for Answer Clarification by wikipedian-ga on 01 Jul 2004 19:58 PDT

Thank you for your answer, but I'm not sure I understand -- how is the
"K" in "K-141" related to the NATO reporting name "Kilo"? Kursk was an
Oscar-class, not a Kilo!

Most of the Russian/Soviet submarine classes are in fact known --
please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_submarine_classes .

---

Request for Answer Clarification by wikipedian-ga on 01 Jul 2004 20:12 PDT

http://world.std.com/~ecrowley/cpc/QuarCuba.html indicates that B
stands for "bolshoi," meaning "large."

---

Clarification of Answer by tutuzdad-ga on 02 Jul 2004 07:01 PDT

The Kursk was indeed an Oscar Class Submarine (and Oscar II to be
precise) but in this case the Russian designation was also KNOWN. In
Russian it was referred to as a Krasnodar Class submarine.

Also I should mentioned that had you not rated the question and
effectively closed it, perhaps we could have researched the matter
further. AS I MENTIONED IN MY CLOSING STATEMENT the rating should have
been posted AFTER all clarifications are made and any additional
questions you might have had had been asked and answered to your
satisfaction. This interaction process would have undoutedly led to a
more satisfying and informative experience for you. However, now that
the question has been prematurely rated and closed perhaps you might
consider reposting your question so someone else can try and provide
more information for you.

Regards;
tutuzdad-ga

---

Request for Answer Clarification by wikipedian-ga on 02 Jul 2004 08:10 PDT

I made a mistake when I prematurely rated your answer, and I regret
it.  I have asked Google to repost my question, and would welcome your
help if they do so.

---

Clarification of Answer by tutuzdad-ga on 02 Jul 2004 08:46 PDT

You may report it as a new and seperate question yourself without
their assistance. Simply start the process over again. Just for the
record, as for your rating, which is permanent and no longer
debateable, it was never MY assertion that Russian sub designations in
use before WWII were based on NATO reporting names. You will note, I'm
sure, that in the chronologically ordered answer the majority of
references related to NATO are "quotes" (not mine) whose sources are
clearly provided.

You can post a new question any time you like without assistance. My
hope though is that SOMEONE ELSE with knowledge on this subject can
help you with your new question.

Regards;
tutuzdad-ga

---

Clarification of Answer by tutuzdad-ga on 02 Jul 2004 08:47 PDT

Excuse the first line typo: "You may report it.." should have read.
"You may repost it..."

The answer given was obviously erroneous -- NATO reporting names
cannot have been used before World War II.

Russian sub designation that were in use before WWII are clearly not
based on NATO reporting names.

Amerikanski Golland - AG Class - A Class
Bars                           - B Class
Bars later became   -Dekabrist - D Class
Katjusa                        - K Class 
Leninets Class (Or leninec)    - L Class
Malyutka                       - M Class 
Pravda                         - P Class 
Stalinec                       - S Class 
Scuka                          - SC Class
(no other designation)         - U Class

And there is one submarine out there with just an S as designation no
further names and not part of the Stalinec class

A  5   in Service as known per 2002
D  6   in Service as known per 2002 
K  12  in Service as known per 2002
L  25  in Service as known per 2002
M  96  in Service as known per 2002
P  3   in Service as known per 2002 
S  1   in Service as known per 2002
S  37  in Service as known per 2002
SC 91  in Service as known per 2002
U  3   in Service as known per 2002

NB in service means how many they had at one given time it does not
mean they are still active !!

If you want me to post all the technical details of each class let me know

Ok so I got bored , here is all the technical data I could find 

A (AG) class
5 ships 
Technical information
Type Submarine 
Displacement 390/520 BRT  
Length 46m  
Complement 32 men  
Armament 4 bow torpedo tubes (8 torpedoes)
1 x 4,5 cm semi-automatic gun (200 rounds) or 1x4,7 cm gun 
1 machine gun.  
Max speed 14,5/10,5 knots (surfaced/submerged) 
Power 960/480  (surfaced/submerged) 
Notes on class Thes boats were actually of Holland 602GF/602L type and
their Russian abbreviation AG comes from "Amerikanski Golland"
(American Holland). Eleven units were ordered by Naval Ministry of
Russian Empire to Electric Boat Co in the end of WWI and assembled at
russian shipyards.
Five Baltic AG-type submarines did not reach WWII alive. Assembling of
Black Sea AGs in Nikolayev was slowed down by revolutionary events in
Russia. These submarines were completed in spite of many necessary
parts and machinery shortage. One AG was transferred to Bizerta by
White Forces and other five were left to Red Forces after the Civil
war. Finally, their building was completed by engineers of young
country of Soviets. Before WWII all AG submarines were modernized (new
conning tower and power supply) and had tecnical data as shown.

 
D (Dekabrist) class
6 ships 
Technical information
Type Submarine 
Displacement 920/1318 BRT  
Length 83,50m  
Complement 60 men  
Armament   
Max speed 15/8,4 knots (surfaced/submerged) 
Power 2500/1250  (surfaced/submerged) 


K (Katjusa) class
12 ships 
Technical information
Type Submarine 
Displacement 1480/2095 BRT  
Length 97,70m  
Complement 65 men  
Armament 8 torpedo tubes (4/4) - 22 torpedoes
2 10cm deck guns
2 4,5cm deck guns  
Max speed 22,5/10 knots (surfaced/submerged) 
Power 8400/2400  (surfaced/submerged) 

   
L (Leninec) class
25 ships 
Technical information
Type Submarine 
Displacement 1040/1335 BRT  
Length 77,90m  
Complement   
Armament 6 torpedo tubes (12 torpedoes)
1 10cm deck gun
1 4.5cm gun  
Max speed 14/9 knots (surfaced/submerged) 
Power 2600/1250  (surfaced/submerged) 
Notes on class The boats of this class were designed to recover the
idea of underwater mine-layers with a help of modern tecnical base of
the end of 1920s.
After conferences between seamen, submarine commanders and naval
engineers it was decided to install rather powerful torpedo and
artillery together with mine weapons. Soviet naval command approved
this project (II series) to be universal long-range minelayer/attack
sub, intended to install mine defences onto fairways and enemy naval
activities routes, to inflict attacks upon enemy warships and
transport ships with a help of torpedoes and artillery. Mines were
carried inside the inner hull in two long tubes of special design with
hatches aft the boat. 20 mines were secured in dry condition inside
this tubes until exact installation. First series of L class, built in
1929-30, had considerably long time of submerging (about 3 min.).
Latter submarines (XI, XIII and XIII-1938) had many improvements in
equipment, weapons and range. They became really universal boats,
fighting on all wartime theatres. Most success in score was acheived
by minefields of this boats.

 
M (Malyutka) class
96 ships 
Technical information
Type Submarine 
Displacement 158 / 198 BRT  
Length 37,50 m  
Complement 18 men  
Armament 2 torpedo tubes, 2 torpedoes (XV had 4 torpedo tubes and 4 torpedoes)  
Max speed 13,1 / 7,4 knots (surfaced/submerged) 
Engines Diesels / Electric  
Power 685 / 240  (surfaced/submerged) 
Notes on class These boats were designed in the beginning of the 30?s
as typical coastal submarines. That is why their abilities were modest
enough - initial range of VI-series was just 800 nm (later series had
3400), maximum patrol duration - 10 days and just two torpedoes. But
far patrols were not for them - these cheap, mass-produced boats were
intended to defend naval bases, blockade enemy harbors and, as a main
feature, be railway-friendly to be transported from one war theatre to
another. Many of these boats were transported 18.000-20.000 km ashore
(by railway) to cover 3000-5000 nm during their sea patrols or even
execute patrols on Ladoga Lake near Leningrad. It is reported that
Malutkas were world?s first fully-welded submarines as of 1932.
There were four main series of M (Malutka): VI, VI-bis, XII and XV,
where each latter has many improvements vs previous series (XV had
four bow torpedo tubes) and fought at all theatres - Arctic, Baltic,
Black Sea, Caspian Sea and at Pacific. The unusual features and
advantages of these boats were confirmed during WWII. Russian word
?malutka? means ?baby, little one\'?
Displacement: VI series - 158/198, VI-bis series - 161/201, XII series
- 206/256, XV series - 281/351 BRT Length 37 m (50 m for XV)
Complement 16-19 men (32 for XV)

 
P (Pravda) class
3 ships 
Technical information
Type Submarine 
Displacement 955/1690 BRT  
Length 87,60m  
Complement 53 men  
Armament 6 torpedo tubes (10 torpedoes)
2 10cm guns
1 4.5cm gun  
Max speed 20,3/80,3 knots (surfaced/submerged) 
Engines Diesels / Electrical  
Power 5400/1000  (surfaced/submerged) 
Notes on class The IV-series big submarines were designed to serve as
an underwater support to groups of battleships during their long-range
operations. They had to follow battlegroups at high speed (22-23
knots) surfaced and to engage attacking hostiles submerged. IV type
submarines had a high-speed adapted external hull and rather heavy
artillery. The concept was ready in October 1930.
The attempt to meet this technical requirements can not be recognized
successful. Small crush depth, very long time of coming underwater,
bad maneuverability submerged at low speeds together with torpedo
tubes usage limitations prevented treating these subs to be real
battle ships.
Pravda, Zvezda and Iskra were used as training boats before the war
but, nevertheless, all three were used in WWII operations as transport
boats.
 
S class
1 ship 
Technical information
Type Submarine 
Displacement 640 / 927 BRT  
Length 202.5 feet  
Complement 4 officers + 29 men men  
Armament 1 3" gun
1 MG AA
6 21" torpedo tubes
12 torpedoes  
Max speed 13.75 / 10 knots (surfaced/submerged) 
Engines Diesel / electric, 2 shafts  
Power 1550 / 1300 HP  (surfaced/submerged) 
Notes on class The S class was a medium sized patrol submarine,
designed with the proposed international restriction of 600 tons
displacement in mind. Intended for use in north European or
Mediterranean waters, they were highly manoeuvrable and fast diving
with a heavy armament of torpedoes. This allowed large salvoes to be
fired from long range in an effort to counter the improved A/S
techniques.
This proved to be a very successful design that was put back into
production during the war, 62 boats of this class being built. Some
boats were partially welded and the later ones fully welded
construction, improving the strength of the pressure hull and
consequently increasing their diving depth.
The specifications as given above is for the first group. 
Further specifications on the later groups; 2nd Group;
Same as the first group except;
Displacement: 670 / 960 BRT
Complement: 4 officers + 35 men.
Lenght: 208.75 feet
Sunfish had more powerful diesel engines 1900 HP instead of 1550 HP.
Therefore her surface speed was 15 knots.
3th Group;
Same as the first group except;
Displacement: 715 / 990 BRT
Complement: 6 officers + 42 men.
Lenght: 217 feet
Armament:
1 3\" gun
3 MG AA
7 21\" torpedo tubes (6 bow, 1 external stern)
13 torpedoes
Speed: 14.75 / 9 knots
Power: 1900 / 1300 HP
4th Group;
Same as the first group except;
Displacement: 715 / 990 BRT
Complement: 6 officers + 42 men.
Lenght: 217 feet
Armament:
1 3\" gun
3 MG AA
6 21\" torpedo tubes (6 bow)
12 torpedoes
Speed: 14.75 / 9 knots
Power: 1900 / 1300 HP
The fouth group was actually the same as the third group but without
the external stern torpedo tube. Although some early units of this
group were fitted with the external stern tube.
Some ships in the third or fourth group carried a 4\" gun istead of a 3\" gun.  
 
S (Stalinec) class
37 ships 
Technical information
Type Submarine 
Displacement 840/1070 BRT  
Length 77,80m  
Complement 50 men  
Armament 6 torpedo tubes (4/2) - 12 torpedoes
1 10cm deck gun
1 4.5cm gun  
Max speed 19,5/9 knots (surfaced/submerged) 
Power 4000/1100  (surfaced/submerged) 
Notes on class The origin of this project is rather interesting. It is
a result of international cooperation between Germany and USSR in the
beginning of 1930s.
The USSR S-type subs (USSR IX and IX-bis series) were born from E-1
prototype, that was laid down initialy for Spain navy in Karhatena by
IvS (Dutch subsidiary of Deschimag AG Weser) in 1930.
As the order was later cancelled, Deschimag had to search for new
clients. Several countries including USSR were invited to get
acquainted with E-1. In November 1932 three Soviet naval engineers
inspected the boat and suggested purchasing line-drawings and
documentation for later buildings at Soviet yards. The boat was
considered to match the requirements of Soviet shipbuilding program
partially, so, Deschimag had to work out the corrected project.
In May 1933 seven leading Soviet naval designers and engineers made a
business-trip to Bremen and Karhatena to perform sea tests of E-1 and
work on suitable approach to further changes of E-1 project for german
engineers taking in mind exact tecnical requirements of USSR navy. The
new project was ready in the end of 1933 and named E-2 (USSR IX
series) with enlargement of displacement, artillery and range. Three
submarines of IX series were build in Leningrad and partially utilized
German machinery. The majority of S-type submarines, however, belonged
to IX-bis series, which had been developed taking into consideration
just domestic parts and machinery supplies. They were built in
Leningrad, Gorki and Nikolayev.
As for technical features of the project, which were decided before
WWII, Soviet navy had to fight onto closed war theatres, close to
enemy shore and defences, so, long range and other qualities of
ocean-going submarines of mid-class could not be acheived as subs had
to stay submerged most of time and waste fuel for frequent chargings.
Nevertheless, under some evaluations, S-type submarines inflicted the
most harm to enemy during war.
As for IvS (Deschimag AG Weser) - they used E-1 and E-2 experience as
a base for IA series boats, who, in turn, were mothers for famous
IX-type Kriegsmarine subs. You should not mix USSR IX series and
German IX type boats, nevertheless, they have the same relatives.

SC (Scuka) class
91 ships 
Technical information
Type Submarine 
Displacement 577/704 BRT  
Length 57,00m  
Complement 38 men  
Armament 4 bow and 2 stern torpedo tubes, 10-12 torpedoes
2x45mm semi-automatic guns   
Max speed 12,5 / 6,3 knots (surfaced/submerged) 
Notes on class There were 3 modifications of this class, types II, III
and IV. Each was slightly improved (longer, more range). The figures
here we give for the original boats.
These submarines were designed to ?execute positioning service on
closed theatres? and might be determined as medium submarines. The
concept was adopted by USSR Revolutionary Military Council
(Revvoensoviet) on January 23, 1930 and a huge program of their
building for all four fleets of a giant country began in February,
1930. There were plans to build up to 200 Schukas of three main series
- III (third series); V, V-bis, V-bis-2 (fifth series);X, X-bis (tenth
series), so, this boats had to be the most numerous units of the
Soviet Navy during WWII (really 86 units were commissioned before or
during WWII). Seven yards were involved in this program - No189, 190,
194 in Leningrad, No112 in Gorky, No200 in Nikolaev and No202 in
Vladivostok. Each series had several improvements vs. previous one.
The name of these boats was taken (traditionally in Russia and USSR)
from the individual name of the first boat Sch-301 ?Schuka? (Ùóêà) -
Pike. Their numbers depended on destination fleet: 1XX-Pacific fleet,
2XX-Black sea fleet, 3XX-Baltic fleet and 4XX-North fleet. Pacific
fleet Schukas resisted Japans without losses (excluding non-battle
damages and incidents), but Baltic, Black Sea and North Schukas
suffered great losses during war (70% of front-line boats). The
figures here we give for the original boats of III series.

 

U class
3 ships 
Technical information
Type Submarine 
Displacement 540 / 730 BRT  
Length 191.5 feet  
Complement 27 men  
Armament 3 MG AA
6 21" torpedo tubes (4 bow, 2 bow external)
10 torpedoes  
Max speed 11.75 / 9 knots (surfaced/submerged) 
Engines Diesel / Electric, 2 shafts  
Power 615 / 825 HP  (surfaced/submerged) 
Notes on class The U class were originally developed as unarmed
training boats to replace the WWI H-class. They were fitted with
torpedo tubes to allow them to be used operationally. Small and
manoeuvrable (630 tons) they were well suited to the confined waters
of the North Sea and Mediterranean. They were succeeded replaced by
the very similar but partially welded V-class. Cheap, reliable and
quickly produced, these were the workhorses of the wartime submarine
service.
The specifications as given above are for the first group. 
Further specifications on the later groups;
2nd Group;
Same as the first group except;
Complement: 31 men
Lenght: same as for the first group except: Umpire, Una, Unbeaten
,Undaunted, Union and Urchin 196.75 feet
Armament:
1 3\" gun
3 MG AA
6 21\" torpedo tubes (4 bow, 2 bow external) except Umpire, Una,
Unbeaten ,Undaunted, Union and Urchin 4 21\" torpedo tubes (4 bow)
10 torpedoes except Umpire, Una, Unbeaten ,Undaunted, Union and Urchin 8 torpedoes 
3th group;
Same as the first group except;
Displacement: 545 / 740 BRT
Complement: 31 men
Lenght: 196.75 feet
Armament:
1 3\" gun
3 MG AA
4 21\" torpedo tubes (4 bow)
8 torpedoes
Speed:14.25 / 9 knots 
 

The fact that you will find classes here that are actually 'allied'
submarines is because some of them were given to the russians during
WWII (namely the U Class and S(1) Class)

The data above is coincidentally listed here -
http://www.steelnavy.com/ - which also happens to be one of the
sources I posted and you rejected.

Clearly, I stand by my earlier answer.

Regards;
tutuzdad-ga

Actually the data comes from a few sites 

this  http://uboat.net/allies/warships/types.html?navy=USSR&type=Submarine

being one of them , the site you mention only mentions the AG B D
class and sideways mentions the K class

Secondly if you would look at the name of the poster of the comment ,
you would notice i am not the person who asked the question I am just
a lowly non researcher person who happens to know a tad bit about all
kinds of military hardware