Life inside the largest submarine ever built - and still being used: Russia shows off 37-year-old Akula class nuclear vessel which inspired sub in The Hunt for Red October (27 Pics)

Photos showing off the inside of a Russian nuclear submarine, the largest in active service in the world, have been released, with the huge ship being the inspiration behind the sub from the classic Sean Connery movie The Hunt for Red October. 
Images show crew members working on the Typhoon-class sub, also known as an Akula, a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine belonging to the Russian Navy. 
The sub appears to be the Dmitriy Donskoi, which entered into active service in 1982 and, after the decommissioning and scrapping of its Typhoon sister boats, became the largest submarine in the world. 
The Dmitriy Donskoi joined the Russian Northern Fleet’s anti-submarine warfare drills in July, shortly before the new photos were released.

Its seemingly low-grade technology is similar to the ship immortalised in the 1990 Connery movie. 
The nuclear submarine used in that movie is also of the Typhoon-class, explaining the similarities between it and the Dmitriy Donskoi.   
In The Hunt for Red October, Connery plays a rogue Soviet naval captain who wishes to defect to the United States with his officers and the Soviet Navy's newest and most advanced nuclear missile submarine. He is pursued by a former student and fellow Soviet captain played by Stellan Skarsgard. 
The movie won several awards and was praised for its technology and it seems the submarine it based its design on is equally timeless. 
Crew members of the Russian Navy's Akula nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine. The sub appears to be the Dmitriy Donskoi, which entered into active service in 1982
Crew members of the Russian Navy's Akula nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine. The sub appears to be the Dmitriy Donskoi, which entered into active service in 1982
After the decommissioning and scrapping of its Typhoon sister boats, the Dmitriy Donskoi became the largest submarine in the world. A Typhoon-class submarine can stay submerged for 120 days in normal conditions, and potentially more if necessary, for example in a nuclear war
After the decommissioning and scrapping of its Typhoon sister boats, the Dmitriy Donskoi became the largest submarine in the world. A Typhoon-class submarine can stay submerged for 120 days in normal conditions, and potentially more if necessary, for example in a nuclear war
Their primary weapons system is composed of 20 ballistic missiles with a maximum of 10 nuclear warheads each. According to technicians, the Typhoons were able to deploy their long-range nuclear missiles while moored at their docks
 Their primary weapons system is composed of 20 ballistic missiles with a maximum of 10 nuclear warheads each. According to technicians, the Typhoons were able to deploy their long-range nuclear missiles while moored at their docks
The Akula or Typhoon class was designed to carry twenty intercontinental ballistic missiles which could each carry 10 independent nuclear warheads for a grand total of 200 warheads. The great range of these missiles allowed an Akula class sub to target any point in the continental United States from inside the Arctic Circle
The Akula or Typhoon class was designed to carry twenty intercontinental ballistic missiles which could each carry 10 independent nuclear warheads for a grand total of 200 warheads. The great range of these missiles allowed an Akula class sub to target any point in the continental United States from inside the Arctic Circle
The Typhoons are the largest submarines ever built, able to accommodate comfortable living facilities for the crew when submerged for months on end. The Dmitriy Donskoi is 575 feet in length
The Typhoons are the largest submarines ever built, able to accommodate comfortable living facilities for the crew when submerged for months on end. The Dmitriy Donskoi is 575 feet in length
The Russian Navy's Akula nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine at a military base of the Russian Northern Fleet. The Typhoon subs are capable of traveling at 32 mph while submerged underwater
The Russian Navy's Akula nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine at a military base of the Russian Northern Fleet. The Typhoon subs are capable of traveling at 32 mph while submerged underwater
A crew member working on the Dmitriy Donskoi, the Russian Navy's nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine. In the early 1990s, there were proposals to rebuild some of the Typhoon-class submarines, minus the Dmitriy Donskoi, into submarine cargo vessels for shipping oil, gas and cargo under polar ice to Russia's northern territories
A crew member working on the Dmitriy Donskoi, the Russian Navy's nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine. In the early 1990s, there were proposals to rebuild some of the Typhoon-class submarines, minus the Dmitriy Donskoi, into submarine cargo vessels for shipping oil, gas and cargo under polar ice to Russia's northern territories
Only six Typhoon-class submarines were ever built. Originally, the submarines were designated by hull numbers only but names were later assigned to the four vessels retained by the Russian Navy, which were sponsored by either a city or company
Only six Typhoon-class submarines were ever built. Originally, the submarines were designated by hull numbers only but names were later assigned to the four vessels retained by the Russian Navy, which were sponsored by either a city or company
Only the first of the Typhoon submarines to be constructed, which is the Dmitriy Donskoy, is still in active service with the Russian Navy, serving as a test platform for the Bulava missile
Only the first of the Typhoon submarines to be constructed, which is the Dmitriy Donskoy, is still in active service with the Russian Navy, serving as a test platform for the Bulava missile
A crew member of the nuclear submarine. Typhoon-class submarines feature multiple pressure hulls, which is similar to the World War II Japanese I-400-class submarine. This simplifies the internal design of the subs while making the vessel much wider than a normal submarine
A crew member of the nuclear submarine. Typhoon-class submarines feature multiple pressure hulls, which is similar to the World War II Japanese I-400-class submarine. This simplifies the internal design of the subs while making the vessel much wider than a normal submarine
Crew members of the Typhoon-class ship. Typhoon is arguably the most feared and renowned submarine line ever constructed by Russia or its Soviet predecessor state because of movies like the Hunt for Red October
Crew members of the Typhoon-class ship. Typhoon is arguably the most feared and renowned submarine line ever constructed by Russia or its Soviet predecessor state because of movies like the Hunt for Red October
A crew member using the gym on-board the Typhoon-class Russian submarine. The great size and resilient design of the Akula class made it ideal for extended missions under ice in the Arctic Circle
A crew member using the gym on-board the Typhoon-class Russian submarine. The great size and resilient design of the Akula class made it ideal for extended missions under ice in the Arctic Circle
The Soviet Union's Typhoon ballistic missile nuclear-powered submarines are the largest submarines ever to be built. They were constructed at the Severodvinsk Shipyard, on the White Sea near Archangel. Only one is still in active service
The Soviet Union's Typhoon ballistic missile nuclear-powered submarines are the largest submarines ever to be built. They were constructed at the Severodvinsk Shipyard, on the White Sea near Archangel. Only one is still in active service
The submarine is well-stocked with weaponry. Typhoon class subs have four 24-inch torpedo tubes and two 21-inch torpedo tubes with a total of 22 anti-submarine missiles and torpedoes of varying types
The submarine is well-stocked with weaponry. Typhoon class subs have four 24-inch torpedo tubes and two 21-inch torpedo tubes with a total of 22 anti-submarine missiles and torpedoes of varying types
A crew member exercising in a gym on board the submarine. The legendary submarine's main machinery consists of two nuclear water reactors
A crew member exercising in a gym on board the submarine. The legendary submarine's main machinery consists of two nuclear water reactors
The Typhoon class was originally created during the Cold War to match and exceed the Ohio Class submarine under production by the United States. These nuclear submarines displaced a massive 48,000 tons of water
The Typhoon class was originally created during the Cold War to match and exceed the Ohio Class submarine under production by the United States. These nuclear submarines displaced a massive 48,000 tons of water
Because the Cold War never escalated, there is no evidence that the Typhoon class submarines ever saw battle. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, it was suggested that the subs be used to transport oil and natural gas under the polar ice to distant Russian outposts
Because the Cold War never escalated, there is no evidence that the Typhoon class submarines ever saw battle. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, it was suggested that the subs be used to transport oil and natural gas under the polar ice to distant Russian outposts
Though the Typhoon class submarines were scrapped, they remain in the public consciousness. In popular culture, the Akula Class sub was the inspiration for the Russian submarine in Tom Clancy's novel, The Hunt for Red October, which starred Sean Connery
Though the Typhoon class submarines were scrapped, they remain in the public consciousness. In popular culture, the Akula Class sub was the inspiration for the Russian submarine in Tom Clancy's novel, The Hunt for Red October, which starred Sean Connery
Another feature which added to the mystique around the Typhoon class subs was their lack of noise. Typhoon submarines are among the quietest Soviet sea vessels to have ever been in operation, being quieter yet more maneuverable than those that came before them
Another feature which added to the mystique around the Typhoon class subs was their lack of noise. Typhoon submarines are among the quietest Soviet sea vessels to have ever been in operation, being quieter yet more maneuverable than those that came before them
Alexei Zhiganov, captain of the Russian Navy's Akula nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (Project 941), at a military base of the Russian Northern Fleet
Alexei Zhiganov, captain of the Russian Navy's Akula nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (Project 941), at a military base of the Russian Northern Fleet
The reason for decommission of the world's largest submarines, the Typhoon class, are restrictions imposed on the Soviet Union by Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty and successful trials of new Borei class submarine
The reason for decommission of the world's largest submarines, the Typhoon class, are restrictions imposed on the Soviet Union by Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty and successful trials of new Borei class submarine
The Dmitriy Donskoi remains active. Meanwhile, two other Typhoon-subs, the Arkhangelsk (TK-17) and Severstal (TK-20) remain commissioned, though not currently active with the Soviet fleet
The Dmitriy Donskoi remains active. Meanwhile, two other Typhoon-subs, the Arkhangelsk (TK-17) and Severstal (TK-20) remain commissioned, though not currently active with the Soviet fleet
Typhoon Class submarines have a 75ft beam and a 39ft draught. It is powered by two nuclear water reactors, two 50,000hp steam turbines and four 3,200KW turbogenerators
Typhoon Class submarines have a 75ft beam and a 39ft draught. It is powered by two nuclear water reactors, two 50,000hp steam turbines and four 3,200KW turbogenerators
The three hulls of the Typhoon-class ships greatly increases their chance of survivability if hit - even if one pressure hull is breached, the crew members in the other are safe and there is less potential for flooding
The three hulls of the Typhoon-class ships greatly increases their chance of survivability if hit - even if one pressure hull is breached, the crew members in the other are safe and there is less potential for flooding

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