YASEN-M CLASS (PROJECT 885M)

The Yasen-M (Project 885M) is Russia's most advanced nuclear attack submarine, representing a generational leap from the Cold War-era Oscar and Akula classes. Unlike US submarines with torpedo-tube-launched weapons, the Yasen-M features eight dedicated vertical launch silos capable of firing the 3M22 Zircon hypersonic missile at Mach 9+ — a weapon the US Navy has no current defense against. The Irtysh-Amphora sonar suite places all sensors in the bow (moving the crew amidships), maximizing acoustic performance. Russia planned 12 Yasen-M boats but sanctions and production delays after 2022 have limited delivery to 3 units, with remaining hulls delayed indefinitely. These submarines are Russia's most capable strategic-conventional strike platforms.