The Hotel class is the NATO code for a type of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine that was originally commissioned by the Soviet Union around 1959. The Soviet designation was Project 658. Submarines of this class carry a D-2 launch system and R-13 missiles (NATO code:SS-N-4 SARK)1. The project to build these submarines was approved on August 26, 1956. This class is based on the November class, the first class of Soviet nuclear submarines, modified by adding the missile compartment of the Golf class submarines. Also, the controls prove more reliable for high-speed underwater operations with reduced noise. To launch its missiles, Hotel-class submarines must surface and can fire their 3 missiles after 12 minutes of surfacing. In immersion their maximum speed is 26 knots and 18 knots on the surface.
There are three variants:Hotel I (initial), Hotel II (equipped with the new D-4 launch system and R-212 missiles (NATO code:SS-N-5 'Sark/Serb') with a range of 1,200 km that can be fired at a depth of 16 m) and Hotel III (carrying R-29 missiles).
Technical characteristics
Displacement (Hotel II):5,588 tonnes (submerged)
Length :114 meters
Maître-bau :9.2 meters
Draft :7.31 meters
Maximum speed speed:18 knots (surface), 26 knots (submerged)
Crew :104 men