The Project 949A class (also known as ‘Granit’; ASCC/NATO codename Oscar II) was an SSGN of which eight were constructed in Severodvinsk between 1978 and 1996, in addition to two Project 949 Granitclass boats. Powered by two OK-650B reactors (190MW each), they were capable of reaching a maximum speed of 30 knots submerged. Primary armament consisted of the Granit weapons system with 24 P-700 Granit missiles: secondary armament included two 650mm and four 533mm torpedo tubes (for which 28 reloads were carried, usually including several RPK-2 Vyuga anti-submarine missiles with nuclear warheads). Project 949 and 949A-class submarines were extremely powerful vessels, yet they undertook a total of only 12 patrols before 1991. While thus failing to demonstrate the full capacity of this type during the Soviet era, they remained in service after 1991, providing the Russian Navy with an opportunity to retain related skills. By 2015, the class had conducted another 40 patrols, of which about 60 percent were with the Pacific Fleet and 32 percent with the Northern Fleet, with two in the Mediterranean and one in the Caribbean. (Artwork by Ivan Zajac)