The Russian Navy is upgrading one of its Oscar II cruise missile submarines, the RFS Belgorod (K-139), into a one-off submarine that might one day be capable of launching one of Russia's newest weapons -- a huge nuclear torpedo with a 100 megaton warhead.

Belgorod will carry six of these nuclear torpedoes, which the Russians identify as the "Kanyon (Status-6) strategic weapon." The nuclear warhead deployed by a Kanyon is said to be in the 100 megaton range.

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Kanyon will be used to destroy U.S. Navy submarine bases and ports frequented by American submarines. Among these juicy targets is Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in Georgia, home port for United States Atlantic Fleet's ballistic missile nuclear submarines armed with Trident nuclear missiles.

This torpedo is massive and will be the world's largest. Kanyon is estimated by some sources to be 24 meters long and 1.6 meters in diameter.

By comparison, the U.S. Navy's Mark 48 heavyweight submarine-launched torpedo is only 5.8 meters long and 53 cm in diameter.

Refitting the Belgorod should be accomplished by 2018, said the Russian Navy. Development of Kanyon, however, will not be completed in 2018 and this weapon is years away from a prototype and testing, said a ranking Navy official quoted by American media.

This weapon might even be a "paper weapon" leaked to Western media as part of a Russian disinformation campaign.

What is certain is that Belgorod is being refitted to carry Project 18511 PALTUS manned midget submarines or the top secret Project 10831 LOSHARIK autonomous deep-sea station also designed for special operations. Being able to carry these UUVs also means Belgorod will be able to deploy Kanyon, if and when this weapon becomes available.

Refitting Belgorod into a "special purpose research and rescue submarine" designated Project 09852 began in December 2012. Belgorod is an incomplete Project 949A (Oscar II class) submarine.

Russian state-controlled media is making a lot of noise about the civilian and scientific nature of these improvements to Belgorod.

It claims Belgorod will be the world's largest submarine when completed. Belgorod's length of 184 meters will be 11 meters longer than Russia's largest nuclear submarine belonging to the Akula-class (or Typhoon-class) nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, of which only one is in active service with the Russian Navy.

Russian media claims Belgorod "is designed to carry out research missions. It will carry uninhabited deep-sea vehicles and bathyscaphes, as well as special scientific equipment. It will be engaged in studying the bottom of the Russian Arctic shelf, searching for minerals at great depths, and also laying underwater communications."

Russian experts quoted by media said Belgorod will carry "LOSHARIK," which was described as an "autonomous deepwater station ... that "will transport and install autonomous nuclear submarine modules designed to charge uninhabited submarines on the seabed."

LOSHARIK will ensure the deployment of a global underwater monitoring system, which the military is building on the bottom of the Arctic waters.

TagsRussian Navy, Oscar II cruise missile submarine, RFS Belgorod (K-139), nuclear torpedo, Kanyon (Status-6) strategic weapon, Project 18511 PALTUS, Project 10831 LOSHARIK