Russia might deploy two fantastic nuclear submarines specifically built to survive the deadly cold of the Arctic Circle, and one of these submarines will be the first outfitted with "wings" like an aircraft, that is, if it's got the money to do so.

The advent of these boats specialized to reconnoiter the seafloor of the Arctic (and possibly to fight in it) supports Russia's push to claim the region and its vast and unexplored mineral wealth made more accessible by the impact of global warming and melting polar ice packs.

Like Us on Facebook

One of these intriguing beasts is the RFS Belgorod (K-139), 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 be the world's largest submarine when completed. Belgorod's length of 184 meters will be 11 meters longer than Russia's largest nuclear ballistic missile submarine belonging to the Akula-class (or Typhoon-class), 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."

The other beast is a planned "winged submarine" called the "Seismic Survey Submarine for Arctic Operations." This sub is also referred to as the Arctic Research Submarine.

This weird submarine will displace 13,280 tons, making it the largest civilian research submarine ever built. The sub will be 442 feet long and will have a maximum speed of 12.6 knots.

The most remarkable aspect of the sub is the presence of two sets of wing-like sonar receivers that appear like aircraft wings. The wings retract into the hull and are designed to receive sonar signals emitted from the ship's hull.

The wing structures allow the winged submarine to image its surroundings in all directions as it cruises underwater at only three knots. They're close to 50 meters long, giving the sub a wingspan of about 100 meters.

"This is much greater than any aircraft that has ever flown," according to H.I. Sutton, a specialist on submarines and author of the Covert Shores website.

A graphic made by Sutton shows the submarine will have an even longer "wingspan" than an Airbus A380 jumbo jet.

TagsBorussia Dortmund, nuclear submarines, Arctic Circle, Arctic, RFS Belgorod (K-139), world's largest submarine, Seismic Survey Submarine for Arctic Operations, Arctic Research Submarine, H.I. Sutton