Russia’s Yasen-class nuclear submarines pose a serious threat to the United States, combining exceptional stealth with a formidable missile arsenal. American military analyst Isaac Seitz, writing for 19FortyFive, identified these two capabilities as the main reasons why the vessels rank among the most dangerous submarines ever built.

The first submarine of the class, Severodvinsk, entered service in June 2014. It was Russia’s first new-generation nuclear-powered submarine built after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Seitz described the improved Project 885M Yasen as an exceptionally powerful and dangerous underwater warship.

One of its greatest advantages is how difficult it is to detect. US Navy officials have repeatedly acknowledged that Yasen-class submarines are a major improvement over earlier Soviet designs, particularly in their ability to evade detection.

Much of this advantage comes from the OK-650KPM nuclear reactor and its advanced cooling system. Unlike conventional arrangements that rely on pumps, the system allows cooling water to circulate naturally back into the reactor. Eliminating the need for these pumps removes a major source of noise aboard nuclear submarines, making the Russian vessels considerably harder to track.

Another feature that likely reduces their acoustic signature is a special rubber coating on the hull. According to Seitz, Yasen-class submarines probably use sound-absorbing tiles similar to those fitted to other Russian submarines. These materials help absorb sonar waves while further reducing underwater noise.

But remaining hidden is only part of what makes these warships so dangerous. Their firepower also represents a substantial advance over previous Soviet submarine designs. Equipped with eight vertical launchers, Yasen-class vessels can carry several types of cruise missiles, including Kalibr, P-800 Oniks and the hypersonic Tsirkon.

For Seitz, the combination of powerful weapons and an exceptionally low acoustic signature makes Russia’s Yasen-class submarines a particularly formidable adversary for the United States.