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From: swilliam@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Steve Williams)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: Pods on the tail of USSR SSN
Message-ID: <1991Apr2.065319.15631@amd.com>
Date: 1 Apr 91 14:16:02 GMT
References: <1991Apr1.042920.17593@amd.com>
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From: swilliam@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Steve Williams)

> ... does anyone know what is the purpose of a mysterious "pod" on 
> top of the tail fin of some of the newer class of USSR SSNs?

Jane's Fighting Ships (1986-85 & 1990-91) doesn't explain, and I won't
speculate here.

>Also, does anyone know why there were only one boat of the Papa and the
>Mike class? 

"Papa" was apparently a development of the "Charlie" class submarines.
The fin is of a much more angular shaped than the "Charlie" classes
with a higher casing, a more rounded bow and with the missile tubes
having square covers.  Built at Severodvinsk.

Source: Jane's Fighting Ships 1985-86

Steve Williams