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Calling Tom Clancy: A Russian Navy Submarine Collided with a Navy Aircraft Carrier

USS Kitty Hawk Aircraft Carrier
At Sea (Aug. 9, 2004) -USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) plows through the waters of the Pacific Ocean as it makes its approach to the oiler USNS Yukon (T-AO 202) before commencing a replenishment-at-sea (RAS) evolution. A RAS is the on- and off-loading of fuel and stores while ships are under way. Currently underway in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR), Kitty Hawk demonstrates power projection and sea control as the world's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier, operating from Yokosuka, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Jason T. Poplin

Key Points and Summary: In 1984, during the height of Cold War tensions, a Soviet Victor-class submarine collided with the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk in the Sea of Japan.

-This near-catastrophic incident, only declassified in 2017, occurred during a sensitive period of US-Soviet relations, with both nations’ submarines armed with nuclear capabilities.

-Reports suggest the Soviet sub intentionally shadowed the US aircraft carrier, remaining undetected until the crash.

-The collision damaged the Kitty Hawk and left the submarine’s propeller heavily impaired.

-Thankfully, the incident did not escalate into a broader conflict, but it remains a chilling reminder of the razor-thin margins for error in nuclear-era brinkmanship.

The 1980s Nuclear Near Miss: USS Kitty Hawk and Russian Sub Collision

With the possibility of a massive nuclear war or a nuclear exchange appearing more realistic in light of Putin’s continued threats, many are likely inclined to wonder how close the world has ever come to an actual nuclear confrontation.

People are familiar with the Cuban Missile Crisis in the 1960s.

Yet, there is another now declassified incident from the 1980s, which, at the time, arguably could have brought the US and Soviet Union to the very edge of nuclear confrontation. 

Cold War Collision: Navy Aircraft Carrier Hit 

In 1984, a Soviet Victor-class submarine collided with the US Navy aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk in the Sea of Japan, a scenario which may have started World War III during the height of the Cold War.

Many details of the incident are still unknown, as it was only declassified as recently as 2017, according to an essay in The National Interest, yet both the Soviet and US submarines were at the time armed with an ability to create massive, unparalleled destruction.

This incident occurred at an extremely sensitive time in history between the US and the Soviet Union, as the slightest miscalculation could well have sparked nothing short of a global catastrophe. What caused the near collision may be the result of a number of intersecting variables, including Soviet efforts to secretly track US Navy surface assets near the Korean Peninsula during a US-Korean exercise. 

1980s Submarine Detection?

The most significant question emerging from the incident relates to the relative maturity of submarine-detection technologies at this time. Also, why was a Soviet nuclear submarine willing to get that close to a US carrier?

Did the submarine get so close unwittingly, or was it actually intending to mirror and follow the USS Kitty Hawk in close proximity? The latter seems more likely. 

In the early days of ship lowered variable towed array sonar, submarine acoustic detection may not have had the range and precision of modern attack subs. However, it is also quite possible that Soviet submarine captains may have knowingly gotten extremely close to the USS Kitty Hawk, particularly if it were able to remain undetected.

Declassified accounts suggest that the Russian submarine captain was able to “see” the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk from four to five kilometers away using a periscope.

Russia Victor-Class Submarine.

Victor III-class Submarine.

It seems much more likely that the Soviet submarine would “see” the USS Kitty Hawk than a circumstance in which the USS Kitty Hawk could “detect” the sub. Ultimately, a crash did occur. 

Fortunately, the collision did not “spark” a war or cause irreparable damage to either ship, yet the crash was significant. The Aviation Geek Club in 2023 described the unfolding of events. 

“Through the periscope, Captain Vladimir Evseenko discovered that the entire USS Kitty Hawk CSG was only 4 to 5 kilometers away. More alarmingly still, the Americans and K-314 were heading towards each other at full throttle,” the essay states. 

This Aviation Geek Club essay’s account of the available information from the collision describes that the small crash was not without consequence. 

“K-314’s propeller was heavily damaged as a result of the collision. Kitty Hawk instead had a huge hole in its bow, causing several thousand tons of jet fuel to leak into the sea; by sheer miracle, it did not explode,” the essay states. 

An aerial port quarter view of the Russian Northern Fleet VICTOR III class nuclear-powered attack submarine underway on the surface. (Exact date unknown)

An aerial port quarter view of the Russian Northern Fleet VICTOR III class nuclear-powered attack submarine underway on the surface.
(Exact date unknown)

About the Author: Kris Osborn 

Kris Osborn is the Military Technology Editor of 19FortyFive and President of Warrior Maven – Center for Military Modernization. Osborn previously served at the Pentagon as a highly qualified expert in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army—Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Osborn has also worked as an anchor and on-air military specialist at national TV networks. He has appeared as a guest military expert on Fox News, MSNBC, The Military Channel, and The History Channel. He also has a Masters Degree in Comparative Literature from Columbia University.

Written By

Kris Osborn is the Military Affairs Editor of 19 FortyFive and President of Warrior Maven - Center for Military Modernization. Osborn previously served at the Pentagon as a Highly Qualified Expert with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army—Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Osborn has also worked as an anchor and on-air military specialist at national TV networks. He has appeared as a guest military expert on Fox News, MSNBC, The Military Channel, and The History Channel. He also has a Masters Degree in Comparative Literature from Columbia University.

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. R coleman

    January 25, 2025 at 4:00 am

    This is what we are aware of

  2. USN Veteran

    January 25, 2025 at 7:43 am

    If you want to read the true story of what Tom Clancy based Red October on the name of the book is “Mutiny”. It was the story of a mutiny on a Russian guided missile surface ship. FLY NAVY!!!

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