Kursk Utilization Project To Be Completed In November

The Kursk utilization project is due to be completed in November, 2001, according to Igor Spassky, chief designer of the Rubin central design bureau which created the submarine. He said at a Wednesday press conference that the project "dealt with both reactors and missiles". Spassky noted that the bulk of utilization works will be carried out not in the drydock where the Kursk is to be stationed, but at the Nerpa factory situated in another area on the Kola peninsula. This factory has huge experience of utilization, the academician underscored. According to him, the sliced off first compartment of the submarine still lying on the bottom of the Barents Sea is heavily destroyed. Spassky noted that "the first compartment's inner hull may be destroyed seriously." Lifting of the first compartment must help answering the main question: why did the torpedo explode? So far it is suggested that mainly Russian specialists must be involved in rising the first compartment, however foreign companies offer their help too. According to Spassky, summer time is most favorable for lifting the submarine. "There will be no rush, we have enough time to be well prepared and conduct the operation successfully".