TASS that a contract has been signed between the Russian Ministry of Defense and the United Shipbuilding Corporation for the repair of the aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov.
As Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation Yuri Borisov previously reported, the repair of the ship is expected to be completed in 2020, and its return to service is planned for 2021. Repair work will be carried out at the 35th ship repair plant in Murmansk (branch of the Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center).
The TASS-DOSSIER editors have prepared a certificate about the aircraft carrier.
"Admiral of the Fleet Soviet Union Kuznetsov" is a heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser (TAKR). As of 2018, it is the largest ship and the only aircraft carrier of the Russian Navy. It is part of the Northern Fleet, the flagship of the Navy. On February 23, 2018, Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded the TAKR with the Order Ushakov (for services to strengthening the country's defense capability, high levels of combat training, courage and heroism shown by personnel during combat missions).
Project history
In the post-war period, the leadership of the USSR, the Ministry of Defense and the Navy did not have a common view on the need for aircraft carriers and possible ways their applications. Some politicians, industrialists and military leaders (including Defense Minister Marshal Andrei Grechko and Minister of Shipbuilding Industry Boris Butoma) advocated the construction of large nuclear aircraft carriers similar to the American Nimitz type.
Opponents (among them the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy Sergei Gorshkov and Dmitry Ustinov, who replaced Grechko as Minister of Defense in 1976) pointed to the high cost of the program for the construction of aircraft-carrying ships, the lack of a clear concept for their use, and placed emphasis on the development of the submarine fleet, primarily nuclear submarines. As a result, until the 1980s, the USSR Navy did not have aircraft carriers designed for horizontal takeoff and landing aircraft.
For anti-submarine warfare, which was declared a priority of the surface forces of the USSR Navy, anti-submarine cruisers of projects 1123 and 1143 were built, on which helicopters were based, as well as Yak-38 vertical take-off and landing aircraft. In terms of combat capabilities, these machines were inferior to conventional aircraft, which forced the Navy leadership in the early 1970s to return to plans to create a large aircraft carrier capable of supporting aviation combat operations at a considerable distance from fleet bases.
It was proposed to build nuclear aircraft carrier with a displacement of up to 80 thousand tons, with an aircraft fleet of up to 70 aircraft (project 1160 "Eagle"). Subsequently, the project underwent numerous changes, and at the end of the 1970s, work on it was stopped. Instead, it was decided to build an aircraft carrier, using the Project 1143 aircraft-carrying cruiser as a basis and equipping it with equipment for takeoff and landing of “conventional” aviation. The developers also abandoned the use of a nuclear power plant.
Project 11435 was developed in the early 1980s at the Nevsky Design Bureau (Leningrad, now St. Petersburg) under the leadership of chief designer Vasily Anikiev. During the design process, experts abandoned the installation of catapults on the ship - instead, the aircraft carrier is equipped with a bow springboard, which limits the take-off weight of the aircraft.
In addition, the aircraft carrier was equipped with powerful strike weapons - P-700 Granit missiles. As a result, Project 11435 was classified by the Navy as a “heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser” (TAKR; according to another version, this was done to circumvent the provision of the Montreux Convention on the status of the Black Sea straits, which prohibited the passage of aircraft carriers through them).
Initially, it was planned to name the lead ship "Soviet Union" (in the 1930s, the same name was supposed to be assigned to the first Soviet-built battleship, which was not completed due to the outbreak of the Great Patriotic War). In 1982, the aircraft carrier received the name "Riga" (traditionally, Soviet aircraft-carrying ships were named after the capitals of the Union republics). At the end of 1982, renamed "Leonid Brezhnev" (after his death Secretary General Central Committee of the Central Committee of the Soviet Union). In 1987, at the beginning of perestroika and the condemnation of the “era of stagnation,” TAKR changed its name to “Tbilisi.” Since October 1990 - “Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov” - in honor of Nikolai Kuznetsov, who headed the USSR Navy in 1939-1947 and 1951-1955.
Construction, testing
The ship was laid down at the Black Sea Shipyard (the city of Nikolaev, now in Ukraine) on September 1, 1982 under serial number 105. On February 22, 1983, it was re-laid (as Leonid Brezhnev), launched on December 4, 1985. On June 8, 1989, mooring tests began. On October 21, 1989, the ship was launched into the Black Sea, where it conducted a series of aircraft flight design tests. To train pilots, simultaneously with the construction of the ship, a special training center NITKA was opened at the Saki-4 airfield (Novofedorovka village, Crimea) (Ground Test Aviation Training Complex, now the testing ground for the Nitka takeoff and landing systems).
The first horizontal landing on a ship in the history of the Soviet Navy was made on November 1, 1989 by test pilot Hero of the Soviet Union Viktor Pugachev on a Su-27K aircraft. On December 25, 1990, an acceptance certificate was signed, and on January 20, 1991, the ship became part of the Northern Fleet of the USSR Navy. However, he remained on the Black Sea, continuing testing. The transition to Severomorsk was completed only at the end of 1991.
Service history
The operation of the ship was hampered by the lack of funding and the necessary coastal infrastructure. In particular, many problems arose with the main power plant, whose boilers constantly broke down.
As of April 2018, the aircraft carrier made seven long-distance cruises, six of them to the Mediterranean Sea (1995-1996, 2007-2008, 2008-2009, 2011-2012, 2013-2014, from October 15, 2016 to February 8, 2017 ) and one to the North Atlantic (2004). In 2000, Admiral Kuznetsov was involved in rescue operations to assist the sunken submarine K-141 Kursk.
While on her seventh long-distance cruise, in November 2016 - January 2017, the cruiser took part in hostilities for the first time - the ship's carrier-based fighters attacked the infrastructure of the terrorist organizations "Islamic State" and "Jabhat al-Nusra" (banned in the Russian Federation) on territory of Syria. In total, during the campaign, carrier-based aviation pilots carried out 420 combat sorties, including 117 at night, and hit 1,252 terrorist targets.
The ship underwent repairs in 2001-2004, 2008, 2015.
Performance characteristics
- Waterline length - 270 m;
- maximum length (decks) - 306 m;
- width at the waterline - 33.4 m;
- maximum width - 72 m;
- height - 64.5 m;
- standard displacement - 46 thousand 540 tons;
- total displacement - 59 thousand 100 tons;
- full speed - 29 knots;
- cruising range at a speed of 29 knots - 3 thousand 850 miles, at a speed of 14 knots - 8 thousand 417 miles;
- navigation autonomy - up to 45 days;
- crew - 1 thousand 960 people, including 518 officers and 210 midshipmen.
The main power plant is a boiler-turbine unit, which includes four steam turbines with a capacity of 50 thousand horsepower each. The ship is equipped with nine turbogenerators and six diesel generators with a capacity of 1 thousand 500 kW each.
Armament
- 12 launchers of the P-700 “Granit” anti-ship missile system (flight range of supersonic missiles is about 550-600 km);
- 24 launchers of the Kinzhal anti-aircraft missile system (ammunition - 192 missiles);
- eight modules of the Kortik anti-aircraft missile and artillery system (ammunition - 256 missiles, 48 thousand shells);
- six six-barreled AK-630 artillery mounts of 30 mm caliber (48 thousand shells).
- anti-torpedo defense rocket complex "Udav-1".
Air group
The TAKR can carry 26 aircraft and 24 helicopters on the flight deck and in the below-deck hangar. The cruiser's air group initially consisted of Su-33 (Su-27K) carrier-based fighters, Su-25UTG carrier-based attack aircraft, Ka-252RLD (Ka-31), Ka-27/27PS and Ka-29 helicopters; since the late 1990s it has included fighters Su-33 of the 279th naval fighter aviation regiment (airfield - Severomorsk-3, Murmansk region), Ka-27 and Ka-29 helicopters of the 830th separate naval anti-submarine regiment (base - Severomorsk-1).
In the summer of 2016, the ship began testing an updated air group, which includes new carrier-based MiG-29K/KUB fighters. In 2016-2017, the Admiral Kuznetsov, during its voyage to the shores of Syria, tested the Ka-52K Katran ship-based attack helicopter.
Ship commanders
- 1987-1992 - captain 1st rank Viktor Yarygin;
- 1992-1995 - Rear Admiral Ivan Sanko;
- 1995-2000 - Rear Admiral Alexander Chelpanov;
- 2000-2003 - captain 1st rank Alexander Turilin;
- 2003-2008 - captain 1st rank Alexander Shevchenko;
- 2008-2011 - captain 1st rank Vyacheslav Rodionov;
- 2011 to present - captain 1st rank Sergei Artamonov.
"Varangian"
According to a slightly modified project 11436, the heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser "Varyag" was built in Nikolaev in 1985-1992. In 1993 it became the property of Ukraine, and in 1998 it was sold to China. In 2012, it was adopted by the People's Liberation Army Navy of China. Received the name "Liaoning". Currently, it is the only operating Chinese aircraft carrier (the second is being prepared for testing).
The great Russian commanders created the glory of Russian weapons on land, in the air and at sea. Peter I planned the development of the country as a maritime power, establishing the first shipyards and attracting foreign engineers. His works made it possible for Russia to win many high-profile victories at sea. Ushakov and Nakhimov are the first naval commanders whose names our country can be proud of. In the USSR, Admiral Kuznetsov became the successor of their victories; his life was inextricably linked with the naval forces.
Biography
According to Nikolai Gerasimovich Kuznetsov himself, the experience of operating a ship is not given right away, it must be gained by going from a sailor. This is exactly how the rapid career of a young boy from the village of Medvedki in the Astrakhan region began. The future admiral Kuznetsov joined the fleet at the age of 15, adding two years to his age, he volunteered for Civil War. In 1919, he fought as a sailor on a ship in the North Dvina Flotilla. After graduating from the Naval School and then the Academy with honors, Kuznetsov is sent to serve in the Black Sea Fleet. The cruiser "Chervona Ukraine" became a sailor's school for him, which began with the position of watch commander. Since 1933, he became the commander of the cruiser; over the next five years of service, the ship was noted as exemplary in military training, discipline, and shooting performance. The navy started talking about creating the Kuznetsov system, which became a method of military training for ships in all fleets of the USSR. The youngest was awarded the Order of the Red Star in 1935. During his service on the cruiser, Kuznetsov developed new tactical techniques for naval combat and realized the importance of aviation reconnaissance. In his theoretical calculations it is said that the interaction of everyone should produce high results during military operations. The most important role in it was assigned to aviation. Subsequently, this theory was not only confirmed, but also, thanks to Kuznetsov, saved many lives, making a tangible contribution to the victory of the USSR on the fronts of World War II.
Spain
In 1936, the tasks of volunteer sailors in the fight against fascism were the timely delivery and unloading of aid coming from the USSR. Kuznetsov, as a naval attache in Spain, is convinced in practice of the correctness of his theory. Enemy aircraft sank transport ships on the approaches to ports; their actions significantly complicated unloading, which affected the effectiveness of military operations. Kuznetsov creates a new branch of the military - naval aviation, which is based in the port area and repels attacks by enemy fighters. For this work he was awarded the Orders of the Red Banner and Lenin. Returning from Spain in 1937, Kuznetsov was appointed first as deputy, and then as the main rule, which he learned from the fighting in Spain, is the constant readiness of each ship and the fleet as a whole.
Before the war
In the 30s, the USSR began creating a new, more powerful fleet, which was destroyed during the Russo-Japanese War 1904. In 1937, the future Admiral Kuznetsov became a member of the command staff of the Main Military Council of the Navy, which was created under the People's Commissariat. At 34, he becomes the youngest People's Commissar of the Navy. Under his command were young, not very experienced officers, but striving to double the glory of Russian weapons. Kuznetsov reported directly to Stalin, which greatly complicated his work. The commander-in-chief was going to build a new fleet of large ships - battleships, cruisers. Kuznetsov, on the contrary, insisted on the release of sea vessels different classes, including aircraft carriers. He argued to the leader the need to create coastal aviation capable of conducting rapid reconnaissance and ensuring the safe movement of ships. Kuznetsov assigned an important role to the training of personnel; combat situations and the readiness of each ship for a surprise attack were regularly practiced in the active forces. Between 1938 and 1948, many educational institutions to create qualified naval officers and sailors. Kuznetsov personally visited each ship, monitored compliance with the ship's and disciplinary regulations, and assessed the actions of the ships in the exercises. By the time the war began, despite disagreements with Stalin, the young People's Commissar achieved the fulfillment of many of his plans and created a new combat-ready Soviet fleet.
The Great Patriotic War
TASS reports refuting the possibility became a signal to action for Kuznetsov. The ships were supplied with fuel reserves, a complete inventory of materiel and ammunition was carried out, patrols and reconnaissance were strengthened. Since May 1941, personnel were prohibited from going ashore, while at the same time, the political training of soldiers was intensified. The fleet met the beginning of fascist aggression in full combat readiness, which made it possible to avoid losses. The plan of protective measures created before the war unfolded on the orders of Kuznetsov without the direct intervention of the Commander-in-Chief. Barrages of mines were installed, submarines were deployed, and enemy aircraft were destroyed as they approached the fleet's bases. On June 24, the threat of blockade arose over the ships of the Baltic Navy; on the orders of Kuznetsov, he broke through to Kronstadt, leaving Tallinn. Naval artillery helped significantly in the defense of Leningrad and its liberation from the siege. The sailors took part in land operations, helping to contain the fascist armada. The bombers of the Baltic Fleet in August 1941 carried out several massive attacks on Berlin; they did not cause significant damage to the German capital, but raised the morale of our troops. Since 1944, by order of the Commander-in-Chief, Kuznetsov N.G. - Admiral of the Fleet, this rank was awarded for the first time and was equivalent to a marshal.
Result
Active military operations of the Soviet fleet led to heavy losses on the part of the enemy. Fleet Admiral N.G. Kuznetsov personally developed all ongoing operations, which were then approved by the Commander-in-Chief, and acted in constant consolidation with other branches of the military. During the war, ships and submarines destroyed 1,200 enemy units (transport, security). Navy aviation destroyed more than 5,000 German aircraft in battles and at airfields. At the same time, the forces carried out security and transportation of goods from allied states. Hundreds of thousands of people were taken along the road of life from besieged Leningrad, more than 10 tons of cargo were delivered to the starving city. More than 200 enemy ships were destroyed in minefields. Fleet Admiral Kuznetsov was awarded 1st degree, "Red Banner" and "Lenin". More than 70 ships were awarded the Guards title, 513 sailors became Heroes of the Soviet Union. As Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Admiral Kuznetsov of the Soviet Union participated in international conferences, negotiations and meetings with allies.
After the war
The main task in peacetime was the restoration of the fleet. Projects for shipbuilding (including aircraft carriers) and the development of naval forces were presented to Stalin personally by the People's Commissar. N. G. Kuznetsov, an admiral who became famous during the war years, insisted on his plans and demands, which often differed from the opinion of the leader. Because of these disagreements and confidence in his rightness, in 1948 Kuznetsov was demoted to the rank of rear admiral and almost sat in the dock. He spent six months without service, suffered a heart attack, but was able to begin work as Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Navy Far East. It was there that he received the next rank of vice admiral for the second time. In 1951, by personal order of Stalin, he returned to Moscow and was completely rehabilitated. Admiral N. Kuznetsov received his next rank in 1953; he actively got involved in the work and sought a revision of the shipbuilding program.
Three times admiral
The further fate of Nikolai Gerasimovich is connected with the transformation of the fleet; his close cooperation with relevant departments and the USSR Academy of Sciences made it possible to create nuclear submarines. He attached great importance to equipping ships with missiles. They were placed on submarines and surface vehicles. The idea of creating aircraft carriers did not find its implementation until 1972, when this need was dictated by the conditions " cold war"with America. Kuznetsov's persistence helped advance the fleet's modernization program, but it strained his relationship with the ruling elite. Under Khrushchev, Admiral N. Kuznetsov was once again demoted in rank. His illness made it possible to remove him from the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Navy and effectively remove him from the business to which he devoted his whole life. But the fruits of his labors yielded results - the aircraft carrier of Admiral Kuznetsov was built. In retirement, Kuznetsov wrote a lot about the fleet, translated foreign literature and assessed his victories and defeats. He died on December 6, 1974, and was buried at the Novodevichy cemetery in Moscow. For the third time, Kuznetsov became admiral of the fleet after his death; this title was returned to him in 1988 under pressure from colleagues and the family of Nikolai Gerasimovich.
Aircraft carrier of Admiral Kuznetsov
In 1982, the fifth heavy cruiser was laid down on the slipway of the Black Sea Shipyard. Its deck was intended for basing, landing and take-off of SU and MiG type aircraft. From the moment the ship was laid down until the end of all types of tests, it had four names: “Riga”, “Leonid Brezhnev”, “Tbilisi”. And only in 1990 the ship began to bear the name “Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov”. The ship was launched in 1985, and while afloat it continued to be completed, equipped and armed. In 1989, the crew boarded it, and the pilots began testing the runway's runway characteristics. Mig 29 successfully completed the assigned tasks, after which the ship was transferred to the dock for completion.
Equipment
The aircraft carrier of Admiral Kuznetsov underwent several reconstructions. Its radar, navigation, and electronic weapons must be constantly modernized. A ship of this size and class is very difficult to refit and quite expensive to maintain in a state of combat readiness, but it is up to today in service, on duty as part of the Northern Fleet forces. Its displacement (maximum) is 61 tons, length - 306 m, width - 71 meters. Overall height is 65 meters, maximum draft is 10 m. Four five-bladed propellers are used as propulsion, which are driven by diesel generators (6), steam turbines (4) and turbogenerators (9). The armament consists of Granit, Dirk, and Kinzhal missiles, AK-630 anti-aircraft artillery mounts, and RBU anti-submarine bombs. The basic aviation group includes fifty airplanes and helicopters.
Development
Today it is the largest ship of its type. Its analogues are not produced; the Navy's long-term plans in this direction are secret. But the leadership of the modern Russian fleet recognizes the fact that the development project created by N. G. Kuznetsov 50 years ago remains relevant at the present time. It is possible that soon new aircraft carriers will be laid down at modern shipyards, which will better meet modern requirements. This applies to both weapons and ship engines. New sea vessels under the command of young naval commanders will conquer the vastness of the ocean and show the world the power of Russian weapons, but we should not forget about the people who wrote the first pages of this book.
The Navy is one of the most effective instruments of geopolitics. American Admiral Alfred Mahan, in his book “The Influence of Sea Power on History,” stated that the fleet influences politics by the very fact of its existence. It's hard to argue with that. For more than two centuries, the boundaries of the British Empire were defined by the pennants of its warships, and in the last century, hegemony in the world's oceans passed to the US Navy. The main striking force of the American fleet are aircraft carriers - huge floating airfields, with the help of which the United States firmly and confidently imposes its interests on the whole world.
What about Russia? Currently, the Russian Navy has in service one ship capable of ensuring the takeoff and landing of aircraft of the classical aerodynamic design - this is the heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser (TAKR or TAVKR) Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov.
Admiral Kuznetsov was designed and built back in the Soviet Union, it became the first true Soviet aircraft carrier and a further development of the Project 1143 Krechet heavy aircraft-carrying cruisers. The main difference between the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier and most aircraft carriers is the presence of missile weapons (Granit anti-ship missiles).
For many years, disputes have not subsided as to whether such a ship is necessary for the Russian Navy, does Russia even need aircraft-carrying ships?
After launching in 1989, this heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser spent almost most of its time not on cruises, but at the quay walls of repair docks. Due to the low reliability of ship mechanisms, the only Russian aircraft carrier on voyages is always accompanied by a tug, which can come to the rescue if something happens. The Russian military industry was never able to provide this ship sufficient quantity combat aircraft, even fewer trained pilots capable of taking off and landing on a ship's deck.
Military sailors call this ship “Kuzya”, and it is very difficult to say whether this nickname is affectionate or contemptuous.
History of the creation of the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier
The first aircraft carriers appeared at the dawn of the 20th century, almost immediately after the emergence military aviation. At first, they were considered as auxiliary ships that should ensure the effective operation of the main striking force of the naval forces of that time - battleships.
However, everything changed radically on December 7, 1941. On this day, Japanese aircraft sank most of the American battleships in the harbor of the Pearl Harbor base. Almost immediately after this, the United States laid down 24 Essex-class aircraft carriers. It was these ships that essentially allowed the Americans to win the war in the Pacific.
The most powerful battleship of the Japanese Navy, Yamato, was destroyed by American aircraft without causing any serious damage to the enemy.
After the end of World War II, it became clear that aircraft carriers are the new rulers of the World Ocean, and the leading maritime powers actively began building such ships. In 1961, the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier was launched in the United States.
In the USSR, relatively little attention was paid to aircraft-carrying ships. Stalin preferred huge, powerful battleships, and few people dared to argue with him. An ardent supporter of the construction of aircraft carriers in the Soviet Union was Admiral Nikolai Gerasimovich Kuznetsov. Largely thanks to his efforts, the first projects of aircraft-carrying ships appeared in the pre-war years, but then they did not go beyond sketches and drawings. Projects for two aircraft carriers were developed at once: a large one (for 72 aircraft) and a small one (for 32 aircraft), but they were crossed out from the post-war fleet development plans. Admiral Gorshkov finally closed the Soviet aircraft carrier projects.
Soviet propaganda depicted aircraft carriers as weapons aggressive war inherent in imperialism. The efficiency and combat power of these ships was underestimated, while the capabilities of Soviet missile cruisers, on the contrary, were extolled and overstated. Khrushchev was an ardent fan of missile weapons and the submarine fleet, so under him the main resources of the Soviet Union were devoted to the creation of strategic submarines.
After Brezhnev came to power, the USSR resumed the development of aircraft-carrying ships. In the late 60s, Yakovlev's design bureau designed the Yak-38 vertical take-off and landing aircraft, which Yakovlev wanted to put into the fleet. The aircraft-carrying cruiser Kiev was built specifically for this vehicle in 1972, which, in addition to aircraft, was also armed with P-500 Basalt anti-ship missiles.
In total, four Project 1143 ships were launched: Kyiv, Minsk, Novorossiysk and Baku. However, the Soviet Navy was in for a serious disappointment: the Yak-38 turned out to be a very unsuccessful machine, it could not take off with full fuel and weapons, and in the tropics the aircraft’s engines refused to start at all. Despite numerous modifications, it was not possible to turn this aircraft into a reliable and effective combat vehicle.
The heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov is, in fact, a continuation of Project 1143. They planned to produce three ships, the main difference of which was the ability to take off and land on the deck of aircraft with traditional scheme. The Admiral Kuznetsov was laid down in 1981, the cruiser Varyag in 1985, and the Ulyanovsk in 1988.
The birth of the new ship was very difficult; the developers were hampered by conflicting requirements for the appearance of the aircraft carrier coming from the Ministry of Defense and the leadership of the Navy. The development of the project was carried out by the Leningrad Design Bureau; the designers offered customers five projects for a new ship, one of which included equipping it with a nuclear power plant. Only in 1982 the project was officially approved, and construction began at the Black Sea Shipyard (Nikolaev).
During construction, progressive technology was used, which consisted of forming the ship’s hull from ready-made large blocks. At the same time, the “Nitka” ground complex was created in Crimea (Saki), where pilots practiced their skills in taking off and landing on a ship’s deck. Initially, the aircraft-carrying cruiser was named "Riga", but already in November 1982 (after the death of the Secretary General) it was renamed "Leonid Brezhnev". In 1987, the ship received a new name - “Tbilisi”, and in 1990 - “Admiral Kuznetsov”.
Instead of the Basalt anti-ship missiles, the cruiser was armed with more modern Granit missiles, the length of the flight deck was significantly increased, and instead of a steam catapult, the ship received a springboard in the bow.
In 1989, sea trials of the ship began, at the same time the first successful landings and airplanes taking off from the ship's deck. The aircraft-carrying cruiser showed good performance characteristics. On January 20, 1991, Admiral Kuznetsov was accepted into the Russian Northern Fleet.
Design of the cruiser "Admiral Kuznetsov"
The heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov is a continuation of the Project 1143 ships, but in a number of its characteristics it differs significantly from them. to his appearance the cruiser is more similar to classic aircraft carriers; it has a so-called through take-off deck and a springboard in the bow of the ship. Its tilt angle is 14.3°. Deck area - 14,800 m2. The cruiser is equipped with an aircraft finisher and an emergency barrier.
On the Admiral Kuznetsov, underwater structural protection (SSP) was used for the first time.
To lift aircraft from hangars, two lifts are installed on the Admiral Kuznetsov, capable of lifting weights of up to 40 tons. The ship's superstructure (“island”) has 13 tiers, it is shifted to the right, which made it possible to increase the width of the runway. The deck has a special heat-resistant Omega coating that can withstand temperatures up to 450°C.
The hull is welded, it has seven decks and two platforms. The bottom is double along the entire length. The hangar for aircraft occupies 50% of the length and 70% of the width of the aircraft carrier. In addition to the aircraft, it houses tractors, fire trucks, as well as equipment for the repair and maintenance of aircraft and helicopters. In addition, the hangar is equipped with an aircraft transportation system, so that tractors are only needed for work on the upper deck. Airplanes are placed in a hangar with their wings folded, and helicopters with their main rotors removed.
The Granit anti-ship missile launchers are located at the base of the springboard; they are covered with armored covers on top. The Kinzhal air defense systems are located in sponsons at the bow and stern of the ship.
The Svetlana-2 aircraft finisher is a system of several cables stretched over the deck. They are connected to a hydraulic system that absorbs the energy of aircraft landing on the deck.
An aircraft-carrying cruiser has several navigation systems that help pilots land on the ship. A unique Luna optical system was also installed, allowing pilots to visually determine the correctness of the landing approach.
In addition to combat aircraft, the main armament of the heavy cruiser is the Granit anti-ship missile. Twelve missiles are placed in silo-type launchers located in the bow of the ship. To protect the ship from the air, the Kinzhal air defense system (24 launchers, 192 missiles) and the Kortik air defense missile system (8 launchers, 256 missiles) and six AK-630M rapid-fire launchers can be used. The aircraft carrier is also armed with two RBU-12000 “Boas” (60 depth charges).
However, the main armament of the ship is the combat aircraft that are on board. These are 50 aircraft: 26 carrier-based fighters and 24 helicopters.
The radio-electronic equipment of Admiral Kuznetsov is very diverse and includes 58 different items. Among them:
- BIUS "Lumberjack";
- Complex "Mars-Passat" with phased array;
- Fregat-MA three-dimensional radar;
- Radar for detecting low-flying targets “Podkat”;
- Communication complex "Buran-2";
- Electronic warfare complex "Sozvezdie-BR".
The power plant almost completely repeats the design used on other ships of Project 1143. It is a steam turbine, four-shaft, with a power of 20 thousand hp. With. The main power plant allows the ship to develop full speed at 29 knots and cover 8 thousand miles at 18 knots.
The installation consists of eight boilers; there is no auxiliary power plant.
The movement is carried out by the rotation of four bronze screws.
Operation of the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier
Until 1994, various tests were carried out on the ship, and it received new aircraft. At the beginning of 1995, the ship's boilers were repaired. At the end of 1995, as part of the ship group “Admiral Kuznetsov”, he went on a cruise to the Mediterranean Sea. The ship visited Tunisia, Crete, Syria and Malta. At the end of the cruise, the cruiser took part in large-scale exercises. They practiced repelling air attacks, detecting enemy submarines, and carried out missile and artillery firing.
From 1996 to 1998 the ship was under repair. In 2000, Admiral Kuznetsov took part in exercises during which the Kursk submarine suffered a disaster. From 2001 to 2004, the ship was under repair.
In 2018, the aircraft carrier went to the Mediterranean Sea to lead the Russian Navy group there.
Evaluation of the aircraft carrier project "Admiral Kuznetsov"
Aircraft-carrying cruiser "Admiral Kuznetsov" with full confidence can be called a full-fledged aircraft carrier. However, the abandonment of steam catapults significantly complicated the use of carrier-based aircraft. The springboard seemed to the developers a good (and cheap) alternative to catapults, but it could not completely replace them. Su-33 aircraft are capable of solving only air defense tasks, but they cannot effectively strike ground targets or enemy ships. Moreover, taking off using a ski-jump imposes restrictions on the take-off weight of aircraft, which means a reduction in their fuel reserves and the weight of weapons.
According to unofficial information, aircraft takeoffs are carried out only against the wind in windy weather. Pilots prefer not to use the ship's navigation systems, but to fly only in good visibility. Of the entire air squadron, only 6-7 aircraft are usually ready for flights.
The ship's energy system causes a lot of criticism. Almost every trip to sea is accompanied by a more or less serious emergency situation related to the operation of the power plant. It should be noted that on every long voyage the Admiral Kuznetsov is accompanied by a tug. Several cases of complete loss of speed by a ship, which almost ended in disaster, are described. Several serious fires occurred on the cruiser, which led to casualties.
Some experts believe that Admiral Kuznetsov is not of serious value as a combat unit. Moreover, its operation is dangerous and very expensive for the Russian budget. They propose mothballing the ship.
If Russia plans to develop its Navy, then it cannot do without aircraft-carrying ships. "Admiral Kuznetsov", like other ships of Project 1143, can be called one of the stages of development in this direction. The Project 1143 aircraft carrier cruisers allowed the Russian fleet to accumulate the necessary experience, learn how to manage and properly use these huge and very complex ships.
Not long ago, information appeared that a large-scale modernization of the Admiral Kuznetsov is planned, during which the ship’s outdated radio-electronic equipment, power plant and some weapons systems will be replaced.
Technical characteristics of the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier
| Main characteristics | |
| Displacement, t: | |
| standard | 43000 |
| complete | 55000 |
| greatest | 61390 |
| Main dimensions, m: | |
| longest length (along the design waterline) | 306,45 (270) |
| maximum width (according to the vertical line) | 71,96 (33,41) |
| average draft (Dst/Dnorm/Dfull) | 8,05/8,97/9,76 |
| maximum draft | 10,4 |
| Main power plant | boiler-turbine, 8 KVG-4 boilers in 4 autonomous groups |
| Power, hp (kW): | |
| total 4 GTZA TV-4 | 200000 |
| turbogenerators TD-1500 | 6x1500 |
| Diesel generators DGR-1500 | 4x1500 |
| Number of shafts, pcs | 4 |
| Number of screws, pcs | 4 |
| Screws | Four-blade |
| Travel speed, knots: | (including Ka-27PS)18 (2) |
| Percussion | PKRP "Granit-NK" |
| P-700 missiles, pcs. | 12 |
| Vertical launch units SM-233, pcs. | 12 |
| Anti-aircraft missile | SAM "Dagger" |
| Vertical launch units SM-9, pcs. | 24x8 |
| SAM 9M330-2, pcs. | 192 |
| Anti-aircraft missile and artillery | ZRAK "Dirk" |
| Number of installations, pcs | 8 |
| SAM 9M311-1, pcs. | 256 |
| 30 mm shells, pcs. | 48000 |
| Artillery | ZAK AK-630M |
| Number of installations, pcs | 6 |
| Anti-submarine/anti-torpedo | RBU-12000 "Boa Constrictor-1" |
| Electronic weapons | |
| BIUS | "Lumberjack" |
| General detection radar | PLC "Mars-Passat", 4 PAR |
| NLC detection radar | 2хМР-360 "Podkat" |
| NC detection radar | 3xMP-212 “Vaigach” |
| GAS | GAS MGK-355 "Polynom-T", GAS MGK-365 "Zvezda-M1", anti-sabotage GAS MG-717 "Amulet", GAS "Altyn", ZPS MG-35 "Shtil", GAS MG-355TA |
| Electronic warfare equipment | "Constellation-RB" |
| Complexes of fired interference | 2x2 PK-2 launchers (ZiF-121), 4x10 PK-10 “Brave” launchers |
| Fire control radar | 2x “Coral-BN”, 4 control radars for the Kinzhal 3R95 air defense missile system, 4 control podules for the 3R86 “Kortik” air defense missile system |
| Navigation complex | "Beysur" |
| Radio navigation aids | "Resistor K-4", "Lawn" |
| Means of communication | Buran-2 complex, Kristall-BK space communications complex |
Video about the aircraft carrier "Admiral Kuznetsov"
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Start design work to create a cruiser of project 1143.5 - 1978. The work was carried out by the Leningrad Design Bureau. The first option is an improved preliminary design of the heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser 1143. The design is being carried out in accordance with the research work called “Order”, which is a military-economic justification for the nuclear-powered aircraft-carrying cruiser of Project 1160.
The design was carried out based on the following projects:
- preliminary project 1160 - an aircraft carrier with a displacement of 80,000 tons;
- Project 1153 - a large cruiser with aircraft weapons (50 aircraft), with a displacement of 7000 tons. There are no ships laid down or built;
— design aircraft carrier recommended by the Ministry of Shipbuilding Industry, displacement 80,000 tons, aircraft and helicopters up to 70 units;
- Project 1143M - an aircraft carrier armed with supersonic aircraft of the Yak-41 type. This is the third aircraft carrier ship of Project 1143 - 1143.3. It was laid down in 1975, accepted in 1982, withdrawn from service in 1993;
- Project 1143A - Project 1143M aircraft carrier with increased displacement. The fourth aircraft-carrying cruiser built. Laid down in 1978, accepted in 1982. Since 2004, the ship has been modernized for the Indian Navy. Accepted into the Indian Navy in 2012;
- Project 1143.5 heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser is the next fifth modification of Project 1143 and the fifth aircraft-carrying cruiser built.
In October 1978, by decree of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, the Ministry of Defense was instructed to develop tactical and technical specifications for the ship project 1143.5, the Ministry of Shipbuilding Industry to issue preliminary design And technical project by 1980. The estimated start of serial construction of Project 1143.5 ships is 1981, completion is 1990. Laying and construction of ships - slipway "O" of the Nikolaev shipyard.
The preliminary design was prepared by 1979, in the same year it was approved by the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy S. Gorshkov. A few months later, in 1980, the head of the military department D. Ustinov signed a directive from the General Staff, which stated the need to change project 1143.5. Now the completion date of the technical project was pushed back to 1982, construction to 1986-91. In April 1980, the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy S. Gorshkov approved the tactical and technical specifications with the amendments made to the project.
In the summer of 1980, all parties involved - the Ministry of Shipbuilding Industry, the Ministry of Aviation Industry, the Air Force and the Navy - recognized the development of the 1143.5 ship project as fully completed.
However, changes to the project continue. The use of aircraft weapons on the Project 1143.5 ship was studied in accordance with the resolution of the Council of Ministers of the USSR. At the end of 1980, the Central Research Institute of Military Shipbuilding adjusted the tactical and technical specifications for the ship project 1143.5. At the same time, a decision was made to build a second ship of Project 1143.4 (1143A) instead of the ship of Project 1143.5. However, in the future the project is being finalized again - technical project 1143.42.
In the early spring of 1981, the Nikolaev Shipyard received a contract from the Main Directorate of the Navy for the production of order 105. In the fall of 1981, changes were made to the ship's design - the displacement was increased by 10 thousand tons. Next, the following changes are made to the project:
— installation of anti-ship missiles “Granit” on board the ship;
— increase in aviation weapons to 50 units;
— springboard takeoff of aircraft without the use of a catapult.
The final technical design of 1143.5 was ready by March 1982. Adopted by Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the USSR No. 392-10 of May 7, 1982.
On September 1, 1982, the Project 1143.5 ship was laid down on the modernized slipway “O” of the Nikolaev shipyard and given the name “Riga” with serial number 105. Two months later, the ship was renamed “Leonid Brezhnev”. In December 1982, installation of the 1st block of the hull structure began. By the way, this was the first ship consisting of 24 hull blocks. The blocks are hull wide, 32 meters long, 13 meters high, weighing up to 1.7 thousand tons. The ship's superstructures were also installed as a block.
All motor and energy systems were ordered for 1983-84. Their assembly and installation was carried out on an already partially assembled hull, which led to the opening of decks and some bulkheads and greatly slowed down the entire construction process. The first photographs of the new ship, taken from a satellite, appeared in the French press in 1984; the TAKR readiness for that year was 20%.
The ship was launched from the slipway at the end of 1985, the weight of the ship did not exceed 32 thousand tons, the readiness of the ship was estimated at 35.8%. In 1986, P. Sokolov was appointed chief designer of project 1143.5. In mid-1987, the ship was renamed again - now it became known as the TAKR "Tbilisi", the ship's readiness is estimated at 57%. There is a delay in the construction of the ship (by approximately 15 percent) due to a disruption in the supply of various equipment. At the end of 1988, the readiness of the TAKR is estimated at 70%.
The estimated cost of the ship in 1989 was about 720 million rubles, of which almost 200 million rubles are delayed in the supply of equipment and systems. In the same year, a new chief designer L. Belov was appointed, the ship's readiness was estimated at 80%. About 50 percent of the radio-electronic equipment and systems are installed on the ship, most of the equipment arrived on the ship in 1989.
The ship's first departure to sea took place on October 20, 1989.. It was officially approved by all project participants. From ready-made solutions the air group on the ship was ready for use. The ship's exit was completed on November 25, 1989. Tests of the air group begin on November 1, 1989 - the Su-27K was the first to land on the deck. Immediately after landing, he took off from the deck of the TAKR MiG-29K.
The ship's equipping with weapons and electronic equipment was completed by 1990; the ship's complete readiness is estimated at 87%. Running factory tests were carried out in the spring and summer of 1990. In October 1990, the ship changed its name for the last time, which it still bears today - TAKR "Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov". During the 1st stage of the tests, the ship successfully covered more than 16 thousand miles, and aircraft took off from the deck of the ship more than 450 times.
State tests of the first TAKR project 1143.5 were completed on December 25, 1990, after which it was accepted into the Navy. Further tests of the ship took place until 1992 on the Black Sea, after which it went into service with the Northern Fleet.
Design development of the ship:
- improvement of project 1143 - five options were proposed, the main components being studied: catapult, emergency barrier, arresting devices, control unit. Displacement up to 65,000 tons. Main armament: 12 Granit anti-ship missile launchers;
- Project 1143.2 - the next option for improving the ship. The main components being worked on are: two catapults, an enlarged hangar, and a flight deck. Displacement up to 60,000 tons. Main armament: air group consisting of 42 aircraft (some of which may be helicopters);
- a draft version of project 1143.5 - the proposed version was studied to the extent possible for docking. Displacement up to 65,000 tons. Armament - an air group of 52 vehicles (30 aircraft and 22 helicopters) and 12 Granit missile launchers;
- project 1143.5 (Ustinova-Amelko) - changes to the ship's design to meet the requirements of the Ministry of Defense. The components being worked on are: springboard, KTU or nuclear power plant of projects 1143.4/1144. Displacement up to 55,000 tons. Main armament: 12 Granit anti-ship missile launchers and an air group of 46 Yak-41 type aircraft;
- project 1143.5 (TsNIIVK) - an adjusted project of the Central Research Institute of Military Shipbuilding. Displacement up to 55,000 tons. Components under development: a reserve catapult has been added, the hull structure has been reduced, and the amount of aviation fuel has been reduced. Main armament: air group consisting of 46 aircraft (short and vertical take-off aircraft of the Yak-41 type).
- project 1143.42 - an adjusted project in favor of the second ship of project 1143.4. Displacement up to 55,000 tons. Components being worked on: deck enlargement, catapult. Main armament: air group consisting of 40 aircraft (including AWACS aircraft), Basalt anti-ship missiles;
- project 1143.42 (adjustment of the Ministry of Defense) - an adjusted project by decision of the military department. Displacement - up to 65,000 tons. Knots being worked on: springboard. Main armament: 12 Granit anti-ship missile launchers, an air group of 50 aircraft.
Design and design of TAKR project 1143.5
Structurally, the ship consists of 24 blocks, each weighing about 1.7 thousand tons. Welded hull with 7 decks and 2 platforms. During the construction of the ship, two Finnish-made Cane cranes were used, each with a lifting capacity of 900 tons. The ship's hull is covered with a special radio-absorbing coating. If we conditionally divide the ship into floors, then their number will be 27 floors.
In total, there were 3,857 rooms for various purposes inside the ship., of which we note: 4-class cabins - 387 rooms, cockpits - 134 rooms, dining rooms - 6 rooms, showers - 50 rooms. More than 4 thousand kilometers were used in the construction of the ship cable routes, 12 thousand kilometers of pipes for various purposes.
The ship received a through deck with an area of more than 14,000 m 2 with a diving board at an angle of 14.3 degrees at the bow of the ship. Profiled fairings are installed on the springboard and the edges of the deck corners. Aircraft are transported to the take-off deck by 40-ton lifts (starboard) at the bow and stern of the ship. The deck width is 67 meters. A section of the landing strip 205 meters long and 26 meters wide is located at an angle of 7 degrees. The deck surface is covered with a special anti-slip and heat-resistant "Omega" coating, and the vertical take-off/landing areas are covered with heat-resistant "AK-9FM" plates.
From the left and right side from the launch pads there are two runways (take-off length 90 meters), which converge at the upper end of the ski jump. The third runway is 180 meters long (the left side is closer to the stern). To ensure protection of support personnel and aircraft from taking off aircraft, cooled deflectors are used on the deck. To land the aircraft on the deck, Svetlana-2 arresting devices and the Nadezhda emergency barrier are used.
The aircraft is landed using a short-range navigation radio system and the Luna-3 optical landing system. A closed hangar with a length of 153 meters, a width of 26 meters and a height of 7.2 meters accommodates 70% of the full-time air group. It also stores tractors, fire engines and a special set of equipment for servicing LAC. The hangar has a chain semi-automatic system for transporting standard aircraft; aircraft are transported on deck using tractors. The hangar is divided into 4 compartments by folding fireproof curtains with electromechanical control to ensure fire safety.
Structural protection of the surface part of the ship is shielded type, internal protective barriers are composite structures of the steel/fiberglass/steel type. High-strength steel (yield strength 60 kgf/mm 2) was chosen as the main material. Aviation fuel, propellant and ammunition tanks are protected using local box armor. For the first time, underwater structural protection is used in the construction of domestic ships. The depth of the PKZ is about 5 meters. Of the 3 longitudinal partitions, the second was armored multi-layer type. Unsinkability was ensured by flooding 5 adjacent compartments, no more than 60 meters long.
The power plant is a boiler-turbine type, consisting of 8 new steam boilers, 4 main turbo-gear units TV-12-4, providing a total power of 200,000 hp. Propulsors – 4 screws with a fixed pitch. Energy – 9 turbogenerators, total capacity 13500 kW, 6 diesel generators with a total power of 9000 kW.
Armament and equipment of TAKR project 1143.5
12 below-deck launchers of the Granit attack anti-ship missile system are located at the very base of the springboard. The launchers are covered with armored covers flush with the deck. Jamming systems: 4 PK-10 launchers and 8 PK-2M launchers with 400 rounds of ammunition (Tertsia control system).
The ship's anti-aircraft armament is 4 modules of the Kinzhal anti-aircraft missile system with ammunition of 192 missiles, 8 modules of the Kortik air defense system with ammunition of 256 missiles, 48,000 shells. The modules are installed on the side, providing all-round fire at air targets.
The ship's artillery armament is three AK-630M batteries with 48,000 rounds of ammunition.
The ship's anti-torpedo armament is two 10-barrel RBU-12000 mounts, installed on the stern side. Ammunition 60 RGB.
Air group - according to project 50 aircraft. As of 2010, it consisted of 18 Su-33, 4 Su-25T, 15 Ka-27 and 2 Ka-31.
Radio-technical weapons and equipment of the ship - 58 systems and complexes, the main ones:
— BIUS “Lumberjack”;
— SOI “Tee”;
— long-range target designation complex “Coral-BN”;
— multifunctional radar "Mars-Passat" with a phased antenna array;
- three-dimensional radar "Fregat-MA";
— two-dimensional radar “Podkat” for detecting low-flying air targets;
— navigation complex “Beysur”;
— communication equipment “Buran-2”;
— active jamming stations MP-207, MP-407, TK-D46RP;
— flight control radar “Resistor”;
— electronic warfare complex “Kantata-1143.5”;
— hydroacoustics complex “Polynom-T”;
— hydroacoustics stations “Zvezda-M1”, “Amulet”, “Altyn”;
— navigation radar stations “Nayada-M”, “Vaigach-U”;
— sound-underwater communication station “Shtil”;
— space communication system “Crystal-BK”;
— aircraft combat control system “Tur-434”;
— television landing system “Otvedok-Raskresposhechenie”;
— guidance station “Lawn”;
— automatic control system “Control”.
The antenna devices of most systems and complexes are located on the ship's superstructure. Radio transmission and reception equipment - more than 50 units. These are 80 paths for receiving and transmitting information and data, most of which can operate simultaneously.
Auxiliary equipment includes more than 170 items and consists of 450 individual units.
The ship's rescue equipment is a command boat of Project 1404, two boats of Project 1402-B, two 6-oar yawls (Project YAL-P6), 240 PSN-10M (life rafts in containers).
Main characteristics of the aircraft carrier "Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov":
- length - 304.5 meters;
— width of the roof line/deck – 38/72 meters;
— draft – 10.5 meters;
— the height of the springboard above the water is 28 meters;
— displacement standard/full/max. – up to 46,000/59,000/67,000 tons;
— economy/max speed – 18/32 knots;
— economy/maximum range – 8000/3800 miles;
— navigation autonomy – 1.5 months;
- ship personnel crew/flight crew - 1533/626 people.
This year the aircraft carrier "Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov":
- January 8 - as part of a ship aircraft carrier group of the Russian Navy, entered the Syrian port of Tartus on an official friendly visit;
- February 16 - as part of a shipborne aircraft carrier group of the Russian Navy, completed a cruise in the Mediterranean Sea and returned to the home base of Severomorsk;
— 2012-17 – modernization of the ship should begin, the work will be carried out by the Sevmash production association.
The Russian fleet includes the only aircraft carrier - Admiral Kuznetsov. He is unique in his class, but not alone in anything else. Assessments of the quality and usefulness of most Russian military equipment are most often ambiguous. “Kuznetsov” did not escape this either. Someone claims that he is “laughing at NATO ships”, pointing out his powerful weapons. Some consider the cruiser “a disgrace to the Russian fleet,” citing the long period of time spent under repairs.
To date, the ship has managed to fight and was awarded the Order of Ushakov, so they were clearly in a hurry to declare its “shame.”
Brief history of creation
Aircraft carriers first appeared during the First World War. They had no influence on its course, but almost all maritime powers became interested in them. And by the beginning of World War II, most of the warring states had aircraft carriers.
The experience of using aircraft carriers has shown that the star of battleships has set, and from now on it is “floating airfields” that are the strongest warships. If at the beginning of the 20th century every maritime state tried to own at least one battleship, then by the middle of the century aircraft carriers became the object of desire.
In the Soviet Union, things were different. Before the Great Patriotic War They didn’t even have time to lay down a single aircraft carrier. After her, the outstanding naval commander, Admiral of the Fleet N.G., actively advocated the construction of aircraft carriers. Kuznetsov.
However, his personal conflict with Marshal Zhukov, which led to the admiral’s disgrace, and the peculiar position of the party leadership, which proclaimed aircraft carriers “weapons of aggressors,” buried this idea.
The only aircraft-carrying ships of the Soviet fleet were the anti-submarine helicopter carriers of Project 1123. Their successors, the ships of Project 1143, were initially also considered anti-submarine, but later they were reclassified as “aircraft-carrying cruisers.” The development of these ships was the “Admiral Kuznetsov”.
The Project 1143.5 ship was a development of the Kyiv aircraft-carrying cruisers. If Project 1143's aircraft armament was more likely to be auxiliary, the new cruiser was supposed to carry not only anti-submarine aircraft, but also “real” fighters and attack aircraft.
For this purpose, for the first time in the USSR, carrier-based horizontal takeoff aircraft with a short takeoff run were designed.
The cruiser was laid down in Nikolaev in early September 1982. A ship called “Riga” was laid down, but already in November it was renamed in honor of the deceased Leonid Brezhnev. With the name of the Secretary General, the aircraft carrier survived until 1987, and for the first tests (not yet fully completed) it came out under the name “Tbilisi”.
The first aircraft landed on the deck of the cruiser in November 1989, with the Su-27K (aka Su-33) piloted by the famous test pilot Viktor Pugachev. After successful testing of the aircraft, the ship returned to Nikolaev. And at the end of 1990, the series of renamings finally ended. The cruiser was named after Fleet Admiral N.G. Kuznetsov, unfortunately, did not live to see the first full-fledged aircraft carrier appear in the Navy.
Description of the ship
A design feature of the Kuznetsov was the absence of steam catapults on the take-off deck - they were replaced with a springboard. This solution saved weight and usable space and had a positive effect on survivability. But this does not make it possible to use the entire flight deck for launch, and aircraft with insufficiently powerful engines simply cannot take off from a ski-jump.
This led to the emergence of a serious weakness of the aircraft carrier - the air group did not have specialized reconnaissance aircraft with a long range. Later, the problem was solved by installing “electronic reconnaissance containers” on carrier-based fighters. However, they still depend on control from the ship, and containers with various equipment are placed not on one fighter, but on a group of three.
The ship's power plant consisted of eight boilers and four steam turbines. There is nothing unusual in such a system, but at one time it served as a reason for criticism of the ship. The smoke observed by journalists from the chimney of the only Russian aircraft carrier was regarded as a sign of the poor condition of the Admiral Kuznetsov.
The only thing is that the cruiser’s boilers run on fuel oil. And when the ship is stationary, the engines operate in a mode in which carbon deposits are deposited in the pipe.
Of course, fuel oil boilers do not provide an unlimited cruising range, like nuclear reactors, but simpler and much cheaper to maintain. And the fuel-filled compartments are part of the anti-torpedo protection system.
When the aircraft carrier was developed, it was designed to be resistant to close explosions of nuclear weapons (with a yield of up to thirty kilotons). It was expected that the flight deck would, in any case, become unusable due to radioactive contamination, and enemy ships would have to be hit with Granit missiles.
Anti-torpedo protection consists of many bulkheads and compartments with fuel oil, alternating with empty ones. It is designed to protect against explosions equivalent to 400 kg of TNT.
In order for the aircraft carrier to attack enemy ships without scrambling aircraft and without resorting to the services of escort vessels, it was armed with long-range heavy P-700 Granit missiles.
The missiles were never used for their intended purpose. It seemed likely that the Granites would be modified to attack ground targets, but judging by the fact that the launchers have already been dismantled, it will not be carried out.
Air defense The cruisers are equipped with Kortik missile and gun systems and six-barreled AK-630 automatic guns of 30 mm caliber. To protect against enemy torpedoes and submarines, the Boa Constrictor rocket launcher is used.
Initially, the air group of “Admiral Kuznetsov” was supposed to consist of deck modifications of the light MiG-29 and the Su-25 attack aircraft.
In fact, throughout the 90s, only “dryers” were used, with the Su-25 only in a training version.
MiG-29K fighters began to be delivered only in 2015, and they are expected to replace the majority of Su-33s. The remaining “dryers” are supposed to be used as attack aircraft, increasing their bomb load. Most of the aircraft carrier's helicopters are anti-submarine Ka-27PL, with a recent addition being the attack Ka-52K.
Interesting facts and technical characteristics
Unique class ship - an “aircraft-carrying cruiser” gave it the legal opportunity, being in fact a full-fledged aircraft carrier, to operate freely in the Black Sea (the Montreux Convention prohibits aircraft carriers from passing through the Bosphorus).
If during modernization the strike missile weapon is lost by Kuznetsov, he may lose the opportunity. But this is hardly critical, since the Black Sea region does not really need aircraft carriers.
Slightly different in design, in the 90s it went to Ukraine and was not completed. It was then sold to China, ostensibly to be converted into a floating hotel. As a result, since 2012, under the name “Liaoning”, he has been serving in the PLA Navy.
The table presents data from the cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov, the American aircraft carrier Nimitz, as a typical representative of the US “supercarriers”, the French Charles de Gaulle of recent construction, and the newest British ship Queen Elizabeth.
| TAKR “Admiral Kuznetsov” | USS Nimitz (CVN-69) | Charles de Gaulle (R91) | HMS Queen Elizabeth | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length, m | 305 | 332,9 | 261,5 | 284 |
| Flight deck width, m | 70 | 76,8 | 64,36 | 73 |
| Total displacement, t | 55000 | 106300 | 42000 | 65000 |
| Travel speed, knots | 29 | 30 | 27 | 25 |
| Cruising range | 8000 miles at 18 knots | Unlimited | Unlimited | 10,000 miles at 15 knots |
| Armament | 12 x anti-ship missile system “Granit”, 24 x launcher air defense system “Dagger”, 8 air defense system “Dirk”, 6 x AK-630, 2 x RBU “Udav” | 2 x Sea Sparrow SAM launchers, 2 x RAM SAM launchers, 2 x Phalanx guns, 2 x 25mm guns, 10 x 12.7mm machine guns | 4 x Aster PU SAM, 2 x Mistral PU SAM, 8 x 20mm guns | No data |
| Air group | 28 airplanes, 14 helicopters | 90 planes and helicopters | up to 40 planes and helicopters | up to 40 planes and helicopters |
| Crew, people | 1960 | over 5000 | 1950 | up to 1600 |
Indeed, Kuznetsov is inferior to American heavy aircraft carriers in terms of air group power and range. But does this deserve devastating criticism - after all, modern European aircraft carriers are close in quality (and size) to the Kuznetsov. It may be impractical to place powerful missile weapons on an aircraft-carrying ship. But the initial design of the last British aircraft carrier does not even provide for defensive weapons, and whether they will be installed subsequently is still unknown. It's hard to consider this an advantage.
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