In recent years, the domestic military-industrial complex has breathed a little more freely: government orders have appeared, and the state has finally "ripened" to the idea that giving tasks for the production of ships and engines for them abroad is not a good idea. Alas, but so far the re-equipment of the fleet is proceeding at a very slow pace. So far, the “old men” that were laid down and built in the USSR have to stay afloat. These include project 1144.
Basic information
These are nuclear-powered heavy cruisers, which were laid down and launched at the B altic Shipyard from 1973 to 1998. Their uniqueness is precisely in the nuclear "heart", since there are no more such surface ships and never were in the Soviet and Russian fleets. NATO also appreciated these vessels: their size and armament inspired respect for any potential adversary. The designer responsible for the 1144 project is Boris Izrailevich Kupensky. Yukhin Vladimir Evgenievich was his deputy.
No matter how standard it may sound, but these shipsand in fact there are no analogues in world shipbuilding. They are completely universal, they allow you to perform tasks to destroy enemy surface and submarine ships. These ships were equipped with missile weapons of such a class that it was possible with a high degree of probability to guarantee the complete destruction of almost any grouping of a potential enemy.
Project 1144 is also known for the fact that these ships were the largest in the world, not counting aircraft carriers. The closest American analogue, the Virginia cruiser, is 2.5 times smaller in terms of displacement. These ships are multifunctional: they can perform long-term combat missions in almost all parts of the World Ocean, support and cover both surface ships and coastal fortifications. In general, they were armed with almost all the latest tools that had been created in the USSR by that time. The main strike force was the Granit missile system.
Brief history of the series
At the end of March 1973, the first nuclear cruiser of project 1144 "Kirov" was laid down, which in 1992 became the "Admiral Ushakov". At the end of December 1977, it was already launched, and exactly three years later, the ship, which had passed all sea and combat tests, was solemnly handed over to the Soviet Navy. At the end of 1984, the Frunze TARK entered service. In the same 1992, he was renamed "Admiral Lazarev". Finally, in 1988, strictly according to plan, the fleet received the Kalinin TARK, known since 1992 as the Admiral Nakhimov. In 1986, project 1144 came to its logical conclusion: the last project ship, PyotrGreat.”
Initially, the name of this Project 1144 "Orlan" cruiser was "Kuibyshev" or "Yuri Andropov", but the collapse of the USSR did not allow these plans to come true. In the midst of construction, the country in which they began to build this ship ceased to exist, and therefore the construction could only be completed in 1996. Thus, the fleet received the last vessel of this series only ten years after its laying on the stocks.
How were the cruisers of this project created?
In 1961, the Soviet military learned about an unpleasant fact: the US launched the Long Beach nuclear missile cruiser. This gave impetus to domestic research in the field of using nuclear reactors as a power plant for ships. In principle, this was an expected decision: the USSR was at the peak of its development, and therefore was in dire need of large warships that could operate in isolation from their main forces for a long time.
The nuclear power plant has greatly contributed to the successful completion of such tasks. In 1964, active scientific research in this area was already underway in the country. Initially, industry and scientists were tasked with designing a ship with a displacement of up to eight thousand tons.
Combat couple
The design was carried out from the point of view that each future Project 1144 cruiser should be able to withstand all types of weapons available to the fleet of a potential enemy. In addition, the Soviet military perfectly imagined the threat posed by the enemyaviation, and therefore requested the creation of the most effective ship missile defense system. Initially, the designers assumed that one Project 1144 cruiser simply would not be able to carry such an amount of weapons. That is why initially they wanted to create two ships at once: type 1165 and type 1144. They had to cover each other, acting as one.
The first ship was supposed to have anti-ship missiles, the second - anti-submarine missiles. They were to receive anti-aircraft weapons in equal proportions, which ensured the creation of a powerful air defense. However, the further successes of Soviet science and technology predetermined the possibility of reducing many ship systems, and it was decided to abandon the excessively energy-intensive project of two ships. All work on type 1165 was stopped, part of the developments were transferred to the nuclear cruisers of project 1144 Orlan.
Increase in armament and displacement
In the course of work, the ship received an increasing amount of weapons, which caused a rapid increase in its displacement. As a result, no one remembered the original anti-submarine mission of the ship, since the engineers got complete freedom to create a huge universal cruiser with a displacement of up to 20 thousand tons. It was decided to introduce into its “stuffing” all the most modern technologies that the Soviet Union could create at that time. It was then that a new type of ship was defined - a heavy nuclear missile cruiser (TAKR). The new Project 1144 Orlan missile cruisers promised to be the mosta promising and powerful trump card for the entire Soviet surface fleet.
The requirements for the new car were finalized in 1972. The development of the project was carried out at an accelerated pace in Leningrad. As in all such cases, scientists and engineers worked under the guidance of not only their immediate superiors, but also the curator from the fleet. This time it was Captain 2nd Rank A. A. Savin. This approach allowed the Navy to get exactly the ships they needed, making appropriate adjustments as they went.
Improvements and improvements
It should be remembered that the second, third and fourth nuclear missile cruisers of project 1144 were to be built according to the new, improved project 11442. It was supposed to replace the already obsolete systems with new types of weapons: the six-barreled turret 30-mm guns were replaced by the perfect "Kortik". Instead of the Osa air defense system, the Dagger was installed, the caliber of the universal artillery mount was increased to 130 mm, the Metel anti-submarine system replaced the improved Waterfall, new bombing systems (depth charges) were also installed, etc.
Initially, it was assumed that all heavy missile cruisers of project 1144 after the Kirov would be built according to this project, however, the industry failed: not all of these weapons simply managed to be brought to the required form, and therefore they set what managed to complete. So in reality (almost without reservations) only “Peter the Great” refers to project 11442, and the second andthe third ships occupy an intermediate, transitional position. This is how the Orlan project (1144) appeared, the modernization of the ships of which is still ongoing.
Main design features
The hull of each "Orlan" is distinguished by a noticeably elongated forecastle. There are 16 main compartments in the case, which are separated from each other by waterproof partitions. There are five full decks along the entire length of the hull. The Polynom hydroacoustic complex is installed in the bow. At the stern there is a hangar (under deck), which allows the placement of three Ka-27 anti-submarine helicopters at once. Helicopter lifts and helicopter fuel storage tanks are also located here.
At the stern there is a compartment from which the towed antenna of the Polynomial complex descends. Almost all power structures of the hull are made of magnesium-aluminum alloys. The layout of weapons is classic - most of the combat systems are located at the stern and bow.
Protective characteristics of the ship
Each Project 1144 missile cruiser carries a powerful anti-torpedo armor, a double bottom is provided throughout the hull. Vital parts of the ship are locally protected by armor. There is no belt armor in its classic form (as is the case on most modern ships). The main protection is located in the depth of the case. The difference from other cruisers of that time is that the TAKR has a thickened plating from stern to bow 3.5 meters high. Meter - under the waterline, 2.5 meters - protection of vehicles and crew.
And this also shows the uniqueness of the ships of this class, since the Project 1144 heavy nuclear cruisers are the first ships after the Second World War to have such armor technology. Engine rooms, reactor and rocket rooms are protected by armor 100 mm thick. Combat posts and the ship's command post are similarly protected. There is armor around the helicopter hangar, and the ammunition depot is similarly protected. Tiller compartments are covered locally.
Power plant
The KN-3 reactor (with the VM-16 core) was used in the design. This facility is a direct descendant of the OK-900 icebreaking reactors, but it differs greatly from them. The main differentiating factor is highly enriched uranium. At one gas station, a cruiser can operate for at least ten years. The reactors are double-circuit, in each circuit water is used as a coolant (more precisely, bidistillate). This is special water of a very high degree of purification, circulating through the core at a pressure of 200 atmospheres. This provides almost instantaneous boiling of the second circuit and high efficiency of the entire installation.
The power plant uses a scheme with two shafts, and each of them "works" for 70,000 liters. with. The entire installation is located in three aft compartments. The total number of nuclear reactors is two, their total capacity is 342 MW. For comparison, Permskaya GRES produces 2400 MW, so the ship consumes energy that is enough for a city with a population of 100-150 thousand people. In turbinedepartments have (in addition to the main ones) two reserve boilers each.
It must be remembered that Project 1144 "Orlan" has a reserve power plant (not nuclear), which allows the ship to reach speeds of 17 knots. Diesel fuel reserves are such that the cruiser can travel up to 1,300 nautical miles. When using nuclear reactors, the ship can reach speeds of up to 31 knots, and the cruising range becomes unlimited. Thoughtful hull contours provide these ships with excellent seaworthiness, allowing them to cover huge distances in the shortest possible time.
Crew details
In total, the crew includes 759 people, including 120 officers. In total there are 1600 dwellings. To accommodate officers and midshipmen, 140 single cabins are provided, there are 30 cabins for sailors, foremen are accommodated in cabins with a capacity of 8-30 people. Domestic needs are provided by 15 showers and two baths, there is a 6x2.5 meter swimming pool and a sauna.
Medical needs are covered by a two-level block, including an outpatient room and a fully equipped operating room, isolation rooms, a dentist's office, and a pharmacy. The crew can maintain physical fitness in the gym, fully equipped with all possible simulators. There are three cabins, a separate lounge for relaxation, as well as a real cinema.
Main armament of cruisers 1144
As we have already said, the role of the main armament is played by the P-700 Granit anti-ship missiles. These are third-generation missiles, supersonic, distinctivea sign of which is the approach to the target at ultra-low altitude. Their mass is up to seven tons, and when approaching they reach speeds of up to Mach 2.5 (2.5 times faster than the speed of sound), they can carry a charge of standard explosives up to 750 kilograms. The second option is a nuclear charge with a capacity of 500 Kt at a distance of up to 625 kilometers. The length of the rocket is ten meters, the diameter is 85 cm. In one complex, there are 20 such projectiles installed at an angle of 60 degrees to the deck surface. Launchers were manufactured in Leningrad.
It should be noted that the "Granites" were originally intended to be launched from submarines, and therefore, before a combat launch, their cavity is filled with outboard water. Shooting down such missiles is extremely difficult. The designers have ensured that even if the "Granite" is hit by an interceptor missile, it retains a kinetic impulse of such force that it may well reach the target.
Protection against air attack
The basis of missile defense on these ships is the S-300F (Fort), the spinning drums of which were placed under the deck of the ship. The total number of anti-aircraft missiles is 96 pieces. The updated S-300FM Fort-M was installed on the Peter the Great, which exists in a single copy. At the same time, such a complex can neutralize up to six targets, accompanying 12 more along the way. A missile is aimed at each of the "side" targets, and this is not hindered by possible interference in the air that a potential enemy can put.
Project 1144 Orlan heavy cruisers currently carry 94 of these missiles. Reducing their numberdue to the increase in weight and size characteristics. Initially, this unique complex was created on the basis of a purely land army air defense S-Z00PMU2 "Favorite". Its advantages over the standard "Fort" are that it can hit targets at a distance of up to 150 kilometers, and the minimum interception height is only 10 meters, which is extremely important in anti-ship missiles that "love" to fly up to the target at extremely low altitude. The increase in the covered area of damage was achieved due to a sharp improvement in the characteristics used as part of the electronics complex.
Second tier missile defense
ZRK "Dagger" - the second "highlight" of the TAKR. Theoretically, it should have been installed on all ships of the improved project 11442, but in fact, the same "Peter" received this weaponry. Purpose - detection and destruction of targets that managed to break through the first line of layered missile defense. The main striking force in this case is the 9M330 solid-propellant missiles, which are absolutely unified with the famous Tor-M1 land complex.
The peculiarity of these shells is that they are ejected from the launch shaft by a special catapult, and only then the main engine starts. This approach made it possible to significantly reduce their weight and size characteristics while fully maintaining the target engagement range.
Reloads the complex automatically, volleys go every three seconds. In automatic mode, targets can be detected for 45 kilometers, the reaction time is up to eight seconds. The number of simultaneously fired and tracked targets is up to four. Thisthe installation works fully automatically, without the need for personnel escort. According to the manufacturer, one ship should carry 128 Kinzhal missiles.
Third echelon missile defense
Complex of short-range defense - "Kortik". He replaced the heavily outdated six-barrel installations. As in the previous case, this system can detect and track the target in a fully automatic mode. The defeat of the target is provided by modernized six-barrel installations (two pieces), the total rate of fire of which is 10 thousand rounds per minute. They are "insured" by two blocks of four 9M311 missiles each. They are distinguished by a fragmentation-rod warhead and a proximity fuse. This allows missiles to hit a target simply by being close to it, dramatically increasing the chances of incapacitating an enemy projectile.
In the turret space of each installation there can be 32 such missiles in containers. They are unified with the land complex 2S6 "Tunguska". They can carry out tasks to destroy enemy anti-ship missiles, guided bombs, aircraft, helicopters and drones. Kortik missiles can reach a target at a distance of one and a half to eight kilometers, fire from six-barreled installations is fired at a distance of 50 to 150 meters from the side of the ship.
Targets flying at an altitude of five to four thousand meters can be hit. The full ammunition of the Dirks is 192 missiles and 36,000 shells. At the moment, project 1144, modernizationwhich is still unfinished, receives improved versions of these settings.
Alas, but today there is no information whether a complete modernization of ships of this class will be carried out, involving the replacement of electronics with modern analogues. It remains to be hoped that this will be done. New cruisers of this project are clearly not expected, so the remaining ones should be watched especially carefully.
