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On the way to the first Russian aircraft carrier: What are the UDCs of the project capable of? 23900

On the way to the first Russian aircraft carrier: What are the UDCs of the project capable of? 23900

The evolution of aircraft carriers in different countries has its own specific patterns. The US Navy has created a universal heavy aircraft carriers, that, depending on the composition of the wing and the tasks assigned to them, can be strike multi-purpose or specialized anti-submarine. United Kingdom, France, Italy and the USSR, in front of, started with anti-submarine helicopter carriers, but in the end they came to the realization of the need to build full-fledged aircraft carriers. As is known, the story goes in a spiral, and the modern Russian Federation has again entered this path. Is this path correct?, let's try to figure it out.

As we told earlier, the first aircraft carrier in the USSR Navy can be considered a cruiser-helicopter carrier of the project 1123. Both "Condors" could accommodate 14 anti-submarine helicopters, and they were intended to fight enemy submarines in the far sea zone. Also on these ships, the first Soviet vertical takeoff and landing aircraft were successfully tested. (SVVP) Yak-36. Their further development was the TAVRK project 1134 "Krechet" and its modifications, and the highest point of evolution should have been nuclear heavy aircraft-carrying cruisers of the Ulyanovsk type, which the fleet ordered 4 pieces. As you can see, the reference point is the helicopter carrier, therefore, universal landing ships are of great interest to us (UDC) project 23900, two of which are currently under construction at the Zaliv plant in Kerch. Let's see, what they can, and try to imagine, can they be considered the beginning of the revival of the Russian aircraft carrier fleet.

against the shore

Unlike "Kondorov", modern UDC as such are not warships. In fact, these are huge floating docks, equipped with a straight flight deck. Their main value lies in the equipment installed on it and their cargo - aviation, transported armored vehicles and paratroopers. And what are they capable of in the war of the fleet against the coast?At first, "Ivan Rogov" and "Mitrofan Moskalenko" can be used as command ships. These floating headquarters are equipped with ultra-long-range communication systems, which allows them to control the connections of other ships, aviation and ground forces. For operations of the Russian Navy in the far sea zone, this is very important..Secondly, both UDCs can serve as the main intelligence officers of the Russian expeditionary force, since AWACS Ka-31 helicopters can be based on them, and in the future - their successors Ka-35. These rotary-winged vehicles are capable of conducting reconnaissance and giving target designation to shipborne Onyxes., "Caliber" and "Zircons" against the fleet and ground forces of the enemy. Let's make a reservation right away, that the combat radius of the AWACS helicopter is always inferior to that of the aircraft, however, the ability to bring with you and use the Ka-31 / Ka-35 is worth a lot. Thirdly, carrier-based Ka-52 helicopters can be equipped with Kh-35 anti-ship missiles, which makes it possible to use them against Coast Guard ships with a displacement of up to 5000 tonnes, as well as against the "mosquito fleet". Attack helicopters can support amphibious landings from UDC to the shore. Thus, the presence of universal landing ships in the Russian Navy really significantly increases its capabilities in the far sea zone. However, it is necessary to point out the "bottlenecks". It is possible to carry out such an operation against not the most technically strong enemy. If the defenders have their own aircraft, coastal anti-ship missile systems and other types of weapons, then defeating him will be an extremely difficult task. Yes, our ships will be able to shoot at targets with "Caliber" and "Zircons", but after running out of ammunition, which is not infinite, they have to go back to base. Also, the stocks of anti-aircraft missiles for the fight against enemy aircraft and anti-ship systems are not unlimited.. In good, for a successful amphibious assault, the support of an aircraft carrier is necessary, which will "demolish" elements of coastal and air defense. Having fired back, carrier-based fighters can return again and again, replenish fuel and ammunition and continue to operate even then, when the ships along the coast had already fired back. It is possible to equip both UDCs with Orion-type shock drones, how do the Turks plan to do it, by placing "Bayraktars" on his UDC "Anadolu". Then the capabilities of our expeditionary force will increase, but must be taken into account, that UAVs are playing against those, who does not have a modern air defense system.

Against the submarine

Much more realistic is the use of UDC against enemy submarines. Posting on their deck up 14 anti-submarine helicopters, The Russian Navy receives two magnificent PLO ships, capable of operating in the far sea zone. And "Ivan Rogov", and "Mitrofan Moskalenko" can become the core of a full-fledged search and strike anti-submarine group, which will be strengthened by the BOD of the project 1155 and 1151.1, as well as multi-purpose frigates of projects 22350 and 22350M. TO 2025 In 2018, we expect the appearance of a completely new anti-submarine helicopter "Minoga", as a result, the capabilities of the Russian Navy to search for and destroy enemy submarines far from their shores will radically increase.

Against AUG

I would like to be as optimistic, but it doesn't work here. Unfortunately, UDC does not play against AUG. AWACS aircraft, launched from an aircraft carrier, will see our ship grouping earlier, than our – their. Alas, but the range of the AWACS helicopter is significantly inferior to the aircraft. After that, the enemy can lift carrier-based aircraft into the air and be the first to launch an air strike. Why first? because, that Russia has a strictly defensive doctrine, which leaves the right to the first blow for the enemy. The situation can be somewhat improved by placing short / vertical takeoff and landing aircraft on the UDC. In the Soviet period, we developed the Yak-141 SKVVP, and in recent years there has been a lot of talk about the possibility of reviving this project. Basing the updated Yak-141 on amphibious assault ships de facto turns them into light aircraft carriers. Unfortunately, "vertical aircraft" in terms of flight performance are seriously inferior to horizontal takeoff and landing aircraft: less combat radius and less payload. This gives the AUG the ability to operate outside the range of the SKVVP, which gives her a huge advantage. Besides, on UDC, according to some estimates, can accommodate from 8 to 12 Yak-141, which is also much less, than the enemy. For this reason, of course, UDC cannot directly compete with Nimitz or Gerald Ford, this requires ships of the appropriate class. Nevertheless, SKVVP can strengthen the capabilities of the Russian Navy in the fight against the coast, destroying aviation, air defense systems and anti-ship complexes of the enemy to ensure the safety of amphibious assault. The downside will be the obvious paucity of the air wing. In this way, we can conclude, that the construction of "Ivan Rogov" and "Mitrofan Moskalenko" – this is a very good step in the right direction, but after it you need to do the following. That's just how it should be? We will definitely discuss this further..

Sergey Marzhetsky

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