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The project of the first Russian UDC has undergone noticeable external changes

The project of the first Russian UDC has undergone noticeable external changes

One of the symbols of the expected revival of the Russian Navy is considered to be the universal landing ships of the project 23900. These are the largest and most multifunctional aircraft-carrying warships for the Russian Navy., which were laid down at the Zaliv plant in Kerch 20 July 2020 of the year. However, since then there is no concrete information on this project., except for a computer-drawn picture and a plastic layout, shown at an exhibition a few years ago. And so, finally, there are some specifics, but that only made more questions..

How and why they build UDC

First of all, a few words must be said about, why universal landing ships are needed at all. The need for them arose during the Vietnam War., when the American aggressors had to land amphibious assaults on the coast, actively defended by Vietnamese patriots. To avoid being hit by cannon artillery, the landing had to be carried out over the horizon, being at a distance of 30 kilometers from the coast. At the same time, it was necessary to provide air cover and airborne troops using helicopters., as well as overall command of all forces involved in the operation. The result is a large-tonnage ship with a straight deck, capable of carrying marines, armored vehicles, helicopters, percussion and transport, and also serve as headquarters. The first universal landing ship was the UDC "Tarava" with a full displacement of almost 40 thousand tons, carrier, apart from the crew, 1903 Marines, armored vehicles, as well as an air wing, presented 16 helicopters CH-46, 6 helicopters CH-53 and 4 UH-1N helicopters. Total in the series was built 5 these ships. The successor to "Tarawa" was the UDC "Wasp". With a full displacement of 40,4 it can carry thousands of tons 1893 marines and armored vehicles. Wasp's air wing also looks more impressive.: 30-32 CH-46 helicopters, 6—8 AV-8B Harrier or up to 46 CH-46 helicopters or 20 aircraft AV-8B. As seen, VTOL aircraft "Harrier" were added to the rotorcraft, which strengthened the capabilities of the US Marine Corps. Total in this series was built 8 UDC, but one was lost due to a severe fire during repair work. The pinnacle of the evolution of this class, undoubtedly, are UDC type "America". With a full displacement of 45,7 thousands of tons each such ship carries up to 1871 Marines, armored vehicles, as well as a very impressive air wing: 12 MV-22, 6 F-35B, 4 ΑH-1Z, 4 MH-53, 3 UH-1 or 22 F-35B. I.e, obsolete "Harriers" were replaced by fifth-generation fighters with short takeoff and vertical landing. De facto "America" – this is a real light aircraft carrier. In total they are planned to be built 11 pieces in a series. What unites all these three ships? If you look from above, we see, that the American UDC deck is a rectangle, allowing the most efficient use of every square meter of its surface, as well as take off and land fighter jets.

The project of the first Russian UDC has undergone noticeable external changes

The Spaniards took a slightly different route., who made their own variation on the theme of UDC "Wosp", equipped with a continuous longitudinal take-off deck and a springboard on the bow, called "Juan Carlos I" L61. Based on this project, the Australians built 2 UDC type "Canberra", and the Turks - their TCG Anadolu (L-400) and planning a second one. This will allow them to operate either American F-35B fighters, or drones, for what, in particular, bet Ankara.

The project of the first Russian UDC has undergone noticeable external changes

Our, "special" way

And now I would like to return to the Russian project 23900. In the public domain there was only a picture drawn on a computer, as well as layout, which a year ago caused us heated debate in the comments. Reasonable questions arose., why is the superstructure-island so massive, and the bow of the ship is so pointed. In fact, this technical solution reduces the usable deck area of ​​the domestic UDC, which could be used to accommodate additional helicopters, and also makes it impossible for a fighter to take off horizontally in a shortened pattern, if we ever have such SKVVP. And now at the International Military-Technical Forum "Army-2022" a new layout of the UDC has appeared, which surprised even more, than the former. You can see exclusive photos link.At first, judging by its dimensions and models of helicopters on deck, which can be used to determine the proportion, about 40 thousand tons of full displacement, promised by the developer, can't dream. Secondly, there is a feeling, that the superstructure-island has become even more massive, than before, taking half the width of the deck.Thirdly, deck, it seems, got even shorter, than in the previous layout, and instead of a rational rectangular shape, she began to resemble an element of some kind of puzzle. Yes, "beautiful" and "stylish", but, Alas, dysfunctional. You might think, that it was drawn by the notorious "designer girls". The question arises, was it worth giving such a technically complex project to Zelenodolsk Design Bureau JSC, which generally has no experience in the development of large-capacity warships? Can, some Nevsky Design Bureau would do better? It painfully looks like a planer. Sergey Marzhetsky

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