At present, the forces of the domestic shipbuilding industry are carrying out overhaul and modernization of the heavy nuclear missile cruiser "Admiral Nakhimov" of project 1144 "Orlan". At the moment, of the four built ships of this type, only one remains in the fleet's combat strength. After the completion of the current work, the number of cruisers in the ranks will be doubled. In addition, as a result of modernization, the main combat characteristics of the restored cruiser should increase, which will have a positive effect on the combat effectiveness of the fleet as a whole.
Recently, officials have released several news on the progress of the work and plans for its completion. For a number of reasons, almost all the latest news about the modernization of "Admiral Nakhimov" only affected the timing of the required work. The technical details of the modernization and other interesting aspects of the ongoing project have not been touched on recently. Nevertheless, to date, some information on this matter has already been announced, and in addition, numerous assessments have been expressed.
Cruiser "Admiral Nakhimov", 1994 Photo Dodmedia.osd.mil
On January 13, the domestic media published new reports on the completion date of the work already begun. Igor Dygalo, a representative of the Department of Information and Mass Communications of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, told the press that the current modernization of the Admiral Nakhimov ship should be completed in 2020. In accordance with the existing plans, the Sevmash enterprise (Severodvinsk) is replacing and updating various components and assemblies. The ship's life support systems, radio-technical weapons, as well as ship power systems are being modernized.
Also, during the repair and modernization, the heavy cruiser will lose part of the artillery and missile systems, instead of which new types of systems will be installed. As a result of such updates, the ship will be distinguished by improved tactical and technical characteristics, thanks to which it will be able to strengthen the potential of the surface forces of the navy.
On February 22, the press service of the Sevmash enterprise announced the upcoming start of several new stages of repair work. This year, the ship repair and modernization plant will begin to receive large-sized equipment required for installation on the cruiser. What kind of units will be obtained in the first place has not yet been specified.
Also this year, the installation of various systems and pipelines will begin. Preparations for the installation of electrical systems are also ongoing. It was noted that during the repair, a new method of work organization was used. With the help of three-dimensional modeling, all the necessary equipment of the ship is combined in one virtual space, which greatly simplifies and speeds up the work. It is reported that some of the hull equipment has already been installed in place using new approaches.
Over the next several weeks, there were no new reports on the progress of the work and the timing of their completion. New updated information was announced on March 23. The President of the United Shipbuilding Corporation Alexei Rakhmanov said that the Admiral Nakhimov would be re-commissioned into the fleet in the next three to four years. Thus, the ship will return to service in 2020-21. According to the head of the USC, the industry is working on this task, taking into account certain changes in the scope of work.
At the end of March, several foreign publications at once joined the discussion of the modernization of Russian nuclear cruisers, but their publications are of interest not only in connection with the information provided. According to some data and estimates, in the course of modernization, Project 1144 Orlan ships will have to receive promising Zircon-type hypersonic missiles. The use of this missile system as part of the weapons of "Admiral Nakhimov" and his "sisterships" has not yet received official confirmation, but has already caused a specific reaction abroad.
The cruiser "Kalinin" (future "Admiral Nakhimov"), 1991. Photo by US Navy
Both serious specialized media and publications with a dubious reputation began to discuss the few known information about the Zircon, as well as to predict the prospects for using such weapons as part of the weapons complex of modernized Russian ships. A number of British and American journalists immediately came to frightening conclusions. In their opinion, the existing foreign ships do not have any means of protection against the "Zircon" or other similar weapons, and therefore are unlikely to be able to survive the attack of the updated Russian cruisers.
Recall that the modernization of the cruiser "Admiral Nakhimov" is carried out in accordance with the project 11442M. The decision to carry out such work was made several years ago. The contract for the renovation work was signed in mid-2013. The next year, the ship was put into a loading basin for the necessary work. The main contractor for the renovation was the Sevmash plant. In addition, due to the complexity of the work and the need to use various equipment, a large number of subcontractors were involved in the project.
In the course of ongoing repairs, the heavy nuclear missile cruiser should receive various new equipment. In addition, the complex of artillery and missile weapons will undergo a major upgrade. According to reports, shipbuilders have already changed part of the ship's energy systems. Also, the ship needs to restore the main power plant and other basic elements.
Earlier it became known that within the framework of project 11442M, a contract was signed for the supply of the main elements of the updated complex of weapons. The cruiser will lose the existing inclined launchers of the P-700 "Granit" missile system, which was the ship's main strike facility. Instead of them, 10 universal launchers 3C-14-11442M will be mounted. Each such installation has eight cells for the installation of transport and launch containers with a missile of one type or another.
According to reports, the proposed launchers will allow the cruiser to take on board and use cruise missiles for various purposes of the Caliber family, anti-ship Onyx and even promising Zircon products. The total ammunition load of the 3C-14-11442M installations should consist of 80 missiles. The number of products of a particular type will be determined in accordance with the assigned combat mission, which will be facilitated by the versatility of installations.
With the help of universal launchers, the ship will be able to use all available missiles for various purposes. So, in the "Caliber" family there are anti-ship missiles, weapons for attacking coastal targets, anti-submarine ammunition, etc. Thanks to the proposed modernization of the strike weapons complex, it will be possible to significantly increase its combat radius. Depending on the problem being solved, it will be possible to hit targets at ranges of at least 1000-1500 km.
Cruiser in the bulk basin of the Sevmash enterprise, 2015. Photo Bastion-karpenko.ru
According to reports, a major upgrade of air defense systems is planned, which will be carried out using the latest anti-aircraft systems. Currently "Admiral Nakhimov" carries a long-range air defense system S-300F "Fort". In the course of modernization, this system can be replaced by the newer S-300FM. It is also possible to add the newer Polyment-Redut to this complex. According to various estimates, the ammunition load of these systems can be increased to 100 missiles. Air defense of the near zone can be improved using the "Broadsword" or "Pantsir" complexes in the sea version.
For protection from torpedoes or submarines in the near zone, it is proposed to use the small-sized mine-torpedo anti-submarine complex "Packet-NK". Such systems are already used on Russian warships of new projects, but they are a novelty for the Orlan.
Currently, the cruiser carries a twin artillery mount AK-130 with two 130 mm barrels. It was previously mentioned that this weapon will remain in place. At the same time, for some time, the possibility of using a newer artillery system, including those with increased caliber guns, was discussed.
The ship will continue to be able to carry and service the Ka-27 multipurpose helicopter. New special equipment will be used to ensure the operation of aviation equipment. In particular, the cruiser will have to receive a take-off and landing complex "Palubnik-1-11442M". Despite such re-equipment, aviation technology will retain all its capabilities, but it will be able to solve the assigned tasks with increased efficiency.
A major update of the avionics complex is planned. New radar stations for viewing and searching for targets, improved navigation systems, more advanced communication facilities, etc. should be used. The use of an electronic warfare complex is envisaged. There is information about the use of new lowered and towed hydroacoustic stations. Also, the ship will be able to receive signals from sonar buoys.
As follows from the available data, the main dimensions and displacement of the ship will not change after the upgrade. The length of the ship will continue to be 251 m, maximum width - 28.5 m, draft - more than 9 m. The total displacement should exceed 26 thousand tons. "Admiral Nakhimov" will keep the existing nuclear power plant based on a pressurized water reactor of the OK type -650B-3, supplemented with boiler and turbine systems. The capacity of the main power plant is 140 thousand hp. All this will keep the driving characteristics at the level of the original project. The maximum speed will reach 32 knots, the cruising range will be unlimited with an autonomy of up to 60 days.
"Peter the Great". Photo Wikimedia Commons
The heavy nuclear missile cruiser "Admiral Nakhimov" is currently under repair. The renovation of the ship should be completed at the end of this decade or at the very beginning of the twenties. According to the previously announced plans of the military department, after the return of "Admiral Nakhimov" to service for repairs and modernization will go to "Peter the Great" - the only cruiser of the project 1144, currently remaining in service. The repair of the flagship of the Northern Fleet was previously planned to be completed in 2019-22. Due to some postponement of the completion date of work on the "Admiral Nakhimov", these plans should be adjusted.
For obvious reasons, it is too early to talk about the exact timing of the completion of the modernization of "Peter the Great". The technical details of this project also remain unknown. Probably, this cruiser will be modernized according to the new project 11442M with the corresponding update of the onboard equipment.
The third ship of the series, "Admiral Lazarev", which served in the Pacific Fleet, can also be upgraded in the future. Over the past few years, the further fate of this cruiser has been the topic of numerous discussions and controversies. There was information about the planned restoration of the ship with the subsequent return to service. Later, however, news was also published about the upcoming write-off and disposal. At the moment, the exact plans of the command of the navy are unknown. Apparently, they will be formed later, including taking into account the success of the current modernization of the "Admiral Nakhimov". In addition, determining the future fate of the third "Orlan" requires taking into account the capabilities of the shipbuilding industry and repair enterprises.
The future of the head cruiser of Project 1144 has already been determined. In 2015, the ship "Kirov" (formerly "Admiral Ushakov") was decided to be sent for recycling. Its repair is impossible due to serious breakdowns of the most important units. Until the end of last year, the command planned to develop a dismantlement project, according to which the dismantling of the ship would begin in the near future.
At the moment, only one Project 1144 Orlan heavy nuclear-powered missile cruiser - Peter the Great - remains in the combat strength of the Russian Navy. Another similar ship has already gone for repairs and modernization, thanks to which it will be able to return to service in 2020-21 and replenish the group of surface ships of the Northern Fleet. The future of the third ship has not yet been determined, and another one will soon be sent for disposal. Thus, in the foreseeable future - by the middle of the next decade - the Navy will receive two heavy cruisers with modern equipment and weapons. In the future, it is possible to update one more ship.
The already begun repairs will allow keeping at least two ships in the fleet's combat strength. By extending the service life and improving the combat characteristics, it will be possible to create the foundation for successful and effective operation over the next several decades. This means that after long years of inactivity, one or two ships will be able to return to service and fully contribute to the growth of the combat capability of the fleet as a whole, saving it from the problems of the past.
