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Admiral Ushakov (Kirov)

1980 COLD WAR

History of Admiral Ushakov (Kirov)

During the height of the Cold War, the Soviet Union maintained a large number of submarines and surface warships. Included in this stable are the heavily armed Kirov-class battlecruisers, which forced the United States to bring back the Iowa-class battleships with WWII-era artillery equipment.

The Kirov class, piloted by Kirov himself, was laid on March 27, 1974 at the Baltisky Naval Shipyard in Leningrad. She was launched on December 26, 1977, officially commissioned on December 30, 1980, and formally identified by NATO observers the following year.

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and subsequent massive defense cuts, the ship was placed in reserve status in 1990. The ship, which was once destined for a scrapyard, was renamed Admiral Ushakov in 1992, and a plan was later announced to refit and modernize the Kirov fleet for reintegration into the new Russian Navy.

If the modernization program goes as planned, Admiral Ushakov is expected to return to active duty in the Russian fleet sometime around 2020.

The naval term "battlecruiser" emerged in the 20th century to classify large battleship-style capital ships for the naval powers of the time. This type differs from battleships by its lighter armor, which provides increased speed and performance.

They retain the firepower of battleships, but can be used to hunt down slower, less fortunate ships of other navies. While many great powers eventually abandoned their battlecruiser naming convention after World War II (1939-1945), under Joseph Stalin, the Soviet Union retained their use, resulting in the Kirov-class battlecruisers of the 1970s.

At the time of construction, the Kirov had a displacement of approximately 28,000 tons at full load, a length of 827 feet from bow to stern, a beam of 94 feet, and a draft of 30 feet. Propulsion is in a hybrid form, consisting of 2 nuclear reactors coupled to steam turbines that provide thrust, while the combined arrangement provides 140,000 shaft horsepower on 2 shafts. Therefore, under ideal conditions, the vessel is expected to reach a speed of 32 knots and a range of 1,000 nautical miles. However, her nuclear-powered propulsion theoretically allows for an essentially unlimited range of operations, determined only by the ship's food supply. The ship is piloted by a crew of 727, including an Air Force of about 18 personnel and 15 officers.

Armor protection includes up to 76mm of armor near critical components, mainly nuclear reactors.

The Kirov has a split layout, with the main form in the midship and the secondary structure in the stern. The main structure includes the main mast and bridge as well as various sensors and communication devices. The forecastle houses a vertical launch unit for missile weapons, while the stern houses a helicopter flight deck. The smoke funnel is contained in the front superstructure and is integrated with the main mast assembly.

The main mast houses a pair of air search radars, while the air surface search system and fire control system (FCS) are located on the secondary mast structure. The bow presents a pronounced upward angle, giving the Kirov a distinctive appearance on the horizon.

Since any battlecruiser has only its weapons and handling systems, Kirov did not disappoint. In the latter, Kirov is equipped with multiple systems that make up its sensor, detection and engagement suite. These include the Voshkod MR-800 series 3D search radar mounted on the fore mast and the Fregat MR-710 series 3D search radar mounted on the main mast. 2 x Palm Front navigation radars are mounted on the foremast, while 2 x domes contain the fire control system of the SA-N-6 surface-to-air missile defense system. Likewise, 2 x Eye Bowl units manage SA-N-4 missile batteries.

AK-360 Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) control is controlled by 2 bass tilt systems. The Kirov is also equipped with all the main sonar arrays in the Horse Jaw LF sonar system mounted in the hull, as well as a variable depth sonar system mounted through the horsetail.

In terms of armament, the Kirov is loaded with guns and missiles to deal with various modern threats at sea (or above). 20 x P-700 "Granit" (SS-N-19 "Shipwreck") missiles are used as anti-submarine/anti-ship weapons, while 14 x SS-N-14 "Silex" cruise missiles can be carried to inland target fights. A total of 96 S-300PMU "Favorit" (SA-N-6 "Grumble") missiles protect the ship from aerial threats, as do 44 x OSA-MA PD (SA-N-4 "Gecko") anti-aircraft missiles against rockets . Added 2 RBU-12000 (Udav-1) rocket launchers to attack enemy submarines. 2 x 100mm AK-100 Dual Purpose (DP) Deck Guns are provided for use in a more conventional manner against enemy surface threats or to support inshore bombardment of inland targets.

As an additional measure against submarines and surface ships, the ship is equipped with 10 x 533 mm torpedo tubes. Close range defense is handled by digitally controlled 8x30mm AK-630 Gatling gun emplacements.

For over-the-horizon support (and anti-ship/stalking operations), the Kirov is equipped with a stern-mounted flight deck for launching and recovering naval helicopters. As such, Kirov can support up to 3 Kamov Ka-27 "Helix" or Kamov Ka-25 "Hormone" series helicopters, while providing full-service facilities through the lower hangar level.

After serving, Kirov spent most of his service career in a typical patrol/deterrent role, leading to the collapse of the Soviet Union. In 1990, an accident in her reactor propulsion system left her severely paralyzed. Defense cuts after the fall of the Soviet Empire meant she was deprived of many useful parts to keep her sister ships sailing. The Hulk, aimed at dismantling the torch, was rescued in an attempt to return the ship to full service perhaps more in line with the type of guided missile cruiser the U.S. Navy deploys.

However, this appears to be changing to November 2013, which may change the course of events for Admiral Kirov/Ushakov.

The new Admiral Ushakov is named after the Russian Admiral Fyodor Fyodorovich Ushakov (1745-1817), who sailed for the Russian Empire in the 18th century, and in 1768 - Served during the Russo-Turkish wars of 1774 and 1787-1792.

April 2018 - This battlecruiser has been in standby since 1990. It has been retired and will be scrapped.