Marshal Shaposhnikov (543)

History of Marshal Shaposhnikov (543)

Marshal Shaposhnikov (543) belongs to the Udaloy class of destroyers of the modern Russian Navy. Originally planned in the 1970s for 15 people for the group, 2 were cancelled before the end. Of the 13 vessels completed, the group has 9 active vessels under its name (2017).

Classified as a destroyer, this class is derived from relatively compact maneuvering warships used to support naval operations.

At the time of writing (2017), Marshal Shaposhnikov remains on active duty with the Russian Pacific Fleet. She was named after the Russian Empire/Soviet era military commander Boris Shaposhnikov who served from 1901 to 1945. The warship was launched in 1985.

The destroyer displaces 6,200 tons under standard load and up to 7,900 tons under full load. It has a length of 535 feet, a beam of 63 feet, and a draft of 26 feet. Propulsion is via 4 x gas turbines producing 120,000 hp and driving 2 x axles in a combined gas and gas unit (COGAG). This allows the ship to use half or all of the ship's turbines depending on the requested action (jump or cruise).

The warship can sail at 35 knots and has a range of up to 10,500 nautical miles, which are all excellent qualities for a vessel that walks on water. Its crew is 300.

The exterior design of Marshal Shaposhnikov combines old and new elements. It retains many protrusions and gaps not commonly found in more modern "stealth" warships of similar size and function today.

The mast is also exposed, and the chimney doesn't have an overall low profile design (although some effort has been made to shield these heat dissipation structures). The bridge, in the usual position of the superstructure, overlooked the forecastle, which itself was fitted with a pair of turret deck guns, further disrupting the ship's profile.

Handrails line the sides of the upper deck, and the helipad above the stern has a distinctly exposed lower deck. Some of the superstructure fairings are contoured enough to be considered stealthy by modern standards, but overall, the Shaposhnikov is a warship that originated in the late 1970s and was built using standard 1980s construction methods.

Above the stern deck of the warship is a helipad that supports the launch and recovery of 2 Kamov Ka-27 "Helix" naval helicopters. These vital aircraft provide enhanced tactical capabilities on the horizon, using sonar, radar, missiles and torpedoes as needed against submarine and surface threats.

A full-service hangar facility was also included in Shaposhnikov's design to keep the pair of helicopters in proper operating condition.

The armament consists of a variety of weapon types: mainly 2 x 100mm deck guns with turrets in the bow. Carry 8 vertical launchers for launching SA-N-9 surface-to-air missiles (SAM) against long-range threats.

Two SS-N-14 quad launchers were also installed for countering submarine and surface threats. 4 x 30mm Gatling-style cannons and 2 x Altair CADS-N-1 "Kashtan" series Close Weapon System (CIWS) provide close range defense.

Also equipped with two 533mm quadruple torpedo tubes, as well as two RBU-6000 series anti-submarine rocket (ASROC) launchers, provide the warship with an adequate weapons suite capable of hitting multiple target types.

In keeping with the recent revival of the Russian Navy, Marshal Shaposhnikov was seen participating in joint exercises in the Indian Ocean with Indian naval forces (2003). In May 2010, the warship entered service with the Special Navy in response to the MV Moscow University tanker hijacked off the coast of Somalia.

The destroyer was also used in an exercise near Australia in November 2014 and is now in the future plans of the Russian Navy.

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