Kuznetsov aircraft carrier crew. Aircraft-carrying cruiser "Admiral Kuznetsov"
“Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov” (former names in order of assignment: “Soviet Union” (project), “Riga” (laying down), “Leonid Brezhnev” (launching), “Tbilisi” (tests)) - heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser (TAVKR) project 1143.5, the only one in the Russian Navy in its class (as of 2016). Designed to engage large surface targets and protect naval formations from attacks by a potential enemy.
Aircraft carrier "Admiral Kuznetsov" - video
Named in honor of Nikolai Gerasimovich Kuznetsov, Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union. Built in Nikolaev, at the Black Sea Shipyard. Part of the Northern Fleet. During cruises, the cruiser is based on MIG-29K, Su-25UTG and Su-33 aircraft of the 279th naval fighter aviation regiment (based at Severomorsk-3) and Ka-27 and Ka-29 helicopters of the 830th separate naval anti-submarine helicopter regiment (based airfield - Severomorsk-1), as well as the latest ship-based Ka-52K attack helicopters.
The aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov has an extremely powerful and constantly modernized close-in missile defense system to repel missile and bomb attacks. The ship's anti-aircraft armament consists of 4 six-barrel launchers of the Kinzhal air defense system (192 missiles), 8 launchers of Kortik (256 missiles), 6 six-barrel 30-mm rapid-fire AK-630M launchers (48,000 shells). The aircraft carrier also has a very advanced layered defense against torpedoes from 2 RBU-12000 installations (60 missiles), including the setting of false acoustic targets, the rapid deployment of anti-torpedo minefields and the destruction of torpedoes with depth charges at the aircraft carrier itself. The aircraft carrier also has a survivability design with multiple bulkheads that can withstand up to 400 kg of TNT from ammunition below the waterline. Thus, an aircraft carrier can repel massive missile, bomb and torpedo attacks even without the help of the actual warrant, which can focus on destroying missile and torpedo carriers.
The aircraft carrier also carries 12 vertical launchers 4K-80 for heavy Granit missiles capable of hitting targets at a range of 700 km with a throw weight of 750 kg. The initial versions of the missile were created to destroy US aircraft carrier groups; recent upgrades to the complex allow it to hit coastal targets.
The aircraft carrier "Admiral Kuznetsov" is the only aircraft carrier in the world that can operate in the Black Sea, because... According to the Montreux Convention, the passage of clean aircraft carriers through the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits is prohibited.
The fifth heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser of the USSR Navy, “Riga,” was laid down on the slipway of the Black Sea Shipyard on September 1, 1982 (Nikolaev, Ukrainian SSR). It differed from its predecessors in that it was for the first time capable of taking off and landing conventional aircraft and modified versions of the land-based Su-27, MiG-29 and Su-25. To achieve this, it had a significantly enlarged flight deck and a springboard for aircraft take-off. Construction for the first time in the USSR was carried out using a progressive method of forming a hull from large blocks weighing up to 1400 tons.
Even before the completion of assembly, after the death of Leonid Brezhnev, on November 22, 1982, the cruiser was renamed in his honor to the Leonid Brezhnev TAVKR. It was launched on December 4, 1985, after which its completion continued afloat.
Loading and installation of weapons on the aircraft carrier (except for the zonal block of launchers of the Granit anti-ship missile complex), electrical equipment, aviation equipment, ventilation and air conditioning systems, as well as equipment of the premises were carried out afloat, during the completion of the ship at the Northern embankment of the Big Bucket.
On August 11, 1987, it was renamed TAVKR "Tbilisi". On June 8, 1989, its mooring tests began, and on September 8, 1989, the crew began settling in. On October 21, 1989, the unfinished and understaffed ship was put out to sea, where it conducted a series of flight tests of aircraft intended to be based on board. As part of these tests, the first takeoffs and landings of aircraft were carried out on it. On November 1, 1989, the first landings of the MiG-29K, Su-27K and Su-25UTG were made. The first takeoff from it was made by the MiG-29K on the same day and the Su-25UTG and Su-27K the next day, November 2, 1989. After completing the test cycle, on November 23, 1989 he returned to the plant for completion. In 1990, she went to sea many times to conduct factory and state tests.
On October 4, 1990, it was renamed once again (4th) and became known as the TAVKR “Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov.”
Service of TAKR "Admiral Kuznetsov"
On November 1, 1989, for the first time in the USSR, a Su-27K fighter (test pilot of the Sukhoi Design Bureau V. G. Pugachev) landed on the deck of the Tavkr Tbilisi aircraft. On the same day, the MiG-29K took off from the deck for the first time using a springboard (test pilot of the Mikoyan Design Bureau T. O. Aubakirov). Also on this day, the Su-25UTG training aircraft (test pilot of the Sukhoi Design Bureau Igor Votintsev and test pilot of the LII Alexander Krutov) made its first landing on the deck. On August 1, 1990, state tests began. During the tests, 16.2 thousand miles were covered, 454 aircraft flights were made. In May 1990, the ship was temporarily included in the 30th division of surface ships of the KChF.
In December 1991, the ship's commander received a telegram from the President of Ukraine Leonid Kravchuk, which explained that the cruiser is the property of Ukraine and until a government decision is made, it must remain in the Sevastopol roadstead. The command of the Russian Navy decided to transfer it to the Northern Fleet. At night, the ship left the Sevastopol roadstead and headed for the Bosphorus. On December 1-24, 1991, the cruiser sailed around Europe to its permanent base in Vidyaevo, Murmansk region.
On December 25, 1990, 8 years, 3 months and 24 days after the laying, the acceptance certificate for the cruiser was signed. On January 20, 1991, it was officially transferred from Ukraine to Russia and enlisted in the Northern Fleet; on January 20, the naval flag was raised on it. In 1992-1994. Various tests of the ship, its weapons and air group continued, the cruiser spent three to four months a year at sea and participated in exercises. In 1993, the first production Su-33s began to arrive for his air group. In the winter of 1994-1995, the main boilers were repaired.
In the year of the 300th anniversary of the Russian Fleet, on December 23, 1995, as part of a naval multi-purpose group, it entered combat service in the Mediterranean Sea, having on board an air group consisting of 13 Su-33, 2 Su-25UTG and 11 helicopters. Gibraltar was passed after 10 days of the trek, on January 4, 1996. On January 7, 1996, she anchored off the coast of Tunisia until January 17. There was an exchange of visits with the US Navy, including the landing of Russian helicopters on an American aircraft carrier and vice versa, as well as the transportation of Russian pilots on US aircraft. From January 28 to February 2, he made a business call to Tartus. February 4, entry to the island of Crete. On February 17 - 18, he visited La Valletta. March 2 - air defense exercises with an aircraft carrier multi-purpose group with Su-33 practicing intercepting aircraft and cruise missiles. March 6 - passage of Gibraltar. At the final stage of the campaign, he took part in command post exercises of the Northern Fleet. As part of the exercise, a conditional repulse of an attack by 4 Tu-22M3s was carried out. They were intercepted at a distance of 450 km from the center of the warrant. On March 22, 1996, he moored at the base. In fact, 12 air targets were intercepted, two foreign submarines were discovered, and artillery and missile firing was carried out, including the Granit missile system. The entire voyage was accompanied by serious problems with the main power plant, as a result of which the ship repeatedly lost power and could not reach full speed, as well as various problems with the ship's systems.
From 1996 to 1998 it was under renovation, which was greatly delayed as a result of underfunding. In 1998, he took part in major exercises of the Northern Fleet. In 1999, he went to sea twice for combat training. In 2000, he participated in major exercises, during which the nuclear-powered missile submarine K-141 Kursk was lost, and took part in a rescue operation. As a result of this tragedy, the cruiser's second trip to combat service in the Mediterranean Sea, which was supposed to take place at the end of 2000, was cancelled.
From 2001 to 2004 it was undergoing a scheduled mid-term renovation. In 2004, as part of a group of 9 ships of the Northern Fleet, including the heavy nuclear-powered missile cruiser "Peter the Great", the missile cruiser "Marshal Ustinov", the destroyer "Admiral Ushakov" and support vessels, took part in a month-long voyage to the North Atlantic, during which also flight development tests of the Su-27KUB. In 2005-2007 he carried out military service and went to sea two or three times a year. On December 5, 2007, as part of a naval strike group, he went on his second trip to combat service in the Mediterranean Sea, which lasted until February 3, 2008.
On December 5, 2007, “Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov” led a detachment of warships that set off on a voyage to the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Thus, the Russian Navy has resumed its presence in the world's oceans.
On December 8, 2008, repairs were completed, carried out for 7 months at the facilities of the Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center. The main power plant on the ship was updated, work was carried out to repair boiler equipment, air conditioning systems, and mechanisms for lifting aircraft onto the flight deck. The cable routes were replaced, and individual units of the cruiser's weapons systems were restored.
On December 6, 2011, the TAVKR set off together with a detachment of ships of the Northern Fleet to the Mediterranean Sea - to the shores of Syria.
According to representatives of the Russian Ministry of Defense, the TAVKR requires a major overhaul and will probably undergo it from 2012 to 2017 at the Sevmash shipbuilding enterprise, however, due to lack of funding, repairs have been postponed indefinitely.
The ship's seventh long-distance voyage was completed in May 2014.
From May 14 to August 20, 2015, the TAVKR "Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov" was under repair at the dock of the 82nd ship repair plant in Roslyakovo.
From January to June 15, 2016, the TAVKR "Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov" was under repair at the 35th ship repair plant in Murmansk, where technical readiness was restored before a long sea voyage.
At the beginning of July 2016, it was reported that the ship would lead a permanent naval group in the Mediterranean Sea from October 2016 to January 2017, and would participate in Russia’s operation in Syria (previously the campaign was announced for the summer of 2016).
On August 8, 2016, a regular MiG-29KR fighter from the 100th separate naval fighter aviation regiment (OKIAP) of the Naval Aviation of the Northern Fleet made its first landing on the deck of the cruiser; It was also reported that from mid-August to October 1, the ship will be at the 35th shipyard to undergo the second stage of maintenance and restore technical readiness.
On October 15, 2016 at 15:30, a ship group led by the TAVKR "Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov" set off on its first military campaign to the shores of Syria. The group also included the TARKR "Peter the Great", large anti-submarine ships "Severomorsk" and "Vice Admiral Kulakov", as well as support vessels.
Assessment and prospects of the aircraft carrier "Admiral Kuznetsov"
Being the first full-fledged aircraft carrier in Soviet naval practice (that is, capable of receiving horizontal take-off and landing aircraft with high combat qualities), the Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov TAVKR, however, could not fully overcome the shortcomings of the first Soviet TAVKR type " Kyiv". The focus on replacing full-fledged steam catapults with springboards led to difficulties in takeoff and landing operations (due to the presence of only one direction for launch). On the other hand, the use of a springboard made it possible to significantly save on the mass, internal volume and energy required to accommodate, maintain and power the steam catapult system. Also, the abandonment of a complex system of steam catapults increased the combat stability of the air regiment in the event of failures due to malfunctions or combat damage to the entire system, and, as a result, the impossibility of using the TAVKR air regiment. The lack of specialized AWACS aircraft that could take off from a ski-jump resulted in a short radar detection range. As a result, the TAVKR's over-the-horizon detection capabilities were limited to AWACS helicopters that had a short range. BBC experts, commenting on these shortcomings, note that “possible skepticism in this regard should be somewhat moderated,” because The very maintenance of an aircraft carrier and its order in a combat-ready state and their ability to travel long distances represents a serious projection of power.
The advantage of the unusual design of an aircraft carrier combining the weapons of a missile cruiser (aircraft-carrying cruiser) is that the Admiral Kuznetsov is in fact the only aircraft carrier in the world that can operate in the Black Sea. The fact is that the Montreux Convention of 1936 prohibits the passage of “clean” aircraft carriers through the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits, but does not prohibit the passage of missile cruisers, which are additionally aircraft carriers, for the USSR and Russia.
The presence of the Granit anti-ship missile system, perfect for its time, with missile defense/air defense breakthrough technologies was intended to create an advantage for the ship in a duel with other aircraft carriers and their orders, since the Granit anti-ship missile system was designed to ensure that, without raising its air wing, the Admiral Kuznetsov "could attack an enemy carrier group with a missile salvo. For a long-range strike, the complex requires precise target designation, carried out by the “Success” aviation complex from Tu-95RTs aircraft, Ka-25Ts helicopters or other systems for obtaining approximate target coordinates. There is a fairly popular urban legend that the Granit SCRC cannot function without target designation from the Legend MCRC, which has been decommissioned. However, even the initial versions of the Granit anti-ship missile system do not require control in flight and when attacking a target, since they simply require entering the target coordinates obtained in some way during launch, then the missile followed the inertial navigation system and at the finishing stage independently found targets using its radar . In 2001, NPO Mashinostroeniya, in accordance with the Resolution of the Council of Ministers of Russia, began work on modernizing the on-board equipment of the Granit complex missiles to transfer navigation and computing electronics to the same element base with the export version of the Yakhont anti-ship missile system with its navigation systems and radio-electronic equipment. At the same time, it is planned to extend the service life of the missiles to 30 years, and the service life of the ship elements of the complex - for life for the carrier. On October 16, 2016, a previously unannounced version of the Granit modernization was tested to attack coastal targets; many experts like Konstantin Sivkov believe that this is the most likely use of the Granit, which is ending its service life. Granites can be very effective for hitting area targets, provided that the enemy has suppressed or does not have a local missile defense system, because have a record weight and range for missile-thrown ammunition - 750 kg at 700 km.
Due to the deployment of Granit missiles, the aircraft carrier has a relatively small hangar.
In April 2016, National Interest and other sources reported on the Russian Navy's plans to replace the Granit with universal launchers based on the ZS-14 for more compact cruise missiles of the Kalibr and Oniks families, as well as the new Zircon missile, which has hypersonic speed to break through modern missile defense systems. Judging by the satellite images of the Admiral Nakhimov, which is undergoing repairs, the Granit launchers are already being dismantled there and the ZS-14 is being installed. The Admiral Kuznetsov, in turn, should undergo comprehensive repairs and modernization from 2017, during which the Granit is expected to be replaced by modern missile weapons.
BBC experts, assessing the aircraft carrier project, note that its most important significance for the Russian Navy is maintaining experience in using aircraft carriers and the presence of both specialists and pilots who know how to handle equipment on aircraft carriers. This allows both the efficient modernization of the aircraft carrier and the use of experienced personnel to create new Russian aircraft carriers. In this regard, BBC experts note that if the aircraft carrier is used in a real strike operation in Syria, the Russian Armed Forces will gain experience that few countries in the world have.
Commanders of the aircraft carrier "Admiral Kuznetsov"
During its service the ship was commanded by:
Captain 1st rank V. S. Yarygin (1987-1992);
- Rear Admiral (assigned while commanding the ship) I. F. Sanko (1992-1995);
- Rear Admiral (assigned while commanding the ship) A. V. Chelpanov (1995-2000);
- Captain 1st Rank A.V. Turilin (2000-2003);
- Captain 1st rank A.P. Shevchenko (2003-2008);
- Captain 1st Rank V. N. Rodionov (2008-2011);
- Captain 1st Rank S. G. Artamonov (since 2011).
Incidents on the TAVKR "Admiral Kuznetsov"
On October 19, 1995, a Mi-8 helicopter crashed. While taxiing on the flight deck, the helicopter was overturned by a strong crosswind. The ship did not receive any damage. The aircraft's main rotor was completely destroyed. A fragment of the blade hit the officer's hand and tore out the bone.
On October 18, 2004, a Su-25UTG crashed. The plane made a hard landing, as a result of which its right landing gear broke. Major damage to the cruiser was avoided due to the fact that the Su-25UTG caught the landing hook on the arresting arrester cable. The suspected causes of the accident include crew error and metal fatigue. The aircraft was delivered to the 121st ARZ (Kubinka), but was declared beyond repair, after which it was written off.
On September 5, 2005, two emergency landings of Su-33 fighters occurred at the TAVKR in the North Atlantic. One of the fighters fell into the ocean and sank at a depth of 1,100 meters (Lieutenant Colonel Yuri Korneev, who was flying the plane, ejected), the second stayed on the deck. The cause of both accidents was a broken arrestor cable. It was planned to destroy the sunken plane with depth charges due to the presence of secret equipment (for example, a “friend or foe” identification system), but it turned out that this was impossible to do. The Navy command expressed hope that the plane would collapse on its own.
On January 6, 2009, while stationed at the roadstead as part of military exercises at the Turkish naval base Akzas, a fire occurred on board the aircraft carrier in one of the bow rooms. The fire was extinguished by the ship's crew. As a result of carbon monoxide poisoning, conscript sailor Dmitry Sychev died. According to experts, the TAVKR did not receive serious damage and on January 11 took part in joint exercises with Greece.
Armament of the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov
Navigation weapons: Beysur complex
Radar weapons: 1 × radar with phased array "Mars-Passat"; 1 × MR-750 Fregat-MA radar; 2 × MR-360 “Podkat” radar; 3 × Vaygach radar
- Aviation control system: 1 × “Resistor-K42”; 1 × "Lawn"
Electronic weapons: BIUS “Lumberjack”; Communication complex "Buran-2"; SJSC "Polynom-T"; GAS "Zvezda-M1"; Electronic warfare complex "Sozvezdie-BR"
Anti-aircraft artillery: 6 × 6 AK-630 (48,000 rounds)
Missile armament: 12 × Granit launchers; 4 × 2 ZRAK "Kortik" (256 missiles, 48,000 shells); 4 × 6 launchers of the Kinzhal air defense system (192 missiles)
Anti-submarine weapons: 2 × 10 RBU-12000 (60 bombs)
Aircraft of the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov
Aviation group: 50 airplanes and helicopters
- According to the project: 26 × MiG-29K or Su-27K; 4 × Ka-27RLD; 18 × Ka-27 or Ka-29; 2 × Ka-27PS
- Actually: 14 × Su-33; 2 × Su-25UTG; 10 × MiG-29K; 4 × MiG-29KUB
Tactical and technical characteristics of the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov
Displacement of the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov
61,390 tons largest; 59 100 t full; 53,050 t normal; 46,540 t standard
Dimensions of the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov
Length: 270 m at waterline; 306.45 m highest
- Width: 33.41 m at the waterline; 71.96 m largest
- Height: 64.49 m overall
- Side height (from the vertical line): 31.42 m at the bow; 25.7 m amidships; 25.7 m at the stern
- Medium draft (from OP): with standard displacement 8.05 m; with a normal displacement of 8.97 m; with a full displacement of 9.76 m
- Largest: 10.4 m
- Armor: Rolled steel, duplicating the hull with “dry compartments”. Anti-torpedo three-layer protection 4.5 m wide, withstands hits of 400 kg of TNT charge.
Engines of the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov
Boiler-turbine, four-shaft
- Steam turbines: 4 GTZA TV-12-4
- Number of boilers: 8 KVG-4 boilers
Power
- Steam turbines: 4 × 50,000 hp
- Turbogenerators: 9 × 1500 kW
- Diesel generators: 6 × 1500 kW
- Propulsion: 4 five-blade propellers
- Travel speed: 29 knots (54 km/h) maximum; 18 knots (33 km/h) combat economic speed; 14 knots (26 km/h) economic speed
Cruising range
At speed: 29 knots - 3850 miles; 18 knots - 7680 miles; 14 knots - 8417 miles
- Navigation autonomy: 45 days
The heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser "Admiral Kuznetsov" - a ship of Project 1143.5, the only one in its class in the Russian Navy, was launched in 1987. In 1990, it was named in honor of Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union N.G. Kuznetsov.
Start. Background
| 1945 | The leadership of the USSR agreed on a strategy for the further development of the country's Navy. The plans of the leadership of the Ministry of Defense did not include the construction of aircraft carriers. This position was categorically opposed by N.G. Kuznetsov (Commander-in-Chief of the Navy), who understood the importance and necessity of having aircraft carriers in service - weapons of the future, as he believed. Thanks to the efforts of the admiral, these ships were included in the design plans |
| 1953 | Kuznetsov was able to achieve understanding and through his efforts a plan for the development of a light aircraft carrier (code name “Project 85”) was approved. The main purpose of an aircraft carrier is to provide cover from attacks by enemy aircraft on ships at sea. The project involved the construction of 8 light aircraft carriers. The first two were supposed to be put into service by the end of 1960 |
| 1955 | The Commander-in-Chief of the Navy N.G. Kuznetsov was dismissed. His place was taken by S.G. Gorshkov, who did not see the need for the development of aircraft-carrying ships. After all, the country’s leadership called aircraft carriers “weapons of Western imperialism” |
| 60s of XX century | “Project 1123” is a trial use of anti-submarine cruisers for the aircraft carrier fleet. One cruiser could accommodate up to 14 KA-25 helicopters on its deck. After conducting full tests of the project, it became clear that helicopters cannot fully provide protection for ships in the event of an air attack |
| Second half of the 60s of the XX century | A plan was agreed upon and approved, which was based on the design of new ships with the ability to be placed on board aircraft with the possibility of vertical take-off. As a result, ships developed according to Project 1143 (Kyiv) appeared, equipped with Yak-38 aircraft. But, unfortunately, the Yak-38 aircraft was not equipped with technical and flight characteristics that would allow it to fully patrol the area around the ships and, if necessary, provide cover from enemy air attacks. As a result, three warships of the “Kyiv” type, together with the TAKR (heavy aircraft carrier cruiser) of Project 114342 “Baku”, which, in fact, were an improved version of them, remained in the armed forces of the USSR as cruisers rather than aircraft carriers |
| 1977 | The development of aircraft carrier ships of Project 11435 began. One of the ships eventually received the name TAKR “Admiral Kuznetsov” |
History and combat campaigns of the TAKR
| January 20, 1991 | The air cruiser "Admiral Kuznetsov" is assigned to serve in the Northern Fleet. On this day, the USSR naval flag was raised on board the ship |
| May 1991 | The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov was assigned to the 30th division of surface ships of the Black Sea Fleet |
| December 1991 | The cruiser "Kuznetsov" departed for its registration point in the village of Vidyaevo, Murmansk region. The route originated from the Black Sea, circumnavigating Europe |
| 1993 | Marked by the addition of SU-33 fighters to the aviation group of the ship |
| December 1994 - February 1995 | Carrying out repair work on the main boilers of the Kuznetsov aircraft carrier |
| October 19, 1995 | While preparing for flights on board the Admiral Kuznetsov, the Mi-8 helicopter crashed. During the raid, the aircraft was overturned due to strong winds. No damage to the ship was recorded |
| December 23, 1995 | At the head of a detachment of twelve ships TAKR (Heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser), "Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov" entered combat service in the Mediterranean Sea. On board the cruiser was an air group consisting of 15 Su-33 aircraft, one Su-25UTG and 11 Ka-27 helicopters. During the voyage, the declared performance characteristics of the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov were checked. The Strait of Gibraltar was crossed after 10 days of travel |
| January 7, 1996 | The cruiser TAVKR "Admiral Kuznetsov" anchored off the coast of Tunisia. During this stay - which lasted until January 17 - an exchange of visits was made with the US Navy, during which both Russian helicopters landed on an American aircraft carrier and American helicopters landed on the deck of the Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov. In addition, Russian pilots were transported on US two-seat carrier-based aircraft. Among other foreign guests, on January 7, 1996, the commander of the US 6th Fleet, Admiral Donald Pilling, visited the cruiser. |
| August 2000 | The aircraft carrier Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov took an active part in major military exercises, subsequently participating in the operation to rescue the crew of the sunken submarine K-141 Kursk. As a result of this tragedy, the second military service trip to the Mediterranean Sea, which was supposed to take place at the end of 2000, was cancelled. |
| From 2001 to 2004 | The cruiser was undergoing scheduled mid-term repairs. During which the performance characteristics of “Admiral Kuznetsov” were improved |
| September 27, 2004 | As part of a group of 9 ships of the Northern Fleet, including the heavy nuclear-powered missile cruiser "Peter the Great", the missile cruiser "Marshal Ustinov", the destroyer "Admiral Ushakov", the BOD "Severomorsk" and "Admiral Levchenko", the nuclear submarine K- 335 "Gepard" and support vessels, the aircraft carrier cruiser entered the North Atlantic. One of the main objectives of the exercises was to practice the interaction of ships when repelling attacks from a mock enemy and to train ship pilots when conducting flights from the deck. During this voyage, flight design tests of the Su-27KUB multi-role carrier-based aircraft were also carried out. |
| October 18, 2004 | During the trip, an accident occurred with the Su-25UTG training aircraft. During landing, the trajectory was calculated incorrectly and there was a strong impact between the landing gear and the landing deck. As a result, one of the plane's landing gear broke, the plane was able to catch the landing hook on the aero arrestor cable and stopped the run |
| September 5, 2005 | During a cruise in the North Atlantic, the cruiser-aircraft carrier Nikolai Kuznetsov suffered two emergency landings of Su-33 fighters due to a broken arrestor cable. The first fighter fell into the ocean and sank at a depth of 1,100 meters (the pilot, Lieutenant Colonel Yuri Korneev, managed to eject), the second plane stayed on the deck. It was planned to destroy the sunken plane with depth charges due to the presence of secret equipment (for example, a “friend or foe” identification system), but it turned out that due to the great depth this was impossible to do. The Navy command expects that the sunken Su-33 will collapse on its own |
| From December 17, 2013 to May 17, 2014 | The aircraft carrier "Admiral Kuznetsov" made a new trip to military service in the Mediterranean Sea with a call at the material and technical base of the Russian Navy in the port of Tartus (Syria). Deputy Commander of the Northern Fleet, Rear Admiral Viktor Sokolov, raised his flag on the cruiser. While in the Mediterranean Sea, the Russian heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov operated together with the flagship Pyotr Velikiy. During this cruise, the pilots of the 279th Naval Aviation Regiment acquired significant practical experience in conducting flights from the deck of an aircraft-carrying cruiser on the high seas, completing more than 350 sorties with a total stay in the air of about 300 hours |
| November 15, 2016 | The TAKR air group "Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov" began combat sorties against ISIS in the Syrian Republic |
| January 6, 2017 | It has been officially decided to reduce the number of Russian armed forces on the territory of the Syrian Republic. This also meant the return home of the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier. |
| February 8, 2017 | The Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov stopped at its home port of Severomorsk, having completed a long-distance combat voyage. This military campaign lasted about 4 months, covering about 18 thousand nautical miles. Having completed the combat cruise, the heavy nuclear-powered missile cruiser "Peter the Great" and the aircraft carrier "Admiral Kuznetsov" fired a real naval salute of 15 artillery shots |
According to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, during combat service, the aviation group assigned to the cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov made about 1,200 sorties, of which more than 400 were to carry out a combat mission.
There were some difficulties with the delivery of combat supplies to the ship while on the high seas.
sorties were carried out by an aviation group assigned to the cruiser "Admiral Kuznetsov" during combat service
The reason is that the Berezina integrated supply ship was responsible for providing ammunition, but it was decommissioned and there were no analogues in the Russian Navy. The floating crane SPK-46150 was assigned to carry out the supply task - and the task was completed.
Design and construction
Design
The command of the Ministry of Defense approved a plan to begin the construction of aircraft carriers that could accept aircraft with both vertical takeoff and landing and traditional ones.
In 1977 The task to carry out the design work was given to the Nevsky Design Bureau.
1980 Work on preparing sketches of the future ship has been completed. To present the work to management, 10 projects were completed, including those with a nuclear engine.
Having gone through all the stages, the ship project received the code “project 11435”.
Project 11435 differed in many ways from the ships of earlier projects, but the main differences include:
- The main missile complex, according to the new design, was located inside the ship;
- The tower body was built on the right side with a strong projection beyond the contours of the ship.
These design solutions made it possible to expand the deck area, thereby allowing aircraft to take off using the traditional take-off method.
May 1982. Project 11435 was agreed upon and approved in its final form.
September 1982. Construction of the first aircraft carrier began at the Black Sea Shipyard No. 444 in the Ukrainian city of Nikolaev.
Construction and testing
September 1, 1982. On one of the slipways of the Black Sea Shipyard, the laying of the future aircraft carrier “Admiral Kuznetsov” took place, which at that time received the name “Riga”.
"Admiral Kuznetsov" was the fifth among the ships under construction.
It was during the construction of this ship that a new technology was developed and tested, the essence of which was that the ship’s hulls were made of large sheet blocks weighing from 1200 to 1380 tons.
November 26, 1982. On this day, the ship was renamed, receiving the name "Leonid Brezhnev", as a tribute and respect after the death of the General Secretary.
December 4, 1985. On this day, the ship “Nikolai Kuznetsov” was launched into the water in a solemn atmosphere.
September 8, 1989. The crew on the aircraft carrier began to be on duty around the clock, although not at full strength.
October 21, 1989. The aircraft carrier "Tbilisi" (the name at that time), 85% ready, went out to the open sea in order to determine readiness for flight design tests: test flights of ships assigned to the aircraft carrier were carried out, as well as testing of all cruiser systems.
November 1, 1989. On this day, the first landing of the aircraft on the deck of the cruiser took place. The SU-27K aircraft was piloted by pilot V. G. Pugachev. Also on November 1, the first takeoff of the Mig-29K aircraft took place, the pilot was T.O. Aubakirov. In connection with the completion of testing and control of the operation of all ship systems in various conditions, it returned to the plant for completion.
August 1, 1990. The cruiser began state tests, which lasted about 5 months. As a result of state tests, the ship sailed more than 16 thousand nautical miles, the total number of aircraft takeoffs is about 450 times.
December 25, 1990. The aircraft carrier was declared ready for combat duty as part of the naval forces and received the name “Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov” and was transferred from the Ministry of Industry to the Ministry of Defense.
Drawing of the aircraft carrier "Admiral Kuznetsov"
Design features
Frame
For greater strength, the ship's hull is made of solid sheets of welded steel. The ship has 7 decks and 2 platforms. There is a second bottom along the entire perimeter of the body.
The room where aircraft are stored is equipped with collapsible fireproof partitions. These partitions divide it into 4 compartments.
The room (the so-called hangar) is equipped with a complex that allows, through a chain transmission, to transport aircraft. Thanks to this design solution, it became possible to abandon the use of large traction tractors inside the ship.
When forming the technical specifications for “Project 11435,” the task was set to increase the area on the aircraft carrier for use by them for takeoffs and landings both in the traditional way and with vertical takeoff.
As a result, the area was increased to 14.8 thousand m 2, which is approximately 2.6 times more than that of heavy aircraft-carrying cruisers of earlier projects. The size of the space for storing aircraft was increased (153.2 × 26.4 × 7.1 m versus 130.4 × 22.7 × 6.7 m on the Minsk aircraft carrier).
To support the traditional take-off of carrier-based aircraft, a springboard with an elevation angle of approximately 14.3 degrees is installed.
Housing protection
The solution to protect the ship's hull from enemy attacks is unique for its time. Compartments for storage and use and rooms with ammunition are protected in the form of box armor.
The ship's protection from torpedoes from enemy ships consists of three longitudinal bulkheads, the middle one is equipped with several layers. The total protection width is 4.52 m.
Take-off and landing areas
To assist pilots when landing aircraft, the following have been developed and installed:
- aerofinisher complex;
- unique optical landing system "Luna".
Traditional take-off sites
The surface of the flight deck was treated with a special compound, which prevents aircraft from sliding during takeoff and landing, and this coating is also heat-resistant, allowing it to withstand heating up to 500 degrees. This coating was named “Onega”.
Sites for VTOL (vertical take-off and landing aircraft)
Separately on the flight deck there are 3 areas for vertical take-off and landing aircraft. The area of each site is about 100 m2 (10x10). The surface is covered with special AK-9FM tiles, which can withstand heating up to 745 degrees.
To ensure the protection of maintenance personnel and technical personnel from strong exhausts from aircraft engines, deflectable flaps - deflectors - are mounted on the deck. In addition, the launch positions are equipped with hydraulic stops (delays) that hold the aircraft in place before takeoff and are retracted at the operator’s command.
To ensure landing, the ship is equipped with Svetlana-2 aerofinishers: four metal cables stretched across the landing deck at intervals of 12 meters.
"Hope"
emergency lift system installed on an aircraft cruiser
The cables are connected to hydraulic brake machines, which ensure a complete stop of the aircraft after 90 meters of run with an overload of no more than 4.5 g. The cable of the fourth aerofinisher (the fourth from the stern) is also connected to the Nadezhda emergency barrier lifting system.
In the stowed position, the cables are recessed in special recesses in the deck, and are raised into working position using hydraulics immediately before the aircraft lands.
Powertrain and ride quality
The power plant of the Admiral Kuznetsov, with minor changes, was completely copied from earlier projects. Major changes include the complete replacement of boilers of earlier modifications with new ones with improved characteristics.
After modernization, the 4-shaft steam turbine power plant can develop a power of 200 thousand hp. (previous projects have up to 180 thousand hp).
The turbines are powered by eight KVG-4 boilers with a steam capacity of up to 115 tons of steam per hour (versus 95 t/h for older boilers). Parameters of superheated steam in the collector: pressure 66 kg/cm2 and temperature 470°C. Propulsors - 4 bronze propellers with 5 low-noise blades.
Crew
According to the plan, ships developed according to project 11435 should be equipped with :
- Total crew - 1980 people
Including:
- officers - 520;
- midshipmen - 322;
- sailors - 1138;
- Air group - 626 people.
As a result, it turns out that there are supposed to be 2606 people on the ship. And if the cruiser is the flagship on a voyage, then the ship will have an additional 55 people (commanders and staff).
The crew's sleeping and resting areas are quite acceptable and comfortable for long sea trips.
Armament
Main strike complex
Anti-ship missile system (ASMC) "Granit" with 12 cruise missiles in silos. Heavy missiles are capable of delivering a 750-kg warhead over a distance of up to 550 km.
P-700 "Granit" (3M45) - anti-ship missile system on the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier Anti-aircraft weapons
- 4x2 anti-aircraft missile and artillery systems (ZRAK) "Kortik". Ammunition 256 missiles and 48,000 30-mm shells, destruction range: missiles 1500-8000 m; guns 500-4000 m;
- 24 modules of the Kinzhal air defense system, the ammunition capacity of each module is 8 missiles in the drum, so in total the ammunition load is 192 missiles. Damage range 1500-12000 m;
- 6 turret six-barreled 30-mm AK-630M mounts (48,000 rounds).
Anti-torpedo weapons
- 2 RBU-12000 bomb launchers of the “Boa constrictor” complex (60 rocket depth charges).
Aviation weapons
In accordance with the instructions of the Ministry of Defense, the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov was created, the characteristics of which ensured the deployment of carrier-based aircraft consisting of:
- 26 Yak-141, MiG-29K and Su-27K (Su-33) aircraft;
- 18 Ka-27 anti-submarine helicopters or Ka-29 transport and combat helicopters;
- 4 radar patrol helicopters Ka-27RLD (Ka-31);
- 2 search and rescue helicopters Ka-27PS.
In fact, due to a lack of funds, the aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov, whose characteristics allow for the deployment of a larger number of aircraft, carries a reduced air group:
- 14 Su-33 fighters;
- 2 Su-25UTG training aircraft;
- 2 MiG-29K fighters;
- 2 combat training MiG-29KUB;
- 15 Ka-27 and Ka-27PS helicopters;
- 2 Ka-31 radar patrol helicopters.
Communications, detection, auxiliary equipment
- navigation complex "Beysur";
- 1 radar complex “Mars-Passat”;
- 1 radar station MR-750 "Fregat-MA";
- 2 radar stations MP-360 “Podkat”;
- 3 radar stations "Vaigach";
- combat information and control system (CIUS) “Lumberjack”;
- communications complex "Buran-2";
- hydroacoustic complex "Polynom-T";
- hydroacoustic station "Zvezda-M1";
- electronic warfare complex "Sozvezdie-BR".
The aft section of the flight deck of the Admiral Kuznetsov during a combat campaign in 1995-1996 Technical characteristics of the aircraft carrier "Admiral Kuznetsov"
Displacement, t:
Main dimensions, m:
Power, hp (kW):
Travel speed, knots:
Cruising range, miles:
Project crew, people:
Armament
| Aviation, LA | 50…52 |
| Su-33 and MiG-29K fighters or Su-25UTG attack aircraft | 26…28 |
| Helicopters RLD Ka-34 | 4 |
| Helicopters Ka-27 and Ka-29 (including Ka-27PS) | 18 (2) |
| Percussion | PKRP "Granit-NK" |
| P-700 missiles, pcs. | 12 |
| Vertical launch units SM-233, pcs. | 12 |
| Anti-aircraft missile | SAM "Dagger" |
| Vertical launch units SM-9, pcs. | 24x8 |
| SAM 9M330-2, pcs. | 192 |
| Anti-aircraft missile and artillery | ZRAK "Dirk" |
| Number of installations, pcs | 8 |
| SAM 9M311-1, pcs. | 256 |
| 30 mm shells, pcs. | 48000 |
| Artillery | ZAK AK-630M |
| Number of installations, pcs | 6 |
| Anti-submarine/anti-torpedo | RBU-12000 "Boa Constrictor-1" |
Electronic weapons
| BIUS | "Lumberjack" |
| General detection radar | PLC "Mars-Passat", 4 PAR |
| NLC detection radar | 2хМР-360 "Podkat" |
| NC detection radar | 3xMP-212 “Vaigach” |
| GAS | GAS MGK-355 "Polynom-T", GAS MGK-365 "Zvezda-M1", anti-sabotage GAS MG-717 "Amulet", GAS "Altyn", ZPS MG-35 "Shtil", GAS MG-355TA |
| Electronic warfare equipment | "Constellation-RB" |
| Complexes of fired interference | 2x2 PK-2 launchers (ZiF-121), 4x10 PK-10 “Brave” launchers |
| Fire control radar | 2x “Coral-BN”, 4 control radars for the “Kinzhal” 3R95 air defense system, 4 control modules for the “Kortik” air defense missile system 3R86 |
| Navigation complex | "Beysur" |
| Radio navigation aids | "Resistor K-4", "Lawn" |
| Means of communication | Buran-2 complex, Kristall-BK space communications complex |
Commanders
From the moment of launching to the present day, the heavy aircraft carrier cruiser "Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov" was under the command of the following officers:
| Photo | Full name and military rank | Years of command of the ship |
 |
Captain 1st Rank Viktor Stepanovich Yarygin | 1987-1992 |
 |
Captain 1st rank (rear admiral) Ivan Fedorovich Sanko | 1992-1995 |
 |
Rear Admiral Alexander Vladimirovich Chelpanov | 1995-2000 |
 |
Captain 1st Rank Alexander Vasilievich Turilin | 2000-2003 |
 |
Captain 1st Rank Alexander Petrovich Shevchenko | 2003-2008 |
 |
Captain 1st Rank Vyacheslav Nikolaevich Rodionov | 2008-2011 |
 |
Captain 1st Rank Sergei Grigorievich Artamonov | Since 2011 |
As we said earlier, the heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser “Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov” (hereinafter referred to as “Kuznetsov”) turned out to be too large for one article in the series. Therefore, before taking on its description, in three separate articles we reviewed the history of their creation - the Yak-141, MiG-29K and Su-33.
Next, we should talk about the design features and capabilities of our only ship capable of supporting flights of horizontal take-off and landing aircraft, but... Knowing what kind of controversy this could cause in the comments, the author of this article preferred to first talk about the service of the Kuznetsov TAKR, without anything its current state, nor the specifics of its combat use in Syria, will be clear.
Let us recall (briefly) the main tactical and technical characteristics of the only aircraft-carrying ship in Russia.
The standard displacement (according to various sources) is 45,900 - 46,540 tons, the total displacement is 58,500 - 59,100 tons. The “largest” displacement of the TAKR is also mentioned - 61,390 tons. The power of the machines (four-shaft boiler-turbine installation) is 200,000 hp. , speed - 29 knots. The range at a speed of 18 knots was supposed to be 8,000 miles. Autonomy for supplies, provisions and drinking water – 45 days.
Armament - airplanes and helicopters (the total number can reach 50 aircraft), as well as 12 Granit anti-ship missiles, 192 Kinzhal missile defense systems, 8 Kortik air defense systems and 8 30-mm AK-630M installations, a Udav anti-torpedo defense missile system "(based on RBU). It was believed that this complex was capable of destroying a homing torpedo with a probability of 76%. Crew number (actual) up to 2,100 people. aircraft carrier personnel and 500 people. air groups.
The TAKR, at that time bearing the name “Riga”, was laid down on slipway “0” of the Nikolaev ChSZ in a solemn ceremony on September 1, 1982 at 15.00. Navy Commander-in-Chief S.G., present at the ceremony. Gorshkov personally attached a silver embedded board to the bottom section of the hull.
The start of construction was preceded by extensive preparations, including a major modernization of the slipway, as well as the installation of two 900-ton gantry cranes from KONE purchased in Finland. These huge structures (height - 110 m, portal size - 150 m) made it possible to move cargo weighing up to 1,500 tons. As a result, Nikolaev ChSZ received a slipway complex that allows the construction and launching of ships with a launching weight of up to 40,000 tons.
It is interesting that one of the advantages of the deal with the French to acquire Mistral-class helicopter carriers is the transfer by the French side of large-capacity block assembly technologies, which we allegedly did not own. In fact, the hull of the future Kuznetsov was assembled from 21 blocks 32 m long, 13 m high and width corresponding to the ship’s hull. Each of these blocks weighed up to 1,400 tons, the superstructure was the 22nd block.
Installation of the superstructure on the second ship of the series - at that time "Riga", and later - "Varyag"
The construction of the first block began somewhat later than the official laying, in December 1982, and it was installed on the slipway on February 22, 1983. It is interesting that during the construction of the ship, the computers of the designer, Nevsky PKB, were linked with the ChSZ computer center into a single electronic computing system , which significantly simplified access to the necessary documentation. New design methods significantly accelerated the progress of construction work. New ones (including electronic ones) were introduced everywhere; for example, it was possible to abandon the traditional markings on the plaza. Cable work, for the first time in the history of domestic shipbuilding, was carried out directly on the slipway.
The TAKR, renamed "Leonid Brezhnev", was launched on December 4, 1985, having a mass of 32,000 tons (of which the ship itself weighed 28,000 tons, the rest was ballast and other cargo), and mooring tests began on June 8, 1989. Of course, this year the ship was not yet ready to go to sea, but the need to gain practical experience in take-off and landing on the deck led to the fact that on October 21, the TAKR (now Tbilisi) left the factory berth for the first time and headed to Sevastopol . There, at a training ground near Cape Margopulo, the first tests took place, as well as overflights of the ship by Su-27K and MiG-29K fighters.
On November 1, 1989, the first horizontal takeoff and landing aircraft in the history of the Russian Navy took place on the deck of a ship: at 13.46 V.G. Pugachev landed on the Su-27K with tail number 39. Moreover, the readiness of the ship even by the beginning of 1990 was 86%. State tests began on August 1, 1990 and were carried out very intensively - in 2 months and 4 days (the ship returned to the factory to eliminate the comments on October 4, 1990). The TAKR covered 16,200 miles, 454 aircraft and helicopter sorties were made from its deck . For the first time, night launch and landing of aircraft was tested.
The acceptance certificate was signed on December 25, 1990, and on January 20, 1991, the TAKR (now “Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov”) was enlisted in the Northern Fleet. 9 days later (January 29), the naval flag was raised over the ship for the first time.
It was assumed that Kuznetsov would spend 1991 in the Black Sea, it was even included in the 30th division of surface ships of the Black Sea Fleet, and then, in 1992, the TAKR would enter its first combat service in the Mediterranean Sea, after which it would go to the Northern Fleet . However, in November 1991, it became clear that the collapse of the USSR had become irreversible, and the situation became... let's say, unstable. As is known, at a certain period of time Ukraine laid claim to nothing less than the entire Black Sea Fleet of the USSR. The Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Admiral Chernavin, decided to transfer the Kuznetsov to the north, and on December 1, 1991, the ship went to sea.
The first campaign of the TAKR passed without any special incidents, although, of course, there were some nuances. Already in the Aegean Sea, vibration of the third machine was detected; as it turned out later, a fishing net was wound around the propeller. It didn’t really “stick” and didn’t get in the way, so they walked with it to Gibraltar, and only there, during a two-day stay (associated, first of all, with receiving fuel), it was cut off by the efforts of the divers on board the ship.
During this voyage, Kuznetsov first encountered the forces of the US Navy - an aircraft carrier strike group led by the aircraft carrier George Washington. The Americans immediately raised aircraft and began to fly over and photograph the newest aircraft carrier, and also tried to explore its physical fields. In response, ours transmitted the signal “I am conducting an exercise,” increased the speed to 24 knots and lifted both rescue helicopters into the air (unfortunately, there were no aircraft on board the Kuznetsov during this transition). The patrol ship Zadorny caught a sonar buoy from the water. There was nothing else worthy of mention in that campaign, and on December 21, 1991, the TAKR arrived at its destination. Here "Kuznetsov" was included in the 43rd division of missile cruisers based in the village of Vidyaevo.
In order to understand what happened next to our TAKR, it is necessary to stop and understand the situation in which our only heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser found itself.
First- This is the largest and most complex ship of all built in the USSR. It implemented fundamentally new technologies necessary for basing horizontal takeoff and landing aircraft. Without a doubt, this was a huge step forward, but usually in such cases, ships with so much new technology suffer from many “childhood diseases” that need to be identified and “treated.”
Second– we can say that we inherited “Kuznetsov” from the USSR, but this cannot be said about its air group. The Su-33 is not even close to completing testing. Yes, it was developed in the USSR, but the development of such a complex object as a carrier-based combat aircraft is extremely difficult, and mass production should also have been organized.
Third– a question about the training of deck pilots. Without a doubt, there were many professional pilots in the USSR, and there were those who piloted VTOL aircraft, but no one knew the specifics of takeoff from a springboard and landing with an arresting aid, except literally a few test pilots.
In other words, the state tests were passed, the acceptance certificate was signed, the flag was raised, and “Kuznetsov” itself arrived at its permanent location on December 21, 1991. But at the same time, we still did not have nearly a combat-ready aircraft-carrying cruiser with a staffed and trained air group as part of the fleet, and in order to obtain it, the Russian Federation needed to make a lot of effort. The problem was that the country was entering an era of political chaos and financial crises, notoriously known as the “wild nineties,” which, of course, did not at all contribute to the acquisition of combat capability of such a complex weapons system, which was the Kuznetsov TAKR.
Organizationally, the Kuznetsov air wing was formalized in February 1992., forming the 57th Smolensk Red Banner Mixed Naval Air Division (57th Scud), which included:
1. 279th naval fighter aviation regiment (279 kiap). It was to include two Su-33 squadrons and, probably, a squadron of Su-25UTG training aircraft;
2. 830th shipborne anti-submarine helicopter regiment (830 kplvp), equipped with Ka-27, Ka-27PS and Ka-29 helicopters.
In turn, 279 kiap were formed on the basis of two compounds. On the one hand, the 279th kiap became the heir to the 279 okshap (separate naval attack air regiment), which traces its history back to December 1, 1973, when the formation of the first regiment of carrier-based aircraft Yak-36M (Yak-38) for TAKR in the USSR began. Kyiv". This regiment was a pioneer in every respect: it was the first to master a completely new technology, such as VTOL aircraft, its pilots became the first pilots of carrier-based aircraft, they were the first to gain experience in sea and ocean campaigns... All this was on them, so who else if not them, was it possible to master the latest Su-33?
However, besides them, the 279th Kiap also included many officers from another formation, the 100th Research and Instruction Fighter Aviation Regiment (100th IIAP), with which... an interesting story turned out.
This regiment was created on December 24, 1985 (based at the Saki airfield, Crimea) precisely for the purpose of studying the capabilities of carrier-based aircraft, testing tactics for its use, as well as training carrier-based aviation pilots. That is, the regiment was staffed by top-class pilots who had to figure out what the Su-33, MiG-29K were and how all this could be most effectively used in combat - and then teach it to others. But the USSR collapsed, and the 100th IAP ended up on the territory of now sovereign Ukraine...
Surely, many readers of the site watched the film “72 Meters” at one time. It contains an episode in which the crew of a Black Sea submarine must choose between the Ukrainian oath and service in sunny Crimea or the Arctic hills where the boat will go. With few exceptions, the crew chooses loyalty to duty, and to the sounds of “Farewell of the Slavic Woman” they leave the pier where the “ceremonial event” was planned.
This episode immediately became, as it is fashionable to say now, an Internet meme and, by the way, the reason why the rental of “72 Meters” in Ukraine was banned. But... this episode is completely not fictional. Many people found themselves in a similar dilemma, including, of course, the personnel of the research and instructional air regiment. So - about a hundred officers of the 100th IAP, including 16 pilots led by Lieutenant Colonel Timur Avtandilovich Apakidze (by the way, the commander of the 100th IAP), following not the letter, but the spirit of the oath they took, chose to leave hospitable Crimea, moving with families to the polar Severomorsk.
These people should be made into nails...
Timur Avtandilovich Apakidze in the cockpit of the Su-33
Without a doubt, these officers had unique, at that time, experience in operating carrier-based aircraft, without which development would have been extremely difficult. However, even with them, work on putting the Su-33 into service and preparing an air wing for Kuznetsov could not be resumed where they had been completed in Crimea. The fact is that the 3rd Directorate of the State Scientific Research Institute of the Air Force, which was involved in testing naval aviation, remained in Ukraine. As a result, all materials and documents on the stages of flight design and state tests of the Su-33, carried out in Crimea, turned out to be inaccessible - “brotherly” Ukraine categorically refused to transfer them to the Russian Federation. One of the Su-27Ks (T10K-7), which remained at the Kirovskoye airfield in Crimea, was also “sandwiched.”
But that was not all. NITKA remains in Crimea - a unique training complex for training carrier-based aviation pilots, capable of even simulating pitching when landing on the deck of an aircraft-carrying cruiser. Subsequently, it was nevertheless possible to agree with Ukraine on the operation of this complex, and, starting in July 1994, the training of personnel of the Russian Navy aviation resumed on it, but for two whole years after the appearance of “Kuznetsov” in the north (1992-1993), it turned out to be not available to us. And later..., for example, in 1994, Ukraine allowed our pilots to fly to NITKA for a whole month. But it wasn’t just the complex, of course. During the Soviet era, a very complex infrastructure was created in Crimea for the development of carrier-based aircraft, and NITKA, in essence, was part of it. And in Severomorsk, besides military airfields, by and large, there was nothing.
In other words, after the collapse of the USSR, we lost the infrastructure for conducting research and training of deck pilots, as well as a lot of materials on previously performed tests. The country, of course, did not have the funds to restore all this to any extent. The only “training ground” on which state testing of the Su-33 could be resumed was, in fact, the TAKR itself. But even here, not everything was in order.
It is well known that a huge problem for our aircraft-carrying ships (and not only them) was the lack of equipped base sites. And, it must be said that some conclusions from the operation of TAKR previous projects in the USSR were nevertheless made. Thus, “Kuznetsov” in the village of Vidyaevo was awaiting a pontoon-spacer specially manufactured at ChSZ - a very complex engineering structure created specifically to ensure the basing of the latest aircraft carrier in northern conditions. For this purpose, special mooring devices, communications for supplying power to the ship, and even living quarters for service personnel were installed on the pontoon. But, of course, the Black Sea shipbuilders could not equip their creation with a powerful boiler room coupled with a power plant - it was assumed that the pontoon would only serve as a link between the ship and the corresponding land infrastructure. But they didn’t have time to build it, as a result of which there was absolutely not enough steam and electricity for Kuznetsov. As a result, like on other TAKRs before it, the Kuznetsov crew is forced to constantly keep one of its engine and boiler rooms in working order. Which, of course, had the most negative impact on the service life of the mechanisms.
Now it will be extremely difficult to say what was the reason for the first breakdowns of the Kuznetsov power plant - some believe that the issue is the initial “capriciousness” of the boiler-turbine installation, on the other hand, one should listen to those who claim that despite the well-known complexity operation, the fleet could well have coped with this if not for the chronic underfunding and low qualifications of conscripts, who simply did not have time to be trained to work with such mechanisms, as well as the difficulties that arose in obtaining spare parts and components for boilers. In any case, certain difficulties arose from the very first days of operation - warranty specialists worked on the ship, including due to the vibration of the third machine that captured the network in the Mediterranean Sea. During the next trip to sea, one of the ship’s main turbines broke down, which required a very thorough and expensive repair.
All of the above, without a doubt, largely predetermined the use of the Kuznetsov aircraft carrier in subsequent years. For three years, in the period 1992-1994, the ship spent 3-4 months at sea, the crew was trained, flight design and state tests of the Su-33 were carried out. It seems like lines full of banality, but what was behind it? In fact, it was necessary to revise the entire training program for deck pilots, excluding from it training at the NITKA training complex; it was necessary to somehow teach people to “transfer” from an unusual airfield directly to the deck. And this was in conditions when the equipment responsible for takeoff and landing operations on the ship was malfunctioning. As V.P. Zablotsky writes in his monograph dedicated to the Kuznetsov aircraft carrier:
« The most serious drawback was the mismatch between the light zones of the Luna-3 OSB and the Otvodok-Raskreposhechenie television surveillance and landing control system with the on-board radio equipment (Resistor K-42).».
In the spring of 1993, the first four production Su-33s arrived at the disposal of 279 kiaps, and 1994 became, in some way, a milestone for our carrier-based aviation. Firstly, state tests of the aircraft were completed, and the final chord was the successful interception of a Su-33 by a pair and the destruction of a La-17 target aircraft against the backdrop of the sea. Secondly, at the same time, the fleet received 24 Su-33s, which made it possible to staff our only carrier-based air regiment. However, the difficulties described above with training personnel led to the fact that by 1994 we only had a leadership group ready, consisting of 10 pilots who were allowed to fly from the ship and... difficulties still remained.
The inability to use the NITKA simulator, for example, led to the fact that pilots were unable to practice night takeoffs and landings, although previously such flights were carried out from the TAKR in Crimea. As a result, we had to be content with flying only during the daytime and at dusk. A number of malfunctions in control systems did not allow our aviation to practice the group use of fighters and their joint actions with the anti-submarine group.
The 1994 test exercise demonstrated the potential capabilities of our carrier-based aircraft. The flights were carried out by six Su-33s, divided into three twins. The first of them were piloted by test pilots of the Sukhoi Design Bureau V.G. Pugachev and S.N. Melnikov, who were supposed to depict enemy aircraft striking a TAKR from a distance of about 800 km. The second pair of aircraft (T.A. Apakidze and V.V. Dubovoy) and the third (I.S. Kozhin and K.B. Kochkarev) were supposed to provide air defense for the formation, which included the TAKR outside the ship's air defense systems.
The most interesting thing about these exercises was that NATO aviation took an active part in them. When entering the designated patrol area, a pair of T.A. Apakidze – V.V. Dubovoy, using the on-board equipment of the Su-33, detected an unidentified target 280 km from the cruiser and were immediately reoriented to intercept it. The target turned out to be a Norwegian patrol aircraft, Orion; after its interception, the Su-33s returned to their assigned mission - the aircraft piloted by V.G. Pugachev and S.N. Melnikov, were discovered and “destroyed” by air-to-air missiles.
The same thing happened with the second pair of Su-33s, piloted by I.S. Kozhin and K.B. Kochkarev - while entering the patrol area, planes were discovered taking off from Norwegian airfields. By decision of the ship's control and guidance center, the pilots first intercepted the descendants of the ancient Vikings, and then continued to carry out the training mission, which was also completed.
Of course, if you compare the Northern Fleet carrier-based aviation test exercises that took place in 1994 with the training process of US aircraft carriers, you will immediately be struck by the disparity of scale - what are only six aircraft... However, you need to understand that our naval pilots took their first steps, and in the most difficult conditions. At the same time, these exercises already demonstrated the unconditional usefulness of a carrier-based air group, consisting of horizontal take-off and landing aircraft - even of the most limited number.
Theoretically, large ships of the Northern Fleet had the ability to detect air targets 280 km away, but provided that the aircraft flies high enough so that the radio horizon does not interfere with its detection. And even having discovered such an aircraft, not a single ship in the fleet, including heavy nuclear-powered missile cruisers, had a weapon that could destroy it at such a range. Also noteworthy was the length of time the aircraft remained in the air. Unlike the Yak-38 “mast defense aircraft”, the newest Su-33 could be deployed for patrols in remote areas. Both pairs of Su-33s, having received one task, during its implementation were reoriented to another, unscheduled one (interception of NATO aircraft), successfully completed it, and then returned to fulfilling the original task without landings or refueling.
In the winter of 1994-995. "Kuznetsov" underwent the first more or less serious repair of the main boilers, including the replacement of pipes, but judging by subsequent events, it was not done very well - in 1995, while going to sea, the ship lost speed. The previously stated reasons - operation in the Far North, the complexity of the boiler-turbine installation, general underfunding and the ongoing collapse of the armed forces - led to the fact that the ship, which entered service in 1991, actually needed a major overhaul of the power plant already in 1995. Of course, this is an abnormal situation for a modern warship, but in the period 1991-1995. the situation in the fleet and in the country as a whole was infinitely far from the concept of “normal.” And instead of repairing the Kuznetsov aircraft carrier, it went on its first combat service in the Mediterranean Sea.
The launch took place on December 23, 1995, while the Kuznetsov became the basis of an aircraft carrier-multipurpose group (AMG), which, in addition to the TAKR, included the multipurpose nuclear submarine Volk (project 971 Shchuka-B), the destroyer Besstrashny (project 956), TFR "Ardent" (project 11352). They were provided by the tugboat SB-406 and the tanker Olekma of the Northern Fleet, traveling from AMG to the Bay of Biscay, and later by the tugboat Shakhtar and the tanker Ivan Bubnov. As far as the author understands, the Dniester tanker was constantly accompanied by the AMG.
Without a doubt, and despite the presence of the latest TAKR in the AMG, such a squadron was only a shadow of the naval power of the USSR, capable of permanently keeping dozens of warships and submarines in the Mediterranean. Alas, the times of the 5th OPEC are a thing of the past, and most likely forever. Nevertheless, our AMG was quite suitable for demonstrating a military presence, and its composition made it possible to practice the actions of the Kuznetsov carrier-based aircraft “in conditions close to combat.”
Unfortunately, by 1995, the 57th Scud was not ready for combat work at full strength. Thus, the 279th kiap received 24 Su-33s, so both of its squadrons were fully equipped with materiel, but only the first was “ready for marching and combat,” the aircraft of which could be distinguished by the image of an eagle on the keels (the vehicles of the second squadron had a head tiger in the same place).
As a result, Kuznetsov went into his first combat service with an air group of 13 fighters, that is, a dozen Su-33s of the first squadron, as well as one pilot aircraft (T10K-9, which was assigned the number 109), two Su-25UTG training aircraft , as well as 11 Ka-27, Ka-27PS and Ka-29 helicopters from the 830th Cplvp. At the same time, there were 15 combat fighter pilots on board the Kuznetsov who were allowed to fly the Su-33 from the deck of the ship, not counting T.A. Apakidze (commander of the air division) and his deputy Colonel Vlasov (with them, respectively, 17), as well as 11 helicopter crews.
Naturally, the ship's pilots were distinguished by the highest qualifications; suffice it to say that out of 15 fighter pilots, 14 were sniper pilots or 1st class pilots. The engineering and technical staff were able to match them - almost all of them had experience in servicing aircraft in combat service. In addition to the pilots of the 57th Scud, test pilots were also present at the TAKR, whose task was to conduct a series of tests of the Su-33 in the Mediterranean Sea.
The campaign lasted 110 days - starting on December 23, 1995, it ended on March 22, 1996. 14,000 miles were covered over the waters of two oceans and five seas, 30 flight shifts were carried out (that is, days during which aviation flights were carried out), during this time Su-33s made 400 (according to other sources - 524) sorties, helicopters - 700 (according to other sources - 996), including 250 to search and track submarines.
The first combat service of "Kuznetsov" had the following consequences. Firstly, it turned out that the ship is fully capable of fulfilling the role of a “floating airfield” for the aircraft based on it. So, for example, in the period from January 19 to January 23, 1996 (that is, not for 5 days in a row), 5 flight shifts were carried out and the Su-33 took off 67 times. It seems to be little, especially compared to the capabilities of the American Nimitz, designed to perform more than a hundred flights per day. But let us remember that the Kuznetsov air division had only 13 aircraft at its disposal, and the average number of sorties was 13.4 per day - that is, each aircraft took off once for five days in a row.
In fact, during these five days, from 8 to 20 flights were carried out per day, that is, some aircraft carried out 2 flights in one day. Or, for example, the flights on January 26-27 - on the first day, the Su-33 made 21 sorties, on the second - 12 more, and it is not a fact that all 13 available aircraft took off. All this is quite comparable to the performance of American carrier-based aviation, but one must understand that no one set the task of ensuring the maximum number of sorties for the Kuznetsov air group. For the first time, a TAKR with a Su-33 on board entered combat service, and a lot had to be tested and worked out in practice - accordingly, we can say that the actual number of sorties per day per aircraft was not the maximum, but, so to speak, “ comfortable-working.”
The interaction of heterogeneous forces was worked out - surface and submarine ships with carrier-based aircraft. The TAKR air group successfully intercepted numerous reconnaissance and patrol aircraft of NATO countries, monitored the US AUG, helicopters detected and escorted foreign submarines, “working” together with the Wolf nuclear submarine. When Kuznetsov returned home, in the second half of March, he took part in large exercises of the Northern Fleet, in which, in addition to him, up to 40 warships and submarines, as well as up to 50 naval aircraft and helicopters were involved.
During these exercises, the destroyer Besstrashny was deployed as a long-range radar patrol ship 200 km from the order in which the Kuznetsov aircraft carrier was following. Having received information from him, the Su-33, operating at a distance of 500 km from the TAKR, intercepted and “destructed” four Tu-22M3s, which were never able to reach the missile launch line at the TAKR returning from combat service. It should also be noted that the “air umbrella” of the TAKR was built in two echelons - the distant one was aimed at intercepting enemy aircraft, the near one - at destroying anti-ship missiles.
In other words, of course, it is possible and necessary to say that the absence of long-range radar aircraft significantly reduces the capabilities of the Kuznetsov air group, but in no case should we forget that even in its existing form, Kuznetsov has significantly strengthened our fleet, providing it with capabilities that the fleet has never had before. The experience of the first combat service of the Kuznetsov indicated that the presence of a TAKR increases the combat stability of a naval formation operating in the far sea or ocean zone by 1.5-2 times.
Secondly... alas, the first combat service demonstrated the extreme weakness of the ship's power plant. At the very beginning of the voyage, when the TAKR was just leaving the Kola Bay, a seven-force storm began, during which two of the eight boilers failed, and at the time of returning to the base, only two boilers were working on the ship. Accordingly, in April 1996, the Kuznetsov was put under repair, from which it emerged only in the summer of 1998. It must be said that if not for the chronic underfunding of repair work, the ship would not have had to spend two whole years at the quay wall. And the quality of repairs was probably lame, and in addition, the “wild 90s”, underfunding and a decline in the qualifications of personnel had a strong impact. In the period 1998-1999, Kuznetsov continued to serve in the fleet, but in 1999, one boiler and one (out of four) GTZA completely failed.
Despite this, in 2000, Kuznetsov was supposed to go on second combat service, but it was canceled due to the tragic death of the Kursk submarine. As a result, instead of BS, the ship underwent a three-year average repair. Then, during 2004-2007, the ship again plunged into the everyday life of military service, while in 2004, as part of a ship group, it went to the North Atlantic, and from December 5, 2007 to February 3, 2008, it made another BS - a trip to the Mediterranean Sea. Then - 7 months of repairs on the Zvezdochka and service until May 2014, when the ship, having just returned from a trip to the shores of Syria, underwent a short three-month repair. Service again, and from January to June 15, 2016 - restoration of technical readiness before a new long-distance campaign and - participation in hostilities in Syria.
In general, we can say the following - for the period from January 29, 1991, when the naval flag first flew over the Kuznetsov, and until October 2017, when work began on the overhaul of the aircraft carrier, 26 years and 8 months passed. During this time, the ship was under repair for approximately 6 years and 5 months, that is, only 24% of the total time in the fleet. It should be borne in mind that under normal conditions and with timely funding, a two-year repair in 1996-98 and a three-year repair in the period 2001-2004 could have been carried out much faster, or a significantly larger volume could have been carried out in the same period repair work.
In other words, the deep-rooted opinion that Kuznetsov is not getting out of repairs has no basis. The problem is different - a huge ship, which has been in the fleet for 27 years, has still not received a single major overhaul...
"Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov" is a heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser of Project 11435, the only ship of this type in Russia.
Location
Northern Fleet, Severomorsk.Building, name
The ship (in the project was called "Soviet Union") was laid down at the Black Sea Shipyard on September 1, 1982 under the name "Riga" and launched on December 4, 1985 under the name "Leonid Brezhnev". On August 11, 1987, it was renamed "Tbilisi". On October 4, 1990, he became known as “Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov.” Enlisted in the Northern Fleet on January 20, 1991.Milestones
On October 21, 1989, it was put to sea in an unfinished and understaffed condition for flight testing of airborne aircraft. On November 1, 1989, the first landings of the MiG-29K, Su-27K and Su-25UTG were made. On November 23, 1989 he returned to the plant for completion. In 1990, it went to sea several times for testing.In the 90s, he regularly went to sea for exercises and carried out combat service in the Mediterranean. From 1996 to 1998 it was under repair. In 2000, he took part in the exercises in which the Kursk submarine was lost and took part in the rescue operation.
From 2001 to 2004 it was under repair. In 2004, he took part in a month-long expedition to the North Atlantic. In 2005-2007, he went to sea several times a year. On December 5, 2007, he led a detachment of warships on a voyage to the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, which ended on February 3, 2008.
Until December 2008 it was under repair.
In the period from December 6, 2011 to February 16, 2012, the ship carried out a long voyage to the Mediterranean Sea as part of ensuring the naval presence of Russian Navy ships in areas of the World Ocean.
In May 2014, the ship’s seventh long-distance voyage, which lasted almost six months, ended.
In September 2014, the planned restoration of technical readiness was completed on the ship.
Performance characteristics
Speed: 29 knotsSailing autonomy: 45 days
Crew: 1960 people
Steam turbine power: 4x50000 hp
Turbogenerator power: 9x1500 kW
Diesel generator power: 6x1500 kW
Dimensions
Length: 302.3 metersWaterline length: 270 meters
Width: 72.3 meters
Waterline width: 35.4 meters
Draft: 9.14 meters
Standard displacement: 43,000 tons
Total displacement: 55,000 tons
Maximum displacement: 58600 tons
Armament
The aircraft carrier is equipped with missile launchers (12 Granit anti-ship missiles and 60 Udav-1 missiles), Klinok (192 missiles, 24 launchers) and Kashtan (256 missiles) anti-aircraft missile systems. On board can be located up to 24 Ka-27 multi-role helicopters, up to 16 Yak-41M supersonic multi-role vertical take-off and landing aircraft and up to 12 Su-27K carrier-based fighters.In the spring of 1982, the first “real” aircraft carrier was laid down in Nikolaev. The Project 1143.5 aircraft carrier was laid down under the name “Riga”; November 26, 1982 renamed “Leonid Brezhnev”; sea trials in 1987 it took place under the name “Tbilisi”; entered service as "Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov". Although it retained the project number of the first aircraft-carrying ship, Kuznetsov has little in common with it, with the exception of its power plant
Its architecture acquired a more “aircraft carrier” appearance: a continuous flight deck (75 m wide) with a springboard, an arresting device and an emergency barrier, and two on-board aircraft elevators. “The Island” remained almost the same. Surface structural protection was improved, autonomy was increased, and underwater hull protection was installed.
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"Admiral Kuznetsov" - heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser of Project 1143.5
"Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov" - heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser of Project 1143.5
In the spring of 1982, the first “real” aircraft carrier was laid down in Nikolaev. The Project 1143.5 aircraft carrier was laid down under the name “Riga”; November 26, 1982 renamed “Leonid Brezhnev”; sea trials in 1987 it took place under the name “Tbilisi”; entered service as "Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov". Although it retained the design number of the first aircraft-carrying ship, Kuznetsov has little in common with it, with the exception of its power plant. Its architecture acquired a more “aircraft carrier” appearance: a continuous flight deck (75 m wide) with a springboard, an arresting device and an emergency barrier, and two on-board aircraft elevators. “The Island” remained almost the same. Surface structural protection was improved, autonomy was increased, and underwater hull protection was installed.
The PTZ system has a depth of 4.5 m and consists of three chambers: expansion, absorption (filled with fuel), and filtration. Between the last two there is a protective bulkhead of variable thickness, made of high-strength ductile steel Ak-25. Steam TPAs are similar to those installed on the Baku.
According to the project, the air group was supposed to consist of 24 carrier-based aircraft and 42 helicopters, but the regular number of aircraft was not achieved due to lack of funds. Aircraft landing control was provided by the Luna optical system. In the bow of the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov there are 12 under-deck launchers for P-700 Granit strike cruise missiles. Four six-missile modules of the Kinzhal air defense system are located in the bow and stern on the side sponsons.
The ship's defense is provided by 8 Kortik anti-aircraft artillery systems, 6-30 mm AK-630M gun mounts, and 2 Udav anti-torpedo defense systems. In parallel with the construction of the ship, development of deck aircraft for it and aviation technical equipment was underway. In Crimea, at the Novo-Fedorovka airfield, a training ground with a steel airfield in the form of a ship’s deck was built, called “Nitka”. In the summer of 1982, it carried out the first takeoffs of the Su-27 and MiG-29 from a ground jump at an angle of 8.5 degrees. A year later, testing of the Svetlana-2 aero arresting device began. On September 1, 1984, the first Su-27 landing took place using an arresting aid.
In 1985, conventional aircraft began to take off from a steeper ramp (angle of 14 degrees), adopted for TAKR. On September 1, 1989, test pilot Viktor Pugachev made the first landing on the deck of the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov. On the same day, test pilot Takhtar Aubakirov took off from the ship on a MiG-29 aircraft. Before the completion of state tests of the ship, more than 300 flights were performed from it. However, combat pilots began to master the deck of the Kuznetsov much later.
01/20/1991 "Kuznetsov" became part of the Northern Fleet. The state's declining economy significantly complicated and delayed the development of the ship, the equipping of its air group with serial Su-27K fighters and the training of flight crews. Only in 1993 did the aircraft intended for the aircraft carrier arrive in the Northern Fleet, and only the following year was it possible to train ten combat ship pilots.
At the end of August 1995, they made their first landings on a TAKR, and in September, Kuznetsov took part in fleet exercises, during which the practical development of its aircraft weapons began.
As for the basing problem, it remained unresolved. True, a floating pier was built for Kuznetsov in Ura Guba, but they could not build a coastal power station and a boiler house. To ensure its life, the ship has to constantly “drive” two main boilers.
Even during the operation of “Kyiv” in the North, one interesting feature became clear. The aircraft-carrying ship has a huge upper deck, which is actively cooled during cold times (eight months of the year). Since the heating system in the harsh conditions of the Arctic fails to cope with its responsibilities, condensation constantly forms, causing corrosion of decks, bulkheads, cable routes, and failure of devices. In addition to premature aging of ships, low temperatures and high humidity significantly worsen the living conditions of the crew. So, on the Kuznetsov, in the cockpits located at the ends of the ship, the temperature in winter does not rise above 10-12 degrees.
Tactical and technical characteristics of the aircraft carrier "Admiral Kuznetsov"
Displacement 55,000 (70,500) tons
Dimensions 304.5 x 38 x 10.5 m
Four-shaft power plant power 200,000 hp: 4 PT
Speed 32 knots
Cruising range 8000 miles at 18 knots
Armament: 12 Granit anti-ship missile launchers, 4 Kinzhal air defense missile systems, 8 Kortik missile launchers, 6-30 mm AK-630M assault rifles, 2 RBU-12000
Air group (March 1996) 15 Su-27K fighters, 1 Su-25UTG, 11 Ka-27 helicopters, 1 Ka-31 helicopter