A small missile ship in service is better than a destroyer in the project. A small missile ship in service is better than a destroyer in the Small Missile Ship Shtil project
SMALL ROCKET SHIP PROJECT 1234 “OVOD” (12341)
SMALL MISSILE SHIP PROJECT 1234 “OVOD” (12341)
06.11.2014 26.10.2015 31.10.2015 The Project 12341 small missile ship Shtil is currently completing repairs at the PD-88 floating dock of the 13th ship repair plant in Sevastopol.
Small missile ship Project 1234E Tarig Ibn Ziyad of the Libyan Navy burning in Benghazi
Interclan fighting with the intervention of militants of the so-called “Islamic State” has intensified even more in Libya, a country of “victorious democracy.” Over the past few years, there have been active battles between pro-government forces and supporters of the Islamic State near Benghazi.
The Arabic TV channel Al-Jazeera reports that during an attack by Islamic State militants and Libyan gangs, a Libyan Navy ship was set on fire. The frigate was in the port of Benghazi, and sank some time after the fire.
The small missile ship "Rassvet" of the Northern Fleet (SF) conducted anti-aircraft missile firing in the Barents Sea, the head of the press service of the Northern Fleet, captain first rank Vadim Serga, said on Saturday.
“The small missile ship “Rassvet” of the Kola flotilla of heterogeneous forces of the Northern Fleet conducted anti-aircraft missile firing in the Barents Sea,” said a representative of the Russian military department.
It is reported that the Saman target missile was used as an air target at which the shooting was carried out. It was launched from the small anti-submarine ship Brest. The target missile simulated a cruise missile attack.
“The air target was promptly detected, classified and hit by an anti-aircraft missile of the Osa-MA complex. This modernized anti-aircraft missile system is a reliable weapon for the ship's self-defense. It is capable of destroying air targets, including low-flying ones, in the altitude range from several meters to 4 kilometers above sea level at a distance of up to 15 kilometers,” Serga said.
After completing the combat exercise, the Rassvet ship returned to its permanent home base.
RIA News
PHOTO REPORT: SMALL ROCKET SHIP “SHTIL” PROJECT 12341 UNDER REPAIR IN SEVASTOPOL 2015
Most recently, in July 2014, the Shtil MRK took part in a planned exercise of heterogeneous forces of the Black Sea Fleet (BSF). Then the ship strike group (KUG) consisting of the Samum hovercraft, the Shtil small missile ship (MRS) and two missile boats R-109 and R-239 successfully carried out joint missile firing at a complex target , simulating a detachment of warships of a mock enemy. The shooting took place in the area southwest of Cape Tarkhankut. Various types of surface targets were used to designate imaginary enemy ships.
The small missile ship "Zyb" was laid down on the slipway of the Leningrad Primorsky Shipyard on June 28, 1976 (serial number 70) and on April 14, 1978, it was included in the lists of Navy ships. Launched on 10/23/1978 and soon transferred via inland water systems from the Baltic Sea to the Azov Sea, and from there to the Black Sea to undergo acceptance tests, entered service on 12/31/1978 and was included in the Black Sea Fleet on 02/16/1979. In 1982 it was renamed “Komsomolets Mordovia”. In 1984, 1989, 1990, 1991, he won the Navy Commander-in-Chief prize for missile training (as part of the KUG).
On February 15, 1992, the MRK "Komsomolets Mordovia" was given a new name - "Calm". The ship was built under this name in 1993 and 1998. As part of the KUG, he won the Navy Commander-in-Chief prize for missile training. On June 12, 1997, the USSR Naval Flag was lowered on the Shtil MRK and the St. Andrew's Flag of the Russian Navy was raised. In 2005-2006, the ship underwent scheduled repairs in Novorossiysk.
The small missile ship "Shtil" of project 12341 is part of the 166th Novorossiysk Red Banner small missile ships of the 41st brigade of missile boats, based in Sevastopol.
As already noted, the Shtil MRK is now completing repairs at shipyard No. 13, and we bring to your attention several photographs of the ship from its modern life.
VTS "BASTION", 10/31/2015
From its birth in 1967, Project 1234 turned out to be extremely controversial and elevate the Soviet desire for specialized ships to the absolute level - it was not for nothing that a separate class was created specifically for it. Never-before-seen “ship hunters” immediately attracted the attention of military experts around the world, who heatedly discussed the question: what is the Soviet “toothy baby” in reality - “a gun at the head of capitalism” or an easy target? These disputes do not subside to this day, when The domestic fleet is at a crossroads: whether to continue the Soviet tradition or move to the Western paradigm of multifunctional ships?
Our fleet inherited from the Soviet Union 15 small missile ships (SMRK): 13 MRK of Project 12341 and two MRK hovercraft of Project 1239. The distribution of hulls among the fleets looks like this: three - in the Northern Fleet, four - in the Pacific Fleet, four - in the Baltic Fleet and four - in the Black Sea Fleet (two ships of project 12341 and two projects 1239). As a result, today this class of ships is one of the most numerous in the fleet. It is noteworthy that every single one of them is in service.
However, the need for these ships is the subject of much debate and disagreement. Many believe that in the modern fleet concept, such highly specialized ships should be replaced by multi-purpose corvettes. The combat effectiveness of RTOs in conditions of powerful electronic countermeasures and the presence of attack aircraft by the enemy is also questioned. In addition, today the tasks of RTOs can be performed in the same way by fighter-bomber aircraft and coastal missile systems. How justified are these doubts and has the age of RTOs really come to an end?
Advantages and disadvantages
First, you need to understand the advantages and disadvantages of small rocket ships, applying them to modern realities.
The first and most basic advantage is powerful missile weapons. The main caliber of Project 1234 MRKs - six P-120 Malachite missiles - reach a speed of M=1 and have a maximum range of up to 150 km, the guidance system is active radar with a “safety net” IR sensor. Having a powerful warhead (WU) and impressive speed, these missiles are capable of disabling fairly large ships, such as a destroyer (EM) and, with several hits, even a missile cruiser (RKR).
For example, during the Crimea-76 exercise, two missiles were enough to sink a decommissioned Project 30 bis destroyer with a displacement of 2,300 tons, thereby demonstrating excellent guidance accuracy. An important advantage is the relatively large ammunition load, which allows for massive salvoes.
However, P-120 missiles also have significant shortcomings.. The first thing we can note is that the launch range is insufficient compared to some of its classmates; for example, its closest competitors, the Exocet and Harpoon missiles, have 180 and 315 km, respectively. In addition, significant limitations are imposed by the considerable size of the missile itself: on the experimental Nakat MRK of Project 1234.7, armed with relatively small P-800 Oniks missiles, it was possible to place twice as many launchers.
Further, the very ability to use weapons at maximum range depends on reliable target designation (TDS). The capabilities of the onboard radar do not allow for a clear control center at extreme ranges, so it was initially assumed that the RTO would receive more accurate information from Tu-95RC reconnaissance aircraft and other ships.
The next indisputable advantage of Project 1234 is its excellent speed and mobility. Its relatively small displacement and powerful engine allow it to reach a maximum speed of 35 knots along with good agility. Combined with a relatively long navigation autonomy (10 days), this gives the MRK advantages both at the operational level - you can quickly transfer combat units to the required directions, and in battle, where good maneuverability allows, for example, to evade a torpedo or be the first to take a position for missile launch. However, these qualities inherited from the boat result in very mediocre seaworthiness. Nevertheless, it is quite sufficient for operations in the coastal and near ocean zones.
And another important factor is production. Project 1234 ships are relatively inexpensive, can be built at almost any military shipyard capable of producing a ship with a displacement of up to a thousand tons, and the construction period under emergency circumstances and the stress of all possibilities will be within three to four months. This combination distinguishes MRKs from all other classes, excluding only boats.
But along with these advantages, RTOs are not without very significant disadvantages:
- the first and most important thing is the almost complete defenselessness of such a ship from air attacks. Of the anti-aircraft artillery weapons, it has only one six-barreled 30-mm AK-630 installation and one 76-mm AK-176 (very conditional as an air defense weapon), and of missile weapons - the Osa-M air defense system, which has a firing range of no more 10 km. As experience shows, including real combat, the probability of intercepting an enemy anti-ship missile (ASM) by these means is low, not to mention the possibility of fighting directly with strike aircraft.
— The second drawback is the low survivability of MRKs: as shown by the tragic experience of the Monsoon, which died during an exercise when hit by a P-15 missile with an inert warhead, the ship is very fire hazardous due to the hull material - an aluminum-magnesium alloy. Small sizes cause insufficient buoyancy and safety margin. As a result, many consider MRKs to be “disposable” ships - for one salvo.
Possible applications
Paradoxically, for all its narrow specialization, the Project 1234 small rocket ship is relatively universal. In the context of a large-scale conflict in an ocean theater, several options for using MRKs are possible:
— due to their powerful weapons, these ships are capable of supporting the penetration of air defenses of a large enemy naval formation, making a significant contribution by launching six P-120 missiles;
- using their speed and mobility, RTOs can operate within the framework of “hit and run” tactics, carrying out surprise attacks on transport convoys, landing craft and anti-aircraft and missile defense destroyers;
— escort and protection of our own convoys.
All three of these options come down to the already mentioned disadvantage: firing range. It is difficult to imagine that an MRK will be able to approach, for example, an aircraft carrier strike group at a distance of 120 km and survive: even on the approaches it will be guaranteed to be detected and destroyed by carrier-based aircraft, unlike carriers of large anti-ship missiles such as P-500 and P-700, which are capable of opening fire for 500 km.
The second tactic also has vulnerabilities. The first of these could be return fire with longer-range anti-ship missiles (for example, the Harpoon widely used on NATO ships). On board destroyers and escort frigates there may be a helicopter armed with short-range anti-ship missiles (Penguin and Sea Skua missiles can be launched at a range of 28 and 25 km, respectively). As noted above, the anti-aircraft capabilities of a small missile ship are not enough to repel such an attack.
A similar situation arises when using RTOs in defense: in modern conditions, an attack on a convoy will most likely be carried out with the help of strike aircraft. Only our own interceptor fighters can effectively combat this threat.
But the main factor limiting the use of a small missile ship in the described conditions is the need for precise target designation, and, consequently, active interaction with other parts of the fleet, including in conditions of powerful electronic suppression. For full operation, it is necessary to provide AWACS or support a larger surface ship armed with a target designator helicopter.
Another logical role for RTOs could be coastal defense. In many ways, ships of this type fit well into the requirements for a patrol ship: good artillery armament, decent speed, autonomy. However, as the sailors note, for such tasks the RTO with its missile armament is “redundant” - missile boats and small artillery ships are quite enough to protect the maritime border.
All these concepts originate in the 70s of the last century, when small rocket ships were created. Today, all of the above tasks can be performed by the Air Force. For strike missions, light cruise missiles Kh-31 and Kh-35 were created, which are even suspended on light fighters. Moreover, the X-31 product surpasses the P-120 both in speed (M=2) and range (160 kilometers). The Kh-35 Uran missile is capable of reaching a target along a combined trajectory, is smaller in size, which allows it to increase ammunition capacity and produce more massive salvoes, and also provides a smaller effective dispersion surface (ECS).
Coastal defense against a serious enemy that would be too tough for a missile boat (RKA) and a small artillery ship (MAK) can be carried out by coastal missile systems and the same aircraft. There are several factors on the side of the air force:
— less vulnerability to oncoming enemy fire (remember that the range of aircraft anti-ship missiles allows you not to enter the enemy’s air defense zone);
— greater speed and mobility;
— no need to spend a long time in a threatened area;
- flexibility and versatility.
Many believe that modern designs of multifunctional corvettes, which combine the striking power of Project 1234 with a developed air defense system, anti-aircraft capabilities, the presence of a helicopter, better survivability and seaworthiness, are free of the shortcomings of MRKs. Almost all countries that had analogues of RTOs in service took this path: Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Germany withdrew 25, 20, 15, and 20 missile boats from the Navy in the 90s, respectively. Instead of them, it is corvettes of increased displacement that are being introduced into service.
Moreover, for domestic realities, a corvette with an anti-submarine bias is more preferable, since in our vast territorial waters it is enemy submarines that pose the greatest potential threat. Operating together with aviation, such corvettes (if built in sufficient numbers, of course) can significantly reduce the danger.
As a result, it turns out that small missile ships really remain out of work: today more advanced means of destroying enemy ships have been created, capable of attacking faster and more effectively. However, everything is not as clear as it seems at first glance.
Let's begin with MRK is a very unpretentious ship. To set up a temporary base, a few floating piers, a fuel and lubricants warehouse and an electrical network are sufficient. A modern attack aircraft requires a much more developed infrastructure, not to mention the fact that the airfield is a primary target for attack, and therefore will most likely require frequent repairs during combat operations.
Further, an aircraft, like a ship, cannot conduct long-term passive tracking of a target during a period of intense confrontation or when a potential enemy ship invades territorial waters (remember the incident with the American cruiser Yorktown in 1988). The main thing here is the ability to immediately strike a target upon receipt of such an order, and an RTO that has reached the firing line in advance will have an advantage over an aircraft that has just taken off from the base.
But the decisive factor is that today, in comparison with new corvette projects and, to a lesser extent, fighter-bombers, small missile ships have a fully developed weapons system, proven tactics, and there are trained staff that provide structures and full-fledged naval formations.
In other words, the Project 1234 MRK is a very reliable and proven ship, guaranteed to be able to perform its tasks with maximum efficiency. It’s a completely different matter - which are still a novelty - both the class of the ship itself, which did not exist in Soviet naval doctrine, and from the point of view of the installed weapons, which have not yet been tested in exercises.
Without in any way denying the need to move forward and build a new generation of ships, it must be admitted that now Russia needs a combat-ready MRK equipped with everything necessary rather than a completely new corvette, but undeveloped in the fleet and in production. Of course, it makes no sense to continue building old Soviet projects, but it is also impossible to simply leave behind the accumulated rich experience. The best solution seems to be a significant increase in the potential of existing hulls through modernization with the installation, for example, of Onyx missiles in the 2x9 version, Kashtan air defense systems and new radio-electronic equipment. Sailors would not refuse an unmanned aerial vehicle for reconnaissance and target designation.
The preferable measure would be to increase the number of small missile launchers by producing a modernized version. For example, the facilities of the Eastern Shipyard and the Almaz shipbuilding company can produce up to four small missiles per year. This measure will help plug significant gaps in naval defense, including in the middle sea zone, which is not covered by lighter ships. In the future, with proper modernization of shipyards and development of production, small missile ships at the end of their service life should be replaced by corvettes, provided that the number of new ships will be at least as large as those being retired.
Of course, we cannot remain silent about the relatively new one, which is a development of the river MAK project 21630 “Buyan”. Armed with a UVP for eight Caliber or Onyx missiles, as well as a 100-mm A-190M and 30-mm AU, it is nevertheless not an alternative to the heavier Project 1234, since it can operate exclusively in the near sea zone. But it is precisely in interaction that these two types of RTOs can provide an acceptable level of security for our borders and economic zones.
To summarize, let's say that today our fleet needs, first of all, a completely clear and well-thought-out concept of combat operations, ensuring the formulation of tasks and requirements for each class of ships. And although a system for interaction between old specialized ships and new ones, built according to the Western model of use, has not been developed, it is at least unreasonable to neglect the small missiles remaining from the USSR.
We should not forget that the combat effectiveness of these ships was confirmed during the “five-day war” in South Ossetia. In the current conditions, when the fate of the fleet is still unclear, it is better to rely only on proven and reliable solutions, and as a result, several old RTOs may turn out to be preferable to a mythical promising destroyer.
During the International Naval Show held last week in St. Petersburg, shipbuilders and manufacturers of ship systems presented a number of new products. In particular, the Start Research and Production Enterprise openly showed for the first time its new development - the Shtil-1 ship-based anti-aircraft missile system. In addition to Start, the Dolgoprudny Research and Production Enterprise and the Altair MNIRE, part of the Almaz-Antey concern, participated in the creation of the new air defense system.
The Shtil-1 anti-aircraft missile system is primarily interesting for its architecture. The main element of the complex is the 3S90E.1 modular vertical launcher. Thus, depending on the wishes of the customer, several launch modules can be installed on the ship, each of which can accommodate 12 transport and launch containers (TPC) with missiles and has dimensions of 7.15 x 1.75 x 9.5 meters. To install the 3S90E.1 launch module, a volume inside the ship's hull with a depth of about 7.4 meters is required. TPKs are placed in modules in two rows of six pieces. This arrangement of containers makes it possible to fit a fairly large number of missiles into a relatively small volume. The overall parameters of the new air defense system are described as follows. When upgrading a Project 956 destroyer, in place of the M-22 Uragan missile system with a beam launcher, after minor modifications to the ship’s design, up to three modules of the new Shtil-1 system with a total ammunition load of 36 missiles can be placed. In the case of the old air defense system, only 24 missiles fit into the cellar volume. This space saving is achieved due to the absence of mechanisms for feeding missiles to the beam launcher.
Another feature of the Shtil-1 air defense system, which distinguishes it favorably from the Uragan, is also a direct consequence of the vertical placement of missiles in the TPK. Thanks to this placement of ammunition, the new anti-aircraft complex is capable of launching missiles with a break of about two seconds. The launch of the second missile is allowed after the first one has left the ship at a distance of several tens of meters. Complexes with a beam launcher and a system for supplying missiles from the cellar take much more time to prepare for a re-launch.
The Shtil-1 anti-aircraft complex uses the 9M317ME guided missile, which is a further development of the ammunition of the Buk land air defense system. This is a single-stage rocket with a solid propellant engine, having a length of 5.18 meters and a body diameter of no more than 360 millimeters. At the rear of the rocket there are rudders with a span of 820 mm. With a launch weight of about 580 kg, the 9M317ME anti-aircraft missile carries a 62-kg fragmentation warhead. Along the trajectory, the ammunition accelerates to speeds of about 1500-1550 meters per second. The main difference between the 9M317ME missile and previous anti-aircraft ammunition of the Buk family is the launch method and a number of related design nuances. At the command of the operator of the anti-aircraft complex, the missile, using a powder charge, is fired from the TPK to a height of about 10 meters above the deck of the ship. At this altitude, the rocket, using its own gas rudders, rotates towards the target, after which it turns on the main engine and guidance system.
The maximum range of hitting a target with a Shtil-1 missile, according to some sources, reaches 50 kilometers, the maximum target speed is up to 830 m/s. The guidance system of the 9M317ME missile is similar in principle to the equipment of previous missiles of the Buk family. The ship's missile is equipped with a semi-active radar homing head and is aimed at the target using the signal from the ship's radar illumination reflected by it. There is information about the development of several algorithms for the operation of the homing head, designed to detect and engage targets of various types. In this case, the type of target directly affects the maximum range and height of destruction. For example, the Shtil-M air defense system is capable of hitting aircraft flying at altitudes of about 15 thousand meters, but for cruise missiles the maximum engagement altitude is reduced by about a third. In addition, the range against aircraft flying at low altitudes is approximately half the maximum possible.
The Shtil-1 anti-aircraft missile system includes launchers with missiles and a number of additional equipment. There are no proprietary detection systems. For these purposes, the new air defense system uses ship-based three-dimensional radar stations. The electronic equipment of the complex includes a computer system, a control panel and a set of radio transmitters for target illumination. Electronic equipment allows you to attack up to 12 targets simultaneously. In this case, as mentioned above, the interval between starts does not exceed several seconds. Due to its architecture, the equipment of the Shtil-1 anti-aircraft complex, if necessary, can be installed on any suitable ship without major modifications to the design.
The Shtil-1 air defense system is intended for installation on various types of ships with a displacement of 1,500 tons or more. The modular structure of the vertical launcher allows it to be mounted on a large number of ships of various projects. In addition, it is possible to install units in place of other anti-aircraft missile systems during the modernization and re-equipment of ships. It is expected that these features will give the new air defense system a great future.
"Bora" - "missile carrier in a skirt."
Talking about "Bore" And "Samume", the word “most” is used very often. The largest hovercraft warships. The most innovative, the most knowledge-intensive, the fastest. And... the most incomprehensible for tactical purposes.
In the 60s of the twentieth century, Soviet and Western specialists saw the concept of using the Navy in future wars differently. For example, admirals from the Pentagon relied on attack aircraft carriers, and numerous surface ships of other classes were in one way or another considered only as a means of protecting them, the aircraft carriers. In the USSR, the surface fleet was given slightly different tasks - first of all, to fight aircraft carrier formations and drive away enemy nuclear submarines from its shores. Moreover, as the flight range of ballistic missiles launched from submarines increased, the second task became less relevant, and the newly created Soviet ships were more and more focused on the first.
"Aircraft Carrier Killers"– what kind of cruise missile carriers have not been assigned this somewhat arrogant nickname! In the years "cold war" this was the name given to nuclear submarines of several projects, and cruisers, and missile destroyers... However, there is clearly a desire for wishful thinking here - in reality, “piercing” the layered defense of American aircraft carrier groups with missiles alone was not so easy. Nevertheless, it was precisely this rather simple in concept theory of a massive strike (missiles should fly further, and their number in a salvo should be as large as possible) that largely determined the evolution of the Soviet Navy over the last three decades of its history.
"Mosquito" is the world's first supersonic anti-ship missile, adopted by our fleet in 1983.
Influences "strike missile doctrine" Even small surface ships were not spared. A fundamentally new class of small missile ships (SMRs) appeared in the Soviet Navy, which had no analogues abroad. The RTOs were intended to launch missile strikes against formations of enemy ships on the high seas at a relatively short distance from their shores. Compared to boats, they had better seaworthiness, carried more powerful missiles and were equipped with over-the-horizon target designation equipment; They differed from destroyers in their significantly smaller size and cost. In fact, MRKs are destroyers of a new generation, with the only difference being that their main weapons instead of torpedoes are guided missiles.
MRK "Shtil" project 1234.
It so happened that it was in the class of small rocket ships that its very extravagant representatives appeared - ships with a dynamic support principle (DSPP). With their unusualness, they plunged foreign experts into a state of extreme amazement. Of course: 432-ton MRK-5 (project 1240, code name "Hurricane"), equipped with deeply submerged titanium hydrofoils, during testing developed a speed of almost 60 knots, and the hovercraft catamaran "Bora"(project 1239, code name "Sea lion") with a displacement of more than 1000 tons - 53 knots (about 100 km/h)! There was nothing like this in the West, and there still isn’t.
Samum is the second ship of Project 1239 undergoing sea trials.
As a matter of fact, the creation of these truly unique and fastest ships in the world was the result of a misconception that high speed would provide them with fundamentally new combat capabilities. Yes, no one argues that during the previous decades the struggle for speed was one of the key tasks of shipbuilders, but after World War II the situation changed dramatically. The advent of radars, guided missiles and jet aircraft, and then satellite reconnaissance systems and over-the-horizon target detection, led to the fact that the speed of a warship no longer played a special role: you cannot escape from a missile. It is not surprising that over the past half century this characteristic of newly built ships has no longer increased, but rather, on the contrary, has decreased. But in the USSR, many high-ranking officials stubbornly ignored this trend. And the desire for “super-speed” warships excited their minds for a very long time.
RKVP "Samum" in camouflage coloring.
Project 1239 ship "Bora", which originally had only the letter-numeric designation MRK-27, was developed by the Central Marine Design Bureau "Diamond"(Leningrad). According to the design, it is a double-hulled skeg hovercraft (SVP) or, as it was also called, a catamaran with aerostatic air unloading. The ship's hull is entirely made of aluminum-magnesium alloys. High speed is achieved by reducing movement resistance due to air forced under the flat bottom, limited along the sides by longitudinal keels (skegs). In the bow and stern of the bottom, flexible fences were installed with a complex for raising and lowering it (the so-called “skirt”), similar to those used on conventional hovercraft.
The development of the final project was preceded by the creation of large-scale prototype models - high-speed boats "Icarus" And "Stretpet". Research and design work lasted for many years, but their result exceeded all expectations: the ship turned out to be truly unique and unparalleled. Due to its solid displacement and impressive weapons "Boru" and followed her "Simoom" They were assigned to the 2nd rank (instead of the 3rd) and were transferred from the RTOs to a class of hovercraft missile ships (RKVP) created specifically for them.
Schematic diagram of a skeg hovercraft: 1 – flexible fencing; 2 – skeg; 3 – blower fans.
RKVP "Bora", also known as MRK-27, was built at the Zelenodolsk plant named after A.M. Gorky. It was launched in 1987, on the eve of 1990 it was accepted into trial operation and included in the Black Sea Fleet. Second ship of the same type - "Simoom"(former MRK-17) was put into trial operation in March 1992. It was tested in Sevastopol (1992-1993), and then, after a series of works at the manufacturing plant, in Baltiysk (1996-2002). In 2002 he was transferred to the Black Sea. Now both ships are part of the Black Sea Fleet.
"Samum" during testing in the Baltic.
The total displacement of the RKVP project 1239 is 1050 tons, the maximum length is 63.9 m, the width is 17.2 m, the draft in the displacement position is 3.3 m. The power of the gas turbine unit is 40,000 hp, two diesel units are 20,000 hp. and 6600 hp Full speed 52.7 knots, cruising range at 12 knots 2500 miles. The crew consists of 68 people, including 9 officers.
"Samum" during the celebration of Navy Day in Sevastopol, 2005.
Titles "Bora" And "Simoom" for the Soviet fleet they look very exotic. Especially against the backdrop of all sorts of “Komsomol members of Lithuania” and “XXIII Congresses of the CPSU”... But in fact, there is nothing surprising here. Back in the 1930s, a series of patrol ships (actually destroyers) of the type appeared in the Soviet Navy "Hurricane", which received “storm” names and therefore were nicknamed sailors "bad weather division". Their successors were the Project 1234 MRKs, which inherited the same names - "Storm", "Storm", "Squall" and so on. RKVP continued this tradition. Bora is the name given in the Black Sea region to the suddenly blowing north wind, known for its capricious character (the so-called "Novorossiysk bora"). Samum is the Arabic name for a strong, hot wind that occurs in North Africa and brings a dust storm. Thus, the names of Russian missile carriers symbolize the fact that they fly over water at the speed of the wind.
Main strike weapon "Bory"– eight supersonic anti-ship missiles "Mosquito". An eight-missile salvo lasting only 35 seconds hits targets with high accuracy at firing ranges from 10 to 120 km.
Anti-aircraft missile system "Osa-M" designed to destroy low-flying air and sea targets at ranges from 1.5 to 10 km. The ammunition capacity is 20 anti-aircraft missiles of the 9МЗЗМ type. The air defense system can use target designation from a shipborne radar station for detecting air targets of the type "Positive", and carry out their independent search and identification.
Station type 4R-ZZA, part of the complex "Osa-M", includes equipment for detecting, tracking targets and sighting its missiles, as well as transmitting commands. The missiles are aimed at the target using the radio command method, and the warhead is detonated using a non-contact radio fuse or at the command of the operator.
Two AK-630M automated artillery mounts with a caliber of 30 mm are designed for self-defense of the ship from anti-ship missiles at close range. Low dispersion of projectiles and high rate of fire (up to 5000 rounds/min.), the use of high-explosive fragmentation and fragmentation tracer projectiles make it possible to hit enemy missiles with a high probability.
30-mm AK-630M artillery mount on the Samum RKVP.
In the bow of the ship there is one AK-176M artillery mount with a caliber of 76 mm and a rate of fire of 120 rounds/min. It is designed for self-defense of the ship against low-flying air targets and destruction of sea and ground targets at a firing range of up to 11 km.
76-mm AK-176M artillery mount on the Bora rocket launcher.
Identification and tracking of targets, target distribution, generation of data for firing artillery installations AK-176M and AK-630M are carried out by an autonomous radar station of the MP-123-01 type, which in turn receives data from Radar "Positive".
RKVP "Bora". The upper spherical fairing is the antenna post of the Positive radar, the lower one is the control system of the Moskit anti-ship missile system.
Electronic countermeasures - active and passive complexes MP-405, PK-16 and PK-10 - make it possible to detect the operation of enemy radar stations, create directed interference for them, and create false decoy or camouflage targets using fired radar and optical-electronic projectiles.
Currently, both built ships - "Bora" and "Samum" - are part of the Black Sea Fleet. Operating experience confirmed all their positive qualities. The hull and flexible fencing, a combined diesel-gas turbine mechanical installation with a power of about 65 thousand hp, separate propulsors, including full-speed lifting propulsors, allow the ship to use weapons without reducing its effectiveness in sea conditions of 5 points, and the ship’s accident-free stay at sea - 8 points. When in the “catamaran” position, the RKVP can have a speed of up to 25 knots, and in the “hovercraft” position - up to 50 knots.
"Bora" and "Samum" leave Sevastopol Bay.
Separate propulsors make it possible in each of these positions to go both under diesel engines and together under diesel engines and turbines. In total, there are 36 (!) options for using the propulsion system. This allows the ship to have an almost one hundred percent guarantee of maintaining progress in any situation. For all the years of operation of the RKVP "Bora" And "Simoom" there was no case where they returned to base in tow due to the inability to move.
Angular propulsion column of RKVP "Samum" in the raised position.
On trials "Bory" the possibility of maintaining the speed in the “STOP” position was confirmed when all propulsors were turned off. The propulsion of the ship was achieved due to the reaction of air flowing from the air cushion into the stern. Against the wind (7 m/s) with the supercharger drive engines only 50% loaded, it moved at a speed of about 3 knots.
The conditions in which the ships of the Black Sea Fleet, including the RKVP Bora, found themselves, starting in 1991, led to a kind of test of the operational reliability of hull structures. During this period, the Black Sea Fleet was deprived of the opportunity to comply with the rules for the technical operation of the hull provided for by the draft, and to observe the frequency of dry-docking and mid-term repairs. However, after almost 14 years, the Bora RKVP hull was recognized by naval specialists as fully operational without any restrictions. The “skirt”, a unique lifting and lowering flexible fencing, also showed high reliability, the durability of which turned out to be three times greater than the calculated one.
"Boru" And "Simoom"with all reason can be called true masterpieces of engineering, but their tactical purpose remains unclear. Due to their relatively short range, they do not have any particular advantages over shore-based aircraft. Moreover, despite their outstanding speed, the plane will still reach the given area much faster and, moreover, has a greater chance of returning unharmed. And if we add here the huge costs of creating and operating the control panel, then it becomes clear why they did not go into series, and almost no one abroad dared to repeat our experience. Well, perhaps in Norway and North Korea missile boats of a similar design appeared, but they are much smaller in size, power and price... To summarize, we can say this: the Project 1239 missile carriers clearly demonstrated the capabilities of domestic science and technology, but according to the criterion of “cost- efficiency” and the justification for their construction seems questionable.
“Bora” and “Samum” traditionally open the naval parade in honor of Navy Day in Sevastopol.
Instead of a conclusion. In the 90s of the last century, the United States in some way followed the path of the USSR and began creating high-speed ships of the following types: "Freedom" And "Independence"- extremely expensive and at the same time very strange in concept of application. True, political and economic motives played an important role here: after the end "cold war" the command of the American fleet really did not want a sharp reduction in funding, and it proposed a new concept "littoral" war, largely made up of nothing. One gets the impression that the United States has decided to repeat the mistakes of the Soviet Union and pour huge amounts of money into extremely dubious projects. Well, the flag is in their hands :)
SMALL ROCKET SHIP “SHTIL” PROJECT 12341 UNDER REPAIR IN SEVASTOPOL 2015
SMALL MISSILE BOAT “SHTIL” PROJECT 12341 FOR REPAIR IN SEVASTOPOL 2015
SMALL ROCKET SHIP “SHTIL” PROJECT 12341 UNDER REPAIR IN SEVASTOPOL. OCTOBER 2015. PHOTO REPORT
Photos: V.V. Kostrichenko
The Project 12341 small missile ship Shtil is currently completing repairs at the PD-88 floating dock of the 13th ship repair plant in Sevastopol.
Most recently, in July 2014, the Shtil MRK took part in a planned exercise of heterogeneous forces of the Black Sea Fleet (BSF). Then the ship strike group (KUG) consisting of the Samum hovercraft, the Shtil small missile ship (MRS) and two missile boats R-109 and R-239 successfully carried out joint missile firing at a complex target , simulating a detachment of warships of a mock enemy. The shooting took place in the area southwest of Cape Tarkhankut. Various types of surface targets were used to designate imaginary enemy ships.
The small missile ship "Zyb" was laid down on the slipway of the Leningrad Primorsky Shipyard on June 28, 1976 (serial number 70) and on April 14, 1978, it was included in the lists of Navy ships. Launched on 10/23/1978 and soon transferred via inland water systems from the Baltic Sea to the Azov Sea, and from there to the Black Sea to undergo acceptance tests, entered service on 12/31/1978 and was included in the Black Sea Fleet on 02/16/1979. In 1982 it was renamed “Komsomolets Mordovia”. In 1984, 1989, 1990, 1991, he won the Navy Commander-in-Chief prize for missile training (as part of the KUG).
On February 15, 1992, the MRK "Komsomolets Mordovia" was given a new name - "Shtil". The ship was built under this name in 1993 and 1998. As part of the KUG, he won the Navy Commander-in-Chief prize for missile training. On June 12, 1997, the USSR Naval Flag was lowered on the Shtil MRK and the St. Andrew's Flag of the Russian Navy was raised. In 2005-2006, the ship underwent scheduled repairs in Novorossiysk.
The small missile ship "Shtil" of project 12341 is part of the 166th Novorossiysk Red Banner small missile ships of the 41st brigade of missile boats, based in Sevastopol.
As already noted, the Shtil MRK is now completing repairs at shipyard No. 13, and we bring to your attention several photographs of the ship from its modern life.
VTS "BASTION", 10/31/2015