A cruiser is a surface combat ship: characteristics, purpose. Ships of the Russian Navy

A cruiser is a class of surface combat ships that can perform various tasks offline, regardless of the main fleet. Recently, this type of ship has been supplanted by the combined units of the fleet, consisting of several units, and ships focused on a specific type of operation (mainly on integrated resistance to air, ground and sea types of enemy equipment). Currently, cruisers are used by the Navy of Russia, the USA and Peru.

the cruiser is

general information

The development of the navy began since the time of the Russian Empire. Other countries in this regard also tried to keep up. This is especially true of the United States, France, Germany, Japan and the UK. The cruiser is one of the constituent units of the army, ensuring the sovereignty of the state and protecting it from enemy encroachments. Flotilla vessels not only provide control of the water border, but also provide support for its land part.

The Navy has many tasks. Among them:

  1. Ensuring the security of the country.
  2. Support for various humanitarian and research campaigns that do not contradict the interests of the state.
  3. Conducting internal and joint exercises.

In connection with such a different orientation, ships are divided by rank depending on their main purpose. Classes of ships, in turn, are divided into subcategories. The difference between them is the type of power plant, displacement, purpose, the availability of additional features. In Russia, four ranks of ships are provided, the first of which is considered the highest. We first consider the features, brief characteristics and mission of the cruisers.

Historical moments

The concept of "cruiser" came into widespread use in the seventeenth century. In those days, by this term was meant an autonomous operating craft. The name was more aimed at determining the purpose of the ship, rather than its structure. The ships themselves were small, possessed of speed and maneuverability. They were used for reconnaissance, information transfer, individual actions in the protection of territories and military conflicts.

Already in the 18th century, a cruiser is a frigate that, along with its compact dimensions, has high speed. It houses artillery weapons. Also included in this category are corvettes, brigs, sloops and some other modifications of swimming equipment.

ships of the navy of Russia

Battlecruiser: basics

Such vessels are classified as heavy surface ships. Their appearance was the result of a special maritime conference held in Washington. Representatives of the British Navy, who have powerful, effective and very expensive Hawkins-type counterparts in their arsenal, after trying to change the cruisers' parameters by the conference representatives insisted on certain restrictions on this issue. As a result, the requirements for battle cruisers included a maximum displacement of up to 10 tons and an armament caliber of not more than 203 millimeters.

In 1936, a new treaty was signed with the participation of the United States, Britain and France. According to him, the construction of heavy ships until 1942 was prohibited. In this regard, the battlecruiser began to have weakened weapons, lower displacement and lower cost. Mostly this applies to samples such as "York", "County" and "Surrey."

They tried to build similar ships in the Soviet Union. Kronstadt-type vessels were capable of carrying 305 mm artillery weapons, and were also equipped with reinforced armor. Two cruisers were laid in 1939, however, with the outbreak of war, their construction was suspended.

battle cruiser

Nuclear powered

The nuclear cruiser in the USSR was represented by four units of project No. 58 ("Terrible"). They were laid down as destroyers, but in 1977 were retrained in missile ships. In addition, in the period from 1970 to 1990, six Arctic icebreakers were developed, most of which remained in the project or were partially converted to other types.

The cruiser Glory became one of the ships that received limited mass production. One copy was built about four years. The new generation of the Soviet fleet is intended for maneuvers in open ocean waters. Their main purpose is to confront attack aircraft carrier teams, amphibious vehicles, fight against various types of convoys and power support on land and water.

Features that the surface combat ship โ€œGloryโ€ has:

  • length / width / draft - 187/19 / 7.5 meters;
  • power plant - gas turbine engines;
  • the ship is equipped with a platform for placement of surface-to-surface launchers;
  • armament - surface artillery, torpedoes against submarines, anti-aircraft installations and machine guns, the possibility of basing a military helicopter.

Lightweight modifications

The light cruiser caused an increase in interest in the early thirties of the last century. There were several reasons for this:

  1. It was easier to comply with interstate agreements on the armed equipment of the ship.
  2. The ship became more maneuverable and faster, which made it possible to use it for highly specialized tasks.
  3. The cost of building one unit has decreased significantly.

nuclear cruiser

The navy of the Soviet Union was replenished with cruisers of project 26. The ships were designed with the participation of Italian specialists, they are distinguished by powerful weapons and good speed. The disadvantages include the short range, low booking and poor seaworthiness. In the forties of the twentieth century, several Project 68 cruisers were created on the basis of these prototypes, distinguished by enhanced protective and seaworthy indicators.

Ships of the Russian Navy

The modern fleet of Russia is a reliable developing industry. In 2014, the Navy received five new ships, three submarines and several dozen boats for various purposes. In addition, projects with strategic missile weapons are being developed and created.

The surface forces include:

  • large anti-submarine ships ;
  • battle cruisers;
  • military destroyers, as well as various modifications of boats, support and support equipment.

In addition, the fleet will be replenished with modernized reserve units. Among them are two dozen submarines, anti-submarine ships and destroyers.

What will undergo modernization?

It is planned to improve the Admiral Kuznetsov TAVKR. Granit launchers will be dismantled from him, which will increase the area of โ€‹โ€‹the aircraft hangar to 4,500 square meters. The armament will be amplified by anti-aircraft systems using medium-range charges.

Also, ships named after the admirals: โ€œNakhimovโ€, โ€œUshakovโ€, โ€œLazarevโ€ will undergo modernization. "Peter the Great" is a heavy cruiser, which is also planned to be transformed by 2020. Updates will mainly affect the installation of the latest armed, reconnaissance and radar systems.

types of cruisers

In addition, the plans for improvement include boats of projects No. 877, 971, 945 (Halibut, Pike, Barracuda, Condor). Presumably, they will be equipped with modern anti-aircraft systems and missiles. By and large, these will be universal combat ships oriented towards confrontation with the ground, air and sea forces of the enemy.

The ship "Vasily Bykov"

The types of cruisers in this series are designed to patrol the economic zone, protect the territorial water border, protect against pirate intrusions, environmental monitoring, as well as rescue and search for damaged ships. In addition, this cruiser is capable of performing the following tasks:

  1. Guard and escort merchant or military vessels.
  2. Perform a patrol and rescue mission.
  3. Used as a means of medical support.

In the next five years, 12 modifications are expected. This cruiser is a ship that is named after the hero of the USSR, Rear Admiral V. Bykov.

light cruiser

Prospects

The design of the progressive aircraft carrier was launched in 2005. According to plans, the ship in 2017 was to take a place in the Northern Fleet of the Russian Federation. However, during the construction process, conditions and requirements were regularly changed, which led to a delay in the process. In 2013, a model presented by the Krylov State Scientific Center and the Nevsky Design Bureau was demonstrated.

The designers announced the existence of three projects, the price of each of which after implementation will be about 130 billion rubles. The approximate period for the construction of the samples is 10 years.

The new ships of the Russian Navy will have the following features:

  1. Have a displacement of at least 80 thousand tons.
  2. Equipped with four catapults and a pair of springboards.
  3. Equipped with several lifts.
  4. Be able to accommodate several amphibious vehicles, as well as attack helicopters.

In addition, it is planned to install a radar complex on these ships, similar to the improved Mars-Passat analogue, as well as accompanying systems and other types of radars.

Interesting Facts

The history of cruisers shows that these ships have been in demand in the Navy for several centuries. Modern ships can perform a variety of military tasks, as well as provide significant assistance in the elimination of disasters and accidents.

history of cruisers

Despite all difficulties, the Russian fleet remains in the leading positions among the navies of the world powers. It is planned to create the latest vessels with the highest characteristics. Many project options are kept secret. However, it is known that several modifications are under development. Among them:

  • Patrol vessels for distant sea open spaces (project No. 11356).
  • The latest frigates for the Black Sea.
  • Destroyer "Leader".
  • Aircraft carrier under the project KGNTS MVMS-2013.

All developments are equipped with equipment and weapons of the latest generation, can compete on equal terms with the most famous foreign counterparts.


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