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Kirov 1980

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comm	Fate	Modification
Киров [Kirov], 5.1992- Адмирал Ушаков [Admiral Ushakov]		800	Baltic Wks, Leningrad	26.3.1974	27.12.1977	30.12.1980	stricken 3.2004	Project 1144
Фрунзе [Frunze], 5.1992- Адмирал Лазарев [Admiral Lazarev]		801	Baltic Wks, Leningrad	26.7.1978	26.5.1981	31.10.1984	awaiting disposal (2019)	Project 11442
Калинин [Kalinin], 5.1992- Адмирал Нахимов [Admiral Nakhimov]	080	802	Baltic Wks, Leningrad	17.5.1983	25.4.1986	30.12.1988	in service (2019)	Project 11442
Пётр Великий [Piotr Velikiy] (ex-Юрий Андропов [Yuriy Andropov])	099	803	Baltic Wks, St. Petersburg	25.10.1986	29.4.1989	19.4.1998	in service (2019)	Project 11442

Technical data

Displacement standard, t	pr. 1144: 23750 pr. 11442: 24300
Displacement full, t	pr. 1144: 25860 pr. 11442: 26396
Length, m	250.1
Breadth, m	28.5
Draught, m	7.80 hull 10.3 max
No of shafts	2
Machinery	CONAS: 2 GTZA-653 geared steam turbines sets, 2 KN-3 nuclear reactors + 2 KVG-2 boilers
Power, h. p.	90000 + 50000 = 140000
Max speed, kts	31
Fuel, t	nuclear + oil 1120
Endurance, nm(kts)	unlimited / 1300(17) under oil-fired boilers only
Armour, mm	pr. 1144: SSM compartment: 100-70 sides, 70 roof, ASuM magazine: 100-70 sides, 70 roof, CT, command centre: 100-75 sides, 75 roof, hangar, aviation fuel tank, aviation magazine: 70 sides, 50 roof pr. 11442: SSM compartment: 100-70 sides, 70 roof, CT, command centre: 100-75 sides, 75 roof, hangar, aviation fuel tank, aviation magazine: 70 sides, 50 roof
Armament	800: 1 x 20 Granit SSM VLS (20 P-50 (3M45)), 1 x 12 S-300F Fort SAM VLS (96 V-500R (5V55RM)), 2 x 8 Kinzhal SAM VLS (128 9M330), 2 x 2 4K33 Osa-M SAM (40 9M33), 1 x 2 Metel' ASuM (10 85R), 2 x 1 - 100/59 AK-100, 8 x 6 - 30/54 AK-530M CIWS, 2 x 5 - 533 TT (10), 1 x 12 RBU-6000 Smerch-2 ASWRL, 2 x 6 RBU-1000 Smerch-3 ASWRL, 2 x 7 - 55 MRG-1 Ogonyok grenade launchers, 2 -3 helicopters (2 Ka-27 or 3 Ka-25) 801: 1 x 20 Granit SSM VLS (20 P-50 (3M45)), 1 x 12 S-300F Fort SAM VLS (96 5V55RM), 1 x 8 Kinzhal SAM VLS (64 9M330), 2 x 2 4K33 Osa-M SAM (40 9M33), 10 x 1 URPK-6 Vodopad-NK ASuM (30 83R, 84R or torpedoes), 1 x 2 - 130/70 AK-130, 8 x 6 - 30/54 AK-530M CIWS, 1 x 12 RBU-6000 Smerch-2 ASWRL, 2 x 6 RBU-1000 Smerch-3 ASWRL, 2 x 7 - 55 MRG-1 Ogonyok grenade launchers, 2 -3 helicopters (2 Ka-27 or 3 Ka-25) 802: 1 x 20 Granit SSM VLS (20 P-50 (3M45)), 1 x 12 S-300F Fort SAM VLS (96 48N6E), 2 x 8 Kinzhal SAM VLS (128 9M330), 2 x 2 4K33 Osa-MA SAM (40 9M33A), 6 x (8 Kortik SAM + 2 x 6 - 30/54) Kortik CIWS 192 9M311), 10 x 1 URPK-6 Vodopad-NK ASuM (30 83R, 84R or torpedoes), 1 x 2 - 130/70 AK-130, 1 x 10 RKPTZ-1 Udav-1 (RBU-12000) ASWRL, 2 x 6 RBU-1000 Smerch-3 ASWRL, 2 x 7 - 55 MRG-1 Ogonyok grenade launchers, 2 -3 helicopters (2 Ka-27 or 3 Ka-25) 803: 1 x 20 Granit SSM VLS (20 P-50 (3M45)), 1 x 6 S-300F Fort SAM VLS (48 48N6E), 1 x 6 S-300FM Fort-M SAM VLS (48 48N6E2), 2 x 8 Kinzhal SAM VLS (128 9M330), 6 x (8 Kortik SAM + 2 x 6 - 30/54) Kortik CIWS 192 9M311), 10 x 1 URPK-6 Vodopad-NK ASuM (30 83R, 84R or torpedoes), 1 x 2 - 130/70 AK-130, 1 x 10 RKPTZ-1 Udav-1 (RBU-12000) ASWRL, 2 x 6 RBU-1000 Smerch-3 ASWRL, 2 x 7 - 55 MRG-1 Ogonyok grenade launchers, 2 -3 helicopters (2 Ka-27 or 3 Ka-25)
Electronic equipment	800: MR-800 Flag radar suite (MR-600 Voskhod, MR-700 Fregat-M radars), 2x 3R41 Volna, 2x 3R-95, 2x 4R-33, MR-145 Lev-218-100, 4x MR-123 Vympel-A, 2x Vaygach radars, MGK-355 Polinom, 2x MG-7 Braslet sonars, MP-150 Gurzuf-A, MP-152 Gurzuf-B, MR-262 Ograda, MRP-52 Koltso ECM suites, 2x PK-2M, 10x PK-10 Smely decoy RLs, Alleya-2M CCS 801: MR-800 Flag radar suite (MR-600 Voskhod, MR-700 Fregat-M radars), 2x 3R41 Volna, 3R-95, 2x 4R-33A, MR-184 Lev-218, 4x MR-123 Vympel, 2x MR-212/201 Vaygach-U radars, MGK-355 Polinom, 2x MG-7 Braslet sonars, MP-503 Kantata-M, MP-407 Start-2 ECM suites, 2x PK-2M, 10x PK-10 Smely decoy RLs, Lesorub-44 CCS 802: MR-800 Flag radar suite (MR-600 Voskhod, MR-750 Fregat-MA radars), 2x 3R41 Volna, 2x 3R-95, 2x 4R-33A, MR-184 Lev-218, 2x MR-212/201 Vaygach-U radars, MGK-355 Polinom, 2x MG-7 Braslet sonars, MP-503 Kantata-M, MP-407 Start-2 ECM suites, 2x PK-2M, 10x PK-10 Smely decoy RLs, Lesorub-44 CCS 803: MR-800 Flag radar suite (MR-600 Voskhod, MR-750 Fregat-MA radars), 2x MR-350 Podkat, 3R41 Volna, 3R48 Bolna, 2x 3R-95, MR-184 Lev-218, 2x MR-212/201 Vaygach-U radars, MGK-355 Polinom, 2x MG-7 Braslet sonars, MP-503 Kantata-M, MP-407 Start-2 ECM suites, 12x PK-10 Smely decoy RLs, Lesorub-44 CCS
Complement	pr. 1144: 759 pr. 11442: 760

Standard scale images

Graphics

Project history

Kirov, the first Soviet nuclear-powered surface combatant, was sometimes called a 'battlecruiser'. She apparently employs a CONAS (combined nuclear and steam) powerplant, in which fossil-fueI boilers supply steam to turbines geared to the same shafts as the nuclear-powered turbines. The USN considered a somewhat similar scheme: it is difficult to achieve sufficient power for high speed in a compact enough nuclear plant. Combined nuclear and gas turbine and nuclear and steam turbine plants were considered but rejected on grounds of complexity. The Russians apparently saw things differently. Similar fossil-fuel boosters have been used in land-based Western power reactors.

Speed on reactors alone (90,000hp) would probably be about 24kts. Endurance at high speed, on both plants is 14,000nm at 30kts. On oil power alone: 1300nm at 17kts.

The TTZ for this class was approved on 25 May 1971. Design work on a nuclear-powered cruiser began in 1968. Initial studies were based on the contemporary 'singing frigate', which was armed with 6 to 8 medium-range (150km) anti-ship missiles (it was probably a pre-design for what became the Sovremenny). Admiral Gorshkov apparently personally rejected the design as too weak, in effect a nuclear-powered Project 58. The design team thought that the ship should not displace more than 8,000t, and attempts to remain within that limit considerable time. They soon realised that the weapon systems they wanted (for anti-saturation AAW and for effective ASW, as well as good and-ship firepower) would demand a displacement of at least 20.000t. Given existing submarine reactors, that in turn seemed to demand 4-6 reactors, which they rejected as cumbersome and dangerous. They were fortunate that a nuclear power design bureau came up with the elegant solution (nuclear base plant plus steam boost) which they adopted.

Kirov was conceived as a flagship to control anti-ship (RKR) formations, following the demonstrated failure of shore control in the 1970 Okean exercise. The design of later ships was further modified to provide more self-defence armament after the 1975 exercise showed how an enemy might well concentrate on destroying just such a flagship. The ship was probably based on an earlier nuclear RKR without flag facilities, possibly called Project 954, for the Pacific Fleet. The Russians have referred explicitly to an earlier nuclear cruiser design, Project 63, but no details have been published.

The main battery is Granit SSMs in canted deck tubes. Defensive weapons are the new Fort vertically-launched missile and a reloadable Metel' ASuM (using a large bow sonar and a new VDS). The second ship, Frunze, dispensed with Metel' because she could fire Vodopad missiles from her torpedo tubes. The space freed (and space aft, used for AK-630 CIWS in Kirov) went into vertically-launched Kinzhal missiles, but she retained Osa SAM (presumably as an interim measure, since Kinzhal was not ready when the ship was completed). She substituted a twin 130mm mount for the two single 100mm of Kirov. The third ship, Kalinin, introduced a new close-in weapon, Kortik.

On the fourth ship, Piotr Velikiy, fwd Fort SAM battery was replaced by Fort-M with more effective missiles.

Fifth ship of the class, No804 Dzerzhinskiy (in 1990 renamed Admiral Flota Sovetskogo Soyuza Kuznetsov) was ordered 31.12.1988 but cancelled 4.10.1990 before she was laid down.

Planned modernization of Admiral Nakhimov, Piotr Velikiy and, may be, Admiral Lazarev under Project 11442M will include new armament (3S14-11442M universal VLS for 80 3M54T Kalibr-NK cruise missiles, P-160 Oniks SSMs, 3M22 Tsirkon SSM, 2 S-300FM Fort-M SAM (96 48N6K, 48N6DMK, 5V55RM missiles), 8 Pantsir'-M CIWS, 330mm tubes for Paket-NK anti-torpedo/anti-submarine missiles) and new electronics (5P-20K Monument, MR-650 Podberiozovik, Fregat-M2, MR-231, MR-232-3 radars, 5P-28-11442M ECM suite, MT-201M1.2 o/e suite, Minotavr-ISPN-M1 VDS array, MG-757.3 Anapa-M anti-sabotage sonar, MGS-417 Amga-M sonar for receiving information from sonobuoys, Sigma-11442M CCS and decoy RLs of Prosvet-M system

Ship protection, project 1144

VLS of Granit SSM and magazine of Metel' missiles had 100 (over wl) - 70 (under wl)mm sides and 70mm roof, CT and command post had 100mm longitudinal and 75mm transverse sides and 75mm roof. Hangar, aviation fuel tank and aviation magazine had 70mm sides and 50mm roof.

Ship protection, project 11442

VLS of Granit SSM has 100 (over wl) - 70 (under wl)mm sides and 70mm roof, CT and command post have 100mm longitudinal and 75mm transverse sides and 75mm roof. Hangar, aviation fuel tank and aviation magazine have 70mm sides and 50mm roof.

Modernizations

2014, Piotr Velikiy: - 2x MG-7 sonars; + MR-231-3 radar, MG-757.3 Anapa sonar

planned 2020, Admiral Nakhimov; 2022, Piotr Velikiy: armament consisted of 1 x 80 Kalibr-NK CruM / Oniks SSM / Tsirkon SSM (VLS, 80 3M54T / P-160(3M55) / 3M22), 1 x 12 S-300FM Fort-M SAM VLS (96 48N6K / 48N6DMK / 5V55RM), 8 x (8 SAM + 2 x 6 - 30/54) Pantsir' CADS (320 3R86M), 1 x 2 - 130/70 AK-130, 8 x 1 - 330 Paket-NK TT, 1 x 10 RKPTZ-1 Udav-1 (RBU-12000) ASWRL, 2 x 6 RBU-1000 Smerch-3 ASWRL, 2 x 7 - 55 MRG-1 Ogonyok grenade launchers, 2 -3 helicopters (2 Ka-27 or 3 Ka-25) and sensors: 5P-10 Puma, 5P-20K Monument, MR-650 Podberiozovik, Fregat-M2, MR-231, MR-232-3, MR-184 Lev-218 radars, MT-201M1.2 E/O detector, MGK-355 Polinom, Minotavr-ISPN-M1, MG-757.3 Anapa-M, MGS-417 Amga-M sonars, 5P-28-11442M ECM suite, Prosvet-M decoy RL system, Sigma-11442M CCS

Naval service

No significant events.