1144 (.2) Kirov class

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NOR  1 * where available CG Ticonderoga 22 CV Kuznetsov 1 BCGN Kirov 1 CG Slava 3 CG Kara 1

D. (tons): Standard displacement 24,300 tons
Full load displacement 24,500 tons
Maximum displacement 26,190 tons
Speed (kts): 32
Dimensions (m): Length 251 metres
Length at the waterline 228 metres
Beam 28.5 metres
Beam at waterline 24 metres
Draft 10.33 m
M./Engine: 4 nuclear reactors; 4 x 7000 steam turbines; 2 shafts driven 5 bladed props., turbogenerators: 4x3000 kW; GT generators: 4x1500 kW; 140'000 n.m/30 kts; endurance: 60 days
Man./Crew: 727 (aircrew 15)
Armament: 20 Granit (SS-N-19) (R: 450 n.m; S: 2,5 mach; w: c/nuclear)
2005: planned to be refitted wih new SS-NX-26 Oniks missiles
ADGM S-300F 12 launchers, 96 missiles)
2x2 SA OSA-MA Total:40
ADGM Kashtan Total: 192 missiles (24000 cartiges)
10 Vodopad-NK (SS-N-16) (R: 40 n.m; S: 1 mach, total: 20)
2 AK-130 DP (130 mm; R: 28'800 m, 840 rounds)
8 x 6 AK-630 gattl. AA (6x30 mm; 6'000 rds/m/mount, 48000 rounds)
1 x 10 RBU-1000 ASW RL (R: 6'000 m, total: 102)
2 x 6 RBU-Udav-1 ASW RL (R: 1'200 m, total: 40)
3 /Helicopters KA-27
Electronics: Combat information centre
Radio communications system
Satellite communications system
Anti-ship missile firing control
RBU-1000 and Udav fire control system
Surveillance radar system
Low flying and surface target acquisition radar
2 Air defence missile system fire-control radar
4 Fire control radar for 30 mm air defence gun
2 Navigation radars
Active and passive sonar system
Electronic countermeasures system
Decoy dispensers
2 x PK-2 with 400 rockets

After the Navy last missile cruiser of Mk 58 delivery in 1965, the ships of this class, the basic purpose of which was fighting with the enemy surface ships, were not built for almost 10 years in the USSR, since the nuclear submarines were considered as the basic shock Navy force, and the surface ships were given basically an antisubmarine role.

Meanwhile the experience of domestic ships combat service in the remote regions in combination with the visual demonstration of the effectiveness of antiship cruise missiles, when the Egyptian missile launch heated Israeli destroyer “Eylat”, bearing since 1964., allowed the Navy command to gradually convince the military-political country management that it is necessary for the surface ships to give impact functions. So, the first domestic surface ship with nuclear power installation (pr.1144 "Orlan") from the middle of the 60’s was developed first as an atomic destroyer escort intended for long continuous enemy nuclear submarines tracking with the purpose of their defeat immediately after the beginning of military actions, and has got a shape of a heavy nuclear missile cruiser only during 10 years of designing (Severnoe TsKB, previously TsKB-53, chief designer B.I.Kupenskiy), accompanied by wide military-economic studies on its technical tactics characteristics optimization.

Initially it was supposed to be the nuclear-powered ship standard displacement about 9000 t, equipped with a universal missile complex (for the defeat of submarines, air and light surface targets), ADGM of self-defence, 57- or 76- mm artillery, torpedo devices and RBU and also by unmanned helicopters. At the final stage of development of technical order, the Metel, S-300F, 100- and 30- mm artillery, two manned antisubmarine helicopters, and also SSN Malakhit, which was replaced later by “Granit”, were included in the ship armament; displacement in technical order was not specified.

In the outline sketch (1969) the ship was classified as " a large nuclear antisubmarine warfare ship ", and in its assertion decision (1970) as " an nuclear antisubmarine cruiser " already.

In connection with the design of the second ship with the nuclear power plant - missile cruiser pr.1165 “Fugas” with ASM of the operational-tactical designation (32-45 “Granit” rockets) and S-300F, which was planned by the Navy at that time, both developments were united into one - the design of an nuclear antisubmarine cruiser with the impact missile weapon (with 16 SSN “Granit”), so actually multipurpose ship, by the August 1971 dated decision.

In the technical pr.1144 developed by the Servernoe KB in 1971 for the first time in a world practice the arrangement of the below-deck launchers of vertical (S-300F) and inclined (SSN “Granit”) launch has been realized, the automated hydroacoustic system use (with the antennas in the nose and towed bulb), capable of revealing submarines in the first distant zone of acoustic illumination, has been provided. During the working drawings developing the SSN “Granit” number placed on the ship has been increased up to 20 units. In June 1977. by the order of the Navy command the ship of pr.1144 was overclassified into the Heavy Nuclear Missile Cruiser.

The standard displacement of the head ship has made about 24000 t, the speed of complete running - more than 30 knots (under the backup boilers to 17 knots), and the power of the specially designed nuclear power plant - 2*70000 h.p.

The ships construction was carried out at the Baltyysky SSZ in Leningrad. The head heavy nuclear missile cruiser "Kirov" (since 1992 "Admiral Ushakov") has been laid on March, 26th, 1973, has been launched on December, 27th, 1977 and transferred to the Navy on December, 30th, 1980

The following ships had been builduing basing on the pr. 11442 (the chief designer B.I.Kulensky, later V.A.Perevalov) with the “Metel’” substitution on the “Vodopad”, 100-mm of guns and mountings to one 130- mm AK-130 etc. Aboard two last ships the 30- mm automats are substituted on ADGM “Kortik”, and RBU-6000 - on “Udav -1”. The fourth ship instead of two SAN “Osa-MA” has two “Kinzhal”.



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Displacement of cruiser (complete) - 28.000 t, length - is 255 m, width - is 25,5 m, sagging 10,3 m, and height, if it is “taken out” to the land, it will be 59 m or it will be equal to the twenty-storied house, moreover, six floors of this “house” are located under water, and 11, called “tiers”, above the water line.

Aboard the ship of 1600 accomodations, among which 140 are one- and two-place cabins for the officers and the Warrant Officers, 30 crew spaces for the sailors and the Chief Petty Officers (to 6-30 people in each), 220 tambours, 49 corridors with an overall length of 20 and the more kilometers, 15 showers, two baths, one sauna with the pond of 6x2,5 m, two-level medical block, where there are infirmary- insulators, drugstore, X-ray room, dispensary, dental office and operating. And another gym with the trainers, three wardrooms - for the Warrant Officers, officers and Admirals. Salon for leisure with the billiards table and the piano. Intravehicular television studio and 12 everyday television sets in the cabins and the crew spaces, without considering 30 monitors for the survey of transfers, which are being showed by the cable systems of the ship. “Peter Velikiy” is capable to ensure some central russian city to 100-150 thousand inhabitants with electricity and heat.

The basis of the armament of the cruiser consists of the antiship supersonic missiles “Granite” P -700 (3M-45). The OKB -52 is developed in Reutov under great Soviet designer Vladimir Chelomey’s management. Missiles are futher development of system “Basalt”. In the west the rockets “Granite” are known under the code name SS-N-19 Shipwreck. This is the third generation [SSN] (further development [SSN] - SS- N -3 “Shaddok” and SS- N -12 “Sunbox”) with the lowered trajectory profile of flight to the object. The tests of missile began in 1975, it is put into operation in 1980. The length of a missile is 10 m, the diameter - 0,85 m. With the launching weight of 7 tons the rocket develops the speed of 2,5 M and can deliver high-explosive warhead with the mass of 750 kg or a nuclear charge with power to 500 kt up to the distance of 600 km. Warhead is a monoblock in the nuclear, usual (750 kg VV) equipment or fuel-air warhead (volumetric explosion).
Guidance system is inertial with the radio-command system of the correction of the flight trajectory and the warhead with the active radar homing system in the finite segment (with distance from the target in 37 km). Engine installation: annular solid-propellant amplifier and sustainer turbofan engine KP -93. The target designation below the horizon and guidance can be achieved by an aircraft Tu-95RTs, by helicopter Ka -27 or by space system SATCOM.
The missile is intended for fight against the carrier-based assault echelons (CV Groups) and is capable of acting not only against the connections of the ships of all classes in the course of the armed conflicts of any intensity, but also to effectively strike targets on the coast of enemy with conventional warhead. If necessary the ships with the complex “Granit” can be the reserve for the solution of the problems of sea strategic nuclear forces.
Twenty SSNs are established under the upper deck, with the angle of elevations of 60 degrees. Launchers SM -233 were made by Leningrad metal-working plant. Modification of the SSN “Granit” established aboard the ships of project 1144.2 is not controlled after launch. In the regime of ripple fire one missile, the carrying out role “of spotter” flies in the high trajectory in order to maximally increase the area of the target lock-on, the other at the same time missiles fly along the low trajectory. In flight missile exchange information about the targets. If “spotter” missile is intercepted, then one of other their missile automatically picks up its functions. The missile system is steady with respect to the radio interference of the enemy.
According to the Navy experience of combat and operational training, it is practically impossible to bring down this rocket. Even if we strike “Granit” with an antimissile, because of its enormous mass and speed the rocket can preserve the initial velocity of flight and as a result fly so far to the target.
96 surface-to-air missiles of complex S-300F (also designation “Reef”, “Fort”. On “Peter Velikiy” the second complex - S-300FM) on the torsional drums are also placed under the deck. S-300F is developed in the Scientific Research Institute “Altair” under the management of chief designer V.Bukatov. The NATO designation - SÀ-N-6 "Gramble". Single-stage rocket of 48Í6Å, developed in Fakel, it is in many respects standardized with the rocket of AD complex S-300PMU. The length of rocket - is 750 cm, the mass - 143 kg. The rockets start vertically and they can destroy any aerial target at the heights from 25 m to 30 km at a distance to 90 km. The maximum speed of the aerodynamic target - 4200 km/h.

128 surface-to-air missiles “Kinjal” (“Klinok”,the NATO designation - SÀ-N-9) work on the burst open target at the distance of 1,5-12 km. The rockets of this ADGM - 9Ì 330-2 - are single-stage, solid-propellant, remote-controlled, standardized with the rocket of ground forces “"Tor-M1"” (SA-15), developed by Fakel under the management of P.Grushin. The missile takeoff is vertical, under the action of the catapult, so with the shut-down engine. The recharge is automatic, with the interval of launching of 3 s. The rocket has fragmentation with the mass of 15 kg, the pulse radio-detonator. The length of a rocket - is 2280 mm, the mass - 165 kg. The flight speed - 910 m/s.

The range of detection of target in the automatic mode is 45 km, the number of simultaneously fired targets is 4, the time of reaction is 8 s. The istance to the target is 1,5-12 km, the flight altitude of target - from 10 to 6000 m, speed - to 700 m/s. Launcher of complex is developed by Start (main designer A.Yaskin), and the multichannel, all-weather complex “Klinok” - by Altair under the management of S.Fadeyev, the chief designer - M.Lipatov. The complex does not have analogs in the world. Automatic mode (without the participation of personnel) works on the principle of the artificial intellect.

The AD system of a cruiser is supplemented by six additional CADS “Kortik” (“Kashtan”), each of which in the radar and television- optical modes ensure the complete automation of combat control from the detection to the destruction. The NATO designation - CADS- N -1. The complex is developed by Tula KB of Instrument Manufacture under the management of design project leader A.Shipunov, with the participation of the Scientific Research Institute “Altair”. Each installation has on two 30- mm six-barrel artillery installations AK-630 M-2 with two automata AO -18 with summary rate of fire 10000 shots/min and two blocks of 4 two-step rockets of 9M311 (SA-N-11) with fragmentation- pivotal warhead and proximity fuse. In the undertower department 16 additional rockets are located.

The rocket, located in the transport- starting container, strikes the antiship missiles, guided bombs, small size aircraft, helicopters. Rockets are standardized with the rocket of the complex of 2S6 “Tunguska”. The projectiles for the artillery automata in the fragmentation-explosive- igniting and fragmentation- tracer equipment are developed by Pribor in Moscow. The system of “Kashtan” administration consists of a radar and the television systems, connected together with the use of elements of the artificial intellect. The entire process - from the target search and to their destruction - is fully automated. The range of rocket armament is 8000-1500 m, artillery fire - 1500-50 m. The altitude of the targets - from the lowest possible to 4000 m. Two installations of “Kortik” are forward facing the ship on both sides of SSN “Granit”, and four others - in the rear portion of the main superstructure.

In addition to anti-aircraft weapons for the self-defence from the low-flying antiship missiles the cruiser is equipped with universal artillery complex AK-130, ensuring the rate of fire from 20 to 86 shots per minute. Its coupled 130- mm mounting (it makes it possible to also fire sea and coast targets, to support the landings with fire. The fire unit has the unitary shots of several types, for example, HE fragmentation with the impact, remote and by radio-detonators. The length of a trunk - 70 calibers. The range of projectile - 25 km, the initial velocity of projectile - 850 m/s. The mass of HE fragmentation projectile - is 27 kg, has the impact, remote and radio-detonators. The angles of the vertical guidance: - 10 deg. - +85 deg., the angle of the horizontal guidance: +180 deg. The target tracking range - 40 km. The ready for shooting ammunition - 180 projectiles. The system of the fire control MR-184 (devel. by the Ametist) makes it possible to produce simultaneous tracking and firing of two targets.

The antisubmarine armament of “Peter Velikiy” impresses also: the automated hydroacoustic complex with the underkeel (in the bulb fairing) and towed by antennas; the universal complex of rocket- torpedo weapon, launchers of which (on five onboard) the caliber of 533 mm are placed in the hull of ship with the possibility of shooting through onboard ports. The antisubmarine complex RPK-6M “Vodopad” is developed by the “Novator”, the chief designer - L.Lyulev. The rocket- torpedoes which obtain the submarines of enemy at the distances of 60 km. As the warhead is used small torpedo UMTG-1 (the speed - 41 kn, range - 8 km, depth - to 5000 m), developed by designer V.Levin in Scientific Research Institute “Gidropribor”. The rocket dives into the water, takes off into air and reaches torpedo into the target area, and it’s already UMTG-1’s turn, which is again in the water.

The antitorpedo complex RKPTZ-1 "Udav-1Ì" (10 pipes of guides, automatic conveyor recharge, the time of reaction - 15 s., distance is maximum - 3000 m, minimum - 100 m, the weight of rocket - 233 kg). Two six-tube RBU-1000 “Smerch -3” (the distance - 1000 m, the mass of projectile - 55 kg) they are established in the rear portion on the upper deck on both boards. Two coupled 150- mm PK-14 launchers (the complex of the detonated interferences) include the general ship-based means of opposition, the anti-electronic traps, decoys, and also the towed torpedo decoy with the powerful noise-generator.

Onboard the cruiser two heavy multipurpose helicopters Êà-27 "Helix-Â" in the modification RLD and PL (are made in Bashkirya in Kumertau) are based. Helicopters are used in the antisubmarine version and as the retranslator- proofreader of flight of the SSNs “Granit”. The crew of helicopter - 3 people (the pilot, the navigator and the operator of hydroacoustic station). The maximum takeoff mass - is 11000 kgf, duration of the flight - 4,5 hours, the absolute limit - 4300 m, the maximum speed - 270 km/h, flying range - 800 km. Helicopters can have antisubmarine missiles APR-2E (diameter - 350 mm, length - 370 cm) with the solid-propellant rocket engine, ensuring the underwater speed 115 kmh. The mass of the rocket - is 575 kgf, warhead - 100 kg. Under water rocket moves for 2 min., inspecting the space with a radius of 1500 m and determining the target bearing with the accuracy of 2 degrees. In arsenal of helicopters - the controlled depth charges with a mass of 94 kg and with a speed of the motion of 55 km/h with the active sonar system of guidance. The onboard radio-electronic complex of helicopter Êà-27 ensures the flight above the sea in any weather, the search and tracking of the submarines at the removal to 200 km from the ship, the automatic output of helicopter into the point of the discharge of weapons of destruction, recovery and landing approach in the automatic regime.

The cruiser has also three navigation stations, four radio-electronic systems of the fire control of onboard weapon, means of control of the flights of helicopters and the identification system “friend-foe”.

The sonar system of the ship includes the sonar with the hull antenna (in the bulb fairing) for the search and the submarine detection at the low and medium frequencies and the towed automated sonar system with the antenna of a variable submersion depth (150-200 m) - at the medium frequencies.
Main power plant is equipped with two fast-neutron reactors with a heat output of 300 MW each and with two auxiliary petroleum steam boilers. The joining of the nuclear reactors with the petroleum steam super-heaters increases the total plant capacity and thus the speed of ship. Two shafts revolve 2 five-blade screws.

The technical complex of the nuclear power plant besides the reactor, in which the conversion of energy of nuclear decay in the heat- is ensured, also includes the entire collection of complex and critical technological equipment - pumps, steam generators, control system of reactor and power unit, turbine with the reducer, filters, heat exchangers, compressors, different instruments and others.

“Peter Velikiy” is the largest non-aircraft attack warship in the world. According to the estimation of the ex-CINC of the Russian Navy Admiral Kuroedov, the combat effectiveness of northern fleet with the introduction into the system of the cruiser of XXI century “Peter Velikiy” grew by 17 percent. Although we should admit that though the atomic cruisers of the project 1144 “Orlan” were over a number of years the best ships of their class in the world, the number of specialists is forced to recognize the project as unsuccessful. In any case, not the cruiser of XXI century. It could be considered to be like that at the moment of delivery of a head ship to the fleet, in the 80’s. In the opinion of the experts mentioned above, in order to resist the contemporary antiship missiles, anti-aircraft cannons and the bombs of small caliber, one ought to have equipped at least one ship with minimum armor protection. The ship does not possess a sufficient firepower and independence. 1144 “Orlan” can manage any of the extremely unsuccessful American postwar cruisers, but it is absolutely defenseless against CV group, experts think.

However, there is the unverified information, that NATO considered the Soviet squadrons headed by the cruisers of project 11442 as completely dangerous rivals for its CV groups. The groups of four aircraft carriers were advanced during the theoretical studies for the destruction of this squadron, from which it was intended to remain on to float only to one. It was intended to lose almost completely the air groups of three aircraft carriers.


Eduard Pytishuk Section Head, Krylov Central Research Institute
Following the commission of the Pyotr Veliky nuclear missile cruiser to Russia's Navy, Baltiisk shipbuilding plant has completed a series of four heavy nuclear missile cruisers of the Project 1144 (with improvements implemented during construction) developed by the team of Severnoe Design Bureau. These ships play a special role in the armament system of the Navy and can constantly and continually maintain contact with enemy task forces and successfully fight them. They are intended for operations in remote regions of seas and oceans to destroy enemy nuclear missile submarines and surface ships, enhance combat capability of naval forces, escort convoys and landing ships during their transit to landing areas and their support at landing. The fire power of the cruiser is ensured by 20 underdeck missile launchers to fire cruise missiles with a considerable accuracy against enemy large surface ships of task forces at a range of over 500 km. The ship fire-control system fed with data from the target designation complex can use missiles at full firing range. The cruiser is able to maintain its strike potential via sophisticated AD armament. The armament comprises two versatile missile systems, Riff type, with underdeck drum type launchers for vertical liftoff of AD medium-range missiles. The AD guided missile can destroy any type of high speed maneuvering air targets at altitudes ranging from 25 m to 30 km and at a range of up to 90 km. The missile guidance system comprises one antenna post with a multifunctional phase antenna array. To ensure the cruiser's combat power, the armament also comprises the Kinzhal self-defense system outfitted with underdeck launchers of vertical liftoff. The AD missiles can engage various air targets at a range of up to 1.5 - 12 km.

The cruiser air-defense and antimissile defense system also comprises two missile-artillery systems, Kashtan type: each of which comprises a detection radar, one command and three combat modules. The system ensures effective protection and combat power of the ship owing to an integrated control system, availability of channels for simultaneous tracking of targets and missiles in radar and TV-optical modes and full automation of combat control process, ranging from target detection to destruction. The missiles delivered in transporter-launcher containers can hit targets at a range of up to 8 km and 30mm automatic guns up to 5 km at maximum low flying targets and targets flying at a 4-km altitude. In addition to AD missile systems, the cruiser is also fitted with the AK-130 versatile shipborne artillery system to ensure self-defense against low flying antiship missiles. The cruiser's 130mm twin artillery mount is intended to deliver fire against sea and coastal targets and ensure fire support for naval landing. The artillery mount uses several types of complete rounds: HEF with impact, proximity and radio fuzes. The MR-184 fire-control system can track and engage two targets at a time. The MR-184 system comprises: a two-band target tracking radar, TV set, laser rangefinder, moving targets selection equipment and jamproof devices. The system ensures receipt of target designation data from shipborne target detection aids; precise measuring of movement parameters of air, sea and coastal targets; computing of anGle of elevation and azimuth during firing against sea target by referriNg to splashes. To protect the cruiser from enemy means of destruction, the armament system comprises ECM equipment and passive jamming system. Radar and optronic projectiles of passive jamming devices dispense decoys, thereby reducing the probability of guiding enemy missiles against the cruiser. Evolution of cruises image during its construction

The Pyotr Veliky cruiser's antisubmarine system comprises: sophisticated sonar equipment with an underkeel antenna (in bulbous fairing) and towed antenna of automated sonar system; versatile system of missile-torpedo armament, including 533mm launchers (five on either side) housed in the cruiser's hull and capable of delivering fire via side ports; RBU-1200 ten-barrelled launcher and two RBU-1000 six-barrelled launchers. The cruiser has space for two Ka-27 antisubmarine helicopters stowed in an underdeck hangar, magazine for aircraft ammunition load, lift and helicopter pad for takeoff and landing. The cruiser is fitted with the Flag type radar system, including radars with integrated primary processing of data received from detected targets. The cruiser automated combat control system is provided by an information control system. The cruiser navigation aids and armament ensure both combat and routine activity. Design and research organizations, including customers, performed an extensive range of work during the development of this series of cruisers. The surface protection from missile weapons with conventional warheads was developed for the first time for domestic fighting ships of traditional postwar naval architecture. Krylov Central Research Institute developed basic layout solutions and designs. For the first time in domestic shipbuilding, this Institute developed and implemented a principally new layout of a degaussing rig and way of cruiser degaussing. The selection of the main machinery type was determined by the main role of the cruiser and its assigned missions. The automated main nuclear machinery comprises two reactors (to produce steam for operation), two main geared-turbine units developing 70,000 hp each (to ensure full cruiser speed of at least 30 knots) and two stand-by steam boilers of 115 t/h capacity. The stand-by steam boilers provide for development of 17 knots with nuclear reactors shut-off and ensure an operation range of up to 1,000 miles with shipborne fuel. The main machinery is arranged in three compartments: one compartment houses two nuclear reactors, the two others house geared-turbine units and steam boilers, respectively. During the design and creation of new versions of the main and auxiliary equipment of the main machinery of such considerable power, considerable attention was paid to basic layout and engineering solutions with regard to a nuclear reactor, geared-turbine units, protection means, auto mated control systems, radiation safety during combat and routine operation. The cruiser electricity generating system comprises four gas-turbo-generators of 3,000 kW and four gas-turbo-generators of 1,500 kW which generate electricity for shipborne consumers from four power plants. The nuclear missile cruisers are characterized by the introduction of science-engineering and design solutions. For the first time in the world fighting surface ships of this series feature: - the introduction of underdeck arrangement of antiship cruise missile launchers; - the provision of underdeck storage and vertical liftoff of AD guided missile systems, Riff type, and also the AD system, Klinok type, aboard the Pyotr Veliky cruiser ; - the creation of a powerful echeloned AD and antimissile system intended for task force ships. The successful implementation of ideas and designs on the Project 1144 cruiser constitutes a huge potential for the domestic shipbuilding and the ability to create state-of-the-art and effective fighting ships.