1242.* Molnia /Pauk class

Statistics: total active:1 Competitors: Not available [crossreferences:] State of the Russian Navy Active corvettes In reserve/decommissioned corvettes

BLS  1 * where available

Displacement (tons): 550 tons full load
Speed (kts): 38 knots (full)
Dimension (meters): 56.1 meters long
10.2 meters beam
2.65 meters draft
Propulsion: gas turbine power plant Power, hp 32,000
Propellers 2 x fixed pitch
Crew: 44
Armament: 4 Moskit SS-N-22 Sunburn Cruise Missiles, 2 x 2 launchers (1242.1)
16 Uran-E SSN-X-25 Switchblade - 1241.8
8 Uran-E SSN-X-25 Switchblade - 1241 RE
IGLA -1M AD missile system (12 missiles)
76 mm AK-176M Gun Mount 1 x 1
30 mm AK-630M Gun Mount 2 x 6
Electronics HF and UHF radio communication aids
navigation radar
radio direction-finder
satellite navigation set
air/surface target detection radar
fire-control radar for cruise missiles
fire-control radar for gun mounts
decoy dispenser system (2 x PK-10)
SENSORS
GARPUN-BAL Radar system
MR-123-02 Fire control Radar system
POZITIV-E surface and air target detection and
targeting Radar system
MP-405 ESM Radar system
Radar ID system
Navigation Radar
PK-10 close-in decoy system with two decoy
launchers and a set of universal decoys
Twin shaft Gas-turbine with M15 universal unit,
total output as follows:
at ambient air temperature 15 deg. C 23530 kW
at ambient air temperature 34 deg. C 17430 kW

ELECTRIC SYSTEM
2X200 diesel gensets
1X100 diesel genset

The Molniya fast missile attack craft (Project 12421) is designed to destroy surface combatants, transports and landing craft in coastal areas and at high seas.

This is a unique third-generation warship armed with strike missiles, surface-to-air missiles (SAM) and artillery systems. In its class, Molniya has no analogs in the world. Although its displacement is relatively small, the craft is armed with four Moskit supersonic antiship missiles and the Garpun-Bal missile targeting radar system. Molniya's missiles feature high performance characteristics, while the missile targeting radar is the latest development in the field of radar technology.


The Moskit antiship missile
In addition to antiship missiles, the craft is armed with SAMs and automatic guns. It carries 12 portable Igla SAMs intended to destroy aerial targets within visual range. To engage aerial, surface and shore-based targets, the craft has one AK-176 cal. 76.2mm gun on the bow and two AK-630 cal. 30 mm high rate-of-fire automatic guns abaft which can also be used to destroy floating mines.

Molniya's high sea-going capacities ensure the employment of its weapons at sea state 5 and safe cruise at sea state 8. The craft can be operated by countries with tropical climate. This feature was specifically embedded in its design.

Basic Characteristics

Full displacement, t 550
Overall length, m 56.9
Overall beam, m 13.0
Hull height, midship, m 5.31
Service draught, midship, m 2.65


Radio communication station
Molniya is NBC-protected and is provided with facilities for defense against influence mines.

In tropics, Molniya's maximum speed at normal displacement and slight sea is at least 35 knots and, under standard climatic conditions and a temperature of 15 oC, it is up to 38 knots.
Under standard climatic conditions the craft's cruising range at economical speed with full fuel tanks is approximately 1,700 miles, and that at a speed of 12 to 13 knots with fully filled fuel and oil tanks is up to 2,400 miles. Molniya's complement is 44 men. Molniya is equipped with modern electronic systems. The Garpun-Bal active/passive radar is jamming-proof and can simultaneously track up to 15 targets and provide targeting data on six targets. In the active mode, it has a range of up to 120 km and in the passive mode, up to 500 km.