New Russian aircraft carrier - project "Storm": details. Aircraft carrier "Storm": main characteristics, weapons

Aircraft carrier - Project 23000E "Storm"

Project 23000E "Storm" is a promising Russian multi-purpose heavy aircraft carrier, designed to perform missions in the far ocean zone using its own weapons and aircraft of the onboard aviation group.
It is planned to strengthen the Russian Navy with the new multi-purpose heavy nuclear aircraft carrier (MTAA) "Storm". The design of this unique ship was carried out by the Krylov State Research Center.

With its help, the Russian fleet will be able to deploy a mobile base for a large air group in the most remote parts of the World Ocean.

Thanks to its ice class, the Storm is capable of performing combat missions not only in warm seas, but also in the strategically important, but still poorly developed Arctic region, where up to 25% of the world's hydrocarbon reserves lie. The aircraft carrier will be able to accommodate up to 90 aircraft for various purposes, including the latest fighters, helicopters and radar reconnaissance aircraft.
It is planned that the Project 23000E Storm ship will be able to hit ground and sea targets, provide air defense with on-board air defense systems and air group assets, provide air defense for naval groups, and provide support for landings. The aircraft carrier, in addition, will defend Russia’s strategic interests in the Arctic in the difficult conditions of the Arctic Ocean. The aircraft carriers of the project will receive an ice class, will be adapted to operate in high latitudes and will be able to carry out assigned tasks in sea conditions of up to six to seven points.

The development of the multifunctional nuclear aircraft carrier project was carried out by the State Unitary Enterprise Krylov State Research Center. The project received the index 23000E and the name “Storm”. The displacement of the promising ship will be about 100 thousand tons, length 330 meters, width at the waterline 40 m, draft 11 m. The aircraft carrier will reach a speed of up to 30 knots.
According to the director of KGNC Valery Polyakov, the ship is intended to carry out various tasks in the far ocean zone, will be able to strike enemy ground and sea targets using its own weapons and aircraft of the airborne aviation group, in addition, will be able to provide air defense with airborne air defense systems and air group assets, ensure combat stability and air defense of ship groups, and also provide support for the landing.

It is planned that the aircraft carrier will, among other things, defend Russia’s strategic interests in the Arctic.
The geometry of the ship's hull was optimized in such a way that water resistance was reduced by 20%, which will significantly save the ship's energy and make it possible to increase speed. The initial project assumed the use of a boiler-turbine system using hydrocarbon fuel (mazut) as the main power plant (GPP).

However, in 2016 it was decided to replace it with a nuclear power plant. Flight deck mixed type has four starting positions. Two planes will be able to take off from a ski-jump, two - using an electromagnetic catapult. Boarding on deck will be carried out traditional way with the help of an arresting device, to the cables of which the aircraft cling with a special hook - a hook.

The ship will receive two superstructures - “islands”, which will house the command bridge, observation posts, electronic equipment and communications equipment.

The new aircraft carrier will be able to host a mixed air group of 80-90 aircraft: MiG-29KUKUB and T-50 carrier-based fighters, AWACS and control aircraft and Ka-27 multi-purpose helicopters. These aircraft will be used to strike enemy ground targets, for anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare, and to provide air defense. The aircraft carrier's air defense will be provided by four anti-aircraft combat modules.

It is planned to develop a special ship version of the S-500 anti-aircraft missile systems, which will be able to detect aerodynamic and ballistic targets at a range of up to 800 km and hit objects flying at speeds of up to 7000 m/s. The new aircraft carrier will also be equipped with anti-torpedo defense systems.

The radio-electronic equipment will include multifunctional radars with an active phased antenna array (AFAR), an electronic warfare system and modern means communications.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES OF AIRCRAFT CARRIERS

The length of the Russian water coast is about 60 thousand km. Total area of marine waters falling under jurisdiction Russian Federation, is 7 million sq. km. The length of the maritime borders of the coast of the Arctic Ocean is 19,724 km, and the coast of the Pacific Ocean is 16,998 km. In case of war fighting in the polar regions and the Far East will be carried out mostly at sea.

Therefore, the presence of Russian aircraft carriers in these regions will allow Russia to limit the number of air bases to ensure patrolling and control of the maritime border. New aircraft carriers will also allow Russia to significantly strengthen its military presence in the World Ocean. It should be taken into account that in addition to the United States, China is also currently actively developing its fleet, which has already adopted its first aircraft-carrying cruiser, the Liaoning (formerly Varyag, Project 143.6). By 2020, China plans to form its first two carrier strike groups (ACG).

On the other hand, the construction of aircraft carriers will require huge financial investments from Russia. We must not forget that in addition to the cost of the aircraft carrier itself - 4-5 billion dollars, the operation of ships of this class will require the construction of an entire infrastructure of various escort ships. And this increases costs tenfold. Given the current economic instability and budget deficit, Russia will not be able to afford multi-billion dollar expenditures even on the creation of one AUG.

TACTICAL AND TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER PR. 23000E "STORM"

Displacement, t:
full: approx. 100,000
Dimensions, m:
length (maximum): 330
width (at waterline): 40
draft: 11
GPP: preliminary design includes both gas turbine and nuclear options
Travel speed, knots: 30
Armament: integrated combat control system at the operational-tactical level; SAM - 4 modules; anti-torpedo protection - 2 PU
Aviation group: 90 aircraft: carrier-based fighters MiG-29K, T-50, early warning aircraft; and multi-purpose Ka-27 helicopters
Crew, people: 4000-5000
The aircraft carrier's flight deck will have four launch positions and will be equipped with two traditional ski jumps (ramps) and two electromagnetic catapults. The landing of aircraft will be ensured by one aerofinisher
Ammunition
Ammunition of cruise missiles and aerial bombs - 3000 units
Likely shipyards for construction
In April 2016, it was announced about the possibility of building a promising aircraft carrier at one of the shipyards in St. Petersburg - at the Baltic Shipyard or Severnaya Verf.
Story.
For the first time, a scale model of a multi-purpose aircraft carrier (AVM) was demonstrated to specialists behind closed doors at the International Naval Show in St. Petersburg in July 2013, and was shown to the general public at the International Military-Technical Forum "Army-2015", held in the city of Kubinka Moscow region in June 2015.

Are common specifications aircraft carrier of the "Storm" project E (Storm 23000E - an export version of the AVM conceptual project for the Russian Navy), the development of which took place at the KGSC under the code "Lair", were published in foreign media in May.

Construction of the first aircraft carrier is expected no earlier than 2025-2030. The estimated cost will be 350 billion rubles.

In May 2016, Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation Yuri Borisov said that the contract for the construction of a promising aircraft carrier could be concluded by the end of 2025.

In June 2016, it was stated that construction of the aircraft carrier could take 8-9 years.

It is expected that technical design of the aircraft carrier will begin in 2017-2018. The start of the main design phase is planned for 2020.

In November 2016, it was proposed to give the lead aircraft carrier of the series the name “Marshal” Soviet Union Zhukov".

Aircraft carrier - Project 23000E "Storm" May 6th, 2017

Project 23000E "Storm" is a promising Russian multi-purpose heavy aircraft carrier, designed to perform missions in the far ocean zone using its own weapons and aircraft of the onboard aviation group.
It is planned to strengthen the Russian Navy with the new multi-purpose heavy nuclear aircraft carrier (MTAA) "Storm". The design of this unique ship was carried out by the Krylov State Research Center.

With its help, the Russian fleet will be able to deploy a mobile base for a large air group in the most remote parts of the World Ocean.

The development of the multifunctional nuclear aircraft carrier project was carried out by the State Unitary Enterprise Krylov State Research Center. The project received the index 23000E and the name “Storm”. The displacement of the promising ship will be about 100 thousand tons, length 330 meters, width at the waterline 40 m, draft 11 m. The aircraft carrier will reach a speed of up to 30 knots.
According to the director of the KGNC Valery Polyakov, the ship is intended to perform various tasks in the far ocean zone, will be able to strike enemy ground and sea targets using its own weapons and aircraft of the on-board aviation group, in addition, will be able to provide air defense with on-board air defense systems and means air groups, ensure combat stability and air defense of naval groups, and also provide support for landings.

However, in 2016 it was decided to replace it with a nuclear power plant. The mixed-type flight deck has four starting positions. Two planes will be able to take off from a ski-jump, two - using an electromagnetic catapult. Landing on the deck will be carried out in the traditional way with the help of an arresting device, to the cables of which the aircraft cling with a special hook - a hook.

The ship will receive two superstructures - “islands”, which will house the command bridge, observation posts, electronic equipment and communications equipment.

The electronic equipment will include multifunctional radars with an active phased antenna array (AFAR), an electronic warfare system and modern communications equipment.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES OF AIRCRAFT CARRIERS

TACTICAL AND TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER PR. 23000E "STORM"

General technical characteristics of the aircraft carrier of the Storm project E (Storm 23000E is an export version of the AVM conceptual project for the Russian Navy), the development of which took place at the KGSC under the code "Lair", were published in foreign media in May.

Construction of the first aircraft carrier is expected no earlier than 2025-2030. The estimated cost will be 350 billion rubles.

In May 2016, Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation Yuri Borisov said that the contract for the construction of a promising aircraft carrier could be concluded by the end of 2025.

In June 2016, it was stated that construction of the aircraft carrier could take 8-9 years.

It is expected that technical design of the aircraft carrier will begin in 2017-2018. The start of the main design phase is planned for 2020.

In November 2016, it was proposed to give the lead aircraft carrier of the series the name “Marshal of the Soviet Union Zhukov”.

State science Center them. Krylova (St. Petersburg, Russia) developed a project for the multifunctional aircraft carrier Project 23000E “Storm”, reports janes.com on May 14, 2015. The large-scale model will be demonstrated at the International Naval Show 2015 in St. Petersburg, Deputy Director of the State Scientific Center Valery Polyakov told HIS Jane's. “The multi-purpose aircraft carrier Project 2300E is designed to conduct operations in remote sea and ocean areas, capable of striking sea and ground targets, ensure combat stability and air defense of naval groups, provide support for landings,” he said...

The ship's displacement will be 90-100 thousand tons, length 330 m, width 40 m (probably along the hull - ed), draft 11 m, maximum speed 30 knots, cruising 20 knots, endurance 120 days, crew 4000-5000 people, capable perform tasks in sea conditions up to 6-7 points. The aircraft carrier is designed with a conventional power plant, but it can be replaced with a nuclear one at the request of the customer. The air group consists of 80-90 aircraft (airplanes and helicopters) for various purposes, possibly basing T-50 PAKFA and MiG-29K fighters, AWACS jet aircraft (although there are models of turboprop aircraft of this class on deck - ed.) and helicopters of the Ka-family 27. The flight deck can provide aircraft takeoff both from a ramp (two) and using electromagnetic catapults (two). The “island” (superstructure) has two “buildings”; air defense is provided by four installations (modules) for vertical launch of anti-aircraft missiles; it is possible to equip the ship with an anti-torpedo system. The aircraft carrier's electronic complex includes integrated sensors, including radar with active phased array. Polyakov noted that the characteristics of the ship may change during development at each stage of work, when potential clients will be asked to make changes to weapon systems and equipment.

Project 23000E "Storm" is a promising Russian multi-purpose heavy aircraft carrier, designed to perform missions in the far ocean zone using its own weapons and aircraft of the onboard aviation group. It is planned that the Project 23000E Storm ship will be able to hit ground and sea targets, provide air defense with on-board air defense systems and air group assets, provide air defense for naval groups, and provide support for landings. The aircraft carrier, in addition, will defend Russia’s strategic interests in the Arctic in the difficult conditions of the Arctic Ocean. The aircraft carriers of the project will receive an ice class, will be adapted to operate in high latitudes and will be able to carry out assigned tasks in sea conditions of up to six to seven points.

The development of the multifunctional nuclear aircraft carrier project was carried out by the State Unitary Enterprise Krylov State Research Center. The project received the index 23000E and the name “Storm”. The displacement of the promising ship will be about 100 thousand tons, length 330 meters, width at the waterline 40 m, draft 11 m. The aircraft carrier will reach a speed of up to 30 knots. The geometry of the ship's hull was optimized in such a way that water resistance was reduced by 20%, which will significantly save the ship's energy and make it possible to increase speed. The initial project assumed the use of a boiler-turbine system using hydrocarbon fuel (mazut) as the main power plant (GPP). However, in 2016 it was decided to replace it with a nuclear power plant. The mixed-type flight deck has four starting positions. Two planes will be able to take off from a ski-jump, two - using an electromagnetic catapult. Landing on the deck will be carried out in the traditional way with the help of an arresting device, to the cables of which the aircraft cling with a hook.

The ship will receive two superstructures - “islands”, which will house the command bridge, observation posts, electronic equipment and communications equipment. The new aircraft carrier will be able to host a mixed air group of 80-90 aircraft: MiG-29KUKUB and T-50 carrier-based fighters, AWACS and control aircraft and Ka-27 multi-purpose helicopters. These aircraft will be used to strike enemy ground targets, for anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare, and to provide air defense. The aircraft carrier's air defense will be provided by four anti-aircraft combat modules. It is planned to develop a special ship version of the S-500 anti-aircraft missile systems, which will be able to detect aerodynamic and ballistic targets at a range of up to 800 km and hit objects flying at speeds of up to 7000 m/s. The new aircraft carrier will also be equipped with anti-torpedo defense systems. The electronic equipment will include multifunctional radars with an active phased antenna array (AFAR), an electronic warfare system and modern communications equipment.

The length of the Russian water coast is about 60 thousand km. The total area of the marine area falling under the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation is 7 million square meters. km. The length of the maritime borders of the coast of the Arctic Ocean is 19,724 km, and the coast of the Pacific Ocean is 16,998 km. In the event of war, combat operations in the polar regions and the Far East will be carried out mostly at sea. Therefore, the presence of Russian aircraft carriers in these regions will allow Russia to limit the number of air bases to ensure patrolling and control of the maritime border. New aircraft carriers will also allow Russia to significantly strengthen its military presence in the World Ocean. It should be taken into account that in addition to the United States, China is also currently actively developing its fleet, which has already adopted its first aircraft-carrying cruiser, the Liaoning (formerly Varyag, Project 143.6). By 2020, China plans to form its first two carrier strike groups (ACG). On the other hand, the construction of aircraft carriers will require huge financial investments from Russia. We must not forget that in addition to the cost of the aircraft carrier itself - 4-5 billion dollars, the operation of ships of this class will require the construction of an entire infrastructure of various escort ships. And this increases costs tenfold. Given the current economic instability and budget deficit, Russia will not be able to afford multi-billion dollar expenditures even on the creation of one AUG.

TACTICAL AND TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER PR. 23000E "STORM"

As Valery Polovinkin, advisor to the general director of the FSUE "Krylov State Scientific Center" (KGSC), testified in 2015 (article "The promising aircraft carrier "Storm" will receive a unique hull" in the issue of the newspaper "Military-Industrial Courier" for May 20, 2015), part These approaches were introduced in the project of a promising aircraft carrier proposed by KGSC: “During the development of the preliminary design, our institute proposed an original hull for this aircraft carrier: optimal from the point of view of resistance. Its shape and decks are determined in such a way as to have the maximum possible fleet with limited displacement and main dimensions aircraft. This goal has been achieved "...according to preliminary estimates, the resistance to movement of this ship will be approximately 30% less than the traditional hull contour."

On the model of an aircraft carrier (multipurpose aircraft carrier Project 23000E "Storm") we can notice a very wide transom stern:

May with a large share it is safe to assume that when determining the shape of the hull of the model/aircraft carrier, the approaches described in the patent of the Russian Federation “Surface single-hull displacement high-speed vessel” were used http://ru-patent.info/21/55-59/2155693.html , in which it is particularly noted that “the underwater part of the vessel’s hull has the greatest width along the structural waterline at the aft end.” Thus, the contours proposed by KGSC scientists for the 23000E project can be attributed to one of the variations of the Monocline type contours. For an aircraft-carrying ship, such contours make it possible, in particular, not to reduce the width of the aircraft hangar in the aft part of the hull, and actually extend the hangar all the way to the aft transom.

New contours, in comparison with traditional ones, according to preliminary estimates, reduce hydrodynamic resistance by approximately 30% when moving at a full 30 knot speed. New contours also help to increase the length and area of the aircraft hangar. But let's look at the flight deck diagram:

I counted 34 positions on the flight deck where aircraft, without interfering with takeoff and landing operations, could be refueled, armed and prepared for departure, and their jet engines could be tested. This is impressive. For example, on the flight decks of the Nimitz there are 14 refueling units, which can be used both for refueling aircraft (helicopters) and for emergency pumping of fuel from their tanks. Also in the central part of the flight deck, ten more positions are designated where already fueled aircraft with race-tested engines, without interfering with takeoffs and landings, can be equipped with missiles and bombs while waiting in line for takeoff (for example, a similar THE STREET area on the Nimitz "accommodates six aircraft). And there are 44 aircraft on deck that do not interfere with takeoffs and landings.

And now about the shortcomings. The second launch position and its gas trap on the "Storm" partially ended up on the landing deck, which makes landings extremely dangerous when aircraft from this launch position are used for lifting into the air. In case of failure, the aircraft flying along the landing deck runs the risk of colliding with the raised gas baffle. By the way, the same problem, albeit to a much lesser extent, is observed on the first eight Nimitz-class aircraft carriers. The left edge of the gas ejector of catapult No. 2 is located in the safety zone of the landing deck. I don’t know if the Nimitzes carry out landings when taking off from catapult No. 2, but starting with CVN-76 Ronald Reagan, the penultimate aircraft carrier of the series, catapult No. 2 and its gas baffle were moved so that it no longer touched the area with its edge landing deck safety.

In fact, on the Project 23000E multipurpose aircraft carrier proposed by the Federal State Unitary Enterprise KGSC, when performing landings, only the first launch position can be used for aircraft takeoff, while on Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, starting with the Ronald Reagan, and of course on the Gerald Ford, catapult No. 1 and No. 2, and if desired, apparently also catapult No. 4. However, when making landings: The waist catapults (that are located in the landing area) are generally not used - that is, they are not usually used.

With the naked eye, at least two more shortcomings are visible on the flight deck of the Storm model, which no longer affect the efficiency of takeoff and landing operations, but the cost of the ship. Firstly, on the model you can see four arresting gear receiving cables, while even the Americans on the latest Nimitz and Ford switched to arresting gear with three receiving cables. Why the developers wanted to display a fourth cable on the model, and therefore add a fourth set of brake machines to the project, I don’t know. Apparently they did not think about how to simplify and reduce the cost of their proposed project.

One can come to the same conclusion by observing two ski jumps and as many as four catapults on a model of an aircraft carrier. The accompanying materials, however, indicate that “two electromagnetic accelerating devices,” but we are not blind. On the flight deck of the model, four catapults are clearly marked, and they are very short, clearly not capable of accelerating the aircraft to takeoff speed.

The aircraft carrier, planned for construction and commissioning of the Russian Navy by 2030, will be equipped with a nuclear power plant, the head of the Shipbuilding Department of the Russian Navy, Captain First Rank Vladimir Tryapichnikov, said on Saturday. “By the end of 2030, I hope the Navy will have such a ship,” Tryapichnikov said on the air of the “General Staff” program on RSN.

The project of the promising aircraft carrier "Storm" provides for the presence of two ski-jumps and a catapult for accelerating aircraft, Interfax reported. The ship will also receive lifts of both vertical and swing types, which will significantly save space. Thus, the creators will use the best developments of domestic and Western schools for creating ships of this type in the aircraft carrier. “The multi-purpose heavy aircraft carrier of Project 23000E “Storm” may receive a combined power plant and two control “islands,” a representative of the Krylov State Research Center, which is developing the ship, told the agency. According to preliminary data, the length of the Storm will be 330 meters, width - 40, draft - 11, speed - up to 30 knots. The laying of the aircraft carrier is planned in 2025 in Severodvinsk, since Sevmash is the only enterprise in Russia that has experience in creating ships of this class.

The contract for the construction of a promising aircraft carrier of the Russian Navy could be concluded by the end of 2025, Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov told reporters on Thursday.

The promising Russian nuclear-powered aircraft carrier "Storm" of Project 23000 will receive RITM-200 nuclear reactors, which will first be tested for operational suitability on the icebreaker "Arktika", a source familiar with the situation told Interfax-AVN on Wednesday. “Most likely, future Russian aircraft carriers will have a nuclear power plant. It has already been developed, and its analogue will be tested on the recently launched icebreaker Arktika,” explained the agency’s interlocutor. According to his assessment, “taking into account the time required to design an aircraft carrier, Russia has the opportunity to build such a ship from scratch in eight to nine years.”

The design of a promising Russian aircraft carrier for the Russian Navy will begin no earlier than 2020, a source in the shipbuilding industry told TASS. “This kind of work is being done. It will enter a concrete phase in 2020. In the plans that exist today, the aircraft carrier will be created in the third decade of the 21st century. Design from 2020, built until 2030,” said the agency’s interlocutor.

The promising aircraft carrier of Project 23000E (code “Storm”) currently exists only in the form of a mock-up. The concept of the ship was developed at the Krylov Scientific Center (St. Petersburg) together with the Nevsky Design Bureau. According to preliminary data, the length of the ship will be 330 meters, width - 40 meters, and draft - 11 meters. The speed of the aircraft carrier will reach 30 knots. The Krylov State Scientific Center (engaged in research in the field of shipbuilding) previously announced the development of a heavy aircraft carrier of Project 23000E “Storm” with a displacement of up to 100 thousand tons, capable of carrying an air group of 80-90 aircraft.

A preliminary design of an aircraft-carrying ship has been created and presented to the Russian Ministry of Defense. The Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, Denis Manturov, stated this on the Rossiya 24 TV channel.

The USSR Navy had 7 heavy aircraft-carrying ships; after the death of the Union, Russia was left with only one “Admiral Kuznetsov”. The rest were sold or melted down. For many years, the Russian Ministry of Defense has been talking annually about the desire to create a “full-fledged” aircraft carrier for our Navy. But things didn’t go further than talk. And finally, the issue has been put on a “practical footing” - there is the Storm aircraft carrier project.

The design of a new Russian aircraft carrier was included in the state armament program until 2025. Vice Admiral Viktor Bursuk, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy for Armaments, stated this at the recent International Naval Show in St. Petersburg.

WHO DESIGNS THE SHIP?

The aircraft carrier "Storm" project is being developed by the Krylov State Research Center (St. Petersburg). It is a leading research and development organization in the shipbuilding industry. In Soviet times, the Center designed “iconic” super-class ships (aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines, icebreakers). Specialists from the Nevsky Design Bureau also participated in the development of the current project.

WHAT WILL THE STORM BE?

The Krylovites gave the project a name - “Storm” (to the project, but not to the ship). The developers believe that the aircraft carrier should have a big name - “Marshal Zhukov”.

If the project does not change, it will become one of the three largest aircraft carriers in the world (after the American Nimitz and Gerald Ford).

The deck is the size of three football fields. Displacement - about 100 thousand tons. Length - 330 m, width - 40 m, speed - 30 knots. It will have a combined power plant - nuclear and gas turbine. What's the trick? Valentin Belanenko, head of the planning department for advanced surface ship projects at the Krylov Center, answers:

This will allow the ship to quickly leave its location at the speed of a boat, and then along the way you can launch a nuclear power plant. The battery life is 120 days. Ammunition - hundreds of bombs, cruise missiles and anti-torpedoes. Crew - 4000 (!) people.

There are two launch systems on the flight deck: two traditional trampoline tracks and two electromagnetic catapults. Aircraft landing will be ensured by one aerofinisher. The composition of the air group (fighters, helicopters and reconnaissance aircraft - at least 90 units). Air defense - four anti-aircraft combat modules (promising ship versions of the S-500 air defense system are expected). Anti-torpedo defense has also been designed for underwater protection.

WHAT IS THE FLOATING AERODROME?

Experts say: if our aircraft carrier began to be built today, its development and creation

(plus weapons and aircraft) would cost the state treasury approximately 350-360 billion rubles. That is, $6 billion. But it is not yet known exactly when the Storm will begin to be built (and construction will take 8-9 years).

The US Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier also cost $5 billion. This, as experts say, is the statistical average world price. But for newest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford The Pentagon paid as much as $13 billion. It is considered the most expensive warship in the world. And the malicious English media are already estimating that our “Storm” will be even more expensive - about $17.5 billion.

Considering high cost to create a full-size aircraft carrier with the specified performance characteristics, the Krylov Center has begun proactive development of the technical specifications for a simpler “light” aircraft carrier, with combat capabilities not much inferior to the “Storm”, but with a lower price.

DOSSIER

Today, 10 countries have aircraft carriers. The USA has 11 such ships. Second place was shared by Italy, Spain and China - two aircraft carriers each. Russia, France, Brazil, India, Thailand, and Great Britain have one each.

WHERE WILL THEY BUILD?

The head of the United Shipbuilding Corporation, Alexei Rakhmanov, believes that the most likely location is the Baltic Shipyard. The second option is OJSC Sevmash in Severodvinsk. Crimean Kerch is not excluded.

ARCTIC SIGHT

According to the project, our multi-purpose aircraft carrier will be of the ice class. It is planned to ensure that the vessel is suitable for performing combat missions in both warm and cold latitudes. And the appearance of “Storm” in the Arctic will be a compelling argument in disputes with opponents...

PROFESSIONAL OPINION

“We didn’t take our eyes off such “objects””

I talked about aircraft carriers with my ex First Deputy Chief of the Main Staff of the Russian Navy, Vice Admiral Oleg BURTSEV.

- Why did we abandon aircraft carriers after the fall of the USSR?

There was no formal refusal, but the economic situation in the country did not allow the construction of new ships and the maintenance of old ones. You know the tragic fate of Minsk and Novorossiysk - our first aircraft carriers.

-What happened to them?

They did several combat services, and were withdrawn from combat due to lack of funding.

- What was the fate of “Moscow” and “Leningrad”?

These were our first helicopter carriers. They served their entire term and were scrapped.

- Why did we fail with aircraft carriers?

The reason is not only economic. The failure of such ships began after Khrushchev’s decisions. When we reorganized everything to produce missiles, deciding that they were a panacea for all problems, including at sea. It turned out not. The aircraft carrier advanced during the Second World War and dramatically showed who was boss at sea. And battleships were already guarded by aircraft carriers at the end of the war, and not vice versa. But in the late 50s and 60s we changed our doctrinal positions, placing emphasis on the cruise missile. As a result, large ships were scrapped.

- Why did projects for a new aircraft carrier appear now?

It is impossible for the fleet to consist of only battleships or only nuclear submarines. The fleet must be a balanced unit. The Navy is a mini-military force. There should be aircraft carriers, and aviation - it is now one of the main strike forces at sea.

- How can you hit someone else’s aircraft carrier today?

An aircraft carrier does not have to be sunk; it can be damaged to such an extent that it will not be able to use aircraft. For this we have a cruise missile. Now they are writing about Zircon. When I commanded a fleet of submarines, I had Granites. A very serious weapon. And these missiles had a target - namely, large ships, no less than a destroyer. And it was believed that Granit could be used effectively against aircraft carriers. But there are also torpedoes. US officers admitted that they looked at our so-called thick 65-76 torpedoes, which sounded so loudly at the time of the death of the K-141 Kursk submarine, with great apprehension. Its range, charge, and speed made it possible to effectively use it against an aircraft carrier.

- So, with the proper use of our weapons, any foreign aircraft carrier can be hit?

Certainly. The fact is that naval science provides for such a form of warfare as a naval operation. That is, it is carried out in cooperation of all types and arms, excluding strategic missile forces. I mean submarines, surface ships and aircraft. They are able to operate effectively against aircraft carriers.

- Is it possible to get them from the shore?

The weapon must have good range. The enemy will not come to such a distance that it will be dangerous for him. He knows our firing range.

Now we have territorial waters. And there was a cannon right - as far as a cannon can shoot, that’s mine.

There is a project for a new aircraft carrier "Storm". And the timing of its appearance is called - between the 25th and 30th year. Are these calculations real?

I think yes. The Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Admiral Vysotsky, paid a lot of attention to this. Everything comes from there, these studies, technical solutions.

Recently, our experts assessed the newest American aircraft carrier and said that its catapults are different.

Electromagnetic catapults.

- What are their advantages?

There are steam catapults - this is when the plane clings to a hook, so to speak. The steam catapult accelerates him to speed when he has lift plus speed. It's the same thing here, just an electromagnet is used instead of a steam system.

- Is the Russian defense industry capable of solving the same problem?

I think yes.

- Where will we build a new aircraft carrier?

All our previous aircraft carriers were built in Nikolaev. I think that St. Petersburg and Severodvinsk are two centers where it is possible to build ships of the appropriate displacement and size.

- How can the appearance of an aircraft carrier raise the status of our Navy?

The presence of an aircraft carrier dramatically increases the combat stability of a group operating in a separate direction, in remote areas. The aircraft carrier must be protected. There are special security ships for this. But he, naturally, with his aviation protects the entire group, which is able to deliver a corresponding strike. There is such a concept in the order of ships - the core. For example, this is a cruiser armed with missiles, plus an aircraft carrier. This is a guarded center that influences the enemy most effectively.

- Now American aircraft carriers are flying everywhere. Do they carry a large brood of security ships with them?

8-10 ships. The aircraft carrier is surrounded by escort ships, for example, destroyers, frigates. Even in the core there may be a cruiser, a submarine, and also special search groups that move to a threatened direction, for example, with the task of timely detection of our submarines.

Did Vice Admiral Burtsev, when he commanded a flotilla of submarines, have to chase aircraft carriers?

Each aircraft carrier carries nuclear weapons plus 90 aircraft. This is an aviation division. Enemy ships were always monitored. To be able to forestall the enemy. We never took our eyes off such “objects.” Both on the water and under the water...

The center's specialists have developed the concept of the promising aircraft carrier "Storm", which can be built not only for the Russian Navy, but also for a foreign customer. About the characteristics and possible timing the creation of the ship, its air wing, in an interview with Interfax columnist Ilya Morozov, was told by the head of the advanced ship design department of the Krylov State Scientific Center, Vladimir Pepelyaev.
- Vladimir Viktorovich, when can the construction of a new aircraft carrier for the Russian Navy begin? How likely is it that it will be included in the state armament program for the period until 2025, or will it be after 2025?
- What is included in the State Armament Program (state arms program) is decided by the country’s top political leadership. We would like this decision to be made before our developments become obsolete.
Construction of the aircraft carrier can begin after a comprehensive review and approval of the project by the Customer and a decision on its financing has been made. Moreover, all design work, including the development of preliminary, technical and detailed designs, will require at least three years, and the construction of the lead ship itself will take at least six years. However, on currently At the time, despite the active interest in the project, there were no proposals from our state customer - the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation - or from foreign partners.
Considering the high cost of creating a full-size aircraft carrier with the specified tactical and technical characteristics, the Krylov Center has begun proactive development of the technical appearance of a simpler “light” aircraft carrier, the combat capabilities of which are not much inferior to the Storm aircraft carrier. At the same time, the cost of its creation will be significantly lower.

Which Russian plant can build Storm?
- Such a large-scale project as the creation of a multi-purpose aircraft carrier requires the presence of broad, well-coordinated cooperation between many shipbuilding, aircraft and mechanical engineering enterprises. JSC PA Sevmash is primarily considered as a plant-builder of a multi-purpose aircraft carrier. This plant has the largest construction site in Russia, powerful hull production, the necessary labor resources and, importantly, enormous experience gained in the modernization of the Vikramaditya aircraft carrier for the Indian Navy.
Currently, the capabilities of the Zaliv shipyard in the city of Kerch, which has experience in building large-capacity ships and vessels and is today experiencing its rebirth, are being assessed.
- The Krylov Scientific Center has developed the concept of a promising aircraft-carrying complex of Project 23000E (code “Storm”). Is it possible today to talk about its main characteristics, length, displacement, speed?
- The conceptual design of the multi-purpose aircraft carrier Project 23000E "Storm" was made on the basis of the preliminary design developed by the Krylov Center for the Naval Aircraft Carrier Complex for the Russian Navy, and was proposed as a basic prototype for the development of ships of this class for export. Depending on the customer’s requirements, both the main parameters (displacement, length, width, draft) and the composition of the air group, weapons, main power plant and technical means ship. The tactical and technical characteristics proposed in the basic prototype of the ship are the most balanced, but without taking into account the peculiarities of its use in the navies of other states.
The multi-role aircraft carrier will have a total displacement of about 95 thousand tons, length, beam and draft of 330 × 42 × 11 meters. The width of the flight deck will be 85 m.
The main power plant can be either fossil fuel or otherwise, depending on the customer’s requirements, including mixed: nuclear and gas turbine.
Full speed and economic speed will be 26-30 and 14 knots, respectively. The concept includes an autonomy of 90 days. The vessel can carry a supply of aviation fuel of up to six thousand tons. Seaworthiness: 6-7 points (for aviation use). The ship's crew will be up to four thousand people. Service life - more than 50 years.
- Are the sketch and project ready? Will adjustments be made to the project taking into account the long-distance voyage of Admiral Kuznetsov?
- The state of development of the Project 23000E Storm aircraft carrier corresponds to the conceptual design stage. Further stages of design (sketch, technical and detailed designs) make sense only if sources of funding are identified, the ship’s tasks are fully formulated and the final version of the tactical and technical specifications for its creation is approved. The foreign customer will, accordingly, be required to determine the tactical and technical requirements and conclude a contract.
Representatives of the navies of some countries are showing interest in the project, but it is too early to talk about the prospects of concluding a contract.
Our specialists constantly monitor and analyze information concerning not only the operation of the heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser (TAVKR) "Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov", but also other ships of the Russian Navy and the Navy of foreign countries, and not only aircraft carriers. In addition, our center constantly maintains working contacts with developers of aviation equipment, weapons and technical equipment with the aim of promptly implementing new developments in the ship project.
As for the Admiral Kuznetsov TAVKR, it is necessary to analyze the operation of aircraft equipment and technical systems of the ship that ensure take-off and landing of aircraft, primarily the braking system, during the period of combat missions in the Mediterranean Sea. The ship and air group performed such a task for the first time in their entire history. As a result of the trip, invaluable experience was gained in using the entire aircraft-carrying complex and operating the hangar-deck mechanisms of the ship in combat conditions. We are obliged to use it in the future project work, including during technical refinement of the landing system. All necessary changes will also be included in the 23000E “Storm” project.

How many planes and helicopters is expected to be on the aircraft carrier?
- The Storm's aviation armament provides for the deployment of 80 to 90 ship-based aircraft. It should be borne in mind that depending on the type of aircraft, their size and weight, this figure may vary. For example, the number of aircraft based on US nuclear aircraft carriers indicated in foreign sources of information is tied to light attack aircraft of the A-4 Skyhawk type. In the basic design of the aircraft carrier 23000E, the size of the air group was determined based on the tested aviation equipment– MiG-29K, Su-33 aircraft and Ka-27 helicopters.
The ratio between airplanes and helicopters is also not a constant value, but the presence of 2 - 3 helicopters in the search and rescue option is mandatory to ensure flight safety. In addition, to solve other tasks, for example, anti-submarine defense, multi-purpose helicopters can be included in the air group.

What other types of aircraft and helicopters are expected to be placed on the aircraft carrier?
- As I already noted, in the basic version of the project, the air group is defined with a focus on MiG-29K and Su-33 type aircraft, and Ka-27 type helicopters. The presence on the ship of an electromagnetic accelerating device (if the decision to develop it is made) and springboards allows the take-off characteristics – take-off weight and speed – to be varied over a wide range. The carrier landing system also provides a wide range of landing characteristics.
In addition, we expect the appearance of a long-range radar detection (AWACS) aircraft, the conceptual design of which was developed by domestic aircraft designers. This aircraft could significantly enhance the combat capabilities of a promising aircraft carrier complex. It is also planned to base Ka-52k attack helicopters when solving specific tasks. At the same time, linking the ship to a new type of aircraft may require some modification of the ship's takeoff and landing devices and magazines for aviation ammunition.
If there are appropriate requirements of the foreign customer, the air group can also be equipped with foreign aircraft.
- Has the type of power plant and its model been determined? Will a new system be developed specifically for Storm?
- The ship will have a main power plant running on fossil fuel. Currently, the most powerful such domestic marine engine is the M90 gas turbine manufactured by NPO Saturn. The development of serial production of these engines is expected in the near future. Based on the M90 turbines for the Project 23000E aircraft carrier, it is planned to create a main power plant (GPU) with a total power of up to 200 thousand hp. This work involves the development of new gearboxes, propulsors and control systems.
In addition, during the work on the preliminary design of a multi-purpose aircraft carrier for the Russian Navy, various power plant options were developed, including a nuclear power plant.
- Have weapon systems been identified? What kind of strike weapons, defense system, and anti-aircraft missile systems does the cruiser have?
- We emphasize that the Project 23000E ship is a multi-purpose aircraft carrier. Therefore, unlike its predecessors from the family of heavy aircraft-carrying cruisers, its main weapons are the aircraft of the ship's air group. All other weapons systems are subordinated to one dominant principle - ensuring maximum efficiency of the actions of the naval air group. It is envisaged to place only means that ensure the protection of the ship in its self-defense zone. The deployment of strike missile weapons, as well as collective air defense and anti-aircraft defense systems, is excluded.
All tasks related to the collective defense of a naval carrier force must be solved by escort ships in cooperation with naval fighter and anti-submarine aircraft.
- How many starting positions and aerofinishers will there be on the flight deck?
- The ship has four starting positions and, accordingly, four starting tracks - two short and two long. Type of launch – springboard and mixed springboard-ejection. Short and long tracks provide takeoff for aircraft with different combat loads. When deciding to create and install an electromagnetic (or conventional) acceleration device on board a ship, it is possible to bring the take-off weights of aircraft to match the full combat load, incl. under design tropical conditions. The ship is equipped with four aerofinishers with improved braking systems compared to those used on the Admiral Kuznetsov TAVKR.