Military ice-breaker "Ilya Muromets" project 21180

In comparison with other countries that want to use the wealth of the Arctic, Russia is in a better position. The advantage lies in the availability of an atomic icebreaker fleet, which is not found in any country in the world, as well as extensive experience in working at high latitudes.

In order to firmly consolidate the position of the Russian Navy in the Arctic zone, the country's leadership decided to build a head military icebreaker. Ilya Muromets Project 21180 will be the first multifunctional vessel created in the interests of the Russian Navy and the Ministry of Defense in the last forty-five years.

In total, it is planned to replenish the Northern and Pacific fleets with four auxiliary vessels. In this case, icebreakers will be built as a separate series. One of them will be the icebreaker "Ilya Muromets" project 21180. Photo of the ship is presented in the article.

History of creation

At one time, the workers of the Admiralty Shipyard built "Ilya Muromets" (Project 97). In the Pacific Fleet, he served from 1965 to 1993. At least 32 vessels were built on the basis of this icebreaker in the history of the Soviet Union. All of them were intended exclusively for military purposes. Eight of them carried out the tasks of border patrol vessels, and one object was used as a hydrographic vessel. In contrast to its analog, the ice ships of project 21180 are created as multifunctional ones. They can be used by both military and military-scientific expeditions.

What is a ship?

The Ilya Muromets Icebreaker Project 21180 is a single-deck multifunctional Russian auxiliary diesel-electric vessel. He belongs to the ships of a new generation, using powerful energy complexes and modern propulsion systems. In addition, according to the plans of Russian developers, the availability of expanded functionality and large-volume facilities should become one of the characteristic features of the icebreaker "Ilya Muromets".

Developers

Technical design of the new icebreaker "Ilya Muromets" was carried out by the employees of Vympel Design Bureau Design Bureau under the leadership of Chief Designer MV Bakhrov. Working design documentation involved employees of the enterprise "Admiralteyskaya Verf", with which on March 21, 2014 the Ministry of Defense of Russia concluded the contract. The vessel was developed under technical project No. 21180.

Bookmark ship

The construction work was carried out taking into account all the requirements set forth in the State Program for Military Shipbuilding. In April 2015, the enterprise "Admiralteyskaya Verf" was ceremonially laying the military icebreaker "Ilya Muromets".

According to the commander-in-chief of the Russian Navy Admiral Viktor Chirkov, the icebreaker's laying was carried out taking into account the characteristics inherent in the ships of tomorrow. A year later, the vessel was launched, where up to date it is being completed.

When will the ship be ready?

According to the plans of the developers, the icebreaker "Ilya Muromets" will undergo mandatory tests after completion of all design work. Presumably, they will be held in October 2017. Then, as planned, the icebreaker "Ilya Muromets" will be sent to the Arctic zone for service in the Russian Navy.

How are you going to use the ship?

The icebreaker "Ilya Muromets" will be delivered to the Arctic zone for efficient independent ice warships of Russian naval vessels and ships. The ship will perform the following tasks:

• Patrol the territory of the Arctic zone.
• Carry out towing of other ships.
• Transportation of goods. For this purpose, it is planned to use the cargo hold of the ship, as well as decks, on which special refrigerated containers will be installed. Loading and unloading operations will be possible due to a 21-meter crane mounted on the ship with a payload capacity of 26 tons. In addition, the crane will be installed on the icebreaker. Its carrying capacity will be two tons. The bow section of the ship is planned to be equipped with a helicopter pad. On the deck of the icebreaker there is a place for a multi-functional working boat BL-820, using an inflatable board.
• The icebreaker will use additional crews (as many as fifty people) as a carrier.
• Pave the way over the ice surface to ships not of ice class.
• Provide shore, island bases and airfields located in the Arctic zone.
• The icebreaker will also be used by scientists in hydrographic research.

In the event of emergency incidents in emergency facilities, the vessel is involved in extinguishing the fire. Especially for this purpose, the icebreaker is equipped with two rocker water foam barrels and a fire pump. Also, using this pump and multifunction boat, it will be possible to localize and collect in case of oil leakage. To collect oil products from the water surface in the icebreaker 400-meter boom barriers are provided.

Thus, with the help of the icebreaker "Ilya Muromets" (photo presented in the article), the deployment and deployment of the Russian Navy's forces in the Arctic zone will be carried out. This will strengthen the military presence of the Russian Federation in the territorial waters of the Arctic.

Design

Conventional icebreakers contain superstructures with a vertical front wall. Since "Ilya Muromets" is also intended for combat functions, its superstructures have an inclined front wall. The frigates and destroyers have a similar design. On the icebreaker "Ilya Muromets", if necessary, it will be possible to install artillery pieces. Presumably, the new icebreaker will use the AK-306. It is mainly this artillery unit that is being armed with auxiliary mobilized ships.

What is the uniqueness of the ship?

The vessel "Ilya Muromets" has indicators that are typical for many ice-class ships that provide Russian military presence in the Arctic zone. The vessel is characterized by high seaworthiness, maneuverability and multifunctionality. These conceptual principles were laid down in the shipbuilding program in 2015.

Nevertheless, the head auxiliary ship has its own innovation. According to the developers of the icebreaker, it will manifest itself when it comes to the range of navigation and autonomy. "Ilya Muromets" is designed for two-month voyages. According to experts, this ability is a good indicator for an icebreaker that does not use an atomic power plant. Thus, this vessel is able to cover distances within 12 thousand nautical miles.

Use of new propellers

The icebreaker is equipped with four diesel generators with a capacity of 2600 kW each. Thus, the total power is 10,600 kW. Separate screw-steering columns are equipped with two comb-type electric motors. Each of them has a capacity of 3500 kW. It is planned that they will be powered by four diesel generators. The uniqueness of this icebreaker is the presence of comb-type electric motors carried out outside the hull. Screws, thus, are able to carry out their rotation on the shafts by 360 degrees. Due to this, the icebreaker can move in any direction. This ability is especially important during the stay of the vessel among the ice. According to experts, icebreakers in the Arctic zone often have to reverse. For a new icebreaker equipped with propellers, the lateral course will not be problematic.

Engines

"Ilya Muromets" is equipped with engines belonging to the type "Azipod". These steering columns use the famous helicopter carriers "Mistral" and the Arctic tankers of the project R-70046. At one time, the ship "Mikhail Ulyanov", equipped with the same columns, was also built by the workers of the "Admiralty Shipyard". In Russian icebreakers, Azipod engines are used for the first time. A special feature of the Ilya Muromets is that it will be equipped with domestic screw-steering columns. Their design and production are staffed by the St. Petersburg Central Scientific Research Institute of Ship Electronics and Technology.

Tactical and technical characteristics

• "Ilya Muromets" belongs to the class of ice ships. It is suitable for operations with an ice thickness not exceeding one and a half meters.
• The country of origin is Russia.
• The manufacturer is the enterprise "Admiralty Shipyards".
• It is intended for the Russian Navy.
• The crew consists of 32 people.
• Displacement - 6 thousand tons.
• The length of the ship is 84 m.
• The width is 20 m.
• The height of the board is 10 m.
• The icebreaker is characterized by a draft of 6.8 m.
• The speed is 11 knots (thrifty) and 15 knots (full).
• "Ilya Muromets" is capable of continuous movement with an ice thickness of not more than one meter.

Conclusion

The lack of supply of auxiliary vessels for the Russian navy greatly limited the possibility of maneuvering in the Arctic waters. It is expected that the commissioning of the icebreaker "Ilya Muromets" will fill this gap. According to the developers, unlike its epic namesakes, the icebreaker will not wait for "thirty years and three years", but will defend the homeland in the very near future. The icebreaker will be launched in early 2018.