Project 1174 "Rhinoceros". Large amphibious ship

The struggle for domination in the sea zones has the same meaning as the conquest of superiority in the air.

Landing troops from the sea

The control of the water area is not limited to the free maneuvering of warships and the safe movement of transport vessels. There is the possibility of supporting their own land forces by landings from the sea. Sometimes an amphibious assaultant has no alternative. Known operations in Sicily and Normandy, in which the Allies seized bridgeheads by sea assault forces in Germany's occupied territory, visibly demonstrate the strategic importance of such operations. Examples of the use of sea assault are sufficient in Russian military history. Although Russia did not conduct strategic landing operations, it was preparing to disembark the expeditionary corps in the Istanbul area in 1917.

Soviet amphibious ships

The first specialized landing craft appeared in the Soviet fleet after the Second World War. The transformation of the fleet from the coastal to the ocean required a revision of the concept of its manning. Soviet shipbuilders did not have enough experience to create ships of this designation. Therefore, the first amphibious ships were laid in Poland, on the Gdańsk shipyard. The shipbuilding capacity of the Shihau shipyards of the former German Danzig allowed the rapid development of the production of a new type of ships. The first and most mass series were the tank vessels of project 701. They served in many countries of the Soviet bloc, having proven themselves on the best side.

Problems and solutions

Medium landing ships were well suited to the tasks of the coastal zone. But the Soviet Navy became more and more oceanic. There was an acute need for amphibious ships capable of operating as part of squadrons carrying out ocean raids, allowing them to transfer support forces over considerable distances. This task required ships of greater displacement, possessing considerable autonomy of navigation. In 1964, the design bureau of the Nevsky Shipyard started the project 1174 "Rhinoceros". This cipher was obtained by a new series of large amphibious assault ships (BDK). The names of warships have traditionally corresponded to a certain topic. A series of BBC "Rhinoceros" was named in honor of the heroes of the Great Patriotic War.

A series of "Rhinoceros"

The execution of the project required the solution of a significant volume of technical and conceptual issues. It was necessary to ensure the landing of a considerable amount of equipment and personnel under conditions that can not be foreseen in advance. The ship forces to which the new BDK was attached could differ significantly. The need was identified not only for the high combat stability of the landing platform, but also for the ability to support and cover the landing troops. For these and other reasons, the project 1174 "Rhinoceros" was heavily delayed. However, everything happened 14 years after the start of development. The first large landing craft was commissioned in 1978. Total managed to build three units of this project. Currently, the Russian Navy is armed only with the BDK Mitrofan Moskalenko.

Design features

The displacement of the new ship was about 12,000 tons. Project 1174 "Rhinoceros" allows you to transport and disembark to an infantry battalion and about fifty heavy equipment. With a range of up to 4000 nautical miles on it, the crew and the landing force can be autonomously located within a month. Three decks of the ship and a significant in size aft superstructure create comfortable conditions for the deployment of fighters and storage of equipment. The decks are equipped with devices for moving the transported equipment.

Equipment

Landing capabilities allow for landing on unequipped and unsuitable coasts. Project 1174 "Rhinoceros" provides several options for this task. For landing on the beach or shoal can be used a sliding bow gate with a retractable ramp. Through them it is possible to launch floating military equipment, not approaching the coastal strip. In the stern of the vessel there is a dock chamber. It is designed for loading non-floating equipment on landing boats and self-propelled platforms. Thus, the delivery of the military contingent from the ship to the shore did not depend on the depth of the raid and the availability of the coast. Simultaneously with the above-ground means of transferring forces, the Ivanovo Rogov, the first-born of the series, envisaged the possibility of using amphibious helicopters for rapid landing of light assault groups and support forces. The Helicopter Group is capable of delivering up to 64 armed paratroopers to a bridgehead for one flight, providing them with fire support or evacuation.

Armament

It was assumed that the BDK acts as part of a squadron that ensures its use. Nevertheless, the project 1174 "Rhinoceros" provided quite serious weapons. The ship could support the landing with artillery and rocket fire. To do this, he was equipped with a 76-mm rapid-firing gun, installed in the gun turret on the tank. In addition to the medium-caliber gun, four six-barrel artillery units provide firepower.

The system with a rotating block of barrels of a caliber of 30 millimeters creates a colossal density of fire. Its task is to protect the object from air and sea attacks. The BDK air defense is carried out by a short-range antiaircraft complex and portable anti-aircraft missile systems, for the launch of which special turrets are provided. The fire support of the landing unit can also be provided by the "Grad" missile system of sea execution. To the arming of ships like "Ivan Rogov" should be attributed and four Ka-29 sea-based helicopters, located on the upper deck. In addition to the tasks of defense and support of landing, these helicopters are capable of conducting anti-submarine warfare and reconnaissance.

Alternative to "Mistral"

The order in France of four universal landing ships of class "Mistral" was accompanied by an active discussion in the circles of specialists and the public. A tense discussion was prompted by the fact that large battleships were bought abroad, which was perplexing. The Soviet Union built much more complex technical systems and weapons. Both sides of the discussion had justifications for their view of the problem. Indeed, Russia has the capacity to build a ship of any class.

But the very history of Project 1174, which lasted almost fifteen years, shows the complexity and ambiguity of the issue. The ships of Russia again return to the World Ocean, and again the question arises of the appearance of the airborne component of the squadron, the instrument of the projection of sea power on land. At the headquarters of the Navy, the desire to obtain not only an amphibious ship, but also the operational center of the entire squadron, from which it is possible to control the actions of the group, prevailed.

The landing craft has for this apparent advantages over a conventional combat ship. The merits of "Mistral" include the perfect system of management and communication. In addition to the comparable landing force, it can carry 16 multipurpose helicopters, which significantly increases the capabilities of the shock grouping of marines. The names of the Mistral class warships reflected the names of Russia's hero cities. Opponents raised a reasonable objection that the acquisition of weapons of the country, which is a member of the opposing military bloc, bears unpredictable risks. And it happened.

Revival of the project

The disappearance of the Soviet Union and the ensuing economic difficulties have riveted the fleet to bases. Was written off and BDK "Alexander Nikolaev." It was the second ship of the series. Only one large amphibious ship remained in service.

The development of amphibious ships continued to be haunted by setbacks. The head vessel of the Ivan Gren series was also stuck in the stocks due to constant changes in the project. France's refusal to supply four UDK "Mistral" practically did not leave a choice to the command of the Navy. Russian ships operating in the ocean zone need an amphibious component. The sad experience of buying a key armament system from foreigners warns against its recurrence. The development of a new project can drag on indefinitely. Therefore, today they say that instead of "Mistral" will be restarted production of the BDK cipher "Rhinoceros". Of course, it does not agree with the ambitions of the naval staff wanting to have a more developed and universal landing platform, but so far no other solution has been observed.