The cruiser is a combat surface ship: characteristics, purpose. Ships of the Russian Navy

The cruiser is a class of combat surface ships that can perform various tasks in an autonomous mode, regardless of the main fleet. Recently, this type of ship has been supplanted by integrated units of the fleet, consisting of several units, and ships oriented to a specific type of operation (mainly for complex resistance to air, land and sea types of equipping the enemy). Currently, cruisers are used by the Russian Navy, the United States and Peru.

general information

The development of the navy began from the time of the Russian Empire. Other countries in this regard also tried to keep up. Especially it concerns the USA, France, Germany, Japan and Great Britain. The cruiser is one of the components of the army, ensuring the sovereignty of the state and protecting it from enemy encroachments. Flotilla ships not only provide control of the water boundary, but also support the land part of it.

The Navy has many tasks. Among them:

1. Ensuring the security of the country.
2. Support for various humanitarian and research campaigns that do not contradict the interests of the state.
3. Conducting internal and joint exercises.

In connection with such a different orientation, the ships are subdivided according to their ranks, depending on their main purpose. Classes of vessels, in turn, are divided into subcategories. The difference between them is in the type of power plant, displacement, purpose, availability of additional capabilities. In Russia there are four ranks of ships, the highest of which is the first. First consider the features, brief characteristics and purpose of the cruisers.

Historical moments

The concept of "cruiser" for wide use came in the seventeenth century. By this term in those days meant an autonomously acting swimming device. The name was more aimed at determining the purpose of the ship than its device. By themselves, the ships were small, possessed speed and maneuverability. They were used for reconnaissance, information transfer, individual action in the protection of territories and military conflicts.

Already in the 18th century, the cruiser is a frigate, which along with compact dimensions has a high speed. It houses artillery weapons. Also in this category include corvettes, brigs, sloops and some other modifications of swimming equipment.

Linear Cruiser: The Basics

Such vessels belong to the category of heavy surface ships. Their appearance was the result of a special naval conference held in Washington. Representatives of the British naval forces, having in their arsenal powerful, efficient and very expensive analogues of the Hawkins type, after trying to change the parameters of the cruisers from the representatives of the conference insisted on the adoption of certain restrictions in this matter. As a result, the requirements for line cruisers included a maximum displacement of up to 10 tons and a caliber of weapons of no more than 203 millimeters.

In 1936, a new treaty was signed with the participation of the United States, Britain and France. According to him, the construction of heavy ships was forbidden until 1942. In this regard, the linear cruiser began to have a weakened armament, a lower displacement and a lower price. Mostly this applies to samples of the type "York", "County" and "Surrey".

They tried to build similar ships in the Soviet Union. Kronstadt-type vessels were capable of carrying 305-millimeter artillery weapons and were also equipped with reinforced armor. Two cruisers were laid in 1939, but with the beginning of the war their construction was suspended.

Atomewater

The nuclear cruiser in the USSR was represented by four units of project No. 58 ("Grozny"). They were laid down as destroyers, but in 1977 they were retrained into missile ships. In addition, during the period from 1970 to 1990, six nuclear icebreakers, the Arctic, were developed, most of which remained in the project or were partially converted to other types.

The cruiser "Glory" became one of the ships that received limited serial production. One copy was erected about four years. The new generation of the Soviet fleet is designed for maneuvers in open ocean waters. Their main purpose is to confront shock aircraft carrier commands, amphibious vehicles, combat various convoys and power support on land and water.

Characteristics of the combat surface ship "Glory":

• Length / width / draft - 187/19 / 7.5 meters;
• Power plant - gas turbine engines;
• The ship is equipped with a platform for placing launchers of the surface-to-surface category;
• Armament - surface artillery, torpedoes against submarines, anti-aircraft guns and machine guns, the possibility of a military helicopter being based.

Lightweight modifications

A light cruiser caused an increase in interest in the early thirties of the last century. There were several reasons for this:

1. It was easier to observe interstate agreements on the armed equipment of the ship.
2. The ship became maneuverable and faster, which made it possible to use it for highly specialized tasks.
3. The cost of building one unit has significantly decreased.

The Soviet Navy's fleet has been replenished by cruisers of Project 26. The ships are designed with the participation of Italian experts, are characterized by powerful weapons and good speed. The shortcomings include a short cruising range, a low level of reservation and a low seaworthiness. In the forties of the twentieth century, on the basis of these prototypes, several cruisers of Project 68 were established, distinguished by enhanced protective and seaworthy indicators.

Ships of the Russian Navy

The modern fleet of Russia is a reliable developing industry. In 2014, the Navy received five new vessels, three submarines and several dozen boats for various purposes. In addition, projects with strategic missile weapons are being developed and being created.

The basis of surface forces include:

• Large anti-submarine ships;
• Battle cruisers;
• Military destroyers, as well as various modifications of boats, support and support facilities.

In addition, the fleet will be replenished with modernized reserve units. Among them, two dozen submarines, anti-submarine ships and destroyers.

What will undergo modernization?

It is planned to improve the TAVKR "Admiral Kuznetsov". It will be dismantled launchers "Granite", which will increase the area of the aircraft hangar to 4,500 square meters. Armament will be strengthened by anti-aircraft complexes using medium-range charges.

The ships, named after the admirals: Nakhimov, Ushakov, and Lazarev, will also be modernized. "Peter the Great" is a cruiser of a heavy type, which is also planned to be transformed by 2020. Updates will mainly affect the installation of the newest armed, reconnaissance and radar systems.

In addition, in the plans for improvement are the boats of projects Nos. 877, 971, 945 ("Paltus", "Pike", "Barracuda", "Condor"). Presumably, they will be equipped with modern anti-aircraft complexes and missiles. By and large, these will be universal combat vessels, oriented to confrontation with enemy ground, air and sea forces.

The ship "Vasily Bykov"

The types of cruisers of this series are designed for patrolling the economic zone, protecting the territorial water border, protecting against pirate intrusions, environmental monitoring, as well as rescue and search for the affected ships. In addition, this cruiser is able to perform the following tasks:

1. Protect and accompany trade or military vessels.
2. Perform a patrol and rescue mission.
3. Used as a medical device.

Twelve modifications are expected in the next five years. This cruiser is a ship named after the hero of the USSR, Rear Admiral V. Bykov.

Prospects

The design of the progressive aircraft carrier was started in 2005. According to plans, the ship in 2017 was to take a place in the Northern Fleet of Russia. However, during the construction process, conditions and requirements were regularly changed, which led to a prolonged process. In 2013, a mock-up was presented, presented by the Krylov State Research Center and the Nevsky Design Bureau.

The designers announced the existence of three projects, the price of each of which after the implementation of life will be about 130 billion rubles. The approximate period of construction of the samples is 10 years.

The new ships of the Russian Navy will have the following features:

1. Have a displacement of not less than 80 thousand tons.
2. Equipped with four catapults and a pair of springboards.
3. Equipped with several lifts.
4. Possibility to accommodate several amphibious vehicles, as well as assault helicopters.

In addition, a radar complex is planned to be installed on these ships, similar to the improved analogue of Mars-Passat, as well as accompanying systems and other types of radar.

Interesting Facts

The history of the cruisers shows that these ships have been in demand in the Navy for several centuries. Modern ships can perform a variety of military tasks, as well as provide substantial assistance in eliminating accidents and accidents.

The Russian fleet, despite all the difficulties, remains at the leading positions among the world's naval powers. It is planned to create the newest ships, which have the highest characteristics. Many parameters of projects are kept secret. However, it is known that several modifications are being developed. Among them:

• Sentry ships for distant sea spaces (project No. 11356).
• The newest frigates for the Black Sea.
• Destroyer "Leader".
• The aircraft carrier under the project KGNTS MVMS-2013.

All developments are equipped with equipment and weapons of the latest generation, can compete on an equal footing with the most famous foreign analogues.