Zubr-class LCAC

Last updated

<<Mordoviia>> i <<Evgenii Kocheshkov>>.jpg
Mordoviya and Evgeniy Kocheshkov
Class overview
Builders PO More in Feodosiya of Crimea, Khabarovsk shipyard, Almaz, Pribaltisk Yantar
Operators
In commission1986–present
Planned17 [1]
Building2 [1]
Completed15
Cancelled2
Active10
Scrapped5
General characteristics
Type Air-cushioned landing craft
Displacement
  • 340 tons (light)
  • 415 tons (normal)
  • 555 tons (full load) [2]
Length57 m (187 ft) [3]
Beam25.6 m (84 ft) [4]
Draught1.6 m (5.2 ft) [3]
Propulsion
  • 3 x 10,000 horsepower (7,500 kW) propelling M35-1 gas turbine units or M70FRU2&2R
    2 x 10,000 hp supercharging M35-2 gas turbine units or M85RU/FR E80D7 M70FRU\2
    4 x NO10 superchargers
  • Propellers: 3 four-bladed variable-pitch propellers
Speed
  • 63 knots (117 km/h; 72 mph) [2]
  • 55 knots (102 km/h; 63 mph) sustainable [2]
Range300 nmi (560 km) at 55 knots
Complement31 (4 officers, 27 enlisted) [2]
Sensors and
processing systems		Ekran-1 navigational radar, Lazur radar (Pozitiv radar on MDK-51), R-782 Buran communications system
Electronic warfare
& decoys		Electronic Countermeasures System: Decoys, MS-227 chaff launcher, MP-411 ESM radar system; intercept
Armament
  • 4 × Strela-3 man-portable air defence missile system launchers, plus 32 anti-personnel missiles; or 2 x Strela 2 quad launchers, manual aiming, infrared homing to 6 km (3.7 mi) at Mach 1.5, maximum altitude of 2,500 m (8,200 ft)
  • 2 × 30 mm AK-630 close in weapon systems with 6,000 rounds each, maximum range of 2 km (1.2 mi)
  • 2 × 140 mm Ogon launchers, 22 rockets each with 132 rockets in total; or 2 x 122 mm retractable rocket launchers
  • Mines (one set of removable equipment for laying from 20 to 80 mines, depending on their types)

The Zubr class, Soviet designation Project 1232.2, (NATO reporting name "Pomornik") is a class of Soviet-designed air-cushioned landing craft (LCAC). The name "Zubr" is Russian for the European bison. [5] This class of military hovercraft is, as of 2023 the world's largest hovercraft, [6] with a standard full load displacement of 555 tons. [2] [7] The hovercraft was designed to sealift amphibious assault units (such as marines and tanks) from equipped/non-equipped vessels to non-equipped shores, as well as to transport and plant naval mines.

Contents

Ten Zubr-class hovercraft remain in service. There are two vessels in the Russian Navy and four with the Hellenic Navy. [4] In 2009 China placed an order for four vessels from Ukraine as part of a deal worth US$315 million. [8] Two updated versions of the vessels were built by Crimea's Feodosia Shipbuilding Company, followed by two advanced models of the surface warship. [8] [9] In 2023, an additional two more were built and modernized, with both hulls being numbered as 3260 and 3261. [1]

The purchase in 2000 of HS Cephalonia (L 180) for the Hellenic Navy marked the first time a Soviet-designed naval craft had been built for a NATO member. [10] [11] [12] [13]

In June 2017 Russia announced the restarting of production of Zubr-class craft. [14] Representatives from the Russian shipbuilding industry soon after responded by stating production could not possibly resume in 2018 and would only be possible by 2019–2021, refuting the government position. Representatives cited the lack of availability of and inability to mass-produce components, notably gas-turbine engines and reduction gears as the main obstacles. [15]

NPO Saturn (ODK GT) and Turboros developed marine gas turbine engines M70FRU (D090), FR RU, M70FRU2 (DP/DM71) along M90FR, M75RU, E70RD8 and Elektrosila, AO Zvezda, Metallist, Samara and others developed redactors and gears. [16] [17]

History

The Zubr class landing craft were developed in the 1980s and the first operational group entered service in 1986. From 1985 to 1993 and 2001 and 2004, a total of 15 units of the class were laid down in Saint Petersburg and Feodosia. After the end of the Soviet Union, two boats at the shipyard were scrapped before they were completed, and three boats from the Black Sea Fleet were handed over to Ukraine, which itself built another boat. As of 2001, three new boats were built for Greece.

Configuration

Top view NavalLanding2015-21.jpg
Top view

High strength and buoyancy is provided by a rectangular pontoon, the main load-carrying part of the ship's hull. The superstructure built on the pontoon is divided into three compartments with two longitudinal bulkheads: combat material compartment in the midsection fitted with tank ramps, and outboard sections housing main and auxiliary propulsion units, troop compartments, living quarters, and NBC protection systems. To improve working conditions in the battle stations, troop compartments and living quarters are fitted with air-conditioning and heating-systems, sound/heat-insulating coatings, and structures made of vibration damping materials. The ship provides normal conditions for the crew to make meals and rest.

Personnel are protected against the effects of weapons of mass destruction by airtight sealing of combat stations, crew and troop compartments, augmented with individual gas masks and protection suits. The ship is also protected from magnetic influence mines with an active system to compensate for the magnetic fields generated by the ship and transported materials. The central command post and MS-227 device compartments are strengthened with alloy armor.

Capacity

Mordovia, a Russian Navy Zubr class, during Exercise Zapad-09 Zapad-2009 military exercises.jpg
Mordovia, a Russian Navy Zubr class, during Exercise Zapad-09

The Zubr-class landing craft has a cargo area of 400 square metres (4,300 sq ft) and a fuel capacity of 56 tons. [3] It can carry three main battle tanks (up to 150 tonnes), [8] or ten armoured vehicles with 230 troops (up to 131 tonnes), [8] or eight armoured personnel carriers of total mass up to 115 tonnes, or eight amphibious tanks or up to 500 troops (with 360 troops in the cargo compartment).

At full displacement the ship is capable of negotiating up to 5-degree gradients on non-equipped shores and 1.6 m (5 ft 3 in)-high vertical walls. The Zubr class remains seaworthy in conditions up to Sea State 4. The vessel has a cruising speed of 30–40 knots (56–74 km/h; 35–46 mph).

Later models built by Ukroboronprom for the People's Republic of China are reported to travel at a top speed of 63 kt. The range of 300 nautical miles is obtained at 55 kt cruise. [8] A licensed-built version of this model is in service with the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy designated as the Type 958. [18]

Operators

Naval Ensign of Russia.svg  Russian Navy (ex-Soviet Navy) (2)

Flag of Greece.svg  Hellenic Navy (2 + 2) [19]

Naval ensign of China.svg  People's Liberation Army Navy

Former operators

Naval Ensign of Ukraine.svg  Ukrainian Navy (4)

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Wasp</i>-class amphibious assault ship Class of American amphibious assault ships

The Wasp-class is a class of landing helicopter dock (LHD) amphibious assault ships operated by the United States Navy. Based on the Tarawa class, with modifications to operate more advanced aircraft and landing craft, the Wasp-class is capable of transporting almost the full strength of a United States Marine Corps Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and landing them in hostile territory via landing craft or helicopters as well as providing air support via AV-8B Harrier II attack aircraft or F-35B Lightning II stealth strike-fighters. All Wasp-class ships were built by Ingalls Shipbuilding, at Pascagoula, Mississippi, with the lead ship, USS Wasp, commissioned on 29 July 1989. Eight Wasp-class ships were built, and as of April 2021, seven are in active service, as USS Bonhomme Richard was seriously damaged by fire on 12 July 2020, and subsequently decommissioned in April 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hellenic Navy</span> Maritime warfare branch of Greeces military

The Hellenic Navy is the naval force of Greece, part of the Hellenic Armed Forces. The modern Greek navy historically hails from the naval forces of various Aegean Islands, which fought in the Greek War of Independence. During the periods of monarchy it was known as the Royal Hellenic Navy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dock landing ship</span> Type of amphibious warfare ship

A dock landing ship is an amphibious warfare ship with a well dock to transport and launch landing craft and amphibious vehicles. Some ships with well decks, such as the Soviet Ivan Rogov class, also have bow doors to enable them to deliver vehicles directly onto a beach. Modern dock landing ships also operate helicopters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Landing Craft Air Cushion</span> Hovercraft employed as a landing craft

The Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) is a class of air-cushioned landing craft (hovercraft) used by the United States Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). They transport weapons systems, equipment, cargo and personnel from ship to shore and across the beach. It is to be replaced in US service by the Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC).

<i>Dokdo</i>-class amphibious assault ship Class of South Korean LPH assault ships

The Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship is a class of landing platform helicopter (LPH) and amphibious assault ships operated by the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN). It was designed and built by Hanjin Heavy Industries (HHIC) to enhance South Korea's amphibious operation capability in terms of assault and military operations other than war (MOOTW).

<i>Bora</i>-class corvette Russian class of guided-missile corvettes

The Bora-class, Soviet designation Project 1239, hoverborne guided-missile corvette of the Russian Navy, also bears the NATO class name "Dergach", is one of the few types of military surface effect ship built solely for marine combat purposes, rather than troop landing or transport. The first vessel produced under this designation was Sivuch, which was later renamed Bora. It is one of the largest combat sea vehicles with catamaran design.

Type 071 amphibious transport dock Class of ship in service with the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Navy

The Type 071 is a class of Chinese amphibious transport dock ships in service with the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). The Type 071 provides the PLAN with capabilities and flexibility not found in its previous landing ships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air-cushioned landing craft</span> Military hovercraft designed for landing troops and equipment in amphibious operations

An air-cushioned landing craft, also called an LCAC, is a modern variation on the amphibious landing boat. The majority of these craft are small- to mid-sized multi-purpose hovercraft, also known as "over the beach" ("OTB") craft. This allows troops and material to access more than 70 percent of the world's coastline, while only approximately 15 percent of that coastline is available to conventional boat-type landing craft. Typical barriers to conventional landing craft are soft sandy beaches, marshes, swampland, and loose surfaces. Air cushion technology has vastly increased the landing capability of the craft, providing greater speed and flexibility over traditional landing craft.

Gus-class LCAC

The Gus-class LCAC code Project 1205 Skat was a medium-sized assault hovercraft operated by the Soviet Navy from 1969 until the early 1990s.

Aist-class LCAC Soviet assault air-cushioned landing craft

The Aist class was the first large assault hovercraft operated by the Soviet Navy. It was designed by the Almaz design bureau wing of the Almaz Shipbuilding Company in 1964–1965. Production of the craft lasted from 1970 until 1985 at Almaz's plant in Leningrad.

Lebed-class LCAC

The Kalmar class are a class of medium-sized assault hovercraft designed for the Soviet Navy. The few remaining craft are operated by the Russian Navy.

Tsaplya-class LCAC Ship class

The Tsaplya class LCAC is a medium size assault hovercraft operated by the Russian Navy.

LCAC may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ship-to-Shore Connector</span> Air-cushioned landing craft

The Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC), also known as the LCAC 100 class, is a system proposed by the United States Navy as a replacement for the Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC). It will offer an increased capacity to cope with the growing weight of equipment used by the United States Army and Marine Corps. As of 2015, the program is forecast to cost a total of US$4.054B for 73 hovercraft.

Type 726 LCAC

The Type 726 LCAC is a class of air-cushioned landing craft used by the People's Liberation Army Navy. Six Yuyi-class LCACs are believed to be in service with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), with the first one (3320) being seen at the end of 2007. It is thought that the vessels were delivered in two batches, with the first three LCACs reportedly powered by Ukrainian UGT 6000 engines, while the other subsequent production models are believed to use indigenous QC-70 gas turbines. Up to four Yuyi-class LCACs can be carried in the well deck of the Yuzhao-class landing platform dock (LPD) and Yushen-class landing helicopter dock (LHD).

Chinese landing ship <i>Yimeng Shan</i> Type 071 amphibious transport dock

Yimeng Shan (988) is a Type 071 amphibious transport dock of the People's Liberation Army Navy.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "More Zubr-class amphibious assault hovercraft for the Chinese Navy". Naval News. 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Wertheim (2007), p. 128.
  3. 1 2 3 Jane's Information Group (2002).
  4. 1 2 "Zubr Class (Pomornik) Air Cushioned Landing Craft, Russia". Naval-Technology.com. 2011. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
  5. ↑ зубр Russian Wiktionary
  6. ↑ Wilkinson, Freddie. "Guinness world record hovercraft". Guinness world record.
  7. ↑ "Hellenic Command Amphibious Forces: Ships". Hellenic Navy. 2008. Archived from the original on 4 August 2008. Retrieved 18 April 2009.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Rahmat, Ridzwan (6 March 2014). "Ukraine crisis prompts hurried delivery of second Zubr LCAC to China". IHS Jane's. Archived from the original on 2 August 2014. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  9. ↑ "China To RePay $14 Million Debt To Crimea For Zubr-class Landing Craft". Defenseworld.net. 29 January 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  10. ↑ "Hellenic Command Amphibious Forces: Introduction". Hellenic Navy. 2008. Archived from the original on 9 March 2009. Retrieved 18 April 2009.
  11. ↑ Kitov, Vladimir (4 November 2000). "Almaz launches NATO-bound craft". The Russia Journal. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2009.
  12. ↑ Titova, Irina (29 December 2000). "City Shipyard Hovercraft Is 1st Delivery to NATO State". The St. Petersburg Times. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 18 April 2009.
  13. ↑ "Russian ship joining Greek navy" . BBC News. AVN Military News Agency. 20 December 2000. Retrieved 18 April 2009.
  14. ↑ Jones, Bruce (16 June 2017). "Russia to resume construction of Zubr hovercraft". IHS Jane's 360. Archived from the original on 16 June 2017. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  15. ↑ "Production of Zubr-Class Air-Cushion Ships Resumes Only in 2019-2021, Shipbuilders Say". Mil Today. 18 June 2017. Archived from the original on 19 June 2017. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  16. ↑ "Россия полностью заменила украинские комплектующие для военной техники" [Russia has completely replaced Ukrainian components for military equipment]. Armstrade.org (in Russian). 14 September 2018.
  17. ↑ "ОДК закрыла потребность флота в двигателях, ранее поставлявшихся Украиной" [UEC closed the fleet's need for engines previously supplied by Ukraine]. Armstrade.org (in Russian). 9 September 2019.
  18. ↑ "Chinese built Type 958 LCAC". Sohu (in Simplified Chinese). 12 September 2020.
  19. ↑ "Zubr LCAC". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 22 April 2024.

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.