Soviet battlecruiser Kirov

The Kirov class nuclear powered cruiser is one of the major and biggest surface warships of the Russian Navy[?]. It is one of the biggest warship of the world and it looks like a World War II battlecruiser.

This ship has an impressive armament of missiles and gun and an impressive collection of electronics. In the last field, this ship has the biggest radar antenna mounted on foremast. This radar is called by the NATO observers "Top Pair".

The "Kirov" (now named "Admiral Ushakov") was laid down in June of 1973 at Leningrad Naval Shipyard, launched in December 26 of 1977 and commissioned in December 30 of 1980. When it appeared at first time in 1981, NATO observers called it BALCOM I (Baltic Combatant I). The ship may be mothballed, due of lack of fund to operate it.

             Data of the Kirov Class

  Displacement:18.450 tons. (Standard)
               22.000 tons. (Full loaded)

  Dimensions: 
     Overall length: 826.8 feet (252.0 metres)
     W/l length    : 754.6 feet (230.0 metres)
     Hull beam     : 93.5 feet (28.5 metres)
     Draft         : 29.5 feet (9.0 metres)

  Propulsion System:
     Two KN-3 water pressurized nuclear reactors
     Two oil fired high pressure boilers
     Two GT3A-688 geared steam turbines (70.000 hp each)
     Two shafts with fixed pitch propellers
  Power              : 140.000 hp
  Max. speed         : 30 knots
  Endurance          : 1000 nautical miles at full speed

  Weapon Systems

  Guns             : 2*100mm (3.9 inches)/59 cal AK-100
                     CIWS system AK-360 30mm Gatling guns
  Missiles (SAM)   :2 twin retractable SA-N-4 Gecko missiles twin launchers
                    12 VLS for SA-N-6 Grumble missiles
           (SSM)   :VLS for SS-N-19 Shipwreck missiles
           (ASW)   :One twin cylinder launcher for SS-N-14 Silex missiles
  Torpedoes        :10*21 inches (533mm) torpedo tubes.

  Electronic Systems

  Radars           :1 Voskhod MR-800 (Top Pair) 3D search radar on foremast
                    1 Fregat  MR-710 (Top Steer) 3D search radar on main mast
                    2 Palm Frond navigation radars on foremast
                    2 Top Dome for SA-N-6 fire control
                    4 Bass Tilt for AK-360 CIWS System fire control
                    2 Eye Bowl for SA-N-4 fire control

 
  Sonar            :1 Horse Tail VDS (Variable Deep Sonar)

 Aircraft           :2 Kamov Ka-27 "Helix" stored in under deck hangar on stern.
 Crew               :727 Ship complement
                     18 Aircrew
                     15 Flagship Staff.