Since the middle of the 20th century, the role of relatively small ships among the ships of almost all the largest world fleets has increased. In the US, these ships are called escort destroyers.
Ship tasks
The main function of these ships is to protect relatively low-speed convoys from attack by submarines. Therefore, in comparison with a full-fledged destroyer, an escort destroyer has lower speed, less tonnage and weapons. However, after, with the development of technology, the use of nuclear power plants, it was possible to sharply increase the speed of submarines, as a result of which high-speed watchtowers were needed. The development of anti-ship missiles required the strengthening of anti-aircraft weapons. Therefore, in the end, the guard and the destroyer are distinguished by price and displacement.
History of frigate design
In the 1960s, it was decided to supplement the costly large anti-submarine ships with new patrol ships in the fleet. Despite the smaller size than the BOD, the armed ships were no worse. Starting in 1964, the development of project 1135, a frigate with a displacement of more than two thousand tons, began. It was planned to equip the ships with the Purga anti-submarine missile system, the Osa-M air defense system, a four-pipe torpedo tube, two AK-726 twin artillery systems and RBU-6000 systems. It was also planned to equip the vessel with the modern Titan-2 sonar system.
True, the problems that appeared during the tests of the Purga complex and a too small maximum range (6 km) forced him to abandon it in favor of the four PU anti-submarine system Metel with a range of 50 km. True, it turned out that the range was somewhat redundant, since the Titan-2 station had a significantly shorter detection range.
In addition, the number of torpedo units and anti-aircraft systems was doubled. Vessels of the project were equipped with the Vega towed hydroacoustic system. The displacement of the ships of the project 1135 also increased, reaching 3200 tons. Launched ships successfully completed their combat missions. Thanks to the use of gas turbine engines, they developed a decent speed (32 knots) and were able to operate at ranges of up to 4000 miles.
Ships of projects 1135 and their modifications of project 1135M were liked by sailors. For 10 years, 32 ships of projects 1135 and 1135M were launched.
True, the ships were distinguished by a serious flaw - they did not have a helicopter hangar. With the development of technology in many fleets, the tasks of searching for and destroying submarines fell, in addition to ship's means, on aircraft placed on ships.
Projects 1155 and 11351
As a result, the introduction of a helicopter hangar resulted in the creation of the BOD of project 1155, the construction of which were occupied by two Baltic shipyards. At the Kerch shipyard began to produce modernized patrol guards of project 11351, which was planned to be transferred to border guards.
The presence of a helicopter made it possible to search for, prosecute vessels violating the border. Feed was freed to house the hangar. In this regard, shipbuilders transferred one AK-100 to the bow of the vessel. As a result, the number of air defense systems and artillery mounts with a caliber of 100 mm was half as much. To protect the ships from air attacks, a pair of six-barrel AK-630 assault rifles with a caliber of 32 mm was installed at the stern. A new sonar system was installed. In the part of the ships built under the project 11351, the Angara radar system was replaced by the newest - Frigate-M2.
All this allowed the ships of project 11351 to surpass the ships of previous projects.
Indian order
In the 90s, the development of the fleet almost stopped. Factories tried to survive due to export orders. A long history has been the cooperation of Russia with the Indian
Navy, constantly working with Soviet shipbuilders in the procurement of domestic ships and in the field of consultations for designers of India. India, conducting its own developments, became interested in the export version of the project 11351 patrol - project 11356.
Even in the initial stage, the frigates of project 11356 were significantly different from project 11351, which served as the prototype for the new development. RBU-6000 were replaced by Uran missile launchers for anti-ship defense. Further, the trends of the time and the wishes of the Indian customer radically changed the appearance and filling of the frigate.
Differences from the prototype
Soviet border guards used Project 11351 ships for guard purposes and to combat poaching in the coastal waters of the USSR. Therefore, it was almost no anti-ship weapons.
The Indian customer needed a universal ship that can withstand any enemy. Thus was born the frigate pr. 11356. Almost all of the ship’s weapons were replaced. The Osa-M air defense system was replaced by Calm-1. There were PU for anti-ship missiles Club. The medium-caliber artillery was updated - an A-190E gun mount of 100 mm caliber appeared.
Of sonar, Indians preferred the Humsa APSON system. All frigate equipment is controlled by the Requirement-ME system.
Significant differences are in appearance. Frigate pr. 11356 has less noticeability for radars. The deck buildings, based on the experience of past wars, are made of steel, not aluminum. Aluminum showed low fire resistance.
Similarity to prototype
But the hull and the power unit M-7NE retained a high degree of similarity with a successful prototype. An increase in armament equipment and an increase in fuel reserves, which make it possible to reach a cruising range of 4,500 miles, led to an increase in displacement by 20% to 4,035 tons. At the same time, the maximum speed developed by frigate 11356 fell from 32 to 30 knots. This is an acceptable fee for increasing opportunities.
Order delivery
The first frigate 11356 was commissioned in spring 2003, three months later the second was commissioned, and in 2004 the third. India began to operate ships.
Although tests revealed minor compatibility issues for some weapon systems, Indian customers praised the potential of frigate 11356.
The successful implementation of the first order was followed by a contract for three more frigates. The ships were built according to the modified project 11356M. Now the ships were equipped with BrahMos ultra-fast anti-ship missiles, developed jointly by Russian and Indian specialists, instead of the Club system. The customer received the ships of the new project in 2012-2013. Repair of frigates 11356 in India is made by the Russian side.
Frigates 11356P
In 2010, three more ships were laid. Now these are ships with the index 11356 - for the needs of
the Russian Black Sea Fleet. In 2012-2013, 3 more ships of this series were laid. The new frigate 11356 is similar in design to the Indian frigate, but has differences in armaments. Ship equipment made in Russia.
Project ships:
- "Admiral Grigorovich" (early 2010, tested);
- frigate project 11356 Admiral Essen (laid 2011, tested);
- Admiral Makarov (beginning of 2012, launched in 2015);
- Admiral Butakov (beginning of 2013);
- Admiral Istomin (beginning of 2013);
- "Admiral Kornilov" (beginning of 2014).
The commissioning of the last three vessels was planned for 2016.
Ships are being built at a fast pace. The fleet needs such vessels as the frigate of project 11356. Airbase is a forum where ship characteristics are discussed in detail. Specialists and caring people gather there.
The fate of the last 3 ships is still unknown due to the fact that there are no diesel generators on frigate pr. 11356 . They were made in Ukraine. If the frigate Admiral Butakov of project 11356 is already close to launching, the remaining ships are frozen. They are expected to be replaced with Russian counterparts, which may delay delivery by 1-2 years.
Vessels for projects 11356 and 22350, on which Ukrainian gas turbine engines were previously installed, will soon be equipped with Russian counterparts. Their characteristics significantly exceed the parameters of Ukrainian power plants several times.
The first three frigates of project 11356 and the first two projects of 22350 already use gas turbine engines made in Ukraine. In the future, ships of both projects are planned to be equipped with engines of Russian production.
Work on the creation of engines is already underway on the basis of existing GTE projects. The first Russian engines are planned to be released by 2018.
"Admiral Makarov"
The frigate Admiral Makarov, project 11356, which was ordered for the Black Sea basin, was launched in early September this year. He became the third of six ships in the series of the project 11356. "Admiral Grigorovich" is on sea trials. He is not yet surrendered. Mooring trials of the frigate Admiral Essen are underway.
The ship has effective anti-ship weapons and SAM systems to successfully repel air strikes.
Armaments
Anti-ship complex "Caliber-NK2. Artillery system A-190, which allows firing at sea and air targets. The air defense system" Stil-1 "with radar all-round.
The anti-submarine combat system consists of 533-mm torpedo tubes of the DTA-53-11356-2 modification and an RBU-6000 bombing system.
As sonar weapons used radar "Frigate-M2EM", detecting and accompanying submarines.
To work with helicopters, the frigate is equipped with a hangar and a platform for takeoff and landing. Such weapons make the frigate Admiral Makarov of Project 11356 a formidable force.
Comparison with the project 22350
Project 22350 is being implemented along with project 11356. We will compare the frigates of project 11356 and 22350. Instead of the “Shtil-1” air defense system, there are 3S14U1 firing systems and Poliment-Redut air defense systems. Instead of Caliber-NK, the Onyx or Caliber-NKE complexes are used for anti-ship protection. These weapons make it possible to effectively use Project 11356 frigate against American ships.
Antisubmarine equipment of project 22350 frigates - Medvedka-2 launch complexes. The artillery weapons of the ship also underwent changes. The 100-mm A-190 artillery was replaced by the 130-mm A-192, firing at 22 km. Moreover, the frigates of projects 11356 and 22350 have much in common - both projects are equipped with very modern weapons.