So has coincided, that the decision about development and construction of new generation aircraft carrier for the Russian Navy was accepted before opening International Naval Salon-2007 in St.-Petersburg. Certainly, «Military Parity» very much is interested in this theme.

 

As writes «Nezavisimoe voennoe obozrenie» («Independent Military Review» Russian military newspaper, 7/29/2007), «Vladimir Masorin сommander of Russian Navy has told to journalists about the basic characteristics of the future Russian nuclear aircraft carrier. Now, according to admiral, there is a development of shape of the ship «at active participation of a science and the industry». However, it is already clear, - the commander-in-chief has noted, - that it will be a nuclear aircraft carrier displacement approximately 50.000 tons. We assume, that on it will be based about 30 aircraft and helicopters. The CVN which build US Navy, with basing up to 100-130 aircraft and helicopters, we shall not build».

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I talked at an exhibition with Andrey Domienko (Nevskoe proektno-kostruktorskoe bureau - Neva PKB - Neva project-design bureau), the chief of sector.

 

- Аndrey Ahdreevich, Neva PKB is the developer of all air-carrier ships for the Russian Navy. It is natural, that the new aircraft carrier will be projected in yours PKB. You, probably, have already received the tactical-technical demands on the ship?

 

- No.

 

- How it «no»? It appears, that you do not know, what will be a new aircraft carrier…

 

             - NPKB designs aviabearing and aircraft carriers continuously. It is our direct specialization. We know, how the aircraft carrier should look.

 

- It is a little history …

 

- As you know, first our aviabearing ship was 1123 Moscow anti-submarine cruiser. Then have created 1143 Kiev ТАVKR (tyazhelyi avianesushii kreiser - heavy air-carrier cruiser). And, at last, we have developed the project of our only thing full-scale 1143.5 Admiral Kyznetsov aircraft carrier. That is I wish to tell, that with each new project NPKB went to development of more and more perfect ships.

 

- Аndrey Ahdreevich, I talked with Zakharenko admiral, that the aircraft carrier will be nuclear, it has told. This final decision?

 

            - I am not so assured, that and will be. Now we study this question. There are supporters a nuclear, and usual aircraft carriers. In each of them of advantage and lacks.

 

- Yes, but … Really it still a subject of discussions? I think that it is analogy the French nuclear aircraft carrier «Charles dе Gaulle» …

 

             - It is not necessary to make analogies though they, certainly, basically are possible. Each aircraft carrier is developed on technology and ideologies of the project which are developed in separately country.

 

- How you consider, how many chances what our new aircraft carrier will be nuclear?

 

- I would tell, 50 on 50.

 

- But advantages of a nuclear aircraft carrier are obvious …

 

            - Not all so are simple. The Frenchmen built «Charles dе Gaulle», but something in them has not appeared, and this vessel seldom leaves at ocean. I believe, that our new aircraft carrier should be nuclear. Even soot from flues will be less.

 

            - In this question I with you agree. In Russia a lot of nuclear fuel. The aircraft carrier with usual engines should reserve great volumes for fuel of planes and helicopters.

 

- Quite right.

 

            - And here on it on this hypothetical aircraft carrier which is represented at this exhibition, there are no steam catapults. I see a ski-jump for take-off of planes as on an «Admiral Kuznetsov» aircraft carrier...

 

- Quite right. I consider, that we have very big and good operating experience of planes without steam catapults.

 

            - And why you, the Russian designers so do not love a catapult? The steam catapult as it is known, allows to quickly take-off a planes in the sky. For example, US CVN Nimitz lifts in the sky of 100 planes within 40 minutes, using for this purpose powerful catapults.

 

- Can be. But also on our aircraft carriers it is less than aircraft depot. And then, application of catapults will demand strengthening the chassis of planes.

 

- Well. Which planes will stand on arms of a new aircraft carrier? Admiral told, it has МiG-29К.

 

 - Why would be not present? Deck fighter MiG-29K it is very good plane. Will be on arms Vikramaditya of the Indian aircraft carrier («Admiral Gorskov» for the Indian Navy - L.N). What the model of the modernized cruiser. Delivery МiG-29К and КUB fighters which by then will be well approved on the Indian aircraft carrier, becomes besides economically profitable decision.

 

- And here developed under program PAK FA (perspektivny aviatsionny complex frontovoi avuatsii - advanced fighter for frontal aviation, or T-50 Russian 5th generation fighter program) whether it will be adapted as air-carrier based aircraft?

 

- Quite probably. With Sukhoi ОКB at us old and very much good relations. Probably, the park of a new aircraft carrier will be mixed - Su-27К (Su-33) and Su-33КUB, probably, will be and on a new aircraft carrier.

 

- Probably, on new air-carrier necessarily should be AWACS as American E-2 Hawkeye. The aircraft carrier without such plane blind also is deaf at ocean. I am right?

 

- Certainly. Such plane will be.

 

- And unless AWACS aircraft it is possible to lift in air without application of a catapult?

 

- Probably.

 

- Displacement of a new aircraft carrier will be within the limits of 50.000-60.000 tons?

 

- Yes. The it is less, the more cheaply.

 

- And how many will be such aircraft carriers in serves of the Russia Navy? Admiral has told, that two.

 

- I do not know. We already have one - «Аdmiral Kuznetsov». Will be new, means, already two. Means, there will be any interchangeability. It is already good.

 

- By development of a new aircraft carrier it will be made use of experience of designing during Soviet time of a nuclear aircraft carrier 1160 «Ulyanovsk»?

 

- Of course.

 

- «Ulyanovsk» even built, have reached 20 % readiness …

 

- I would tell, not 20 %, and even it is more.

 

- The new aircraft carrier will be under construction on a new building berth in Severodvinsk?

 

- Probably.

 

- Why - it is possible? Unless it is possible to build an aircraft carrier in Petersburg shipyards?

 

- It is possible. Our shipyards possess such opportunity.

 

- Floor spaces will suffice?

 

- Will suffice.

 

- Interestingly … And the last. Whether the arms of an aircraft carrier powerful SAM and anti-ship cruise missile how it was traditionally done in Russia is possible?

 

- About anti-ship cruise missile complexes I do not know, but SAM will be. It is a difficult question. The more missiles of ship basing, the there will be volumes for aviation arms less. This question demands the optimum decision. 

 

- Thanks for interview.

 

Leonid NIKOLAEV,

On June, 30th, 2007