For a comparative assessment of the missile cruiser "Moscow", one could take the Orly Burke-class guided missile destroyer, but this is still a ship of a different class, although similar in terms of armament and displacement.
A simple comparison of the tactical and technical characteristics of weapons does not yield much. The reasons are simple: each state creates weapons in accordance with requirements that are determined primarily by the content of military threats, the chosen methods and means of neutralizing them, the general level of industry, and the specific features of military-technical schools. Therefore, it is necessary to take into account the conditions of combat use of the compared models and the nature of the tasks they solve. Strictly speaking, it is necessary to compare not the performance characteristics, but the combat capabilities arising from them. To do this, it is necessary to follow a certain analysis technique.
“In a head-on battle, the chances of hitting an aircraft carrier will be much smaller, if not zero - it will not allow our cruiser to approach salvo range”
First of all, the correct selection of candidates for comparison is important. The foreign analogue must belong to the same class as the Russian model. It is advisable that they be from approximately the same generation of military equipment. Although this requirement is not mandatory, since often new weapons systems, while winning in one area, lose to their predecessors in another. As a result, in specific conditions, when solving specific problems, a more modern model may turn out to be less effective.
The correct conditions of comparison are also important, that is, in what conflict, against what enemy, in what ways are the compared samples used. One-on-one action is often considered. However, there are examples of military equipment that do not involve direct confrontation. An example is anti-submarine aircraft - they simply have nothing to fight with each other. If the effectiveness of the compared samples is asymmetrical under the conditions of combat use, it is necessary to consider various options taking into account the expected probability of their implementation.
Only after this work does it make sense to move on to analyzing the tactical and technical characteristics. In this case, it is necessary to focus on those data that are significant in relation to the selected combat missions and situational conditions. On this basis, estimates of expected effectiveness can be made, including in a one-on-one setting. The calculation is made for each compared sample for all combat missions under consideration and for possible variants of application conditions. Next, the integral efficiency indicator is calculated. It summarizes the results of solving all typical combat missions in predicted scenarios. This is already a more or less objective characteristic of the compared tactical units. This indicator provides a comprehensive assessment of the compared samples. We can say which one will be more effective in a real combat situation.
The economic evaluation of products is also important. But it happens that it cannot be brought to a general equivalent.
Called to the ring
Taking into account the above, we will evaluate the Russian Moskva-class cruiser of Project 1164. First of all, we will find a suitable opponent for it. Without going into details of the technology of choice, we state that the American Ticonderoga-class cruiser is most suitable. Representatives of this series, in fact the only ones in foreign fleets belonging to the class of guided missile cruisers, have weapons comparable to the Moskva. To a certain extent, the tasks for which the compared ships were created are also similar. Their design and construction were carried out in the 70–80s, that is, this is one generation.
Cruiser "Moskva" project 1164
Total displacement - 11,500 tons
Length - 186.5 meters
Crew - 510 people
Full speed - 32 knots
Photo: blackseanews.net
Belonging to a very universal class, the ships are designed for use in all types of military conflicts. And they have already shown themselves. The Russian cruiser was used in repelling Georgian aggression in 2008 and in the Syrian events, although in both cases without the use of weapons. American cruisers operated fully in all armed conflicts and regional wars from Desert Storm in 1991 to the operation against Libya in 2011.
Accordingly, we will consider two variants of conditions: the actions of the compared ships in a local clash with a weak naval enemy in the interests of the Air Force and Ground Forces group, in a large-scale war between Russia and NATO. In addition, it makes sense to consider the option: our cruiser against the American one as part of a naval strike group (SCG). This option is quite possible, since both can act as the core of the KUG with security from ships of lighter classes. Here, for the purity of comparison, it is advisable to assume that the damaging potential of the air defense systems of escort ships of the Russian and American groups is approximately the same.
In conflicts, both ships solve the following main tasks, for which comparisons must be made: the destruction of enemy aircraft carrier strike and multi-purpose groups, the destruction of KUG and KPUG, the destruction of submarines, repelling attacks from enemy air attacks, and striking ground targets.
In a local war against a navally weak enemy, taking into account the likelihood of a particular task occurring, the weight coefficients are distributed as follows: destruction of groups of surface ships and boats - 0.1, destruction of submarines - 0.05, reflection of airborne attack forces - 0.3, striking ground targets – 0.55. This alignment applies to both Russian and American ships. The task of destroying enemy aircraft carrier forces in this case, obviously, will not be.
In a large-scale war, the weighting coefficients are distributed differently and differ for Russian and American ships. Their significance for "Moscow" can be assessed as follows: destruction of enemy aircraft carrier strike and multi-purpose groups - 0.4 (including 0.1 - from a weapon tracking position and 0.3 - in a counter battle), destruction of KUG and KPUG - 0 .25, submarines – 0.1, reflection of airborne missiles – 0.2, strikes on ground targets – 0.05. The “American” has it differently: destruction of KUG and KPUG - 0.2, submarines - 0.3, reflection of air-launched missiles - 0.3, strikes on ground targets - 0.2. Taking into account the fact that Russia has one aircraft carrier, which will operate as part of a group of strike forces, solving mainly the air defense tasks of this formation or in the air defense system of a sea area, the task of destroying it will be of little significance for an American missile cruiser.
In the red corner
The Project 1164 missile cruiser, with a total displacement of more than 11,000 tons, has the Vulcan complex with ammunition for 16 anti-ship missiles as its main armament. The maximum firing range is up to 700 kilometers. The main anti-aircraft weapons are represented by the multi-channel Fort system (S-300F). Ammunition - 64 missiles. Firing range – up to 90 kilometers. Self-defense anti-aircraft fire weapons: two single-channel Osa-MA systems and three batteries of two 30-mm AK-630 assault rifles. Anti-submarine weapons include two five-tube torpedo tubes and two RBU-6000. Universal artillery is represented by the double-barreled AK-130 gun with a caliber of 130 millimeters. The ship has effective electronic warfare systems to disrupt the operation of aircraft electronic warfare systems and the anti-ship missile seeker. The cruiser is designed to accommodate the Ka-27 helicopter. According to Western experts, to destroy or disable such ships, it is necessary to be hit by four to six Harpoon anti-ship missiles or two or three Tomahawks.
In the blue corner
The Ticonderoga-class cruisers, with a displacement of about 9,600 tons, have various types of missile weapons located in two universal Mk-41 vertical below-deck launchers with a total capacity of 122 cells. Typical load is 24–26 Tomahawk missiles, 16 ASROC anti-aircraft missiles and 80 Standard-2 missiles. In addition, the ship has 16 Harpoon missiles in deck launchers. The ships are equipped with an Aegis-type combat information and control system. Universal artillery is represented by two Mk-45 guns with a caliber of 127 millimeters. Anti-submarine weapons include two three-tube tubes for small-sized Mk-46 anti-submarine torpedoes. The ships have powerful sonar equipment for searching submarines and anti-submarine helicopters. The required number of hits from heavy Russian anti-ship missiles to disable a cruiser or sink it can be estimated at one to three, and to destroy an American aircraft carrier at three to seven.
Meeting engagement
The most favorable situation for solving the problem of hitting an aircraft carrier with a Moscow-class cruiser is firing from a weapon tracking position. In this case, the ship, all other things being equal to the AUG, is guaranteed to strike the order of the main forces (an aircraft carrier and three or four escort ships). A salvo of 16 missiles will be countered by multi-channel air defense systems, combat air patrol fighters and electronic warfare systems. Up to two missiles can be shot down by fighters. The total potential of the air defense systems of the order, ranging from 7-8 to 10-12 units, will make it possible to destroy up to 70-80 percent of the remaining missiles in the salvo. Electronic warfare equipment reduces the probability of hitting the target by another 50–60 percent. As a result, a maximum of one or two missiles will reach the aircraft carrier under the most favorable conditions. That is, the probability of disabling an aircraft carrier with such a salvo is no more than 0.2.
Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Port Royal (CG-73)
Total displacement - 9800 tons
Length - 172.8 meters
Crew - 387 people
Full speed - 32 knots
Cruising range - 6000 miles
Photo: warday.info
In a head-on battle, the chances of hitting an aircraft carrier will be much smaller, if not zero - it will not allow our cruiser to approach salvo range (therefore, by the way, submarines and naval missile-carrying aircraft will play a key role in the battle with the AUG).
In combat with formations of surface ships, our cruiser looks significantly better. When operating against a KUG consisting of two to four URO destroyers and frigates, it is capable of disabling or sinking up to two enemy ships, while remaining invulnerable to them (due to its superiority in the range of missile weapons). A strike on a landing party or convoy will destroy three or four ships from their composition. That is, the combat effectiveness of our cruiser in this confrontation can be estimated at 0.3–0.5.
The effectiveness of a ship's air defense systems when repelling an attack by a squadron of tactical aircraft or a missile salvo of 12–16 Tomahawk/Harpoon missiles is determined (based on open data) to be 0.3–0.6, depending on the type of air defense system.
Possible options
When attacking ground targets, our cruiser will use the Vulcan anti-ship missile system. In this case, the ability to hit targets should be assessed at two or three point targets at a depth of 600–650 kilometers from the coast. Considering that the purpose of such strikes is to disrupt the functioning of any system, in particular air defense or command and control in a certain area, the effectiveness of the actions must be compared with the total number of targets that need to be hit. If we are talking about the complex systems mentioned above, then there may be 20 or more point objects even in a separate limited area. Accordingly, the effectiveness of the impact is estimated at 0.1 or less.
The anti-submarine warfare capabilities of our cruiser are calculated based on the probability of destroying a submarine before it reaches the torpedo salvo position. This indicator depends on many factors, but the most important is the energy target detection range of the ship’s main gun. Taking into account the whole complex of factors, I estimate this probability for our cruiser at 0.3–0.6, depending on hydro-acoustic conditions and the type of submarine.
Similar indicators for the cruiser Ticonderoga are as follows. The destruction of groups of surface ships (KUG, KPUG, landing detachments and convoys) is approximately equivalent: three to four surface ships or 0.3–0.5. The effectiveness of anti-submarine warfare, taking into account the more powerful SJC, can be 0.5–0.9. Solving air defense problems – 0.4–0.7 depending on the type of air defense system. The destruction of ground targets by Tomahawks is six to eight point targets at a depth of up to a thousand kilometers, that is, 0.2–0.4.
In a duel situation, all other things being equal, “Moscow”, due to its significant superiority in firing range, has the ability to disable or sink an American cruiser with a probability of up to 0.5–0.7, without itself entering the enemy’s kill zone.
In conditions of mutual detection at the range of Ticonderoga missiles, the latter’s chances are higher. However, the likelihood of such an event is extremely low. To reach the salvo position, the “American” will need to approach our ship, being within the range of its weapons for several hours.
Victory on points
The analysis allows us to derive an integral indicator of compliance with the intended purpose of the two ships. For the Russian cruiser it is: in relation to local wars - 0.23, and in relation to large-scale wars - 0.28. For the “American” these figures are 0.39 and 0.52, respectively. That is, in terms of the degree to which the ship’s combat effectiveness corresponds to its intended purpose, our cruiser is inferior to the “American” by about 40 percent. However, in a duel situation, the Russian ship beats its opponent due to its significant superiority in the range of its weapons.
The main reason is that our cruiser is more specialized as a strike cruiser, designed to combat large groups of enemy surface ships. At the same time, its capabilities for solving the main task - defeating an AUG - are relatively small, while the Ticonderoga cruiser is more versatile and focused on solving a wide range of tasks that are relevant in a wider range of possible situations.
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Ticonderoga-class cruisers were conceived as a relatively inexpensive carrier of modern air defense systems, suitable for mass construction, but over time they became perhaps the most advanced warships of our time. The design of these ships was created on the basis of the hull of a Spruance-class destroyer, so the lead ship, Ticonderoga, was initially considered a destroyer, but in 1980 she was reclassified as a cruiser and received the hull number CG 47. Plans called for the construction of 28 such ships, then the administration Reagan increased this number to 30, but later reduced it to 27. The cruiser Ticonderoga entered the fleet in 1983, and the last ship of the class, Port Royal, in 1994.
These cruisers were the first warships to be equipped with the AEGIS multi-functional weapon system, the most advanced air defense system in the world. The basis of this system is the SPY-1A radar with four phased array antennas, which is capable of automatically detecting and tracking targets at a distance of more than 300 km.
The main purpose of the AEGIS system is to repel a missile attack on a US Navy ship group using air defense and electronic warfare systems. The system is capable of simultaneously tracking the movement of friendly aircraft, detecting, identifying and tracking air targets in the upper hemisphere, as well as directing air defense systems at them. In addition, a command center for a combined air defense system of a naval group can be created on the basis of the system.
The first five cruisers were equipped with two twin Mk 26 launchers for the “Standard” SM-2MR missile defense system, which were supposed to ensure the destruction of aircraft and various cruise missiles during massive raids in conditions of active use of electronic warfare equipment.
Starting with the cruiser "Bunker Hill" (CG 52), instead of the Mk 26 launcher and their charging magazines, Mk 41 UVPs were installed. In 127 cells of two UVPs, each ship accommodates the Standard missile defense system, the Harpoon anti-ship missile system, the ASROC anti-aircraft missile system and the Tomahawk missile launcher. ", which allows the ship to hit air, surface, ground and underwater targets.
Ticonderoga-class cruisers are designed to protect aircraft carrier and amphibious assault groups, as well as conduct independent operations. Over the past twenty-plus years, they have taken part in all US Navy operations, including two wars against Iraq, as well as Tomahawk missile attacks on Yugoslavia and Afghanistan.
Huge striking power at minimal cost. The cruiser Ticonderoga is an absolute record holder among ships with a displacement of less than 10 thousand tons:
— 11 radars.
— 80 antenna devices.
— 122 missile silos.
- combat information and control.
The choice of ship names is in honor of the places where battles and battles of the past took place.
Among the achievements and records:
Participation in military conflicts in Libya (1986), Iraq (1991, 2003) and Yugoslavia. The Ticonderogas provided cover for naval groups and attacked ground targets;
Destruction of a space satellite moving at an altitude of 247 km at a speed of 27,000 km/h (Operation “Burning Cold”, 2008)
The cruiser "Philippine Sea" fires at ISIS positions (September 2014, 47 Tomahawks were fired)
A missile cruiser built on a destroyer platform. Initially classified as a guided missile destroyer (DDG), but later "promoted" to the rank of cruiser (CG). In comparison with other cruisers of the same age, Ticonderoga is 80 meters shorter than the nuclear-powered Orlan, its width at midship is 1.5 times less, and its total displacement is 2.6 times less. At this scale, the difference in the meaning of the word “cruiser” and the differences in approaches to designing ships on both sides of the ocean become clearly visible.
Reference. About what is not visible from the shore
The dimensions and contours of the hull, the power plant, as well as a significant part of the mechanisms and weapons are unified with the Spruance-class destroyers.
The hull is divided into 13 compartments by waterproof bulkheads.
The cruiser's two decks and eight platforms (five of which are superstructure levels) are parallel to the structural waterline to simplify ship assembly and equipment installation.
The power plant is gas turbine, consisting of 4 General Electric LM2500 turbines. A herd of 80 thousand “horses” is capable of accelerating the ship from zero to max. speed (~32 knots) in just 15 minutes.
On the left is a cruiser, on the right is a destroyer
"Ticonderoga" is superior in the number of weapons even to the larger and more modern one. The reason for the paradox lies directly in the design of the Burke - it is entirely made of steel. While the Ticonderoga's superstructure is made of 5456 aluminum-magnesium alloy and literally falls apart under its own weight.
...During operation, over 3,000 cracks were discovered in the superstructures of 27 cruisers - www.navytimes.com, “Epidemic of cracking on the Ticonderogas.”
This drawback did not prevent the cruisers from serving for more than 30 years. But conclusions were drawn. All subsequent American ships are made entirely of steel.
The main purpose of the Ticonderoga is anti-aircraft and anti-submarine protection of aircraft carrier and multi-purpose ship groups, formations and convoys in open sea areas.
The cruisers have high autonomy and are capable of traveling 6,000 nautical miles at an operational speed of 20 knots. Which is equivalent to the distance from Naval Base Norfolk to the Persian Gulf.
The first five Ticonderogas were equipped with MK.26 beam-type launchers, with a limited arsenal of anti-aircraft and anti-submarine missiles. The ability to launch Tomahawks was not considered a priority; the arsenal of cruisers was replenished with SLCMs only with the advent of the MK.41 silo-type launcher on the cruiser Bunker Hill.
The main idea, raison d'être and purpose of Aegis cruisers remains air defense/missile defense.
Air defense system
All hopes are placed on the Aegis BIUS (Aegis), which connected computers, radars and fire control systems into a single network.
The main component of the Aegis is the AN/SPY-1 multi-purpose radar with four fixed phased arrays. Operating range - decimeter (S). The peak radiation power is 6 megawatts, which allows the radar to distinguish targets in low-Earth orbit.
SPY-1 performs search by azimuth and elevation, acquisition, classification and tracking of targets, control of autopilots of anti-aircraft missiles on the launch and sustaining sections of the flight path.
The only problem with SPY-1 is that the radar has difficulty distinguishing fast-moving targets flying near the surface of the water.
The fire control system is archaic, based on four SPG-62 target illumination radars. It is curious that in this aspect, Ticonderoga again has an advantage over Arleigh Burke (4 radar illumination versus three for the destroyer).
The main fatal drawback of the SPG-62 is mechanical scanning (turn speed 72°/sec). At any given time, each radar is capable of highlighting only one target. As a result, if the capabilities of SPY-1 allow you to control up to 18 fired anti-aircraft missiles, then only 4 air targets can be attacked simultaneously (and, most importantly, no more than two from each side).
The only advantage of this scheme: unlike dozens of beams of new-fangled AFARs and missiles with active seekers, the outdated illumination radar has a directional pattern with a narrow main lobe, which allows for effective and highly selective illumination of the target in conditions of the use of electronic warfare equipment.
Currently, the small number of illumination channels is offset by the appearance of anti-aircraft missiles with active homing (SM-3, SM-6, ESSM Block-II).
BOD "Marshal Shaposhnikov" against the backdrop of the clumsy-looking USS Chosin (CG-65)
Selection of targets, assessment of threats, control of the sequence of fired anti-aircraft missiles - this is the purpose of the Aegis system. In real conditions, the theory failed, and the first battle turned out to be lumpy. In the confusion of the battle with the Iranian Navy, the cruiser Vincennes overwhelmed the civilian Airbus.
However, three decades have passed. American Aegis ships spent a total of 1,250 years in combat campaigns, firing over 3,800 missiles during combat and training missions. One must assume that they learned something.
In addition to four SPY-1 plates and four SPG-62 target illumination radars, the complex of cruiser detection equipment includes an auxiliary station SPS-49. Two-dimensional L-band surveillance radar with a rotating parabolic antenna. Currently recognized as completely obsolete, there is a project to replace it with the SPQ-9B (Back-to-Back Slotted Array) radar with two phased arrays operating in the centimeter range. The appearance of this device promises to “cure” one of the main shortcomings of the Ticonderoga - the problem of detecting low-flying targets.
The cruiser's anti-aircraft arsenal is located in the bow and stern launchers of the MK.41 type; the number and type of missiles vary depending on the mission. Theoretically, the cruiser is capable of carrying up to a hundred anti-aircraft missiles (with the possibility of maintaining moderate versatility by placing it in the remaining Tomahawk and ASROK missile silos).
The nose group of the UVP is visible
The ammunition load includes the following types of ammunition:
- SAM of the “Standard” family. The latest modifications of the RIM-156 SM-2ER and RIM-174 ERAM (with an active head from the air-to-air missile) are, in theory, capable of intercepting targets at a distance of 240 km from the ship;
- exotic RIM-161 “Standard-3”, whose intercept altitude extends beyond the stratosphere. The SM-3 is focused exclusively on missile defense missions and is not intended against “conventional” aerodynamic targets. The scheme implements kinetic interception (direct hit on the target). External illumination for space purposes is not required (and is impossible) - the SPY-1 radar guides the missile to a given area of space, then SM-3 orients itself using an infrared seeker;
- medium/short-range anti-aircraft missile RIM-162 ESSM with an effective firing range of 50 km. Optimized for intercepting high-speed, low-flying targets (anti-ship missiles). Thanks to its unusual layout and the presence of a deflectable thrust vector, the ESSM is capable of maneuvering with overloads of up to 50g. The missiles are stored on board the cruiser, four in one launch cell.
The near line of defense is formed by two Phalanx anti-aircraft guns. The main advantage of automatic anti-aircraft guns is the presence of their own radar and complete independence from other ship systems (except for power supply). Disadvantage (common to all such systems): there is a threat that the Phalanx will be useless in a real battle. The fragments of missiles shot down in the near zone will fly by inertia and fatally cripple the ship.
As a “last chance” weapon, there are 70 sets of Stinger MANPADS on board.
General conclusions: due to the selected range and power of the radar, the Ticonderoga air defense system is ideally suited for intercepting targets in the upper atmosphere. At the same time, there is a whole range of problems with intercepting low-flying targets.
However... Only the Zamvolt and several European and Japanese destroyers have more effective near-zone air defense compared to the Ticonderoga.
Anti-submarine defense
The cruiser has a full range of anti-submarine weapons, which are traditionally installed on board large surface ships. It includes:
Active underbody sonar type AN/SQS-53;
- towed low-frequency antenna TACTAS;
- two anti-submarine helicopters of the SH-60 family;
- anti-submarine missiles RUM-139 ASROC-VL - max. the firing range is 22 km, the warhead is a small-sized deep-sea torpedo MK.54;
- two torpedo tubes for launching small-sized torpedoes (324 mm caliber). Purpose - fight against submarines in the immediate vicinity of the ship.
PLO is a network task; it cannot be solved by one ship. In this sense, Ticonderoga is an important component of the anti-submarine defense order.
Strike weapons
MK.41 can be placed in launch silos. As in the case of anti-aircraft ammunition, it is impossible to establish the exact number of SLCMs on board the cruiser; it changes depending on the assigned tasks.
During combat use, cases were recorded when cruisers fired 40...50 cruise missiles in one night. Obviously, their number can increase even more due to the reduction or complete abandonment of anti-aircraft ammunition.
Also on board are eight Harpoon anti-ship missiles (located in the stern, launched from an inclined Mk.141 launcher). The scale allocated for this weapon indicates its secondary importance. The Ticonderogas are not going to engage in combat with a surface enemy, relying entirely on aircraft and submarines. The cruiser Yorktown used her anti-ship missiles only once - against a Libyan speedboat, and, as usual, with an unclear result.
Currently, with a change in the tactics of using the fleet and the transition to the formation of multi-purpose combat groups, the need has arisen to arm cruisers with full-fledged anti-ship weapons. This weapon will be the promising AGM-158 LRASM. A stealth anti-ship missile of a new generation, combining new technologies, moderate size and versatility of the Harpoon with the flight range and warhead power of heavy Soviet missiles.
Aviation weapons
In stormy weather, Ticonderoga has one subtle but extremely important advantage over any other cruiser or destroyer. Its helipad is located in the middle part of the ship - where the amplitude of vibrations during pitching is less.
To facilitate landing and movement of helicopters on deck in stormy weather, all cruisers are standardly equipped with the RAST system.
There is a hangar designed for two anti-submarine helicopters of the SH-60 Sea Hawk family.
The aviation weapons cellar stores up to 40 small-sized anti-submarine torpedoes, light Penguin anti-ship missiles, NURS units and ammunition for aircraft guns.
Artillery and auxiliary weapons
The cruisers are armed with two universal MK.45 cannons of 127 mm caliber. A compact artillery system with no outstanding characteristics. 16-20 shots per minute, firing range 13 miles (24 km). Due to the low power of 5” shells, they are only suitable for firing at Iranian corvettes and finishing off wounded fighters.
Artillery fire is adjusted according to AN/SPQ-9 radar data.
After the incident with the Cole EM, a pair of 25 mm automatic Bushmasters appeared on board the cruisers to fire at the terrorists’ high-speed boats.
Electronic warfare equipment
On board there is a standard electronic warfare complex for all American ships for conducting electronic reconnaissance and suppressing SLQ-32 missile guidance systems with a maximum radiation power of 1 megawatt (antenna devices are mounted on two “balconies” in the central part of the superstructure).
There is a system for shooting dipole reflectors MK.36 SRBOC and a towed anti-torpedo trap (“rattle”) SLQ-25 “Nixie” (projected overboard through the lapports in the stern of the ship). Taking into account the results of military clashes at sea over the past half century, it is electronic warfare equipment that is an “insurance policy” and the most effective means of protection on board a ship.
There is nothing else on board the cruiser that is worth talking about.
Ending
Currently, the US Navy has 22 cruisers of this type.. Despite the obvious dilapidation, the Yankees are in no hurry to abandon the Ticonderoga. The cruiser is 25% superior to modern destroyers in all the most significant aspects (number of radars, ammunition, autonomy, presence of a flagship command post).
Ticonderogas still play the role of leaders in air defense protection of ship formations and aircraft carrier groups. The complete decommissioning of ships of this type is scheduled only for the end of the 2020s. At the same time, according to the military, there is no adequate replacement in sight, and the deadlines could be shifted “to the right” for another whole decade.
The sinking of the decommissioned cruiser Valley Forge as a target.
The ship was created on the basis of the hull and GEM Main power plant destroyer Spruence, which made it possible to speed up and reduce the cost of its construction, simplify its operation and provision of spare parts, and facilitate the training of personnel. At the same time, methods for designing a ship as a complex weapon system, including its hull, weapons, combat and technical means, and personnel, were further developed. Much attention was paid to the placement and operating conditions of various systems. First of all, this affected radio-electronic equipment, since a significant number of various antenna devices that create mutual interference during operation required the creation of optimal conditions for their placement.
One of the most serious tasks set before the ship's designers was the development of such a hull architecture, the designs of its sections and blocks, so that they could be modernized without large material costs and in a relatively short time. Such a task, notes the foreign press, stems from the experience of operating ships Navy Naval forces USA, which shows that during their 25 - 30 year service life they typically undergo two modernizations.
These cruisers are built on a production line using the block-sectional method (the ship is divided into ten blocks and sections) with modular installation of component equipment and a preliminarily high degree of saturation of the section with it. The ship has a hull with a forecastle extending far aft, extending 85%. Its lengths, clipper bow and transom stern. The hull contours are designed taking into account the reduction in the amplitudes of roll and pitch and the resistance of water to the movement of the ship. Based on the operating experience of Spruance-class destroyers, the total length of the ship was increased by 1.1 m by lengthening the bow, and a bulwark about 40 m long and 1.4 m high was installed on it to reduce the impact of waves and splashes in stormy weather on the bow installations - artillery and universal missile launcher. For the same purpose, cruisers are equipped with a roll stabilization system and side keels. According to the project, the ship must maintain a speed of 20 knots for a long time in sea conditions of 7 points. The smokestacks are spaced along the sides and length of the ship. Behind the navigation bridge and in the middle part of the superstructure, lattice masts rise. During the design, the goal was to increase the impact and explosion resistance of hull structures and equipment. A semi-automatic emergency system, using special sensors, informs the command about the nature and extent of damage and allows you to remotely close hatches and doors to prevent the spread of fire and water.
The project provides for the use of various noise-absorbing devices and coatings, low-noise power equipment manufactured using specially developed technology. A five-blade adjustable pitch propeller (CPP) with air supply to the incoming edges of the blades to reduce cavitation noise was chosen as a propulsion device. As a result of these innovations, the noise level of this ship is expected to be less than that of other surface ships Navy Naval forces USA.
New durable materials (aluminum alloys, plastics, wear-resistant coatings, etc.) are also widely used in the ship's design. The ammunition magazines are protected by 25 mm steel plates. The most important parts of the superstructure are additionally protected by honeycomb panels. The upper deck has vinyl covering. Compared to other ships, the area of living quarters has been increased, which are located in the middle part of the hull and in the superstructure. The bunks are grouped in blocks of six and separated by light bulkheads. There are special rooms for relaxation and study.
The ship is adapted to operate in conditions where weapons of mass destruction are used. There are no portholes in the hull and superstructure. All interior spaces are equipped with air conditioning.
The ship is equipped with belt conveyors and elevators to transfer cargo from the upper deck to the lower ones and move them between compartments. One of the conveyors ensures horizontal movement of cargo along the entire length of the ship - from bow to stern. There are two reception posts for cargo delivered by helicopters in the bow and stern.
The modular design of the equipment makes it possible to use the modular repair method and quickly replace faulty units using the personnel of the ship and the floating base serving it.
Automation of control of the movement and maneuvering of the ship, weapons systems and power plant made it possible to reduce the number of personnel.
The cruiser's combat information post (CIP) is located on platform 01 in the bow of the superstructure, which raises doubts among foreign experts about its sufficient security and survivability. It is divided into six functional zones in which equipment (remotes, indicators) of subsystems are installed that provide collection, analysis, summarization and display of information for making decisions on the use of weapons against submarines, air targets, surface ships, as well as for monitoring the tactical situation , control the actions of both one ship and the entire formation.
After the cruiser entered service URO Guided missile weapons"Ticonderoga" a number of articles critically assessing the series of new ships were published in the foreign press. First of all, an increase in displacement compared to the design was noted (from 8900 to 9600 tons), which is approaching the limit (10200 tons) for this hull. This is explained by the fact that the weight of the vertical launch system is 225 tons more than that of the Mk26 launchers. It is also stated that the weight Radar Radar station AN/SPS-49, which is a backup in case of failure of the AN/SPY-1A station, is 17 tons (at the same time, foreign experts note, it cannot even partially replace Radar Radar station AN/SPY-1A, since it does not determine the flight altitude of an air target). As a result, the center of gravity moved 0.152 m higher, which led to a decrease in the ship's stability and reduced its already small reserve of buoyancy. To compensate for this negative effect, at least 70 tons of ballast were added. The increase in displacement reduced the ship's cruising range, maintaining which at the same level required an additional 150 tons of fuel. Since the power plant has remained unchanged, there are concerns that the cruiser will not be able to maintain the speed required when performing the task of guarding aircraft carriers at full speed. All taken together, the foreign press emphasizes, will seriously affect the combat capabilities of the new ship.
Considered as a platform for the Aegis surface-to-air missile system for area air defense at minimal cost to be built in large numbers, the Ticonderoga class is based on the hull of the popular Spruance-class destroyer. Initial plans were to build 30 units, but then this figure was reduced to 27. The hull and engine layout are similar to the base Spruance class, but the larger displacement led to a noticeable decrease in speed. In this regard, there was some criticism regarding the maximum displacement of the ship, but tests of the lead ship Ticonderoga (CG47) in 1983 showed that its stability was sufficient.
The basis of the ship is the Aegis computerized area air defense system, which has a SPY-1A radar station with two pairs of phased array antennas, capable of both controlling its aircraft and simultaneously providing surveillance, detection and tracking of targets throughout the upper hemisphere above and around ship. The missiles used - "Standard" SM2-ER on two Mk 26 launchers are considered an effective means of countering massive attacks by highly maneuverable aircraft interacting with high-altitude and low-altitude anti-ship missiles launched both from the surface and from under water, in conditions of intense electronic warfare. From the sixth ship, two Mk 26 launchers and their ammunition magazines will be replaced by two Mk 41 vertical launchers, designed to carry 122 Tomahawk, Harpoon, Standard SM2-ER missiles and anti-submarine missiles instead of 104 missiles, which carried the first ships. The last ship in the class, Shiloh, was commissioned in 1994. Princeton was severely damaged by an Iraqi mine during the Gulf War in 1991.
Performance characteristics of the cruiser Ticonderoga
- Displacement, t: full 9600;
- Dimensions, m: length 172.8; width 16.8; draft 9.5;
- Main power plant: four gas turbine units LM 2500 from General Electric, operating on two shafts, power, hp. With. (kW): 80,000 (59,655);
- Travel speed, knots: 30;
- Airplane: two multi-purpose SH-2D Seasprite or SH-60B Seahawk helicopters;
- Weapons: two eight-round launchers with 16 Harpoon anti-ship missiles, two twin launchers for the Standard SM2-ER anti-aircraft guided missile and ASROC anti-submarine missiles (ammunition load of 68 missiles and 20 missiles, respectively), two single-barreled 127-mm artillery mounts, two 20 -mm anti-aircraft artillery self-defense complex "Phalanx", two three-tube torpedo tubes Mk 32 of 324 mm caliber with ammunition of 14 Mk46 torpedoes;
- Electronics: two SPY-1A Aegis integrated phased array antennas, SPS-49 air target detection radar, SPS-10 surface (ground) target detection radar, SPQ-9A fire control system, four SPG-62 fire control radars for the Standard anti-aircraft guided missile, one set of SLQ-32 radio reconnaissance equipment, four Mk 36 Super RBOC launchers for setting dipole reflectors, NAVSAT satellite navigation system, one SQS-23 sonar station, SQR-19 sonar station with a towed antenna array, satellite communication system SATCOMM;
- Crew, persons: 360.
