Corvette project 20385 "Thundering": specifications and photos. Corvette "Agile"

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

The ship under the loud name "Thundering" is a project 20385 corvette, which was being prepared for laying in February 2012. In parallel, the development of the analogue "Agile" was carried out. The process began at a shipyard located in St. Petersburg. The solemn ceremony was attended by high officials of the Russian armed forces. This project is directly focused on the construction of military swimming facilities, the arsenal of which provides for the most modern weapons of an attacking and defensive plan.

Development and construction

The project 20385 corvette is an improved version of a similar development under the index 20380, with the introduction of fundamentally new technological and design solutions. Severnaya Verf in St. Petersburg has signed a contract for the construction of four ships of this category, two of which are already ready. In parallel, work is underway at a shipyard in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. New ships should become as reliable as possible in terms of strike, including the use of the latest air defense systems.

Developed project 20385 corvette("Thundering") design bureau "Almaz". The predicted port of registry for ships after completion is the Northern Fleet. The project under consideration is significantly more perfect than its predecessor. This is especially true of tactical and technical parameters, weapons, combat and maneuvering capabilities. In theory, the manufacturers plan to build ten similar corvettes for the Russian Navy. This will make it possible to significantly increase the defense capability in terms of protecting the maritime border. It is worth noting that composite materials are used in the production of ships, and the cost of their manufacture and delivery amounted to at least half a million rubles.

Features and usage

20385 is a project of a new generation corvette designed for multi-purpose use. Its main task is to detect and destroy surface enemy ships or submarines. Also, a combat ship is used for landing troops, protecting the coastal zone, and escorting other ships.

In addition to artillery and missile weapons, there are radar and sonar systems on board. The installation of a hangar for the Ka-27 helicopter expands the possibility of a warship. This significantly increases the combat capability of the vessel, allowing timely detection of enemy targets. Additional protection against the detection of the project 20385 corvette is the use of special technologies in the design that minimize their radar detection. Reliability and maneuverability in any conditions are guaranteed by composite components from FSUE "Prometheus", which have proven their importance even in previous similar developments.

Technical indicators

The following are the characteristics of the project 20385 corvette:

• The length/width of the ship is 104/13 m.
• Displacement is 2200 tons.
• Speed threshold - 27 knots.
• Indicator of vessel autonomy is 15 days.
• Covered distance - 5600 km.
• Power units - diesel engines 1DDA-12000.
• Number of crew members - 99 people.

The artillery weapons on board are represented by the A-190-01 mount (caliber 100 mm). There is a Kalibr universal missile system, machine guns, a Redut-type anti-aircraft gun, acoustic and radar bases, Paket anti-submarine weapons and a reinforcement in the form of a Ka-27 helicopter.

Hull and superstructure

The Thundering Corvette is the lead one in the latest project 20385. Its hull is predominantly made of steel and has a smooth deck. Structural innovations have resulted in a 25 percent improvement in oncoming water resistance and reduced loads on the main electrical installation.

The new design of the underwater part of the hull allows the use of a power plant with less weight, and this frees up the displacement parameter by about 20 percent. In this regard, the combat equipment of the ship can be significantly strengthened. An additional advantage is the two-knot increase in travel speed.

The superstructure of the floating combat vehicle is made of non-combustible compositeconstituent components. They include fiberglass, polymers based on carbon fiber. This system makes it possible to achieve a small detection radius by radar stations and systems. The stern is equipped with a special hangar and a platform for placing and taking off the Ka-27 helicopter. Its fuel reserve is about 20 tons. Project 20380 and 20385 corvettes are strikingly different in equipment and armament in favor of the latter option.

Power Plant

Previously, the main power unit was supposed to be German motors of the MTU type. Subsequently, in compliance with import substitution countermeasures, it was decided to use domestically produced engines. The order was sent to the specialists of OAO Zvezda and the Kolomna Combine. As a result, the Project 20385 corvette was equipped with a pair of DDA-1200 diesel units.

Each unit includes two motors and a reverse gear. They have an automatic control system and microprocessors. The characteristics of the power plants are shown below:

• Working resource - at least 15 thousand hours.
• Average range at 14 knots is 4,000 nautical miles.
• The material of the piston base is heat-resistant steel type EI-415.
• The basis of the power units is AK-6 aluminum alloy.
• The power rating of each generator is 630 kW.
• Current requirement - 50 Hz (380 watts).

These installations allow to provide a high percentage of power with a minimum of fuel and oil consumption, while reducingsonar visibility of the ship.

Ship's radio engineering

Project 20385 "Thundering" corvette has the following radio equipment:

• System "Sigma" (CICS).
• Automatic communication unit "Roofing material".
• Monument aiming complex.
• Furke-2 General Detection Station.
• Node OGAS "Anapa-M".

These devices make it possible to reduce the probability of detecting a vessel by three times, they operate in the mode from 64 to 2000 MHz. They are able to identify over two hundred suspected targets, and also counter enemy missile systems, providing ship protection. This is facilitated by four launchers to neutralize interference of the "Brave" type. Coordination actions for helicopter control are carried out using a special navigation tower OSP-20380.

Armaments

The ships in question are equipped with several types of weapons. Among them:

1. A pair of combat anti-ship installations with four launch systems and 8 missiles. Containers for launch are located in the middle part of the body (longitudinally to the platform in diameter). The maximum target engagement range is 260 km.
2. Anti-aircraft armament, which consists of the Redoubt system with three modular mounts, the Igla mobile complex, thirty-millimeter cannons with six barrels (mounted on the stern).
3. Complex "Frontier".
4. A pair of 330 mm guns against torpedoes (Packet-N system).
5. 100mmartillery installation A-190. Its rate of fire is about 80 starts per minute. The Puma control system allows you to control aiming and shooting itself.
6. An anti-submarine helicopter Ka-27.

Project 20385 corvette, the photo of which is shown below, can launch projectiles aimed at hitting not only enemy submarines and surface ships, but also oncoming torpedoes.

Seaworthiness parameters

The ship in question has increased seaworthiness, compared with analogues and predecessors. In this case, the load on oscillations during roll does not matter. This opportunity gives the right to freely use the entire ammunition load even with sea waves up to 5 points.

Designers paid special attention to the survivability of the ship. The developers used the latest technologies and composite materials. This made it possible to significantly reduce the radar visibility of the ship. The Thundering corvette of the Russian Corvette Project 20385 is the first of its kind to be equipped with polymer materials with high absorption of radio pulses and non-standard architectural design.

As a result, the detection factor and circular scattering decreased by almost three times (compared to analogues). Additional protection is provided by complexes aimed at blocking the attacking means of the enemy.

What modifications were developed?

According to the initial plan, the development and construction of four mainships of the corvette type of project 20385. "Thundering", the photo of which is presented above, became the flagship and a single vessel, the construction of which continued in this direction. In addition, the following modifications were designed:

1. Border patrol corvette (20380P).
2. Export version equipped with minimal weapons. It assumed the option of changing ammunition to foreign counterparts.
3. "Agile". It was purposefully prepared for the Black Sea Fleet, had improved equipment and weapons.
4. Upgraded version with the ability to mount the Horizon combat mount.

The names of the ships are no less sonorous: Zealous and Strict.

Project 20385 Agile Corvette

This ship has serial number 1006. It is the second hull of the project under consideration. The laying of the series also took place at the Northern Shipyard of the shipbuilding plant in St. Petersburg.

The event was attended by Admiral Vysotsky, fleet commanders of all levels, as well as other dignitaries, guests of honor. The development of this project began in the spring of 2013. From previous models, "Agile" is distinguished by a large displacement (2200 tons) and dimensions. The length of the ship is 105 meters, and the width and draft are 13 and 8 meters, respectively. The equipment in armament is also an order of magnitude different from its predecessors, thanks to the possibility of installing the Caliber-NK systems, the Redut and Package complexes. Based on the deck of the Ka-27PL helicopter.

Features

A very important difference between the ship in question is the presence of an optocoupler type mast, which serves to control radar devices and increases the ability to detect enemy targets, and also helps to strengthen the combat caravan, guaranteeing escort and detection of ships and aircraft. A significant role in this is played by the radar and the Puma-type control unit.

Judging by the comment of the leading engineer of the Almaz Central Design Bureau, K. Golubev, the development in terms of new offshore shipbuilding is also carried out according to an improved program under the index 20386. The project is focused on maximizing the provision of domestic weapons, although the details of the construction still remain in secret.

As Deputy Minister of Defense of Russia Yu. Borisov stated, by 2020 it is planned to produce at least 16 corvettes of the class in question. The main production facilities are concentrated at the shipyard in St. Petersburg and the Amur Shipbuilding Plant.

Experts think that the main snag in the construction of such ships is the compatibility of the latest weapons in large quantities and the cost of the final version. The designers continue to work to bring this figure to the optimum level.

Result

Project 20385 corvette, the characteristics of which are given above, has the most modern weapons and multifunctional orientation. As part of this event, the construction of only one of the representatives("Thundering"). The rest of the vessels are being developed according to the updated project. This is due to the rise in the cost of the ship, which is not always justified by the presence of heavy weapons of various types. The developers, despite the delay in replacing foreign power plants with domestic counterparts, say that all planned work is being carried out according to the planned schedule.