The corvette is a modern ship. Corvette-class multi-purpose maritime zone ship “Savvy. Radio equipment of the corvette "Daring"

CORVETTE (French corvette, from Latin corbita - ship),

1) a ship of the sailing fleet of the 17th-19th centuries, intended for reconnaissance, messenger service, and sometimes for cruising operations. Corvettes became famous mainly due to geographical discoveries (expeditions of J. Cook, J. F. La Perouse, J. Dumont-D'Urville, I. F. Krusenstern, etc.). Initially, a corvette was a single-masted boat with a displacement of 150-200 tons; in the 1st half of the 18th century - a two-masted, and then a three-masted ship with square sails, a displacement of 400-600 tons. It had a lightweight design with one deck for guns (up to 30 pieces); in size and armament it occupied an intermediate position between a frigate and a brig. In Russia, sailing corvettes appeared in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. In total, 31 ships of this class were built at domestic shipyards.

2) A medium-displacement warship during the transition from sailing to steam fleet. In the middle of the 19th century, wheeled and then screw corvettes with a steam engine appeared, with a displacement of 800-3500 tons, with a speed of up to 14 knots (26 km/h), with open (20-32 guns) or closed (14-24 guns) batteries . The construction of Russian screw corvettes with wooden hulls began in 1855. As an auxiliary propulsion, they carried a lightweight mast with a straight sail. Since the 1860s, the construction of corvettes with iron hulls began. Ships with armor protection belonged to the class of armored corvettes. A total of 32 screw and armored corvettes were built (1 of them in France), 1 wheeled steamship corvette was purchased in the United States. With the introduction of a new classification in 1892, the class of corvettes was abolished, and all ships remaining in service were assigned to the subclass of 1st rank cruisers. In the Russian fleet, steam corvettes were also used as research vessels (expeditions of E.V. Putyatin, N.N. Miklouho-Maclay, S.O. Makarov, etc.).

3) A specially built escort ship that appeared in the US and British Navy during the 2nd World War. Displacement 500-1600 tons, speed 16-20 knots (30-37 km/h). Armament: artillery mounts of 76-102 mm caliber and anti-aircraft guns of 20-40 mm caliber, bomb throwers and depth charges, equipped with radar and hydroacoustic means of air and underwater surveillance.

4) A modern multi-purpose close-sea combat ship of medium displacement (up to 2 thousand tons), equipped with automatic artillery installations, strike missile systems, close-in and short-range anti-aircraft and anti-boat defense systems. It is in service with the navies of most states. In the Russian Federation, serial construction of a new generation of corvettes of Project 20 380 is underway, designed to combat surface ships, submarines, patrol, artillery support for amphibious landings and other tasks. The lead ship Steregushchy was handed over to the Russian Navy in February 2008.

Lit.: History of domestic shipbuilding. M., 1994-1996. T. 1-2; Chernyshev A. A. Russian sailing fleet: Directory. M., 2002.T. 2; Berezhnoy S.S. Cruisers and destroyers: Directory. M., 2002.

The ship under the loud name “Rattling” is a Project 20385 corvette, which was preparing to be laid down in February 2012. In parallel, the development of an analogue of the “Agile” was carried out. The process began at the location in St. Petersburg. The ceremony was attended by high ranks of the Russian armed forces. This project is directly focused on the construction of military vessels, the arsenal of which includes the most modern offensive and defensive weapons.

Development and construction

The project 20385 corvette is an improved version of a similar design under the designation 20380, with the introduction of fundamentally new technological and design solutions. in St. Petersburg signed a contract to create four ships of this category, two of which are already ready. In parallel, work is being carried out in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. The new ships must become as reliable as possible in terms of attack, including the use of the latest air defense systems.

The corvette of Project 20385 (“Thundering”) was developed by the Almaz design bureau. The predicted home port of the ships after completion is the Northern Fleet. The project under consideration is significantly more advanced than its predecessor. This is especially true for tactical and technical parameters, weapons, combat and maneuvering capabilities. In theory, manufacturers plan to build ten similar corvettes for the Russian Navy. This will make it possible to significantly increase 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 production and delivery was at least half a million rubles.

Features and usage

20385 is a project of a new generation corvette intended for multi-purpose use. Its main task is to detect and destroy enemy surface ships or submarines. The combat vessel also serves 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 capabilities of the warship. This significantly increases the combat effectiveness of the vessel, allowing timely detection of enemy targets. Additional protection against 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 Prometey, which have proven their importance in previous similar developments.

Technical indicators

Below are the characteristics of the Project 20385 corvette:

• Length/width of the ship - 104/13 m.
• The displacement is 2200 tons.
• Speed ​​threshold - 27 knots.
• The vessel's autonomy indicator is 15 days.
• The distance covered is 5600 km.
• Power units - diesel engines 1DDA-12000.
• The number of crew members is 99 people.

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

Hull and superstructure

The Gremyashchiy corvette is the lead ship in the newest project 20385. Its hull is predominantly made of steel and has a smooth deck. Innovative design solutions have improved resistance to oncoming water by 25 percent 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 ship’s combat equipment can be significantly strengthened. An additional advantage is the increase in speed by two knots.

The superstructure of the swimming combat vehicle is made of non-flammable composite components. They include fiberglass and carbon fiber-based polymers. This system makes it possible to achieve a small detection radius by location stations and systems. The stern is equipped with a special hangar and platform for the placement and take-off of the Ka-27 helicopter. Its fuel reserve is about 20 tons. Project 20380 and Project 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 MTU type engines. Subsequently, following countermeasures for import substitution, it was decided to use domestically produced engines. The order was sent to specialists from JSC Zvezda and the Kolomna plant. As a result, the Project 20385 corvette was equipped with a pair of DDA-1200 diesel units.

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

• Working life - at least 15 thousand engine hours.
• The average cruising range, taking into account a speed of 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 make it possible to provide a high percentage of power with a minimum of fuel and oil consumption, while reducing the hydroacoustic signature of the ship.

Ship radio equipment

The project 20385 corvette "Gremyashchiy" has the following radio equipment:

• System "Sigma" (BIUS).
• Automatic communication unit "Ruberoid".
• Targeting complex "Monument".
• General detection station "Furke-2".
• OGAS node "Anapa-M".

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

Armament

The vessels 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. The launch containers are located in the middle part of the body (longitudinally along the diameter of the platform). The maximum target engagement range is 260 km.
2. Anti-aircraft weapons, which consist of the Redut system with three modular installations, the Igla mobile complex, thirty-millimeter guns with six barrels (mounted on the stern).
3. Complex "Rubezh".
4. A pair of 330 mm caliber guns against torpedoes (Packet-N system).
5. 100-mm artillery mount A-190. Its rate of fire is about 80 launches per minute. The Puma control system allows you to control aiming and shooting itself.
6. Anti-submarine helicopter Ka-27.

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

Seaworthiness parameters

The ship in question has increased seaworthiness compared to its analogues and predecessors. In this case, the load on vibrations during lateral motion does not matter. This opportunity gives the right to freely use all ammunition even in sea conditions of up to 5 points.

The 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 signature of the ship. The Gremyashchiy corvette of Russian corvette project 20385 is the first of its kind, equipped with polymer materials with high absorption of radio impulses and non-standard architectural design.

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

What modifications were developed?

According to the initial plan, it was planned to develop and build four main corvettes of Project 20385. “Gremyashchiy,” 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 was supposed to have the option of changing ammunition to foreign analogues.
3. "Prompt". It was purposefully prepared for the Black Sea Fleet and had improved equipment and weapons.
4. An 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 corvette “Agile”

This vessel is assigned 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 high-ranking officials and honored guests. The development of this project began in the spring of 2013. The Provorny differs from previous models in its large displacement (2200 tons) and dimensions. The length of the ship is 105 meters, and the beam and draft are 13 and 8 meters, respectively. The equipment in the weapons is also an order of magnitude different from its predecessors, thanks to the possibility of installing the Caliber-NK systems, Redut and Package complexes. It is planned to be based on the deck of a Ka-27PL helicopter.

Peculiarities

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 the escort and identification of ships and aircraft. A significant role in this is played by the radar and control unit of the Puma type.

Judging by the commentary of the leading engineer of the Almaz central design bureau, K. Golubev, development in terms of new naval ship construction is also being carried out according to an improved program under the index 20386. The project is focused on the maximum provision of domestic weapons, although the details of the construction still remain secret.

As stated by Deputy Minister of Defense of Russia Yu. Borisov, 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 problem in the construction of such ships is the compatibility of the latest weapons in large quantities and the cost of the final version. Designers continue to work to bring this figure to the optimal level.

Bottom line

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

XVII-XIX centuries straight-rigged, armed with 18-30 small and medium-caliber guns, located only on the upper deck (open), and used for reconnaissance and messenger service. Displacement 460 tons or more. The name comes from the classification system of the French fleet; in the Royal Navy of Great Britain for a very long time (until the 1830s) this class of ships was not distinguished, and such light ships were called sloops (English). sloop-of-war). In the 1840s. wheeled ones appeared, and in the late 1860s. - sail-screw corvettes.

Modern corvettes

Corvettes as a class emerged as a result of expanding the capabilities of the largest representatives of the class of combat boats, which became multi-purpose coastal ships. If the boats are from the 1970s. were divided into missile and anti-submarine, then the boats of the late 1980s. In addition to missiles, they received a lowered hydroacoustic station and 324 mm torpedo tubes. In the mid-1990s. their armament was supplemented with a light helicopter (currently unmanned) to provide target designation to anti-ship missiles, since the firing range of anti-ship missiles had increased by that time to 120-150 km. As a result, the displacement of such boats increased to 1200-1500 tons, and these ships in some fleets began to be called corvettes.

Currently, corvettes are considered to be specially built escort ships that appeared in the US and British Navy during the Second World War. Displacement - 500-1600 tons, speed - 16-20 knots (30-37 km/h). Armament - artillery mounts of 76-102 mm caliber and anti-aircraft guns of 20-40 mm caliber, bomb throwers and depth charges, equipped with radar and hydroacoustic means of air and underwater surveillance. With the development of missile weapons, they are equipped with missile launchers. The most popular corvettes of the Second World War were the Flower-class corvettes.

see also

• Korvetten-captain, de: Korvettenkapitän - equivalent to captain 3rd rank in German-speaking countries

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Notes

Literature

• Chernyshev A. A. Russian sailing fleet. Directory. - M.: Voenizdat, 2002. - T. 2. - 480 p. - (Ships and vessels of the Russian fleet). - 5000 copies. - ISBN 5-203-01789-1.
• Shirokorad A. B. 200 years of the Russian sailing fleet / Ed. A. B. Vasilyeva. - 2nd ed. - M.: Veche, 2007. - 448 p. - ISBN 978-5-9533-1517-3.

Links

• Sergey Sokut.. Independent Military Review, December 28, 2001. (Retrieved August 2, 2016)- New Russian corvettes of project 20380.

Types of sailing ships The Ancient East Ancient Greece Ancient Rome Mediterranean Sea Northern Europe Near East New World Far East Battle Line Auxiliary Sailing and rowing Merchant and cargo ships Commercial Sailing “Princesse, il faut que je vous previenne,” she added, lowering her voice, “le prince a eu une altercation,” “alternation,” she said, especially graceful and listening to herself with pleasure, “une altercation avec Michel Ivanoff.” Il est de tres mauvaise humeur, tres morose. Soyez prevenue, vous savez... [We must warn you, princess, that the prince has sorted things out with Mikhail Ivanovich. He is very out of sorts, so gloomy. I'm warning you, you know...] “Ah l chere amie,” answered Princess Marya, “je vous ai prie de ne jamais me prevenir de l"humeur dans laquelle se trouve mon pere. Je ne me permets pas de le juger, et je ne voudrais pas que les autres le fassent [Ah, my dear friend! I asked you never to tell me what state of mind the priest is in. I will not allow myself to judge him and would not want others to judge him either.] The princess looked at her watch and, noticing that she had already missed the time she should have used to play the clavichord by five minutes, she went to the sofa with a frightened look. Between 12 and 2 o'clock, in accordance with the routine of the day, the prince rested, and the princess played the clavichord. The gray-haired valet sat dozing and listening to the prince's snoring in the huge office. From the far side of the house, from behind the closed doors, difficult passages of Dussek's sonata were heard twenty times repeated. At this time, a carriage and britzka drove up to the porch, and Prince Andrei got out of the carriage, dropped off his little wife and let her go ahead. Gray-haired Tikhon, in a wig, leaned out of the waiter's door, reported in a whisper that the prince was sleeping, and hastily closed the door. Tikhon knew that neither the arrival of his son nor any unusual events should have disrupted the order of the day. Prince Andrei apparently knew this as well as Tikhon; he looked at his watch, as if to see if his father’s habits had changed during the time during which he had not seen him, and, making sure that they had not changed, he turned to his wife: “He’ll get up in twenty minutes.” “Let’s go to Princess Marya,” he said. The little princess gained weight during this time, but her eyes and short lip with a mustache and smile rose just as cheerfully and sweetly when she spoke. “Mais c"est un palais,” she said to her husband, looking around, with the expression with which one speaks of praise to the owner of the ball. “Allons, vite, vite!... [Yes, this is a palace! – Let’s go quickly, quickly!...] - She , looking around, smiled at Tikhon, her husband, and the waiter who saw them off. - C "est Marieie qui s" exercise? Allons doucement, il faut la surprendre. [Is this Marie exercising? Hush, let's take her by surprise.] Prince Andrei followed her with a courteous and sad expression. “You have grown old, Tikhon,” he said, passing, to the old man who was kissing his hand. In front of the room in which the clavichord could be heard, a pretty blond Frenchwoman jumped out of a side door. M lle Bourienne seemed distraught with delight. - Ah! “quel bonheur pour la princesse,” she spoke. - Enfin! Il faut que je la previenne. [Oh, what joy for the princess! Finally! We need to warn her.] “Non, non, de grace... Vous etes m lle Bourienne, je vous connais deja par l"amitie que vous porte ma belle soeur,” said the princess, kissing the Frenchwoman. “Elle ne nous attend pas?” [No, no, please ... You are Mamzel Bourien; I already know you from the friendship that my daughter-in-law has for you. Isn’t she expecting us?] They approached the door of the sofa, from which they could hear the passage being repeated again and again. Prince Andrey stopped and winced, as if expecting something unpleasant. The princess entered. The passage broke off in the middle; a cry was heard, the heavy feet of Princess Marya and the sounds of kisses. When Prince Andrei entered, the princess and princess, who had only met briefly once during Prince Andrei’s wedding, clasped their hands and pressed their lips firmly to the places they had been in in the first minute. M lle Bourienne stood near them, pressing her hands to her heart and smiling piously, apparently as ready to cry as to laugh. Prince Andrey shrugged his shoulders and winced, as music lovers wince when they hear a false note. Both women released each other; then again, as if afraid of being late, they grabbed each other by the hands, began to kiss and tear off their hands, and then again began to kiss each other on the face, and completely unexpectedly for Prince Andrei, both began to cry and began to kiss again. M lle Bourienne also began to cry. Prince Andrei was obviously embarrassed; but it seemed so natural to the two women that they were crying; it seemed that they did not even imagine that this meeting could take place otherwise. - Ah! here!…Ah! Marieie!... – both women suddenly spoke and laughed. – J"ai reve cette nuit... – Vous ne nous attendez donc pas?... Ah! Marieie,vous avez maigri... – Et vous avez repris... [Ah, dear!... Ah, Marie!... – And I saw it in a dream. – So you weren’t expecting us?... Oh, Marie, you’ve lost so much weight. - And you’ve gained so much weight...] “J"ai tout de suite reconnu madame la princesse, [I immediately recognized the princess,] - inserted m lle Burien. “Et moi qui ne me doutais pas!...” exclaimed Princess Marya. - Ah! Andre, je ne vous voyais pas. [But I didn’t suspect!... Oh, Andre, I didn’t even see you.] Prince Andrei kissed his sister hand in hand and told her that she was the same pleurienicheuse [crybaby] as she always was. Princess Marya turned to her brother, and through her tears, the loving, warm and gentle gaze of her large, beautiful, radiant eyes at that moment rested on the face of Prince Andrei.

Traditionally, the names of patrol ships are selected in the form of adjective parts of speech, which sometimes leads to very apt names. For example, “Guardian” was the first creation in Project 20380, the initial symbol in the class of patrol ships. “Boikiy” is already a more thorough and successful work of shipbuilders, which became the serial third on the list. Decades later, the time for the famous “Reasonable” is coming - because if the ship becomes truly mass-produced, this will be the best demonstration that the choice of direction for new classes of corvettes for the country was made correctly.

Patrol ships, as a class in coastal areas since the times of the Soviet Union, are exactly that well-known, empty place for decades. Why this happened can be found out by reading the history of Novik, a Project 12441 ship.

So, in the early 1990s, project 12440 was approved, which was designed using the latest technologies of that time with:

• Gas turbine power plant with two propulsion and two afterburning engines;
• The hull and superstructure were made with the addition of composite materials, which gave low radar signature, meeting stealth technologies;
• The most modern and promising anti-aircraft missile system at that time was “Polyment / Redut”, a hangar in which an anti-submarine helicopter was permanently based.

Later, three years later, adjustments to the project caused by the collapse of the Union were completed. Because of this, many prospective suppliers suddenly became foreign. The project had to be modernized several times during construction. We worked to improve the ship's running and combat parameters. At the same time, they worked on its displacement, and it significantly exceeded the initial characteristics of the task. “Novik” managed to come close to the classes of ships that are capable of long-term patrols and escorting ships, while still having excessive parameters for service in coastal waters.

As a result, the most technically advanced Russian ship was dealt with as often happens: it was reclassified as a training ship, but was never completed. Something similar happened with another project 11540. It was Neustrashimy, which was developed in the 1970s. It was conceived as a small anti-submarine ship with a displacement of eight hundred tons, but over several years it increased to one and a half thousand, then to two thousand, and with a helicopter it reached two and a half tons, finding itself in the sea zone. As a result, Neustrashimy was launched only twenty years later.

Of course, it is not difficult for the fast, well-protected and armed Novik to cope with all sorts of tasks in coastal waters. Its critical drawback was the cost. Although, when protecting maritime borders, as well as in order to respond in a timely manner to any local territorial conflict, it is necessary to take a closer look at patrol ships, there should be an optimal number of them.

As a result, at the very end of the nineties, a competition was announced to develop lighter and cheaper patrol ships. It was won by the Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau, which designed the Novik.

Project 20380 ships of the “Steregushchy” type, and later “Boikiy” and “Stoikiy”, promised to be the backbone of the Russian Navy in coastal waters. Moreover, despite the great cheapness in relation to the Novik, it, without a doubt, has become the most innovative and technically advanced project in the domestic fleet.

Among the innovations, one can note the appearance of redesigned hull contours, and with them a decrease in hydrodynamic resistance, a helicopter hangar, for the first time placed on such a small ship. The most important breakthrough was achieved in the use of a unified information complex for the control of weapons and electrical equipment. At the same time, the ships received new class designations corresponding to the time and international terminology. These were no longer patrol boats, but corvettes.

Inconspicuous, streamlined - “invisible”

Compared to previous ones, Project 20380 is now called successful. Some journalists were even lucky to climb aboard the Boykiy, which stood at the factory berth of the Severnaya Verf shipyard when the final stage of factory testing was underway. Others, Steregushchiy and Soobrazitelny, are already in service with the Russian Navy. Several more corvettes, including the Stoiky, were laid down by the Severnaya Verf and the Amur Shipyard.

The main components of the success of Project 20380 were the carefully designed structures in the housing, as well as a unified electronic automation complex. This was mainly expressed in combat qualities, the composition of weapons, and comfort for the crew, as well as reliability, maintainability and the ability to modernize the vehicles.

They worked on the contours in the steel hull of the ship without having any experience in their development. However, everything went so well that they managed to reduce the hydrodynamic resistance by 25%. Thanks to this, a light main power plant was used, not such a powerful one. This entailed the release of more than 15% of the displacement and increased the combat load, as well as a substantial list of various weapons for a 1,500-ton ship, including a helipad. Moreover, there was a place for the Ka-27 anti-submarine helicopter, space for a hangar and twenty tons of fuel for the helicopter.

Improved seaworthiness of the corvette made it possible to use its weapons in seas of five points, which is two points more than its predecessors. In addition, a weaker power plant could operate more quietly, which reduced the visibility of the ship in hydroacoustic ranges. To reduce engine noise, techniques tested on submarines were used.

The main power plant consists of two diesel-diesel units, which were specially developed at the Kolomensky Plant, using the proven microprocessor-controlled D49 diesel engine as a basis. The power of the main power plant can reach up to 24,000 horsepower. With four diesel generators of 630 kW each, the on-board network is provided from each of them.

“Guardian” is not called “invisible” for nothing. During construction, the principles of stealth technologies were applied, which are an indispensable attribute in modern ships of such classes. The wide ship superstructure was made of low-flammability radio-absorbing glass-carbon fiber. The antenna posts with missile weapons were removed inside the hull. They did the right thing with the Package-NK, four-tube 330-mm torpedo tubes: they hid them in the ports. In total, the average circular effective scattering surface in the ship was reduced threefold when compared with its predecessors. Thanks to this, the probability of targeting and hitting it with anti-ship cruise missiles decreased from 0.5 to 0.1.

Hand in hand

The introduction of a unified combat information and control system can be called the main innovation in Project 20380, which influenced the tactical characteristics of ships, the crew’s accommodation, the reliability of all technical equipment, as well as the rapid modernization of weapons. Previously, the systems were located in different places on the ship, and all coordination was entrusted to the crew. This is now entrusted to the integrated bridge system, which controls all ship systems, from mechanical to weapons.

There are also a couple of components in the integrated bridge system:

• Missile and anti-submarine warfare control section;
• Section for control of radar warfare and illumination of air, surface and underwater conditions.

The first section has three posts located hand in hand right next to the captain's bridge. These are the places of work of warhead commanders. One is engaged in anti-submarine warfare, and the second is in charge of the anti-ship complex. The appearance of their posts is almost the same. It consists of large screens that display information about targets and combat systems. The corvette commander and the watch officer have the same screens.

The third warhead commander coordinates all weapons systems, and also issues recommendations to the ship commander in cases of weapon use. An important aspect is the fact that the ship’s commander, the helmsman, the watch officer, as well as the warhead commanders are within the walls of the same room, and this contributes to the lightning-fast adoption of coordinated decisions and their immediate execution.

Corvettes are equipped with weapons coordination systems and multiple target detection systems. The technical aspects are almost unknown, but it is noted that each new system on a new ship becomes even stronger.

Its essence is that information about air, surface and underwater conditions, about detected targets and communications, is concentrated as a single center and is also processed. The system determines the dangerous level of the target and makes a decision on the type of weapon that needs to be used. Then this information is sent at lightning speed to nearby ships, helicopters and airplanes for the general coordination of further activities.

It would be logical to use such a system in cooperation with helicopters, which are invulnerable to submarines, and the use of active hydroacoustic detection means has undeniable advantages over ships when illuminating underwater conditions. The maximum automation of all ship systems led to a manifold reduction in the time required to make any decision, as well as facilitating the work of the crew and reducing its number to one hundred military personnel.

Corvettes are ready for upgrades

Integrated information networks on ships entail additional benefits associated with reliable, maintainable and high-speed equipment modernization. Industrial and research organizations from all over Russia, and there are thousands of them, were involved in the construction processes of corvettes, but with modern electronic technologies, many components have been reduced and made lighter.

Modular ship concepts provide for the possible installation of the latest weapons as they become operational. In particular, if the title ship of Project 20380 “Steregushchy” was equipped with the Kortik-M anti-aircraft missile system, “Boikiy” acquired a more modern and more powerful “Redut”, and “Stoikiy” received even more advanced weapons.

Corvette "Staudy"

Corvette "Stoikiy" is the third production corvette in Project 20380, built for the Baltic Fleet. This is already a fundamentally new ship for the Russian Navy, the tactical, technical characteristics and combat properties of which are an order of magnitude superior to similar ships in its class.

The most important feature of the Corvette is that it is sharper, more multifunctional, flexible, compact, unobtrusive, with a high level of automated and integrated systems. The project provides significant potential for its further modernization. The project 20380 corvette with a displacement of more than two thousand tons, a length of one hundred meters and a width of thirteen meters reaches a speed of up to twenty-seven knots. The range of sea crossings that the ship can make has been increased to four thousand nautical miles. The ship is no longer as loud as its predecessors were.

The corvette is armed with a hundred-millimeter universal artillery system and an anti-aircraft missile and artillery system. In addition, it is armed with supersonic missiles and automatic artillery mounts. The air group of this ship, however, as in previous corvettes, included one Ka-27PL helicopter. The ship received a strict appearance that meets all modern requirements of stealth technology.

Serial, but different in their uniqueness, corvettes

As often happens with all new projects, the ships encountered a lot of criticism along their paths. Basically, the insufficient cruising range was criticized. However, this is still due to the fact that previously the class of corvettes itself was not in service with the Russian Navy. Skeptics should understand that the very list of tasks facing the Navy has changed significantly. Today, having dozens of corvettes at your disposal is much more important than having a small number of ocean-going destroyers.

Discussions often arose over the ship's weapons; security and survivability were raised in doubt. However, it is also difficult to pay attention to these qualities if you do not have at least a general idea of ​​the tactical schemes that characterize the corvette classes themselves. Although the project itself is promising, it is not yet perfect.

In the first few years of service and combat activity on the Steregushchy, problems with the main power plant appeared twice. These emergency situations became the pretext for comparing the “diesel-diesel” with the gas turbine engine, which is more reliable and lighter, but incomparably more expensive.

Also, the corvette “Boiky” was unable to immediately enter service when problems were discovered in the 100-millimeter gun mount. “Universal” refused to operate under normal conditions, and not only on Project 20380 itself. The same fate befell the Indian frigate from the Russian manufacturer.

Corvette is a class of warships designed for patrol and patrol service in the coastal zone. The main tasks of corvettes are considered to be patrolling and anti-submarine defense of the coast. This, however, does not exclude their direct participation in military conflicts. Heirs to the missile boats of the second half of the 20th century, modern corvettes successfully combine versatility and reasonable cost. Powerful missile weapons, underbody and towed sonar systems, site air defense systems, stealth technologies, combat information systems, multifunctional radars, UAVs, helicopters. The displacement of modern corvettes exceeds the military destroyers of the Second World War, and in terms of combat capabilities, the “babies” are not inferior to ships of a higher rank.

Here is a short overview of the world's five best representatives of the Corvette class. Their sizes vary by thousands of tons, and their characteristics are “tailored” to the needs of their fleets and the conditions of specific seas. However, they are all united by the common idea of ​​a small multifunctional coastal combat ship.

Project 20350 "Steregushchy" and its further development pr. 20385 (Russia)
In service - 4. Under construction - 4 + 2 more corvettes, Project 20385. Plan - 18 units.

Length 90 m. Displacement (full) > 2200 tons. Crew 99 people. Full speed 27 knots. Cruising range - 3500 miles at a speed of 14 knots. Armament (serial ships pr. 20380):
- three modules of the 3K96 "Redut" air defense system (12 launch cells). B/c 12 long-range anti-aircraft missiles or 48 short-range anti-aircraft missiles. On the modernized corvettes of Project 20385, the number of air defense units should increase to 16;
- eight small-sized anti-ship missiles X-35 "Uran";
- small-sized anti-submarine complex "Packet-NK" (8 torpedoes of 324 mm caliber);
- universal A-190 gun of 100 mm caliber, two six-barreled AK-630M assault rifles;
- landing pad and hangar in the aft part of the superstructure to accommodate the Ka-27PL helicopter;
- anti-sabotage means of protection, large-caliber small arms.

“If you put ten guns on an 8-gun ship, six of them can fire them” (an old British rule).

Despite the overload and weapons inadequate for its class, the domestic project 20380 turned out to be a success. The Steregushchy's capabilities go far beyond the traditional tasks for corvette-class ships, and its shortcomings (the weak Furke-2 radar was unable to provide target illumination at long distances) are only a consequence of attempts to duplicate the tasks of larger frigates and destroyers.

The excessive power of the Russian corvette is explained by a good desire to quickly get a ship in the ocean zone in conditions of an acute shortage of ships and stagnation of domestic shipbuilding at the beginning of the 21st century. You can be proud of the result. The latest technologies and noble lines with traces of stealth technology: Steregushchiy-class corvettes are the harbingers of a new look for the Russian Navy.

Corvette "Boikiy", in place of the "Kortik" air defense system, the launch cells of the "Redut" air defense system are visible. In the background are its predecessors, small anti-submarine ships pr. 1124

Visby-class stealth corvettes (Sweden)

There are 5 units in service.

Length 72 m. Displacement (full) 640 tons. Crew 43 people.

Combined diesel-gas turbine power plant, full speed 35 knots. Cruising range - 2300 miles at a speed of 15 knots. Armament: universal Bofors gun of 57 mm caliber, 8 small-sized RBS-15 anti-ship missiles, two twin 400 mm caliber torpedoes (anti-submarine torpedoes Tr 43 and Tr 45, specially designed for the shallow depths of the Baltic), a helipad, uninhabited underwater vehicles for searching for mines and enemy submarines. Underwater lighting means include three sonars for various purposes (underwater, towed and lowered). In the aft part of the superstructure, space is reserved for a helicopter hangar or air defense system; space for a block of 127 mm unguided missiles (ALECTO anti-submarine system, whose development was discontinued in 2007) remains unclaimed. There is tech. opportunity to lay minefields.

Visby is certainly impressive. The stealth corvette, whose appearance was supposed to change the balance of power in the Baltic and become a revolution in the field of military shipbuilding. The Swedish ship is ideally suited for operating in narrow skerries and searching for submarines in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Bothnia. It is unobtrusive, fast, versatile, relatively cheap, and at the same time has an outstanding set of tools for monitoring the underwater situation.

At the same time, many questions remain: in its current form, Visby is practically defenseless from air attacks (the capabilities of the only Bofors, electronic warfare and MANPADS are clearly not enough to repel any serious air threat). On the other hand, corvettes serve in the coastal zone, under the cover of the Swedish Air Force. The small signature of their physical fields allows them to safely close in on the enemy to strike within 10 miles while remaining undetected ("zone of advantage").

Corvettes "Type 056" (China)

Built - 23 units. 7 are being built. Plans include: 43 Type 056 corvettes and at least 20 modernized Type 056A.

Length 89 m. Displacement (full) 1440 tons. Crew 60 people. Full speed 28 knots. Cruising range at operational speed 18 knots. - 3500 miles. Armament: universal 76 mm caliber gun, 4 small-sized S-803 anti-ship missiles, HQ-10 self-defense air defense missile system (8-charge unit on a rotating carriage), two built-in 324 mm torpedo tubes, 2 automatic cal. 30 mm, helipad, no hangar.

Everything is too obvious. The only thing left to add is that there are a lot of them.

Corvettes of the "Brunschweig" type (Germany)

5 units built.

Length 89 m. Displacement (full) 1840 tons. Crew 60 people. Full speed 26 knots. Cruising range 4000 miles at a speed of 15 knots. Armament: OTO Melara universal gun of 76 mm caliber, 4 small-sized RBS-15 anti-ship missiles, two RAM self-defense air defense systems (21-charge unit, missiles with a thermal seeker), 2 MLG installations with remote control ( automatic guns of 27 mm caliber). The dimensions of the Braunschweig helipad allow it to accept any anti-submarine helicopter (SeaKing, NH90), but their permanent deployment is not provided. At the rear of the corvette there is a hangar with limited dimensions to accommodate two Camcopter S100 reconnaissance and attack drones.

Strict Teutonic silhouette in “thunder gray” color. A German corvette is missing stars from the sky. It is durable, reliable and best suited to its current tasks. Patrolling coastal waters, without unnecessary “show-off” and attempts to appear better than he is.

At the same time, German engineers have something to be proud of. In addition to the centimeter range radar, the corvette detection system includes the MIRADOR optoelectronic complex for all-weather monitoring of the situation in the infrared range. The Braunschweig has another interesting detail - the MASS (Multi-Ammunition Softkill System) active jamming complex, capable of shooting numerous decoys that can deceive the seeker of any missile. MASS interferes in all possible ranges (thermal, optical, UV, laser, radar).

Littoral combat ship LCS (USA)

There are 4 units in service. 7 are under construction. Plans include 20 LCS ships.

Data provided for LCS "Independence": Length 127 m. Displacement (full) 3100 tons. The permanent crew is 40 people, with rooms reserved on board for 75 people. Full speed (practical) 44 knots. Cruising range 4300 miles at operational speed 18 knots. Armament: 57 mm caliber Bofors universal gun, SeaRAM self-defense air defense system, two 30 mm Bushmaster II automatic cannons, 50 caliber machine guns. Most of the ship is dedicated to a huge flight deck and helicopter hangar. The modular design of the LCS allows you to combine equipment depending on the current mission (towed hydroacoustic means, underwater vehicles for searching for mines, anti-sabotage means, electronic reconnaissance equipment, etc.). Free space on the upper deck can also be used to accommodate target loads in non-standard positions. In practice, this is expressed in the installation of missile launch containers - from the small Hellfire to the Norwegian-made Kronsberg NSM anti-ship missile.

A high-speed stealth trimaran that duplicates the tasks of corvettes, minesweepers, patrol cutters, anti-submarine and small missile ships. It was created for the specific conditions of the US Navy, where sailors needed a mobile helicopter base to solve both the simplest (chasing drug courier boats in the Gulf of Mexico) and the most complex missions (anti-aircraft defense in the open ocean, mine sweeping, reconnaissance, patrolling and transportation of special cargo). in zones of military conflicts).

USS Freedom (LCS-1)

LCS are being built in parallel according to two different projects. The fast monohull ship (Lockheed Martin project) and the fantastic trimaran from General Dynamics demonstrated complete identity both in terms of cost and in terms of their combat capabilities. And each project had its own merits. As a result, the contract was divided in half - each of the firms received an order for 10 ships.

The Americans' attempts to achieve the coveted speed of 50 knots are especially fun. Despite the most powerful CODAG-type power plant (a combination of diesel engines and gas turbines) and four Finnish Värtislya water cannons, the designed speed was not achieved. In return, many problems were encountered - from power plant fires to hull cracking at high speeds. Currently max. speed was demonstrated by the LCS-1 Freedom. The ship reached 47 knots (87 km/h) at the measured mile.

Transfer of fuel from the aircraft carrier "Carl Vinson" to the littoral combat ship "Freedom"