Notes: In 1987, the Nevskove Bureau completed design work on an “American-style” CVN; and awarded a contract for two ships to the Nikolayev 107 shipyard in the Ukranian SSR. This class was to be the pinnacle of Soviet carrier development; drawing lessons from the Kuznetzov class. Ulyanovsk was laid down on 4 October 1988. Compared to USN carriers, it was smaller but carried it’s own offensive firepower in the form of a twelve-cell SS-N-19 VLS in the flight deck, near the start of the ski jump. The design featured three elevators, four arrestor wires, two steam catapults and two additional takeoff positions on the ski-jump. Departing from earlier Soviet practice (but in line with USN carrier design), large guns, sonar, and ASW weapons were omitted from the start.
The shipyard went on strike during the failed August 1991 coup, and work on the carrier never resumed. After Ukraine declared independence, a battle was fought for the carrier between the Russian Federation navy and Ukraine. Despite urgent Russian efforts, on 4 February 1992 Ukraine’s Council of Ministers issued a contract (Order N-69R) to dismantle “Cruiser Hull 0”, and the ship was gone by 1994. There is a dispute as to it’s progress, Jane’s states that it was 70% complete at the time, this may refer to structural integrity sufficient to be launched. The Russian navy stated that it was 45% complete, while Ukraine said only 20%, which may refer to the completed vessel overall.
Material for the second ship had been collected at Nikolayev, it too was sold on the world metals market in 1994. The Yak-44 AEW plane was also cancelled as a result of the class’s demise.
Displacement: 65,000t standard, 75,000t full Dimensions:1065’x132‘(248’5” flight deck max)x35’4” Machinery: Nuclear: 4 KN-3 PWR, 4 geared steam turbines, 4 shafts with CP props Max speed: 30kts Range: unlimited Complement: 3800 (2300 + 1500 air wing)
AIRCRAFT: 61 max, planned air wing:
x27 MiG-29K “Fulcrum-D”
x10 Su-39 “Frogfoot”
x4 Yak-44 (planned AEW plane)
x18 helos, mix of Ka-27 “Helix” ASW and transport variants
(The Su-33 “Flanker-D”, Yak-38 “Forger” and Yak-141 “Freestyle” could also be supported.)
WEAPONS-Missiles
x12 Granit (SS-N-19 “Shipwreck”)
x24 (4x6) SA-N-12 “Grizzly”
WEAPONS-Guns
x8 CADS-N-1 CIWS 3NM AA
SENSORS-Radar
Based on the released drawing, would have included the Mars-Passat (“Sky Watch”) 3D planar array; MR-710 Fregat-M2 (“Top Plate-B”) air search; MR-320M Topaz-2V (“Strut Pair”) air/surface search; MR-212 Vaygach-U (“Palm Frond”) surface search; and “Fly Trap” CCA. Fire control radars would have been MR-360 Podkat (“Cross Sword”) for the SAMs and “Hot Flash” for the CIWS.
SENSORS-EW
Based on the drawing, would have included “Tin Man” and “Hot Spot” EO systems; “Watch Guard” IFF; Spektr (“Half Cup“) laser detector; MP-403 (“Bell Push”), “Foot Ball”, MP-405 (“Wine Flask”), and “Flat Track” EW systems; and PK-16 countermeasures launchers.
COMMS/MISC
Based on the drawing, would have included “Cake Stand” TACAN; “Low Ball” SATNAV; “Bell Crown” datalink; and “Punch Bowl” SATCOM.