Zubr-class LCAC
{{Short description|Class of air-cushioned landing craft of Soviet design}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
| {{Infobox ship begin|sclass=2
}} {{Infobox ship image | Ship image = «Мордовия» и «Евгений Кочешков».jpg | Ship caption = Mordoviya and Evgeniy Kocheshkov }} {{Infobox ship class overview |Builders= PO More in Feodosiya of Crimea, Khabarovsk shipyard, Almaz, Pribaltisk Yantar |Operators=*Soviet Navy |In commission range=1986–present |Total ships completed=15 |Total ships cancelled=2 |Total ships active=10 |Total ships laid up= |Total ships lost= |Total ships scrapped=5 |Total ships preserved= }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Ship type = Air-cushioned landing craft | Ship displacement = *340 tons (light)
| Ship length = {{convert|57|m|ft|abbr=on}}{{sfnp|Jane's Information Group|2002}} | Ship beam = {{convert|25.6|m|ft|abbr=on}}{{cite web |url=http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/zubr/ |title=Zubr Class (Pomornik) Air Cushioned Landing Craft, Russia |year=2011 |website=Naval-Technology.com |access-date=2011-08-02}} | Ship draught = {{convert|1.6|m|ft|abbr=on}}{{sfnp|Jane's Information Group|2002}} | Ship propulsion = *3 x {{convert|10,000|hp}} propelling M35-1 gas turbine units or M70FRU2&2R
| Ship speed = *{{convert|63|knots}}{{sfnp|Wertheim|2007|p=128}}
| Ship range = {{convert|300|nmi|km|abbr=on}} at 55 knots | Ship complement = 31 (4 officers, 27 enlisted){{sfnp|Wertheim|2007|p=128}} | Ship sensors = Ekran-1 navigational radar, Lazur radar (Pozitiv radar on MDK-51), R-782 Buran communications system | Ship EW = Electronic Countermeasures System: Decoys, MS-227 chaff launcher, MP-411 ESM radar system; intercept | Ship armament = *4 × Strela-3 man-portable air defence missile system launchers, plus 32 anti-personnel missiles; or 2 x Strela 2 quad launchers, manual aiming, infrared homing to {{convert|6|km|mi|abbr=on}} at Mach 1.5, maximum altitude of {{convert|2500|m|ft|abbr=on}}
}} |
The Zubr class, Soviet designation Project 1232.2, (NATO reporting name "Pomornik") is a class of Soviet-designed air-cushioned landing craft (LCAC). The name "Zubr" is Russian for the European bison.[https://ru.wiktionary.org/wiki/%D0%B7%D1%83%D0%B1%D1%80 зубр] Russian Wiktionary This class of military hovercraft is, as of 2023 the world's largest hovercraft,{{cite web |last1=Wilkinson |first1=Freddie |title=Guinness world record hovercraft |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-hovercraft-naval |website=Guinness world record}} with a standard full load displacement of 555 tons.{{sfnp|Wertheim|2007|p=128}}{{cite web |url=http://www.hellenicnavy.gr/dad_ships_en.asp |title=Hellenic Command Amphibious Forces: Ships |year=2008 |website=Hellenic Navy |access-date=2009-04-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080804033137/http://www.hellenicnavy.gr/dad_ships_en.asp |archive-date=4 August 2008}} The hovercraft was designed to sealift amphibious assault units (such as marines and tanks) from equipped/non-equipped vessels to non-equipped shores, as well as to transport and plant naval mines.
Ten Zubr-class hovercraft remain in service. There are two vessels in the Russian Navy and four with the Hellenic Navy. In 2009 China placed an order for four vessels from Ukraine as part of a deal worth US$315 million.{{cite web |url=http://www.janes.com/article/35030/ukraine-crisis-prompts-hurried-delivery-of-second-zubr-lcac-to-china |title=Ukraine crisis prompts hurried delivery of second Zubr LCAC to China |first=Ridzwan |last=Rahmat |date=6 March 2014 |website=IHS Jane's |access-date=5 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140802135724/http://www.janes.com/article/35030/ukraine-crisis-prompts-hurried-delivery-of-second-zubr-lcac-to-china |archive-date=2 August 2014}} Two updated versions of the vessels were built by Crimea's Feodosia Shipbuilding Company, followed by two advanced models of the surface warship.{{Cite web |url=http://www.defenseworld.net/news/12042/China_To_RePay__14_Million_Debt_To_Crimea_For_Zubr_class_Landing_Craft#.VZuKRvnwdB8 |title=China To RePay $14 Million Debt To Crimea For Zubr-class Landing Craft |date=29 January 2015 |website=Defenseworld.net |access-date=2017-12-05}} In 2023, an additional two more were built and modernized, with both hulls being numbered as 3260 and 3261.
The purchase in 2000 of HS Cephalonia (L 180) for the Hellenic Navy marked the first time a Soviet-designed naval craft had been built for a NATO member.{{cite web |url=http://www.hellenicnavy.gr/dad_history_en.asp |title=Hellenic Command Amphibious Forces: Introduction |year=2008 |website=Hellenic Navy |access-date=2009-04-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090309034033/http://www.hellenicnavy.gr/dad_history_en.asp |archive-date=9 March 2009}}{{cite web |url=http://www.russiajournal.com/node/4125 |title=Almaz launches NATO-bound craft |last=Kitov |first=Vladimir |date=2000-11-04 |website=The Russia Journal |access-date=2009-04-18 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312003436/http://www.russiajournal.com/node/4125 |archive-date=12 March 2016}}{{cite news |url=http://www.sptimes.ru/index.php?action_id=2&story_id=13839 |title=City Shipyard Hovercraft Is 1st Delivery to NATO State |last=Titova |first=Irina |date=2000-12-29 |newspaper=The St. Petersburg Times |access-date= 2009-04-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605055312/http://www.sptimes.ru/index.php?action_id=2&story_id=13839 |archive-date=5 June 2011}}{{cite web |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=NewsLibrary&p_multi=BBAB&d_place=BBAB&p_theme=newslibrary2&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0F97E0A5AE23B529&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title=Russian ship joining Greek navy |agency=AVN Military News Agency |date=2000-12-20 |work=BBC News |access-date=2009-04-18 |url-access=subscription}}
In June 2017 Russia announced the restarting of production of Zubr-class craft.{{cite web |url=http://www.janes.com/article/71483 |title=Russia to resume construction of Zubr hovercraft |last1=Jones |first1=Bruce |date=16 June 2017 |website=IHS Jane's 360 |access-date=16 June 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170616185245/http://www.janes.com/article/71483/russia-to-resume-construction-of-zubr-hovercraft |archive-date=16 June 2017 }} Representatives from the Russian shipbuilding industry soon after responded by stating production could not possibly resume in 2018 and would only be possible by 2019–2021, refuting the government position. Representatives cited the lack of availability of and inability to mass-produce components, notably gas-turbine engines and reduction gears as the main obstacles.{{cite web |title=Production of Zubr-Class Air-Cushion Ships Resumes Only in 2019-2021, Shipbuilders Say |url=http://mil.today/2017/22616/ |website=Mil Today |access-date=19 June 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170619182025/http://mil.today/2017/22616/ |archive-date=19 June 2017 |date=18 June 2017 |url-status=live}}
NPO Saturn (ODK GT) and Turboros developed marine gas turbine engines M70FRU (D090), FR RU, M70FRU2 (DP/DM71) along M90FR, M75RU, E70RD8 and Elektrosila, AO Zvezda, Metallist, Samara and others developed redactors and gears.{{Cite web |url=https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2018/0914/095548709/detail.shtml |title=Россия полностью заменила украинские комплектующие для военной техники |trans-title=Russia has completely replaced Ukrainian components for military equipment |date=14 September 2018 |website=Armstrade.org |language=ru}}{{Cite web |url=https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2019/0909/102054335/detail.shtml |title=ОДК закрыла потребность флота в двигателях, ранее поставлявшихся Украиной |trans-title=UEC closed the fleet's need for engines previously supplied by Ukraine |date=9 September 2019 |website=Armstrade.org |language=ru}}
History
{{Expand section|small=no|date=August 2022}}
The Zubr class landing craft were developed in the 1980s and the first operational group entered service in 1986. From 1985 to 1993 and 2001 and 2004, a total of 15 units of the class were laid down in Saint Petersburg and Feodosia. After the end of the Soviet Union, two boats at the shipyard were scrapped before they were completed, and three boats from the Black Sea Fleet were handed over to Ukraine, which itself built another boat. As of 2001, three new boats were built for Greece.
Configuration
High strength and buoyancy is provided by a rectangular pontoon, the main load-carrying part of the ship's hull. The superstructure built on the pontoon is divided into three compartments with two longitudinal bulkheads: combat material compartment in the midsection fitted with tank ramps, and outboard sections housing main and auxiliary propulsion units, troop compartments, living quarters, and NBC protection systems. To improve working conditions in the battle stations, troop compartments and living quarters are fitted with air-conditioning and heating-systems, sound/heat-insulating coatings, and structures made of vibration damping materials. The ship provides normal conditions for the crew to make meals and rest.
Personnel are protected against the effects of weapons of mass destruction by airtight sealing of combat stations, crew and troop compartments, augmented with individual gas masks and protection suits. The ship is also protected from magnetic influence mines with an active system to compensate for the magnetic fields generated by the ship and transported materials. The central command post and MS-227 device compartments are strengthened with alloy armor.
Capacity
File:Zapad-2009 military exercises.jpg Zubr class, during Exercise Zapad-09]]
File:HS Ithaca (L 181) Zubr class LCAC of Greece.jpg
The Zubr-class landing craft has a cargo area of {{convert|400|m2|ft2}} and a fuel capacity of 56 tons.{{sfnp|Jane's Information Group|2002}} It can carry three main battle tanks (up to 150 tonnes), or ten armoured vehicles with 230 troops (up to 131 tonnes), or eight armoured personnel carriers of total mass up to 115 tonnes, or eight amphibious tanks or up to 500 troops (with 360 troops in the cargo compartment).
At full displacement the ship is capable of negotiating up to 5-degree gradients on non-equipped shores and {{convert|1.6|m|abbr=on}}-high vertical walls. The Zubr class remains seaworthy in conditions up to Sea State 4. The vessel has a cruising speed of {{convert|30|-|40|kn|lk=in}}.
Later models built by Ukroboronprom for the People's Republic of China are reported to travel at a top speed of 63 kt. The range of 300 nautical miles is obtained at 55 kt cruise. A licensed-built version of this model is in service with the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy designated as the Type 958.{{cite web |date=September 12, 2020 |title=Chinese built Type 958 LCAC |url=https://www.sohu.com/a/417893225_120755849 |website=Sohu |language=Zh-hans}}
Operators
{{Refimprove section|date=July 2018}}
{{navy|Russia}} (ex-Soviet Navy) (2)
- 770 Evgeniy Kocheshkov (former MDK-50)
- 782 Mordoviya (former MDK-94)
{{navy|Greece}} (2 + 2){{Cite web |title=Zubr LCAC |url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/zubr-program.htm |access-date=2024-04-22 |website=www.globalsecurity.org}}
- HS Cephalonia (L 180, former MDK-118)
- HS Ithaca (L 181, former U421)
- HS Corfu (L 182)
- HS Zakynthos (L 183)
{{navy|China}}
= Former operators =
{{navy|Ukraine}} (4)
- Donetsk (U420, former MDK-100) — decommissioned on 11 June 1999, scrapped
- Kramatorsk (U422, former MDK-57) — decommissioned on 11 June 1999, scrapped
- Horlivka (U423, former MDK-93) — decommissioned on 29 November 2000, scrapped
- Artemivsk (U424, former MDK-123) — sold to Greece on 24 January 2000
See also
References
{{reflist}}
=Bibliography=
- {{cite book |last=Saunders |first=Stephen |title=Jane's Fighting Ships 2003-2004 |publisher=Jane's Information Group |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-7106-2546-5}}
- {{cite book |author=Jane's Information Group |title=Jane's International Defence Review |publisher=Jane's Information Group |year=2002 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Fd65AAAAIAAJ&q=%22Jingsah+II+class%22 |access-date=2009-04-18}}
- {{cite book |last=Wertheim |first=Eric |title=The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships, Aircraft, and Systems |publisher=Naval Institute Press |year=2007 |edition=15th (illustrated) |isbn=978-1-59114-955-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TJunjRvplU4C&q=%22Zubr+class%22&pg=PA128 |access-date=2009-04-18}}
External links
{{commons category|Zubr class LCAC}}
- {{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNAMSeZmJvk |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/gNAMSeZmJvk |archive-date=2021-12-19 |url-status=live|title=ZUBR |author=NikolaiGrigorjev |date=11 July 2007 |website=YouTube |language=ru}}{{cbignore}}
- {{cite web |url=http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/zubr/ |title=Zubr Class (Pomornik) |website=Naval Technology.com}}
- {{cite web |url=https://www.hellenicnavy.gr/el/o-stolos-mas/ploia-taxeias-metaforas.html |title=Πλοία Ταχείας Μεταφοράς |trans-title=Fast Transport Ships |website=Hellenic Navy |language=el}}
- {{cite web |url=https://ru.wiktionary.org/wiki/%D0%B7%D1%83%D0%B1%D1%80 |title=Зубр |website=Wiktionary.org}}
- {{cite web |url=http://russian-ships.info/eng/warships/project_12322.htm |title=All Zubr class LCAC - Complete Ship List |website=Russian Ships |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101108152323/http://russian-ships.info/eng/warships/project_12322.htm |archive-date=2010-11-08}}
- {{cite web |url=http://www.almaz.spb.ru/index.php?module=product&sub=aircush&tema=zubr |title=Десантный корабль "Зубр" проект 12322 |trans-title=Landing ship "Zubr" project 12322 |website=Almaz Shipbuilding Company |language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316171214/http://www.almaz.spb.ru/index.php?module=product&sub=aircush&tema=zubr |archive-date=16 March 2017}}
{{Soviet and Russian ships after 1945}}
{{Ukrainian ships}}
{{Ship classes of the Hellenic Navy}}
Category:Amphibious warfare vessels of the Soviet Navy
Category:Amphibious warfare vessels of the Russian Navy
Category:Amphibious warfare vessels of the Hellenic Navy
Category:Amphibious warfare vessel classes
Category:Amphibious warfare vessels of the People's Liberation Army Navy