On the way to the first Russian aircraft carrier: what the project 23900 UDC is capable of

The evolution of aircraft carriers in different countries has its own definite patterns. The US Navy has created universal heavy aircraft carriers, which, depending on the composition of the air wing and the tasks assigned to them, can be multi-purpose strike or specialized anti-submarine. Great Britain, France, Italy and the USSR, on the contrary, started with anti-submarine helicopter carriers, but eventually came to realize the need to build full-fledged aircraft carriers. As you know, history develops in a spiral, and the modern Russian Federation has again entered this path. Whether this path is correct, let's try to figure it out.

Like us told earlier, the first aircraft carrier in the Soviet Navy can be considered a Project 1123 helicopter-carrier. Both Condors could carry 14 anti-submarine helicopters, and they were intended to fight enemy submarines in the far sea zone. Also, the first Soviet vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (VTOL) Yak-36 were successfully tested on these ships. Their further development was the TAVRK project 1134 "Krechet" and its modifications, and the highest point of evolution was supposed to be atomic heavy aircraft-carrying cruisers of the "Ulyanovsk" type, of which the fleet ordered 4 pieces. As you can see, the starting point is the helicopter carrier, so the project 23900 universal landing craft (UDC), two of which are currently being built at the Zaliv plant in Kerch, are of great interest to us. Let's see what they are capable of and try to imagine if they can be considered the beginning of the revival of the Russian aircraft carrier fleet.

Against the shore

Unlike the Kondors, modern UDCs are not, as such, combat ships. In fact, these are huge floating docks equipped with a straight take-off deck. Their main value lies in the equipment installed on it and their cargo - aviation, transported by armored vehicles and paratroopers. And what are they capable of in the war of the fleet against the coast?

At first, "Ivan Rogov" and "Mitrofan Moskalenko" can be used as command ships. These floating headquarters are equipped with ultra-long-range communication systems, which allows them to control the formations of other ships, aviation and ground forces. This is very important for the operations of the Russian Navy in the far sea zone.

Secondly, both UDCs can serve as the main scouts of the Russian expeditionary corps, since they can be based on Ka-31 AWACS helicopters, and in the future, their Ka-35 replacements. These rotary-wing aircraft are capable of conducting reconnaissance and target designation to the ship's "Onyx", "Caliber" and "Zircon" against the enemy's fleet and ground forces. Let's make a reservation right away that the combat radius of an AWACS helicopter is always inferior to that of an aircraft, but the ability to bring with you and use the Ka-31 / Ka-35 is expensive.

Thirdly, Ka-52 carrier-based helicopters can be equipped with Kh-35 anti-ship missiles, which makes it possible to use them against coast guard ships with a displacement of up to 5000 tons, as well as against the "mosquito fleet". Attack helicopters can support the landing of amphibious assault forces from the UDC to the shore.

Thus, the presence of universal amphibious assault ships in the Russian Navy really significantly increases its capabilities in the far sea zone. However, it is necessary to point out the bottlenecks as well. It is possible to carry out such an operation against a technically not very strong enemy. If the defenders have their own aviation, coastal anti-ship missile systems and other types of weapons, then it will be an extremely difficult task to defeat it. Yes, our ships will be able to shoot at targets with "Caliber" and "Zircon", but after the exhaustion of ammunition, which is not infinite, they will have to return to base. Also, the reserves of anti-aircraft missiles for the fight against aircraft and anti-ship complexes of the enemy are not unlimited.

In an amicable way, a successful amphibious assault requires the support of an aircraft carrier, which will "demolish" elements of coastal and air defense. Having fired off, carrier-based fighters can return again and again, replenish fuel and ammunition supplies and continue to operate even when the ships along the coast have already fired off. It is possible to equip both UDCs with Orion-type shock drones, as the Turks plan to do by placing Bayraktars on their Anadolu UDCs. Then the capabilities of our expeditionary corps will increase, but it must be borne in mind that UAVs are playing against those who do not have a modern air defense system.

Against the submarine fleet

Much more realistic is the use of UDC against enemy submarines. Having placed up to 14 anti-submarine helicopters on their deck, the Russian Navy receives two magnificent PLO ships that are capable of operating in the far sea zone. Both "Ivan Rogov" and "Mitrofan Moskalenko" can become the core of a full-fledged search and strike anti-submarine group, which will be strengthened by the BODs of Project 1155 and 1151.1, as well as multipurpose frigates of projects 22350 and 22350M. By 2025, we are expected to have a completely new anti-submarine helicopter "Lamprey", as a result of which the capabilities of the Russian Navy to search for and destroy enemy submarines far from their shores will radically increase.

Against AUG

I would like to be just as optimistic, but it doesn't work out here. Unfortunately, UDC does not play against AUG. An AWACS aircraft launched from an aircraft carrier will see our ship group before ours will see theirs. Alas, but the radius of action of the AWACS helicopter is significantly inferior to the aircraft. After that, the enemy can raise carrier-based aircraft into the air and be the first to strike an air strike. Why first? Yes, because Russia has a strictly defensive doctrine, which leaves the right to the first blow for the enemy.

The situation can be somewhat improved by the placement of short / vertical takeoff and landing aircraft on the UDC. During the Soviet period, we developed the SKVVP Yak-141, and in recent years there has been a lot of talk about the possibility of reviving this project. Basing the updated Yak-141 on universal amphibious assault ships de facto turns them into light aircraft carriers. Unfortunately, in terms of flight performance, "vertical aircraft" are seriously inferior to horizontal take-off and landing aircraft: they have a smaller combat radius and a lower combat load. This gives the AUG the ability to operate out of range of the SCVP, which gives it a huge advantage. In addition, according to some estimates, the UDC can accommodate from 8 to 12 Yak-141s, which is also significantly less than the enemy's. For this reason, of course, the UDC cannot directly compete with the Nimitz or Gerald Ford; for this, ships of the corresponding class are needed. Nevertheless, SCVVP can strengthen the capabilities of the Russian Navy in the fight against the coast, destroying aircraft, air defense systems and anti-ship complexes of the enemy to ensure the safety of the amphibious assault. The downside will be the apparent paucity of the wing.

Thus, we can conclude that the construction of "Ivan Rogov" and "Mitrofan Moskalenko" is a very correct step in the right direction, but the next step must be taken after it. But what should it be? We will definitely speculate about this.