Russia almost was left without the last aircraft carrier
The accident that occurred with the only Russian heavy aircraft carrier cruiser caused a wide public outcry. When Admiral Kuznetsov left the floating dock, the latter sank, workers were seriously injured, one of whom was missing, and the TAVKR itself received a large hole four by five meters in size from a tower crane that fell on it. Why, then, was the only light aircraft carrier in the entire Navy of the Russian Federation not damaged during the hostilities, but during repairs?
As you know, the Admiral Kuznetsov is the last aircraft carrier cruiser in Russia. His brother TAVKR "Admiral Gorshkov" was transferred in 2013 to the Indian Navy under the name "Vikramaditya." Structurally close to Kuznetsov, the Varyag cruiser once went to Ukraine, was sold to China and now serves in the Chinese Navy under the name Liaoning. Admiral Kuznetsov differs from Western aircraft carriers in that in addition to 28 aircraft and 24 helicopters, it has a dozen launchers of Granit missiles. It is thanks to this fact that the Russian TAVKR is the only one of all aircraft-carrying ships that has the right to be in the Black Sea.
"Admiral Kuznetsov" took part in a military campaign to the coast of Syria in 2016, where serious problems of the domestic aircraft carrier were identified. Originally created as a helicopter carrier adapted to receive aircraft with vertical take-off, the Tavkr lost several aircraft during landing in the Syrian campaign. Big problems were discovered in his boiler turbine power plant, which smoked the whole sky along the route. Most likely, the rocket launchers at Kuznetsovo will be dismantled as unnecessary, and it will turn into a “clean aircraft carrier”. Subject to replacement and electronic weapons of the cruiser.
As a result, in 2018, the TAVKR was sent for deep modernization, where an emergency incident happened to him. The cruiser left the floating dock PD-50, purchased back in Soviet times in Sweden. Experts explain the design features of the dock:
And then everything is strange. According to the official version, floating pontoons quickly sank due to the fact that the pumps stopped working as a result of a power surge. The result was the fall of two cranes, one of which damaged the cruiser. Trying to explain everything by a power surge raises questions. A check carried out by Rosseti showed that there were no interruptions in the supply of electricity to the plant. Moreover, experts argue that floating docks should be equipped with a backup power source in the form of a diesel generator.
The presence of the slightest trim is immediately visible with the help of the simplest device - a roll measure. Even if there is no electricity for 10 minutes, you can manually open the jumpers of the current compartments and align the pontoons. Thus, to flood the PD-50, it took "great skill." What is this, monstrous negligence or subtle intent?
In fact, the largest ships of the Russian Navy, the Admiral Kuznetsov, Peter the Great and his brother Admiral Nakhimov, were left without the possibility of modernization and repair. The last of the floating docks PD-190 remaining in Russia is in Novorossiysk, but it is half as much as the PD-50. And the most interesting thing is whether the shipbuilders managed to dismantle the rocket launchers at the Admiral Kuznetsov? If so, and the TAVRK has become a regular aircraft carrier, then how will it pass the Bosphorus and Dardanelles now to complete the repair?
As you know, the Admiral Kuznetsov is the last aircraft carrier cruiser in Russia. His brother TAVKR "Admiral Gorshkov" was transferred in 2013 to the Indian Navy under the name "Vikramaditya." Structurally close to Kuznetsov, the Varyag cruiser once went to Ukraine, was sold to China and now serves in the Chinese Navy under the name Liaoning. Admiral Kuznetsov differs from Western aircraft carriers in that in addition to 28 aircraft and 24 helicopters, it has a dozen launchers of Granit missiles. It is thanks to this fact that the Russian TAVKR is the only one of all aircraft-carrying ships that has the right to be in the Black Sea.
"Admiral Kuznetsov" took part in a military campaign to the coast of Syria in 2016, where serious problems of the domestic aircraft carrier were identified. Originally created as a helicopter carrier adapted to receive aircraft with vertical take-off, the Tavkr lost several aircraft during landing in the Syrian campaign. Big problems were discovered in his boiler turbine power plant, which smoked the whole sky along the route. Most likely, the rocket launchers at Kuznetsovo will be dismantled as unnecessary, and it will turn into a “clean aircraft carrier”. Subject to replacement and electronic weapons of the cruiser.
As a result, in 2018, the TAVKR was sent for deep modernization, where an emergency incident happened to him. The cruiser left the floating dock PD-50, purchased back in Soviet times in Sweden. Experts explain the design features of the dock:
Imagine five barrels connected by pipes, monograms on one and the other side and welded into a single frame. When the barrels begin to fill unevenly, distortions occur - there is a roll or trim. It is very important that the roll and trim system is zero. At one degree of trim and at two rolls, the docking operation is suspended to equalize stability.
And then everything is strange. According to the official version, floating pontoons quickly sank due to the fact that the pumps stopped working as a result of a power surge. The result was the fall of two cranes, one of which damaged the cruiser. Trying to explain everything by a power surge raises questions. A check carried out by Rosseti showed that there were no interruptions in the supply of electricity to the plant. Moreover, experts argue that floating docks should be equipped with a backup power source in the form of a diesel generator.
The presence of the slightest trim is immediately visible with the help of the simplest device - a roll measure. Even if there is no electricity for 10 minutes, you can manually open the jumpers of the current compartments and align the pontoons. Thus, to flood the PD-50, it took "great skill." What is this, monstrous negligence or subtle intent?
In fact, the largest ships of the Russian Navy, the Admiral Kuznetsov, Peter the Great and his brother Admiral Nakhimov, were left without the possibility of modernization and repair. The last of the floating docks PD-190 remaining in Russia is in Novorossiysk, but it is half as much as the PD-50. And the most interesting thing is whether the shipbuilders managed to dismantle the rocket launchers at the Admiral Kuznetsov? If so, and the TAVRK has become a regular aircraft carrier, then how will it pass the Bosphorus and Dardanelles now to complete the repair?
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