In the history of domestic shipbuilding Large anti-submarine boat The BPC stands out as a symbol of the Soviet and Russian naval power during the Cold War, and among the many Project 1155 boats codenamed NATO Udaloy, the Marshal Vasilevsky, named after the distinguished Soviet warlord Alexander Mikhailovich Vasilevsky, has gone from the shipyard’s slippers to decommissioning, leaving an indelible mark on the Pacific Fleet’s annals.
The creation of such giants was a response to the growing threat from a potential adversary's nuclear submarines, and engineers needed to create a versatile platform that could not only detect and destroy submarines at great depths, but also effectively combat surface targets and aircraft. Project 1155 This idea was embodied by combining the most powerful missile weapons and advanced sonar systems for its time. Marshal Vasilevsky, launched in 1985, became one of the last representatives of this glorious series, embodied all the best engineering solutions of the mid-80s.
Today, when the boat is retired from the fleet, its history is as interesting as in the years of active service. Studying the design and combat path of this vessel allows you to understand the logic of the development of naval warfare of the late twentieth century. In this article, we will examine in detail the technical features, weapons and stages of service of this legendary BPC, to preserve the memory of its contribution to the defense of the country.
History and design of Project 1155 BPC
The development of a new large anti-submarine boat began in the Northern Design Bureau (Leningrad) in the early 1970s. Nikolai Dmitrievich MashkovThe engineers had a daunting task: to create a boat that would surpass its predecessor, the Project 1134B BOD, in all respects, especially in the field of anti-submarine defense (ASD) and versatility of application.
The key difference of the new project was the introduction universal launcher The missile-torpedo complex "Blizzard" (later "Rastrub-B"), which allowed the boat to effectively engage both underwater and surface targets at long ranges, was also significantly strengthened artillery component, instead of one 76-mm installation was installed two twin 130-mm artillery AK-130, with enormous firepower, this decision made the BPC project 1155 formidable opponent even for light forces of the enemy fleet.
Construction of the lead boat of the series began in 1977 at the Zhdanovets shipyard in Leningrad, the Marshal Vasilevsky, which received serial number 723, was laid down later on May 15, 1984, and was built on an improved design that took into account the experience of the first boats of the series, special attention in the design of the crew and reducing the noise of its own mechanisms, which is critical for the operation of hydroacoustic stations.
It is important to note that Marshal Vasilevsky was designed as a flagship This required expanded communications and control facilities, and improved conditions for additional personnel, and the commissioning of the boat allowed the Pacific Fleet to have a state-of-the-art tool for controlling the Pacific.
Tactical and technical specifications and architecture of the body
The Marshal Vasilevsky was a large boat with a displacement of about 7,500 tons, and its architecture was dictated by the need to accommodate powerful weapons and equipment, the hull had a smooth-deck structure with a half tank occupying about 2/3 of the length of the vessel, which ensured good seaworthiness and allowed the placement of artillery installations in the bow with minimal spraying effect.
The boat's power plant was designed according to the COGAG (Combined Gas and Gas) scheme, a combination of gas turbines that provided high speeds in excess of 30 knots and quick access to operating mode. Marshal Vasilevsky used M-70 and M-62 gas turbine engines, which, despite their fuel gluttony, gave the boat the necessary dynamic specifications to perform the tasks of the submarine.
Below is a table with the main technical specifications of the BPC "Marshal Vasilevsky":
| Parameter | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Total displacement | 7,500 tons |
| Longest length | 163.5 meters |
| Body width | 19 meters |
| Maximum speed | 32 knots |
| Range of navigation | 3,900 miles (18 knots) |
Particular attention was paid to construction vibroproofing Because the boat was primarily designed to fight submarines, its own noise was to be minimal, using shock absorbers and designs that reduce vibration transmission to the hull, allowing sonar systems to work to their limits, detecting even the quietest submarines.
The housing of the BOD project 1155 is made of steel of special grades with an increased yield limit, which allows you to withstand significant loads in a storm and close explosions.
Armament: missile and torpedo complex and artillery
The basis of the striking power of the BPC "Marshal Vasilevsky" was a missile and torpedo complex "Blizzard" Eight launchers were positioned sideways in the middle of the boat, and these missiles could carry a nuclear warhead or a torpedo, making them a versatile weapon for both surface boats and submarines at a distance of up to 55 kilometers.
The artillery armament of the boat was represented by two twin 130-mm installations. AK-130This gun had a rate of fire of up to 40 rounds per minute per barrel and a range of up to 29 kilometers, which allowed the Marshal Vasilevsky to fire on coastal targets to support landing forces, or destroy lightly armored surface targets. In the aft part was a 100-mm AK-100, which served as a universal artillery.
⚠️ Attention: The 130mm AK-130 is automatically charged from two tower cellars, a complex mechanical process that requires precise synchronization and can require manual intervention when the automatics fail, which is extremely difficult in combat.
Anti-aircraft weapons included two anti-aircraft missile systems "Dagger" (8 launchers for 32 missiles) and four anti-aircraft artillery complexes "Kortik" (in later versions or during modernization, originally planned other short-range air defenses). Anti-submarine weapons were supplemented by two 12-barreled rocket launchers RBU-6000 "Smerch-2" with a range of up to 6000 meters. This created a multi-layer defense system capable of resisting attacks from any direction.
Hydroacoustic equipment and anti-submarine support
The main “organ of feelings” of the BPC “Marshal Vasilevsky” was a powerful hydroacoustic (GAK) Polinom-T. It included a bow antenna, a squid antenna and a towed antenna, and the towed antenna allowed the boat to detect submarines at long distances, minimizing the impact of its own propeller noise and machinery.
A helicopter was used to deliver weapons to the detected target Ka-27PLLThe helicopter hangar and landing pad were located in the stern of the boat, the helicopter could carry torpedoes and depth bombs, greatly expanding the control area of the boat, the interaction of the boat's sensors and the aviation team allowed to create a "smart" search network, where data from different sources were combined into a single tactical picture.
How does the towed antenna work?
The antenna is towed down to a depth of several hundred meters behind the stern of the boat on a long cable, which takes it away from the cavitation zone of the screws and the noise of the boat's mechanisms, which allows you to hear the noise of the submarine at a distance of tens of kilometers, while the noise of the boat itself does not drown it out.
The acoustic information was processed at the central control station, where the data were analyzed by hydroacoustic specialists. The efficiency of the SAC was directly dependent on the hydrological conditions in the navigation area (water temperature, salinity, the presence of a thermocline), experienced crews of the Marshal Vasilevsky BOD were able to use these conditions to secretly approach targets or, conversely, to create acoustic interference.
Combat service in the Pacific Fleet
After entering service on December 30, 1985, the Marshal Vasilevsky BPC was incorporated into the Pacific Fleet (PF). VladivostokThe boat was active in combat, patrolling various parts of the world's oceans, including the Indian Ocean and the waters of Southeast Asia, which lasted for months and required high reliability of all boat systems.
Between 1986 and 1991, the boat undertook several long-distance missions, which practiced the task of tracking carrier groups of a potential enemy and searching for submarines. Marshal Vasilevsky proved to be a reliable and seaworthy boat capable of operating in storm conditions.
- 🌊 1987: Participation in large-scale naval exercises, working out interaction with aviation and other types of forces.
- ✈️ 1989: Business call at the port of Darwin (Australia), flag display and strengthening diplomatic ties.
- ⚓ 1990s: Intensive combat service in the conditions of reduced funding, maintenance of the technical readiness of the boat.
The collapse of the Soviet Union and the subsequent economic crisis of the 90s had a severe impact on the state of the fleet, funding was reduced, outings became rare, but the BPC Marshal Vasilevsky continued to be in service, although the intensity of its use decreased significantly, and the boat was on limited readiness, waiting for a decision on its fate.
The combat service of the Marshal Vasilevsky BPC fell on the period of the end of the Cold War and a difficult transition period for the Russian Navy, which affected the frequency and range of its campaigns.
Modernization and withdrawal from the fleet
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the issue of upgrading the remaining BOD Project 1155 was raised, with plans to replace the outdated Block Block with a more modern Uranium with X-35 missiles, and to upgrade electronic weapons, but for Marshal Vasilevsky, these plans were not fully implemented due to lack of funds and priority for other projects.
The boat gradually became a vessel dedicated to local tasks in the near sea zone, and in the 2000s it was used mainly for training personnel and as a training base, the technical condition of the mechanisms and systems required major repairs, which, in the face of a reduction in the military budget, was considered impractical.
⚠️ Attention: The process of disposing of large warships such as the BOD is a complex and costly process, requiring strict environmental regulations to dispose of fuel, ammunition and radioactive waste.
The official date of withdrawal of the BPC "Marshal Vasilevsky" from the combat personnel of the Russian Navy is considered 2003 After the boat was withdrawn, it was mothballed and settled for a while at the wall in Vladivostok, and subsequently decided to cut it into metal, marking the end of the era of large Project 1155 anti-submarine boats in the Pacific Fleet, giving way to new generation frigates.
☑️ Signs of the completion of the boat's service
Comparison with foreign analogues
To understand the place of the Marshal Vasilevsky BPC in the world naval hierarchy, it is useful to compare it with similar boats of the time, for example, with American destroyers of the type. Arleigh Burke or earlier SpruanceWhile the Spruens were designed as pure anti-submarine boats, BOD 1155 was originally designed as a universal platform with an emphasis on SAF, but with powerful missile weapons.
American destroyers of the Arleigh Burke type, which appeared later, relied on the AEGIS system and universal vertical launchers, which gave them an advantage in the flexibility of application and air defense. "Marshal Vasilevsky" with its inclined launchers and specialized complex "Blower" was more narrowly specialized, but in its niche - the fight against submarines in the ocean zone - had outstanding specifications.
The main advantage of the Soviet BOD was the powerful artillery and the presence of a helicopter hangar (the early Spruens had no hangar, which limited their autonomy), however, the level of automation and comfort for the crew on Western boats was traditionally higher.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Where is the Marshal Vasilevsky BPC now?
The boat was retired from the fleet in the early 2000s (officially removed from the lists in 2002-2003) and subsequently split into metal at one of the Far Eastern recycling bases.
What is the difference between a BOD and a frigate?
In the Soviet/Russian classification, the BOD (Large Anti-Submarine boat) is a classification of 2nd rank boats primarily focused on anti-submarine warfare but with powerful weapons. Frigates (Project 1135, 11356) are usually smaller in displacement. In the Western classification, the BOD 1155 is often classified as Destroyer destroyers due to their size and versatility.
What was the maximum speed of Marshal Vasilevsky?
The full speed of the boat reached 32 knots (about 59 km / h), the cruising speed at which maximum efficiency is achieved was about 18-20 knots.
Was the boat carrying nuclear weapons?
Yes, the standard ammunition for the Rastrub-B missile system included nuclear-tipped missiles, and nuclear warheads could also be used torpedoes and depth bombs that were part of the boat's Soviet-era armament.