Project 21956

The Project 21956 class of multi-purpose destroyer represents the fourth generation of Russian surface fighting ships developed by the Severnoye Design Bureau for export.^[2]

Design

The ship is intended to engage major surface combatants and submarines, perform anti-submarine and air defense, as well as fire support for landing operations.

The exterior of the ship is built with stealth technology reducing the ship's radar cross-section (RCS). The Project 21956 also features an integrated combat management system that operates as a network for a higher degree of survivability.

Propulsion

The Project 21956's M96 two-shaft main gas-turbine assembly produces 54,420 KW (74,000hp) which consists of:^[3]

• two D090 cruise gas turbine engines developing 10,650 KW (14,500hp) each
• two DT-59 boost gas turbine engines developing 16,560 KW (22,500hp) each
• four diesel generators developing 1,250 KW (1,675hp) each

The propulsion system allows a top speed of 29.5 knots, an economical speed of 18 knots with a maximum range of 5,800 nautical miles (10,700 km; 6,700 mi). The ship's stability allows the armament and machinery to be operated at up to sea state 5. And numbers of ship in nuclear propulsion is unknown. An aft flight deck and hangar provides facilities for two Ka-27 helicopters.

Sensors

The sensor suite includes Fregat MAE-3 and Fregat MAE-4K multifunction air surveillance radars, Mineral-ME surface search radar, Zarya-ME-03 hull-mounted sonar system, Vinyetka-EM towed sonar array, TK-25E electronic countermeasure system and KT-308-5 passive jamming system.

Armament

Air Defense

The air defense suite of the Project 21956 includes one AK-130 130mm twin-barrel multi-purpose gun with 5P-10-02E fire control radar and a maximum range of 23 kilometers. Rif-M extended range air defense system with 3Ts-48E control system and six 3S-48E launchers at bow deck. Each launcher has eight 48N6E2 missiles or four 9M96 missiles replacing each 48N6E2 missile. Kashtan-M short-range air defense system with 3R86-ME command module, 3R87-1E combat module and eight 9M311-1 missiles and 30mm rounds.

ASW suite

The anti-ship and anti-submarine weapon systems are located at the aft deck. ASW weapons include: 3Ts-14E launchers with 91RTE2 anti-submarine rockets; and TPU/4 missile-torpedo launchers for 91RE1 anti-submarine rocket or torpedoes of UGST or UETT type. ASuW weapons consist of the Kalibr-NKE weapon systems which comprises the 3R-14N fire control system, 3S-14E launchers and up to 16 3M54TE subsonic cruise missiles, 3M54E supersonic cruise missiles or 91RTE2 rockets carrying an anti-ship torpedo. The 3M54TE/3M54E missiles are intended to engage either surface ships or targets onshore at ranges of 220 kilometers. Nevertheless, the weapon system may include tailored weapon systems according to customer requirements such as BrahMos supersonic missile and/or BrahMos 2 hypersonic missile replacing Club-N missile system.

Project

The project would be the first post-Soviet destroyer designs to be built by the Russian Navy. The DDG/DDGN will be built for escorting future BPC mistral or CVN project and for littoral defense and resource protection in the northern fleet.

References

Notes

Bibliography

• "Severnoe Design Bureau : News and publications". spkb.air.spb.ru. 
• "Project 21956". deagel.com. 
• Combat fleet of the world 2012.
• DSI in 2013.