Compared to other states wishing to use the we alth of the Arctic, Russia is in a better position. The advantage lies in the presence of a nuclear icebreaker fleet, which is not found in any country in the world, as well as extensive experience in high latitudes.
In order to firmly consolidate the positions of the Russian Navy in the Arctic zone, the country's leadership decided to build a lead military icebreaker. Project 21180 Ilya Muromets will be the first multifunctional vessel built in the interests of the Russian Navy and the Ministry of Defense in the last forty-five years.
In total, it is planned to replenish the Northern and Pacific fleets with four auxiliary vessels. In this case, the icebreakers will be built as a separate series. One of them will be the Ilya Muromets icebreaker of project 21180. Photoship is presented in the article.
History of Creation
At one time, the workers of the "Admir alty Shipyard" built the "Ilya Muromets" (project 97). He served in the Pacific Fleet from 1965 to 1993. During the history of the Soviet Union, at least 32 ships were built on the basis of this icebreaker. All of them were intended exclusively for military purposes. Eight of them performed the tasks of border guard ships, and one object was used as a hydrographic vessel. Unlike their counterparts, Project 21180 ice ships are designed as multifunctional. They can be used by both military and military scientific expeditions.
What is a ship?
The Ilya Muromets icebreaker of project 21180 is a single-deck multifunctional Russian auxiliary diesel-electric vessel. It belongs to a new generation of ships that use powerful power systems and modern propulsion electrical installations. In addition, according to the plans of Russian developers, the presence of expanded functionality and large volumes of premises should become one of the characteristic features of the Ilya Muromets icebreaker.
Developers
Technical design of the new icebreaker "Ilya Muromets" was carried out by employees of the Vympel design bureau for the design of ships under the leadership of chief designer M. V. Bakhrov. The working design documentation was handled by employees of the Admir alty Shipyard enterprise, with which the Russian Ministry of Defense entered into an agreement on March 21, 2014. The ship was developedunder technical project No. 21180.
Laying the ship
Construction work was carried out taking into account all the requirements set forth in the State program for military shipbuilding. In April 2015, a ceremonial laying of the Ilya Muromets military icebreaker was held at the Admir alty Shipyard.
According to the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, Admiral Viktor Chirkov, the laying of the icebreaker was carried out taking into account the characteristics inherent in the ships of tomorrow. A year later, this ship was launched, where fitting-out work is being carried out to this day.
When will the ship be ready?
According to the plans of the developers, the icebreaker "Ilya Muromets" after the completion of all design work will undergo mandatory tests. They are expected to take place in October 2017. Then, as planned, the Ilya Muromets icebreaker will be sent to the Arctic zone to serve in the Russian Navy.
How are they going to use the ship?
The icebreaker "Ilya Muromets" will be delivered to the Arctic zone for effective independent ice assistance of warships and ships of the Russian Navy. The ship will perform the following tasks:
- Patrol the territory of the Arctic zone.
- Tow other ships.
- To transport goods. For this purpose, it is planned to use the cargo hold of the ship, as well as decks on which special refrigerated containers will be installed. Loading and unloading operations will be possible thanks to a 21-meter crane with a lifting capacity of 26 tons installed on the ship. Additionally, a crane-manipulator will be installed on the icebreaker. Its carrying capacity will be two tons. The bow of the vessel is planned to be equipped with a helipad. On the deck of the icebreaker there is a place for a multifunctional work boat BL-820, which uses an inflatable board.
- The icebreaker will be used as a carrier of additional crews (in the amount of fifty people).
- Pave a path on the ice surface for non-ice-class ships.
- Supply coastal, island bases and airfields located in the Arctic zone.
- The icebreaker will also be used by scientists for hydrographic surveys.
In case of emergencies at emergency facilities, the vessel will be used to extinguish the fire. Especially for this purpose, the icebreaker is equipped with two fire monitors and a fire pump. Also, using this pump and a multifunctional boat, it will be possible to localize and collect in the event of an oil leak. The icebreaker is equipped with 400-meter booms to collect oil products from the water surface.
Thus, with the help of the icebreaker "Ilya Muromets" (the photo is presented in the article), the Russian Navy forces will be based and deployed in the Arctic zone. This will strengthen the military presence of the Russian Federation in the territorial waters of the Arctic.
Design
Conventional icebreakers contain superstructures with a vertical frontwall. Since the Ilya Muromets is also intended to perform combat functions, its superstructures have an inclined front wall. Frigates and destroyers have a similar design. On the icebreaker "Ilya Muromets", if necessary, it will be possible to install artillery pieces. Presumably, the new icebreaker will use the AK-306. Mostly this artillery installation is used by auxiliary mobilized ships.
What makes the ship unique?
The Ilya Muromets vessel has performance characteristics typical of many ice-class vessels providing the Russian military presence in the Arctic zone. The vessel is characterized by high seaworthiness, maneuverability and versatility. These conceptual principles were laid down in the shipbuilding program in 2015.
Nevertheless, the lead support vessel has its own innovation. According to the developers of the icebreaker, it will manifest itself when it comes to cruising range and autonomy. "Ilya Muromets" is designed for two-month voyages. According to experts, this ability is a good indicator for an icebreaker that does not use a nuclear power plant. Thus, this ship is able to cover distances within 12 thousand nautical miles.
Using new propellers
The icebreaker is equipped with four diesel generators with a capacity of 2600 kW each. Thus, the total power is 10,600 kW. Separate rudder propellers are equipped with twocomb electric motors. Each of them has a capacity of 3500 kW. It is planned that they will be powered by four diesel generators. The uniqueness of this icebreaker lies in the presence of ridge electric motors, placed outside the hull. The screws thus get the opportunity to carry out their rotation on the shafts by 360 degrees. Due to this, the icebreaker will be able to move in any direction. This ability is especially important during the ship's stay among the ice. According to experts, in the Arctic zone, icebreakers very often have to back up. For a new icebreaker equipped with ridge propellers, lateral travel will not be a problem either.
Engines
"Ilya Muromets" is equipped with engines related to the "Azipod" type. These steering columns are used by the famous Mistral helicopter carriers and Arctic tankers of the R-70046 project. At one time, the workers of the "Admir alty Shipyard" also built the ship "Mikhail Ulyanov", equipped with the same columns. Azipod engines are used in Russian icebreakers for the first time. A feature of the Ilya Muromets can also be considered the fact that it will be equipped with domestic rudder propellers. Their design and production are carried out by employees of the St. Petersburg Central Research Institute of Marine Electronics and Technologies.
Tactical and technical characteristics
- "Ilya Muromets" belongs to the class of ice ships. It is suitable for operations withice thickness not exceeding one and a half meters.
- Country of origin - Russia.
- Manufacturer - Admir alty Shipyards.
- Designed for the Russian Navy.
- The crew consists of 32 people.
- Displacement - 6 thousand tons.
- Vessel length - 84 m.
- Width - 20 m.
- Height 10 m.
- The icebreaker has a typical draft of 6.8 m.
- Speed - 11 knots (economy) and 15 knots (full).
- "Ilya Muromets" is capable of continuous movement with an ice thickness of no more than one meter.
Conclusion
The lack of supply of support vessels for the Russian navy significantly limited its ability to maneuver in Arctic waters. It is expected that the commissioning of the Ilya Muromets icebreaker will fill this gap. According to the developers, unlike its epic namesake, the icebreaker will not wait "thirty years and three years", but will defend the motherland in the very near future. The icebreaker will be launched in early 2018.
