Soviet Fast Attack Craft (1946-1990)

This portal post is about the continuation of the motor torpedo boat fleet created in WW2. In the cold war, as it was now firmly part of its naval doctrine to defend all four fleet areas (Baltic, Arctic, Black Sea and Pacific) coastal waters, the soviet naval staff maintained a conventional naval deterrence of torpedo boats, and as soon as available, missiles, with the Komar class. These are NATO names, they will be associated her with their soviet project numbers. Some were declinations of single hull models for different purpose, such as gunboats. The second towering figure in this picture are the OSA class, successors of the Komar that already made history, and we will conclude with the development of combat hydrofoils in USSR, a pretty unique picture as well, and current developments by the Federation of Russia.

Introduction

Let’s start with the definition of “fast attack craft” (FAC). Sometimes referred to as a Patrol Torpedo Gunboat (PTG) or a Patrol Craft (PCG), it is a small, fast, agile, offensive, often affordable warship armed with anti-ship missiles, gun or torpedoes. It’s very roots could be find in the “Jeune Ecole” theories about asymetric warfare and the use of the torpedo to counter classic battle fleets in the 1880s. This led to the creation of large fleets of steam-powered torpedo boats, a type was still in service in many nations when WW2 broke out. However their decline started with the appearance of the torpedo boats destroyers in the second half of the 1890s, until the latter, that could fill the same role as torpedo carriers started to be seconded by much smaller vessels powered by now mature gasoline engines, the motor torpedo boats. When a MAS sent the battleship SMS Szent István in June 1918, the world took notice, and many smaller navies started to purchase these inexpensive vessels in the interwar. USSR was one of these. The new Soviet naval doctrine based around naval plans was gradual and started with the basics, defending coastal waters with minelayers, motor topedo-boats and coastal submarines.

During WW2, the Soviet Navy went on producing motor torpedo boats in larger numbers than any other warship type. Cheap and capable of operating on rivers as well with gunboats, they soon proved highly valuable to perfrom a large variety of roles, from the black sea to the baltic and their confined shallow waters, but also the pacific. c500 were delivered to Soviet Forces in five main types, the last being produced in the early cold war (see here). They were very comparable to Italian MAS boats from which they took inspiration. The post dedicated to WW2 Soviet MTBs details the first experiences with such vessels by the Tsarist regime already, the 1905 Nikolson types, and in wartime the SKA, SK, MN, N°511 and BK series. In the civil war the Bolsheviks captured ex-British ex-white Russian CMB 40ft-type MTBs. But the true start of Soviet MTBs is found in Soviet Aviation… With Tupolev, the famous aeronautical designer, who approached MTB construction thanks to his experience of aluminum, building the first ANT1-4 prototypes in 1921-2 powered either by Isotta-Fraschini or Wright Cyclone engines (inline and radial engines).

Project P19 were a wooden-built alternative to the G5 had 73 completed, lost 28.

Next followed short series or prototype by the same bureau (ANT-) and serial models for mass production, the 1-4 only existed as prototypes (and others) and the first mass production model became Sh-4 (1925) followed by the G5 or ANT-5 (1934), this model was developed by TsAgi Moskow. Production was considerable and it became in fact the mainstay of Soviet coastal forces in the war. It was succeeded by the D3 (1938), used mostly as sub-hunters.
Before 1945, USSR also had access to many lend-lease motor torpedo boats, either 90 british Vosper types (A1) and Higgins Boats (A2), 60 Elco types (A4), fuelling further comparisons as most were retuned to the US in the 1950s. Which brought us to the most mature and best MTB design produced in USSR in WW2: The Komosomolec type. Planned in 1940, development dragged on until construction of the first pre-serie boats started in 1943 but in only entered service in 1945. This became simultaneously the last WW2 Soviet MTB and first cold war Soviet FAC(T) in which “T” stands for “Torpedo” in western standards.

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Soviet ww2 MTBs

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General Considerations

Powerplants

Extract from a video – starting a Zvezda M-50F3 1200 hp diesel.

For the P4 it was a pair of Soviet M-50 diesels 2,400 hp (1,790 kW). For for the P10 and Komar it was four Zvezda M-50F diesels, 62 liters, V12. They developed 4,800 hp (3,600 kW) combined, each driving a shaft. The model is relatively “light” compared to the later famous Zvezda M503 used on the Osa class FACs. The latter indeed had three Zvezda M503 radial diesel engines capable of a combined 12,000 hp. The latter indeed were derived from the M501 developed for cancelled strategic bombers; The M503 developed 4,000 hp and the M-504B 5,000 hp. The Sarancha had the most complex powerplant of them all (see later). In general, apart hydrofoils planned to reach beyond 40 knots, 35-40 was the aimed limit.

Armaments

533 mm (21″) 53-39

Modernization of the 53-38 torpedo with main goal to increase the speed without sacrificing the range. It was development in 1939 and in service by 1941, it weighted 3,924 lbs. (1,780 kg)
foer an overall Length of 24.61 feet (7.5 m), carrying a 698.9 lbs. (317 kg) payload at 4,370 yards (4,000 m)/51 knots or 8,750 yards (8,000 m) at 39 knots or 10,940 yards (10,000 m) at 34 knots thanks to a Wet-heater. Used by late LTBs like the P4.

533 mm (21″) 53-51

Non-homing torpedo, modification of 53-39 torpedo, equipped with maneuvering device and new active magnetic fuse. Weight 4,134 lbs. (1,875 kg) for 299 inches (7.600 m), 661 lbs. (300 kg) payload. Range/Speed settings 4,400 yards (4,000 m)/51 knots or 8,750 yards (8,000 m)/39 knots, powered by Kerosene-air wet heater. Likely the last types tried on Soviet MTBs.

P-15 Termit (SS-N-2 “Styx)

The SS-N-2 system in Soviet concept of operations, called aircraft or other ships to locate the target and direct attacking patrol boats, until they can pick up the target on their radars. The radar detection range was the same on the Osa and Komar limited in height, to about 20 miles. The Komar radar was used to locate the target, and provide firing datato the missile. It could also assess the damage after the attack. The effective range was in theory extensible by the coastal radar and provide detection and location.

The missile could also be aimed based on the data provided by the optical system, used as a backup. The rocket booster propelled the missile out of the launcher and allowed the missile to step to its standard cruise altitude and speed. The flight at Mach 0.9 and altitude between 300 and 1,000 feet and lower altitude on the final run, leaving only a minute to defending forces to react. Of course, attacking the patrol boats themselves before their launching area was the only solution, if detected soon enough ans a missile sent to destroy them. But after launch, the missile’s own speed, low flight altitude and small radar cross-section plus its built-in electronic countermeasures system made it efficient for the time. In addition they could be fired in sea state 4.

Specifications:

The P15 termit weighted 2,580 kg (5,690 lb), for 5.8 m (19 ft) x 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in) Wingspan 2.4 m
It carried a warhead with a 454 kg (1,001 lb) conventional hollow charge HE
Its Engine had a liquid-propellant rocket and solid-propellant rocket booster
Operational range: 80 kilometres (50 mi)
Flight altitude: 25-100 metres (82 to 328 ft)
Speed: Mach 0.95
Guidance system: autopilot (inertial guidance), active radar homing, infrared homing
Outside the Komar class, this model (also massively used by China), was used on the Osa, Tarantul, Nanuchka, Koni, Kotor, Kildin, and Kashin classes.
The P15 Termit were also on board OSA class FACs, under improved versions, the P-15U and P15M missiles.

25 mm 2M-3M

Used on the Komar class. Tandem barrel turret, installed on Small craft, auxiliary and armed civilian ships. Fires a 1.42-1.48 lbs. (0.644 – 0.672 kg) FRAG incendiary tracer (OZR-85/85M), AP tracer (Br-85) at 2,950 fps (900 mps), Effective 270 – 300 rpm, effective range 2,625 – 3,050 yards (2,400 – 2,800 m).
More

AK-230

Used on, the OSA class FAC and Shershen class. Mass 156 kg (344 lb) per gun, 1,974 kg (4,352 lb) for the full mount.
Length 2.140 m (7.02 ft), barrel 1.897 m (6.22 ft), Width 2.1 m (6.9 ft), Height 1.46 m (4.8 ft).
Crew 2, remote operation. Fires a 30x210mmB 1.07 kg (2.4 lb) to 1.13 kg (2.5 lb) 30mm round via 500-round belt
Gas-operated revolver cannon for 1000 rpm (per barrel), Muzzle velocity 1,050 m/s (3,400 ft/s).
Max range 6.5 km (21,000 ft) against surface targets, 4 km (13,000 ft) against aircraft, 2 km (6,600 ft) against missiles

Sensors

P4 and P6: Soviet I band Zarnitsa (Skin Head) navigational radar
Komar class: MR-331 Rangout radar, Nikhrom IFF
OSA class: MR-331 Rangout (Square Tie) radar, Klyon fire-control system for P-15 Termit, Nickel IFF, MR-104 Rys (Drum Tilt) fire-control radar for AK-230, ARP-58SV radio direction finder, Nikhrom-RRM IFF/ESM.
Shershen class: Radar: MR-102 Baklan, MR-104 Rys’ “High Pole”.

Project 200 scheme

Between the G5 and D3 series that made the bulk of WW2 Soviet MTBs and the late war TK-7 Odesskiy Patriot, there were scores of various models that did not made it into serial production. Here is an overview:

Project 123

The original ancestor of the project (see later). It was small, with a duraluminium step-hulled, and unlike the G-5 it possessed better seaworthiness and stronger armament. The deck house was protected by 7mm armour (0.3 inches). This lead boat had two 533mm torpedo cradles. But trials showed this caued serious stability issues and serial boats (123 bis) reverted to 450mm torpedo tubes. Thanks to GAM-34F petrol engines for 2400 they reached an amazing 51.6. Marti Yd. in Leningrad delivered No13 in October 1940, renamed by August 1942 N°73 and by Feb. 1944 TK-351.

TKL-20 motor torpedo boats

Project L-9 (1941): Smaller versions of the L5, not data, tested from the summer to the autumn of 1941 and scuttled to avoid capture.

STK DD motor torpedo boat (1943)

A single prototype built at 340 Yd, Zelenodolsk in August 1943 as the STK DD. It displaced 46/51t for 25 x 4 x 1.6m for three M-50 diesels + 1 V-2 diesel for 3000 + 450 hp, 34/10 kts 7t diesel oil. She was armed with three 12.7mm/79 and four 450mm TT, sporting a Tamir-10N sonar. But this “Fast high-endurance motor torpedo boat” was unsuccessful.
Honorable mention:

G6 “MTB leader” concept

An elongated G5 called the G6 in 1939.
TKL-1 class:

Air-cushion MTBs of the (not to mix with the Aerosan, which was an army vehicle). They were made by late 1941, 5.40 m long and powered by 2000 hp with four petrol engines, carried two 45cm torpedoes dropped by the stern, and had a top speed of 70 kph. They proved very difficult to control and the program was abandoned.

TK-450 Yunga class

In 1942 working out of project 200 MTB and small submarine chaser in common hull has begun, and latter was designed in wooden and metallic hull variants. MTBs of TM-200 type (torpedo boat, metallic hull) appeared overloaded and slow-speed. In 1944 were built the TK-450 Yunga, TK-451 and in 1945 the TK-452, 53, 54. Discarded in the 1950s. Displacement 47t, 23.4x 4.4 x 1.7m, powered by 3 Packard petrol engines for 3,600 hp, 30.7 kts, range 488 nm at 9.5 kts, armed with three twin 12.7mm/79 DsHk and two 533mm TT.

UTK turbine torpedo boat

Sine prototype with turbine, built at 194 Yd, Leningrad or 340 Yd, Zelenodolsk (194 Yd) in Leningrad, laid down in March 1937 launched 3.10.1939. Never tested and cancelled in August 1951. These Multipurpose turbine-driven heavy torpedo boats were designed to run with with coal with Ramsin boilers.

Project 123-bis and Project 123-K were the last Soviet MTBs of the war, well-armed, fast units designed to succeed to the interwar the G5 already in 1941. But development dragged on so much that they were not operational until 1945. The first was the 1943 STK DD, built at 340 Yd, Zelenodolsk. Design-wise the P4 (as called in retrospect) represented a radical departure from 1930s designs and leaned towards Western models, Vosper, Higgins and Elco boats transferred via lend-lease. However the Komsomolest were noticeably smaller, faster, with the same flat deck, larger aft section, and two side torpedo tubes. The first 12 entered service in the Baltic sea Fleet, and another 12 in the Pacific Fleet, deployed against the Japanese in August to September, so they did saw some action in the dying days of the war, until 15 August.

These MTBs were also known in the Navy in WW2 as the TK-7 Odesskiy Patriot. They were still light thanks to the use of aluminium, alongside other materials, and very fast, setting a world record thanks to their nex engines, and defended by two twin DSHK heavy machine guns of the latest model. They were the basis for a major post-war series, up to the the Shershen. Retrospectively also called Project 123bis, the Komsomolets were produced to an extent of 89 boats until 1949, followed by the Proyekt M123bis (1949, 42 built), and Project 123K in 1950-55, so all in all, a total of 336 making the bulk of Soviet light coastal defense until the 1960s.

Specifications Komsomolec serie I

Displacement: 15 tons standard, 18 tonnes FL
Dimensions: 18.70/ x 3.40 m x 1 m (61 ft 4 in x 11 ft 2 in x 3 ft 3 in)
Propulsion: 2 shafts Soviet M-50 diesels 2,400 hp (1,790 kW)
Speed: 46-55 knots (85–102 km/h; 53–63 mph)
Range: 500 nmi (930 km; 580 mi)
Armament: 2x 18-in TTs, 2×2 0.5 in DsHk, twin 14.5 mm (0.57 in) KPV AA, 6 BM-1 depth charges
Senors (K-123 only): I-band Zarnitsa (Skin Head) nav. radar.
Crew: 7-12
*K-123: 19.26 m x 63 ft 2 in.

The standard Soviet motor boat M6 was Project 183, featuring the same wooden semi-plan hull which allowed scale economy. It had a sound, flexible, light yet solid package, reliable and durable. The original Type 183 had two 533 mm (21 in) cradle type torpedo tubes, and two reloads. They were roomy enough to have two 25 mm guns. The P6 was closely derived from the P 4 class torpedo boat with an aluminium hull. The P 6-class was also called “Project 183 Bolshevik”. It served alongside the P4 and came with or without radar (183T and 183). The P 6 was much larger than the P 4-class, with thrice the displacement. They were much more heavily armed. The passage from 18-in to 21-in torpedoes, plus twin 25 mm gun mounts, instead 14.5 mm gun HMGs were indeed quite an improvement.

The Key was the use of a wooden hull to make mass production more relevant, inspired by the US and allied MTBs under lend-lease in WW2, the Vosper, Elco, and Higgins. Development was carried out by the No.5 shipyard in Leningrad. The bottom used semi-planing with sharp lines, instead of full hydroplaning as previous designs like the G-5 or Project the 123-bis. The four M-50 diesel engines provided a top speed of 43 knots (80 km/h; 49 mph). The prototype was delivered in 1949, construction proceeded in three shipyards, for a total of around 420 boats. They were also massively exported to allied nations but most were retired in the 1980s.
In 1953, the PRC bought 39 of these, and under Soviet assistance managed to start local production, as the Type 02 torpedo boat, bringing an additional 63–80 boats, some with a steel hull as there was a lack of suitable wood in China. They foufght skirmishes with the ROC Navy and were retired by the 1990s. Egypt was the largest user apat these, acquiring 46 P-6 in 1956-1970. They saw action against Israel in the Six-Day War but the destroyer Eilat sank two of these.

Specifications P 6

67.1 long tons, 25.5 x 6.18 x 1.24m (83 ft 8 in x 20 ft 3 in x 4 ft 1 in)
Propulsion: 4 shafts Soviet M-50T diesels 4,800 hp (3,579 kW), 43 knots, RA 1,000 nmi (1,900 km; 1,200 mi).
Crew 14, 2× 533 mm TTs, 2×2 25 mm 2M-3, 8 x BB-1 DCs, Sea mines. Zarnitsa (Skin Head) navigational radar.

The Soviet Navy was the first to do this. And its traduction became the Komar class, the first Fast Attack Craft (FAC). The latter denomination presupposed with missiles, to make a difference with classic MTBs. This was only possible thanks to the development of a missile: The P-15 Termit (SS-N-2 “Styx”), giving a reach of 80 kilometres (50 mi), unheard of for torpedo-carrying MTBs. The latter was soon found obsolete, despite the fact, the Soviet Navy had one of the most impressive fleet of such vessels at its disposal.

The Komar also became an export success, understandably, giving some navies on paper a cheap way to deal with much more massive ships, such as destroyers, frigates and cruisers. The Soviet Navy reinvented asymetric warfare, a century almost after the invention of the torpedo. Built by the hundreds (for USSR, Warsaw pact satellites and China under licence), this FAC was extremely popular and served well until the end of the cold war, notwithstanding the fact the P-15 Termit was totally rendered obsolete by new chaffs, ECMs, jamming, rapid firing guns and limited in its accuracy due to primitive optics and guidance systems.

Specifications

Dimensions: 25.4 x 6.24 x 1.24m (83.4 x 20.6 x 4 ft)
Displacement: 61.5 standard 66.5 tonnes FL
Crew: 17
Propulsion: 4 shaft M-50F diesels 4,800 hp (3,600 kW)
Speed: 44 knots (81 km/h; 51 mph)
Range: 600 nmi (1,100 km; 690 mi) at 32 knots
Armament: 2 SS-N-2 Styx SSNs, 2×4 25 mm AA 2M-3M
Electronics MR-331 Rangout radar, Nikhrom IFF

Project 205 boats were much larger than the Project 183R (NATO: Komar class), the mass by itself four times greater, with nearly double the crew. Yet still, they were design to carry out their work “at minima” for thheir planne mission.
The hull was all-steel, with a low, wide superstructure atop made of lighter AMG alloys. They had a continuous deck, and a high free-board. The deck edge were rounded and smooth in order to wash off radioactive contamination in case of nuclear war as well as water spashes in general. The hull was quite wide.

They could still achieve high speeds thanks to their three Zvezda M503 radial diesel engines capable of a combined 12,000 hp (15,000 hp on Project 205U) driving three shafts. This enabled a top speed of about 40 knots, together with reasonable endurance and reliability. There were also three diesel generators. Two main engines and one generator were placed in the forward engine room, a third main engine and two generators in the aft engine room. The main cenralized control compartment was located between the two engine rooms.

The Armament adressed the issues related to the weak AA weaponry of the earlier Project 183R (Komar) whic hull was just too small for anything than light AA. It was partially solved with the use of two AK-230 turrets, in the fore and aft deck. These were better for close in defence against any incoming threat, and were directed by the MR-104 Rys (NATO: “Drum Tilt”) fire-control radar, placed on a raised platform, controlling the whole horizon despite its limited high point over the superstructures. Even if placed aft, this radar had a good field of view all around.

The AK-230 turrets were unmanned, sporting two 30 mm guns capable of 2,000 rpm (400 practical) with a 2,500 m practical range. They could be used also against surface targets but like the Komar class, once all missiles were spent, they were excpected to retreat, not fight. Truly effective anti-surface armament beame a reality only from the Project 12341.1 Molniya (NATO: “Tarantul”) class corvettes, but they were already one step above in terms of dimensions.

The offensive armament of the OSA class consisted of four P-15 Termit (NATO: SS-N-2 “Styx”) missiles, each protected from bad weather inside their box-shaped launchers. This was double compared to Project 183R (Komar) boats, giving them greater endurance. The missiles were controlled by a MR-331 Rangout (NATO: “Top Bow”) radar and Nikhrom-RRM (NATO: “Square Tie”) ESM/IFF that made possible targeting over the horizon, if the target’s radar was turned on.

All this made these ships considerably more effective. The survivability was estimated to be improved above 50%, and the required firepower, a total of 12 missiles could be launched by only three ships instead of double in a Komar-based squadron. Sinking a destroyer was therefore regarded as “assured” based on six ships, two squadrons of three vessels, thanks to the saturation fire, making the Osa class easier to coordinate, and even cheaper in comparison to Project 183R units to achieve the same effectiveness.

Project 205 OSA were without equal in the late 1950/early 1960s. Over 400 were made in USSR alone, and another 120 in China. Some of the improved Project 205U (NATO OSA II) had the 9K32 Strela-2 (NATO: SA-N-5 “Grail”) surface-to-air missiles in quadruple launchers, in an attempt to improve air defence. They also had new and improved, more powerful engines, as well new cylindrical canisters with the improved P-15U missiles. 205M and 205 boats were designed with longer tubes for the improved P-15M missiles as well.

Specifications (OSA I)

171.5/184 tons, 226) tons full load, 38.6 x 7.64 x 1.73 m.
3 shafts 4,000 hp (3.0 MW) M-503G diesels 38.5 knots (71.3 km/h), RA 1,800 nmi (3,300 km) at 14 knts
Crew 28 2× AK-230 CIWS, 4× P-15 Termit SSM. Radar MR-331 Rangout (Square Tie), Klyon FCS, MR-104 Rys (Drum Tilt).

Project 206 Shtorm were 123 TKAs (“torpedo cutters”) designed as simple fast attack craft that could be assembled for cheap and easy to maintain. Designed successor to the Project 183 “Bolshevik” (P 6 torpedo boats), development started in 1956. The first was completed at the Yaroslavl Shipyard, commissioned in October 1960. Production went to the Sredne-Nevskiy and Sosnovskiy Shipyard that brought a total of 80 boats. A simplified export version, Project 206E (NATO designation Mol) was designed, and Yugsoslavia also started production at Kraljevica Shipyard under licence, building ten. However it ended less cos-effective than the ships they replaced and less were sold, to 15 countries. Only 4 purchased the export variant Project 206E. Egypt had 6 in service, modifying them extensively with western electronics, a BM-21 launcher, and SA-N-5 “Grail”. East Germany had the largest fleet with 18 boats, followed by Vietnam (16).

Specifications

Disp. 148 tons standard, 172 tons FL. 34.08 x 6.72 x 1.46–1.5 m.
3× M503A diesels 12,500 hp (9,300 kW): 45 knots, RA 500 nmi at 35 knots.
Crew 24, 2× AK-230 30 mm/65, quad SA-N-5 MANPAD, 4× 533 mm TTs, 2× DC racks
Sensors: MR-102 Baklan, MR-104 Rys’, “High Pole”.

The Soviet Union recoignized in 1965 that the days of FAC with torpedoes was over, and alongside its FAC/M, Komar and OSA, it needed an even faster boat. Given the powerplants of the time, there was no quik and easy solution. It was decided to study several alleys, the ekranoplanes, hydrofoils and hovercrafts. The first remained largely experimental, and the third was chosen for amophibious assaults, so that left hydrofoils to be studied for a new fast attack craft. To gain time in design, it was chosen to create the Turya class as a derivative of the Shershen-class torpedo boat, with an hydroplane added forward to increase speed. 40 knots was possible at sea state 4, 35 knots at sea state 5. They were better armed with a twin 57 mm gun, notably because NATO own fast attack craft had a 76 mm OTO Melara gun. They even had an helicopter dipping sonar aft for ASW work. Like the Shershen they still had 533mm (21 inch) torpedo tubes. But they could fire either anti-ship or anti-submarine torpedoes. Export boats were also designed, lacking the dipping sonar. The Turya class were produced between 1972 and 1976 to around 51 ships. They were also exported to Cambodia (2) boats, Cuba (9), Ethiopia (2p, Seychelles (1) and Vietnam (5).

Specifications

Disp. 220 tons standard, 250 tons FL, 39.6 x 7.6 x 4 m
Propulsion: 3× M503 B2 Diesels 15,000 hp for 40 knots RA 600 nm 37 knots, 1,450 nm/14 knots
Crew: 30. Sensors Pot Drum, Muff Comb, High Pole radars, Sonar: Foal Tail.
Armament: 2× 57mm AK-725 guns, 2× 25mm 110-PM guns 2M-3, 4× 533mm TTs

The Matka class (NATO) were the hydrofoil missile boats Project 206MR Vikhr, descendants of the Osa-class missile boat, heavily modified version of the Turya-class. They had a single foil, and the aft part of the hull hydroplanes only worked at high speeds. They sported SS-N-2 launchers identical to the Project 61MR (“Mod-Kashin”)-class destroyers. Good seaboats, they were however found cramped inside and top-heavy. They were built in Leningrad, only twelve were ever made. Five were sent to Ukraine in 1991, one transferred to Georgia after refurbishment. They were not exported.

Specifications

Disp. 233 tons standard, 257 tons FL. 38.6 x 7.6 x 3.26 m
Propulsion 3× M503 B2 Diesels 15,000 hp: 42 knots. RA 600 nm/37 knots or 1,450 nm/14 kts
Crew 30. MR-101 radar, Omega navigation radar, Pchlea EW radar, Decoy launchers
Armament: 1× AK-176 gun, 1× AK-630 CIWS, 2x P-15 Termit missiles.

The Sarancha class (NATO) was a single large hydrofoil missile boat built for the Soviet Navy as Project 1240 Uragan and a very complex design. It tested fully submerged foils with propellers mounted on the after set of foils. Thanks to this, they reached 58 knots (107 km/h) and boasted a heavy armament. But after tests it was decided not to launch production as they were deemed too large, complex and expensive. MRK-5 (МРК-5) was laid down at Petrovski plant, Leningrad, in 1973 and was on trials until 1977. In 1979, she was transferred to the Black Sea Fleet, based in Sevastopol until 1990, decommissioned but while in the mothballs she was badly damaged by a fire in 1992, and sunk in shallow water.

Specifications

280 tons standard, 320 tons FL. 53.6 x 13.31 x 2.6m.
4 shafts, 2 gas turbines 30,000 hp 2 GTD M-10 and M-401 (DRA-211), 3 gas turbogenerators GTG-100, 2 diesel generators DG-100
Top speed 58 kn (107 km/h), Range 700 nmi (1,300 km)
Crew 40. Radar Band Stand, Pop Group, Bass Tilt.
Armament: 4 x SS-N-9, 1 SA-N-4 SAM (20 missiles).

Read More/Src

Books

Conway’s All the World’s Fighting Ships 1947–1995. London: Conway Maritime.
Soviet Navy Surface Ship Identification Guide. Defense intelligence agency, 1982
Saunders, Commodore Stephen, ed. (2004). Jane’s Fighting Ships 2004-2005 (107th ed.). Surrey: Jane’s Information Group.
Sharpe, Capt. Richard, ed. (1991). Jane’s Fighting Ships 1991–92 (94th ed.). Surrey: Jane’s Information Group.
Rabinovich, Abraham; Ward, Jeffrey L. (1988). The boats of Cherbourg. Herman Wouk Coll. (Lib. Congress) New York Seaver Books.
Couhat Jean. Combat Fleets of the world 1982/1983 Their Ships, Aircraft, and Armament Paris: Editions Maritimes et d’Outre-Mer, 1981
Slade, Stuart, “The true history of Soviet anti-ship missiles,” RID magazine, May 1994.
Shikavthecenko, V, “Lightings in the sea: the Russian FACs developments,” RID September 1995.

Links

russianships.info
bharat-rakshak.com Trident, Grandslam and Python: Attacks on Karachi
bharat-rakshak.com osa I
bharat-rakshak.com osa II
brodkr.hr
The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems: Norman Friedman
The Naval Institute Guide to the Soviet Navy, Norman Polmar
warships.ru
warfareboats/project_206m
warfareboats/project_206mr
warships.ru
neptun-na-pryluki
russianships.info project 1240
atrinaflot.narod.ru
navypedia.org
WNRussian_25mm-79
WMRUS_Main

Videos

Model Kits

Osa class FAC 1:72, and soviet missile craft Dragon 1:700

3D