RV Akademik Aleksandrov of the Project 20183 research ships is an special-purpose ship, classified as research vessel, of the Russian Navy. According to official sources the special-purpose ships is designed for search and rescue operations and the transport of large-scale maritime, military and special equipment. It is in service at the Pacific Fleet.
 Akademik Alexandrov in 2022
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | Project 20183 |
| Builders | Zvezdochka Shipyard, Severodvinsk |
| Operators |  Russian Navy |
| Subclasses | |
| Cost | unknown |
| Built | 2014-2015 |
| In commission | 2015–present |
| Completed | 3 |
| Active | 3 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Project 20183 research vessel |
| Length | 108 m (354 ft) (Project 20183) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 15 kn (28 km/h; 17 mph) |
| Complement |
|
| Aviation facilities | 1 x helipad |
Design and description
editAccording to the Zvezdochka shipyard, the ship has equipment that will also allow it to conduct research activities on the Arctic shelf and participate in rescue operations in Arctic waters. It has Arc5 Russian ice classification (ice thickness up to 0.8 m, 2 ft 7 in (winter/spring) or up to 1.0 m, 3 ft 3 in (summer/autumn)), which allows it to work in complex ice conditions.[1]
The Akademik Aleksandrov and its sister vessels are believed to be able to carry small-scale submarines and remotely operated vehicles for special operations. Defense analyst H.I. Sutton reported the ship is believed to be involved in testing of new weapons, including the Poseidon nuclear unmanned underwater vehicle.[2]
History
editThe Akademik Aleksandrov was launched in May 2017 from the Zvezdochka shipyard in Severodvinsk, northern Russia, and is the third ship in its class. It was scheduled to be handed over to the Navy at the end of 2018.[1]
At the time of commissioning, there were two other ships of the class: the Akademik Kovalyov, which was delivered by the Zvezdochka shipyard at the end of 2015 is in service of the Pacific Fleet. The Akademik Aleksandrov's sister ship, Zvezdochka, is serving in the Northern Fleet. A fourth ship of the kind was under construction at the yard in Severodvinsk since 2015.[2]
The Russian Navy intends to use the new ships for support functions related to combat ship operations. Akademik Kovalyov sailed with the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov and the battlecruiser Pyotr Veliky for their mission off the coast of Syria in 2016 as a support ship.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c Staalesen, Atle (2017-05-11). "Another special-purpose ship for Russian Navy". www.thebarentsobserver.com. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
- ^ a b Staalesen, Atle (2020-04-14). "Navy gets new vessel for secret underwater operations in Arctic". www.thebarentsobserver.com. Retrieved 2024-12-04.