Aircraft Carrier Admiral Kuznetsov: News #1

The flotilla passed Andoya in Northern Norway today. Lovely flat sea, relaxed pace, 5 aircraft and a chopper on deck. Assume photos from a RNAF P-3 Orion.

Compare and contract the two photos, a whole lot of paint gone onto that ship!

https://twitter.com/M3t4_tr0n/status/788119553637244928

Thanks for the link Aldin, if you are still around here.

When Admiral Kuznetsov, reaches the Syrian Coast, I really hope that, they allow, selected reporters on Admiral Kuznetsov, I would love to see, how Admiral Kuznetsov look inside.

I would like to see the sort of weapons they operate with... especially the Ka-52s, but also the MiGs and Flankers.

This article includes a very good and detailed video clip of the Kuznetsov off Dover.

http://www.itv.com/news/2016-10-21/navy-vessels-follow-russian-warships-every-inch-of-the-way-as-they-pass-through-channel-on-their-way-to-syria/

They really need to do something with that engine.

par far wrote:When Admiral Kuznetsov, reaches the Syrian Coast, I really hope that, they allow, selected reporters on Admiral Kuznetsov, I would love to see, how Admiral Kuznetsov look inside.

There are alot of photos from Kuznecov from 2009. and 2012. online from the inside.

JohninMK wrote:They really need to do something with that engine.

I hope Russia's new Storm class carriers won't have those awful engine smokes

Project Canada wrote:

JohninMK wrote:They really need to do something with that engine.

I hope Russia's new Storm class carriers won't have those awful engine smokes

If it stays as originally imagined Storm will have nuclear propulsion.

It's interesting, that on the deck are ready to take off and armed with AAMs only Su-33 fighters and no MiG-29K. They are all in hangar.

Looks like Kuznetsov have not modernized Su-33 fighters with Gefest SVP-24.

medo wrote:.............[/url]

Looks like Kuznetsov have not modernized Su-33 fighters with Gefest SVP-24.

No need really. MiGs will be doing the bombing. 33's are there for air patrols and to boost Su-30/35 complement.

English navy ship fans out in small boats with good cameras.

JohninMK wrote:They really need to do something with that engine.

Where is the point? I know it looks ugly with this black beam of steam, but there is no point to invest gazillion into carrier whose main mission is to provide RuNavy with continual carrier borne operational capabilities & experience .

zg18 wrote:

Where is the point? I know it looks ugly with this black beam of steam, but there is no point to invest gazillion into carrier whose main mission is to provide RuNavy with continual carrier borne operational capabilities & experience .

In order for it to provide it, obviously. Last years K spent mostly in repairs, and most common reason was current propulsion system. If you don't change it, K will be mostly in docks also for the future.

A1RMAN wrote:

zg18 wrote:

Where is the point? I know it looks ugly with this black beam of steam, but there is no point to invest gazillion into carrier whose main mission is to provide RuNavy with continual carrier borne operational capabilities & experience .

In order for it to provide it, obviously. Last years K spent mostly in repairs, and most common reason was current propulsion system. If you don't change it, K will be mostly in docks also for the future.

And thats have no relations with smoke. Smoke is not problem.

marat wrote:

A1RMAN wrote:

zg18 wrote:

Where is the point? I know it looks ugly with this black beam of steam, but there is no point to invest gazillion into carrier whose main mission is to provide RuNavy with continual carrier borne operational capabilities & experience .

In order for it to provide it, obviously. Last years K spent mostly in repairs, and most common reason was current propulsion system. If you don't change it, K will be mostly in docks also for the future.

And thats have no relations with smoke. Smoke is not problem.

Smoke isn't a problem but the propulsion system is, it does need to be replaced.

I would just go with a diesel engine, like I said doubt they will go Nuclear with this thing.

For this particular ship Nuclear power would provide it no real use nothing diesel couldn't anyway.

medo wrote:

Looks like Kuznetsov have not modernized Su-33 fighters with Gefest SVP-24.

Afaik SVP-24 is a black boxes system in the aircraft, not an external pod. Wingtips pods in the Su-33s or Su-34s are, I think, movable RWR/ECM "Sorbitzia" systems.

Some fantastic pictures there. I live on the south coast of the UK and was hoping to see them pass from here, but they were too far out by the time they got along to my stretch of beach.

I have to agree Soloyvov though, that propulsion system doesn't seem very healthy, and has been the K's Achilles's Heel from the start. Future carriers really do need to be nuclear, as Russia just doesn't have the network of friendly ports and bases overseas to ensure they will be able to fuel up on long missions. While it might not be worth it for the K herself in direct terms, treating her a testbed for new technologies going into future carriers could be a good move - and a well tested propulsion/power plant could help avoid the very problems on future ships that happened with the K.

A Dutch Navy picture from the North Sea with more planes on deck, taken from one of their NH-90s. Good picture of the lifts.

A bit OT but just to show she is not alone in the smokey stakes. Now this looks like a really knackered engine, USS Freedom, incidently one of their much hyped Literal Combat Ships and only8 years old.

Giulio wrote:

medo wrote:

Looks like Kuznetsov have not modernized Su-33 fighters with Gefest SVP-24.

Afaik SVP-24 is a black boxes system in the aircraft, not an external pod. Wingtips pods in the Su-33s or Su-34s are, I think, movable RWR/ECM "Sorbitzia" systems.

Point is, that b/n 76 and 62 were not between those modernized with SVP-24 in Zhukovsky.

SeigSoloyvov wrote:.............

Smoke isn't a problem but the propulsion system is, it does need to be replaced.

I would just go with a diesel engine, like I said doubt they will go Nuclear with this thing.

For this particular ship Nuclear power would provide it no real use nothing diesel couldn't anyway.

We are really wasting time with all the smoke discussion. It does not look pretty and engines are not really perfect but I am sure RU Navy is more than aware of it.

The thing is this ship was already on it's way to dock for total overhaul, engines included. It was pulled out at last second precisely so it would take opportunity to participate in this little Syrian get together. Six months from now it will be off to dockyard for several years.

Crowd on the internet can use this opportunity to have some laughs. I don't really see the problem. They laughed at other stuff before. And just like then they won't be laughing once this thing starts raining down fiery death on rodents in Syria.

SeigSoloyvov wrote:
Smoke isn't a problem but the propulsion system is, it does need to be replaced.

I would just go with a diesel engine, like I said doubt they will go Nuclear with this thing.

For this particular ship Nuclear power would provide it no real use nothing diesel couldn't anyway.

Nah, there is nothing wrong with steam propulsion. The K just needs efficient & reliable boilers and a full refurb on her turbines. The powerplant of the Vikramaditiya is an example of how the K should look after her planned upgrade. She runs virtually smoke free.

Big_Gazza wrote:

SeigSoloyvov wrote:
Smoke isn't a problem but the propulsion system is, it does need to be replaced.

I would just go with a diesel engine, like I said doubt they will go Nuclear with this thing.

For this particular ship Nuclear power would provide it no real use nothing diesel couldn't anyway.

Nah, there is nothing wrong with steam propulsion.  The K just needs efficient & reliable boilers and a full refurb on her turbines.  The powerplant of the Vikramaditiya is an example of how the K should look after her planned upgrade. She runs virtually smoke free.

The black smoke indicates that there is a problem with the boiler.

There is no question about it that Kuz has certain issues with its boilers, most likely its not managing to burn oil efficent enough (too low temperatures i presume) which leads to this... coal burning like pillar of smoke.

However beside issues with boilers, it seems K had issues with its "transmission" so to call it too. All of this will require major overhauls of the system or its complete replacement.. however... i dont see diesels coming into play. Mostly coz Russia atm does not have so big diesels on its disposal.