Russian combat boats. Full speed ahead! Asian missile boats

By increasing their military presence in Vietnam, the Americans were faced with the need to conduct fighting on the rivers of the country, primarily in the Mekong Delta. The available combat boats and ships were ill-suited for this purpose - they were too large and had too much draft, so they had to quickly develop a small, inexpensive boat, optimized for patrol duty on waterways Vietnam. This is how the universal patrol boat PBR (Eng. Patrol Boat, River) appeared. Two versions of the boat were produced: PBR Mk I and PBR Mk II.

The hull of the PBR boat was made of fiberglass, only the cabin sides and machine gun shields were covered with ceramic armor. Basically, the calculation was on the speed and maneuverability of this baby. However, the small size of this boat did not prevent it from inflicting huge damage on enemy forces, sinking its ships with ammunition and delivering sabotage groups of green berets to the rear.

The PBR patrol boats were heavily armed. The bow turret was equipped with twin Browning M2HB machine guns and the same machine gun was mounted in the turret in the stern. In the middle part of the boat, an M60 machine gun and an Mk 19 automatic grenade launcher were installed on armored shields. Sometimes a 20-mm cannon was installed.

PBR boats were equipped with two 220 hp. With. Detroit Disel 6V53N engines with jet propulsion and reached a maximum speed of 25.5 or 28.5 knots (53 km / h). Especially for actions in the narrow and shallow inland waterways of Vietnam, their draft did not exceed 1 m.

In the period 1966-1973. about 500 patrol river boats were built PBR boats of which 160 are PBR Mk I, the rest are PBR Mk II. After the end of the Vietnam War, 293 boats were transferred to South Vietnam. Also, these boats received: Cambodia - 25, Thailand - 37. Israel had 28 boats, most of which were built locally and only 22 of the latter remain in reserve service naval forces USA for learning purposes.

The main characteristics of PBR river boats:
Crew, people: 4;
Displacement, t: 8.9 (Mk II);
Length, m: 9.4 (MK I), 9.8 (MK II);
Width, m: 3.2 (MK I), 3.5 (MK II);
Draft, m: 0.61 (MK I), 0.8 (MK II);
Engines: 2 x Detroit Diesel 6V53N with jet propulsion;
Power, l. s.: 2 x 220 (164 kW);
Travel speed, knots: 28.5 (53 km/h);
Armament: 2 x 12.7 mm M2HB coaxial machine guns (front, in a rotating turret), 1 x 12.7 mm M2HB machine gun (rear), 2 x 7.62 mm M60 machine guns, 1 x 40 mm Mk grenade launcher 19

The strikes on terrorist targets in Syria from the waters of the Caspian Sea with Kalibr missiles that hit the whole world were carried out from small missile ships of the Russian Navy. The capabilities of the new weapon, which does not require large carriers such as cruisers, are causing more and more interest among military specialists in the "mosquito fleet" - small sea ​​ships and ships for various purposes. The Zvezda weekly has studied which combat boats are entering service with the Russian Navy today.

Merry suicide bombers

I stopped scoffing at Brezhnev when I saw newsreel footage from the 1970s. On board a pleasure boat going from Gelendzhik to Novorossiysk, sat old man- then the ruler of half the world - and wept. He followed the same route on a small boat to Malaya Zemlya in 1943. Colonels do not run into attacks, but for the death of a star on shoulder straps - not a decree. In the Tsemess Bay, a landing craft ran into a floating mine at night. Political officer Brezhnev was thrown overboard by an explosion, and he, shell-shocked, was miraculously noticed and picked up from the water by the sailors of the boat ...

In the navy, they were called sea cavalrymen or merry suicide bombers. On torpedo G-5 and D-3, on "midges" (small hunters MO-4), they made attacks on German ships, insane in desperate courage, landed troops, fought mines. Cruisers and battleships were mostly protected from enemy air raids and submarine attacks, and the main combat load during the Great Patriotic War carried - and endured! - namely, the Soviet "mosquito fleet": torpedo and armored boats, guards and smoke curtains, minesweepers and air defense boats.

Dangerous "chick"

Listing the tasks of the Russian military department in 2017 to build up the combat capabilities of the Armed Forces, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu named the introduction of eight surface ships and nine combat boats into the Navy's combat strength as a priority. Now our military is moving from words to deeds very quickly, and the hoisting of the Russian naval flag on two of the latest anti-sabotage boats of project 21980 Grachonok took place in the Northern Fleet in January 2017.

The ceremony in Gadzhiev, the main base of the submarine forces of the Northern Fleet, was held under the leadership of Rear Admiral Vladimir Grishechkin, who, according to a good maritime tradition, wished the crews seven feet under the keel and noted the high efficiency new technology to ensure the protection and defense of bases and military installations of the fleet, including from possible terrorist threats.

The boats built at the Vympel shipyard in Rybinsk are capable of performing combat missions during a five-point storm. Crew - 8 sailors, speed - over 20 knots. Nimble "Rook" is well armed. It hurts to "peck" the enemy, he can bursts of a machine gun of 14.5 mm caliber. From the attack of saboteurs from under the water, the boat is protected by an automatic 10-barreled grenade launcher of 55 mm caliber, which “jamming” combat swimmers at a depth of up to 40 m and within a radius of up to 16 m from its sides. In combat, the grenade launcher works in conjunction with the Anapa-type hydroacoustic station, which provides automatic and constant guidance of the weapon to the firing point.

Protection against air attacks is provided by four portable anti-aircraft missile systems (MANPADS) "Igla". The boat is equipped with modern electronic and radio equipment, including the Kalmar sonar system and the MR-231 Pal navigation radar.

As of December 2016, the Russian Navy had 12 such boats. This year, the “rook flock” has already begun to replenish with new “chicks”.

In 2016, serial deliveries of amphibious transport and assault boats for marines and special forces of the Russian Navy began the concern "Kalashnikov". The shipbuilding division of the most famous weapons company developed and immediately released a single combat group of boats. It includes the latest BK-16 transport and assault boat and BK-10 assault boat. “They successfully passed the tests and were put into service,” said CEO Concern Alexey Krivoruchko. “In terms of their technical characteristics and equipment, our boats are not inferior to foreign analogues, but at the same time they win significantly in price.”

At the “Innovation Day of the Ministry of Defense”, the deputy general director of the Rybinsk shipyards, which are part of the Kalashnikov concern, Sergey Antonov, spoke about the combat capabilities of these boats to the Zvezda weekly:

These high-speed vessels are designed to solve combat missions in the coastal zone. The BK-10 crew of two will deliver 10 paratroopers to the landing site. The draft of an 8-ton boat is only 66 centimeters. In fact, he is able to “jump” ashore, while pouring fire on the enemy from two machine guns (naturally, Kalashnikov) of 7.62 mm caliber.

The BK-16 landing craft is armed with an even more impressive arsenal - four 7.62 mm machine guns, a 12.7 mm machine gun and a 40 mm grenade launcher. But that's not all: the boat can carry up to four sea mines or launchers guided missiles "Kornet". With a displacement of 20 tons, the BK-16 is capable of carrying up to 24 paratroopers. The crew of the boat is also only two people.

The technical ability to develop the same speed of 40 knots and a guaranteed cruising range of up to 400 miles allow the boats to work in a coordinated manner to fulfill a single combat mission, - said Sergey Antonov. - Acting as part of a group, the boats will ensure the speedy delivery of the air assault group to the shore and fire support her actions.

Ultra-modern "dinosaurs"

According to reports in the open press, a pair of “dinosaurs” is now protecting the Russian Navy’s logistics center in Syrian Tartus from the threat from the sea. They are incredibly fast and very dangerous for any opponent. High-speed patrol boats of the Raptor project, on the instructions of the Russian Navy, were designed and built by specialists from the Leningrad Shipbuilding Plant Pella. These highly maneuverable "predators" are intended for patrolling water areas, landing troops, and performing search and rescue operations. The high-speed (48 knots - almost 90 kilometers per hour!) Raptors have excellent seaworthiness: they are able to high speed move at any heading angles even with sea waves up to five points. If necessary, each such boat can carry 20 marines with weapons and equipment.

The Raptor is armed with a 14.5 mm Uprava-KORD universal remote-controlled weapon station. Target detection range - 3000 m, effective firing range - 2000 m. A unique gyroscope is built into the combat remote module system, which stabilizes aiming when the sea starts to increase. Additional weapons for close combat with enemy watercraft are two 7.62 mm 6P41 Pecheneg machine guns mounted on swivel mounts.

One word - "predator"! By the end of 2018, Pella shipbuilders are to deliver more than a dozen project 03160 patrol boats to the Russian Navy.

"Mosquito fleet" against "inhuman" drones

The larger the ship, the more vulnerable it is to the enemy, despite all the most modern technical protective bells and whistles. Some Russian and Western military analysts predict that the last cruisers will be history by 2040, just as multi-gun sail brigs and armored dreadnoughts have gone before.

New weapons provide new opportunities, and, for example, Americans today are more afraid of the Chinese "mosquito fleet" than of surface and submarine ships of the Celestial Empire. US admirals believe that this small fry is capable of blocking the path from Indian to Pacific Ocean- along the coast and between the islands - even to their most powerful aircraft carrier groups. And in conditions when, along with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), maritime combat drones are also being actively developed, the role of small ships and vessels should increase even more. By the way, if aerial UAVs are now on everyone’s lips, then not very much is spread about marine drones in all industrialized countries. What is it for?

As is well known, bedbug tanks do not crush. It is also unlikely that destroyers and frigates will chase gliders and other unmanned drones. And "mosquitoes" - can. Perhaps soon the main task of the naval cavalry will be precisely the fight against the "inhuman" marine "reptiles".

Photo: Russian Defense Ministry/Kalashnikov Concern

Series naval armored boats type "MBK" (project 161) consisted of 20 units ("BK-501" - "BK-520"), built at plant No. 194 and put into operation in 1943-1944. During the war, 3 boats died, the rest were decommissioned in 1953-1958. Performance characteristics of the boat: standard displacement - 151 tons; full displacement - 158 tons; length - 36.2 m; width - 5.5 m; draft - 1.3 m; power plant - 2 gasoline engines, power - 2.4 thousand hp; maximum speed- 13 knots; cruising range - 450 miles; fuel reserve - 9 tons of gasoline; crew - 17 people. Booking: board - 25-50 mm; deck - 15-30 mm; felling - 8 mm; towers - 45 mm. Armament: 2x1 - 76-mm guns; 2x1 - 45 mm guns; 1x1 - 37 mm anti-aircraft gun; 2x1 - 12.7 mm machine gun.

Armored boats "Spear" and "Pika" were built at the Putilov plant in 1908-1910. The boats were decommissioned in 1954. Performance characteristics of the boat: standard displacement - 23.5 tons, total displacement - 25 tons; length - 22.5 m; width -3.1 m; draft - 0.7 m; power plant - 2 gasoline engines, power - 200 hp; maximum speed - 10 knots; cruising range - 300 miles; crew - 12 people. Booking: wheelhouse, side and deck - 8 mm. Armament: 1x1 - 76 mm gun; 2x1 - 7.62 mm machine gun.

From a series of D-type boats built in the USA in 1916-1917. by the beginning of the war, 4 units remained in service. The boats were lost in 1941. Performance characteristics of the boat: full displacement - 6.5 tons; length - 9.2 m; width -2.4 m; draft - 0.7 m; power plant - gasoline engine, power - 100 hp; maximum speed - 11 knots; cruising range - 500 miles; fuel reserve - 700 kg; crew - 7 people. Booking: board - 5 mm, wheelhouse - 6 mm. Armament: 1x1 - 12.7 mm and 2x1 - 7.62 mm machine guns.

The boats "Alarm" and "Partizan" were built at the Kolomna plant and put into operation in 1932. In 1941, the boats were modernized. Decommissioned in the 50s. Performance characteristics of the boat: standard displacement - 45 tons, total displacement - 55.6 tons; length - 32 m; width - 3.4 m; draft - 0.9 m; power plant - 2 gasoline engines, power - 1.6 thousand hp; maximum speed - 22 knots; fuel reserve - 3.3 tons of gasoline; cruising range - 600 miles; crew - 13 people. Booking: board and wheelhouse - 5 mm. Armament: 1x1 - 76 mm gun; 2x1 - 7.62 mm machine guns.

A series of large armored boats of the "Project 1124" type consisted of 97 units and was commissioned in 1936-1945. The boats were built at factories No. 264, No. 340 and No. 363. During the war, 12 boats were lost. Performance characteristics of the boat: standard displacement - 37 - 44 tons, full - 41 - 52 tons; length - 25.3 m; width - 4 m; draft - 0.8 m; power plant - 2 gasoline engines, power - 1.5 thousand hp; maximum speed - 21 knots; fuel reserve - 4.2 tons of gasoline; cruising range - 280 miles; crew - 17 people. Reservations: board - 7 mm, deck - 4 mm, wheelhouse - 8 mm, towers - 30 - 45 mm. Armament: 2x1 - 76 mm gun; 1x2 - 12.7 mm and 2x1 - 7.62 mm machine guns.

A series of small armored boats of the "project 1125" type consisted of 151 units and was commissioned in 1936-1945. The boats were built at the plant number 340. During the war, 39 boats were lost, the rest were decommissioned in the 50s. Performance characteristics of the boat: standard displacement - 37 - 44 tons, full - 41 - 52 tons; length - 25.3 m; width - 4 m; draft - 0.8 m; power plant - 2 gasoline engines, power - 1.5 thousand hp; maximum speed - 21 knots; fuel reserve - 4.2 tons of gasoline; cruising range - 280 miles; crew - 17 people. Reservations: board - 7 mm, deck - 4 mm, wheelhouse - 8 mm, towers - 30 - 45 mm. Armament: 2x1 - 76 mm guns; 1x2 - 12.7 mm and 2x1 - 7.62 mm machine guns.

Performance characteristics of the boat: standard displacement - 26 tons, total displacement - 30 tons; length - 22.7 m; width - 3.5 m; draft - 0.6 m; power plant - gasoline engine, power - 750 - 1,200 hp; maximum speed - 20 knots; fuel reserve - 1.3 tons of gasoline; cruising range - 250 miles; crew - 13 people. Reservation: board - 4 mm, deck - 7 mm, tower - 45 mm. Armament: 1x1 - 76 mm gun; 2x2 - 12.7 mm and 1x1 - 7.62 mm machine gun; 4 mines.

A series of small armored boats of the S-40 project consisted of 7 units (BKA-21, BKA-23, BKA-26, BKA-31, BKA-33, BKA-34, "BKA-81") and was built at the Zelenodolsk shipbuilding plant named after Gorky No. 340. The boats were intended for the troops of the NKVD to protect the state border on the Amu Darya. They entered service in 1942. The boat was developed on the basis of the boat of the 1125U project. During the war, 3 boats were lost, the rest were decommissioned in the 50s. Performance characteristics of the boat: standard displacement - 32 tons, total displacement - 36.5 tons; length - 24.7 m; width - 3.9 m; draft - 0.6 m; power plant - 2 diesel tank engines, power - 800 hp; maximum speed - 19 knots; fuel supply - 2.3 tons of solarium; cruising range - 280 miles; crew - 13 people. Reservation: board - 4 mm, deck - 7 mm, tower - 45 mm. Armament: 1x1 - 76 mm gun; 3x1 - 7.62 mm machine guns.

A series of marine armored boats of the MKL type (project No. 186), built before the end of the war, amounted to 8 units. The boats were built at the Leningrad Plant No. 194 and commissioned in 1945. The performance characteristics of the boats: standard displacement - 156 tons, total displacement - 165.5 tons; length - 36.2 m; width - 5.2 m; draft - 1.5 m; power plant - 2 diesel engines, power - 1 thousand hp; maximum speed - 14 knots; cruising range - 600 miles; crew - 42 people. Reservations: board - 30 mm, deck - 8 - 20 mm, tower - 45 mm. Armament: 2x1 - 85 mm guns; 1x1 - 37 mm anti-aircraft gun; 2x2 - 12.7 mm machine gun; 2x1 - 82mm mortar.

From a series of boats of the Sh-4 type, built at factory No. 194 in 1929-1932. by the beginning of the war, 26 units remained in service. During the war, 7 boats were lost, the rest were decommissioned in 1946. Performance characteristics of the boat: full displacement - 10 tons; length - 16.8 m; width - 3.3 m; draft - 0.8 m; power plant - 2 gasoline engines, power - 1.2 thousand hp; maximum speed - 45 knots; fuel supply - 1 ton of gasoline; cruising range - 300 miles; crew - 5 people. Armament: 1x1 - 12.7 mm machine gun; 2x1 - 450-mm torpedo tubes; 2 mines.

A series of boats of the "G-5" type (project 213) consisted of 329 units and was a modernized version of the "Sh-4" type. The boats were built at factories No. 194, No. 532 and No. 639 in 1934 - 1944. nine series and differed in skin thickness, engines, speed and armament. During the war, 84 boats were lost, and 10 were decommissioned. Performance characteristics of the boat: standard displacement - 15 tons, total displacement - 18 tons; length - 9 m; width - 3.3 m; draft - 1.2 m; power plant - 2 gasoline engines, power - 1.7 - 2.3 thousand hp; maximum speed - 50 - 55 knots; cruising range - 200 miles; crew - 6 people. Armament: 1x2 - 7.62 mm or 1-2x1 - 12.7 mm machine gun; 2x1 - 533-mm torpedo tubes or 1x4 - 82-mm rocket launcher; 2-8 min.

A series of boats of the project "123-bis" (Komsomolets) was built on the basis of the boat of the project "123", developed and built by the Leningrad Plant No. 194 and put into operation in 1940 under the designation "TK-351". It differed from serial boats by towing torpedo tubes, lack of armor, lighter weight and higher speed. The series consisted of 30 boats built in 1944-1945 ("TK-7", "TK-100", "TK-110" - "TK-112", "TK-120", "TK-122", " TK-123", "TK-130", "TK-131" - "TK-134", "TK-140", "TK-142", "TK-143", "TK-146", "TK- 148", "TK-472" - "TK-481", "TK-607", "TK-608"). All of them were built at the Tyumen plant No. 639. The boats had duralumin hulls with 5 watertight compartments, tube torpedo tubes and 7 mm armor for the cabin and machine gun mounts. Performance characteristics of the boat: standard displacement - 19.5 tons; full - 20.5 tons; length - 18.7 m; width - 3.4 m; draft - 1.2 m; power plant - 2 gasoline engines, power - 2.4 thousand hp; maximum speed - 48 knots; cruising range - 240 miles; crew - 7 people. Armament: 2x1 - 12.7 mm machine gun; 2x1 - 457-mm torpedo tubes; release gear; 6 depth charges.

Large torpedo boats type "D-3" (project 19) were produced in two series. The first was built at the Leningrad Plant No. 5 in 1940-1942. (26 units built). The second - was built at the plant number 640 in 1943-1945. (47 units). During the war years, 25 boats were lost, and 2 were decommissioned. The boats had a wooden two-layer hull and drag torpedo tubes. The series differed from each other in weight, engines and weapons. Performance characteristics of boats of the 1st series: standard displacement - 30.8 tons, total displacement - 32.1 tons; length - 21 m; width - 3.9 m; draft - 0.8 m; power plant - 3 gasoline engines, power - 2.3 thousand hp; maximum speed - 32 knots; cruising range - 320 miles; crew - 9 people. Armament: 2x1 - 12.7 mm machine gun; 2x1 - 533-mm torpedo tubes; release gear; 8 depth charges. Performance characteristics of boats of the 2nd series: standard displacement - 32 tons, total displacement - 37 tons; length - 21 m; width - 3.9 m; draft - 0.9 m; power plant - 3 gasoline engines, power - 3.6 thousand hp; maximum speed - 45 knots; cruising range - 500 miles; crew - 11 people. Armament: 1x1 - 20-mm anti-aircraft gun; 2x2 - 12.7 mm machine gun; 2x1 - 533-mm torpedo tubes or 2x4 - 82-mm rocket launcher; release gear; 8 depth charges.

The boat was built at the Leningrad Plant No. 194 and commissioned in 1941. It was a variant of the D-3 type boat with a steel hull. The boat was decommissioned in 1950. Performance characteristics of the boat: standard displacement - 21 tons, total displacement - 34 tons; length - 20.8 m; width - 3.9 m; draft - 1.5 m; power plant - 3 gasoline engines, power - 3.6 thousand hp; maximum speed - 30 knots; cruising range - 380 miles; crew - 8 people. Armament: 2x2 - 12.7 mm machine gun; 2x1 - 533 mm torpedo tubes.

A series of boats of the Yunga type was developed on the basis of the hunter of the OD-200 type, consisted of 5 units (TK-450 - TK-454) and was built at factory No. 341 in 1944-1945. The boats were decommissioned in the late 50s. Performance characteristics of the boat: full displacement - 47 tons; length - 23.4 m; width - 4.4 m; draft - 1.7 m; power plant - 3 gasoline engines, power - 3.6 thousand hp; maximum speed - 31 knots; cruising range - 490 miles; crew - 11 people. Armament: 3x2 - 12.7 mm machine gun; 2x1 - 533 mm torpedo tubes.

A series of boats of the "ZK" type consisted of 15 units ("K-193" - "K-196", "K-206" - "K-208", "K-220", "K-325" - "K- 331"), built in the Leningrad workshop of the Marine Guard of the OGPU (factory No. 5) and commissioned in 1941. During the war, 5 boats died. Performance characteristics of the boat: full displacement - 19 tons; length - 19.8 m; width - 3.3 m; draft - 1.2 m; power plant - 2 gasoline engines, power - 600 hp; maximum speed - 16 knots; cruising range - 350 miles; crew - 12 people. Armament: 1x1 - 45 mm gun or 1x1 - 12.7 mm machine gun; 1x1 - 7.62 mm machine gun.

A series of boats with a wooden hull of the KM-2 type was built as border, crew and service boats. In 1935-1942. 91 boats were built at the Shipbuilding Yard of the Morpogranokhrana. During the war, 67 units were converted into patrol boats, and 24 into minesweepers. During the war, 27 boats were lost. Performance characteristics of the boat: full displacement - 7 tons; length - 13.8 m; width - 3.1 m; draft - 0.8 m; power plant - gasoline engine, power - 63 hp; maximum speed - 9 knots; crew - 10 people. Armament: 1x1 - 7.62 mm machine gun.

A series of boats of the KM-4 type was an upgraded version of the KM-2 and was equipped with two engines. In 1938-1944. 222 boats were built for the Navy. During the war, 45 boats were converted into patrol boats, and 165 into minesweepers. During the war, 13 boats were lost. Performance characteristics of the boat: full displacement - 12 tons; length - 19.3 m; width - 3.4 m; draft - 0.8 m; power plant - 2 gasoline engines, power - 126 hp; maximum speed - 10 knots; cruising range - 220 miles; crew - 10 people. Armament: 1x1 - 7.62 mm machine gun.

A series of boats with a steel hull type "A" was built at the plant number 341 in 1940-1943. in two versions - mortar boats and minesweepers. The series consisted of 22 boats. Performance characteristics of the boat: full displacement - 8 tons; length - 15.6 m; width - 3 m; draft - 0.6 m; power plant - gasoline engine, power - 63 hp; maximum speed - 8 knots; crew - 6 people. Armament: 1x24 - 82-mm rocket launcher; 1x1 - 12.7 mm and 1x1 - 7.62 mm machine guns.

Boats with a steel hull of the Rybinets type were built at factory No. 341 in 1930-1932. as work and crew boats. During the war years, 37 boats were converted into patrol boats, and 44 into minesweepers. During the war, 27 boats were lost. Performance characteristics of the boat: standard displacement - 26 tons, total displacement - 30.1 tons; length - 20.8 m; width - 3.3 m; draft - 1.1 m; power plant - diesel engine, power - 136 hp; maximum speed - 9.3 knots; cruising range - 800 miles; crew - 12 people. Armament: 1-2x1 - 7.62 mm machine gun.

A series of boats of the "MKM" type consisted of 6 units ("K-192", "K-210", "K-234", "K-273", "K-274", "K-335") built in 1939 -1940s The boat "K-234" was lost in 1943. Performance characteristics of the boat: full displacement - 18.3 tons; length - 16.2 m; width - 3.6 m; draft - 1.2 m; power plant - gasoline engine, power - 850 hp; maximum speed - 21 knots; cruising range - 370 miles; crew - 10 people. Armament: 1x1 - 7.62 mm machine gun.

Boats with a steel hull of the "Yaroslavets" type were built at the plant number 345 in 1942-1945. in two versions: mortar boats (35 units) and minesweepers (33 units). Performance characteristics of the boat: full displacement - 23.4 tons; length - 18.7 m; width - 3.6 m; draft - 1 m; power plant - diesel or gasoline engine, power - 65 - 93 hp; maximum speed - 10 knots; crew - 10 people. Armament: 1x24 - 82-mm rocket launcher; 2x1 - 12.7 mm or 1x1 - 7.62 mm machine gun.

Boats with a wooden hull of the "Yaroslavets" type were built at the plant number 345 in 1942-1945. in two versions: mortar boats (8 units) and minesweepers (8 units). Performance characteristics of the boat: standard displacement - 19 tons, total displacement - 22.6 tons; length - 19.8 m; width - 3.4 m; draft - 1 m; power plant - diesel or gasoline engine, power - 93 - 100 hp; maximum speed - 10 knots; crew - 10 people. Armament: 1x24 - 82-mm rocket launcher; 2x1 - 12.7 mm or 1x1 - 7.62 mm machine gun.

19 crew and service boats built at the factory number 5 in the late 30s in 1942-1944. was rebuilt into minesweepers under the type designation "D-2" and "D-4". Performance characteristics of the boat: full displacement - 20.3 tons; length - 16.9 m; width - 3.6 m; draft - 1 m; power plant - diesel engine, power - 75 hp; maximum speed - 7.5 knots; cruising range - 1.8 thousand miles; crew - 11 people. Armament: 1x1 - 12.7 mm and 1x1 - 7.62 mm machine guns.

A series of boats of the BKM-2 type consisted of 5 units and was built on the basis of tug boats in 1943-1944 at plant No. 341. Performance characteristics of the boat: full displacement - 58 tons; length - 23 m; width - 3.5 m; draft - 1.2 m; power plant - 2 diesel engines, power - 500 hp; maximum speed - 12 knots; crew - 16 people. Armament: 1x16 - 132-mm rocket launcher or 1x1 - 37-mm anti-aircraft gun; 1x2 - 12.7 mm machine gun.

A series of patrol boats of the "PK" type consisted of 7 units ("K-105", "K-108", "K-164", "K-165", "K-197", "K-239", "K -240") built in 1927-1928. Performance characteristics of the boat: full displacement - 16 - 29 tons; length - 17 - 22.6 m; width -3.4 - 3.8 m; draft - 0.8 - 1.5 m; power plant - diesel engine, power - 300 - 720 hp; maximum speed - 12 - 13 knots; cruising range -200 - 470 miles; crew - 7 - 13 people. Armament: 1x1 - 45 mm gun; 1 - 2x1 - 7.62 mm machine gun.

Military hydrofoil boat

At the end of the 19th century, the first attempts were made in the construction of hydrofoil ships. The first country that decided to develop the speed of water transport is France. It was there, de Lambert, a designer of Russian origin, who proposed to create a ship with wings under water. He suggested that when using hydrofoils or propellers, some kind of air cushion would be created under the vessel. At its expense, water resistance will be much less and ships equipped with hydrofoils will be able to reach much higher speeds. But the project was not implemented, as the power of steam engines was simply not enough.

The history of the development of hydrofoils

At the beginning of the last century, the Italian aircraft designer E. Forlanini, nevertheless, was able to realize Laber's idea of ​​\u200b\u200bhydrofoils. And this happened thanks to the emergence and use of new, powerful gasoline engines. Tiered wings and a 75 hp motor. With. on gasoline, they did their job, the ship was able not only to stand on its wings, but also reached a record speed of 39 knots at that time.

A little later, the American inventor improved the development by increasing the speed of the ship to a record 70 knots. Later, already in 1930, an engineer from Germany invented wings of a more ergonomic shape, reminiscent of the Latin letter V. The new wing shape allowed the ship to stay on the water, even in strong waves, with speeds up to 40 knots.

Russia was also among the countries that were engaged in similar developments and in 1957, a well-known Soviet shipbuilder developed a series of large boats under the code names:

• Rocket;
• Meteor;
• Comet.

The ships were very popular in the foreign market, they were purchased by such countries as the USA, Great Britain, as well as the countries of the Middle East. Wide application hydrofoils served for military purposes, for reconnaissance of the territory and patrolling maritime borders.

Soviet and Russian military hydrofoils

At the Naval, there were about 80 boats with hydrofoils. The following types were distinguished:

• Small anti-submarine ships. According to the technical component, the boat consisted of an engine with two turbines, with a capacity of 20 thousand liters each. s., an average onboard rudder, a thruster located in the bow of the ship and two rotary columns located at the stern. The main advantages were high speed and a radio station that worked for thousands of kilometers. The ship weighed 475 tons and was 49 meters long and 10 meters wide. The speed was 47 knots, with autonomy up to 7 days. The ships were armed with two or four tube torpedo tubes, the ammunition load was 8 missiles.
• Project 133 Antares boats. Any boat from this series had such specifications as a displacement equal to 221 tons, a length of 40 meters and a width of 8 meters. The maximum developing speed was 60 knots, with a cruising range of 410 miles. Power plants consisted of two gas turbine engines of the M-70 series, with a capacity of 10 thousand liters. With. each. The armament included 76-mm artillery complex with 152 rounds of ammunition and 30 mm anti-aircraft gun with ammunition also in 152 shells. In addition, most of the ships had 6 BB-1 class depth charges and an MRG-1 grenade launcher and one bomb releaser. It was considered a great advantage that the ship was capable of reaching speeds of up to 40 knots in a five-point storm.

At one time, all developed countries were able to take part in the construction of hydrofoils, but Soviet ships are considered the best. During the Soviet era, about 1,300 hydrofoil ships were built. The main disadvantages of the vessels were considered to be low fuel efficiency and the impossibility of approaching an unequipped shore.

In 1990, the last hydrofoil was put out of action. In the entire history of that ship, it was controlled by 4 captains - V.M. Dolgikh and E.V. Vanyukhin - captains of the third rank, V.E. Kuzmichev and N.A. Goncharov - captain-lieutenant. Subsequently, it was transferred to the OFI for disarmament and cut into metal.

The project 03160 Raptor patrol boat was first launched in mid-August 2013. This speedboat was made specifically for the Russian Navy at the Pella Leningrad Shipyard. The Swedish boats Combat Boat 90 (in its civil modification), which were bought by Russia in the period from 2004 to 2012 in the amount of 11 pieces, acted as "donors". Since Sweden sold Russia only commercial versions of patrol boats, devoid of armor and weapons, it was decided to create their own version of an armored patrol boat based on them.

As of 2015, the Russian Navy received 8 Raptor high-speed patrol boats, and in the period from 2016 to 2019, the Pella shipyard undertook to supply the fleet with more than 10 project 03160 boats. Raptor high-speed boats are by far the most fast military boats in Russia.

Project history 03160

In the Soviet Union, starting from the end of the 60s, close attention was paid to the development of small patrol boats designed for the following purposes:

• Interception and detention of surface targets that violated the boundaries of the territorial waters of the USSR;
• Patrol of water areas;
• Sea defense of naval bases from various types of sabotage;
• Implementation of search and rescue operations.

For these purposes, in 1967, it was designed, and in 1969, the Grif patrol boat, developed as part of Project 1400, was put into production. These 36-ton patrol ships at that time fully corresponded to their tasks. During the years of production, which lasted until 1990, about 300 boats of this series were produced. They were produced in three factories:

• PO Almaz;
• Software "Sea";
• Batumi Shipyard.

In Ukraine, the construction of the Grif boats continued into the 1990s.

Although about 100 Grif boats are still in naval service, they were morally and physically obsolete back in the late 1980s. The rather worn-out boats, capable of speeds of 29 knots, were significantly inferior in their characteristics to their foreign counterparts. Back in the late 80s, it was planned to launch new project to create a more promising model of a combat patrol boat, but the collapse Soviet Union prevented the implementation of these plans.

For a long time, this niche remained unfilled, since the financing of the Navy in the 90s was practically stopped. Only at the end of the 90s, at the Vympel shipyard in Rybinsk, a new high-speed patrol boat "Mongoose" was developed, created as part of project 12150. This boat, which began mass production in 2000, could accelerate to 53 knots, which, according to compared with the speed of the outdated Vultures, it was a real breakthrough.

However, the speed boats "Mongoose" did not quite correspond to the ideas of the IMF of Russia about the ideal patrol boat. In their opinion, such a boat should have the following characteristics:

• The presence of a ramp for landing;
• Serious weapons on board;
• Easy booking of the hull;
• Small draft of the ship.

Fast patrol boats "Mongoose", despite their outstanding speed performance, were boats of a slightly different class.

The immediate predecessors of the Raptor series boats

Since the domestic defense industry could not at that time provide Navy Russian high-speed patrol boats. It was decided to purchase vessels of this class in Sweden. In the period from 2004 to 2012, 11 Combat Boat 90 boats were purchased from Dockstavarvet, which differed from their military modifications in the absence of armor and weapons.

Swedish military boats have been produced since 1991. Currently, there are about 250 boats of this model. They are widely used in the Navy and power structures of the following countries:

• Sweden;
• Norway;
• Mexico;
• Greece;
• Brazil and many other countries.

His combat capabilities repeatedly tested in the course of many military operations around the world.

Although there is no direct mention of this, there is no doubt that the Russian Raptor amphibious assault boat is a significantly improved modification of the Swedish Strb 90H model boat. The main differences between the Russian development and the original are as follows:

• Size increase;
• More modern equipment;
• Installation of more modern and powerful engines, which made it possible to significantly improve the speed characteristics of the Russian model;
• Installation of a more powerful machine gun. Most of the machine guns that are installed on Swedish patrol ships have a caliber of no more than 12.7 mm. The Russian Raptor has a more powerful 14.5 mm machine gun;
• The armor of the Russian patrol ship significantly exceeds the standard armor of the Swedish military boat.

That is, at present, the Russian development is significantly superior to the Swedish counterpart in almost all respects.

Several Swedish boats were transferred federal service security in Moscow. In 2013, they were transferred to the Russian Navy. Wide known fact that Swedish boats were widely used during the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi. In 2014, the boats were transferred to Sevastopol, where they were widely used to ensure the security of President Vladimir Putin, who visited this city on May 9, 2014.

Since it was too expensive to create a patrol boat based on the Vulture or Mongoose, it was decided to create the Raptor project on the basis of Swedish ships, which were designed specifically as speed patrol boats.

The purpose of the Raptor boats

High-speed landing assault boats "Raptor" are designed to perform a wide range of tasks. They can work effectively both in daylight and in the dark. The design of the patrol boat provides it with excellent speed and the ability to move through the sea even with waves up to 5 points inclusive.

The boat is capable of carrying up to 20 paratroopers in full ammunition. This feature allows you to use it for pinpoint landing strikes. The armament of the patrol boat is capable of providing fire support to the landing troops, as well as providing them with cover during the retreat. In addition, the Raptor patrol boat is capable of protecting ship bases or escorting commercial and scientific vessels in dangerous areas.

Since the hull of the high-speed patrol boat is made of aluminum, it is not subject to corrosion. Thanks to special equipment, the boat can perform combat missions at a distance of 100 miles from its base.

Appearance and technical characteristics of the Raptor boats

If we compare the new boats of the Raptor project and the Swedish patrol boats Combat Boat 90, their similarity immediately catches the eye. Wherein Russian boats more massive, technically advanced and better armed.

The weight of the Raptor landing patrol boat is only 8 tons. It became possible to achieve such indicators due to the use of aluminum in the construction of the ship's hull. At the same time, it was possible to achieve high strength indicators, the Raptor can participate in operations on the high seas with waves up to 5 points.

The bow of the boat is equipped with a ramp for landing or landing. Immediately behind the first compartment of the vessel there is a special hill - a navigation post. There is the captain of the ship and the helmsman-signalman, who is also responsible for arming the ship.

The capacity of the Raptor is such that it is able to take on board a whole platoon of special forces, marines or combat swimmers, and they will be in full gear. To accommodate the fighters in the patrol vessel, there is a large landing compartment, which is equipped with 20 seats equipped with safety belts. Each of the chairs has a lot of settings for the parameters of its user.

Immediately behind the landing compartment is the aft compartment, in which the engine room is located. The following units are located in the engine room:

• Two powerful diesel engines equipped with turbines;
• Clutch mechanism;
• Powerful water jets.

The advent of special water cannons made it possible to give the patrol boats of the Raptor series amazing maneuverability. Now the ship is able to turn around literally in one place. The work of engines and water jets is monitored by a regular minder.

All compartments of the boat are separated by powerful watertight bulkheads. In the event of a hole, the ship is able to stay afloat, since only one compartment will be flooded. Above the engine room is a special platform, which has an armored bulwark. In the case of sending a ship on a combat mission, 7.62 mm Pecheneg machine guns are installed on the swivel mounts of this platform.

The armor that is installed on the Raptor boat covers not only the platform for firing from machine guns, but also the landing compartment along with the navigation post. Armor is represented by composite panels that can withstand a 7.62 mm bullet.

The main combat module "Raptor"

The main combat module of the Raptor airborne patrol boat is located immediately behind the navigation post. This is the latest development of JSC NPO Karat, which is called the remote-controlled combat module "Uprava-Kord". It consists of a 14.5 mm KPVT machine gun and an optoelectronic module.

This weapon is capable of independently detecting targets even against the background of interference. The system automatically calculates both the distance to the target and corrects the fire, adjusted for the trajectory of movement and other factors. The system has several functions, among which there is a "warning light". When this function is enabled, the system, having corrected the speed of the target and its distance, will produce a warning burst that will lie across the course of the intruder vessel.

The combat module is capable of detecting a target at a distance of up to 3 km. In this case, the fire can be conducted at a distance of up to 2 km. A powerful machine gun retains the lethal force of a bullet at a distance of up to 8 km. If the distance to the target is up to 500 meters, 14.5 mm caliber bullets can penetrate 32 mm armor.

If the combat potential of the KPVT machine gun is not enough to complete the intended combat mission, an automatic grenade launcher can be installed on the module.

Advantages and disadvantages of project 03160 combat boats

Against the background of outdated patrol boats of the Grif series, the Raptor airborne patrol boats look very modern. Their main advantages are as follows:

• The boats have on board the most modern systems communications, navigation, detection and tracking;
• Powerful engines are capable of providing the combat boat with a speed of up to 48 knots. At the same time, they work so quietly that the Raptor is able to get close to its target almost silently. Such noise isolation is made specifically for silent night operations for landing troops;
• In order to simplify as much as possible the procedure for lifting the boat to the shore or deck of the carrier ship, special eyelets are provided;
• Whole personnel boats undergo not only mandatory multi-level training at the Joint training center IMF of Russia, but also studies its future ship at the manufacturing plant.

Despite the mass positive sides, airborne patrol boats have some disadvantages:

• In the manufacture of aluminum parts of the case, it turned out to be impossible to apply the standard stamping procedure, so they have to be done exclusively by hand;
• Since the main scheme of the Raptor boat was copied from Swedish boats of this type, the question arises of using imported components and components. In the context of the sanctions that the West has been applying to Russia over the past time, production often simply stops due to a lack of necessary components, so now work is underway aimed at full import substitution.

At the same time, it is worth noting that the share of foreign components that are used in the construction of boats of the Raptor series is decreasing every year.

Project 03160 represents the successful implementation of a plan to develop modern airborne patrol boats. Despite financial difficulties, the number of patrol boats in the Russian IMF continues to grow.