To those who believe that the Kirov class refurbishing/rebuid/modernization is not a good idea and that the money should be spent on new frigates.

With their large size and nuclear propulsion, the cruisers can go to any ocean for longer periods of times, at higher speeds and maintain a high operation tempo. The frigates (or even destroyers) cannot do that, they will need constant refuelling and support (the Russians will have to build a support fleet as well).

Frigates are fine for the defense of the motherland and occasional (short duration) high seas missions. For long range, long duration high speed operations in distant waters, the nuclear powered cruisers are more suitable.

IL-476 being built at the Aviastar plant in Ulyanovsk

http://russianplanes.net/ID30591

http://russianplanes.net/ID30590

While we wait for the Gorshkov launch, here are a few photos of the SOOBRAZITELNY. Yhe images are several weeks old.

Granit was a low flier, not a sea-skimmer, as well. Making a missile that big – Bazalt, Vulkan or Granit – run in at a dozen ft or so would be quite challenging and a fair achievement to pull off. Hence the question…is that definitely a Vulkan shaped hole?.

Has it occurred to you that the ship might have a list of a number of degrees and then being hit by the Vulcan.

Kh-101/102 from Yefim Gordon Book on Russian Air Power

When was Gordon’s book published?

The Antonov An-178 is a new 15-ton payload military transport that will use the wing, tail fins, and cockpit of the new Anotnov An-158 regional jet, but will add a large cargo compartment with a ramp door.
It’s development is estimated to cost about $150 million. The plane will be ready in 2 years

Creating the very much delayed brand new MTA will cost billions and will be ready only towards the end of the decade.

The Russian airforce likes the AN-178 more than the MTA. The Indians are OK with the 15 T payload. But their original spec for the cargo compartment was to be identical to that of the IL-76, only shorter. The AN-178 compartment is narrower.

If the Russians and Ukrainians convince the Indians to go for the AN-178 instead of the IL-214 for the MTA program, deliveries will start sooner and costs will be much less.

For the Russians, the AN-178 (15T payload) falls right in between the IL-112 (6T) and the IL-214 (18 T). Its like 2 birds with one stone.

Artist impression of AN-178:

Actually Rosobronexport catalogue gives this missile a range of 120km an Pk 0.65 vs fighter. However I think that the range would be much greater when fired from MiG-31 at high Mach and high alt. The main limitation in its range is probably its SARH guidance not kinematics.

If the MiG-31 is doing Mach 2.5 while following the missile it just launched, SARH guidance and radar range should not be that much of a problem.

Here is some food for thought for all of you:

With unfavourable wind conditions, Soviet MiG-23s had to resort to afterburner to keep up with Tu-22s thay were escorting AT SUBSONIC SPEEDS. The Backfires which had a worse T/W ratio did not have to use afterburner.

When it comes to max speed, supercruise speed, cruise speed or whatever, T/W ratio is not everything. Drag coefficient is also important. And, apparently, size does matter;)