Udaloy-class (Project 1155) destroyers first entered Soviet service between 1980 and 1991, but more than half of the 30- to 40-year-old ships still operate in the Russian Navy today, performing frontline duties with the Northern and Pacific fleets. A dozen of the class were built, plus a single improved and up-armed unit known as the Udaloy-II class (Project 11551), which joined the Russian fleet in 1999. Construction of the Project 1155 ships was divided between Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad and Severnaya Verf in St. Petersburg. Eight remain in service today, including the Admiral Vinogradov (shown), assigned to the Pacific Fleet. Another, the Marshal Shaposhnikov, recently completed a five-year modernization at Dalzavod Shipyard in Vladivostok and began sea trials this past July. Several others are reportedly being considered for similar upgrades.
The Udaloy-class destroyers were designed as large antisubmarine combatants, similar in mission, size, and displacement to the now-retired U.S. Spruance class. The Russian warships displace roughly 7,000 tons standard and more than 8,000 tons fully loaded. They measure 536 feet long, with a beam of 62 feet, and a draft of 25 feet. The Udaloy class is powered by two gas turbines permitting a maximum sustained speed of 29 knots and a cruising range of 7,700 nautical miles while sailing at an efficient 18 knots.
Although there are variations among the ships, their sensors and weapons are weighted heavily toward antisubmarine warfare (ASW), with a bow-mounted sonar forward and towed variable-depth sonar deployed from the stern beneath the helicopter flight deck. The Udaloys carry two RBU-6000 12-round ASW rocket launchers for depth charges and two quadruple 21-inch torpedo tubes. The warships host side-by-side hangars for two Ka-27 Helix ASW helicopters. Two 100-mm main guns are fitted forward. One of the primary criticisms of the class has been its lack of dedicated antiship armament, as its primary heavy weapons are the pair of quadruple KT-100 launchers for URK-5 Rastrub (NATO reporting name: SS-N-14 Silex) antisubmarine and antiship missiles.
Modernization will address the antiship weapon issue. The recently upgraded Marshal Shaposhnikov now carries 8 Kh-35 Uran (SS-N-25 Switchblade) antiship missiles, in place of the KT-100 launchers, and 16 vertical-launch cells for the Kalibr family of antiship, land-attack, and ASW weapons in place of one main gun. Future class upgrades may include the new Tsirkon hypersonic missile.
The destroyers’ primary air-defense armament consists of the Kinzhal (SA-N-9) surface-to-air missile system, with 64 missiles carried in 8-round vertical drum launchers positioned at several locations around the ship. Four SAM cells are fitted in the raised portion of the forecastle forward of the guns, and four more Kinzhal launchers are arranged between the second lattice mast and helicopter hangar. Four 30-mm AK-630 close-in weapon system 6-barrel guns also are carried to provide point defense against antiship missiles.
