TAKR Kuznetsov(CVN 063)
TAKR Kuznetsov(CVN 063)


The TAKR (the "TAKR" meaning in English: Tactical Aviation Cruiser) Admiral Kuznetsov currently consists of four carriers that Russia continues to operate to defend it’s borders. Two of the carriers are Ulannosyk class carriers, and represents Russia’s only conventional carrier capability, as it is equipped with steam catapults while the Kuznetsov has an angled ski ramp. This of course is it’s main difference from other carriers, the fact that the pilots take off and "jump" off, with a minimum of a 200 meter takeoff run. USN pilots who used to visit this ship were astonished that they didn’t have to use a steam catapult to takeoff. While this seems "backwards", it is far easier to repair a ski jump than a damaged catapult.
The ship weighs in at a massive 80,000 tons displacement when fully loaded. The ship has a full crew of 3,000 personnel, including fighter pilots and support crew. Facilities are considered basic in contemporary times, but as a whole the design, implementation of them has improved over the years. While not as spacious as a USN carrier (which of course is saying much), it is a lot roomier compared to older Russian ships that were previously in service. Such amenities as a simsense movie theater and a cafeteria that can hold up to 20 personnel at one time. Facilities such as toilets, and showers is of course provided for the ship. While not as luxurious compared to any other ship, again this marks an improvement in ship design, which happened in 2034, after the Euro-Wars.
Sailors never liked the Kuznetsov, in which they complained of improper facilities, lack of space, and other complaints. This forced Russian generals to admit that the ship was inferior for duty. For two years, with the ship in drydock, the ship was extended and widened a bit, almost reminiscent of the Kiev class carriers. This improved the areas around the ship, including the flight deck, in which the ski jump was widened to allow two aircraft to takeoff at the same time, rather than one at a time, the hangar area as well, allowing more aircraft to be stored, increasing the amount of fighter aircraft to 58 aircraft and keeping the helicopter complement the same, though there is room for at least eight Ka-87 "Hanger". Storage was also increased, increasing the range and capability of the embarked aircraft. While this made sense to call it a new class, Western and other intelligence services kept the name since the Russians were as well. This has improved safety of course, with the ship now more less likely to be fatally damaged in one shot A full complement of rescue boats and other features including more reliable fire suppression and radiation leak detection and full NBC protection if necessary. The reactors are also a little more safer than them, most notably them being made by Shiawese Atomics. The systems include the standard GLANOSS/NAVSTAR compliant codes to ensure that the ship sends out the appropriate signal for help.
The role of the Kuznetsov of course is to carry and employ fighter aircraft to either protect it’s waters or to project force upon an enemy. To achieve this, the Kuznetsov carries a 3-D "Straight Shot" Galpun-RM2 radar, designed to provide early warning surveillance up 250 kilometers, with a scan of 360 degrees. Such a radar can also be used in surface to surface combat, as well as providing launch data for anti-ship missiles, and also send the data to other friendly ships, and accept data from other ships or aircraft if necessary. The other radars mounted on the ship is a navigation radar, as well as four electronically steered fire control radars. Other items include nominal communications gear, as well as ECM/ECCM for use in an electronic warfare environment. In the hull is a search and attack sonar, operating in the high to low frequency bands.
Defensive systems include the aforementioned fighter complement, which a wing is usually protecting the carrier and the Battle Group as well. The main SAM system is the SA-N-47 "Scraper" system. This is mounted in four clusters of eight missiles in VLS systems, with 192 missiles.. These have a maximum range of 100km and can engage sea-skimming cruise missiles and aircraft. Close in protection is provided by Instrument Design Bureau’s Kashtan ("Chestnut") combined SAM/AAA system. The turret mounts eight SA-N-26M "Granite" SAMs, with an engagement range of 10 kilometers, double the current missile’s range.. Alongside the missiles are twin AK-600 30mm cannons (equivalent to the Victory Rotary Autocannon) with a maximum range of 5 kilometers. The SA-N-26M’s are designed to protect the ship from precision weapons including anti-ship and anti-radar missiles, fixed and rotary wing aircraft and small sea targets. The ship carries four command modules, and eight combat modules and carries 256 missiles and 50,000 rounds for the AK-600 systems. Also mounted on the ship are launchers for the 12 SS-N-49 "Sirocco" SSM’s mounted forward, and are vertically launched from the foredeck of the ship. ASW defense comprises of the ships ten Ka-87 "Hanger" ASW helicopters, as well as mounting six launchers for 10 RBU-600 ASROC systems known as the Udav-5 system.
The ship’s offensive power rests in it’s carrier wing that is onboard. Nominal complement is 24 Su-61 SuperManeuverability Flanker-Ds and 12 Mig-64K fighters for the air/surface role, with 6 Su-58FN "Platypus-F" naval strike aircraft. Two naval versions of the Su-86 DEW planes are carried onboard, with two modified Su-58s configured for air to air refuelling. The last two aircraft are usually Tu-500 "Color" transport aircraft, used to bring in more supplies to the ship if needed. For combat operations, the Kuznetsov carries enough supplies for a continuous operation in wartime for up to four weeks. If sufficient assets are available, resupply is possible to maintain efficient operations once a week. The helicopter complement can be increased if a Spetsnaz team is assigned to the ship, which it is in rare cases.

Ships of Class: 2 (Admiral Kuznetsov, Vlorissick)
Handling: 5
Speed: 30
Bulwark: 12
Signature: 1 / 2
Autonav: 4
Sensor: 9
Sonar: 3
Cost: 600M¥

Accommodation: 2,500
Entry Points: 2 starboard elevators, 2 standard doors.
Cargo: 2M CF
Load: 65,000,000 kg
Fuel: Nuclear
Economy: Effectively Infinite
Aircraft Complement (Typical): 24 x Su-61, 12 x Mig-64K, 6 x Su-58FN, 2 x Su-86, 2 x Su-58M, 2 x Tu-500, 8 x Ka-87
Armament: 12 x SS-N-49 in vertical launch tubes, 8 x SA-N-26 "Granite"/AK-600 combined close in defense systems, 4 x eight cell SA-N-47 "Scraper" long range SAMs, 2 x ten shot RBU-600

Kuznetsov Aircraft
SA-N-47 "Scraper"
Produced by the Tula OKB, the SA-N-47 is a long range SAM used by most Russian ships as well as some foreign navies, though shorter in range to the Javelot SAM system. The system comprises of a launch unit that carries eight missiles that are launched vertically. The system can engage targets within a 360 degree arc, and can intercept low flying aircraft, as well as sea-skimming anti-ship missiles. The system can fire up to 2 missiles per Combat Turn, giving the system a high rate of fire, essential for engagements in a high threat environment.

Handling: 3
Speed: 2,000
Range: 100 km
Signature: 5
Intelligence: 4
Damage: 18D
Weight: 505 kg
Cost: 350,000¥

Kashtan Combined Close In Defense System
The Kashtan system comprises of two four cell launchers that fire SA-N-26M SAMs, while also mounting two AK-600 gun systems. The weapons have their own fire control radar, which has a search range of 15 kilometers, and the tracking range of 10 kilometers, the range of the Granite missile system. The system is designed for engagement of low flying cruise missiles, aircraft, and small boats, and is able to track up to ten targets on a full basis, 15 on a shared basis. It can also accept data from other detection means within a network of sensors, therefore giving the ship good coverage zones. The weapon is fully anti-aircraft capable, and mounted on a large remote turret. It is capable of engaging targets autonomously or controlled by a rigger onboard. The maximum elevation is 90 degrees, and the traverse is only 180 degrees, with a maximum depression of 45 degrees, offering a wide area of engagement.
The main components consist of a command module which can operate two combat modules at a time. Quite simply, the command module consists of screens showing what the radar sees on the combat module, as well as radar data from the ships main radar, allowing the gunners to get a good idea of what is going on.

AKU-600 Type: Victory Cannon
Ammunition: 500 rounds ready to fire.

SA-N-26M
Type: See below
Ammunition: 8 ready to fire per combat module.

Short Medium Long Extreme
50m-3 km 3,001m-5 km 5,001m-7 km 7,001m-10 km


Udav-10 ASROC
The Udav-10 is a current generation ASROC system currently produced by the Splav Research Corporation. The system is of course designed to protect ships from submarines, as well as underwater remote vehicles and midget submarines, as well as saboteur systems. It is mounted on a medium remote turret and is designed around the ship to offer the best coverage.

Notes: Use the ASROC rules on pg. 181 Cyberpirates


State of the Russian Navy Page. By Robin Lee, this is one of the best spots to understand the Russian Carrier program.



Eric Johnson, 1997