Cuban Missile Crisis, faced with the blockade and encirclement of the US Navy’s 8 aircraft carriers, 90 other surface ships and 68 air squadrons, the Soviet Navy, lacking aircraft carriers and carrier aircraft, could hardly break through the layers of the US Navy’s encirclement. In the end, it was recognized by the Soviet Union. Counsel to withdraw medium-range ballistic missiles from Cuba to end the crisis.
Kiev class, some called aircraft carrier, some called light aircraft carrier, some called helicopter carrier, but the Soviet navy called it "heavy anti-submarine cruiser" or "heavy carrier cruiser." In addition to being able to carry Ka-25A/B anti-submarine helicopters,
can also carry Yak-38 vertical/short take-off and landing fighters. It is the Soviet Navy and the world's first aircraft carrier capable of carrying fixed-wing carrier aircraft.
The Soviet Navy’s development of aircraft carriers has taken a road different from the West’s. The West has developed aircraft carriers based on carrier-based aircraft for naval and air strikes. The aircraft carriers are rarely equipped with weapons and equipment, mainly relying on cruisers, destroyers, frigates and other ships. Escort to ensure the safety of the aircraft carrier.
Therefore, Western aircraft carriers go to sea in formations to perform combat readiness tasks, accompanied by other escort ships, to provide effective protection and protect them from attack by other countries’ naval and air forces.
The development style of the Soviet navy aircraft carrier is completely different from that of the Western Navy. Although it has a ship island and a diagonal flight deck similar to the Western Navy, in addition to having anti-submarine helicopters and vertical/short-range takeoff and landing fighters, it also has a very powerful carrier. Weapon system, with powerful firepower like a cruiser, with all-round attack capability from air to sea to submarine to shore.
Therefore, the Kiev-class aircraft carrier has little dependence on carrier-based aircraft. Even if it is not equipped with carrier-based aircraft, it can independently complete all air-to-sea and anti-submarine combat tasks. It is completely different from European and American aircraft carriers. It emphasizes leaving the fleet. Escort, fight in the depths of the ocean independently, have strong independent combat capabilities, and have the fearless heroism of the Red Navy.
At that time, the nuclear submarines of the Western Navy posed a greater threat to the Soviet Navy. The development of the Kiev-class "heavy carrier cruiser" was able to perform ocean-going anti-submarine warfare capabilities. At the same time, the Yak-38 vertical/short-range take-off and landing fighter had an airborne cover. The role of the ship, and the large number of air defense missiles and anti-ship missiles on the ship, make it not afraid of the opponent's fleet to attack it. On the contrary, it has the long-range and powerful anti-ship missiles that the opponent does not possess, which makes the opponent daunting in sea operations.
Kiev-class ship is 273 meters long, 47.2 meters wide, with a standard displacement of 36,000 tons and a full-load displacement of 43,500 tons. For the Kiev-class aircraft carrier, the maximum speed is 32 knots and the endurance is 19,600 nautical miles at 14 knots.
is called a "heavy carrier cruiser", in addition to having a larger displacement than a heavy cruiser, it also has the powerful firepower of a heavy cruiser, anti-submarine aircraft, carrier aircraft, etc., of course it is a "heavy carrier cruiser".
Regarding the Kiev-class ship-based weapons, they are indeed very powerful. This ship-based weapon was a legendary existence in the 1970s. This information comes from Sogou Encyclopedia. The
ship is equipped with 4 double-mounted SS-N-12 anti-ship missile launchers, 10 533mm heavy torpedo tubes, 2 double-mounted SA-N-3B air defense missile launchers, and 2 double-mounted SA -N-4 anti-aircraft missile launcher, 4 6-unit SA-N-9 anti-aircraft missile vertical launchers, 1 dual-unit SUW-N-1 anti-submarine missile launcher, 2 RBU-1200 12-tube rocket reflectors , 2 double-mounted 76mm naval guns, 8 6-tube 30mm near-anti-gun systems, etc.
