"Its operational
capabilities are really impressive, in particular, improved navigability,
the carrying capacity for organic weapons, its multifunctionality
and increased comfort," the commander said. But the main thing
is that the new vessel "will enhance the operational potential
of virtually all the fleets, including distant ocean areas,"
Korolyov said.
The ship’s reinforced ice class will simplify logistics virtually
all across Russia’s Arctic, he said. "It is a unique day
today. A flag-raising ceremony is a unique event. The vessel has received
its birth certificate and become the Russian Navy’s combat unit.
The ship incorporates a number of solutions that are principally new
in our ship-building sphere. We were waiting for them for several
decades," Korolyov said.
"We have built a good ship, which has been proved by the trials
we conducted on the basis of the ship Vladimir Monomakh," the
Northern Fleet’s commander said.
The Project 20180 Academician Kovalyov reinforced ice-class armament
support ship was set afloat in summer 2014 for outfitting. The ship
is designed for handling and carrying naval armament. It has a total
displacement of about 6,000 tons, a length of 107.6 m and a maximum
speed of 14 knots. The project 10180 armament support ships mount
three cranes of two types and of different lifting capacity. The transport
carries a Kamov Ka-27 (NATO reporting name: Helix) helicopter or a
derivative thereof. The Russian Defense Ministry awarded the order
for the Academician Kovalyov in September 2011. The Project 20180
armament support ship was derived from the Project 10180 Zvyozdochka
seagoing rescue tug built by the Severodvinsk-based shipyard and delivered
in 2010.
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