Kirov Class Battlecruiser?
Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2006 4:45 pm
I´ve been reading about this superb and marvellous vessels, the Kirov Class. Undoubtly with her specifications it is, nominal, the most powerfull surface ship in the world (excluding the American aircraft carriers), and the biggest too:
Displacement: 28,000 tons nominal
Lenght: 252 meters (one meter more than BismarcK)
Engine power: 140,000 hp
Speed: 32 knots
Armament: you name it
But these raises some questions:
1. These Kirov Class vessels are real Battlecruisers in the tradition of the WWI BCs or they owe their name to a political stratagem? Aren´t they a superenlarged version of a guided missile frigate or destroyer?
2. Do the Americans had something similar or the only thing they had were the Iowa Class BB with the Reagan Era modifications? If so I think the Americans commited a blunder putting the Iowas out of comission.
3. Are these things battleworthy? It´s a tendency to believe that so large a military vessel is an awfull easy target (In that case the Aircraft Carriers are the biggest sitting ducks in History). An Aegis Destroyer can stand against them or not?
4. How many of these behemoths are operational?
5. Don´t you think they are very beautifull slender ships as was the Bismarck in the 40s?
Best regards to all.
Displacement: 28,000 tons nominal
Lenght: 252 meters (one meter more than BismarcK)
Engine power: 140,000 hp
Speed: 32 knots
Armament: you name it
But these raises some questions:
1. These Kirov Class vessels are real Battlecruisers in the tradition of the WWI BCs or they owe their name to a political stratagem? Aren´t they a superenlarged version of a guided missile frigate or destroyer?
2. Do the Americans had something similar or the only thing they had were the Iowa Class BB with the Reagan Era modifications? If so I think the Americans commited a blunder putting the Iowas out of comission.
3. Are these things battleworthy? It´s a tendency to believe that so large a military vessel is an awfull easy target (In that case the Aircraft Carriers are the biggest sitting ducks in History). An Aegis Destroyer can stand against them or not?
4. How many of these behemoths are operational?
5. Don´t you think they are very beautifull slender ships as was the Bismarck in the 40s?
Best regards to all.