Average reconnaissance ship(SRZK) "Viktor Leonov" (formerly "Odograph") is the last in a series of seven ships of Project 864. According to NATO classification - "Vishnya Class".
It was built under the name "Odograph" at the shipyard of the Stocznia Północna im Bohaterow Westerplatte shipyard in Gdansk, Poland (nowadays Remontowa Shipbuilding SA) under serial number 846/7. Came into operation in 1988. Became part of the Black Sea Fleet. Had tail numbers SSV-175 (1988), 827 (1990), 425 (since 2000).
The lead ship of the series is the medium reconnaissance ship Meridian, which in April 2007 was renamed Admiral Fedor Golovin.
Main characteristics of the SRZK project 864: Standard displacement 2500 tons, full displacement 3800 tons. Length 91.5 meters, beam 14.5 meters, draft 5.6 meters. Maximum speed: 16.5 knots. Cruising range 7000 miles at 16 knots. Autonomy 45 days. Crew 220 people.
Powerplant: 2x2200 hp diesel "Zgoda-Sulzer" 12AV 25/30, 2x150 hp. Electric motor.
Reconnaissance equipment: “Profil-M”, “Rotor-S”, “Cool”, “Vizir”, “Konus”, radio direction finder “Zarya-1” (Direction Finder), OGAS MG-349 “Uzh”, MGP-303.
Armament: 2x6 30-mm AK-630M artillery mounts, 2x4 Igla MANPADS launchers.
In 1995, the ship was transferred to the Northern Fleet. Arrived at a new duty station and became part of the 159th brigade of reconnaissance ships of the Northern Fleet on July 25, 1995.
In April 2004, the ship received a new name - “Viktor Leonov”.
In September 2012, he visited Havana, Cuba.
According to a message dated February 27, 2014 to the Cuban port of Havana. While in the port of Havana, the Russian side held meetings with the leadership of the Cuban naval forces and representatives of local authorities. According to a report dated April 29, ships of the Northern Fleet passed in the Caribbean Sea. The exercise involved units of anti-drug services and departments, armed forces, police and national security Russia, the Republic of Nicaragua and the Republic of Honduras. The Russian Navy was represented by the crew of the communications ship "Viktor Leonov" and the rescue tug vessel "Nikolai Chiker" SF.
January 20, 2015, Cuba. This happened on the eve of negotiations between Cuba and the United States scheduled for Wednesday, January 21, 2015, in the Cuban capital. 08 May. During the 5-month voyage, “Viktor Leonov” covered more than 24.5 thousand nautical miles. The crew of the ship carried out assigned tasks in the Western Atlantic, took part in joint exercises with the Venezuelan naval forces, and repeatedly made friendly visits to the port of Havana (Republic of Cuba).
On February 14, 2017, was 70 miles off the coast of Delaware in international waters, traveling north at 10 knots. In the first ten days of March, he made a short visit to the port of Havana, Cuba, to refuel and replenish water and food supplies. According to a report dated March 15, approximately 23 miles (37 kilometers) southeast of the US Naval Submarine Station at Kings Bay, Georgia.
On January 15, 2018, it left the port of the capital of Trinidad and Tobago (Port of Spain) and headed towards the Caribbean Sea. On January 20, it heads towards the east coast of the United States.
The approach of the reconnaissance ship "Viktor Leonov" to the US coast is a sign of Russian weakness, not strength, American media write, citing their intelligence sources. The sources came across with humor; it even becomes offensive for “Viktor Leonov”, characterized by the word “useless”. The point, however, is that these comments are unforgivable nonsense.
In the NBC News material, the reconnaissance equipment on the Viktor Leonov is called outdated - allegedly it can only listen to radio communications between ships, between ships and the shore, as well as commercial radio broadcasts. “I hope they enjoyed listening to Classic Radio,” quips an anonymous Coast Guard officer from New England (referring to Classic 101, which broadcasts oldies rock and country music). “Leonov” is not a threat, echoes a senior intelligence official. “This is proof of Russia’s weakness compared to the United States. This shows how far behind the US the Russians are in the area of electronic eavesdropping. The ship specializes in listening to radio signals, not digital communications, so it is effectively unable to intercept any sensitive military or intelligence communications,” he said.
“Such data is a most valuable trophy; intelligence forces can chase it for decades, drinking liters of cheap rum with employees of the Norfolk base.”
This “review” was caused more earlier messages Media reports that the Viktor Leonov was spotted 65 miles northeast of Norfolk, Virginia, where the largest US naval base in the Atlantic is located. On Wednesday it was reported that the Viktor Leonov approached the US Navy submarine base in Connecticut. Before that, the ship was off the coast of Delaware. It is conducting patrols near the East Coast of the United States for the first time since 2015.
“Viktor Leonov” (until 2004 it was called “Odograph”) is a really middle-aged ship. It, like six more of the same type, was built in Gdansk, Poland, between 1985 and 1988, but underwent equipment modernization several times. All seven ships of this Project 864 are highly specialized in types of electronic equipment and are very different from each other even in appearance because of characteristic features locators and other electronic warfare systems. Moreover, they are included in the “Unified State System for Lighting Surface and Underwater Situations”, and all specifications the electronic equipment installed on them is strictly classified, although the general purpose of certain electronic warfare systems is known.
The irony of the Americans is either a manifestation of the small intelligence of those naval officers to whom journalists turned for comments, or a way to retouch their own negligence, since allowing the Viktor Leonov almost close to Norfolk is a big mistake. IN old times American ships they almost rammed the “oceanographic vessels” of Project 864 (under the legend of “studying the bottom of the World Ocean for scientific purposes,” they hovered for six months opposite the US Navy bases, and replenished supplies in Cuba). Once, the American missile cruiser Texas spent several days chasing the same type of Viktor Leonov, Karelia (currently under repair and re-equipping), approaching a distance of several tens of meters side to side. Moreover, “Texas” is three times larger - it could simply sink “Karelia”.
The fact is that “Viktor Leonov” is not intended to intercept Internet traffic or wedge itself into ultra-modern communication systems (which, by the way, do not exist). Its hydroacoustic reconnaissance complexes (GAR) and the system with the characteristic name “Memory” record the so-called “noise profiles” of surface and underwater objects based on the parameters of the emission of sound waves in the water column. Simply put, each surface ship and especially a submarine produces a specific set of noises, characteristic only of this object. This is, in essence, sound wave, the vibrations of which in water can be “copied” and remembered in in electronic format. It’s like a file of criminals’ fingerprints: once copied, they’ll never get away with it. Such a file of “sound profiles” is at the disposal of the hydroacoustic teams of all Russian military ships and submarines, which makes it possible, at a great distance and without contact, to accurately determine what kind of object is moving towards you. And this is especially important for submarine warfare.In approximately the same way, the Viktor Leonov equipment can remember the profiles of specific radars of a potential enemy and air defense systems; the electromagnetic radiation of various objects is also specific to each. From the point of view of military intelligence, such data is the most valuable trophy; intelligence forces can chase it for decades, drinking liters of cheap rum with employees of the Norfolk base under the watchful gaze of the NCIS and the FBI, and then discover that all these profiles have been out of date for five years already liver.
IN last time A similar scan of Norfolk and other bases on the Atlantic coast of the United States was carried out in 2015 - it’s time to update the file cabinet.
As for the interception of ordinary radio messages, here too the Americans overdid it with sarcasm. After all, they, just like the rest of the world, communicate via radio, on open frequencies between ships, and in some cases even Morse code is still in use, although already in the late 80s it seemed that this was completely prehistoric knowledge (in specific educational institutions complained about having to waste time learning meaningless combinations of dots and dashes). The Americans have not yet invented or implemented any special means of communication, so classic rock music is not the only thing that might be of interest to specialists from “Viktor Leonov.”
By the way, the Americans themselves do not have such reconnaissance vessels. Ten hydroacoustic reconnaissance vessels (SGAR), half of which are built in the same years as the Viktor Leonov and her company, somehow fall under these characteristics. Most are small - with a crew of about 30 - and are designed primarily to detect diesel submarines in shallow waters - they drag a towed buoy with sonar behind them on a rope, much like during the Second World War. Another ship was converted into a launch tracking point ballistic missiles. By the end of the twentieth century, the United States decided that this specific type of vessel was no longer needed due to the lack (as they mistakenly thought) of surveillance objects. And that is why they are now surprised by the very appearance of “Viktor Leonov” on their shores, especially since the Americans cannot repeat such a trick opposite Severomorsk, Gadzhievo or Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
The US continues to rely on a super-powerful group orbital satellites, but their capabilities, paradoxically, are limited - most of the frequencies used in radio communications from orbit cannot be intercepted, and it is completely unrealistic to create an audio or electromagnetic profile of an object. By the way, the US allies in NATO (and, more broadly, the West as a whole) did not prudently refuse to use ships of this class and conduct this kind of physical reconnaissance. Moreover, for the most part, such ships were built simultaneously with the Russian-Soviet project 864. For example, they are in the German Navy (three types of "Oste" of project 423 with a displacement of 3200 tons, built in 1988-1989), Italy (RZK "Alettra" type "Alliance" ", 3180 t, 2003), Spain (RZK "Alerta" type "Dare", 2292 t, 1982), Norway (RZK "Maryata", 7560 t, built in 1994 to replace an obsolete ship of the same name and destination), Poland (two types of "Moma" modified, project 863, displacement 1677 tons, built 1997–1999), Greece (Germis, former RZK Germany, 1497 tons, 1960), France (RZK "Bouganville" , 5195 t, 1988), Sweden (Orion RZK, 1400 t, 1984), Romania (Gregory Antipa RZK Corsair type, 1450 t, built in 1980).
IN Lately The Americans and the British assigned physical reconnaissance responsibilities to surface ships and even submarines. For these purposes, additional equipment is simply hung on them, which (together with the personnel) only complicates the life of the ship. So, Her Majesty's Navy added some new radars to the Trafalgar submarine, after which it broke down and went into dry dock. The electronic reconnaissance function was transferred to the missile frigates Broadsworth and Duke, which increased their crew at the expense of electronics maintenance personnel and increased the danger of navigation, since now these ships are forced to go dangerously close to the object of study, and this is not welcome.
The bottom line is that the reaction of American sailors to the work of “Viktor Leonov” looks more like a journalistic stunt. Even earlier, the press reported personally to Donald Trump about the “Viktor Leonov” voyage. And when asked what he was going to do with the ship, the president answered “I won’t say”: “I don’t have to tell you what I’m going to do with North Korea. And I don't have to tell you what I'm going to do with Iran. Do you know why? Because they shouldn't know that. And when you ask me what I'm going to do with Russian ship, I won't answer you. I hope I won’t do anything, but I won’t tell you.”
Yes, it won't. And he won't say. And now - “Yablochko” with greetings from the Navy on Radio Classic 101.
On Tuesday, US media reported a Russian warship in international waters off the US coast. According to unnamed American officials, the Russian Navy “spy ship” Viktor Leonov was discovered 130 km off the coast of Delaware (the US border is 22 km from the coast).
This is not the first time that Viktor Leonov’s high-tech electronic intelligence equipment has alarmed the Pentagon.
Why do ships of this class ply the world's oceans and how important is the Viktor Leonov's connection to the United States and the state of Delaware?
Not the ghost of aggression
The world's oceans are the heritage of all humanity. Russia reflected its goals and its position in the Naval Doctrine, taking into account the naval strategies of the United States and. According to the doctrine, the Navy is the basis of Russia's maritime potential, and naval activities are classified as the highest state priorities.
For a number of reasons, Russia has particularly highlighted two directions - the Atlantic and the Arctic. Atlantic - in connection with active development NATO and its approach to Russian borders. Therefore, reconnaissance ships of the Russian Navy are constantly present in the most remote areas of the World Ocean, ensuring national security and favorable conditions for economic development countries. - not our choice, but Russia is ready for it.
© AP Photo/Desmond Boylan Reconnaissance ship SSV-175 "Viktor Leonov"
© AP Photo/Desmond Boylan
Partnership Efforts
The US and NATO navies also have a flotilla of reconnaissance ships that often find themselves close to Russian shores. For example, the US Navy Sixth Fleet ship USS Mount Whitney is being closely studied.
US aerospace intelligence is also increasing its efforts near Russia’s borders. Thus, on February 13, the US Air Force strategic reconnaissance aircraft RC-135W (aircraft 62-4138) and the US Navy anti-submarine patrol aircraft P-8A Poseidon (aircraft 168860) conducted operational reconnaissance near the Kaliningrad region and Crimea.
The RC-135W reconnaissance aircraft from Mildenhall airbase in the UK approached the Russian land border at a distance of 55 km and the main base of the Russian Baltic Fleet at a distance of about 80 km. The second reconnaissance aircraft, a P-8A Poseidon, from Sigonella Air Base in Sicily, carried out an operational mission over the Black Sea southwest of Sevastopol.
Obviously, in order to reduce suspicion and strengthen security, the West must first abandon its anti-Russian policy and strengthen the eastern flank of NATO.
The American analytical publication The National Interest notes: " Government bodies who analyze threats to national security are too fixated on Russia, and this is the result of a not entirely sober analysis<…>While Russia poses a serious espionage threat to the United States, the threat is only one of many national security concerns<…>
Escalating tensions with Russia prevent the United States from acting effectively in various areas<…>Russia has a unique opportunity - it can prevent the actions of the United States in many parts of the world, it constantly and deliberately counters American initiatives in order to achieve the opportunity to come to the negotiating table."
Perhaps reasonable people in Washington and Moscow will find a common language for constructive interaction, and the World Ocean will gradually turn into a zone of peace. In the meantime, we keep our gunpowder dry and develop reconnaissance technologically: the Russian Navy has begun testing the latest remote-controlled uninhabited underwater vehicle " ".
Medium reconnaissance ship of the Russian Navy SSV-175 Viktor Leonov in the port of Havana, Cuba © AFP 2017/ Adalberto Roque
On Tuesday, US media reported a Russian warship in international waters off the US coast. According to unnamed American officials, the Russian Navy “spy ship” Viktor Leonov was discovered 130 km off the coast of Delaware (the US border is 22 km from the coast).
The source says: "The Russians are not that big of a problem, but we are keeping an eye on their movements." At the same time, the ship’s ability to intercept messages or signals and “measure the sonar capabilities of the US Navy” is noted. Also mentioned anti-aircraft missile system and two 30-mm cannons carried by the Russian reconnaissance ship Viktor Leonov.
This is not the first time that a “spy ship” has been spotted near the United States and in the Western Atlantic. A year earlier, the Viktor Leonov participated in a joint exercise with the Venezuelan Navy and repeatedly visited the Cuban port of Havana.
This is not the first time that Viktor Leonov’s high-tech electronic intelligence equipment has alarmed the Pentagon.
Why do ships of this class ply the world’s oceans and how important is the Viktor Leonov’s connection to the United States and the state of Delaware?
Not the ghost of aggression
The world's oceans are the heritage of all humanity. Russia reflected its goals and its position in the Naval Doctrine, taking into account the naval strategies of the United States and China. According to the doctrine, the Navy is the basis of Russia's maritime potential, and naval activities are classified as the highest state priorities.
For a number of reasons, Russia has particularly highlighted two directions - the Atlantic and the Arctic. Atlantic - in connection with the active development of NATO and its approach to Russian borders. Therefore, reconnaissance ships of the Russian Navy are constantly present in the most remote areas of the World Ocean, ensuring national security and favorable conditions for the economic development of the country. Confrontation is not our choice, but Russia is ready for it.
Russian reconnaissance ships do not have strike weapons on board and do not pose direct threats to any country in the world. They can equally successfully study ocean migration biological resources, the topography of the seabed and areas where mineral deposits occur, as well as create individual “acoustic portraits” of surface ships and submarines of a potential enemy.
Another important area of research is marine hydrology. Hydroacoustic systems are the eyes and ears of the submarine fleet, important element efficiency of surface combatants. The complex hydrological map of the World Ocean requires regular updates, because water density (salinity) and temperature, sea currents - all affect the propagation of electromagnetic waves in a variable environment, that is, the detection range and accuracy of hitting targets.
Probably, a surface reconnaissance ship is capable of plotting the optimal course of a submarine among the electromagnetic networks of the North Atlantic Alliance, determining safe combat patrol areas and anchorage points for a submarine during combat duty (underwater). One can only guess about all the capabilities of the modest “white steamer” (as all reconnaissance ships are called in the navy).
According to open sources, the SSV-175 Viktor Leonov medium reconnaissance ship is the seventh in the Project 864 series (NATO classification - Vishnya Class). It entered service in 1988 and is part of the Northern Fleet. Main characteristics: total displacement 3800 tons, length 91.5 meters, beam 14.5 meters, draft 5.6 meters, maximum speed speed 16 knots, cruising range 7000 miles, endurance 45 days, crew 220 people.
The Pentagon suspects that Russian reconnaissance ships are monitoring the nuclear missile submarine base in King Bay (Georgia), the largest US Air Force base in Dover (Delaware) and other strategic sites on the US east coast. Some American generals mistakenly believe that Russia is trying to “humiliate and embarrass the United States.” However, the neutral waters of the Atlantic are open to all ships, including the most powerful attack ship in the world - the Russian heavy nuclear-powered missile cruiser Peter the Great.
Partnership Efforts
The US and NATO navies also operate a flotilla of reconnaissance ships that often find themselves close to Russian shores. For example, the USS Mount Whitney, a ship of the US Navy's Sixth Fleet, is closely studying the Black Sea.
US aerospace intelligence is also increasing its efforts near Russia’s borders. Thus, on February 13, the US Air Force strategic reconnaissance aircraft RC-135W (aircraft 62-4138) and the US Navy anti-submarine patrol aircraft P-8A Poseidon (aircraft 168860) conducted operational reconnaissance near the Kaliningrad region and Crimea.
The RC-135W reconnaissance aircraft from Mildenhall airbase in the UK approached the Russian land border at a distance of 55 km and the main base of the Russian Baltic Fleet at a distance of about 80 km. The second reconnaissance aircraft, a P-8A Poseidon, from Sigonella Air Base in Sicily, carried out an operational mission over the Black Sea southwest of Sevastopol.
Obviously, in order to reduce suspicion and strengthen security, the West must first abandon its anti-Russian policy and strengthen the eastern flank of NATO.
The American analytical publication The National Interest notes: “Government bodies analyzing threats to national security are too fixated on Russia, and this is the result of a not entirely sober analysis<…>Although Russia poses a serious espionage threat to the United States, this threat is only one of many national security challenges<…>
Escalating tensions with Russia prevent the United States from acting effectively in various areas<…>Russia has a unique opportunity - it is able to prevent the actions of the United States in many parts of the world, it constantly and deliberately counters American initiatives in order to achieve the opportunity to come to the negotiating table."
Perhaps reasonable people in Washington and Moscow will find a common language for constructive interaction, and the World Ocean will gradually turn into a zone of peace. In the meantime, we keep our gunpowder dry and develop reconnaissance technologically: the Russian Navy has begun testing the latest remote-controlled uninhabited underwater vehicle “Marlin-350”.