Tsaplya-class LCAC

The Tsaplya class LCAC (Project 1206.1, Murena) is a medium size assault hovercraft operated by the Russian Navy.

A Tsaplya-class LCAC in South Korean service.
Class overview
Name: Tsaplya class LCAC
Builders: Almaz, Khabarovsk Shipyard, Amur, More, etc.
Operators:
Built: 1982–1991
In commission: 1982–present
Planned: 5 - 12
Completed: 10
General characteristics
Type: Air-cushioned landing craft
Displacement: 149 long tons (151 t) full load
Length: 31.6 m (103 ft 8 in)
Beam: 14.8 m (48 ft 7 in)
Propulsion:
  • 2 × 4,000 hp (2,983 kW) PR-77 gas turbines
  • 2 lift fans, 2 propulsion fans
  • 2 four-bladed variable-pitch propellers
Speed: 50 knots (93 km/h; 58 mph)
Range: 100 nmi (190 km; 120 mi) at 50 kn (93 km/h; 58 mph)
Capacity:
  • Up to 45 tons :
  • 1 main battle tank plus 80 troops or 25 tons plus 160 troops
Complement: 14 (4 officers)
Sensors and
processing systems:		 Curl Stone; I-band
Armament:
  • 2 × AK-230 or AK-630 30 mm AA
  • 1 × SA-N-5/8 SAM position
  • 2 × 12.7 mm machine guns
  • 2 × 40 mm grenade launchers

Configuration

These crafts are a lengthened version of the Lebed class LCAC hovercraft, which is the Russian Navy equivalent to the U.S. Navy LCAC. They were also meant to replace the smaller Gus class LCAC. The prototype was built at Feodosiya and entered service in 1982. The second was completed in 1987. By the early 1990s ten ships had been produced. Like the Lebed they could be transported by the Ivan Rogov class assault transport. The ships had a bow ramp with a gun on the starboard side and the bridge to port. They were more heavily armed than the Lebed class and were probably used as patrol craft in addition to troop and equipment transport duties. The Tsaplya class was built for Border Guards service along the Amur and Ussuri River borders with China, and all served in the Amur/Ussuri River Flotilla. The type began to be withdrawn following the fall of the Soviet Union. Three ships have been scrapped, and by 1995 none were observed to be operational in the Russian Navy. In 2003 the ROK Navy ordered three vessels from Russia. According to a source from the Russian delegation to the INDO Defence 2014 exhibition, the ROK Navy is interested in purchasing several more upgraded Murena-E vessels and in the repair of its current trio of vessels.[1] 8 are on order for the RF Navy as of November 2020.[2]

See also

References
  1. "South Korea plans to buy Russian air cushion landing craft".
  2. https://tass.com/defense/1227155
  • Sharpe, Richard (RN) (ed.) Jane's Fighting Ships 1990-91 ISBN 0-7106-0904-3
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