Russia Commences Sea Trials Of New Steregushchy-Class Corvette

Russian Navy has begun sea trials of its newest Steregushchy-class corvette, the Russian Pacific Fleet said Monday.

“The vessel will undergo testing of its power plant, steering systems, auxiliary equipment, communications, detection and navigation equipment, as well as anchoring mechanisms. In addition, according to Vladimir Matveyev, a spokesman for the Russian Pacific Fleet, "high-speed movement, maneuvering and vibration testing will also be carried out," Sputnik quoted Matveyev.  

Developed by Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau, the Steregushchy class corvettes are powered by a combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) propulsion system, which provides a maximum speed of 27 kn and a cruising range of 4000 mi at 14 kn speed. The four 16D49 diesel engines develop a total power output of 23, 320 hp. The engines are installed on damped platforms and the diesel generating sets are hooked to the second deck to reduce noise. The four diesel sets generate 2,520kW electricity for shipboard lighting.

The armament includes the Kh-35 subsonic anti-ship missile with a range of 260 km (161, 5 mi). The missile flies at the altitude of a few meters over the surface – 10-15 m en route and about 4 m at terminal phase at the speed of Mach 0.8 (609 mph; 980 km/h). It has inertial guidance and ARGS-35E X-band terminal active radar homing.