In Silhouette
The series has a typical Soviet-era design appearance as they emerged in the "pre-stealth" days towards the end of the Cold War (1947-1991). They showcase high bow lines with a sweeping maindeck. The forecastle and stern are home to turreted main guns. The bridge and enclosed mainmast are integrated into the high-forward superstructure with a gap set between it and the squared-off smoke funnel at midships. Atop a platform rear of the funnel is a lattice aftermast reaching high into the sky. Aft of the funnel is a helipad atop a stepped superstructure section. To either side of the bridge superstructure are quad surface-to-surface tube missile launchers featured prominently.
The class is equipped with no fewer than three navigation radars, an air target acquisition radar, fire-control radars / directors and an air-defense fire-control radar. Both active and passive sonar systems are carried as are full decoy launching systems.
Armament
The armament suite includes 2 x 130mm AK-130-MR-184 twin-gunned turreted main guns forward and aft, 4 x 30mm AK-630 Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWSs), 2 x 4 P-270 (SS-N-22 "Sunburn") "Moskit" surface-to-surface / anti-ship missiles, and 2 x 24 Shtil (SA-N-12 "Grizzly") surface-to-air missile launchers. 4 x 533mm torpedo tubes (in two twin-tubed emplacements) can be used against surface and undersea threats. 2 x RBU-1000 300mm Anti-Submarine ROCket launchers are carried for ranged anti-submarine work.
Further Notes
The class constitutes two forms: the original Project 956 ships and the follow-on Project 956A with its improved 3M80M anti-ship missile fit. The Chinese Navy operates a third branch in the Project 956EM design. China has adopted four total ships of the class from 1994 into 2004. All remain in service.
For the Russian Navy, many of the class have been decommissioned with the end of the Cold War (many were removed from service in 1998). Burnyy is said to be receiving a modernization and major overhaul to keep her a viable surface combatant for the near-future. Bespokoynyy was saved from the scrap heap to serve as a floating museum ship at Kronstadt.
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