Premier-Class Cruiser/Carrier

LNS Dimitryi Goskanov (AC-15)
Class overview
Builders:	Librira
Operators:	Libriran Navy
Preceded by:	Project 18-Class
Succeeded by:	Congression-Class
Built:	1980-1985
In commission:	1983-present
Planned:	4
Completed:	2
Cancelled:	2
Active:	2
General characteristics
Type:	Cruiser/Carrier
Displacement:	43,000 tons normal load
Length:	275 m (902 ft)
Beam:	53 m (174 ft)
Draft:	10 m (33 ft)
Propulsion:	8x Type-15 'Kollector' Gas fed Turbopressurized boiler 4x Type-25/X Turbines
Speed:	32 knots (59 km/h; 37 mph)
Range:	7000km at 18knts
Complement:	1500 including crew and troops
Sensors and processing systems:	SK-14 Ship and Weapon control system NE-25/M Air group control and direction system Type-225/N Air search radar Type 153 Surface search radar CEC 201 Sonar system
Armament:	6x 2 M-900 'Kobra' Anti-ship Missile 24x 8 ST51S Surface to Air Missile 2x 1 100mm Type 70 Dual Purpose guns 8x Type-23 CIWS 2x 5 540mm Torpedo/Missile tubes 2x AFDB-94 ASW Rocket system
Aircraft carried:	12 Aircraft 16 Helicopters

The Premier-Class Cruiser/Carrier is a Cruiser/Carrier Constructed for the Libriran Navy. The ships of the class are currently the oldest carriers in service in the Libriran Navy, They are also the first true aircraft carrier since the 1950s, with most earlier designs only carrying helicopters. The Ships were ordered, in 1979 for the 1980 building program.

Design

In the Libriran Navy a Cruiser/Carrier is a product of the Libriran Army's limited Surface screen. In the original concept for a cruiser/carrier it would be armed with light cruiser armament with a flight-deck/catapult system on the stern. The reasoning is that because of the fairly small screen forces possessed by the Libriran Navy Carriers may be needed to participate in fighting enemy ships on the battle line, or at the very least to defend itself.

In the Modern era this has evolved to having carriers armed with AShM missiles, and various other systems and weapons present on cruisers. This allows Cruiser/Carriers to operate as Carriers and as Cruisers, this at at the cost of both systems, since they typically carry less aircraft and less of other weapons.

Development

The Premier-Class was first designed as a transition from the earlier Project 18-Class to a more traditional Aircraft carrier. However, eager to start construction for the 1980 building program, design work was cut short, with most more advanced features being put into the Congression-Class. Thus the Premier-Class evolved into a stopgap cross between a helicopter carrier/aircraft carrier.

Design work started in 1978, with it being cut short in 1979, the ships were ordered the same year, at State Shipyard No.167 with a planned commissioning date for the first ship in 1983. Four ships were originally planned, all to be named after past Premiers of Librira. After, the cost of the first 2 vessels went over estimate, combined with the finishing of design work on the Congression-Class, meant the second two carriers, one of which was laid down, with the other having about 30% of its keel laid, were cancelled.

The ships utilized adaptations of systems already present on other ships in commission at that time, including a modified fire control system from the Zvesda-Class Cruisers which allowed the Premier class to wield its variety of weapons effectively. Its flight control system was a further development of the system used other cruiser/carriers. This system allows the ship to control and direct its helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft simultaneously.

Ships of class

Pennant no.	Name	Laid down	Launched	Commissioned	Homeport
Libriran Navy
AC-15	Dimitryi Goskanov	3 February 1980	16 June 1982	15 April 1983	Harbraskaya
AC-16	Viktor Kalirin	5 May 1981	25 September 1983	10 July 1984	Harbraskaya
AC-17-X	Pavel Nudanov	20 May 1982	Cancelled 10 June 1983	N/A
AC-18-X	L-71	Cancelled 10 June 1983	N/A	N/A