Project 1134 Berkut class
NATO: Kresta I
Overview
Project 1134 Berkut class
Aerial view of Project 1134 Berkut (NATO: Kresta I) class cruiser at sea.
Source: US Navy -
© Public domain
Kresta I (NATO reporting name)
Admiral Zozulya (first of class)
Berkut class (Soviet nickname)
Russian for "golden eagle"
Description
Introduction
The Project 1134 Berkut is a Cold War era class of Soviet cruisers. They were developed to supplement the Project 58 (NATO: Kynda) class. The name Kresta I is the NATO reporting name for this class. A total of 7 ships was planned, but only 4 were produced when the production switched to the Project 1134A Berkut-A (NATO: Kresta II) class. This uses the same hull but is used in the anti-submarine role and is described separately.
Layout
The Project 1134 Berkut is the first of the classic Cold War era Soviet rocket cruisers since it has its large missiles positioned alongside the bridge. The aft superstructure features two sensor masts. The twin arm SAM launchers are mounted forward and aft. A helicopter deck with hanger located at the stern allows a Ka-25 helicopter to be carried.
Firepower
The main armament consist of two twin round launchers for the P-35 Progress (SS-N-3 Shaddock) surface to surface missile. Additionally two twin 57mm AK-725 dual purpose turrets are fitted. Air defense is provided by a two twin arm ZIF-102 launchers for the M-1M Volna-M (SA-N-1 Goa) medium range SAM systems, with a total of 44 missiles. Anti-submarine weapons include two quintuple 533mm torpedo launchers and two RBU-6000 and two RBU-1000 ASW rocket launchers.
Sensors
Sensor systems include a MR-302 and MR-310 surface search radar, MR-500 air search radar and MG-312 hull mounted sonar. Additionally ECM equipment, navigation radar and fire control radars are fitted.
Mobility
The Project 1134 Berkut class is steam powered and features four boilers and two turbines that power two shafts. The 92.000 hp provides a maximum speed of 34 kt and maximum range of 10.500 nm at 14 kt.
Users
The Kresta I class was only used by the USSR and later Russia. It supplemented the Project 58 (Kynda) class which features a near similar armament but carries more anti-ship missiles. The same hull design served as the basis for the Project 1134A Berkut-A anti-submarine cruisers.
Details
Media
Project 1134 Berkut class
Aerial view of a Soviet Kresta I class guided missile cruiser Vice Aadmiral Drozd underway.
Source: US Navy
Copyright: Public domain
Project 1134 Berkut class
Right side view of Project 1134 Berkut (NATO: Kresta I) class cruiser at sea.
Source: US Navy
Copyright: Public domain
Subsystems
4K44 Progress
2x2 KT-35-1134 launchers for P-35 Progress anti-ship missiles.
M-1 Volna
2x2 ZIF-102 launcher for M-1M Volna-M medium range SAM system. 64 missiles carried in total.
30mm AK-630
2x1 30mm AK-630 close-in weapon system. Added onto 2 ships during refit.
RBU-6000 Smerch-2
2x RBU-6000 depth charge launcher. Connected to Burya fire control system.
RBU-1000 Smerch-3
2x RBU-1000 depth charge launcher. Connected to Burya fire control system.
Type 53-65
533mm 53-65 or 53-65K anti-shipping torpedoes in 2x5 PTA-53-1134 torpedo tubes.
SET-65
533mm SET-65 anti-submarine torpedoes in 2x5 PTA-53-1134 torpedo tubes.
Ka-25PL
Hangar and helicopter deck for 1x Ka-25PL anti-submarine or 1x Ka-25Ts OTH targeting helicopter.
Related articles
Project 1134A Berkut-A class
The Project 1134A Berkut-A class of cruisers are the ASW counterpart to the Project 1134. At 10 ships this class was more numerous. NATO reporting name is Kresta II.