Aircraft cruiser

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HMS Gotland

The aircraft cruiser or cruiser-carrier was originally a 1930s experimental concept of creating an all-around warship, trying to combine all the good features of the aircraft carrier and the heavy cruiser. The aircraft cruisers were usually armed with relatively heavy artillery, mines and a number of aircraft fitted with floats (making the ship a kind of seaplane tender).

The early aircraft cruiser turned out to be an unsuccessful design. The rapid development of naval aircraft in the 30s quickly rendered the vessels obsolete and they were rebuilt e.g. as anti-aircraft cruisers.

A more modern derivative of the aircraft cruiser is the helicopter cruiser. The Invincible class aircraft carriers of the Royal Navy can also be considered as and were originally described as cruisers ("through deck cruisers" as part of a deception by the admirals to keep fixed-wing aircraft in the Fleet Air Arm).

In the Russian Navy, "Aviation Cruiser" is a designation for the Kiev class and Kuznetsov class ships. They are a cross between cruiser and aircraft carrier and are divided in two classes, the aviation cruisers and the heavy aviation cruisers.

Soviet and Russian aviation cruisers

The first class is represented by the Kiev class and the second class is represented by the Kuznetsov class. The Kiev class can carry VTOL aircraft and helicopters, the Kuznetsov class can carry helicopters and conventional aircraft like the Sukhoi Su-33 or the Mikoyan Mig-29K. Aviation cruisers are not fitted with catapults but the heavy aviation cruisers have a ramp ("Ski Jump") to allow take off.

Aviation cruisers have a variety of heavy weapons to fight against all types of ships, submarines and aircraft. In addition, this ships have close-in weapon systems to defend against missiles or rockets.

Aircraft cruisers

Heavy aircraft carrying cruiser Kiev, USSR, 1985.

Early types

• Mogami
• HMS Gotland

Later types

• Kiev class
• Admiral Kuznetsov

Unbuilt

• Soviet aircraft carrier Ulyanovsk

See also

• Seaplane tender
• Helicopter carrier