Гигант из стали и атома: как на Балтийском заводе строят шестой атомный ледокол — «Ленинград»

The construction of the nuclear icebreaker "Leningrad" continues at the Baltic Shipyard of the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC). The Project 22220 ship is 20% complete, with hull assembly and equipment installation in progress.

The largest and most powerful nuclear icebreaker, "Leningrad," has reached 20% completion. This is the sixth Project 22220 vessel being built at the Baltic Shipyard USC under contract from Rosatom. Low-pressure steam generators have already been installed on board to ensure the functioning of systems in harsh Arctic conditions. Currently, the formation of the nuclear vessel's hull is ongoing.

The strong metal is cut even underwater. The prepared elements are assembled in the adjacent workshop — from small flat parts to massive volumetric sections.

The bottom sections of the future icebreaker are about to be installed on the longest slipway in Russia, measuring 350 meters. Here, it is possible to build huge nuclear ships similar to the Project 22220 vessels.

"Leningrad" is only just taking shape as a vessel. The hull is being formed: its height is about five stories, and with the superstructure — like an eighteen-story building, that is, over 50 meters. The width is 34 meters, and the length is almost two football fields, or 173 meters.

Low-pressure steam generators have already been installed in the inaccessible compartments of the future ice giant. As soon as the hull assembly is completed, the nuclear reactor will start operating in "Leningrad." It will be a two-chamber reactor, with a capacity of 175 megawatts for each reactor. The icebreaker will be able to function autonomously for seven years — only the delivery of food and crew changes will be required.

This is already the sixth icebreaker of Project 22220, designed to operate in the western sector of the Northern Sea Route. It is capable of overcoming ice up to three meters thick, paving the way for other vessels.

A key feature of the vessel is its dual-draft capability, allowing it to operate effectively both in the Kara Sea and in the Yenisei River estuary.

In 2028, the nuclear-powered ship should set off to the Arctic. Unlike its predecessors — the icebreakers "Chukotka" and "Yakutia" — "Leningrad" will receive a unique design: the superstructure will be decorated with silhouettes of the Bronze Horseman and the Peter and Paul Fortress in the light of spotlights — in memory of the deceased residents and defenders of the city.

Technical characteristics:

• Displacement: smallest — 26 771 t, standard — 32 747 t, full along the waterline — 33 540 t.
• Length: greatest — 173.3 m, overall — 172.7 m, along the waterline — 160 m.
• Width: greatest — 34 m, along the waterline — 33 m.
• Height: side amidships — 15.2 m, greatest — 59.3 m.
• Draft: minimum operating — 9.03 m, full along the waterline — 10.5 m.
• Engines: 2 × RITM-200, power: thermal — 2 × 175 MW, electrical — 2 × 36.0 MW.
• Power: electrical — 72 MW (97 893 hp), on shafts — 60 MW (81 577 hp).
• Propulsion: 3 fixed-pitch propellers with 4 removable blades.
• Speed: full — 22 knots in clear water, 12 knots in 1.5 m ice, 2 knots in 2.8–2.9 m ice, 3 m (maximum ice thickness).
• Cruising range: unlimited.
• Endurance: 7 years (fuel reload), 6 months (food supplies).
• Crew: 53 people.
• Hull material: special alloy steel.

Earlier, www1.ru reported that Indian scientists will fly to the center of the earth for the first time on a Russian Il-76 aircraft.

Read more materials:

• One of the last six Il-62 aircraft spotted in North Korea
• Want a helicopter — buy it! A resident of Kuban put up a Mi-2 helicopter for sale for 2.3 million rubles
• The legendary 1000-horsepower Moskvich-3 car burned down in Moscow