Nevskoye Design Bureau (part of USC) is developing the "Varan" universal maritime complex project for transporting up to 53 ship-based aircraft, including 20 drones. It is assumed that it will replace the aircraft carrier "Admiral Kuznetsov", writes the publication Defensa.
Journalist Octavio Diaz Camara recalled that the "Admiral Kuznetsov" is currently under repair. It is expected that this will extend the service life of the aircraft carrier until 2034. Consequently, "Varan" will be developed by this time, he suggested.
"Varan" has a small island on the starboard side. Developers could provide a front ramp for using V/STOL (vertical/short takeoff and landing) devices.
Earlier, USC revealed some characteristics of the project of the universal maritime complex "Varan". Its full displacement is about 45,000 tons. The air group on board the "Varan" can include up to 53 ship-based aircraft, of which about 20 are unmanned. Aircraft can take off using electromagnetic catapult acceleration tracks.
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