Lebed-class LCAC

The Lebed (Kalmar) (Project 1206) class is a medium size assault hovercraft operated by the Soviet Navy.

Configuration

The Lebed class is the Russian Navy equilivant to the U.S. Navy LCAC, thought the U.S. version entered service seven years later. The Lebed class entered service in 1975, and by the early 1990's twenty had been produced. The ship has a bow ramp with a gun on the starboard side and the bridge to port. The Lebed class can be carried by the "Ivan Rogov" class assalt transport ships. The type began to be withdrawn following the fall of the Soviet Union, and by 2004 only three remained. 533 is in the Northern Fleet, while 639 and 640 took part in the Caspian Sea exercises of 2002.

Capacity

Can carry up to 40 tons of cargo.

Registry

• 533
• 639
• 640

Operators

Russian Federation Navy

Specifications

• Crew 6 (2 officers)
• Dimensions
  • Length 24.4 metres
  • Width 11.2 metres
  • full load displacement 87 tons
• Propulsion
  • Motors gas turbine
  • Power: 2 x 4000 horsepower Ivchenko AI-20K gas turbines for lift and propulsion
  • Propellers: 2 four bladed variable pitch propellers
• Performance
  • Speed 50 knots
  • Range 100 miles at 50 knots
  • Military Lift: 2 light tanks or 120 troops with equipment (40 tons total)
• Weapons
  • 2 30mm (twin) machine guns
• Radars
  • Navigation: Kivach; I-band

References

Saunders, Stephen (RN) Jane's Fighting Ships 2003-2004 ISBN 0 7106 2546 4