The Admiral Kasatonov frigate is transiting the Norwegian Sea on its way to the Baltic Sea after wrapping up the program of its state trials in the Northern Fleet. The frigate is currently in the southern part of the Norwegian Sea and in several days the Fleet Admiral Kasatonov will start passing through the straits area and will enter the Baltic Sea. The straits area is the system of natural waterways connecting the Baltic and North Seas, which is in close proximity to the European coast before entry into the Baltic Sea. The frigate is sailing at an economical speed while the crew continues sharpening its naval skills.
The trials of the frigate Fleet Admiral Kasatonov at the Northern Fleet’s sea ranges were held in several stages from November 20. At first, the frigate’s missile armament was tested in the White Sea with the ship’s crew firing a Kalibr cruise missile against a coastal target located at the Chizha combat range in the Arkhangelsk Region and Kalibr and Oniks cruise missiles against sea targets. In the Barents Sea, the frigate performed artillery firings against a sea and a coastal target, delivered torpedo fire against an underwater target and practiced inter-operability with aircraft and logistics vessels (refueling on the move and towing) and some other elements of the program of state trials.
Admiral Flota Kasatonov is an Admiral Gorshkov class frigate of the Russian Navy and the second ship of the class. The ship is named after Hero of the Soviet Union Vladimir Kasatonov. The frigate Fleet Admiral Kasatonov is the second (the first serial-produced) Project 22350 warship built at the Severnaya Shipyard (part of Russia’s United Shipbuilding Corporation). The cutting-edge frigate was laid down on November 26, 2009 and floated out on December 12, 2014. Project 22350 frigates are expected to become the Russian Navy’s most advanced warships in their class. These frigates displace 4,500 tonnes and can develop a speed of 29 knots. They are armed with Oniks and Kalibr missiles and Poliment-Redut air defense missile systems.
