Ulyanovsk-class

The Ulyanovsk, designated Project 1143.7, was the lead vessel of a planned class of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers for the Soviet Navy. Developed by the Nevsky Engineering Design Bureau, the design drew from the earlier Project 1153 Orel. The Soviet government ordered the vessel in June 1986, and construction began at the Black Sea Shipyard on November 25, 1988. To support the project, the shipyard underwent technical modifications, including the installation of new gantry cranes and the extension of its slipway.

The vessel’s design incorporated a flight deck equipped with both a bow ski-jump and two steam catapults. This configuration was intended to facilitate the launch of various fixed-wing aircraft, including Sukhoi Su-33 and Mikoyan MiG-29K fighters, alongside Yakovlev Yak-44 radar picket aircraft. For aircraft storage and transit, the design featured a hangar deck served by three elevators. Landing operations were to be managed by an optical landing guidance system located at the stern. Propulsion was provided by nuclear reactors and steam turbines. In addition to its aviation facilities, the vessel was designed with integrated anti-ship and surface-to-air missile launchers.

The Ulyanovsk never entered active service. Construction was halted in November 1991 when the vessel was approximately 40% complete. The dissolution of the Soviet Union resulted in a lack of funding, leading to the cancellation of the project and a planned second unit. The ship was officially stricken from the naval register on November 1, 1991. Following a decree from the Ukrainian government, scrapping of the hull began on February 5, 1992. The slipway was cleared by October 1992, and the hull structures were dismantled.