Naval Systems

Project 861M Moma-class intelligence ship

Project 861M Moma-class intelligence ships were Soviet and Russian ELINT conversions of the Project 861 hydrographic survey design, built at Stocznia Polnocna in Gdansk, Poland. The class used twin Zgoda-Sulzer diesels, reached about 17.3 knots, and included Black Sea Fleet ships Liman and Kil'din, which were reported on Kosovo-monitoring Adriatic deployments in 1999.

Profile

Origin
Soviet Union
Built by
Stocznia Polnocna
Built in
Poland
Type
Electronic intelligence ship
Service note
Cold War and post-Soviet service
Produced
1967-1973; 861M conversions from 1970
Number built
29 original Project 861 hulls

Also Known As

  • Moma class
  • Moma-class intelligence ship
  • Project 861M
  • Project 861M / Moma class
  • Moma-class AGI

Specifications

Displacement
1,200 t standard / 1,542 t full load
Dimensions
73.3 m length, 10.8 m beam, 3.8 m draft
Speed
17.3 knots
Range
8,900 nmi at 11 knots
Crew
45 plus 10 researchers
Propulsion
2 x 1,800 hp Zgoda-Sulzer 6TD-48 diesels, 2 controllable-pitch propellers
Electronics
2 Don navigation radars, ARP-50R radio direction finder, MG-13 underwater communication station, MG-26 Khosta underwater communication station

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service
Project 861 hulls served across Soviet fleets and later the Russian Federation; converted Project 861M intelligence ships remained in Black Sea Fleet service and other Russian naval intelligence roles.
Used by
Soviet Navy, Russian Navy

Conflict Usage

Two Black Sea Fleet Moma-class AGI ships, Liman and Kil'din, reportedly made back-to-back Adriatic deployments from April to July 1999 to monitor NATO actions during the Kosovo air campaign.

Timeline

Project 861M Moma-class intelligence ship Key Events

  1. Lead Project 861 hull commissioned

    KCHF says the lead Project 861 survey ship Arktika was commissioned at Stocznia Polnocna in Gdansk, establishing the base design later converted into Project 861M intelligence ships.

    Sources: KCHF.ru: Project 861 hydrographic survey vessel

  2. Project 861 production run ends

    KCHF says the Project 861 hydrographic survey vessels served across Soviet fleets and later the Russian Federation, with 29 vessels built in total.

    Sources: KCHF.ru: Project 861 hydrographic survey vessel

  3. Liman and Kil'din monitor Kosovo

    USNI reported that the Black Sea Fleet's Liman and Kil'din made back-to-back Adriatic deployments to monitor NATO actions in Kosovo during the spring and summer of 1999.

    Sources: USNI Proceedings: Combat Fleets

Project 861M Moma-class intelligence ship Images

Related Weapon Systems

Vishnya class (Project 864) intelligence ship, Signals intelligence collection ship class, Naval SystemsNaval SystemsVishnya class (Project 864) intelligence shipSignals intelligence collection ship classThe Vishnya class (Project 864), also known as the Meridian class, is a Soviet-designed signals intelligence collection ship class built in Poland for the Soviet and later Russian Navy. The ships are purpose-built SIGINT and COMINT collectors with satellite-link antennas, a modest self-defense fit, and long-endurance blue-water service, while the Priazovye hull was sent into the eastern Mediterranean during the 2013 Syria crisis.

Sources