The newest corvette of the project 20386 " Mercury "is the first of the Russian ships to be built entirely according to the"stealth" concept. This was [...] told to RIA Novosti by two knowledgeable sources.
The agency's interlocutors explained that previously only some elements of stealth technologies were used on Russian ships, but the concept of a low-visibility ship has not yet been fully implemented. According to the designers, "the 100-meter ship will reflect the radio signal like a small boat" thanks to the radio-absorbing coating over the entire area of the object, the special shape of the superstructure and innovative materials and paints.
It is specified that the body of the corvette is already completed, now the superstructures of the ship are being formed. The level of invisibility is planned to be tested on special tests.
On June 7, The National Interest suggested that Russian Mercury-class corvettes could face the same problems as American coastal warships of the Freedom and Independence types. Among the problems that may accompany the construction of a promising Russian ship, called cost overruns and technical problems. In particular, it is said about the poor choice of the propulsion system, the suboptimal design of the radar system and the insufficient combat capability of the corvette. Experts of the publication claim that the corvette of the project 20386 " remains a unique test site until its capabilities reach perfection."
The Project 20386 "Mercury" corvette is supposed to hit surface ships with cruise missiles, search for and destroy submarines, protect ships and vessels from attacks by enemy air attack means with anti-aircraft missile systems, and provide artillery support for amphibious landings.
Marina Sovina