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Aydar / Project 596P Dixon

"Foros" was not the only ship of the Soviet Navy on which laser systems were tested. At the same time, in parallel with the conversion of "Foros" in Sevastopol for the Nevsky PKB project started the modernization of the fleet auxiliary dry cargo ship "Dixon." Work on the modernization of the "Dixon" began in 1978. Simultaneously with the beginning of the conversion of the ship to the Kaluga Turbine Works began assembling the laser setup. The superstructure weighed 900 tons.

All work on the creation of a new laser guns were kept secret, it had become the most powerful Soviet military laser system, the project was called "Aydar". Even in closed documents it was designated as an experimental stand of special purpose. Almost all enterprises of the country had to be involved in the conversion.

Specifically for the testing of combat laser systems in ship conditions, the Nevsky Design Bureau developed Project 05961, which provided for the reorganization of the Vostotrales timber carrier Vostok-3 into a laser weapon carrier. The converted ship was named Dixon. In 1978, the ship was rebuilt in Sevastopol, in parallel with the conversion of Foros. The laser installation "Aidar", it required a lot of energy.

Laser engineers calculated that the power plant of the ship can not give the gun the necessary energy of 50 megawatts. They proposed to strengthen the ship's diesel engines with three jet engines from the Tu-154 aircraft. As a result of the re-equipment procedure, the ship's full displacement increased to 9,500 tons.

Work on the modernization of the "Dixon" demanded a huge amount of resources and money. In addition, in the course of the work designers are constantly faced with the problems of scientific and technical nature. For example, in order to equip the ship tanks for compressed air of 400 pieces, from both sides had to completely remove the metal casing. Then it turned out that the accompanying shooting hydrogen can accumulate in enclosed spaces and accidentally explode, it was necessary to mount reinforced ventilation. Especially for the laser installation, the upper deck of the ship was designed so that it could be opened in two parts. As a result, it was necessary to strengthen the body, which had lost its strength.

At the end of 1979, "Dickson" was transferred to the Crimea, to Theodosia, on the Black Sea. Here at the shipyard Ordzhonikidze ship was equipped with a laser gun and control systems. Here on the ship settled the crew. On this unique vessel there were also features that distinguished him from other Soviet ships. On this ship there was a woman's latrine. During the tests, a large number of civilian specialists from various fields, including women, were present aboard the ship. The second feature of the ship " Dixon " was a laser cooling system that consumes 400 liters of alcohol, which was bred with distilled water to 39.5 degrees. Titanic work of scientists, workers and designers on the modernization of the ship took five years.

The first tests, "Dickson" took place in the summer of 1980. During the test was given to the laser volley fired at a target located on the shore at a distance of 4 kilometers. Hit the target was the first time, but most of the beam and the visible destruction of the target none of those present could not see. Contact has been fixed thermal sensor installed on the target itself. Efficiency of the beam was still the same 5%, all the energy of the beam absorbed by the evaporation of moisture from the sea surface.

However, the tests were considered excellent. Indeed, on a plan of laser developers intended for use in space, where, as we know, is in full vacuum. In addition to low efficiency and combat characteristics of the installation was just a great size and was difficult to use.

The tests continued until 1985. As a result, further testing was to obtain data, which can be configured as a military laser systems, in which classes of warships is best to install them, even managed to increase the combat power of the laser. All planned tests for 1985 were successfully completed. But despite the fact that the tests were found to be successful, the creators of the installation, both military and designers were well aware that to launch such a monster in the next 20-30 years was unlikely. These arguments were voiced to the top party leadership, which, in turn, voiced concerns in addition to excited yet huge, multimillion-dollar costs and timing of construction lasers.

Both ships were part of the 311 Division of trials vessels. In 1990, laser systems have been dismantled, the technical documentation is destroyed, and themselves unique ships "Foros" and "Dixon" - Pioneers of Soviet lazerostroeniya - went to the scrap heap.