This design was a smaller version of the Neustrashimy class destroyer which was seen as being too large and expensive for economic series production, as well as too slow. Detailed design changes eliminated some of the problems seen during trials of the Neustrashimyy. A production run of 100 ships was planned but this was curtailed because of the advent of the guided missile. 32 were ordered, but four ships were completed as Kildin class (Project 56E/EM), the last vessel was canceled.
11 ships (Project 56PLO, Kotlin Mod.) were modified for enhanced ASW capabilities by adding rocket depth charge launchers.
In 1962, the Soviet Navy installed the navalized version of the S-125 Neva, the SA-N-1 'Goa', to a Project 56K Kotlin SAM class destroyer, the Bravyi (also spelled Bravyy) for testing. The system used the 4K90 (V-600) missile that could engage targets at distances from 4–15 km (0–10 mi) and altitudes of 100–10,000 m (300–32,800 ft). Fire control and guidance was provided by 4R90 Yatagan radar. The system could track only one target at a time. The missiles were loaded on the dual-arm ZIF-101 launcher, with under-deck magazine storage for 16 more.
The Soviet navy would eventually retrofit seven Kotlin ships to carry SAMs; these ships were known to NATO as the Kotlin SAM class (Project 56A). One more was modified and sold to Poland (Project 56AE, being the only Project 56 destroyer exported). Later versions of the SAM system, such as the Volna-M (SA-N-1B), the Volna-P, and Volna-N provided greater missile range and capability.
| Kotlin class destroyer | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Kotlin |
| Operators: |  Soviet Navy Polish Navy |
| Preceded by: | Neustrashimy class destroyer |
| Succeeded by: | Kildin class destroyer |
| Completed: | 27 |
| Active: | 0 |
| Retired: | 27 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | destroyer |
| Displacement: | 2,662 tonnes (2,620 long tons; 2,934 short tons) (standard), 3,230 t (3,180 long tons; 3,560 short tons) (full load) |
| Length: | 126.1 m (414 ft) |
| Beam: | 12.7 m (42 ft) |
| Draught: | 4.2 m (14 ft) |
| Propulsion: | 2× shaft geared steam turbines, 4 boilers, 72,000 hp (54 MW) |
| Speed: | 38 knots (70 km/h; 44 mph) |
| Complement: | 284 |
| Sensors and processing systems: | Radar: Fut -N (air search), Ryf (surface) Sonar: Pegas |
| Armament: | 4 × 130 mm (5.1 in) guns (2×2) 16 × 45 mm (1.8 in) (4×4) 10 × 533 mm (20 in) torpedo tubes (2×5) 6 depth charge throwers (later replaced by ASW mortars) 50× mines |
