China May Have Started Construction of Next Generation Destroyer Type 055 for the PLAN

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xavierv
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China May Have Started Construction of Next Generation Destroyer Type 055 for the PLAN

Post by xavierv »

China May Have Started Construction of Next Generation Destroyer Type 055 for the PLAN
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A picture has just emerged on the Chinese internet showing that construction of the first Type 055 destroyer may have started. The Type 055 guided missile destroyer is the next generation destroyer designed for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN or Chinese Navy).

According to Chinese sources, the picture was taken last week at the Changxing Jiangnan shipyard (member of CSSC - China State Shipbuilding Corporation) near Shanghai. It shows a sign with the mention "Commencement Ceremony for the Construction of 055 destroyer number 1". Such ceremonies are common practice in Chinese naval shipyards and should the picture be authentic, this would indicate that construction of the first Type 055 destroyer has indeed just started with the first cut of steel ceremony.

According to Chinese media, the Chinese government awarded the contract for construction of the first ship of the class to Changxing Jiangnan shipyard in August. According to the same sources, the second Type 055 destroyer will be built at the Dalian naval shipyard (Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company member of CSIC - China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation).

Image

Construction of a Type 055 Shore Integration Facility (SIF) started in early 2014 at the Ship Design and Research Center (701 Institute) of CSIC at the Wuhan University of Science and Technology. A model of the PLAN's Aircraft Carrier was built at the same location in 2009. Based on pictures of the Type 055 SIF taken in September 2014, construction was almost over. This could indicate that land based testing has already started and it would then make sense timing wise to start construction of the first unit (it will likely take over one year to launch the first hull in the water).


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RE: China May Have Started Construction of Next Generation Destroyer Type 055 for the PLAN

Post by ClaudeJ »

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RE: China May Have Started Construction of Next Generation Destroyer Type 055 for the PLAN

Post by Triode »


Very interesting ship
Big question is why PLAN copy Mk41 instead of 3R-14UKSK
Well copy Mk41 mean more missiles than copy of 3R-14UKSK in same dimensions (533mm vs 720 mm max diameters of containers per cell)
Apparently PLAN choose quantity instead of quality for its missiles
Or they do not believe that the Chinese industry can copy 3M-22 missile (main reason why diameter for 3R-14UKSK cell is 720mm)?[&:]
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RE: China May Have Started Construction of Next Generation Destroyer Type 055 for the PLAN

Post by mikkey »

interesting, thanks for sharing.
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RE: China May Have Started Construction of Next Generation Destroyer Type 055 for the PLAN

Post by tk208 »

ORIGINAL: Triode


Very interesting ship
Big question is why PLAN copy Mk41 instead of 3R-14UKSK
Well copy Mk41 mean more missiles than copy of 3R-14UKSK in same dimensions (533mm vs 720 mm max diameters of containers per cell)
Apparently PLAN choose quantity instead of quality for its missiles
Or they do not believe that the Chinese industry can copy 3M-22 missile (main reason why diameter for 3R-14UKSK cell is 720mm)?[&:]

Well if they can copy advanced U.S designs I don't see why they cant do the same with Russian systems? They should be very good at it by now considering how many Soviet systems were reverse engineered!
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RE: China May Have Started Construction of Next Generation Destroyer Type 055 for the PLAN

Post by Hongjian »

The projected VLS system of the 12k ton Type 055, that are also the same as onboard the 7k ton Type 052D, are in fact larger than the Mk-41 or the Russian VLS. The VLS onboard of the Type 052D is 850mm in diameter and is compatible with quad-packed medium ranged self-defense missiles like the ESSM (in China's case, the DK-10, VLS variant of the PL-12 active radar BVRAAM) and long range supersonic cruise missiles, like the CX-1.

Also of note is that the chinese VLS isnt just a Mk-41 copy, as it has no central exhaust lid like the Mk-41. Every cell has its own exhaust lid around the internal cannister in case hot-launch missiles are loaded. In case of cold-launch missiles, there is no need for any lid. The Chinese large caliber VLS is adaptable for both cold and hot launch missiles by adopting a CCL-like design.

The Type 055 DDG equipped with 96 to 128 VLS cells will thus have both quality and quantity.
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RE: China May Have Started Construction of Next Generation Destroyer Type 055 for the PLAN

Post by Dimitris »

ORIGINAL: Hongjian

The projected VLS system of the 12k ton Type 055, that are also the same as onboard the 7k ton Type 052D, are in fact larger than the Mk-41 or the Russian VLS. The VLS onboard of the Type 052D is 850mm in diameter and is compatible with quad-packed medium ranged self-defense missiles like the ESSM (in China's case, the DK-10, VLS variant of the PL-12 active radar BVRAAM) and long range supersonic cruise missiles, like the CX-1.

Any chance you could help the DB folks here by clarifying which of those missiles are actually operational (or close to entering service) and which are just paper projects or export designs?

From the above list:
* YJ-18: This is the VL version of the YJ-12, right? Any solid information on its operational status?
* HQ-16: Presumably this is a safe bet since the land variant is operational
* HQ-9: Ditto
* DK-10: I've seen photos of test rail-launches but nothing on IOC etc. What is the status on this?
* Yu-8: This is the designation of the torpedo payload, not the missile itself, correct? What is the designation and characteristics of the missile? Also what are the stats for the torpedo?
* CJ-10: This is operational in land units so a reasonable yes
* YJ-83: Is there any confirmation (other than PS/CGI) that this exists in VLS version?

Thanks!
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RE: China May Have Started Construction of Next Generation Destroyer Type 055 for the PLAN

Post by Hongjian »

I would like to post some links to more recent revelations about this VLS' capability, but my status here isnt sufficient, it seems.

For the YJ-18, it is often cited to be a Chinese copy of the Klub, but so far, there hasnt been any definite evidence for that, aside that this system actually exists.
In a recent CCTV report around the time of the last Zhuhai Airshow in Nov 2014, the PLAN Test-Ship 891 that tests the universal VLS of the 052D, was shown to have launched a quite large and heavy anti-ship missile, which was not resembling the Klub in any way. So, it either suggests that the YJ-18 is actually not a Klub-copy, or that the 052D actually has another anti-ship missile. The basic shape of the missile also suggests that it could be related with the Onyx/Brahmos-lookalike CX-1 supersonic missile that was recently revealed.

The DK-10 is quite a bit more confusing, though. It has been offered for export during the 2012 and the latest 2014 Zhuhai Airshow as a ground-based mobile SAM system, but named SD-10A or "Sky Dragon" MR SAM by Norinco, while the PLAN variant is still not shown as of now.

For the Yu-8, there is no conclusive evidence that this torpedo with 'chemical warhead' actually exists. The ASROC missiles of the PLAN are currently the VLS launched CY-3 and 5, as confirmed by the PLAN placard onboard a Jiangkai-II FFG during one Open Day, and the semi-official chinese "Shipborne Weapons" Magazine.

As for the YJ-83, there is no confirmation that any VLS version exist to this day.
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RE: China May Have Started Construction of Next Generation Destroyer Type 055 for the PLAN

Post by Dimitris »

Thanks a lot! Our DB authors will surely make use of this info.
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RE: China May Have Started Construction of Next Generation Destroyer Type 055 for the PLAN

Post by ClaudeJ »

Hongjian, what english speaking online resources do you reckon as reliable on Chinese hardware? (No need for the link, just write down the name please.)
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RE: China May Have Started Construction of Next Generation Destroyer Type 055 for the PLAN

Post by Hongjian »

By far the best english language online resources are Sinodefence and China-Defense, both the forums and the blogs, where long time followers repost, translate and discuss infromation and leaks from Chinese sources and analyse satellite images.

These sources are also often cited by professional military analysts as well.
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RE: China May Have Started Construction of Next Generation Destroyer Type 055 for the PLAN

Post by ClaudeJ »

m goi Hongjian.
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RE: China May Have Started Construction of Next Generation Destroyer Type 055 for the PLAN

Post by xavierv »

ORIGINAL: Jan Masterson

Hongjian, what english speaking online resources do you reckon as reliable on Chinese hardware? (No need for the link, just write down the name please.)

Since you speak French, let me suggest this as well:
http://forummarine.forumactif.com/f12-chine

There is a Franco-Chinese member who contributes on a daily basis. He proved to be highly reliable over the years.
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RE: China May Have Started Construction of Next Generation Destroyer Type 055 for the PLAN

Post by mhemh »

The CCTV report only said it is a new type ASM,no actually type name,perhaps YJ-18.
No actually info about which middle-range SAM will use.Maybe HQ16(B).
And I thinke Type 055 destroyer will use COGAG,not Integrated Power Systems.sorry for bad English
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RE: China May Have Started Construction of Next Generation Destroyer Type 055 for the PLAN

Post by Hongjian »

The CCTV report only said it is a new type ASM,no actually type name,perhaps YJ-18.

Correct. And the new type AShM didnt look like the Klub from the screenshots. Our previous assumption about the YJ-18 is that it is a Klub copy. Maybe the YJ-18 is a different AShM all-together?

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RE: China May Have Started Construction of Next Generation Destroyer Type 055 for the PLAN

Post by magi »

This is very interesting.......
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RE: China May Have Started Construction of Next Generation Destroyer Type 055 for the PLAN

Post by Hongjian »

Some updated Google Earth shots of the Wuhan Type 055 DDG/Cruiser mockup

(reduced size) heli-deck added recently.

Image

Some chinese military watchers immediately compared it with a satellite shot of the Type 052Ds under construction/fitting out in Shanghai, adding their VLS-complexes to the mockup, as well as adding a bow. The common measurement is the H/PJ-38 130mm naval gun, which seem to be similiar on both ships.

It gives us a rough idea about how large the ship is going to be... Beam is measured to be 21m and length somewhere between 175-180m (depending on how long the actual bow would be, and how long the flight-deck). Displacement, according to rumours is 12.000 tons fully loaded.

VLS cells are either 112 (64 fore, 48 aft) or 128 (64 fore, 64 aft).

Seeing how both arrangements actually fit, size wise, either would work. The real arrangement and VLS number is still unknown, though. But most agree that it would be at least over 100 cells.

112 VLS with added bow:

Image

128 VLS with added bow:

Image

Of note is that the flight deck on the 055 mockup seems to be smaller than even the one onboad the 052D and 054A. Both ships arent exactly known for having large flight decks anyway. This is quite strange, as the Type 055, being such a large Destroyer/Cruiser, certainly must have at least a flight-deck as large as the 052D - if not larger, considering the rumor that it is suppossed to house up to two Z-18FQ heavy ASW helos...
So, some measurelemts on the mockup are still off.
Looking at the Liaoning Carrier mockup further north, which also seems to have some minor issues in terms of dimension and shape, it seems propable that the 055 mockup's dimensions arent all that accurate, though.

But I also wouldnt discount it completely, as it is still suppossed to test radar and electronics systems, as well as train the crew. So, it should be roughly reflect how the real thing might look like.
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RE: China May Have Started Construction of Next Generation Destroyer Type 055 for the PLAN

Post by Hongjian »

Official PLA site about the Type 055 Destroyer/Cruiser - it would have 128 VLS cells (64 bow + 64 aft):

Seems like the YJ-100 actually exists as China's LRASM-equivalent (or rather, T-ASM, as it is based on the CJ-10/KD-20 Land Attack Cruise Missile)

It also confirms that the YJ-100 can be carried by the H-6G, usually associated with the YJ-12 (already in game)

http://english.chinamil.com.cn/news-cha ... 340222.htm

China's anti-ship missiles YJ-12 and YJ-100 revealed

(Source: China Military Online) 2015-02-04


A photo of YJ-12 supersonic anti-ship missiles carried by the H-6G strategic bomber is circulated online.
  BEIJING, February 4 (ChinaMil) -- Photos of China's supersonic anti-ship missile "YJ-12" and long-range anti-ship cruise missile "YJ-100" were recently revealed online.

  Someone analyzed that the warheads of the "YJ-12" and "YJ-100" have strong power. A single missile can paralyze or sink a warship weighing ten thousand tons.

  Li Li, a military expert, during the China Central Television (CCTV) interview, said both missiles can cause a severe damage to enemy's large surface combat vessels. "The "YJ-12" and "YJ-100" can be regarded as an anti-ship duo," Li commented on the two missiles. The highlight of the "YJ-12" is not its range but speed. It can reach "Double Three" or "Double Four", namely a range of 300 kilometers at Mach 3 (1.02 kilometers per second) or a range of 400 kilometers at Mach 4 (1.36 kilometers per second). When the missile is launched at low altitude at the terminal attack stage and carries out hide-and-defense penetration at high speed, the enemy can barely response within a period of time.

  In addition, the missile can carry a warhead of 400-500 kilograms. It will give a heavy strike to large surface vessels. And an operational range between 300-400 kilometers has reached the maximum air-defense range of the surface vessels. The formidable anti-ship ability of the "YJ-12" is the major concern of the United States.

  The "YJ-100" is not a supersonic missile but has a long attack range. Li said that if the range of the "YJ-100" can reach as long as 800 kilometers, it will strike aircraft carrier and large surface targets in a long distance that beyond visual range and the enemy can hardly response properly.

  If the range can reach 2,500 kilometers as same as that of American air-launched cruise missiles, it will do a great damage to enemy’s large surface warships.

  It is reported that the "YJ-12" will be launched from the H-6 strategic bomber and a new type JH-7B fighter bomber of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). In addition, the type-055 guided missile destroyer will be equipped with the "YJ-100" to promote its battle strength.

  Li said that the H-6K is an upgraded version of the H-6 strategic bomber. It aims to carry cruise missiles under its wings to give long-range attack to large surface targets beyond the defense area. The JH-7B fighter bomber is essentially a see-through type FeiBao (fighter bomber) equipped with the "YJ-12" so as to strike air and sea targets simultaneously.

  The type-055 destroyer will be used as one of the largest surface combat vessels, apart from the aircraft carrier, and must be a basic carrier of oversized large-scale missiles. The destroyer, on its front end and rear end respectively mounted with 64 vertical launching systems, can not only carry large-size anti-ship missiles like the "YJ-100", but can also carry missiles for different purposes, including anti-submarine and air-defense missiles.

A photo of YJ-100 long-range anti-ship cruise missiles carried by the H-6G strategic bomber is revealed online.


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