China's New Destroyer (Type 52D)

[jbi]

Following on from the previous (Type 52C) of which 6 have been built, they are now moving on to a more advanced and capable design based on the same hull.

Displacement is likely to have increased as the hull seems to be a bit wider than it's predecessor (8000 tonnes?)

The phased array radar system is much larger and of a completely new design

The main gun has been upgraded to a new 130mm design

A new type of "universal VLS system" appears to be present with 64 cells total capacity and rumoured to be able to launch a navalized version of the DH-10 land attack cruise missile.

This is probably the final design for serial production with a planned 10 hulls to be built over the next 2 years.

Edited by jbi on Monday 3rd September 20:45

[rhinochopig]

Doesn't look very stealthy - almost a generation behind the west in looks.

[FourWheelDrift]

rhinochopig said:

Doesn't look very stealthy - almost a generation behind the west in looks.

When compared against our Daring Class which are only half a generation behind when you look at the US Zumwalt class destroyers.

[jbi]

Type 52D will be replaced in around 2015 with a new design (type 055) which is china's true next gen destroyer.

This is just to get the numbers up a bit so they can retire a bunch of older obsolete ships.

EDIT:... replaced the original picture with a more accurate drawing.

Edited by jbi on Monday 3rd September 20:45

[jbi]

[rhinochopig]

FourWheelDrift said:

rhinochopig said:

Doesn't look very stealthy - almost a generation behind the west in looks.

When compared against our Daring Class which are only half a generation behind when you look at the US Zumwalt class destroyers.

How things go full circle. I'd not seem the Zumwalt Class before. CSS Virginia anyone?

Or even USS Monitor

[jbi]

just to clariffy...

The US is not building any more Zumwalt class destroyers and is sticking with the decidedly unstealthy Arleigh Burke class until the 2040's

Seems a stealthy superstructure isn't as valuable as a load more VLS cells.

[Godalmighty83]

In short, compromising a jet fighter so its radar profile drops to the size of a marble = worth it, compromising a huge ass ship so that its radar profile drops to the size of a slightly smaller huge ass ship = not really worth it.

[jbi]

The wikipedia page has been updated with lots of new info...

a very informative read

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_052D_destroyer

[Godalmighty83]

Yeah that page is going to get slaughtered once the wikians get to it.

[jbi]

bbc article on the ship

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-1955381...

[anonymous-user]

Godalmighty83 said:

In short, compromising a jet fighter so its radar profile drops to the size of a marble = worth it, compromising a huge ass ship so that its radar profile drops to the size of a slightly smaller huge ass ship = not really worth it.

Of course the clever bit about "stealth" technology is that the RCS is independant of illuminated surface area!

[jbi]

Lets not forget that this ship and it's predecessor are armed with the C-602 anti-ship cruise missile which is far superior to the harpoon used on British and American destroyers.

C-602

Length: 6.1 metres (20 ft)
Diameter: 0.54 metres (1 ft 9 in)
Weight: 1,240 kilograms (2,734 lb)
Warhead: 300 kilograms (660 lb)
Minimum speed: Mach 0.6
Maximum speed: Mach 0.9+
Cruising altitude over sea: 7–10 metres (23–33 ft)
Cruising altitude over ground: 30 metres (98 ft)
Maximum range: > 400 kilometres (250 mi), 280 kilometres (170 mi) for export version[1]
Minimum range: 40 to 60 kilometres (25 to 37 mi), depending on the type and size of the target
Engine: turbojet with solid rocket booster
Guidance: inertial + active radar

Harpoon

Length: 4.6 metres (15 ft)
Diameter: 0.34 metres (1 ft 1 in)
Weight: 628 kilograms (1,380 lb)
Warhead: 221 kilograms (490 lb)
Speed: 530 mph
Maximum altitude: 910 metres (2,990 ft) with booster fins and wings
Range: approx 50 nautical miles
Engine: turbojet, with a solid-propellant booster for surface and submarine launches
Guidance: Sea-skimming cruise monitored by radar altimeter, active radar terminal homing

Edited by jbi on Friday 14th September 08:03

[Godalmighty83]

Harpoon is getting on a bit now as is exocet, the next gen variants currently being tested look to be very nice but the price tags may be a bit of a worry.

The UK is currently looking at MBDA's Perseus missile, a 800kg mach 3 ramjet missile with a 300km range.

[jbi]

we certainly have the tech to build a better missile than the Chinese.... we just need to get our skates on and actually do it.

The rate at which the Chinese are catching up (and in some areas surpassing) is astonishing.

[davepoth]

I'm not sure having a missile that's so much bigger is that useful - surely a much easier target for Phalanx and the like?

[jbi]

davepoth said:

I'm not sure having a missile that's so much bigger is that useful - surely a much easier target for Phalanx and the like?

it's more about the range and size of the warhead it can carry.

The chinese have admitted it has a range of "at least" 250 miles... You can fire off a lot of missiles before the US ships get within the harpoons 50 mile range.

The US would have to reply on submarines and airpower to dispatch the Chinese.

Phalanx is a last resort weapon and offers no guarantee

Edited by jbi on Friday 14th September 10:16

[jbi]

64 VLS Cells confirmed





HQ-9 and HQ-16 may be installed with "confirmed" 120km and 50km ranges respectively.

Both missiles are also rumoured to be "understated" with ranges as high as 200km (disputed) and 75km (From "journal of shipborne weapons") possible

This would make type-52D a formidable AAW ship

[skyrover]

Just a quick update. 4 x 052D destroyers in the water in various stages of completion with another 4 yet to be launched.

It is estimated that China will have commissioned 12 of these vessels before 2018