055 project. Chinese destroyer the size of a cruiser
According to Chinese and foreign media reports, the first destroyer of the 24 project, Nanchang, was launched from Shanghai for the first time on August 055 from Shanghai. This ship was built in Shanghai at the Jiangnan-Changxing plant, which is part of the state-owned shipbuilding corporation of China Shipbuilding State Corporation. Over the next few months, the ship will have to pass all the necessary tests, the results of which will be able to enter service. According to current plans, the destroyer will join the Navy in the next year 2019.
The ceremonial laying of the 055 lead destroyer took place in the 2014 year. At the end of June, the 2017 ship was lowered into the water, after which completion began at the mooring wall. It took about a year to install all the necessary equipment and check the installed systems. A few weeks ago, preparations were made for running trials, and on August X on the 24, Nyanchang left the port for the first time. The plan and test schedule, as always happens in such cases, was not specified.
It is expected that the emergence of a series of new destroyers of the 055 project will have a serious impact on the status of the PLA Navy, as well as on the balance of forces in the Asia-Pacific region. According to various estimates, these ships may become one of the most serious forces in the Pacific. The basis of these assessments is the available information on the characteristics and combat qualities, as well as on the quantity and quality of weapons on board.
Destroyer or cruiser?
According to the official documents of China, the new ships belong to the "destroyers 10000-ton class". Nyanchang and its sisterships will have a length of the order of 180 m and a total displacement of 13 thousand tons. Thus, the new Chinese destroyers fall into the list of the largest and heaviest surface warships in the world that are not aircraft carriers. The size and displacement of the ships "055" leads to interesting consequences in the field of classification.
The displacement of the order of 12-13 thousand tons is not at all typical for "traditional" destroyers - ships with such characteristics are usually referred to as cruisers. As a result, since last year, the US Department of Defense, in its documents and statements, has ceased to call ships "055" destroyers. In the American classification, they are now listed as Renhai-class cruiser. Many specialists from a number of countries agree with this view on the classification. However, this does not prevent the Chinese fleet from building exactly “10000-ton destroyers”.
Atypical for destroyers dimensions and displacement were obtained for a number of obvious reasons. In accordance with the task of the customer, the ship project 055 must carry a large number of various weapons. So, only in vertical launchers should be placed more than 130 missiles for different purposes. In addition to them, the ship has artillery, torpedoes, electronic weapons, etc.
Design features
The 055-type destroyer is a large surface ship built using modern technologies and current developments. It has a length of 180 m with a width of up to 20 m and a normal draft of 6,6 m. The total displacement reaches 13 kt, which directly affects the combat qualities of the ship.
The design took into account the need to reduce the visibility of the destroyer for the enemy radar. As a result, the hull and superstructure have characteristic contours. Thus, the sides of the hull are connected to the sides of the superstructure, and the latter is distinguished by a small number of protruding nodes. In particular, most of the antennas on the mast are placed under the radio transparent housing. Under the protection of the hull and superstructure panels is located almost all the armament of the ship.
A large ship needs an appropriate power plant. According to known data, the 055 project provides for the use of a COGAG type system built on the basis of four QD-280 gas turbine engines with an 38 thou. each Total power - more than 150 ths. Hp Also onboard there are six QD-50 gas turbine generators with an 6700 horsepower rating. each. The maximum speed when using all engines is 30 nodes. Cruising range - 5000 nautical miles.
The main means of monitoring the surface and air conditions on the 055 destroyer is the H / LJG-346B radar, using several antennas with an active phased array. Large antenna devices are installed on the frontal part of the superstructure. It is also known about the use of various radars responsible for finding targets and using weapons. To counter the enemy systems there is a complex of electronic warfare, including jamming stations and launchers.
In the underwater part of the nose of the ship there is a hydroacoustic station to search for enemy submarines. The ship can also use a long-towed towed antenna.
In the aft superstructure provides a hangar for two medium-sized helicopters. Behind it is a takeoff platform. First of all, the new ships will have to carry anti-submarine defense helicopters Harbin Z-9C or Changhe Z-18F. It is also possible to use machines for other purposes.
weaponry
One of the reasons for the criticism of the official Chinese classification of the 055 project is the excessive amount of weapons for the destroyer, suitable for solving completely different combat missions. With the help of the existing systems, the Nanchin and the subsequent ships of the series will be able to attack air, coastal and underwater targets of various types. Moreover, the size of its ammunition new Chinese ship surpasses not only the existing destroyers of foreign countries, but also some cruisers.
The main armament of the destroyer "055" are two universal vertical launchers. The first has 64 cells for launch vehicles with missiles and is placed in front of the superstructure. The second includes 48 cells and is located in the center of the superstructure, in front of the hangar. The cell of such an installation has a diameter of 850 mm and a length of about 9 m. It is possible to use rockets with a mortar launch and “hot” launch. Thanks to this, the destroyer can use all the main types of existing Chinese-made ship-based missiles.
To attack enemy surface ships, the destroyer must use YJ-18 missiles with a range of up to 540 km. The main part of the trajectory of such a weapon passes at subsonic speed, and at the final segment accelerates to M = 3. Against coastal targets, it is proposed to use a ship modification of land-based CJ-10 cruise missiles. Such a product is capable of delivering an 500-kg warhead to a range of 1500 km.
Vertical installations should also use mid-range and long-range anti-aircraft missiles of the HH-9 family. Existing anti-submarine missiles carrying self-guided torpedoes are also compatible with such installations.
In addition to a pair of universal installations, the ship 055 carries several other weapon systems. On the tank is an artillery mount H / PJ-38 with a caliber 130 mm, designed for firing at surface, coastal and air targets. On the nose of the superstructure, directly behind one of the launchers, a seven-barreled 30-mm anti-aircraft gun H / PJ-14 is placed.
Artillery is complemented by a short-range anti-aircraft missile system HQ-10. In the rear part of the superstructure is a separate vertical launcher with 24 missiles of this type. They can be used to intercept air targets within 8-10 km.
Destroyer before launching, you can consider the design and equipment of the superstructure. Photo: Atimes.com
In the recent past, references to the future expansion of the capabilities of the 055 project destroyers through the installation of fundamentally new weapons were encountered in the foreign press. It was assumed that in the future such ships could become carriers of combat lasers or rail guns. Whether it is possible to implement such ideas in practice is unknown. There is also a plausible version of the principal possibility of creating an interceptor missile, which will allow the use of 055 ships as part of the missile defense system.
Course of construction
According to known data, China plans to build at least eight ships of the 055 project. Head recently went to sea trials, and the seven serial are already at different stages of construction. While it cannot be ruled out that the PLA Navy plans to order several more destroyers of the new project, but official data on this account are currently not available.
For the speedy implementation of the plans of the command, it was decided to involve two companies at once in the construction of the destroyers. The Shanghai Jiangnan Changxing Shipbuilding and Heavy Industry Corporation is in charge of the lead ship and several serial ships. The second large order was received by the Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company plant from the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation, operating in Dalian. In accordance with current plans, two factories should build four ships each.
Shanghai shipbuilders have already coped with a part of the tasks assigned to them. Last year they launched the lead ship of the series. A few days ago, he was brought to the test. At the end of April this year in Shanghai another destroyer was launched. Two other ships still remain on the stocks. Apparently, they will be launched and put on completion no later than next year. July 3 The 2018 of the year in Dalian launched two prospective destroyers on the same day. Two other ships still remain in the assembly shops, but their launching should also take place in the foreseeable future.
Despite the large size of ships and the complexity of construction, two shipyards show very remarkable results. The first of the already built ships is planned to be part of the Navy next year. While maintaining the achieved construction rate, it can be expected that all eight destroyers will start service in 2022-23. By this time, the command may announce its intention to continue the series.
Strategy issues
To date, China’s naval forces have become one of the most powerful fleets in the Pacific. By quantitative indicators, they lose only the US Navy. In addition, according to various estimates, there is a certain lag in quality terms. However, Beijing plans to claim the title of the leading power of the region, for which, among other things, it builds a numerous and powerful fleet.
The newest destroyers / cruisers of the 055 project are part of a larger plan for building powerful naval forces capable of claiming leadership. In the combat structure of the Chinese fleet there are already several dozen modern ships of the main classes, from corvettes to aircraft carriers. The appearance of "10000-ton destroyers" should have a positive impact on the potential of the fleet in general and individual ship groups in particular.
In the 055 project, the proposed composition of weapons and its quantity attracts particular attention. On board the destroyer may be more than 130 missiles for different purposes, of which 112 in a universal launcher. According to the available data, the ship is able to monitor the situation in the air, on the surface, on land and under water, as well as to take the necessary measures with respect to the objects found. In fact, 055 turns out to be a universal means for attacking the enemy and simultaneously protecting ship connections.
In terms of technical features and capabilities, the new 055 destroyers can be considered direct competitors to US Ticonderoga URO cruisers. The existing and promising destroyers of the United States - the projects of Arleigh Bukre and Zumwalt - cannot be fully considered analogues or rivals of the Chinese ship, because they lose in size ammunition. At the same time, destroyers of the Zumwalt type are slightly larger than a ship of the 055 type, and also have a large displacement - up to 15-16 thousand tons.
Tikonderoga missile cruisers with 9800 t displacement are equipped with two universal Mk 41 launchers, in which 122 missiles of different types are placed. Typical ammunition includes the Tomahawk cruise missiles, the SM-2 and SM-3 anti-aircraft guns, and the ASROC anti-submarine. The number and proportions of missiles depend on the task. At the same time, anti-ship missile weapons are represented only by the Harpoon complex with 8 missiles. The US Navy's 22 cruiser Ticonderoga is present in the combat squadron. Half of these ships serve in the Pacific.
The appearance of eight large-displacement destroyers with advanced missile weapons capable of competing with foreign ships will enable the PLA Navy to more effectively solve basic tasks. Formation of ship groups with the participation of 055 type destroyers will allow maintaining or expanding control over maritime communications. If necessary, the fleet will be able to project force in a given region. The presence of ships with powerful strike weapons will increase the potential of the Navy.
Wishing to become the leading power of its region, China is building new warships. To solve actual problems, combat units of all types are required, including unusual destroyers of the “10000-ton class”. The first ship of this kind will enter service next year, and seven more will follow. It seems that the situation in the Asia-Pacific region will not be simplified. On the contrary, the presence of large and powerful ships will allow the main countries of the region to more actively promote their interests.
On the materials of the sites:
http://navyrecognition.com/
http://janes.com/
http://fas.org/
https://naval-technology.com/
http://english.chinamil.com.cn/
http://atimes.com/
http://navy.mil/
https://bmpd.livejournal.com/
Information