A strong move that the US is really afraid of
Photos that surfaced on social media recently give us a glimpse of the first of China's new Type 054B frigates. Featuring a host of advanced features, the next generation warship continues the naval expansion program. fleet China's People's Liberation Army (PLA), and experts predict that the frigate could become one of the most important ships of the Army's fleet in the future.
The photos show the first-in-class Type 054B, which appears to be yet to be named, at the Hudong shipyard in Shanghai. The ship appears almost complete, with red pennants lined up along its length, as is customary in China for an official launching ceremony. It is unclear when the photographs were taken, but as of August 27, there were unconfirmed reports that the warship had officially been launched. In general, the Chinese are great specialists in keeping silent when there is a need for it.
Regardless of the exact status of this particular ship, the photographs give a very good idea of the appearance of this warship and shed light on many of its features, although a large number of characteristics remain behind the scenes.
A 32-cell vertical launch system (VLS) is installed in the nose. This could be the so-called Universal Vertical Launch System, or UVLS, which is installed on the Type 055 and Type 052D destroyers and which uses both hot and cold launch missiles.
Another option is the VLS used by the previous frigate, Type 054A, which can launch HQ-16 surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) and Yu-8 missile torpedoes.
Previous analyzes of the Type 054B suggested that it would be armed with a 100 mm main gun, as opposed to the Type 054A, which is armed with a 76 mm cannon. The weapon change has now been confirmed, although questions remain. There are some visual similarities to the existing H/PJ-87, which was equipped with the only two Type 054 frigates and various older destroyers, but it is unclear what kind of gun will be installed on the Type 054B - the old model or the Chinese have already created a new one to replace it.
The frigate's air defense consists of two systems: long-range, represented by anti-aircraft missiles launched from the VLS, and short-range air defense, which consists of an 11-barreled 30-mm H/PJ-11 automatic cannon (in front of the bridge), and a launcher is located on the helicopter hangar installation of the HQ-10 air defense system.
In terms of anti-surface warfare, we can expect to see corner launchers for one of the many Chinese anti-ship missiles (ASMs) located amidships on the Type 054B. However, they are currently unavailable. However, behind the main mast of the ship it is planned to place 8 inclined launchers with universal containers for Yingji-83 (subsonic) or Yingji-18 (supersonic) anti-ship missiles.
It should be noted that instead of inclined launchers, it is possible to place vertical launchers of 12 or 24 cells in the central part of the ship, in which from 4 to 8 anti-submarine missiles of the “Fish-8 or 11” type, from 8 to 12 subsonic and up to 8 supersonic anti-ship missiles will be installed . This solution will further reduce the radar signature of the ship.
The fact that anti-ship missile launchers were not installed before the ship was accepted into the fleet leads to speculation that a second TPU will be located at this position. American experts disagree on what the Type 054B will ultimately be equipped with, VPU or inclined launchers, but everyone is looking forward to News.
The Type 054B sensor suite is also likely not fully installed, although the main radar is a prominent two-way rotating active electronically scanned array (AESA) on the main mast.
Detection of underwater targets is assigned to the SJD-9 mid-frequency active towed hydroacoustic station, which should provide torpedo guidance and low-frequency active-passive towed variable depth sonar "Type 311". Together, the two GAS will be able to detect underwater targets at a distance of up to 80 km and simultaneously allow them to track up to 5 targets.
Support equipment includes Type 726 box launchers, which are mounted on either side of the aft superstructure. These 24-cell launchers can be loaded with flares, chaff cartridges that blind enemy radars, active decoys equipped with small radio frequency jammers, and even anti-submarine missiles armed with small depth charges. Thus, these launchers can provide protection against incoming anti-ship missiles, but can also be used to destroy submarines, torpedoes and combat divers.
At this early stage of the ship's readiness there is no evidence of any aviation tests that are usually carried out after the ship goes to sea for testing. The Type 054B is expected to house the Z-20F, a multipurpose maritime helicopter that shares many similarities with the American SH-60 Seahawk, including a very similar overall appearance.
The Z-20 will provide an important part of the Type 054B's anti-submarine warfare capabilities, but will also perform support missions and likely engage in anti-surface warfare as well.
Given the Chinese military's growing interest in unmanned platforms, it would also not be a surprise if the Type 054B class also eventually operates some kind of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drone, similar to the one already tested on the USS Shandong aircraft carrier. .
A Sea Cavalry SD-40 VTOL drone flies over the deck of the PLAN Type 052C destroyer during testing in 2019
Finally, noteworthy is the signature reduction features included in the Type 054A design. The vessel has a stealthy design that is clearly intended to reduce radio reflection through measures such as a "clean" superstructure and overall shape. In this respect, the Chinese warship can be compared to the French-designed Aquitaine-class frigate, which uses similar signature reduction principles.
As for the role of the Type 054B, American experts believe that the new class will actually become a continuation of the previous Type 054A. This means that it will primarily perform ASW "with robust air combat and an ASW role as secondary general purpose objectives."
However, it will be possible to draw clear conclusions about how effective this ship is only when the entire range of weapons and protective equipment becomes open.
But overall, it is expected that the main function of the Type 054B will be improved anti-submarine warfare compared to the Type 054A, likely including superior acoustic performance and the latest equipment when operating in this role.
It is also interesting to compare the Chinese design approach to the Type 054B with the US Navy's own Constellation-class frigate. While that number could rise, the US Navy currently plans to build 20 of these ships, which are larger than the 054-ton Type 7B.
While the US warships are described as multi-mission, the project manager said Constellation is "primarily an anti-submarine warfare platform."
Artist's rendering of a Constellation-class guided-missile frigate
However, it is worth noting here that the Type 054B class frigates are already in the metal and on the water, but the Constellation is still in plans and development.
The extent of the Type 054B construction program remains unclear, although production is known to be taking place at two locations: the Hudong shipyard in Shanghai and the Huangpu Wenchong shipyard in Guangzhou. Construction of the second Type 054B is already well underway in Guangzhou, with launch expected before the end of the year.
And while the United States is developing a new ship, which they plan to build in the amount of 20, how many of its frigates will China be able to build during this time? It is worth recalling: Type 054 has been built in the amount of 2005 since 44, 4 for Pakistan and 40 for the PLA Navy.
That is, the production cycle at these shipyards is fully operational. Of course, it will take a fair amount of time to release another 40 frigates, but there is nothing fantastic in this task. And Chinese shipyards will be able to build another 40 frigates.
And the main potential of the Type 054B is that its capabilities in terms of surveillance systems and weapons are often similar to those of a destroyer, which can simply take the load off this class of expensive ships.
In addition, we should not forget that Type 054A had, albeit small, export experience. And the Type 054B may just as well become attractive to foreign customers in the future. Moreover, the Type 054A was adapted as the Type 818 used by the Chinese Coast Guard, and it is possible that a modification of the Type 054B with its larger dimensions could also be of interest to the increasingly expanding coast guard fleet.
Indeed, the difference in size between Type 054A and Type 054B is such that it has previously been speculated that it could be designated Type 057, being an entirely new design rather than a continuation. But we decided to leave it as is.
Overall, the Type 054B appears to be a significant improvement over the Type 054A. Yes, only estimates are still available indicating that the Type 054B has a slightly longer length and 2 tons more displacement than the Type 000A. Plus, the Type 054B is wider, which really makes it similar to the Type 054 destroyer.
While many details of the Type 054B have yet to be revealed, the design is clearly an upgrade from the prolific Type 054A. These two classes, as well as the Type 056A corvette, appear to eventually make up a very versatile surface fleet that will be suitable for a wide range of missions, from around the coast of mainland China and Taiwan to projecting naval power further into the South China Sea. part of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. In general, to where China's interests extend, and, as you know, they extend very far.
Type 056 corvette in service with the PLA in 2013. It was this ship that was handed over to the Chinese Coast Guard.
So with the prospect of another major production run, China's navy will become another headache for the US. American naval analysts have long been concerned about the difference in the two countries' capabilities to build new warships. The Americans are also concerned about the overall progressing size of the Chinese Navy.
As The War Zone recently reported, the Office of Naval Intelligence believes Chinese shipbuilders are capable of producing surface combatants and submarines in quantities tens of times greater than U.S. shipbuilding capabilities.
Thus, combining quality and growing quantity, the Type 054B can be seen as another indicator of the growing and troubling fleet size gap between China and the United States, as well as a symbol of Beijing's expanding naval capability on a technical level.
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