FFG 054/054A Thread

[crobato]

Originally Posted by szbd

I think it should be 4 engines per ship

Yes. From Richard Fisher.

http://www.strategycenter.net/resear...pub_detail.asp

Up To 12 Type 054A Stealthy Anti-Air Frigates Expected

A French source confirmed reports that as part of its license production agreement, China has recently declared that it produced 24 SEMT Pielstick diesel engines to support the production of six 3,500 ton Type 054A frigates; each ship uses four of the diesels. This same French source was quite sure that there would be a second production batch of 24 to support a second production run for a total of 12 Type 054A frigates. So far three Type 054A frigates have been launched since late 2006 from two shipyards, Hudong in Shanghai and Huangpu in Guangzhou, with the fourth just launched by Hudong on May 23. At this rate it is possible that all 12 Type 054As will be built by the end of 2009. The Type 054A marks a significant upgrade over the two Type 054 frigates launched in 2003, in that the former is outfitted with 32 new vertical-launched versions of the 45km range Russian Altair Shtil-1. When the expected 12 Type 054As are complete, new PLA Navy destroyers and frigates will be able to field 864 medium range surface-to-air missiles versus 616 on Taiwan Navy frigates and destroyers.

[crobato]

military.china.com removed the main picture of this, but forgot to remove the thumbnail.

[Diving Falcon]

I heard that a follow-on version of the Type-054A is under development/or even production - Type-054B I think? Would a Type-054B type include effective ASW capability in the form of an improved Yu-7 torpedo-system similar to the various Mk.46 improvements? Or possibly the use of an imported European system such as the MU90 or A244/s mod.3? Although improved ASW of the scale I'm suggesting might not be a likely, what about general sensors, command and control, ECM/EW - possible usage of an AESA radar?

Has the PLAN data-linked their surface, sub-surface and aviation assets to an AWACS system yet?

[crobato]

The PLAN ha a datalink network called HN-900, and every modern ship appears to have them. They are also apparently linked to the various Y-8s serving as MPAs, ELINT and surveillance aircraft. I find the Y-8 that carries two radars on the cheeks particularly interesting, since the radars look like airborne versions of the ones used on the 052C. I dunno about the AWACS (the Mainrings and the Balance Beam) being used for surface ship targeting.

During exercises, apparently the Y-8s would search and provide targeting data for the ships, such as the Type 22 Houbeis.

[tphuang]

Originally Posted by Diving Falcon

I heard that a follow-on version of the Type-054A is under development/or even production - Type-054B I think? Would a Type-054B type include effective ASW capability in the form of an improved Yu-7 torpedo-system similar to the various Mk.46 improvements? Or possibly the use of an imported European system such as the MU90 or A244/s mod.3? Although improved ASW of the scale I'm suggesting might not be a likely, what about general sensors, command and control, ECM/EW - possible usage of an AESA radar?

Has the PLAN data-linked their surface, sub-surface and aviation assets to an AWACS system yet?

hmm, I kind of expect 054B to be the CODOG frigate that Richard Fisher was mentionning, possibly using 2 QC-185. As for torpedo, Yu-7 is good enough I think. The best Mk-46 that China got was mod 2, Yu-7 should be significantly upgraded compared to that. If we look at some of the rumoured performance level of Yu-6 compared to say MK-48 Adcap, I wouldn't be surprised if the current Yu-7 is at the level of mod 5 MK-46.

As for sensors, I don't think the important part here is whether it uses AESA radar or not (although it will from the look of the naval development), the more important part is finding a cost effective system with integrated sensors.

[Diving Falcon]

Originally Posted by tphuang

hmm, I kind of expect 054B to be the CODOG frigate that Richard Fisher was mentionning, possibly using 2 QC-185. As for torpedo, Yu-7 is good enough I think. The best Mk-46 that China got was mod 2, Yu-7 should be significantly upgraded compared to that. If we look at some of the rumoured performance level of Yu-6 compared to say MK-48 Adcap, I wouldn't be surprised if the current Yu-7 is at the level of mod 5 MK-46.

As for sensors, I don't think the important part here is whether it uses AESA radar or not (although it will from the look of the naval development), the more important part is finding a cost effective system with integrated sensors.

So by about 2020, would the mainstay of the PLAN's fleet be composed of an eventual Type-054B - or rather multi-mission Type-054-variant? The newer versions in addition to older but upgraded ships?

[tphuang]

Originally Posted by Diving Falcon

So by about 2020, would the mainstay of the PLAN's fleet be composed of an eventual Type-054B - or rather multi-mission Type-054-variant? The newer versions in addition to older but upgraded ships?

i don't think we will need to wait that long. 054 series should be the mainstay by 2015. We are looking at 7 years. If they produce 4 per year, that's 28 frigates. But by the time they get to over 12, they might start a new series. I have full confidence in the 054 series.

[Diving Falcon]

Originally Posted by tphuang

i don't think we will need to wait that long. 054 series should be the mainstay by 2015. We are looking at 7 years. If they produce 4 per year, that's 28 frigates. But by the time they get to over 12, they might start a new series. I have full confidence in the 054 series.

Do you expect the Type-054-series with VLS and HH-16 SAM to be offered for exported soon?

[King_Comm]

Originally Posted by Diving Falcon

Do you expect the Type-054-series with VLS and HH-16 SAM to be offered for exported soon?

==Should be pretty soon, most 70's and 80's western and Russian frigates in service in many third world countries will retire in the next few years, there is a big market, if marketed properly, the Chinese can easily sell 10+ Type 054 frigates.

[Diving Falcon]

Originally Posted by King_Comm

==Should be pretty soon, most 70's and 80's western and Russian frigates in service in many third world countries will retire in the next few years, there is a big market, if marketed properly, the Chinese can easily sell 10+ Type 054 frigates.

Pakistan has an official requirement for 4 new frigates, which from forum based reports could go up to 8. IMO financially and politically the Type-054A-series would better suit Pakistan than any potential Western options.

[tphuang]

Originally Posted by Diving Falcon

Do you expect the Type-054-series with VLS and HH-16 SAM to be offered for exported soon?

should be, the issue is not what PLAN is willing to offer, but what Pakistan is willing to pay for. At this point, I don't think China will have trouble developing something that satisfies all of Pakistan's requirements.

[tphuang]

have to say, this is one of the best image of 054A I've seen (scanned from a magazine), posted by Xinhui on CDF.

I actually noticed recently there are 3 sensors around the Sea Soul. 2 in front of it and one between itself and the FCR for AK-176M. (although that last one is not too visible from this picture). Not sure what they are for. Interesting enough, the old 054 has OT-3 E/O tracker here, but it's been removed on 054A.

[Jeff Head]

Originally Posted by tphuang

have to say, this is one of the best image of 054A I've seen (scanned from a magazine), posted by Xinhui on CDF.

I have to agree. That is a very, very nice pic of the PLAN's new FFG at sea. Impressive design for the PLAN.

Any word on more construction?

Beyond the four of these new type already produced (and very quickly I might add), I have not seen any new construction.

[crobato]

Originally Posted by Jeff Head

I have to agree. That is a very, very nice pic of the PLAN's new FFG at sea. Impressive design for the PLAN.

Any word on more construction?

Beyond the four of these new type already produced (and very quickly I might add), I have not seen any new construction.

So far I have not heard of any more. But the current stock of ordered engines can still cover at least two more ships. In addition there is another order for 12 engines, which means another six ships. The engines are licensed made in China, but for every one made, the French would know about it. A similar case can be made for the Germans and the engines for the Yuan class submarines.

[sinowarrior]

Probably the first 4 will be the a single batch production, and like the original 054, there will be a period for further trials and evaluations, then a second batch with improvements will be built. i.e with new sensors, potentially new ASROC, and the relocation of CIWS etc.