I wonder if they'll go with more like Blitzo's or my suggestion above, or something more creative entirely, or perhaps even CCG transfer? Latter maybe less likely if they're investing effort to modify the structure.
Type 022 Missile Boat
- Thread starter DPRKPTboat
- Start date
First look at a Type 22 missile boat sailing with its AShM launchers removed. It has been suggested that the post-modification Type 22s could serve as communication and command nodes for USVs (if not also UUVs).
Posted by Otter on Weibo.
For reference, here's the same boat from a couple weeks ago while at mooring. Posted by @琴石2022 on Weibo.
Posted by Otter on Weibo.
For reference, here's the same boat from a couple weeks ago while at mooring. Posted by @琴石2022 on Weibo.
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An helo landing spot on that flat roof would have been nice. A com relay for drones could be something for sure.
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There are visible sliding doors. It's a hangar(at least among other things) of some kind.
plawolf
Lieutenant General
It would be frankly insane to try to land a manned helicopter on the Type22.
Not only would the available helipad be minuscule, it will be a moving target at sea, with minimal landing assist from the Type22 due to limited height of superstructure and visibility. And even if you do manage to nail the landing despite all that, the weight of the helicopter is going to cause massive weight distribution issues.
Looking at the design of the modifications, I would not be surprised if that is mostly for improvement hotel facilities to improve crew comfort and support to extend the endurance of the boat so that they can use them as fast patrol boats for primarily peacetime law enforcement operations.
I think the CCG are having a bit of a headache with the fast patrol boats the Japanese gave to the Philippines, so this would be a logical and low cost counter to give the CCG patrol boats that can match the Philippines boats for speed.
The added hotel facilities would allow the crew to live much more comfortably on the Type22, so they can spend more time patrolling at the front lines instead of needing to ge held back at base, as even with their fast speed, the action will likely be over by the time the can get to it.
The oversized comms gear are likely just a consequence of the small size of the boats, where they will have a very short LoS horizon, so they will need to rely more on satcoms.
