052C/052D Class Destroyers

Yellow Submarine

New Member
Registered Member
It will be very interesting to see what the Type-052E class actually looks like. My guess is the PLAN will use the Type-052D/E classes as a cheaper supplement for the high end Type-055 class, in much the same way that the DDG-51 class was originally developed as a less expensive supplement to the CG-47 that could be produced in larger numbers.
 

Tam

Brigadier
Registered Member
I think 052D has become PLAN's Plan B for destroyers. Just in case the Type 055 and its new technologies didn't work out, they got something to fall back upon.

Previously I assumed that 052E would be 052 with 055 radars, but that is based on the assumption and grounds that the 055 has passed its trials and the new equipment has been proven. While I believe the 052E with new radars might be cheaper than an 055, whether its more cost effective is another matter. The most expensive things in the ship are the radars and sensors, the ratio of number of missiles served by the radar sets over the cost of the radar sets would be in favor of the 055 over the 052E if the 052E has upgraded radars similar to the 055. If the 052E has the same but improved radars over the 052D, or improved but lower cost radars, there might be a justification for it. But of course another factor of cost are the engines, and the 055 has double the number of gas turbines over the 052C/D/E. (The equivalent of the C/D/E would be Block I, II and III by USN parlance).

And once again, if they take out the Type 517 radar on the back, redo the hanger so its more like the 055's, the 052E can hold two helicopters, but only Z-9Cs instead of Ka-28s.

I think the number of 055s might be 6 initially, two 055s assigned to each Fleet, North, East, South, or a pair for each carrier group, one active and one in dock. This can go up to 8 or 9 if they want two 055s per battlegroup. This batch will also trial the new technologies and once they are matured, the next phase will be 055A.

If the 055 becomes more focused on the AAW role, carrier escort rather than carrier killer as Western blogs like to paint, the 052D will become more of a GP AAW/ASuW ship, leaning a bit more towards antiship combat.
 

SinoSoldier

Colonel
I think 052D has become PLAN's Plan B for destroyers. Just in case the Type 055 and its new technologies didn't work out, they got something to fall back upon.

Previously I assumed that 052E would be 052 with 055 radars, but that is based on the assumption and grounds that the 055 has passed its trials and the new equipment has been proven. While I believe the 052E with new radars might be cheaper than an 055, whether its more cost effective is another matter. The most expensive things in the ship are the radars and sensors, the ratio of number of missiles served by the radar sets over the cost of the radar sets would be in favor of the 055 over the 052E if the 052E has upgraded radars similar to the 055. If the 052E has the same but improved radars over the 052D, or improved but lower cost radars, there might be a justification for it. But of course another factor of cost are the engines, and the 055 has double the number of gas turbines over the 052C/D/E. (The equivalent of the C/D/E would be Block I, II and III by USN parlance).

And once again, if they take out the Type 517 radar on the back, redo the hanger so its more like the 055's, the 052E can hold two helicopters, but only Z-9Cs instead of Ka-28s.

I think the number of 055s might be 6 initially, two 055s assigned to each Fleet, North, East, South, or a pair for each carrier group, one active and one in dock. This can go up to 8 or 9 if they want two 055s per battlegroup. This batch will also trial the new technologies and once they are matured, the next phase will be 055A.

If the 055 becomes more focused on the AAW role, carrier escort rather than carrier killer as Western blogs like to paint, the 052D will become more of a GP AAW/ASuW ship, leaning a bit more towards antiship combat.

055 was never the "Plan A" and 052D the "Plan B" for the PLAN. The two not only occupies completely size classes but were built more than half a decade apart.
 

latenlazy

Brigadier
I think 052D has become PLAN's Plan B for destroyers. Just in case the Type 055 and its new technologies didn't work out, they got something to fall back upon.

Previously I assumed that 052E would be 052 with 055 radars, but that is based on the assumption and grounds that the 055 has passed its trials and the new equipment has been proven. While I believe the 052E with new radars might be cheaper than an 055, whether its more cost effective is another matter. The most expensive things in the ship are the radars and sensors, the ratio of number of missiles served by the radar sets over the cost of the radar sets would be in favor of the 055 over the 052E if the 052E has upgraded radars similar to the 055. If the 052E has the same but improved radars over the 052D, or improved but lower cost radars, there might be a justification for it. But of course another factor of cost are the engines, and the 055 has double the number of gas turbines over the 052C/D/E. (The equivalent of the C/D/E would be Block I, II and III by USN parlance).

And once again, if they take out the Type 517 radar on the back, redo the hanger so its more like the 055's, the 052E can hold two helicopters, but only Z-9Cs instead of Ka-28s.

I think the number of 055s might be 6 initially, two 055s assigned to each Fleet, North, East, South, or a pair for each carrier group, one active and one in dock. This can go up to 8 or 9 if they want two 055s per battlegroup. This batch will also trial the new technologies and once they are matured, the next phase will be 055A.

If the 055 becomes more focused on the AAW role, carrier escort rather than carrier killer as Western blogs like to paint, the 052D will become more of a GP AAW/ASuW ship, leaning a bit more towards antiship combat.
We already know at least 8 and as much as 16 055s have already been ordered.
 

Tam

Brigadier
Registered Member
I suppose I am wrong. If you take out the Type 517 radar, its not going to leave more room for the hanger. Its going to leave more room for VLS, like perhaps an additional 32 cells.


52ddestroyer-1-730x430.jpg
 

Tam

Brigadier
Registered Member
How would you put the extra 32 cells .. it would be 96 VLS! ... really?

The aft VLS is behind the Type 517 radar and between the radar and the hanger. If you take out the radar, there leaves enough space on front of the aft VLS.

You basically cut the island holding the Type 517 radar (the one with the TV antenna) in half. Remove the radar and move the bulbs or antenna to the remaining half of the island. That gives you enough space for another 32 VLS. Unless of course, there is something else underneath.


chinese-type-052d-destroyer-model_0.jpg
 

kwaigonegin

Colonel
The aft VLS is behind the Type 517 radar and between the radar and the hanger. If you take out the radar, there leaves enough space on front of the aft VLS.

You basically cut the island holding the Type 517 radar (the one with the TV antenna) in half. Remove the radar and move the bulbs or antenna to the remaining half of the island. That gives you enough space for another 32 VLS. Unless of course, there is something else underneath.


View attachment 45876

There is always something else underneath lol. It is naive to assume all the below deck underneath the Yagi is a basketball court.
 
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