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common VLS is highly expected/virtually guaranteed to be there, and highly likely is new sensor suite as well
Less known is whether the propulsion and rest of the hull overall will have significant changes. Some have mentioned 054B may have IEPS from the outset.
I hope it looks something like this:
antiterror13
Brigadier
I would be happy already when the next batch of 054A have no Orekhs anymore, which would indicate active-radar guided SAM.
The semi-active HHQ-16 is a shame and it severely limits the potential air-defense capability of this frigate. With active radar SAM, the 054A could, for the first time, engage sea-skimmers and low flying planes over the horizon, as well as engage more targets than just four per side (as limited by the guidance-channels provided by the Orekhs).
The semi-active HHQ-16 is a shame and it severely limits the potential air-defense capability of this frigate. With active radar SAM, the 054A could, for the first time, engage sea-skimmers and low flying planes over the horizon, as well as engage more targets than just four per side (as limited by the guidance-channels provided by the Orekhs).
Taking these at face value, here's what else can logically be surmised:
-We will see 002 CV modules by the end of 2017.
-055 being seen in 2016 most surely means ship being built, not launched.
-054a continued production means more than 24 ships before 054b arrives. Possibly 26 or even 28? But do we have any photographic proof of this? Will we have a short period of one shipyard building 054a while another shipyard is working on first 054b? Probably.
-Either the smaller cousin of Zubr is small enough to replace LCAC in 071, or it is only slightly smaller than Zubr yet not big enough to replace Zubr in production. Or maybe it will replace Zubr eventually but it is not ready yet for a few years (most likely in my opinion)
-Overall numbers of both destroyers and frigates in PLAN will increase further, as all these new models being built are over the number sufficient to replace the older worn out ships. We will most likely see brand new units formed.
Could the 5K ton catamaran be a LCS(Independence)-like 054B design? The tonnage would be in the right range compared to the 054A.
I think the catamaran is a surveillance/SURTASS type vessel, not a combat ship.
I personally would be opposed to adopting too unique hull forms like catamarans, on any surface combatants larger than a corvette
I think active guided SAMs for the next generation frigate should be a given.
But we shouldn't look too poorly on the 054As air defence armament, after all when they were first developed the dominant naval AAW guidance mode still tended towards SARH rather than ARH. even now, most of the USNs aegis ships still use SARH guided SAMs and are only recently adopting active guided SM6s.
For a mass produced and relatively affordable, 4000 ton frigate I think the 054As aaw suite is still very competent and will still be relevant for the next two decades.
The navy probably could not afford 054A to use top of the line and new systems like 052C did, but technology has advanced to a state where they can afford to use newer systems on 054b.
ARH SAMs, quad packed SAMs, and increased future proofedness using the common VLS, and superior battle management systems are probably all going to be part of the 054b AAW package.
It may not even be worth upgrading existing 054As with ARH SAMs in a decade or so, because by then there will probably be such a large number of aegis type destroyers and 054bs for the air defence role that 054As will be used more for ASW and general patrol roles where higher end AAW capabilities are not necessary.
upgrading 054a is a must. one could turn a 24+ ship force into a much more capable force within 5+ years (upgrading several a year like USN did with Spruances should be possible, if urgent need arises)
Good thing about hhq16, even in its current form, is the high altitude coverage of the system. Even though of fairly short reach, 054a on picket missions or even a larger task force of 054a out in the front can prevent the enemy from freely using various patrol planes and even small strike packages as they please. They'd still first have to deal with each individual 054a and neutralize it before being able to fly over it onto a more important or more time pressing target.
Kinematic potential of hq16 sized missile is 90+ km, which could be useful but i don't see it as crucial for 054a's or even 054b's role. Somewhat better investment would surely be, as we all seem to agree, better self defense capabilities for the ship. Meaning new radars and actively guided missiles for better defense against saturation attacks. So instead of a four plane strike package, enemy might be pressed into an eight plane strike package per lonesome 054b or upgraded 054a on a picket mission. (actual numbers may be 2/4 or 6/10, but you get what i was talking about)
Good thing about hhq16, even in its current form, is the high altitude coverage of the system. Even though of fairly short reach, 054a on picket missions or even a larger task force of 054a out in the front can prevent the enemy from freely using various patrol planes and even small strike packages as they please. They'd still first have to deal with each individual 054a and neutralize it before being able to fly over it onto a more important or more time pressing target.
Kinematic potential of hq16 sized missile is 90+ km, which could be useful but i don't see it as crucial for 054a's or even 054b's role. Somewhat better investment would surely be, as we all seem to agree, better self defense capabilities for the ship. Meaning new radars and actively guided missiles for better defense against saturation attacks. So instead of a four plane strike package, enemy might be pressed into an eight plane strike package per lonesome 054b or upgraded 054a on a picket mission. (actual numbers may be 2/4 or 6/10, but you get what i was talking about)
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