052C/052D Class Destroyers
- Thread starter Jeff Head
- Start date
Those bottom 2 photos are definitely early 055 interpretations which obviously never came to fruition. That 052E CGI is typical fanboi fluff that is overstuffed with VLS and lacking in any common sense, like the retro slant launchers and H/AJK-16 launchers instead of UVLS launchers. Even the number of liferaft containers is gratuitously excessive (550 total capacity). BTW, I'm not sure why you think that 64 UVLS cells not enough. Not enough for what? Not enough compared to 9,600t Arleigh Burkes with 96 cells? I don't think there is any need to compare the 052D to the Arleigh Burke as if they are even in the same class; the 052D is not a "Chinese Aegis", if by "Aegis" you mean Arleigh Burke. The AB is 1/3 larger than the 052D and should be expected to be much better armed compared to the 052D. The 052D OTOH compares favorably to the 8,500t Type 45, which currently has a setup of 48 Sylver VLS (though designed for 16 Mk 41 cells additional). Even if that 16-cell option had been exercised the 052D still would be packing an identical number of cells in a smaller hull, with each UVLS cell being significantly more voluminous than each Sylver/Mk 41 cell.
I wouldn't say zero chance, rather that if the class is actually in the same vein as the 052 series then a lengthened hull is more likely than a widened hull, since it's obviously the far cheaper method to increase internal volume in an already existing design. At 157m/18.5m for a L:B ratio of 8.49:1 the 052D hull has some room to expand, enough for new GaN-based main AESA MFRs, same ESM suite as we see on the 055, a dual hangar, and IEP. Basically a less capable, cheaper 055 that can be built in larger numbers.
I would agree with Iron Man's vision that a 052E might be a slight expansion of the 052D hull, IEP, GaN radars and dual hangers. I may also think it would adopt the rest of the 055's radar suites, such as its replacement of the Type 344 gun fire control, 366 and 364 radars. Having the Type 517 replaced by an L band similar to the PLA Type 120 would be interesting to see, and as that model has shown, there is such a radar that appears to be in development and possibly featured in export brochures.
I do think the current 052D contract hasn't been exhausted yet, or the insiders would have already leaked it like the way they did for the 054A. The 052D may still run a bit while longer. There seems to be a sense of hurry that the PLAN wants to get air defense ships as possible.
I am also thinking about the possibilities of Type 052C upgrade. Sooner or later those radar modules are going to wear out. The AESA modules are replaced as they wear out, but stocks can be ultimately depleted. I thought about the radar modules being replaced with GaN modules. Even if the ship does not have the full power generation to run the modules at their peak power, they can still run them at a lower power range. Won't be as strong as the radars on a Type 055, but the radars can still benefit from the vastly increased sensitivity of the module, along with lower heat generation and power efficiency overall, so the ship can still keep its air cooled system. 052C+ can exchange its YJ-62 missiles for YJ-12s, the two 730s for an 1130 and a 24 cell HQ-10 launcher. The combat management software can be updated for later versions of HQ-9.
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To be fair, if China is really insistent on it. The PLAN can commission an entirely new design independent of the Type 052D and still call it a Type 52E. Given the unprecedented production run of the Type 52D, it is clear that it's contract is not likely to end at just 12. I am putting my fingers at a end number of at least 24.
I am thinking about 20. It appears of late that production runs appears in batches of 10: 30 054A, 20 054B, etc,.
I am also thinking the possibility of Type 052D+ (or 52DG) which is a minor improvement of the 052D design. Virtually much of the 052D design is carried over, except for GaN based Type 346 radar and increased power generation to match the radar's requirements. However as the changes are all internal, there might not be any virtual differences between this and the 052D. This can be produced as among the latter half or last models of the Type 052D batch before transitioning to the 052E. The 052E inherits the GaN radar, but adds IEP, a new integrated mast with a new X band radar that replaces the mechanical Type 364, 366 and 344 radars, making the ship fully electronic steering on the radars. Type 052D+ also provides a template for later refit of the 052D as the ship and its radar set ages, requiring module replacement or radar replacement.
Is this the first time we see HHQ9b launched in succession? That is one ass kicking GIF, love it so much. Gonna steal like hope you dont mind xD Anyone got other photos of VLS multi launch action? Please post them in appropriate sub forums and summon me there if you do! (whether its burke/tico or ddg from other China or other nations). I have an old HHQ-16 multi launch pic in 054A thread if you are interested.
Nevermind, the picture was already posted on https://www.sinodefenceforum.com/pla-photos-videos.t2023/page-135 after a quick google search
asif iqbal
Lieutenant General
Beautiful
Looks like the second one from the front was a cold launch followed by aft hot launch
Remarkable fire power