054/A FFG Thread II

plawolf said:

So if these rumours are true, that means the main difference between the 054A and 054B would be propulsion and weapons.

From the above, my guess is that the 054B will probably be more of a proof-of-concept, transitional, small production run class, similar to the 052B and original 054 classes, rather than be another mainstream 054A class.

In terms of weapons, the biggest change would be to replace the current VLS with the new universal VLS (uVLS), and may serve as a proof of concept design to allow the eventual retrofitting of the uVLS onto the existing 054A fleet (hence the rationale for keeping the tonnage and dimensions similar).

The proposed hybrid electric production is probably because the PLAN isn't fully sold/confident on going fully electric, and/or the technology just isn't mature enough (maybe what the 057 class is most waiting on).

So, to sum up, I think, based on those rumours, that the 054B class will mainly be used to develop technologies for follow on programs.

One will likely be an 054A MLU programme, to retrofit the newer electronics, uVLS and sensors that will be tested and refined on the 054B class onto the existing 054A class. So in effect, the 054A class will probably be brought up to the same standard as the 054B eventually in all aspects bar propulsion.

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Bltizo said:

I think it depends on just how much of a difference there will be in the hull between 054B and 054A. For instance if 054B is as structurally different from 054A as 052D is to 052C, then I'm not confident that many of 054B's expected subsystems (such as new VLS and sensors) makes it onto 054As as MLUs, especially if the new subsystems on 054B are dependent upon those structural changes in the first place.

I'm also not sure if 054B will only be a "transitional" ship class -- after all it is a frigate and maybe the navy might not require complete IEPS on their next generation frigate (compared to say, destroyers) nor require a much increased hull size. It sounds like they're keeping only the hull from 054A (possibly changing it a little) but taking out all the internals of the 054A from propulsion to weapons and sensors, effectively making it a new ship even more than what 052B to 052C was. Let's not forget that all the 052 family used the same propulsion arrangement, while 054B is using a whole new type compared to 054A and 054.

The original post from cjbdy is also a bit self contradictory because if 054B really is meant to have the newest weapons and electronics then it probably will look very different to 054A rather than identical.

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Jeff Head said:

This is the first I have herd of, or seen a step in front of the bridge with another type of VLS (8 cells) in it for the Type 054B. The idea being removing the ASMs from amidships quad canisters and placing them there.

We shall see...but I have heard nothing of this before.

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JayBird said:

fzgfzy's original words (外观和054A最新新版差不多)

I shouldn't use the word identical in translation for this sentence. The more accurate translation should be (The exterior of 054B looks not much difference compare to 054A.) It sounds like there is in fact some difference between 054A and 054B, just not huge difference.

And one forum member (小吕飞刀 ) draw his interpretation of what fzgfzy said of 054B will look like. (Top is 054A bottom is 054B)

View attachment 17807

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tphuang said:

i think unless the propulsion really changes, there is not much more you can add to the 054's hull without making it even slower. If they do indeed get to electric propulsion, then it seems to allow them to pack more while retaining or even improving speed.

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JayBird said:

That's exactly what they are claiming about 054B, it will have improved speed and much better range because more efficent propulsion than 054A. And one of the reasons ASW capability also much better not just because of new sonar and new torpedo, but because of the better speed to chase the subs and quieter at the same time.

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antiterror13 said:

where did you get the info about new propulsion ? will the new propulsion is CODAG instead of CODAD ? wondering what gas turbine engine to be used? smaller version of QC-280?

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