056 class FFL/corvette

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Blitzo

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Here is an "out there" idea, but what do you guys think of introducing a small, cheap (comparatively speaking) lightweight missile system to the likes of the 056 akin of the naval Hellfire of the USN?

The Chinese could adapt their HQ10 ATGM, or one of the plethora of missiles of that class being developed and fielded with Chinese UCAVs.

Such a capacity would greatly enhance the 056's ability to engage the kinds of small, fast attack craft they might encounter during routine deployments, yet should not cost much in terms of cost or weight/space, so should allow them to retain the C802 launchers.

What do you guys think?

I've considered this idea as well, but the slight problem I have, is that 056 is not very likely to encounter the kind of swarming tactics that will be faced by other navies which are deploying such weapons. The USN faces a very real threat of swarms by enemies that will try to conduct asymmetric warfare close to their home turf, but the Chinese Navy's 056s will likely to operate close to Chinese waters, or out into the SCS and ECS at most, where they will face mostly relatively conventional navies with small to medium sized surface combatants rather than swarms of small boats.

Another problem, is that 056 as a ship is rather small, so installing any kind of naval launched ATGM with a decent sized magazine in VLS or arm launcher form will require quite a lot of space which 056 may not have (unless one is willing to sacrifice some other subsystems such as a SAM or maybe its main gun). If you're thinking of just an eight round KD-10 launcher, then that could possibly require less space than say, a 32 round VLS KD-10 launcher, and may be doable without excess interruption of the ship's structure. Hell, they could even install a four round KD-10 launcher attachment on each of the 30mm remote weapons stations with minimum modification.

However, I am still a little dubious of the importance of such weapons on 056, and I'd say it's probably more important for frigate sized vessels to have this capability instead, as they're more likely to remain at long duration in waters where swarms may be more likely.
KD-10 is also somewhat limited at present as it lacks MMW radar guidance (though I'm sure it is under development) which is necessary for true longer range, fire and forget, multi target engagement capability.

Overall, I think the KD-10 has the potential to be a very versatile missile and it has already been demonstrated to be effective against maritime targets (see my post in the Z-10 thread) from helicopters.
But what I'd really like is to see a KD-10 "block II" with MMW radar guidance for fire and forget, multi target engagement capability, and also for KD-10 to be able to be fired from fixed wing strike fighters like Brimstone (for anti tank roles) while also being able to be vertically launched from the new CCL VLS. Given the new VLS's dimensions and KD-10s small wingspan, they can quad pack or even fit nine VL KD-10s in a single canister.
 

no_name

Colonel
Haven't thought of that.

I suppose where there is time, in conjunction with other options, they could mount such system on small helo UAVs class like a modified MG-8 and send it out to meet/challenge the threat.

Actually looks like they already have something similar based on a guided version of the larger hydra rocket. Eight of them can be carried, could be useful for anti-piracy:

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Blitzo

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Haven't thought of that.

I suppose where there is time, in conjunction with other options, they could mount such system on small helo UAVs class like a modified MG-8 and send it out to meet/challenge the threat.

Actually looks like they already have something similar based on a guided version of the larger hydra rocket. Eight of them can be carried, could be useful for anti-piracy:

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Slight problem is that it is laser guided, meaning they cannot effectively engage multiple targets simultaneously like an MMW guided weapon. I also think they are too small to effectively defeat a small boat like a true ATGM sized weapon can.

That said, helicopters armed with ATGMs have been used to counter small boat swarming for years -- the difference is that developments in guidance means ATGMs can now be launched from a ship without need for a helicopter, against multiple targets in an effective way, which is why weapons like Brimstone and Hellfire are being pursued as counters for swarming. Time of course is a key issue, because if a ship is operating alone without any over the horizon surveillance (aka no AEW&C and no helicopter in the air with surface search radar) and is limited to the ship's own radar horizon, then one may not have the time to sortie a helicopter with ATGMs against an opposing swarm, whereas ship launched ATGMs can be used much more quickly.
 

vincent

Grumpy Old Man
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Moderator - World Affairs
In term of space, do what the Canadian do with our Halifax class

056 probably will patrol water close to Vietnam, which can may use small boat swarm tactics against Chinese ships
 

steve_rolfe

Junior Member
As predicted another 056 Corvette has officially joined the Chinese Navy..............this time its boat No 505 'Qinhuangdao', which was inducted into the Northern fleet on the 16th October 2015. This now means there are 23 056's in active service with the Chinese Navy, and there should be another 056 joining the fleet before the end of the year.

056_505.jpg 056_505a.jpg
 

FORBIN

Lieutenant General
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Initialy was Chizhou and for ESF... always some surprises !

Finaly as you have say ;) 505 'Qinhuangdao' and homeported to Changhai-Haiyangdao 20th Light Frigate Sqn have also 501, 502 all delivered this year remains one.

I change designation now :) because i think more accurate Squadron as Flotillas for this 056 in more before about a year these units of rattachments was Subchaser Squadrons sure with also Hainan/037, Haiqing also always in this units, a part retired now replaced by 056.

Hey Jeff ;) for your chart you have a udapte to do :=)
 

steve_rolfe

Junior Member
Initialy was Chizhou and for ESF... always some surprises !

Yes.........i thought there was something different about the name of the ship...............but it does appear there has been a name change from 'Chizhou' to 'Qinhuangdao'............and this is what is also shown on the Chinese 056 Wiki page!
For members trying to gauge the in service times for the 056 Corvette..........as a rule of thumb the average completion time of an 056 Corvette is roughly a year from launch to being inducted into the Chinese fleet!
 

vincent

Grumpy Old Man
Staff member
Moderator - World Affairs
As predicted another 056 Corvette has officially joined the Chinese Navy..............this time its boat No 505 'Qinhuangdao', which was inducted into the Northern fleet on the 16th October 2015. This now means there are 23 056's in active service with the Chinese Navy, and there should be another 056 joining the fleet before the end of the year.

View attachment 20145 View attachment 20146
Looks like the anti-sub version
 

steve_rolfe

Junior Member
On the 16th October, another 056 Corvette was launched, this time its the 29th 056 named 'Ningde' No 510 from the HP shipyard. Unfortunately the Chinese news report didn't include a picture.
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The Chinese Wiki page on the 056 Corvette (or Light Frigate ;)), states this vessel as being the 056A variant.

So, it looks like in 2016 we should know if the 056 class, will stop at 30 off (as some have stated).........or keep carrying on! :)
 

FORBIN

Lieutenant General
Registered Member
For me 36 minimum make sense for 9 Light Frigate Squadrons, 2 for NSF, 3 for ESF and 4 for SSF including the Hong Kong Squadron based to Stonecutters Island which have also 2 Houjian/037-II.
After maybe a surprise :)
 
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