shen
Senior Member
PLAN is often said to have poor ASW capability. One example often brought up is the small size of the bow sonar on even modern PLAN ship such as 054A. Is it possible that PLAN is using smaller MF sonar rather than big lower frequency sonar such as SQS-35 because its present ASW mission is mainly littoral ASW within the first island chain? Is higher frequency sonar inherently superior in a littoral environment?
This is how Zumwalt's sonar set is described.
"A dual-band sonar controlled by a highly automated computer system will be used to detect mines and submarines. It is claimed that it is superior to the Burke's sonar in littoral ASW, but less effective in blue water/deep sea areas.[62]
Hull-mounted mid-frequency sonar (AN/SQS-60)
Hull-mounted high-frequency sonar (AN/SQS-61)
Multi-function towed array sonar and handling system (AN/SQR-20)"
This is how Zumwalt's sonar set is described.
"A dual-band sonar controlled by a highly automated computer system will be used to detect mines and submarines. It is claimed that it is superior to the Burke's sonar in littoral ASW, but less effective in blue water/deep sea areas.[62]
Hull-mounted mid-frequency sonar (AN/SQS-60)
Hull-mounted high-frequency sonar (AN/SQS-61)
Multi-function towed array sonar and handling system (AN/SQR-20)"