055 DDG Large Destroyer Thread

[foxmulder_ms]

It's a full size mock-up...but more than a mock-up.

Sort of like the full size land-based mock-up of the Liaoning.

I believe they do all sorts of testing with these. Logistical tests...fabrication testing...damage control...they probably do analysis of movement throughout the ship. Things like that.

Then, as they come up with new designs for sensors and the like, they fabricate and test the fit on these mock ups.

Very useful tool for the PLAN.

The US has similar facilities where they even go so far as to install the entire sesnor suite and test them on land facilities.

The so-called "Cruiser in a corn field."

View attachment 30232

Inside they have a fully functional system.

View attachment 30233

...and they have expanded it in preparations for Flighjt III and the AMDR:

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Actually, I believe the main purpose is electronic/radar testing.

 

[Blitzo]

^ What is the likelihood that this is indeed Type 055 ? 80% ? Less ?

I'd say over 80%, or even 90%, based on a few interlocking reasons:
1: the hull we see now is first and foremost a definite warship hull of some kind, based on its overall geometry, but also based on the relatively long time in which the modules are being assembled which suggests a much more complex ship than we'd expect for say a civilian cargo ship.
2: the hull we see now has preliminary dimensions which are definitely viable for a ship of 055's expected displacement (even if those dimensions have yet to be clearly IDed).
3: the hull is being built at the place (JNCX) and time (steel cutting started at end of 2014 as rumoured, so module assembly around mid 2016 makes sense) that we expect.
4: based on what we can see in past photos, the hull most definitely is not an 052D, and there are no other new surface combatant classes that are said to be under construction at this time which could explain this new hull.
5: the most important reason, is of course that the rumours seem quite persistent that this hull is 055.

So I'd say right now the prospects for this hull being 055 is similar to where we all were last year in April to June with regards to 001A's construction, where all the ducks lined up in a row like above and very strongly suggested the module assembly was for 001A, but where the stage of construction was still relatively early meaning there was no full confirmation that the modules were for 001A until later.

 

[Jeff Head]

A new image ...

View attachment 30671

Well, when I look at what is obviously a "bridge" there, and then compare it with the bridge from the mockup, you get some interesting comparispns:

Here is the bridge from the picture at the yard (from Deino's post above):



Here is a picture from the bridge on the Type 055 mockup:



...and here is another, taken a few months later from the mockup:



So, there is a definite "could be" factor to this just from looking at the layout of those windows.

But there is also some aspects of it where they may also not be a match...but that could be the angle.

We will have to see a lot more of the structure, particularly the entire radar mast above and just behind the bridge. But if that is the Type 055 and they are that far along, we may see that at almost anytime.

 

[Blitzo]

Well, when I look at what is obviously a "bridge" there, and then compare it with the bridge from the mockup, you get some interesting comparispns:

Here is the bridge from the picture at the yard (from Deino's post above):

View attachment 30695

Here is a picture from the bridge on the Type 055 mockup:

View attachment 30696

...and here is another, taken a few months later from the mockup:

View attachment 30697

So, there is a definite "could be" factor to this just from looking at the layout of those windows.

But there is also some aspects of it where they may also not be a match...but that could be the angle.

We will have to see a lot more of the structure, particularly the entire radar mast above and just behind the bridge. But if that is the Type 055 and they are that far along, we may see that at almost anytime.

Jeff, I think Deino is saying that only the hull module/s is 055.

The bridge/superstructure in the background, is almost definitely not for 055 and based on its geometry and configuration I think it's almost definitely for one of the many civilian cargo ships that the shipyard is constantly producing.
Looking at the mast on the superstructure you're talking about, as well as the vertical/90 degree angle of the superstructure below the deckhouse/bridge, as well as the many windows/portholes in the surface of the vertical superstructure... the configuration and geometry all says it's for a cargo ship's superstructure.

edit: in other words, the only parts of the photo which are visibly 055, are within the red circle (obviously the 055 modules assembled together are probably longer than what the red circle encloses, but vision is blocked by the white building and various other objects)
... everything else in the photo, from what I can see, are a distraction and not visibly identifiable to be relevant to 055.

 

[Jeff Head]

Jeff, I think Deino is saying that only the hull module/s is 055.

The bridge/superstructure in the background, is almost definitely not for 055 and based on its geometry and configuration I think it's almost definitely for one of the many civilian cargo ships that the shipyard is constantly producing.
Looking at the mast on the superstructure you're talking about, as well as the vertical/90 degree angle of the superstructure below the deckhouse/bridge, as well as the many windows/portholes in the surface of the vertical superstructure... the configuration and geometry all says it's for a cargo ship's superstructure.

edit: in other words, the only parts of the photo which are visibly 055, are within the red circle (obviously the 055 modules assembled together are probably longer than what the red circle encloses, but vision is blocked by the white building and various other objects)
... everything else in the photo, from what I can see, are a distraction and not visibly identifiable to be relevant to 055.

View attachment 30698

Hmmm....I just presumed that the Bridge structure was apart of what Deino was highlighting.

Deino?

 

[Blitzo]

Hmmm....I just presumed that the Bridge structure was apart of what Deino was highlighting.

I see, though I think looking at the bridge structure's mast (conventional mast rather than the integrated one we know 055 will have), as well as the vertical walls of the superstructure below the deckhouse, and the portholes studding the vertical walls, should quite quickly have ruled out the possibility that it would be relevant to 055.

 

[Jeff Head]

I see, though I think looking at the bridge structure's mast (conventional mast rather than the integrated one we know 055 will have), as well as the vertical walls of the superstructure below the deckhouse, and the portholes studding the vertical walls, should quite quickly have ruled out the possibility that it would be relevant to 055.

Depends on where they are in construction. They may have more to add.

As I say, just looking at that makes it to soon to call...but considering all of the chatter...it is pretty clear that it will build there and may well be already building.

Time will tell.

 

[mangjitok]

look like this is rear part, if that structure in the red circle is hangar, and the deep blue structure with many scafold around is bridge mast, this may be 055 hull

 

[Blitzo]

Depends on where they are in construction. They may have more to add.

As I say, just looking at that makes it to soon to call...but considering all of the chatter...it is pretty clear that it will build there and may well be already building.

Time will tell.

I'm actually willing to call it quite confidently that the bridge structure you're referring to almost definitely is not for 055.

From that picture we can see that the mast's main structure is already completed and the overall size of the mast relative to the bridge superstructure is far too different to the rest of the bridge structure if it is meant to be an integrated mast, not to mention the mast itself suggests it will be a conventional exposed mast rather than the sort of structure expected of an integrated mast.

The bridge/superstructure itself has completely different geometry compared to what would be expected for 055, specifically below the deckhouse there is no outwards cant of the superstructure and instead the superstructure is vertical and is specked with portholes that is consistent with the configuration of most cargo haulers.

i..e.: the photo is showing an under-construction deckhouse similar to this (a past photo of one of the many civilian cargo ships also built at JN), specifically the part boxed in the red line,


I do expect 055's deckhouse and superstructure to already be under fabrication and we will definitely see it in coming months, but I'm very confident that what we're looking at right there is not 055's.

 

[Jeff Head]

I'm actually willing to call it quite confidently that the bridge structure you're referring to almost definitely is not for 055.

From that picture we can see that the mast's main structure is already completed and the overall size of the mast relative to the bridge superstructure is far too different to the rest of the bridge structure if it is meant to be an integrated mast, not to mention the mast itself suggests it will be a conventional exposed mast rather than the sort of structure expected of an integrated mast.

I am not sure at this point that it is even a bridge.

It is blurred out, and could represent the structure on the deck below whatever they are building there is.

IWO, rather than being in front of the larger vessel...it is actually a part of it and just a deck that has been blurred out as many of these photos often do.

Oh well...time will tell.