Errymath: Type 052D

Type 052E CGI

Type 052E CGI

Type 052D vs Type 052E vs Type 055 CGI

New Type 052D destroyers No.175 Yinchuan

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The Yinchuan Type 052D destroyers commissioned on July 12, 2016,<br />
 Photo: 81.cn</div>
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<img alt="The Kunming 052D destroyer commissioned on March 21, 2014. Photo: longxiaodongfang.scan" class="size-medium wp-image-24280" height="480" src="https://tiananmenstremendousachievements.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/the-kunming-052d-destroyer-commissioned-on-march-21-2014.jpg?w=453&h=341" width="640" /><br />
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The Kunming 052D destroyer commissioned on March 21, 2014. Photo: <span class="skimlinks-unlinked">navy.81.cn</span></div>
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<img alt="The Changsha 052D destroyer commissioned on August 12, 2015 Photo: longxiaodongfang.scan" class="size-medium wp-image-24281" height="377" src="https://tiananmenstremendousachievements.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/the-changsha-052d-destroyer-commissioned-on-august-12-2015.jpg?w=453&h=269" width="640" /><br />
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The Changsha 052D destroyer commissioned on August 12, 2015 Photo: <span class="skimlinks-unlinked">longxiaodongfang.scan</span></div>
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<img alt="The Hefei 052D destroyer commissioned on December 12, 2015. Photo: t.people.com.cn/planavy" class="size-medium wp-image-24282" height="428" src="https://tiananmenstremendousachievements.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/the-hefei-052d-destroyer-commissioned-on-december-12-2015.jpg?w=453&h=303" width="640" /><br />
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The Hefei 052D destroyer commissioned on December 12, 2015. Photo: <span class="skimlinks-unlinked">t.people.com.cn/planavy</span></div>
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There is speculation that may built 12 such destroyers.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 18px;">DaLian shipyard building Type 052D DDGs</span><br />
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<b>New China TV - 3 Major Navy Fleets Military Exercise In South China Sea Live Firing
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="460" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-FL2BKtc1iQ" width="660"></iframe>

New Type 052D destroyers No.175 Yinchuan

The Yinchuan Type 052D destroyers commissioned on July 12, 2016, Photo: 81.cn The Kunming 052D destroyer commissioned on March...

Type 052D DDG Overview

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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://plarealtalk.com/2015/11/23/profile-052d-class-destroyer/" target="_blank">Type 052D DDG</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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<h2>
 </h2>
<h2>
Background:</h2>
The 052D class DDG is the successor to the 052C class anti air warfare DDG.
 052D inherits the same overall hull and certain weapons and sensors 
from its predecessor, and fields an identical propulsion arrangement, 
but also boasts many improved capabilities such as a new type of main 
gun, an improved active phased array radar (APAR), as well as a much 
improved vertical launch system (VLS) with greater cell count. It is 
likely that 052D also boasts substantial internal upgrades such as 
improved combat management systems, a more modern combat information 
centre (CIC) and generally more capable mission related software and 
hardware.<br />
<br />

Ancestry of the 052D class can be traced back to the original two 
ship 052 class DDGs commissioned in 1994, through to the improved 052B 
class DDG, and the Chinese Navy’s first aegis type long range AAW 052C 
class DDG. Each of these classes pioneered new capabilities for the 
Chinese Navy. The 052 class was the first Chinese Navy surface combatant
 equipped with gas turbines and various imported western combat 
management systems and sensors which would help guide development of 
indigenous combat systems and integration aboard future warships. The 
052B class DDG was the first domestically produced surface combatant 
fielding an area air defence capability via the imported Russian naval 
Shtil SAM, however only two were produced. The 052C class DDG in turn 
was the Chinese Navy’s first surface combatant equipped with an advanced
 multifunction APAR providing fixed 360 degree coverage as well as the 
first Chinese warship equipped with a VLS and a naval SAM capable of 
true long range coverage through the HHQ-9. 052C enjoyed a longer 
production run than its successors, reaching six ships after a 
multi-year delay in production after the first pair were produced.<br />
<br />
052D fields a more compact, more multi-role and generally more capable 
VLS compared to 052C, and is equipped with an improved variant of the 
Type 346 APAR dubbed the Type 346A, and also features new weapons 
systems such as a new 130mm gun designated PJ-38 and the HQ-10 missile 
CIWS. 052D is also the most stealthy 052 derivative (despite far from 
approaching the very low observable nature of the Zumwalt class DDG), 
and likely fields the newest generation of combat management systems, 
datalinking, and command capabilities.<br />
<br />

However, despite the impressive qualitative advancements of the 052D 
class, it is the quantitative factor where 052D is most unique. 052D is 
the first class of destroyer that the Chinese Navy has immediately 
produced in serial production since it began its modernization drive in 
the mid 1990s. Previous Chinese destroyer classes were only produced in 
pairs, likely due to the Chinese Navy’s need to rapidly test and absorb 
new technologies and capabilities, but also probably due to the Navy’s 
relative dissatisfaction for their capabilities compared to 
international gold standard destroyers such as the US Navy’s Burke class
 DDG or the Royal Navy’s Type 45 DDG.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://plarealtalk.com/2015/11/23/profile-052d-class-destroyer/" target="_blank">052D</a> production began after 052C production without pause, where the 
first 052D DDG was launched in late August 2012, barely two months after
 the sixth and last 052C DDG was launched in mid July 2012. Since then, 
052D production has continued, and indeed, production has been expanded 
to two shipyards rather than one.<br />
<br />

Production of the first eight 052Ds occurred at Jiangnan shipyard at 
Changxing island near Shanghai, the same shipyard where the entire 052C 
class were produced. In early 2015, photo evidence finally confirmed 
long standing rumours that 052Ds were under construction by Dalian 
shipyard at the northern coastal city of Dalian. Jiangnan shipyard is 
currently producing 052Ds on one production line in one building hall, 
and the fact that they have launched seven 052Ds in the span of three 
years suggests a very impressive and efficient shipyard. Dalian shipyard
 appears to be constructing two 052Ds simultaneously in parallel, 
however production at Dalian also seems to be somewhat slower than at 
Jiangnan.<br />

<figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_277" style="width: 675px;"><img alt="052D production at Jiangnan shipyard, in late March, 2015. Three 052Ds are visible in the fitting basin in the right of the picture, with an additional 052D in transfer drydock" class=" wp-image-277" height="381" src="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/052d-jiangnan-2-e1448269594918.jpg" width="640" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Google
 Earth photo of 052D production at Jiangnan shipyard, in late March, 
2015. Three 052Ds are visible in the fitting basin in the right of the 
picture, with an additional 052D in transfer drydock</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_274" style="width: 658px;"><img alt="052D production at Dalian. Imagery at Dalian is more difficult to acquire than at Jiangnan, but it is enough to ascertain that two vessels are likely currently under construction in parallel" class=" wp-image-274" height="482" src="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/052d-dalian.jpg" width="640" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">052D
 production at Dalian. Imagery at Dalian is more difficult to acquire 
than at Jiangnan, but it is enough to ascertain that two vessels are 
likely currently under construction in parallel</figcaption></figure>
The first 052D was commissioned in late March 2014, and a second 052D
 was commissioned in early August 2015, with a third vessel expected to 
be commissioned in late 2015 or early 2016. At time of writing, two 
052Ds are commissioned, three 052Ds are in various stages of sea trials,
 and another two 052Ds are currently being fitted out, with one further 
052D expected to be launched in late 2015 or early 2016, all at Jiangnan
 shipyard alone. Dalian shipyard is simultaneously constructing two 
052Ds and is expected to launch its first 052D in early 2016, and its 
second 052D in late 2016 or early 2017.<br />
As of present, the consensus exists that that twelve 052Ds were ordered 
by the Chinese Navy, with eight ships to be constructed by Jiangnan 
shipyard and four by Dalian. Considering the rate of work at both 
shipyards, it is conceivable that all twelve 052Ds may enter service by 
or before 2020.<br />

<figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_271" style="width: 657px;"><img alt="Lead ship, DDG 172 Kunming was commissioned in March 2014" class=" wp-image-271" height="456" src="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/052d-172.jpg" width="640" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Lead ship, DDG 172 Kunming was commissioned in March 2014</figcaption></figure>
However, recent rumours have also posited that the Chinese Navy may 
order a further twelve 052Ds for a total production run of twenty 
four ships. If such rumours are true, then projection of when  twenty 
four 052Ds may enter service is complicated by the expected 055 class 
large DDG within the next few years, which is expected to be produced at
 both Jiangnan shipyard and Dalian shipyard in not-insubstantial numbers
 as well. However, assuming 052D production at both shipyards is 
maintained without pause to fulfill a further twelve 052Ds, it is 
plausible that a full twenty four 052Ds could be commissioned by the 
early 2020s, even alongside initial construction of the 055 class.<br />
<br />
But even assuming “only” twelve 052D class DDGs are produced, this 
number of warships combined with the six 052C class DDGs will provide 
the Chinese Navy with a substantial number of modern aegis type surface 
combatants by 2020.<br />

Mass production of the 052D class DDG will likely do for the Chinese 
Navy’s destroyer fleet what the 054A class FFG has done for the Chinese 
Navy’s frigate fleet – specifically, the 052D class DDG will finally 
provide the Chinese Navy a modern, competitive destroyer class with 
qualitative capabilities in strategically relevant and flexible 
quantities.<br />
<br />

<hr />
<h2>
General Specifications:</h2>
<h3>
Dimensions and Layout</h3>
Dimensions of the 052D class are generally similar to its 052C class 
predecessor, and picture evidence suggests no meaningful difference in 
either length (155 meters) or beam (17 meters). 052D may feature a 
slightly increased displacement compared to 052C, and some open sources 
have speculated a maximum displacement of 7,500 tons. Official 
disclosures from Chinese state media and the Chinese military do not 
seem to be available, however they also may deliberately under-represent
 the full displacement of their warships. Therefore, extrapolating from 
052C’s estimated actual full displacement, and comparing to other 
similarly sized warships, 052D may have a full displacement in excess of
 7,000 tons, making it a medium to heavy weight surface combatant.<br />

<figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_269" style="width: 646px;"><img alt="An image taken aboard a commercial airliner flying over Jiangnan shows an 052D sitting beside an 052C in the fitting basin. Note the identical dimensions, as well as the noticeably different VLS arrangement between both vessels" class=" wp-image-269" height="485" src="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/052c-052d-compare.jpg" width="646" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">An
 image taken aboard a commercial airliner flying over Jiangnan shows an 
052D sitting beside an 052C in the fitting basin. Note the identical 
dimensions, as well as the noticeably different VLS arrangement between 
both vessels</figcaption></figure>
052D appears to feature the same propulsion as the 052C class, in a 
Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) arrangement, featuring domestically 
produced QC280 gas turbines, a license produced version of the Ukrainian
 DN80. Output of the QC280s has been listed at 28 megawatts, however 
some outlets have suggested it may be lower at only 23 megawatts – this 
discrepancy may reflect initial shortfalls in performance by early 
prototypes and trials. Nevertheless, it is expected that 052D would be 
capable of reaching speeds in excess of 30 knots, similar to the 052C 
class DDG.<br />

052D is equipped with a hangar and a helipad both of similar size to 
the 052C, however the hangar is set in a more aesthetically pleasing 
centreline within the aft superstructure as opposed to offset port like 
in 052C.<br />
052D’s forward superstructure and deckhouse follows the same 052C and 
Burke style arrangement where four fixed radar arrays dominate the 
superstructure, however compared to 052C, each array is wider, 
necessitating an associated modification in overall proportions and 
scaling. As a a result of these small modifications, 052D’s 
superstructure appears to be more pleasing to the eye than 052C.<br />

<figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_291" style="width: 232px;"><img alt="052Cs superstructure and deckhouse" class=" wp-image-291" height="400" src="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/052c-bridge.jpg" width="397" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">052Cs superstructure and</figcaption>deckhouse</figure>
<figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_292" style="width: 315px;"><img alt="052Ds superstructure and deckhouse, noticeably more attractive than that of its predecessor" class=" wp-image-292" src="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/052d-bridge.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">052Ds superstructure and deckhouse, noticeably more attractive than that of its predecessor</figcaption></figure>
<h3>
Armament</h3>
The first most visible difference in armament between 052D and 052C, 
is the 052D’s substantially larger main gun. 052D’s main gun is the 
PJ-38 130mm gun, and is a highly modernized, single barrel version of 
the Russian AK-130 equipped aboard the Navy’s Sovremenny class DDGs 
first bought from Russia in the early 2000s. The PJ-38 is thought to be a
 substantially more reliable and capable gun than the 052C’s 100mm 
French main gun design, not only fielding a larger calibre (and thus 
with associated larger shell size and greater range) but is also said to
 be able to fire a variety of extended range munitions, smart munitions,
 and air defence munitions, thus increasing the flexibility of 052D’s 
anti surface and anti air capabilities overall.<br />

<figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_288" style="width: 630px;"><img alt="PJ-38 130mm gun aboard 052D compared to the older 100mm gun aboard 052C next to it" class=" wp-image-288" height="442" src="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/pj-38-vs-100mm.jpg" width="630" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">PJ-38 130mm gun aboard 052D compared to the older 100mm gun aboard 052C next to it</figcaption></figure>
052D fields the same PJ-12 seven barrel 30mm CIWS as the 052C on its 
bow CIWS platform, however the aft PJ-12 aboard 052C has been replaced 
by a 24 cell HQ-10 SAM based CIWS on the helicopter hangar. This CIWS 
arrangement is somewhat reminiscent of the Republic of Korea Navy’s 
Sejong class DDG which fields a RIM-116 RAM launcher on the bow platform
 and a Goalkeeper CIWS aft. Regardless, 052D’s differing CIWS 
arrangement is likely reflective of careful analyses by the Chinese 
Navy, and the HQ-10 CIWS may provide certain capabilities which a PJ-12 
lacks.<br />
052D is also equipped with other standard weapons seen aboard Chinese 
Navy surface combatants, such as two triple 324mm torpedo launchers in 
aft locations behind enclosed doors, and also four eighteen tube flare, 
chaff and rocket launchers atop the helicopter hangar.<br />

<figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_286" style="width: 560px;"><img alt="HQ-10 CIWS SAM is mounted atop the hangar structure aboard 052D" class="size-full wp-image-286" height="397" src="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/hq-10-sam-e1448269476904.jpg" width="640" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">HQ-10 CIWS SAM is mounted atop the hangar structure aboard 052D</figcaption></figure>
But 052D’s most substantial improvement in weapons systems over the 
052C class is its new VLS, and 052D is equipped with 64 such VLS cells, 
32 cells bow and 32 cells aft. The 052D’s VLS differs from the 052C’s 
VLS as it is arranged in rectangular modules with eight canisters each 
similar to the 054A’s VLS or the US Navy’s Mk-41 VLS or the European 
SYLVER. However, 052D’s VLS is in turn different to those other 
rectangular VLS due to the lack of a central exhaust vent. This 
interesting design was clarified through a surprisingly detailed “leak” 
of a national military standard (Guojia Junyong Biaozhun) document 
(5860-2006 standard) describing a new VLS system capable of both cold 
launch and hot launch of missiles. Exhaust from hot launched missiles 
are not vented through a common vent (like the other aforementioned hot 
launch VLS types), but rather through individual canisters, in a 
“concentric canister launch” (CCL) method where exhaust is vented 
between through a space between an “inner” and “outer” canister wall of 
each VLS cell. This is not dissimilar to the Royal Navy’s VLS for its 
previous generation Sea Wolf SAM, however 052D’s CCL likely features 
square “inner” and “outer” canisters rather than circular for the Sea 
Wolf.<br />
<br />

GJB 5860-2006 also describes the new VLS as capable of firing 
multiple types of weapons, including quad packed weapons, and comes in 
three lengths: 9 meters, 7 meters and 3.3 meters, similar to the strike 
length, tactical length and self defence length variants of Mk-41. 
Therefore, the new Chinese Navy VLS (CN VLS, for the purposes of 
discussion) is likely to be the new standardized, universal, and 
future-proof VLS armament aboard all future Chinese navy surface 
combatants for the early to mid 21st century, and possibly beyond, 
similar to the US Navy’s Mk-41 VLS.<br />
<br />
Any surface combatant equipped with the 9 meter length CN VLS (as would 
be expected aboard a medium to large sized warship like 052D) would thus
 theoretically capable of carrying and launching a significant variety 
of future Chinese Naval missiles so long as they are adapted for the CN 
VLS. In the foreseeable future, 052D’s CN VLS will likely be capable of 
firing the long range HHQ-9 SAM and its newer derivatives, the medium 
range HHQ-16 SAM and its newer derivatives, and new quad packed medium 
range SAMs that may be under development. Other weapons likely to be 
integrated aboard 052D includes the elusive new generation YJ-18 AShM, a
 new vertically launched ASROC type weapons such as the Yu-8/CY-5, or as
 well as a land attack cruise missile such as a navalized KD-10/DF-10 
variant, which would provide the Chinese Navy a land attack capability 
similar to Tomahawk equipped US destroyers and cruisers.<br />

<figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_268" style="width: 574px;"><img alt="Detail of the CN VLS aboard 052D, shown here is the 32 bow cells" class="size-full wp-image-268" height="258" src="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/052-bow-detail.jpg" width="640" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Detail of the CN VLS aboard 052D, shown here are the 32 bow cells</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_289" style="width: 577px;"><img alt="32 VLS cells are mounted on the bow of 052D and 32 mounted aft between the hangar superstructure and the aft mast for a total of 64 VLS cells" class=" wp-image-289" src="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/VLS-detail.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">32 VLS cells are mounted on the aft between the hangar and aft mast and 32 on the bow, for a total of 64 VLS cells</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_284" style="width: 554px;"><img alt="A rare GJB disclosure provided a wealth of information confirming the characteristics and capabilities of the new VLS" class=" wp-image-284" height="411" src="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/gjb-screen-shot.jpg" width="554" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">A
 rare GJB disclosure provided a wealth of information confirming the 
characteristics and capabilities of the new VLS, rare for the Chinese 
military</figcaption></figure>
With 64 VLS canisters, each capable of firing multiple types of 
weapons, 052D not only enjoys an increase in equivalent firepower 
compared to an 052C (which is equipped with only 48 single role VLS for 
HHQ-9 and 8 slant launchers for YJ-62 AShM) by fielding an additional 8 
VLS canisters, but also fields substantially more flexibility in 
conducting various missions including anti surface missions, anti 
submarine missions, land attack missions, as well as medium range air 
defence, in addition to standard long range air defence. In future, 052D
 may also be expected to carry out ballistic missile defence missions 
through upgrades of its Type 346A radar and integration of future 
ballistic missile defence weapons.<br />
<br />

<figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_202" style="width: 494px;"><img alt="A likely candidate weapon aboard 052D, the HHQ-9 LR SAM" class="size-full wp-image-202" height="330" src="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/hhq-9-parade-geometry.jpg" width="640" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">A likely candidate weapon aboard 052D, the HHQ-9 LR SAM</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_282" style="width: 595px;"><img alt="It is also likely for 052D to be equipped with a naval variant of the DF-10 land attack cruise missile" class=" wp-image-282" height="443" src="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/df-10-lacm-e1448270480843.jpg" width="640" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">It is also likely for 052D to be equipped with a naval variant of the DF-10 land attack cruise missile</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_283" style="width: 615px;"><img alt="052D is likely to also eventually be equipped with a quad packable MR SAM, such as this DK-10 ARH guided SAM with a range of 50km offered for export. Some minor modifications to aerofoils and launch mechanism may ready it for integration onto the new CN VLS" class=" wp-image-283" height="589" src="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/dk-10-sam-e1448270517493.jpg" width="615" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">052D
 is likely to also eventually be equipped with a quad packable MR SAM, 
such as this DK-10 ARH guided SAM with a range of 50km offered for 
export. Some minor modifications to aerofoils and launch mechanism may 
ready it for integration onto the new CN VLS</figcaption></figure>
<h3>
Main Sensors</h3>
The 052D’s APAR is an evolution of the Type 346 of 052C, and is 
designated Type 346A. 052D’s flat array cover suggests a pure liquid 
cooling arrangement for the radar, compared to a combined liquid and gas
 cooling for the Type 346.<br />
Type 346A is also noticeably larger than Type 346 and is square shaped 
rather than rectangular. Picture evidence indicates Type 346A is the 
same height as Type 346, but is one third wider than Type 346, therefore
 simple arithmetic indicates an increase in array surface area size by 
33.3%. The consequences of this substantial increase in array size may 
have interesting repercussions for the capability of the radar, 
especially in terms of peak power.<br />

<figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_204" style="width: 674px;"><img alt="The differing shape and size between the Type 346A of 052D and Type 346 of 052C is highly visible in this picture" class=" wp-image-204" height="380" src="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/type-346-compare-type-346a.jpg" width="674" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">The differing shape and size between the Type 346A of 052D and Type 346 of 052C is highly visible in this picture</figcaption></figure>
Type 346A almost certainly operates in the same S band as Type 346, 
however it is unknown at this stage if Type 346A may have leveraged 
recent international advancements in APAR design, such as replacing 
Gallium Arsenide derived transmit/receive modules with more efficient 
and higher power Gallium Nitride modules.<br />

The rest of 052D’s sensor suite outwardly appears similar if not 
identical to that of 052C, with a Type 364 surface search radar atop its
 main mast, a Type 517 derived 2D UHF band radar atop the aft mast, 
among other sensors such as a fire control radar for the main gun, ECM 
arrays, and ELINT arrays.<br />

052D is also equipped with a bow mounted sonar and appears to feature
 the relevant ports on the aft for both a towed array sonar and a towed 
torpedo decoy. It also features a the same model of variable depth sonar
 as the 056A class corvette and latter 054A class frigates, in a “swing 
up” door mechanism.<br />

<figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_409" style="width: 571px;"><img alt="" class="wp-image-409 size-full" src="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/052d-vds.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">052D class VDS, the same model as that aboard 056A and 054A</figcaption></figure>
It is also likely that 052D is equipped with improved datalinks, 
communications systems and combat management systems compared to 052C, 
however these are substantially more difficult if not impossible to 
verify. 052D is also expected to feature an improved CIC compared to 
052C, leveraging a new type of console first seen aboard the 056 class 
corvettes, however photos of 052D’s CIC have yet to definitively emerge.<br />

<figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_287" style="width: 700px;"><img alt="A new console type has been deployed aboard the recent 056 class corvette, and will likely also find its away aboard the 052D class destroyer" class="size-full wp-image-287" height="466" src="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/new-type-console-circa-2010.jpg" width="700" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">A
 new console type has been deployed aboard the recent 056 class 
corvette, and will likely also find its away aboard the 052D class 
destroyer</figcaption></figure>
<hr />
<h2>
</h2>
<br />
The 052D class DDG improves upon the capabilities of the AAW oriented
 052C class DDG, and also introduces true multi-role flexibility by 
virtue of its new CN VLS which allows mounting of a significant variety 
of current and future weapons.<br />
<br />

Therefore, in the short term when only small numbers of 052Ds are in 
service, 052Ds will likely act primarily in the AAW role similar to the 
052Cs and act as the primary air defence ship among a task force or a 
carrier strike group, as well as possibly acting as a command ship for 
flag officers. 052D will likely mount a variety of AShMs, LACMs, and VL 
ASROC type weapons in addition to LR SAMs and MR SAMs, but the two 
latter weapon types will likely make up the bulk of its VLS capacity in 
the short term, due to the need for a robust air defence capability and a
 somewhat limited number of true aegis type DDGs to fulfil the mission.<br />
<br />

However, as more 052Ds gradually enter service, such as by 2020 when 
twelve 052Ds are likely to be operational, it is likely that 052Ds will 
be mounted with a greater variety of weapons during standard operations,
 as well as being replaced in the “capital ship” position by new 055 
class large DDGs which are expected to enter service around that time 
and will likely feature substantially enhanced command and AAW 
capabilities as well as more VLS (possibly up to twice as many compared 
to a 052D). Thus, the 052D class DDG will provide the Chinese Navy 
medium-heavy surface combatant with blue water range and endurance, 
available in large numbers, capable of conducting offensive and 
defensive operations in the anti surface, anti air, anti submarine and 
land attack domains as part of a surface action group, a multirole task 
force, or a carrier strike group. If twenty four 052Ds are ultimately 
ordered, these capabilities will become even more prevalent, and would 
convincingly result in the Chinese Navy having second largest fleet of 
aegis type vessels in the world after the US Navy.<br />

<figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_270" style="width: 661px;"><img alt="Satellite photo of a collection of Chinese Navy surface ships, including two 052Ds, one 052C and two 054As, at Yulin naval base at Hainan island. Serial production of the 052D class will dramatically increase the flexibility and presence of the Chinese Navy surface combatant fleet" class=" wp-image-270" height="392" src="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/052c-and-052d-yulin.jpg" width="661" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Satellite
 photo of a collection of Chinese Navy surface ships, including two 
052Ds, one 052C and two 054As, at Yulin naval base at Hainan island. </figcaption></figure>
<br />

<br />

<hr />
<h2>
Conclusion:</h2>
The 052D class is an evolutionary advancement of the 052C class, 
however these advancements are not minor, as they have truly propelled 
the original humble 052 hull to a world class multi-role aegis type 
warship capable of conducting a variety of missions with a variety of 
potential payloads.<br />

But as important as the qualitative improvements of 052D class are, 
the quantitative production of the 052D is arguably just as important. A
 production run of twelve 052Ds expected to enter service by 2020 will, 
along with six preceding 052Cs, provide a robust and moderately large 
fleet of medium-heavy sized surface combatants capable of comprehensive 
AAW for a task force or a CSG.<br />
<br />
Twelve 052Ds are also sufficient to 
provide the core of one to two surface action groups (envisioning each 
SAG as two 052Ds DDGs with two 054A FFGs, supported by a 903/A class 
replenishment ship) sufficient to conduct patrol operations in blue 
water independent for multiple months and to conduct potential US Navy 
style land attack missions via VLS launched LACMs. Two forward deployed 
SAGs each assigned with two 052Ds would leave enough 052Ds and 052Cs 
available to provide the meat of any surface combatant group in the 
western pacific should the demand for naval confrontation arise 
(assuming half of the remaining 8 052Ds and 6 052Cs are operational and 
not under refit). This of course does not consider the 20 remaining 
054As in the western pacific available for the Chinese Navy of which two
 thirds may be operational if the demand called for it (assuming no 
other blue water deployments), nor does it consider the older non-aegis 
type DDGs the Chinese Navy will still have in operation such as the four
 Sovremenny class, two 051C class, two 052B class, and two 052 class.<br />

<figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_280" style="width: 615px;"><img alt="052Ds - they are coming, and they will come in large numbers" class=" wp-image-280" height="346" src="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/052d-serial-production.jpg" width="615" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">052Ds – they are coming, and they will come in large numbers</figcaption></figure>
<br />
<br />

Type 052D DDG Overview

Type 052D DDG Background: The 052D class DDG is the successor to the 052C class anti air warfare DDG. 052D inherits the sam...

Vertical Launch System (VLS) on Type 052D

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<img alt="A suspected test launch of a YJ-18 from test ship 891 equipped with the new CN VLS. Note the hot launch of the missile, but with exhaust being vented "around" the missile via its concentric vent arrangement, different to the central venting method of other hot launch VLS like Mk-41 and SYLVER" class="size-full wp-image-350" height="439" src="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/yj-18-launch-gif.gif" width="640" /><br />
A suspected test launch of a YJ-18 from test ship 891 equipped with the 
new CN VLS. Note the hot launch of the missile, but with exhaust being 
vented “around” the missile via its concentric vent arrangement, 
different to the central venting method of other hot launch VLS like 
Mk-41 and SYLVER<br />
<br />
<br />
The first Chinese Navy ship to receive the CN VLS is the 052D class 
destroyer. It is expected that all new major surface combatant classes 
which follow the 052D will also be equipped with the CN VLS. The 055 
class large destroyer will almost certainly carry the CN VLS, likely in 
large numbers between 112-128 cells. A successor frigate to the current 
054A will also likely carry the CN VLS. Other ships such as aircraft 
carriers, amphibious assault ships, down to future corvettes, may also 
carry small numbers of CN VLS for self defense roles to supplement CIWS.
 Export frigate and destroyer designs offered by China will also likely 
include the CN VLS with export cleared munitions as well.<br />
<br />

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/055-mock-up.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-345" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The CN VLS will equip many future Chinese surface combatants, such as the upcoming 055 class large destroyer" class=" wp-image-345" height="262" src="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/055-mock-up.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_345" style="width: 608px;"><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">The CN VLS will equip many future Chinese surface combatants, such as the upcoming 055 class large destroyer</figcaption></figure>
<br />

Existing ships with older launch systems and older VLS such as the 
052B class, Sovremenny class, 052C class, 051C class and 054A class, may
 also potentially be refit with the CN VLS via upgrades, but whether the
 Chinese Navy decides to embark on an expensive upgrade is another 
matter. Needless to say, refitting such ships with a new, larger VLS 
would require some meaningful structural changes.<br />

Overall, it is virtually assured that the CN VLS will become the 
Chinese Navy’s primary offensive missile launching tool, and will be as 
ubiquitous to the Chinese Navy in the foreseeable decades as the Mk-41 
VLS has been and will be for the US Navy. Therefore a careful 
appreciation of the CN VLS is necessary for any serious watcher of the 
Chinese Navy.<br />
<br />
<h1 class="entry-title">
<a href="http://plarealtalk.com/2015/12/11/profile-chinese-navy-vls/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Profile: Chinese Navy VLS</span></a></h1>
<h3>
Background:</h3>
The Chinese Navy Vertical Launch System (CN VLS) is a new type of 
universal, modular VLS capable of carrying and launching multiple types 
of missiles, similar to the US Navy’s Mk-41. However the CN VLS is also 
capable of launching missiles in a cold launch and hot launch method.<br />

A modular VLS for the Chinese Navy has long been expected by the 
Chinese military watching community, however the first VLS type onboard a
 Chinese ship was a cold launched, space inefficient, circular VLS 
aboard the 052C destroyer
 first launched in 2004, and was only capable of firing the HHQ-9 LR 
SAM. The second VLS type was a hot launch VLS very similar in 
arrangement to the US Mk-41 and European SYLVER, which equipped the 054A
 class frigate and is capable of firing both HHQ-16 SAMs and VL ASROC 
type weapons. However neither of these two VLS was truly multirole like 
the Mk-41.<br />

<figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_289" style="width: 548px;"><a href="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/VLS-detail.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-289"><img alt="CN VLS aboard the 052D" class=" wp-image-289" height="640" src="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/VLS-detail.jpg" width="605" /> </a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">CN VLS aboard the 052D</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_344" style="width: 548px;"><a href="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/8-cell-mk-41.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-344"><img alt="A standard 8 cell module of the Mk-41 VLS" class=" wp-image-344" height="480" src="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/8-cell-mk-41.jpg" width="640" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">A standard 8 cell module of the Mk-41 VLS</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_347" style="width: 532px;"><a href="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/sylver-vls.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-347"><img alt="A pair of 8 cell modules of the SYLVER VLS" class=" wp-image-347" height="341" src="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/sylver-vls.jpg" width="640" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">A pair of 8 cell modules of the SYLVER VLS</figcaption></figure>
But by the late 2000s, credible rumours of a new <span style="text-decoration: underline;">052D class destroyer</span>
 began to emerge, with a consistent rumour being that the ship would be 
equipped with a new universal VLS to be the Chinese Navy’s new 
generation multirole VLS.<br />

<figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_279" style="width: 555px;"><a href="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/052d-opening-likely.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-279"><img alt="052D class was the first Chinese ship to use the new multirole CN VLS" class=" wp-image-279" height="235" src="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/052d-opening-likely.jpg" width="640" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">052D class was the first Chinese ship to use the new multirole CN VLS</figcaption></figure>
This was confirmed in spectacular fashion in late 2012, when the 
first 052D was launched, revealing its VLS in clear detail. Furthermore,
 052D’s launch was accompanied by the “leak” of a document for a Guojia 
Junyong Biaozhun (National Military Standard, similar to MIL-STD for 
western military forces), revealed many details of a new universal VLS 
that could only logically be attributed to the 052D’s new VLS.<br />

<hr />
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
<br /></h3>
<h3>
GJB 5860-2006:</h3>
The GJB document provided a wealth of reliable information regarding the CN VLS’ dimensions and function.<br />
-VLS canister diameter is 0.85m (which is larger than the US Navy’s new 
Mk-57 VLS, which only has a diameter of 0.71m, and further larger than 
the Mk-41 VLS, which has a diameter of 0.635m)<br />
-VLS canisters come in three lengths, 9 meters, 7 meters, and 3.3 meters
 (which is similar to the strike length, tactical length and self 
defence length canisters for the Mk-41 VLS)<br />
-The VLS is capable of quad-packing missiles, as well as firing surface 
to air missiles, cruise missiles, anti ship missiles, and anti submarine
 missiles<br />
-The VLS is capable of cold launching missiles, whereby a missile is 
ejected (such as via compressed gas) out of its canister, and its engine
 only ignites once it is in the air well clear of the ship and the VLS.<br />
-The VLS is capable of hot launching missiles, but each canister has its
 own “concentric” vent for missile exhausts. The CN VLS lacks a central 
vent that all eight VLS canisters are connected to (as in the Mk-41), 
but instead a vent is present (and likely removable) within each 
canister intended for hot launch.<br />

<figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_284" style="width: 529px;"><a href="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/gjb-screen-shot.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-284"><img alt="A page of the GJB document which provided a substantial amount of information regarding the new VLS" class=" wp-image-284" height="393" src="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/gjb-screen-shot.jpg" width="529" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">A page of the GJB document which provided a substantial amount of information regarding the new VLS</figcaption></figure>
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Cold launch vs Hot launch:</strong></span><br />
Cold launch of missiles helps to reduce damage incurred to the VLS 
itself during the launch process. A cold launch method also removes a 
fundamental limitation to the size of a missile that can be launched, 
where a larger missile produces a larger fiery exhaust, but that exhaust
 must be safely vented through a hot launch method. A cold launch method
 removes the need for a vent as the missile only ignites when it is well
 clear of the ship, thus potentially allowing for much larger missiles 
to be safely launched.<br />
However, cold launch may also present some additional mechanical risks, 
such as if a missile’s engine does not ignite after ejection, whereupon 
it would inevitably fall back down, potentially back onto the ship it 
was ejected from. The risk of this occurring is debatable however, as 
Russian, Chinese, and even some western missile systems are now fielding
 cold launch methods in a variety of highly demanding roles.<br />
Another minor disadvantage of cold launch missiles is that they have 
slower engagement time compared to a hot launch missile whose engine 
directly ignites from inside the VLS.<br />

<figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_227" style="width: 500px;"><a href="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/hhq-9-ignition.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-227"><img alt="Cold launch of an HHQ-9 from an 052C" class=" wp-image-227" height="640" src="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/hhq-9-ignition.jpg" width="439" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Cold
 launch of an HHQ-9 from an 052C, note the missile’s engine only 
igniting in mid air after it has been ejected well clear of the ship</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_346" style="width: 635px;"><a href="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/mk-41-hot-launch.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-346"><img alt="Hot launch from a Mk-41 VLS, note the central vent which helps to safely redirect the missile exhaust" class=" wp-image-346" height="357" src="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/mk-41-hot-launch.jpg" width="635" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Hot
 launch from a Mk-41 VLS, note the central vent which helps to safely 
redirect the missile exhaust in a single “wall” in the middle of the VLS
 module</figcaption></figure>
Hot launch VLS provides a missile with faster response time and more 
immediate kinetic energy from launch, thus potentially may be more 
useful for medium and short range SAMs where seconds are immensely 
important for intercepting an incoming missile. Hot launch VLS may also 
be more reliable than older cold launch VLS, as there is no risk for a 
missile failing to ignite in mid air and falling back down as in cold 
launch; if a missile fails to ignite in hot launch, it simply remains 
within the canister.<br />
However, hot launch VLS are also heavier and more complicated and 
subjected to greater temperatures and potential damage, adding cost and 
reducing lifespan of the VLS module compared to a cold launch VLS.<br />

<figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_349" style="width: 486px;"><a href="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/vls-hot-launch.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-349"><img alt="Cutaway diagram indicating the standard set up of a hot launch VLS with central vent" class=" wp-image-349" height="606" src="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/vls-hot-launch.jpg" width="486" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Cutaway diagram indicating the standard set up of a hot launch VLS with central vent</figcaption></figure>
By combining the potential for cold launch and hot launch in a single
 VLS, the CN VLS will provide greater flexibility and allow the Chinese 
Navy to more appropriately select differing launch methods for differing
 missiles in the most efficient way.<br />

In terms of footprint, a standard eight cell CN VLS module is 
somewhat larger than an equivalent Mk-41 eight cell module, however, 
each canister of a CN VLS is also substantially larger than a canister 
of a Mk-41 canister, and that means a CN VLS could potentially carry and
 launch much larger missiles than a Mk-41. Indeed if the CN VLS was 
required to take advantage of its immense diameter, it could launch a 
missile via the cold launch method, which removes any need for internal 
concentric vents.<br />
Ultimately all else being equal, a larger missile could translate into a
 greater payload, greater range, more powerful guidance and ECCM, among 
other important capabilities.<br />

<hr />
<h3>
Loadouts:</h3>
The multirole nature of the CN VLS will allow it to carry a variety 
of potential current and future missiles, among a wide variety of 
categories.<br />
<br />

<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Surface to Air Missiles:</strong></span>
 the long range HHQ-9 SAM and future variants will likely be the 
predominant LR SAM of the CN VLS (similar to the Standard family for the
 Mk-41 VLS); HHQ-16 may also be adapted to be fired from the CN VLS, 
however it is doubtful if future variants will be developed given the 
potential for quad packed medium range SAMs could replace it; quad 
packed SAMs such as a variant of the DK-10 SAM will likely be developed 
and integrated to become the Chinese Navy’s equivalent to the Evolved 
Sea Sparrow Missile.<br />

<figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_283" style="width: 525px;"><a href="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/dk-10-sam-e1448270517493.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-283"><img alt="The CN VLS is likely to field a quad packable SAM with medium range, such as a derivative of the DK-10" class=" wp-image-283" height="503" src="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/dk-10-sam-e1448270517493.jpg" width="525" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">The CN VLS is likely to field a quad packable SAM with medium range, such as a derivative of the DK-10</figcaption></figure>
<br />

<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Anti Ship Missiles:</strong></span>
 the Chinese Navy currently fields a number of AShMs which could 
potentially be integrated into the new CN VLS, including new variants of
 the legacy YJ-82, or the YJ-62 which is similar to the Tomahawk Anti 
Ship Missile. However, at this stage the only AShM that is expected to 
be integrated with the CN VLS is the YJ-18 AShM, which is thought to be a
 Chinese equivalent to the Russian 3M-54 (a subsonic AShM in cruise 
phase with a supersonic terminal phase). Rumours have also suggested a 
possible “YJ-100” which would be an anti shipping variant of the 
CJ-10/DF-10 LACM and may thus have substantial powered range in excess 
of 1,500km, but doubts remain. The large diameter of the CN VLS means it
 may also accommodate future AShMs of large size, such as hypersonic 
AShMs.<br />
<br />

<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Land Attack Cruise Missiles:</strong></span>
 the CN VLS is expected to carry an LACM similar to the Tomahawk Land 
Attack Missile often launched from the Mk-41 VLS. The most likely 
contender within the immediate future is a vertically launched variant 
of the CJ-10/DF-10 LACM, which exists in air launched and ground 
launched variants. Future LACMs will likely also be integrated into the 
CN VLS as they are developed.<br />

<figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_282" style="width: 605px;"><a href="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/df-10-lacm-e1448270480843.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-282"><img alt="The CN VLS will likely be integrated with a vertically launched variant of the CJ-10/DF-10 land attack cruise missile" class=" wp-image-282" height="419" src="http://plarealtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/df-10-lacm-e1448270480843.jpg" width="605" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">The CN VLS will likely be integrated with a vertically launched variant of the CJ-10/DF-10 land attack cruise missile</figcaption></figure>
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Anti Submarine Warfare Missiles:</strong></span>
 the CN VLS is expected to accommodate a vertically launched ASROC type 
weapon, a capability already present on the 054A’s VLS. It is likely 
that initially the CN VLS will be capable of launching the same type of 
VL ASROC as the 054A (possibly called Yu-8), but a larger diameter and 
heavier weapon may be developed to take advantage of the CN VLS’s larger
 diameter.<br />
<br />

<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Ballistic Missile Defence and Anti Satellite Missiles:</strong></span>
 while the Chinese military has yet to receive any BMD or ASAT weapons 
in service, it has conducted a variety of tests and various missiles are
 known to be under development with BMD and potential low orbit ASAT 
roles, which may fit inside the dimensions of the CN VLS. However, it 
may take a number of years until such a weapon emerges, and more time 
after that for such a weapon to even be integrated into the CN VLS. But 
such a possibility should not be excluded.<br />
<br /><br /></div>

Vertical Launch System (VLS) on Type 052D

A suspected test launch of a YJ-18 from test ship 891 equipped with the new CN VLS. Note the hot launch of the missile, but with exhaust ...

Type 052D DDG Consolidates Innovations

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<b><span style="font-size: 18px;">2nd 052D "No.173" sea trial</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: 18px;">Type-052D DDG 173</span></b> <span style="font-size: 15px;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>DaLian shipyard, 052D's VLS</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 18px;">6th 052D DDG launched in JN shipyard </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: 18px;">5th 052D DDG</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: 18px;">3rd & 4th 052D DDG</span></b><br />
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<b>052C & 052D & 055 DDG</b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Type-052D DDG CG</span></b><span style="font-size: 15px;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: purple;"><b>China Destroyer Consolidates Innovations, Other Ship Advances</b></span></span><br /><br /><i>By James C. Bussert</i><br /><br /><br />A new destroyer being deployed by China offers improvements in technology that rival those of the newest destroyers being built for the U.S. Navy. Its advances include phased array radars and improved missiles and launch systems. With room to grow, this ship seems destined to play a significant role in naval operations.<br /><br />Known as the 052D, the destroyer represents the culmination of technology development among People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) destroyers. It likely will be prominent in future PLAN carrier group operations.<br /><br />Since 1991, China has built only one or two hulls of each of five new classes of guided missile destroyers (DDGs). Only the 054A frigate and Type 022 trimaran missile boats had gone into large-series production. The Type 052C destroyer is the only class thus far that has entered into series production, with six hulls being built.<br /><br />The first 052D hull construction started in 2011 at China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Changxing Shipyard using modular construction techniques based on Western technology for rapid mass production. The first Kunming hull, 172, was launched August 28, 2012, and the second Changsha hull, 173, was launched only three months later. The third hull was launched on July 1, 2013, with at least two more on the way. It is estimated that eight to 10 new 052Ds will be built, unlike prior 052 builds. So far the five 052D hulls have been constructed at Changxing Shipyard, but some later versions could be built at other shipyards with modular construction technology. The 052D is the destroyer design to be series-produced for future carrier battle groups.<br /><br />Among its topside systems, new phased array radar antennas on the 052D are larger than those on the 052C, possibly indicating a lower frequency system. The U.S. Navy SPY-1 Aegis radar installed on USS Norton Sound (AVM-1) for ship trials in 1974 used passive electronically scanned array (PESA) technology. The Soviet Sky Watch phased array radar, also a PESA system, first appeared in 1988 on the Soviet carrier Gorshkov but had troubles on sea trials. Both the Gorshkov and the following carrier Tblisi used mechanical scanning Top Sail/Top Pair radars as their backup air search. Since 2000, new active electronically scanned array (AESA) technology has been the newer, more capable radar design fitted on the 052C Type 346 APAR. The 052D has an improved Type 346A AESA radar. The new U.S. Navy DDG 1000 Zumwalt probably will have the new technology X-band track and S-band search dual band radar (DBR) or air missile defense radar (AMDR) currently being developed by three U.S. contractors.<br /><br />On top of the bridge of the first three 052D hulls is the usual Band Stand over-the-horizon targeting radar radome, along with a Type 344 fire control director and electronic countermeasure (ECM)/jammers on the enclosed mast. Mounting plates outboard the stack may be for 30-millimeter guns, but the 052C had boat davits in that location.<br /><br />Further aft, the VHF Type 517HA relic 1950 vintage yagi antenna is retained. The 2D very high frequency radar is moved forward on the 052D to make deck space for an aft vertical launcher. Satellite communication radomes are adjacent to it. Light Bulb datalink radomes also probably will be added.<br /><br />On the forecastle is a new main battery H/PJ38 single-barrel 130-millimeter/70-caliber water-cooled gun developed by the Institute of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering at Zhengzhou. The PJ38 has a reported rate of fire of 40 rounds per minute and a maximum range of 29 kilometers. Its new electrical servo aiming control, based on the Russian AK-130-millimeter gun, and anti-recoil design were enabled by the use of an aluminum and fiberglass stealth shield on the gun mount. This gun also can fire long-range, precision-guided shells not used on prior warships.<br /><br />On the O-1 level directly behind the 130-millimeter gun is a single H/PJ-12 close-in weapon system (CIWS) with its own radar, electro-optic director and laser rangefinder. This seven barrel, 30-millimeter CIWS has been on 054A frigates and prior 051/052 DDGs. The PJ-12 Gatling gun has a rate of fire of 4,600-5,800 rounds per minute and a 2.5 to 3.5 kilometer engagement range.<br /><br />The 052D’s Type 726-4 18-barrel decoy rocket launcher has been installed on earlier 051C, 052B/C and LSD 71 ships. Type 726-4 is a digital system with expendable passive flare and chaff, and it may include active payloads carried on small rockets.<br /><br />The optical fire control (OFC)-3 on the 052D is probably advanced over the basic model on the 052C with electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) and a laser rangefinder. The 052D version added TV and a night vision camera. Associated with OFC-3 is the infrared surveillance IR-17 system, which was installed on earlier 051 and 052 DDGs. China claims the IR ranges are 8 kilometers against sea-skimming antiship missiles, 20 kilometers against cruise missiles and 30 kilometers against aircraft, which seem unrealistic.<br /><br />Located aft above the helicopter hangar is an HHQ-10 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) FL-3000N missile station with 24 cells. This compares to eight cells on the Type 056 corvette and 18 cells on Liaoning carrier.<br /><br />The 052C helicopter hangar for the Ka-27 that was on the port side has been relocated on centerline of the 052D. Although the hangar has more room, the 052D still should carry one Ka-27 as does the 052C because unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are stored and maintained in the hangar. The rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) launching winch systems on each side are under the hangar as in the 054A frigates.<br /><br />Many of the below deck systems are less certain. The combined diesel and generator (CODAG) propulsion on the 052D is the QC-280 Chinese copy of Ukraine Zorya-Mashproekt UGT 15000, also designated DN/80 gas turbine propulsion. Xian Aero Engine (XAE) manufactured the QC-280 under license from Ukraine in 1990 when eight were imported as the QD-80 for two Luhu ships. The XAE-built prototype with 28 megawatts of power was installed on the 052B Wuhan hull 169 in 2009, which made a Somali TG9 deployment in 2011. CNET 5 with DDG 168 left Hainan for the Gulf of Aden from March to July 2010, but it was not believed to have been modernized with the QC-280. The 052D reportedly has two diesel engines each providing six megawatts of power. All 052B/C Luyang DDGs and the 052D have license-produced MTU 20V 956TB92 diesel engines by Shaanxi Diesel Work rated at 4.9 megawatts of power.<br /><br />Closely related, but mentioned only in one cryptic Internet note referring to “shipboard power equipment to get the system upgrade,” is a key system to support the many new complex and power-hungry combat systems. It is nearly impossible for the 052D to have a total electric ship system as in the U.S. DDG 1000 because the 052D is the same dimensions as 052C—smaller than the DDG 1000. No open Chinese description exists of any 052D specific power upgrades.<br /><br />The 052D new multipayload universal vertical launch system (VLS) is capable of launching four different warfare mission missiles of both hot- and cold-launch types. Traditionally, Chinese VLSs on the 052C were the cold-launch HHQ-9 that would pop up the missile for ignition outside the launcher. Later, hot-launch HHQ-16 systems appeared on the 054A frigates, which launched anti-air warfare (AAW) and possibly antisubmarine warfare (ASW) missiles. The U.S. MK 41 VLS hot launchers ignite the rocket in the cell, venting the flame out through vents until the rocket clears the cell with various anti-air, surface-to-surface and antisubmarine payloads.<br /><br />The advanced antiship cruise missile (ASCM) YJ-18 has not been installed on any previous PLAN warship. The weapon test ship 892 had two new rectangular missile launchers that were believed to house navalized DH-10/CJ-10 land attack cruise missile (LACM) intended for the 052D. In September 2013, Chinese Internet and Western media sources stated that the missiles were in fact the Chinese variation of the Russian supersonic 3M54E Club antiship missile (ASM), designated YJ-18 or Eagle 18 by China. These missiles can fly for 180 kilometers at a turbofan cruise speed of Mach 0.8, and 40 kilometers at a Mach 3 rocket/ramjet sprint, resulting in total range of about 220 kilometers. Weight is estimated at 1,200 to 1,300 kilograms, and their booster and control surfaces are similar to the prior YJ-62.<br /><br />The 140-kilogram warhead relies on supersonic impact for killing power. The missile’s length with its booster is 6.9 meters, and its diameter is 533 millimeters. This makes it compatible with VLS and submarine torpedo tubes. Its cruise altitude probably is selectable at 5 meters or 7 meters as on prior Chinese ASCMs.<br /><br />Initially these YJ-18s have been installed only on the 052D VLS. They certainly will be placed soon on other non-VLS ships with topside launcher backfits because of their superior performance. Other VLS payloads include HQ-9 surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), possibly a DH-10 LACM, and a short-range Evolved Sea Sparrow-type point defense SAM. The universal VLS reportedly has a new rocket-propelled torpedo, Changying-5, with a range from 5 to 8 kilometers, but no weapon of this type has been seen since the CY-1 at military shows in the late 1980s. The missile modules have three sizes: the largest is 9,000 millimeters long; the medium size is 7,000 millimeters long; and the smallest is 3,300 millimeters long. Every module diameter is 850 millimeters except the concentric launcher insert. This provides the ability to hold large antisatellite or antiballistic missile interceptors if required. No YJ-62 or YJ-63 SSM launchers are on 052D, as they were on previous ships. Two triple barrel 324-millimeter ASW torpedo launchers are retained under the aft helicopter deck for short-range ASW defense with Yu-7 ASW torpedoes.<br /><br />The 052D is expected to use a new Chinese datalink, the joint service integrated datalink system (JSIDLS), that was certified in June 2012 and is comparable to the U.S. Navy’s successful Link 16 for Aegis. The 052D would share a new automated maintenance support link from combat systems to the support auxiliaries, and even home base, on fault isolation and repair part ordering that was being used in Somali deployments on 054A frigates. A July 2009 PLA Daily article quoted Xu Jianmao, an instructor at the National Defense University, saying “ship equipment support soft power,” such as a software information management system, is quantified and is in use. This alleviates the popular conception that China relies on other nations for repairs. The common HN-900 intership datalink on all current warships requiring Naval Tactical Data System-like capability, probably will be replaced on 052D with a new naval common tactical data link (NCTDL), which is the next generation two-way encrypted datalink that can support new electro-optic and laser pod UAVs.<br /><br />The 052C combat direction system (CDS) was designated H/ZBJ-1. With the PLA having new missiles, launchers and sensors, it would be reasonable to expect a next-generation CDS complex. One Web page with a 054A frigate illustration showed eight display consoles surrounded by an Ethernet local area network (LAN) connecting to 15 weapons/sensors and a video bus connected to eight sensors. This probably is very similar to the 052D CDS functionality. A Chinese Web page showed a new Chinese DDG, with hull number 601, having a description in Cyrillic designated as “Meridian” in English of two main weapon display consoles and five similar consoles more specific to particular warfare functions. Below that were 12 blocks with icons representing different radars, launchers and communications. Another Web page showed a Jiangsu Research Combat Control System (JRSCCS) combat direction system architecture on an Ethernet LAN and video bus with five work stations. This appeared to be for a smaller, less complex vessel.<br /><br />The 052D does have a limited backup CDS in case of a casualty to the main CDS. The Jiangsu Automation Research Institute (JARI) developed the OFC-3/IR-17 integrated JRSCCS. This can be used to direct other weapon systems in an emergency, via its link to the main CDS, using the single Jiangsu Research Console connected to five subordinate weapon consoles. This could be the Ethernet LAN system.<br /><br />Most descriptions of the 052D do not mention sonar. One source does describe the usual SJD 8/9, an alleged copy of the French Medium frequency DUBV-23. While most references credit China with obtaining the DUBV-23 production license from France as SJD-7, a representative of Sintra Alcatel denies it was sold to China. No mention exists of a variable depth sonar (VDS) or towed array, but photos of the 052D stern show a port for a towed array—most likely the H/S JG-206, which is found on the 054A and 052C—and a torpedo decoy opening on centerline.<br /><br />The presence of the latest technologies in other areas would make the more capable Russian MG-335 Platina hull sonar and an H/SJG-206 towed array seem reasonable, especially with the long-range new ASW rocket torpedo VLS payload. One Chinese Huangqiu Web page illustration of 052D sensors depicts the bow sonar as a spherical array, as in a submarine bow sonar. Both the DE-1160 and MG-335 are cylindrical shaped transducers with the arrays mounted on vertical sides. The figure is inaccurate, but it is the only open source data available on the sonar.<br /><br />Although the 052D is claimed to be the equal of U.S. Navy Aegis destroyers and cruisers, a couple of its new systems actually are comparable to the next-generation DDG 1000 or Flight III DDG 51. They are the hot/cold-launch universal VLS and the AESA radar, which is more versatile than the Aegis SPY-1 array. <br /><br /><i>James C. Bussert, employed at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Dahlgren, Virginia, is the co-author of “People’s Liberation Army Navy Combat Systems Technology, 1949-2010.” The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Defense Department or the U.S. Navy.</i><br /><br />
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Type 052D DDG Consolidates Innovations

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