Type 055 destroyer explained

The Type 055 destroyer (NATO/OSD designation Renhai-class cruiser)[1] is a class of stealth guided-missile destroyers (rated as guided-missile cruisers per NATO/OSD standard parlance) constructed for the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). It has a multi-mission design; the combination of sensors and weapons provides a main role of area air defence, with anti-submarine warfare capabilities surpassing previous Chinese surface combatants.

The Type 055 undertakes blue-water expeditionary missions[2] and forms the primary escort for Chinese aircraft carriers.[3] The United States classifies these ships as cruisers[4] as the United States Navy (USN) defines a cruiser as a large multi-mission surface combatant with flag facilities;[5] this suggests the U.S. expects the Type 055 to fulfill a similar role to the USN's .[3]

Development

The People's Liberation Army Navy was interested in a large destroyer from as early as the late-1960s. A development program, code-named "055", initiated in 1976 was cancelled in 1983 after encountering insurmountable technical obstacles from industrial underdevelopment; for example, the required gas turbine power plants could neither be produced domestically nor imported at acceptable prices.[6]

In April 2014, an image emerged of a full-scale mock-up of the Type 055 superstructure—with enclosed integrated mast for radar and other electronics—at the Chinese naval electronic testing range in Wuhan.[7] [8]

Nanchang, the first ship of the class,[9] began construction in 2014 at the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai,[10] and was commissioned on 12 January 2020. Its first public appearance—preceding commissioning—was during the PLAN's 70th-anniversary parade[9] on 23 April 2019.[11] When launched, Nanchang was among the largest post-Second World War warships launched in East Asia.[12] [13]

The first batch of 8 vessels to this design were all laid down in 2014 to 2018, and all were in service by the end of 2022.[14] Further hulls were observed under construction, including two at Dalian in January 2022, by satellite imagery, and two at Jiangnan, as part of a second batch of 8 vessels (to reach a total of 16) under procurement provided for in the 14th Five Year Programme (2021–2025), aimed to equip all three Fleets.[14] [15]

Satellite imagery reveals that the 9th and 10th vessels of the class have been launched at Dalian and Jiangnan respectively, with the 11th and 12th units nearing completion at these two yards.[16]

Design

Stealth

The Type 055 adopts a conventional flared hull with distinctive stealthy features including an enclosed forecastle that hides mooring points, anchor chains, and other equipment. The bow and main deckhouse are configured similarly to previous Type 052C/D destroyers. A continuous structure located amidships increases internal volume and reduces radar cross-section. The smokestack design reduces both infrared signature and radar cross-section.[17] Chinese sources credit the design as being generally stealthy, with reduced radar, noise, infrared, and electromagnetic radiation signatures.[18]

Power plants

Propulsive power is generated by four 28 MW QC-280 gas turbines in combined gas and gas (COGAG) arrangement. Additional power may be provided by six 5 MW QD-50 gas turbines.[17]

The maximum speed is estimated to be 30 knots.

Electronics

Chinese literature suggests that the Type 055 is capable of "facilitat[ing] command management of a battlegroup and supporting elements". The command-and-control and battle management systems are likely comparable to contemporary PLAN systems, which reflect over a decade of intensive interest in information integration from the late 2000s.[19]

Multiple sensors are housed inside the integrated mast and ship superstructure.[20] The class has a dual-band radar system; four S-band Type 346B Dragon Eye active electronically scanned array (AESA) panels are mounted on the superstructure, and four smaller[21] X-band[22] panels are mounted on the mast. The Type 346B panels are estimated to be 40% larger than the Type 052D destroyer's Type 346A panels, for greater transmission power and sensitivity. Chinese sources claim the radar has anti-stealth capability[23] and can be used to guide anti-satellite missiles.

The ship structure also contains navigation radars, various communication and intelligence systems, electronic warfare support measures (ESM), electronic countermeasures (ECM), electro-optical (EO) sensors, laser-warning systems, optronic jammers, and datalink systems. They are likely more advanced than those deployed on previous ships.[17]

A deployment port exists for variable depth and towed array sonar.[22] The large bulbous bow likely contains a bow sonar;[22] the Type 055 may mount a larger bow sonar than previous Chinese surface combatants.

Armament

The primary armament are missiles carried in 112 vertical launching system (VLS) cells,[24] 64 cells forward and 48 cells aft. The same VLS model is used on the Type 052D destroyer, which is believed to be an implementation of the GJB 5860-2006 standard;[25] the GJB 5860-2006 is capable of hot and cold launches using concentric canisters.[26] The longest variant, with 9-metre cells, is likely used.[17] The Type 055 is expected to carry HHQ-9 surface-to-air missiles, YJ-18 anti-ship cruise missiles, CJ-10 land-attack cruise missiles, and missile-launched anti-submarine torpedoes upon entering service.[24] Potentially, the larger cells may also carry anti-ship ballistic missiles.[27] [28]

Additional armament includes a 130-mm main gun, a 11-barrel 30-mm close-in weapon system (CIWS), a HHQ-10 short-range air defense system, 324-mm torpedo launchers, and decoy launchers. There is hangar space for two helicopters.

Future developments

It has been suggested that future variants may be armed with lasers or electromagnetic railguns.[17] Since the current design does not have integrated electric propulsion, installation of integrated electric propulsion will be required for the ship to meet power requirements in the future.[29]

In 2021, United States Department of Defense identified Type 055 as the future launch platform for China's naval-based mid-course interceptors, such as the HQ-19 anti-ballistic missiles.[30]

Ships of class

Pennant
number 		Name Namesake Builder Laid
down 		Launched Commissioned Fleet Status
101[31] 南昌／NanchangCity of
Nanchang,
provincial
capital of
Jiangxi		Jiangnan Shipyard,[32]
Changxingdao, Shanghai		2014 28 June 2017[33] 12 January 2020[34] North Sea Fleet[35] Active
102拉萨／LhasaCity of
Lhasa,
regional
capital of
Tibet		Jiangnan Shipyard,
Changxingdao		2015 28 April 2018[36] 2 March 2021[37] North Sea Fleet[38] Active
105大连／DalianCity of
Dalian,
in Liaoning		Dalian Shipyard,
Liaoning		2016 3 July 201823 April 2021[39] South Sea Fleet[40] Active
106延安 / Yan'anCity of
Yan'an,
in Shaanxi		Dalian Shipyard,[41]
Liaoning		2016 3 July 2018February 2022South Sea FleetActive[42]
103鞍山／AnshanCity of
Anshan,
in Liaoning		Jiangnan Shipyard,
Changxingdao		2017 12 September 201911 November 2021North Sea FleetActive
107遵义 / ZunyiCity of
Zunyi,
in Guizhou		Dalian Shipyard,
Liaoning		2017 26 December 2019November 2022South Sea FleetActive
104无锡／WuxiCity of
Wuxi,
in Jiangsu		Jiangnan Shipyard,
Changxingdao		2018 9 May 2020March 2022North Sea FleetActive
108咸阳 / XianyangCity of
Xianyang,
in Shaanxi		Dalian Shipyard,
Liaoning 		2018 30 August 2020December 2022South Sea Fleet Active[43]
4Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company3 July 2018
5Jiangnan Shipyard (Group) Co. Ltd.12 September 2019[44]
6Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company26 December 2019[45]
7[46]
8Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company30 August 2020-->

See also

References

Sources

Notes and References

  1. O'Rourke . Ronald . 7 October 2021 . China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities - Background and Issues for Congress . . RL33153 . 1 December 2021 . 24–25.
  2. Web site: Holmes . James R. . Fleet Design with Chinese Characteristics . . 15 February 2018 . 6 July 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180707092509/https://www.uscc.gov/sites/default/files/Holmes_Written%20Testimony.pdf . 7 July 2018 . live . dmy-all .
  3. News: China's Type 055 Super Destroyer Is A Reality Check For The US And Its Allies. Rogoway. Tyler. The Drive. 22 August 2017. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20170822220648/http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/11941/chinas-type-055-super-destroyer-is-a-reality-check-for-the-us-and-its-allies. 22 August 2017. live. dmy-all.
  4. United States Department of Defense . United States Department of Defense . May 2017 . Annual Report To Congress: Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2017 . 25 . 22 July 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180719115001/https://www.defense.gov/Portals/1/Documents/pubs/2017_China_Military_Power_Report.PDF . 19 July 2018 . live . dmy-all .
  5. Web site: United States Navy Fact File: Cruisers - CG . 9 January 2017 . 6 July 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180706075338/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4200&tid=800&ct=4 . 6 July 2018 . live . dmy-all .
  6. Book: Historical Data of Destroyers . Historical Data of Chinese Shipbuilding Industry . China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation, Department of Equipment and Technology of People's Liberation Army Navy . 10–11 . Summary of Historic facts （Part 3, Reviews of Large Size Destroyer Research）. zh-hans.
  7. Caldwell et al.: page 4
  8. Web site: Lin . Jeffrey . Singer . P.W. . The next new major Chinese warship arrives, on land . Popular Science . 9 April 2014 . 29 May 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150430033055/http://www.popsci.com/blog-network/eastern-arsenal/next-new-major-chinese-warship-arrives-land . 30 April 2015 . live . dmy-all .
  9. Web site: Chen . Zhuo . China to commission first Type 055 guided missile destroyer . Xinhua . 26 April 2019 . 28 April 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190428210919/http://eng.mod.gov.cn/news/2019-04/26/content_4840496.htm . 28 April 2019 . live . dmy-all .
  10. Web site: Rahmat . Ridzwan . China launches largest surface combatant to date. Janes . 29 June 2017 . 2 July 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170701021523/http://www.janes.com/article/71903/china-launches-largest-surface-combatant-to-date . 1 July 2017.
  11. Web site: Tate . Andrew . Chinese navy puts newest platforms on display . Jane's 360 . 24 April 2019 . 5 July 2022 . dmy-all .
  12. Web site: Mizokami . Kyle . China launches Asia's biggest post-WWII warship . Popular Science . 29 June 2017 . 24 July 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170801194444/http://www.popsci.com/china-launches-asias-biggest-post-wwii-warship . 1 August 2017 . live . dmy-all .
  13. Web site: Lin . Jeffrey . China Launches Asia's Largest Surface Warship . Popular Mechanics . 28 June 2017 . 15 August 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170815140630/http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/navy-ships/news/a27120/china-launches-asia-largest-warship/ . 15 August 2017 . live . dmy-all .
  14. Jane's Fighting Ships, 2023-24 Edition, ISBN 978-0-7106-3428 3, page 138.
  15. Web site: Hints of Chinese Naval Ambitions in the 2020s. The Diplomat. 25 December 2020. 25 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201225050824/https://thediplomat.com/2020/12/hints-of-chinese-naval-ambitions-in-the-2020s/. 25 December 2020. live. dmy-all.
  16. Web site: Luck . Alex . 2024-05-28 . China launches 10th Type 055 Vessel, increases production . 2024-06-02 . Naval News . en-US.
  17. Web site: Rick . Joe . All You Need to Know About China's New Stealth Destroyer . The Diplomat . 8 June 2018 . 13 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180613005400/https://thediplomat.com/2018/06/all-you-need-to-know-about-chinas-new-stealth-destroyer/ . 13 June 2018 . live . dmy-all .
  18. Web site: Lendon. Bard. China's newest destroyer seen as challenge to Asia rivals. CNN. 28 June 2017. 28 June 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170628204655/http://edition.cnn.com/2017/06/28/asia/china-navy-new-destroyer/index.html. 28 June 2017. live. dmy-all.
  19. Caldwell et al.: page 9
  20. Web site: Type 055 Renhai-class Cruiser: China’s Premier Surface Combatant . U.S. Naval Institute . March 2023 . Eric . Wertheim .
  21. Web site: More details emerge about detection capabilities of Type 055 destroyer's radar . Janes . 13 October 2020. 26 April 2021. Andrew . Tate.
  22. Caldwell et al.: page 8
  23. Web site: Chinese Type 055 destroyer has anti-stealth and anti-satellite capabilities . Navy Recognition . 26 April 2021.
  24. Web site: Tate . Andrew . 3 July 2018 . China launches two Type 055 destroyers simultaneously in Dalian . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20180704153941/http://www.janes.com/article/81499/china-launches-two-type-055-destroyers-simultaneously-in-dalian . 4 July 2018 . 5 July 2018 . Janes . dmy-all.
  25. Web site: Wang . Weixing . 谜一样的战舰 从052D驱逐舰看中舰艇系统 . A Ship of Mystery: The Shipborne Systems of Type 052D . zh . 4 September 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121011231629/http://news.inewsweek.cn/news-32022-p-3.html. 2012-10-11.
  26. News: Bussert . James C. . China's Navy Deploys Three-Tier Defensive Weapons . Afcea International . AFCEA . 1 July 2013 . 29 April 2019.
  27. Caldwell et al.: pages 11-12
  28. Web site: 2020-09-12. Will China upgrade its destroyers with 'carrier killer' missiles?. 2020-12-14. South China Morning Post. en.
  29. Web site: Zhang . Tao . Expert: Don't overanalyze PLAN's type-055 destroyer . China Military Online . 8 January 2015 . 3 June 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150427235751/http://english.chinamil.com.cn/news-channels/china-military-news/2015-01/08/content_6302025.htm . 27 April 2015 . live . dmy-all .
  30. United States Department of Defense . United States Department of Defense . May 2017 . Annual Report To Congress: Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2021 . 80 .
  31. Web site: United States Navy Office of Naval Intelligence . Office of Naval Intelligence . December 2022 . PLA Navy Identification Guide . 20 December 2022 . dmy-all .
  32. Web site: Tate . Andrew . O'Connor . Sean . Construction of China's Type 055 destroyers forges ahead . Janes . 26 April 2017 . 26 April 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170425230803/http://www.janes.com/article/69826/construction-of-china-s-type-055-destroyers-forges-ahead . 25 April 2017 . live . dmy-all .
  33. Web site: 陈国全 . 尹航 . 陈丽娜 . http://www.mod.gov.cn/power/2017-06/28/content_4783873.htm . zh:我国新型万吨级驱逐舰首舰下水 . . 28 June 2017 . 28 June 2017 . zh . https://web.archive.org/web/20170705200408/http://www.mod.gov.cn/power/2017-06/28/content_4783873.htm . 5 July 2017 . live . dmy-all .
  34. Web site: Tate . Andrew . Chinese navy's first Type 055-class destroyer enters service . Jane's . 13 January 2020 . 14 January 2020 . dmy-all .
  35. Web site: 夏阳 . 杨宜修 . 改进型052D官宣入列东海舰队 反潜能力提升, 还能探测隐身目标 . eastday.com . 29 March 2021 . 16 April 2021.
  36. Web site: Tate . Andrew . China launches second Type 055 destroyer . Jane's 360 . 30 April 2018 . 2 May 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180501235845/http://www.janes.com/article/79674/china-launches-second-type-055-destroyer . 1 May 2018 . live . dmy-all .
  37. Web site: 055型驱逐舰拉萨舰正式加入中国海军序列 . Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China . 25 March 2021 . 25 March 2021.
  38. Web site: Tate . Andrew . PLAN's second Type 055-class destroyer enters service . Janes . 8 March 2021 . 8 March 2021 .
  39. Web site: Tate . Andrew . China commissions three major naval vessels on PLAN's 72nd anniversary . Janes . 27 April 2021 . 27 April 2021 .
  40. Web site: La Armada china recibe 3 buques para reforzar el control en el mar de China Meridional . . 25 April 2021 . 4 January 2022 . es.
  41. Web site: Gady . Franz-Stefan . PLA Navy commissions destroyer . The Diplomat . 15 March 2018 . 28 January 2023.
  42. Web site: Zhao Lei . PLA Navy commissions destroyer . China Daily . 2 August 2022 . 28 January 2023.
  43. Web site: The eighth Type 055 destroyer officially commissioned to PLA Navy . China Military . 23 Apr 2023 . 23 Apr 2023.
  44. Web site: Tate . Andrew . China launches 5th Type 055 destroyer for PLAN . Janes . 23 September 2019 . 23 September 2019.
  45. Web site: Tate . Andrew . More launches of destroyers, corvettes conclude busy year for Chinese naval shipbuilders . Jane's . 31 December 2019 . 8 January 2020.
  46. Web site: Chan . Minnie . Chinese navy may launch eighth Type 055 stealth destroyer later this year . South China Morning Post . 21 August 2020 . 30 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200823051331if_/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3098205/chinese-navy-may-launch-eighth-type-055-stealth-destroyer-later . 23 August 2020.

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