The middle bridge window seems wider than the rest.One more.
054B/new generation frigate
- Thread starter Blitzo
- Start date
The second 054B ship 555 Qinzhou (钦州舰) was launched in Guangzhou Huangpu shipyard (广州黄埔造船厂).
A couple photos showing the 2nd 054B docking in shipyard before the sea trial.
sleek and wild little beast, with a lot of punch!
054B FFG #545 Luohe undergoing her first post-commissioning (underway replenishment/refueling) training at sea.
So what are the RAS systems at amidships for? Replenishing other vessels from the 054B?
lcloo
Captain
What gave you that idea?
If you are genuine, then I have thought that the 054B could be a tanker for smaller vessels like USVs ever since someone here first pointed out its RAS stations. They are next to the slanted launcher and can take advantage of that part of the hull with its openings. The 054B is is much bigger than the 054A and we know that weight isn’t going to weapons, so it’s mostly for fuel which we have been assuming is only to give it very long range, but which could actually be used to keep a whole swarm of USVs fueled for a long time
lcloo
Captain
Giving type 054B a role to replenish smaller vessels may be possible but it is against basic design logic unless you are thinkng along with
1) The frigate is the largest warship in your navy, thus will need to be versatile to face all type of needs, and
2) Spaces on board the frigate is all designed for combat, as they said, every inch of space is not spared, why built in extra equipment to replenish other smaller ships/boats. Though I see the Philippines Coast Guard used their larger ships to re-supply those small tiny boats by hand out overboard, but Philippine CG is pushing the boundry for lack of suitable ships.
China has many replenishment ships of various displacements. And there are dozens of type 072, 073, 074. They don't need type 054B to act as a tanker.
China has the largest fleet in term of number of ships should keep type 054B as dedicated combat ship, its size is for endurance and to be able to escort for aircraft carrier and other flotilla without being a short leg.