055 Large Destroyer Thread II

Blitzo

Blitzo

General
Staff member
Super Moderator
Registered Member
Enger12 said:
Well, based on the news footage of latest two 055. I did include my source.
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"All" and "ancient" are pretty big statements -- given the number of 055s there are and each has two hangars, and don't actually know what the representative aviation complement is as opposed to CCTV video displays, which are not always representative samples... and given the Z-9 itself actually does have newer variants (so it isn't ancient per se, the primary limiter of Z-9 is its light airframe).

I understand the spirit of what you're asking, but you could really do to constrain your terms a bit more.


Maikeru said:
If true then this is a spectacularly bad decision. PLAN should cut a couple of DDG/FFG from the procurement plan and spend the money on Z-20F. Presumably Z-18 ASW variants will also run on for some time on the STOBAR carriers.
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It could reasonably be a reflection of prioritization; I am a strong believer of advanced 10t class ASW helicopters, but they are also more relevant for longer distance open ocean missions as a ASW complement, which in some ways does make sense given the near term goals of overall PLAN/PLA warfighting.

Given how all new surface combatants have a Z-20F sized helipad, I would be surprised if the intent wasn't to standardize to them as the baseline ASW helicopter going forwards.
 
lcloo

lcloo

Major
Basic Z20 airframe should not be expensive, so if Z20F has high cost problem, it could be due to
1) cost of its battle mission suite, including R&D costs.
2) possibly too many advance tech features in a single helicopter, i.e. ASW suite, surface combat suite, and may be some EW suite etc. result in a high cumulative total unit cost for each Z20F.
3) Undisclosed cost over-run.

However, I think Z20F or a modified iteration will ultimately be inducted for the fleet once PLAN is satisfied with a cost or fund allocation solution. Meanwhile Z18F, Ka-31 and Z9C/D etc. will serve on as usual.
 
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Lethe

Lethe

Captain
tphuang said:
unfortunately having read some of the recent "big shrimp" comments, Z-20F sensor suite is too expensive so they won't be purchased in larger number or at least as large as you would expect. It's shocking to me considering how important it is. I think you are going to see far more Z-20J than Z-20F.
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Perhaps USN and PLAN have negotiated a new Washington Naval Treaty between themselves: the Americans refrain from building too many SSNs, and in exchange PLAN refrains from fielding too many ASW helicopters.
 
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sunnymaxi

sunnymaxi

Colonel
Registered Member
lcloo said:
Basic Z20 airframe should not be expensive, so if Z20F has high cost problem, it could be due to
1) cost of its battle mission suite, including R&D costs.
2) possibly too many advance tech features in a single helicopter, i.e. ASW suite, surface combat suite, and may be some EW suite etc. result in a high cumulative total unit cost for each Z20F.
3) Undisclosed cost over-run.

However, I think Z20F or a modified iteration will ultimately be inducted for the fleet once PLAN is satisfied with a cost or fund allocation solution. Meanwhile Z18F, Ka-31 and Z9C/D etc. will serve on as usual.
Click to expand...
Harbin Aircraft Industry Group (HAIG) announced expansion in production facility.

Expansion facilities include ''Forging plant, willow assembly plant , sheet and composite plant and to build general purpose aerospace airframe structure manufacturing base'' Upon completion of this expansion project, it will reach the supporting capacity of aerospace airframe structural components with an annual output of 100 helicopters.

see, Z-20 is entering in full scale production so i think once production fully ramp up cost will down too.
 
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