re: PLAN Type 052 Class Destroyer
Flight IIA of Arleigh Burke class destroyer crossed 9000t and Flight III at 10000t, yet they still call it destroyer...but my point is that the current 052C hull is just too damn small, too light for any further improvement; with the rumored hot-launch modular VLS they could pack more for the same volume and weight, but that's a big "if"...there's has yet no imagery evidence that it existed or tested on their testing vessel.
Actually flight iii AB will be considered by the USN a cruiser -- flight iia is still considered a destroyer even though in all respects it is a cruiser. sejong is 10k tons, it should be considered a cruiser too but is called a destroyer. Regardless, once you reach 9000 tons and beyond you have yourself a cruiser and the PLAN at the moment do not quite need one.
And I'm of the belief that 052D is stretched a little compared to 052C, and that it will feature the hot launch VLS we've all been hearing about.
As for whether the new VLS is being tested... i forget if it's 891 or 892, but there is a boxy module on the bow deck of one of the two, protruding up somewhat. Many think this to be the lengthened version of 054A's hot launch/common VLS. Of course we'll know once 052D is launched whether it has the hot launch VLS, but at this point I would bet that it would be.
Be it as it may, it just need to be wider and longer.
How do we know it isn't? Looking at the helipad/hangar module of hull 9, it is noticeably wider than 052Cs (I'm not sure if the picture has been posted here it's over on the 052D thread on CDF if you're interested).
That's why it's pretty much a waste of time and resources to continue with such a "small" baseline design.
I guess we'll have to see just how heavily armed it is then wont' we?
It will probably be wiser to discuss whether 052D is a significant improvement over 052C once we actually have pictures of it from multiple angles to assess VLS number and estimate, length, beam, draft and displacement, but let's use some rumours instead for the moment.
-64 hot launch VLS (let's use 48 just for argument's sake)
-8000 tons max (stretched somewhat compared to 052C)
-new APAR
If only the first is true I would consider it a significant improvement. We know the third is true given the picture. The second, whether the hull is stretched or not, we'll be able to tell in a few weeks once it's launched.
That's not including other improvements such as
-new 130mm gun
-likely more stealthy (the helipad of module of hull 9 shows the lifeboats/RHIB is enclosed within the hull, ala 054A)
-likely new ciws (either 11 barrel type 730 or HQ-10)
-improved combat system and minor electronics which is to be expected with both incremental and generational improvements of a class.
052D will likely be the consolidation of various subsystems (indigenous powerplant, APAR, VLS, new gun, etc) which will set the PLAN up well to use those same systems aboard a larger hull, a cruiser or what not. Add more VLS, command centres, even another main gun aboard a larger hull and you basically have a cruiser. I do not think anyone should have expected them to jump straight to a cruiser, especially when there are so many older DDG hulls to replace which an 8k ton hull will be more than enough for. 10k ton vessels will be beyond overkill.
