MwRYum
Major
re: PLAN Type 052 Class Destroyer
It's a combination of both, mostly.
1. In terms of hull, like I've said before the 052 series hull is probably by now running out of room to cramp more stuff into it, the new VLS allows the 052D to pack more punch simply because it's more space-efficient than the cylindrical HHQ-9 cells, and it occupies space previously by the 8 YJ-62 missiles. Provided that all other things unchanged, the 052D still only capable to operate Ka-28 or Z-9 series, both are indeed too small to be potent ASW platform, especially so with China is besieged by strong navies...bigger platforms like the Z-15 or even the rumoured Z-20 would be better by they might be cutting it close in terms of hanger space, though the deck should still be large enough for those 2.
2. Then comes the helicopter problem, as we all know China's weakest link in its aerospace industries is modern engines, the fact that the Russians still got the Chinese defeated in this sector proves everything, since "seeing is believing" so don't come brag about "this model or that" like those in China sites, as long as China can't 100% domestically produce engines in the same category of PWC PT-9 series, bigger and better naval helicopter platforms still a wayward dream. That said, having not manyKa-28 and Z-9 as it is, and better platforms still decades away, the PLAN can still stick to the 1-helicopter arrangement with their proven (?) 052 hull as for now.
However, the future still calls for destroyer design that can serve 2 larger helicopters, as well as more VLS cells for better firepower - until PLAN have CATOBAR CVs, majority of the long range firepower output will have to shouldered by the 052Ds and whatever successor designs that comes after it - with 8 of the 64 cells occupied by YJ-62 ASM (or whatever ASM that has VLS-launch variant) only 56 cells for everything else. Even if and when 052D is served as part of a larger taskforce with a multiple of its sister ships, there's little room it can pack for long range offensive package.
It's a combination of both, mostly.
1. In terms of hull, like I've said before the 052 series hull is probably by now running out of room to cramp more stuff into it, the new VLS allows the 052D to pack more punch simply because it's more space-efficient than the cylindrical HHQ-9 cells, and it occupies space previously by the 8 YJ-62 missiles. Provided that all other things unchanged, the 052D still only capable to operate Ka-28 or Z-9 series, both are indeed too small to be potent ASW platform, especially so with China is besieged by strong navies...bigger platforms like the Z-15 or even the rumoured Z-20 would be better by they might be cutting it close in terms of hanger space, though the deck should still be large enough for those 2.
2. Then comes the helicopter problem, as we all know China's weakest link in its aerospace industries is modern engines, the fact that the Russians still got the Chinese defeated in this sector proves everything, since "seeing is believing" so don't come brag about "this model or that" like those in China sites, as long as China can't 100% domestically produce engines in the same category of PWC PT-9 series, bigger and better naval helicopter platforms still a wayward dream. That said, having not manyKa-28 and Z-9 as it is, and better platforms still decades away, the PLAN can still stick to the 1-helicopter arrangement with their proven (?) 052 hull as for now.
However, the future still calls for destroyer design that can serve 2 larger helicopters, as well as more VLS cells for better firepower - until PLAN have CATOBAR CVs, majority of the long range firepower output will have to shouldered by the 052Ds and whatever successor designs that comes after it - with 8 of the 64 cells occupied by YJ-62 ASM (or whatever ASM that has VLS-launch variant) only 56 cells for everything else. Even if and when 052D is served as part of a larger taskforce with a multiple of its sister ships, there's little room it can pack for long range offensive package.
