052/052B Class Destroyers

Re: DDG 052C Thread

Centrist said:

Anyone know if these use Chinese-made gas turbines? Did the original 52Cs use Chinese ones?

Click to expand...

The original 052Cs used Ukrainian gas turbines, while these would be using licence-produced versions.

Re: DDG 052C Thread

Bltizo said:

Unless there's a major redesign of the HQ-9 it definitely won't be able to fit in the box VLS.
But I think if they wanted to they could definitely install the 054A style VLS on 052C+, it's just that it'll be firing HQ-16 instead of HQ-9. If this 052C+ retains the circular launcher it probably just means they aren't deciding to roll out the new (I'm sure there is a newer VLS under development) one just yet and 052C and HQ-9 is sufficient for their air defense needs (parallel to Daring class, again)

Click to expand...

I wouldn't say "definitely" no. If the VLS designers were forward thinking and made the VLS slightly taller than is enough to barely fit the HQ-16 for the purpose of making room for future upgrades (e.g. for a strap-on booster or a longer missile), then the HQ-9 may be able to fit inside. The bore of the HQ-16 VLS is actually very similar to that of the Mk 41 based on my own photographic comparisons and should be able to fit the HQ-9, borewise at least. For reference each Mk41 cell has a bore of 25in/635mm on each side, allowing a maximum (folded) wingspan of 914mm or less (635*1.44). The HQ-9's fins would probably have to be modified to fold while packed, but that would hardly be a major redesign. The other concern is whether the exhaust system can handle the much greater thrust of the HQ-9, which is definitely not a guarantee. Unless, again, the designers were forward-thinking, had additional future capabilities in mind, and designed them into the current system.

Re: DDG 052C Thread

ZTZ99 said:

I wouldn't say "definitely" no. If the VLS designers were forward thinking and made the VLS slightly taller than is enough to barely fit the HQ-16 for the purpose of making room for future upgrades (e.g. for a strap-on booster or a longer missile), then the HQ-9 may be able to fit inside. The bore of the HQ-16 VLS is actually very similar to that of the Mk 41 based on my own photographic comparisons and should be able to fit the HQ-9, borewise at least. For reference each Mk41 cell has a bore of 25in/635mm on each side, allowing a maximum (folded) wingspan of 914mm or less (635*1.44). The HQ-9's fins would probably have to be modified to fold while packed, but that would hardly be a major redesign. The other concern is whether the exhaust system can handle the much greater thrust of the HQ-9, which is definitely not a guarantee. Unless, again, the designers were forward-thinking, had additional future capabilities in mind, and designed them into the current system.

Click to expand...

Hmm all very good points, I just hope the PLAN had such possible forward thinking while designing the 054A style VLS.
Another matter for the HQ-9 in 054A style VLS is that HQ-9 is cold launch unliike HQ-16 which is hot launch -- so thrust from the HQ-9 shouldn't be a major problem, but whether the 054A style VLS can handle hot and cold launches would be a challenge (if they'd been forward planning)

Re: DDG 052C Thread

I hope the new DDG could improved HQ-9 launcher system to hot launch,but we still need one or two more days to see.
there are many photos come out, they are almost the same, I just posted two of them.

Re: DDG 052C Thread

ZTZ99 said:

I doubt it's as easy as that. I'm not certain the HQ-16 VLS can handle the HQ-9, either physically or electronically. We'll just have to see. If it can't then it would be far better to design a multi-role VLS from scratch so it can accommodate strike, AAW, ASW, and anti-ship ordinance, like the Mk 41 VLS.

Click to expand...

I was more referring to the 052C installing the whole HQ-16 missiles + box VLS launcher installation instead of the HQ-9 + circular VLS, as a point of clarification.

Re: DDG 052C Thread

this photo show some rear of the hull, 730 gun and rocket launcher.

Re: DDG 052C Thread

a few more photos from the New 052C. It looks like from the first photo at least that Type 730 in the rear might have moved forward a little bit to just behind the aftmast (or maybe it's just the angle). The rocket launch systems are behind it still and before the hangar. I'm not sure if it's the case. As usual, waiting for more photos to come out.

Re: DDG 052C Thread

If you look at pictures of the old 171/170 the rocket launchers are before the CIWS. In the newer model the rocket launcher appears to be behind the CIWS.

Re: DDG 052C Thread

If they decided to put the HQ-16 VLS into the 054A frigates, it'd probably mean the Chinese hot-launch VLS system has been matured, for it's more modular-friendly, weight-saving and less complex than a cold-launch system...the circular cell arrangement isn't the ideal utilization of space.
And in terms of radar, it's a matter of guidance system, either the radar tweaked to work at the required band or the datalink made the needed modification.
Though it won't be long before this new 052C get its deck photo taken, then we can see what VLS system they adopt.

Re: DDG 052C Thread

if we see the photos below, we can find the new ship still adopt circular cell HQ-9 VLS cold launch system.