Indeed. IIRC The early 346 had to use C-band, because it was speculated that HHQ-9 used the TVM guidance mechanism of SA-N-6 in the past. Therefore, it was implied the 346 radar needs to have both search and control capabilities. With which version was the active radar homing introduced ? What is the use of the middle array ?
052C/052D Class Destroyers
- Thread starter Jeff Head
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Indeed. IIRC The early 346 had to use C-band, because it was speculated that HHQ-9 used the TVM guidance mechanism of SA-N-6 in the past. Therefore, it was implied the 346 radar needs to have both search and control capabilities. With which version was the active radar homing introduced ? What is the use of the middle array ?
Type 346 is said to have two strips of C-band arrays on top and bottom of the main array. This gives the Type 346 an appearance where its taller than wider. Optimal shape for any phase array would be equal length on height and width for both height finding and horizontal scanning. If radar is wider than taller, its more optimized for horizontal scanning but still capable of height finding. If taller than wider, more for height finding but still capable of horizontal scanning. The C-band arrays on the Type 346 are shaped like strips probably because the target illumination arrays, which should be shaped like squares, are also interspersed with IFF arrays on the top bar and maybe sidelobe cancellers on the lower bar. Just to give you some idea, look at the face of the MPQ-53 and HT-233 fire control radars. The Type 052C does not have the IFF bars on top like the Type 052D because the IFF arrays are within the main panel already.
Type 346A is on the other hand, perfectly symmetrical. Equal already both in height and width. That panel is not meant to fit anything else, allowing the array to be larger. Within that perfectly square panel, it would fit as many S-band elements as possible, and not mix other things within the panel. By having as more S-band elements and a larger array size, it would improve it search and acquire performance better than 346. The IFF is moved out of the main panel into the array bar situated on top of the bridge. Without any illumination array, HHQ-9 would have to be actively guided.
With the Type 052D. What middle array?
It was speculated that the main S-band array was sandwiched between two rows of C-band arrays. You said that with the H/LJG-346A, it shoudnt be the case: it should only be a S band radar. Does it means all three rows (the 2 C-band and 1 S-band) are S band ? The photo I posted shows one weird array sandwiched (it should be the S-band).
When you mean sandwich it would be one bar on top, then a circle or a hexagon in the middle and another bar on the bottom.
You don't put an array in between an array because that array would block and interfere with the transmission and reception. There would also be no provision for the lines and wires that would feed each element inside the array.
The three layers you see for the 346A is just for one single S-band array and the way it was constructed.
Unfortunately, there is little information available in the public domain on military radar systems.
One source useful for coarse comparisons, is the CMANO simulator database. China watchers will immediately spot quite a few errors, but that's mostly because the devs base their information on publicly available sources only.
The Type 346A is classified as comparable to Western 90's era radar technology, despite being an AESA:
At the same time, the SPY-1D is classified as early 2000's technology, so somewhat better:
SPY-6 is modeled as several generations more advanced than both:
Their database for Chinese weapon is poorly written and checked.
That absolutely makes no sense at all.