Another photo of an extended-deck variant on trial. Also note the new midship array.
(1599 x 791)
That array at midships looks strange. Is this a longwave radar of some sort for anti-stealth?
052C/052D Class Destroyers
- Thread starter Jeff Head
- Start date
That array at midships looks strange. Is this a longwave radar of some sort for anti-stealth?
Yes.
Another photo of an extended-deck variant on trial. Also note the new midship array.
(1599 x 791)
They also took out the two X-band SATCOM bulbs amidships which previously is just situated front and below the metric wave radar, and replace them with a single one on the back just above the hanger door. The small white bulb that used to be there, which is either a Ku-band SATCOM or a missile datalink, is now moved ahead of the X-band SATCOM bulb.
Another thing of change, although this started around the 10th Type 052D, is the ESM unit. Previously, they looked like this going all the way back to the 052B. They are similar to the DWL002 passive sensor, which in turn is similar to the Tamara, Kolchuga and the earlier VERA units. Capabilities of the past and the new ESM are unknown and vaguely documented. These sensors work on threes, two will give surface or bearing location information, and the third will give altitude information. On ships however, two will only be used.
Newer ones had a more of a capsule shape.
This one on 161 Hohhot.
This one on the 052DG.
The newer ones remind me more of the VERA NG. Remember this? Back in 2006 or 2007, China tried to buy these from the Czechs but the US blocked it. This one with the rounded cap is a much more recent design, around 2015 and up.
The rounded, more capsule form ESM is also partially hidden on the Type 055 --- you will find them near the base of the mast. They are also found retrofitted to at least three, maybe four of the 052C, and given the rate of progress and intention, all six should be retrofitted. The new ESM is also retrofitted on the Liaoning earlier this year when her communications equipment and bridge was overhauled.
This overhead picture of the 052C and 052D together shows the new ESM on the 052C.
Newer ones had a more of a capsule shape.
This one on 161 Hohhot.
This one on the 052DG.
The newer ones remind me more of the VERA NG. Remember this? Back in 2006 or 2007, China tried to buy these from the Czechs but the US blocked it. This one with the rounded cap is a much more recent design, around 2015 and up.
The rounded, more capsule form ESM is also partially hidden on the Type 055 --- you will find them near the base of the mast. They are also found retrofitted to at least three, maybe four of the 052C, and given the rate of progress and intention, all six should be retrofitted. The new ESM is also retrofitted on the Liaoning earlier this year when her communications equipment and bridge was overhauled.
This overhead picture of the 052C and 052D together shows the new ESM on the 052C.
by78
General
It's strange you would use turbine-to-VLS ratio to judge the merit of the two platforms.
I guess. I am assuming the turbines are the major portion of the cost of the vessel. I could be wrong though. Perhaps it is electronics and then it makes more sense to use the larger vessel.
If crew is the major funding issue in upkeep costs then the larger vessel is better.
I think it is the electronics.
For the Type-52D, there was a quote that half the cost was electronics.
Remember that a long range Sam system like the Russian S-300 is about $200M and a S-400 is about $600M.
There is also a lifetime cost breakdown publicly available from the US gov, which includes the Arleigh Burke amongst the numerous weapons systems. Personnel and gas turbines aren't significant.
So you can use that to estimate what the equivalent Type-52D cost breakdown would be.
There is radar and other electronic equipment costs.
Then there is PESA costs. Passive phase arrays are more expensive then mechanical arrays using dipoles, dishes, and parabolics.
Then there is AESA costs. Active phase arrays cost more than passive phase arrays.
Not only does the 052C/D have those large arrays, but its bristling with all sorts of secondary antenna from top to bottom. The 055 cleans up the mess at the cost of going all out with AESAs.
Then there is PESA costs. Passive phase arrays are more expensive then mechanical arrays using dipoles, dishes, and parabolics.
Then there is AESA costs. Active phase arrays cost more than passive phase arrays.
Not only does the 052C/D have those large arrays, but its bristling with all sorts of secondary antenna from top to bottom. The 055 cleans up the mess at the cost of going all out with AESAs.