Tally as of today:
| DDG | In Active Service | Sea Trials/Fitting Out/Under Construction (Visually Confirmed) | Purported/Claimed (Unconfirmed) |
| 055 | 8 | 5 | 3 |
| 052D/DG | 27 | 9 | 3 |
052C/052D Class Destroyers
- Thread starter Jeff Head
- Start date
Tally as of today:
The 052DG DDG #166 is in service now which I assume is the 27th?
That Wikipedia is outdated. It was 25 in service for a while but commissionings are resuming again and one ship was seemingly commissioned in December as it was spotted out in the WESTPAC; I think it's the first ship of Batch 4 (DDG #135) which was the 26th, and I assume the most recently spotted numbered one (DDG #166) is the 27th as it seems to be on the cusp of being commissioned.
It's actually quite easy IMO. You just extend the helipad out backwards more by adding a 4m stern section to the end. No rebuild needed.
antiterror13
Brigadier
I am intrigue to your answer that you mentioned "quite easy" .... I thought it was complicated. I am engineer but obviously not marine engineer. So I asked AI, this is the answer, not sure whether it is accurate
lcloo
Captain
I asked Copilot:
"Is it possible to extend length of helipad at the stern of a destroyer without lengthening the hull?"
The AI chatbot replied:
Yes, it's possible to extend the helipad on the stern of a destroyer without increasing the overall length of the hull. This can be achieved by designing and adding a cantilevered extension or platform that projects outward from the existing stern structure. Here are a few considerations for such an extension:
"Is it possible to extend length of helipad at the stern of a destroyer without lengthening the hull?"
The AI chatbot replied:
Yes, it's possible to extend the helipad on the stern of a destroyer without increasing the overall length of the hull. This can be achieved by designing and adding a cantilevered extension or platform that projects outward from the existing stern structure. Here are a few considerations for such an extension:
- Structural Reinforcement: The extension would need to be robustly supported to handle the weight and stresses from helicopter operations. This could involve reinforcing the existing stern or integrating lightweight but strong materials.
- Stability: Extending the helipad changes the ship's weight distribution, potentially affecting its stability. Careful design and ballast adjustments are necessary to maintain proper balance and seaworthiness.
- Hydrodynamic Impact: While the hull length remains the same, the added structure might influence the ship's hydrodynamics, especially in rough seas. Designers would have to ensure minimal impact on maneuverability and efficiency.
- Utility and Accessibility: The extension design should accommodate operational needs, including access for maintenance and safe helicopter operations.
lcloo
Captain
Here is my own drawing, it is crude and basic layman's design. The existing hangar can be extended by flexible portion on rollers so that it can be moved outward if needed. The helipad extension may be similar to the extensions on type 075/076 or aircraft carrier but on much smaller scale.
I really think it's not worth it to invest in expand the 052D for Z-20.
We still not see any Z-20 operate on naval ship, even experimental one, and from testing to full operational can takes years. Z-9 is also a capable helicopter and these 052D can operate in a second line.
We still not see any Z-20 operate on naval ship, even experimental one, and from testing to full operational can takes years. Z-9 is also a capable helicopter and these 052D can operate in a second line.
The Flight 1 Arleigh Burke DDGs (21x units in total) do not feature any helicopter hangars, only a helipad. It was only from Flight 2 Burkes onwards where a dual helicopter hangar design is adopted.
Plus, there have been no plans to retrofit helicopter hangars on the Flight 1 Burkes, despite many of the Flight 1 Burkes having already reaching or went past their respective MLU-ages. In retrospect, I don't think that the 1st and 2nd batches of the 052Ds would be modified with longer helicopter pads either.
Besides, there are only 13x 052Ds in the 1st and 2nd batches. The associated money, effort and resources would be much better spent towards upgrading the radars, sensors & computing systems of the older 052Ds and building more 052DGs & developing next-generation DDGs, given that China could well reach 40x 052D/DGs by 2030.
Plus, there have been no plans to retrofit helicopter hangars on the Flight 1 Burkes, despite many of the Flight 1 Burkes having already reaching or went past their respective MLU-ages. In retrospect, I don't think that the 1st and 2nd batches of the 052Ds would be modified with longer helicopter pads either.
Besides, there are only 13x 052Ds in the 1st and 2nd batches. The associated money, effort and resources would be much better spent towards upgrading the radars, sensors & computing systems of the older 052Ds and building more 052DGs & developing next-generation DDGs, given that China could well reach 40x 052D/DGs by 2030.
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