054/A FFG Thread II

[shen]

Yup, with quad-packing, the prowess of the frigate increases immensely. The only disadvantage I see now is the single Phalanx, compared to the duo-Type 730 on the Type 054A; not a very big deal but still, worth mentioning.

I have to say this frigate would incorporate more modern equipment if done according to plan. I'm still concerned with its lack of bow sonar though, it would really hinder its ASW capabilities.

just realized the Korean design still have the old STIR fire control radar on top of the bridge. so guidance for ESSM is still handle by an old but proven system. less risky, but also means that in terms of raw firepower, 054A still have the edge with four separate fire control channels. with only one fire control radar, its simultaneous engagement capability is going to be worse than 054A, even with time share, and there is a blind spot aft.

on CDF, poster icy_thailand said its actually not a done deal yet. China apparently offered to help establish ship building in Thailand.

 

[joshuatree]

What I said mostly translated in the bow design, the "cleaner" design have all the machinery usually on the bow deck tucked away / covered, thus help to reduce the RCS. Such feature is pretty old by now, the La Fayette class FFG design introduced it back in last in the 1990s. That said, the 054/054A is kinda stuck in a strange timewarp between the eras of Oliver Hazard Perry Class FFG and La Fayette Class FFG.

I see what you are saying. However, I think the bow RCS isn't that much different between the new "cleaner" design with nothing but the gun turret vs the 054's bow because it has the edge railing/cover on the sides of the bow, essentially hiding the machinery on deck. Perhaps someone with more RCS knowledge can chime in here. I think the clean bow is more aesthetics than anything else. It even seems like a waste of deck space unless there are hidden panels that pop open or something.

I would say the areas needing more RCS reduction attention would be the mast and the accessories on top of the hangar. Even the ASuW missile launchers could stand some RCS reduction enhancements on the 054A.

 

[shen]

1st...that frigate carries a helo, and you can bet that it has sensors that can give targeting information to the vessel, and/or the missiles.

2nd, if they are part of a treaty with the US and its allies, they can receive information from them.

3rd, Thailand itself has other MPA assets it could use if necessary.

ok, but there are plenty of situations when helo can't take off, due to weather for example.
USN, by doctrine, place less importance on SSM capability, and won't suffer due to its vast support and network fighting capabilities. Lesser navies however probably won't be able to use Harpoon to its full capability in many situations.
Band Stand is actually an unique system, China is the only know export customer. India uses Garpun-B radar, but doesn't have the dedicated datalink to provide midcourse correction to SSM.

 

[escobar]

N°16

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[shen]

Is there any details or additional photos of the Chinese Light Frigate #2 in post 2119? Which version was offered to Thailand?

 

[Jeff Head]

The Incheon Class FFG shares a similar niche with the Chinese 056 class corvettes, alas bigger (just enough to be classified as frigate), and its primary adversary is the puny DPRK navy, its design arsenal is more than adequate to handle the job, thus can afford a more conventional design to save cost.

The Incheon Class is a MUCH heavier vessel than the Type 056, with a correspondingly heavier armament.

It is 2,300 tons light, with closer to 3,000+ tons full load.

That main gun is a 127mm (5 inch) 62 caliber gun, much, much larger than the Type 056. It has 8 SSM (4 antiship and 4 land attack) to the Type 056's four SSMs. It also carries a 21 missile RAM system instead of eight for the Type 056 and has a 20mm CIWS which the Type 056 lacks. Even more critically, it also has a full helo pad and hanger for an embarked helicopter.

[/enter]

So, all in all,the Incheon Class is a true multi-role frigate and is armed to fight like one, while the Type 056 is an OPV Corvette and armed to fight like one...and I bet the cost difference is very significant.

South Korea plans 15 of these FFGs at present, while the PLAN is going to build probably over 50 of the Type 056.​

 

[timepass]

Chinese Light Frigate 1

Chinese Light Frigate 2

IMO one of the above might be the possibility for PN since they are in need of FFG (4-6) between 3000 - 4000 tons (something between F-22P & 054A).

 

[MwRYum]

just realized the Korean design still have the old STIR fire control radar on top of the bridge. so guidance for ESSM is still handle by an old but proven system. less risky, but also means that in terms of raw firepower, 054A still have the edge with four separate fire control channels. with only one fire control radar, its simultaneous engagement capability is going to be worse than 054A, even with time share, and there is a blind spot aft.

on CDF, poster icy_thailand said its actually not a done deal yet. China apparently offered to help establish ship building in Thailand.

Unless the DPRK can dish out saturated ASM attack with modern missiles, the "old yet proven" system would be adequate, cost less and keep construction on schedule; should they want to improve as long as the ship has expansion potential planned into its design that should be fine.

The Incheon Class is a MUCH heavier vessel than the Type 056, with a correspondingly heavier armament.

It is 2,300 tons light, with closer to 3,200-3,500 tons full load.

That main gun is a 127mm (5 inch) 62 caliber gun, much, much larger than the Type 056. It has 8 SSM (4 antiship and 4 land attack) to the Type 056's four SSMs. It also carries a 21 missile RAM system instead of eight for the Type 056 and has a 20mm CIWS which the Type 056 lacks. Even more critically, it also has a full helo pad and hanger for an embarked helicopter.

So, all in all,the Incheon Class is a true multi-role frigate and is armed to fight like one, while the Type 056 is an OPV Corvette and armed to fight like one...and I bet the cost difference is very significant.

South Korea plans 15 of these FFGs at present, while the PLAN is going to build probably over 50 of the Type 056.

I stand corrected.

 

[delft]

ok, but there are plenty of situations when helo can't take off, due to weather for example.

I wonder whether this Korean frigate will have more of this trouble because of the very high and wide deck house just in front of the helo landing pad.

 

[shen]

Unless the DPRK can dish out saturated ASM attack with modern missiles, the "old yet proven" system would be adequate, cost less and keep construction on schedule; should they want to improve as long as the ship has expansion potential planned into its design that should be fine.

I agree, that would be the sensible choice.
Looking closer at the details, I think the panels associated with the X band Sea Watcher radar is missing on the Korean model. That may suggest that to further lower cost, they eliminated the X band radar. damn, that's like buying a Range Rover without 4wd.

check out the Thales website and their pics of I-Mast to the Korean model.