054/A FFG Thread II
- Thread starter tphuang
- Start date
I'm pretty sure this is not the same missile coming out of the 054A VL cell. This is probably a slant-launch-only ASW missile designed for the JY-83-style launchers of the 056, 054A, 051B, etc. It's actually perfect for the 051B with its 16 slant launchers, which would free up enough VL cells to have a full 32 cells with HHQ-16s, a SAM load more befitting its displacement.
I would add that the slant-launched version at 150km range is almost certainly much-longer ranged than the VLS version that we are now seeing (which would be more on the order of 20-30km range), which is probably a fast-reaction short-ranged ASW missile more like the VLA which could theoretically be guided by on board sensors, whereas the long-ranged slant-launched version may be something that is launched when an off-board sonar (such as from a helicopter, UAV, or SOSUS-type array) detects a submarine. These slant-launched ASW missiles could even be housed in shore-based batteries.
Hendrik_2000
Lieutenant General
I believe both of them can be guided by offboard sensor. For the simple reason that Z9 can't carry more than 1 torpedo. So basically using Z9 as mobile sensor and have the mother ship carry the torpedos
Dimension wise both are similar in size so performance wise they should be the same
The slant one looks bigger to me. Plus it's a turbofan rather than a solid motor, so it's definitely going to have more range.
Yeah I think it was pretty obvious when we first saw the winged/slant launched missile that it was bigger than anything that the 054A's VLS could launch.
I mean, the slant launched ASROC missile is launched from the same box launcher as a YJ-83, it's in a completely different weight class to what 054A's VL ASROC is, not to mention its aerodynamic configuration, propulsion etc.
I'm sure both the 054A's VLA and the winged ASROC can be guided in similar ways with offboard datalinks and so on... however the latter is most definitely a different beast to the former.
That said, I wouldn't be surprised if the winged ASROC is able to be launched from the larger sized universal VLS aboard 052D and 055
I mean, the slant launched ASROC missile is launched from the same box launcher as a YJ-83, it's in a completely different weight class to what 054A's VL ASROC is, not to mention its aerodynamic configuration, propulsion etc.
I'm sure both the 054A's VLA and the winged ASROC can be guided in similar ways with offboard datalinks and so on... however the latter is most definitely a different beast to the former.
That said, I wouldn't be surprised if the winged ASROC is able to be launched from the larger sized universal VLS aboard 052D and 055
As others have written, manufacturing things like bullet proof vests can be done quite quickly whereas constructing, commissioning and training a new warship to competency takes many more years.
Furthermore, considering China's main strategic front is now the ocean rather than land, it makes more sense to spend more on naval capabilities than army.... but at the same time, it doesn't mean the army is being overlooked, it just means they are procuring new systems at a different pace. They are clearly still developing new weapons like as we can see with the new light tank, new IFV, new assault rifle projects and so on, but China faces a minimal ground threat so the need to overhaul most of the army/ground forces is not particularly vital.
OTOH, the Chinese Navy's expansion has been long awaited and necessary given China's strategic interests in the sea. Considering the pace of construction of their destroyers and frigates, I think they will be able to achieve a 36/36 frontline DDG to FFG fleet in commission probably by the early 2020s (with all DDGs older than the original pair of 052s retired, and all FFGs older than the original pair of 054s either retired or reassigned to frigate squadrons).
After they achieve a 36/36 surface combatant fleet I wouldn't be surprised if they aim for a 48/48 fleet by the late 2020s.
Those will all be decommissioned over the course of the next few years, frankly the pace of decommissioning isn't really that big of a worry because retaining those personnel in those obsolete ships is important to keep them in a ship and able to gradually transfer to new ships as they are commissioned in lieu with a likely absolute increase in the navy's overall manpower as well.
24 commissioned. How many more are launched and outfitting or in trials?
