054B/new generation frigate

THX 1138 · Sep 19, 2023

People have been talking about modernizing the Type 054A for at least 10 years now. The recently reported 50% increase in displacement got my hopes up.

But there's still only one hangar. There's still only 32 VLS cells. And it still hasn't inherited UVLS from the destroyers. I hope the Type 054B has an IEP at least, otherwise this is going to be a little anticlimactic.

grulle · Sep 19, 2023

32 VLS yet to be confirmed. It can totally have 16 more midship, maybe even more. if it ends up with total 48 VLS then it shouldn't be considered a disappointment at all.

Blitzo · Sep 19, 2023

I think 32 AJK-16 VLS and 8 slant launch AShMs are fine as a weapons fit.

People focus too much on weapons and too little on sensors and networking.

grulle · Sep 19, 2023

Blitzo said:
I think 32 AJK-16 VLS and 8 slant launch AShMs are fine as a weapons fit.

People focus too much on weapons and too little on sensors and networking.

but that would be the same loadout as the 054A, wouldn't that be wasting the 6000 ton weight?

GiantPanda · Sep 19, 2023

grulle said:
but that would be the same loadout as the 054A, wouldn't that be wasting the 6000 ton weight?

Not if the detection and effective ranges of the sensors are much greater.

The highly regarded 6000-ton French Aquitaine frigates has 32-cells for its AAW version that is most comparable to the 054B.

The 054A is actually over-armed for a 4000-ton FFG.

Tam · Sep 19, 2023

grulle said:
but that would be the same loadout as the 054A, wouldn't that be wasting the 6000 ton weight?

More living room and space for the crew, likely bigger workspaces, as in command and tactical rooms for the crew, more room for the electronics like servers, etc,. More fuel, food storage. Allowing a ship to operate further without replenishment.

The AESA alone might have required some place for the liquid cooling, like pumps and refrigerant.

Blitzo · Sep 19, 2023

grulle said:
but that would be the same loadout as the 054A, wouldn't that be wasting the 6000 ton weight?

You've literally just described the same issue I wrote about -- an excess focus on weapons.

Weapons are only as good as the systems which support it (sensors, networking, combat management system), and in fact weapons can often be limited by those systems. And those systems in turn take up space and weight, and additionally the systems rely on well rested and functional crew to work.

ACuriousPLAFan · Sep 19, 2023

grulle said:
but that would be the same loadout as the 054A, wouldn't that be wasting the 6000 ton weight?

Because the PLAN is aiming to be like the USN during WW2, not the IJN.

If several Iowas (and Montanas) together can do better than just one or two Yamatos, why bother with the latter?

Besides, there's also the Essexs and Independences to count on.

by78 · Sep 19, 2023

Self-explanatory.

Maikeru · Sep 20, 2023

by78 said:
Self-explanatory.

I'm thinking that slightly raised structure amidships looks a lot like the forward VLS. Very similar length.

054B/new generation frigate

THX 1138

Junior Member

grulle

Junior Member

Blitzo

Lieutenant General

grulle

Junior Member

GiantPanda

Junior Member

Tam

Brigadier

Blitzo

Lieutenant General

ACuriousPLAFan

Brigadier

by78

General

Maikeru

Major