054B/new generation frigate

Deino said:

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Given how only 4-and-a-half months had passed since the 054B FFG's launch at Hudong-Zhonghua, the speed of her fitting-out process is pretty damn impressive.

Also, @燃烧的哈尔科夫 said that this 054B FFG was photographed as she is returning from her first sea trials.

ACuriousPLAFan said:

Nope, this one is new.

More closer-up photos by the same guy on Weibo:

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More on the gun turret, by the same guy on Weibo.

Looks like mid-section VLS unlikely, maybe slant launchers.

16 VLS or perspective? If 16 then it must be UVLS? I had bet earlier that it could be 32 VLS, the same kind as on previous 054A frigate.

Jiang ZeminFanboy said:

16 VLS or perspective? If 16 then it must be UVLS? I had bet earlier that it could be 32 VLS, the same kind as on previous 054A frigate.

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It's the one on the type 054A

Jiang ZeminFanboy said:

16 VLS or perspective? If 16 then it must be UVLS? I had bet earlier that it could be 32 VLS, the same kind as on previous 054A frigate.

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It's 32 units. Look a little bit more closely. Use the hinges as a reference.

This is what the early pictures nearly 20 years ago, of 054A's VLS looked like from a similar camera angle. It looks like 16 even though it is 32

It's amusing this is happening again with 054B.

Jiang ZeminFanboy said:

16 VLS or perspective? If 16 then it must be UVLS? I had bet earlier that it could be 32 VLS, the same kind as on previous 054A frigate.

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Definitely 32 VLS.



Notice the middle bar-shaped exhaust arrays which are slightly protruding from the VLS cell cover columns (when viewed in the generally same direction as the photographer) and also straddling in-between the VLS cell cover rows.

Also, having two separate hinges for one VLS cell cover that are located on opposite sides is just plain illogical - How would the VLS covers even open lol?

It looks like that Hudond is moving 054B to new Changxin Hudong site for fitting out. The closure of the current Hudong Shipyard is near.

A couple more photos of the 1st 054B FFG returning from her first sea trial. Posted by on Twitter.