On the other hand, the PLAN should always be aiming for the best, and not just to match the US. Such an attitude is not good. LRASM is coming into service, it would be best to develop an equivalent with even longer range and better stealth as the next-gen cruise missile option to replace traditional cruise missiles.
054B/new generation frigate
- Thread starter Blitzo
- Start date
The Constellation isn't planned with LRASM in mind at present, given how the FFG is already armed with 16 slanted canister-launched NSMs. What they could have instead are Block 5 Tomahawks which are anti-ship-capable, but they do not have LO features.
In the meantime, speaking of long-range anti-ship strike missiles - China already has the YJ-18 (high subsonic cruise - supersonic terminal) and YJ-21 (hypersonic all-the-way) AShMs to work with.
Perhaps the USN and PLAN viewed differently on how to effectively employ strike munitions against surface targets over long distances, with one going for the LO, high-subsonic route, while the other going for the "whoosh catch-me-if-you-can" route.
Not saying that either is good or bad though, as I believe that having both is actually better for China's case.
Finally, for the LRASM - China already has at least one target missile model that is closely based on (and simulating) the LRASM's design (and capabilities), currently being employed for air defense training usage by the PLA. So I don't think that it would be difficult for China to develop a direct Chinese counterpart to the LRASM. All that's left should be whether the PLA is actually interested to field such weapons onboard their warships and warplanes.
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The LRASM only has a range of 400km. US aircraft will have to get really close to their targets before launching, and there will likely be Chinese fighters in the area. China would face the same problem if they field a LRASM equivalent.
In comparison, the DF-26 has a range of around 3000km. That is aiming for the "best" as you put it, but note the DF-26 is owned by PLARF, not the PLAN
The world's most powerful navy doesn't just rely on a mediocre AShM, it's basically ignoring the entire concept these days. Most Burkes travel without any AShMs mounted because they just don't see the point anymore.
And here we are considering whether the YJ-83 makes the 054B underarmed or not.
Any sources on this?
yea very true. what is more important to note is the the 054B is not a high value/high end asset, so YJ-83 is sufficient. as long as China arms the 052D and 055 with the most lethal antiship missiles, then we are good to go.
"Closely based on" might be a bit too much of a stretch on my part, though the PLA does take the LRASM threats seriously when it comes to air defense training against swarming attacks by (V)LO missiles that are equipped with certain degrees of ECM capabilities.
Speaking of target drones that do resemble the design and/or functionalities of the LRASM to a degree - SZ-300, H1-150Y, JY-180, JY-230/260 and LJ-1 are few of the examples.
The following are posted by on Weibo.
Don't forget that there's also this (V)LO-shaped cluster munition/strike missile from Zhuhai Expo two years ago. They can definitely make it into an AShCM.
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antiterror13
Brigadier
The latest variant YJ-83KH uses a imaging-infrared seeker and has a range of 230 km and reportedly it may receive course corrections by remote link. So not bad at all
Its too slow and not stealthy to be useful against a near peer adversary. Ukraine shoots down numerous Kalibr missiles. YJ-83 is even slower than Kalibr. So, I would say its an obsolete missile for anti-ship role.
Comparing Kalibr with YJ-83 is a bit of an apples and oranges situation. One is a land attack cruise missile of considerable proportions and using economical flight paths, the other one is a supposedly very maneuverable anti-ship missile. As already pointed out, comparing it to Harpoon or Exocet would be more appropriate. Subsonic, agile AShM have not gone out of fashion. Its mostly a matter of making them more resilient in terms of ECCM and more agile.