054B/new generation frigate

If what Tam wrote is correct then PLAN is building an Iver Huitfeldt class frigate:
Displacement: 6645 tonnes full load
4 x MTU 8000 20V M70 diesel engines (8.2 MW, each)
Although IH class has the Mk.41 VLS amidships it's placed in front of the engine compartments and not aft. UVLS goes pretty deep, I'm not sure it will not interfere with engine shafts.

snake65 said:

If what Tam wrote is correct then PLAN is building an Iver Huitfeldt class frigate:
Displacement: 6645 tonnes full load
4 x MTU 8000 20V M70 diesel engines (8.2 MW, each)
Although IH class has the Mk.41 VLS amidships it's placed in front of the engine compartments and not aft. UVLS goes pretty deep, I'm not sure it will not interfere with engine shafts.

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The 054B is thought to be a ship with IEPS, with a gas turbine and diesels all together. At this stage it is not expected to be only diesels.

There is no indication that 054B will be a "PLAN Iver Huitfeldt".

Let's wait if Tam provides any source for what he posted.

Well, the famous Chinese military equipment 3D modeller @大包CG from Weibo provided a CGI-illustrated update on the 054B just now:




Comparing the major surface combatants of the PLAN side-by-side, top-to-bottom - 054A, 054B and 052D/DL:

ACuriousPLAFan said:

Well, the famous Chinese military equipment 3D modeller @大包CG from Weibo provided a CGI-illustrated update on the 054B just now:
View attachment 106024
View attachment 106025
View attachment 106026

Comparing the major surface combatants of the PLAN side-by-side, top-to-bottom - 054A, 054B and 052D/DL:
View attachment 106027

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I think the VLS will in the mid of the ship.

ACuriousPLAFan said:

Comparing the major surface combatants of the PLAN side-by-side, top-to-bottom - 054A, 054B and 052D/DL:
View attachment 106027

Click to expand...

Love to see 2 more ships in above line up - 052E(X) & 055....

Jiang ZeminFanboy said:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1618915880641134592

I think the VLS will in the mid of the ship.

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Interesting. But if that's the case, where are those AShM launchers going to be placed?

Besides, he also mentioned that the ship would be carrying 32x H/AJK-16 VLS cells. Isn't this kinda too few for the 054B with a dimension and displacement that is already a significant stretch compared to the 054A?

If they don't want to increase the number of H/AJK-16 VLS cells onboard, at least they should use the same (but larger) VLS as those onboard the 052D and 055, i.e. GJB 5860-2006 instead? This progression is rather conservative, like the P-15A to P-15B mentioned in the 055 Thread 2.

ACuriousPLAFan said:

Interesting. But if that's the case, where are those AShM launchers going to be placed?

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Plot twist: the AShMs are in front of the bridge, Type 23 style.

ACuriousPLAFan said:

Interesting. But if that's the case, where are those AShM launchers going to be placed?

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I think it's prudent to wait longer.
Right now we aren't at a stage where we can even guess what weapon systems will be installed in the first place, nor we really know new ships' operational concept.

ACuriousPLAFan said:

Comparing the major surface combatants of the PLAN side-by-side, top-to-bottom - 054A, 054B and 052D/DL:
View attachment 106027

Click to expand...

One more, this time with 055 at the bottommost.