055 DDG Large Destroyer Thread

[Blitzo]

Okay, for the next few months as we see the suspected 055 continue assembly, I'm going to use this basic profile diagram of what 055 will probably look like to illustrate how far I think assembly of the modules have occurred.

The baseline diagram is not meant to be comprehensive -- it doesn't show the weapons, the sensors, and I've chosen to omit the aft mast that will likely be present atop the hangar, because we don't know what exactly will be on top of it in the end.

But the important part is the rough profile of the drawing, which I think shows the key details of what the ship will probably look like, especially in terms of the hull's freeboard deck (in blue) and "continuous" deck levels in the amidships region (which I haven't illustrated in this picture but will be made clear in the next one).


And based on what I believe to be the latest chronological photo (post #1956), I think this is roughly what the currently assembled hull modules make up (in green), though of course the exact height and length of the modules relative to the actual ship may not be fully accurate, but I think it delivers the idea accurately enough:



Obviously, if it turns out that this hull is not 055, then feel free to ignore this.

But until then, I'm going to try to continue and update the progression as we see new modules get assembled.

 

[FORBIN]

Here's what I think some of the best depictions of the Type 055 are, wothj a Type 052D thrown in for comparison:

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I gotta tell you...the Type 052D is a beautiful, and capable ship.

A Body Guard for CV as Ticonderoga...

 

[Jeff Head]

A Body Guard for CV as Ticonderoga...

I agree.

Probably also include one with each large PLAN Amphibious group once they are formed (ie. an LHD, a LPD or two, and some of their LSTs). In that even they would probably have one Type 055, at least one Type 052D or C, another older DDG, and a couple of Type 054A FFGs for the escort group.

 

[Iron Man]

And based on what I believe to be the latest chronological photo (post #1956), I think this is roughly what the currently assembled hull modules make up (in green), though of course the exact height and length of the modules relative to the actual ship may not be fully accurate, but I think it delivers the idea accurately enough:
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This is based of course on your assumption that the main deck of the 055 is actually one deck higher than currently seen in the Wuhan mockup. IMO the more time that passes without such a modification being observed in the mockup, the less likely this will actually be the case.

I agree.

Probably also include one with each large PLAN Amphibious group once they are formed (ie. an LHD, a LPD or two, and some of their LSTs). In that even they would probably have one Type 055, at least one Type 052D or C, another older DDG, and a couple of Type 054A FFGs for the escort group.

For ARGs this would seem like a good-sized force. For CBGs I think the PLAN would probably prefer to beef up its escort force given its carriers' most likely opponent will be the USN. So something more like 1x 055, 3x 052D, and 4x 054A. If they have the escorts to spare, they would probably not assign older classes (even the 052C IMO) to a carrier escort group if they can help it. And as soon as 052E and 054B variants come out, they would immediately be assigned to carrier escort duty.

 

[Jeff Head]

For ARGs this would seem like a good-sized force.

Exactly, which was why I specifically related it to ARGs.

For CBGs I think the PLAN would probably prefer to beef up its escort force given its carriers' most likely opponent will be the USN. So something more like 1x 055, 3x 052D, and 4x 054A. If they have the escorts to spare, they would probably not assign older classes (even the 052C IMO) to a carrier escort group if they can help it. And as soon as 052E and 054B variants come out, they would immediately be assigned to carrier escort duty.

Right now, I would show a CBG escort as follows:

Low Threat, Peace Time:
1 x Type 055
2 x Type 052D
2 x Type 054B
1 x SSN

High Threat. potential hostilities:
2 x Type 055
2 x Type 052D
4 x Type 054B
1 or 2 x SSN

 

[AndrewS]

I think there's a typo with the duplicate Type-55

 

[AndrewS]

Given the likelihood of datalinks on the Type-52D and Type-55, they just operate better and are more effective together.

 

[Jeff Head]

I think there's a typo with the duplicate Type-55

Yes. Thanks. They were meant to be Type 054A FFGs.

...and since the "B" variant seems to be more oriented towards ASW, I think I will change these carrier escorts to be Type 054Bs.

For comparison, a US CVG in peace time right now is:

1 x Ticonderoga AEGIS cruiser
3 x Burke AEGIS destroyer
1 x SSN

Sometimes I have seen 2 Ticos and 2 Burkes.

When the LCS is finally cleared for ASW operations and becomes operational, we may see it become...in peace time:

1 x Ticonderoga AEGIS cruiser
2 x Burke AEGIS destroyer
2 x ASW LCS or FF
1 x SSN

Later, in high vulnerability or war time I would make it:

1 x Ticonderogao AEGIS cruiser
1 x Burke Flight III AEGIS destroyer
2 x Burke AEGUIS destroyer
2 x ASW LCS or FF
2 x SSN

 

[AndrewS]

@Jeff Head head

Quick question.

Is it AEGIS or Aegis?

Ironman was being a grammar nazi about it being Aegis on the Sovremmeny thread.

 

[superdog]

@Jeff Head head

Quick question.

Is it AEGIS or Aegis?

Ironman was being a grammar nazi about it being Aegis on the Sovremmeny thread.

I always thought Aegis is simply a reference to greek mythology, not an acronym of anything.