055 DDG Large Destroyer Thread

[Blitzo]

I have seen two different configurations showing 64 and 64, each has them rotated one way or the other:

View attachment 31049

View attachment 31050


We shall have to wait and see.

Here's my interpretation of that plan diagram...
My modifications is to make both the bow and aft VLS banks have 64 cells, and importantly I've applied a few of my own (fairly well described now) beliefs about the ship's configuration, one of which is that the "step" structure immediately posterior to the smoke stack will not be present on the real ship, thus freeing significant amounts of aft space for VLS. Another belief is that the aft mast will get a large rotating VSR (blue rectangle), and depending on exactly where it is mounted on the aft mast, then it may force the aft VLS bank will need to be moved forwards slightly to provide sufficient clearance such that missile launches from the most aft VLS cells do not impede on the radar's rotation (indicated by a circle).
And thus I get something like this:

 

[Blitzo]

With a side view:

 

[Jeff Head]

... one of which is that the "step" structure immediately posterior to the smoke stack will not be present on the real ship, thus freeing significant amounts of aft space for VLS.

I agree with this. I think that it looks that way on the mock-up simply for access purposes top side.

Which would render the erlier depiction I found like this:



But we shall see.

 

[antiterror13]

@Jeff Head .... is it common to have only one CIWS for the size of the ship (13,000 tons), I thought it would have 3 or even 4 CIWS

 

[Iron Man]

Here's my interpretation of that plan diagram...
My modifications is to make both the bow and aft VLS banks have 64 cells, and importantly I've applied a few of my own (fairly well described now) beliefs about the ship's configuration, one of which is that the "step" structure immediately posterior to the smoke stack will not be present on the real ship, thus freeing significant amounts of aft space for VLS. Another belief is that the aft mast will get a large rotating VSR (blue rectangle), and depending on exactly where it is mounted on the aft mast, then it may force the aft VLS bank will need to be moved forwards slightly to provide sufficient clearance such that missile launches from the most aft VLS cells do not impede on the radar's rotation (indicated by a circle).
And thus I get something like this:

View attachment 31053

It is very possible IMO that the reason there is a step structure at the location aft of the funnel is that directly below the step structure several decks down may lie the aft engine room. Where the conjectural aft VLS bank sits now is directly over the propeller shafts, but the more forward you extend the VLS cells, the more likely you will run into problems with the VLS starting to intrude into the engine spaces. This step structure abaft the funnel is also present on both the 052C and 052D, and may have similarly constrained the placement of the universal VLS on the 052D.

BTW, I did some research on how decks are named and came up with what I think is the correct nomenclature for the 055:


"Weather deck": any deck exposed to the elements; can be at multiple levels
"01 deck": the level above the main deck
"Main deck" aka "1 deck": highest deck that runs from bow to stern
"Freeboard deck" aka "2 deck": highest deck below which all bulkheads are watertight

 

[Blitzo]

It is very possible IMO that the reason there is a step structure at the location aft of the funnel is that directly below the step structure several decks down may lie the aft engine room. Where the conjectural aft VLS bank sits now is directly over the propeller shafts, but the more forward you extend the VLS cells, the more likely you will run into problems with the VLS starting to intrude into the engine spaces.

Hmm, okay, so if we assume that the more forward VLS cells of the aft VLS bank do potentially have a risk of overlying and/or interfering with the engine spaces, how exactly is the step structure meant to solve this problem? Wouldn't an easy solution simply be to not have any VLS cells beyond a certain line?

Or are you suggesting that the step structure is meant to hold a VLS bank of its own which is "elevated"? I mean, sure, it's not impossible... but the width of the step structure on the mock up does not particularly correspond to any obvious VLS configuration that would be consistent with how the rest of the aft VLS bank will likely be arranged, and more importantly if the step structure really is at a height where the more forward VLS cells of the aft VLS bank will not interfere with the engine spaces, then why not simply elevate the entire amidships weather deck one further deck up to be smooth (that, of course, is essentially my belief of what the 055's amidships will be).

(btw, I still believe the step structure and all of the white structures on the mock up can be considered to be not there for the purposes of trying to predict what the real ship may look like.)

This step structure abaft the funnel is also present on both the 052C and 052D, and may have similarly constrained the placement of the universal VLS on the 052D.

Does 052C and 052D have equivalent step structures posterior to their main funnels/smoke stacks? They have an elevated platform for their aft radar mast and for various radomes, yes, but on the 055 the aft mast and other related telemetry should be relocated atop the main hangar structure.
So I do not believe those "step structures" on 052C and 052D (which are really more like mast platforms) have much to do with engine position or VLS banks at all... unless you're referring to something else?

BTW, I did some research on how decks are named and came up with what I think is the correct nomenclature for the 055:
View attachment 31080

"Weather deck": any deck exposed to the elements; can be at multiple levels
"01 deck": the level above the main deck
"Main deck" aka "1 deck": highest deck that runs from bow to stern
"Freeboard deck" aka "2 deck": highest deck below which all bulkheads are watertight

Thanks, that's useful, especially in terms of 01 deck and weather deck.

However, I think the "main deck" should actually be the "freeboard deck," because I've come across its definition as being the uppermost continuous deck exposed to weather and sea, and only everything below are watertight. In the case of 055, I do think that would be from the helipad deck to the bow of the ship, where the freeboard deck is moulded with the bow's upwards cant. (basically the various diagrams of the freeboard deck that I've drawn)

 

[FORBIN]

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).
View attachment 30976

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:
View attachment 30974

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.

View attachment 30974
In general the construction of a ship starts with that part, rear ?
can dépends countries, shipyards ?

 

[FORBIN]

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

Very recently a CVN have in more a Ticonderoga a 4th Burke for escort.

I see really these escort for War time :

ESG, 1 CVN some with 5 VFA and
1 x Ticonderoga
4 x Burke
1 x LCS
1 - 2 x SSN

ARG, 3 Ass Amph Ships and
2 - 3 x Ticonderoga, Burke
2 x LCS
1 x SSN

SAG
1 Zumwalt
1 x Ticonderoga
2 x Burke
1 x LCS

With 40 FF/FFG all AB in these TF for independent missions in less dangerous area use FF/FFG.

 

[Blitzo]

View attachment 30974
In general the construction of a ship starts with that part, rear ?
can dépends countries, shipyards ?

I think it varies, depending on the shipyard and the geometry of the berth or slipway itself.

But with modular construction, modules can be built in the most effective order, and then get assembled together after that.

In the case of the suspected 055 hull, they're assembling the modules at the amidships region first and working their way to the stern and bow. That's not abnormal, and if anything it's pretty common I think.

 

[Iron Man]

Hmm, okay, so if we assume that the more forward VLS cells of the aft VLS bank do potentially have a risk of overlying and/or interfering with the engine spaces, how exactly is the step structure meant to solve this problem? Wouldn't an easy solution simply be to not have any VLS cells beyond a certain line?

The step structure does not "solve" this problem, it is probably more like an acknowledgement that the VLS may go no further forward, and given the available topside deck space as a result, let's put something useful there, like this structure.

Does 052C and 052D have equivalent step structures posterior to their main funnels/smoke stacks? They have an elevated platform for their aft radar mast and for various radomes, yes, but on the 055 the aft mast and other related telemetry should be relocated atop the main hangar structure.
So I do not believe those "step structures" on 052C and 052D (which are really more like mast platforms) have much to do with engine position or VLS banks at all... unless you're referring to something else?

The step structure is not an elevated platform for the purpose of placing masts and radomes. Masts and radomes don't actually need a structure underneath them, just a tall enough mast or mount. These step structures serve some other purpose, whether it's as a radar room, or storage room, or for whatever other purpose. They use available deck space to its potential without incurring excessive cost in topside weight. I think this particular design philosophy is the same for the 052C, 052D, and 055.

Thanks, that's useful, especially in terms of 01 deck and weather deck.

However, I think the "main deck" should actually be the "freeboard deck," because I've come across its definition as being the uppermost continuous deck exposed to weather and sea, and only everything below are watertight. In the case of 055, I do think that would be from the helipad deck to the bow of the ship, where the freeboard deck is moulded with the bow's upwards cant. (basically the various diagrams of the freeboard deck that I've drawn)

That particular definition is the only I found which refers to exposure to weather and sea, probably as a consequence of how it used to be with wooden sailing ships where the main deck was usually also the freeboard deck as well as the weather deck. The other ones all refer to a freeboard deck simply being the uppermost deck below which all bulkheads are watertight. This deck is essentially a thoroughfare deck allowing easy access from bow to stern for each watertight section below, which by design do not connect to each other via hatches, meaning people would have to travel up to the freeboard deck in order to go from one watertight section to the next. I know for sure in the Daring class the 2 deck is the freeboard deck. The 055 is constructed similarly, and it makes total sense that its 2 deck is also the freeboard deck.