055 DDG Large Destroyer Thread

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MwRYum

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I think it will have to be this way depending on the size and number of missiles. My question is once a cell has been burned up by a launch, can they recycle the cell or would they have to scrap it.

The materials "leaked" onto the internet so far mentioned nothing about those self-containing cells are recyclable, or to be precise, reusable. Though the cold-launch cells by nature won't have to suffer the kind of heat-stress as would be with the hot-launch ones, they might try to do so. However, given those cells are designed to have a shelf life of several years when loaded with content, that means the canisters are designed like package for the content, they are meant for one-time use only.
 

Blitzo

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The materials "leaked" onto the internet so far mentioned nothing about those self-containing cells are recyclable, or to be precise, reusable. Though the cold-launch cells by nature won't have to suffer the kind of heat-stress as would be with the hot-launch ones, they might try to do so. However, given those cells are designed to have a shelf life of several years when loaded with content, that means the canisters are designed like package for the content, they are meant for one-time use only.

To be fair the material we have doesn't mention a lot of things, and the exact function of the cells and whether they are recyclable would be a rather detailed piece of information.

I suspect, thinking about it, that the cold launch cell won't be reusable, but the hot launch cell may half be. For instance, on 052C when they fit in a new cell after an old one was fired they replace an old cell with a new one. I expect it will be similar for the new VLS for its cold launch cells too. For CCL hot launch, I wonder if they may design it so that the cell's casing has two layers: one which is simply an inner, non heat resist cell casing, while an outer one (which is very close/sealed with the inner one -- i.e.: no space between them, like a sleeve) is heat resistant for venting and can be reused.

So the hot launch CCL VLS has the option to either replace only the "inner" cell casing that holds only the missile, which allows the outer cell heat resistant venting case to be retained and reused for a missile of the same type, but they also have the option to replace both the inner and outer casings which would obviously empty the entire cell and allow either insertion of a different cold launch cell or a new sized inner and outer casing for a different hot launch missile.

I propose this idea because I think to have a hot launch outer cell casing that is only used once is unlikely, but more important, it would add dramatic cost to the overall hot launch missile inventory if every single one of them in storage must have a heat resistant casing.
 

Solaris

Banned Idiot
To be fair the material we have doesn't mention a lot of things, and the exact function of the cells and whether they are recyclable would be a rather detailed piece of information.

I suspect, thinking about it, that the cold launch cell won't be reusable, but the hot launch cell may half be. For instance, on 052C when they fit in a new cell after an old one was fired they replace an old cell with a new one. I expect it will be similar for the new VLS for its cold launch cells too. For CCL hot launch, I wonder if they may design it so that the cell's casing has two layers: one which is simply an inner, non heat resist cell casing, while an outer one (which is very close/sealed with the inner one -- i.e.: no space between them, like a sleeve) is heat resistant for venting and can be reused.

So the hot launch CCL VLS has the option to either replace only the "inner" cell casing that holds only the missile, which allows the outer cell heat resistant venting case to be retained and reused for a missile of the same type, but they also have the option to replace both the inner and outer casings which would obviously empty the entire cell and allow either insertion of a different cold launch cell or a new sized inner and outer casing for a different hot launch missile.

I propose this idea because I think to have a hot launch outer cell casing that is only used once is unlikely, but more important, it would add dramatic cost to the overall hot launch missile inventory if every single one of them in storage must have a heat resistant casing.

I would rather think that it's more likely the cold launch cell is going to be reusable, since that cell would not have to endure any heat stress or damage and would likely only need to refill its gas tank to become reusable. After all, any puff of gas that will not damage the missile itself is IMO unlikely going to be able to damage the cell either.
 

Blitzo

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I would rather think that it's more likely the cold launch cell is going to be reusable, since that cell would not have to endure any heat stress or damage and would likely only need to refill its gas tank to become reusable. After all, any puff of gas that will not damage the missile itself is IMO unlikely going to be able to damage the cell either.

I think we need to define what we mean by reusable. This post will use the word differently to how I used it in my last post, but the effective practical meaning of them will be the same.

If you mean reusable in the sense that the old cell will be removed and can be fit with a new missile, have its internal gas and other apparatus all returned to a "ready to launch" state, then yes I agree. (Of course rearmament of the ship will occur with at dock using stocks of ready to launch missile cells that are waiting. the used cells that are removed obviously won't undergo the missile refitting and resealing process at dock, but be moved to an armament or logistics facility)
If you mean reusable as in leaving the old cell in the VLS and dangerously fitting in only a new missile, its apparatus, and resealing it without removing the cell itself from the ship, then I disagree.

Expanding this to my other hot launch proposal for consistency, I imagine the "inner sleeve" will be reusable in a similar way to how I describe it in my first statement, I.e.: the cell can be removed from the VLS and the outer sleeve, and get fitted with a new missile and re sealed for instalment on a ship. In this way it will be similar to other hot launch missile canisters that have a common exhaust, I believe their canisters are removed and refitted and resealed as well.
The "outer sleeve" vent will also be reusable in the sense that if it has enough launches left in it and if the ship requires another missile of the same type to be reloaded, then it likely will stay inside the VLS cell. But once it reaches a lifetime limit for launches it will likely be permanently removed and either undergo some kind of overhaul to return it to zero launches or simply scrapped.

In My last post I didn't define "reuse" as removing a cell and refitting and resealing it with a missile, only leaving the cell itself inside the VLS. I left the refitting/resealing part as a fairly obvious process that would occur for both a cold launch canister and the inner sleeve hot launch canister.

(It might also be worth changing the jargon a little in future, I.e.: instead of a cell or tube, we call it a canister that holds the missile and can be removed and changed and resealed/refitted. The word cell can be used to more accurately describe the physical space of the VLS module which doesn't change)
 
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Solaris

Banned Idiot
Yes, "canister" sounds more likely to be official terminology. I don't think even the cold launch canister could be regassed and rearmed at sea. Some technician would also have to at least give the entire canister a maintenance check before putting it back into use. This whole process sounds like something best handled at a naval base or port.
 

dingyibvs

Senior Member
I like the canister terminology. I would expect the canisters are not reusable, each missile will probably be coupled with its own canister much like bullets with their shell casings.
 

Jeff Head

General
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Perhaps in a few years, we will see this very type of thing happen with the Type 055 DDG for the PLAN.

Great thing to watch. Amazing vessel. Amazing process of moving her and floating her out. The same will be true of the Type 055 when its time comes.


[video=youtube;NNo9ltIgCCU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNo9ltIgCCU[/video]
 

Blitzo

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Personally I'm more interested in seeing how defense news outlets react.

Many USN watching sites have bemoaned the USNs decline in combat fleet numbers, an at the same time I feel they have also underestimated both the quantity and quality of the ships the PLAN have produced or are in the order of producing, namely 054A and 052D. If it turns out that the PLAN are planning to build large numbers of 055s and if it is in the class of capability we think it is, then it may prompt an interesting discussion about the foreseeable surface combatant balance the same way J-20 did for air power.
 

antiterror13

Brigadier
Personally I'm more interested in seeing how defense news outlets react.

Many USN watching sites have bemoaned the USNs decline in combat fleet numbers, an at the same time I feel they have also underestimated both the quantity and quality of the ships the PLAN have produced or are in the order of producing, namely 054A and 052D. If it turns out that the PLAN are planning to build large numbers of 055s and if it is in the class of capability we think it is, then it may prompt an interesting discussion about the foreseeable surface combatant balance the same way J-20 did for air power.

Absolutely. I don't see PLAN could challenge USN in at least 25 years to come, but in 10 years from now (e.g 2025) USN may have to think twice to interfere China' interests in West Pacific, as it would be way too expensive and risky (uncertainty) to wage a limited war with PLAN, but no doubt USN would win comfortably
 

Blitzo

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Well if it would be too expensive for the USN to wage a limited war with the PLAN by 2025 then it probably won't be able to comfortably win. The states contradict each other.

But certainly, by 2025 the balance of power will most likely have shifted even more so than present. By then, I suspect the PLAN's main destroyer flotillas made up of destroyers and frigates would all be considered modern, and likely have start to expand their force number with 055s and the next generation frigate entering the ranks in meaningful if not mass produced numbers.

I foresee at least a 50% increase in the size of individual destroyer flotillas from 4 DDGs and FFGs to 6 of each, if not 8.
 
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