X-band radars are less useful for early warning compared to other bands. Not only because all stealth fighters are designed to defeat specifically this band, and with progressively worsening performance against lower frequency bands, but also because IIRC higher frequency radars have less range for comparable power output. Radars that are considered "early warning" are usually the lowest frequency bands like VHF, UHF, and L-bands, while precision tracking and target illumination are the highest bands like C, X, and Ku. These are the radars that go up as high as possible on the ship to get the largest radar horizon. Meanwhile the volume search and early warning setups typically get stuck behind the stacks in the back of the ship. If the 055 actually has X-band flat panel arrays in an X/S combo, they will probably end up on the integrated(?) mast. If the PLAN is going with S/VHF like the 052C/D, the lower frequency radar will inevitably end up in the back again.
055 DDG Large Destroyer Thread
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@ totoro, the mock up of liaoning featured all four type 346 panels, I see no reason why they'd forgo it this time around especially when they built both sides of the mock up instead of just one.
And I think while the largest hole on the mast could be for the X band radar, we are still in early days regarding the mast's final geometry. It might turn out all three sets of holes we see so far in the mast are for other arrays and the x band radar sits up top.
I'd say the only concrete bit of radar placement we can garner is that the 346A arrays will be similar to Burke IIa placement
And I think while the largest hole on the mast could be for the X band radar, we are still in early days regarding the mast's final geometry. It might turn out all three sets of holes we see so far in the mast are for other arrays and the x band radar sits up top.
I'd say the only concrete bit of radar placement we can garner is that the 346A arrays will be similar to Burke IIa placement
But then the Liaoning's panel placements are not symmetrical with respect to the bridge superstructure, nor is the bridge superstructure at the centre of the hull.
And if you look at the far right edge of the superstructure where you can see a small section of the right (viewer's perspective) angled side there seems to be a small strip of darker colour which could be the cut out hole for the PAR panel. It's likely they've already cut what they need to cut of the main superstructure before they start building the integrated mast.
And I think you would need to build both side of the bridge, as among other things one side of the top smaller panels are sitting dead centre line of the bridge.
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It was among one of the earlier rumours, although pop3's write up didn't mention an x band radar, but then again maybe it wasn't worth mentioning given it would be a relatively ancillary array on the final thing.
The asymmetry of liaoning's island and array placement shouldn't particularly matter if they are interested in EM interference. After all they are literally only a few meters away from each other from being symmetrical[/QUOTE]
Too early to tell. There are so many lines on this mock up, some could be indicative of future array placement, some might not be.
[/QUOTE]And I think you would need to build both side of the bridge, as among other things one side of the top smaller panels are sitting dead centre line of the bridge.[/QUOTE]
Sure! but they could also do it so they can forgo a quarter of the side of the deckhouse to avoid having to install a side array.
My main point is that at this moment, it is very premature to consider the idea they will do something like only installing one side of the deckhouse with arrays. They might end up doing that, who knows, but there is nothing from either past PLAN practise or physical indication of the mock up at present to suggest it.
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Some nice pictures of what the final mast and deckhouse may look like. Probably worth noting that the final mast may feature a fair few more holes than the three sets we see now, especially if the mast is only half completed and is planned to go higher.
They labelled a picture of one of zumwalt's superstructure faces to show how many different arrays with different functions were present. 055 might not have as many atop its integrated mast, but it probably won't be too different.
They labelled a picture of one of zumwalt's superstructure faces to show how many different arrays with different functions were present. 055 might not have as many atop its integrated mast, but it probably won't be too different.
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I doubt an X-band array would be an ancillary array on this ship, especially if we are talking about what looks like a fairly large array at the base of the mast. If this area represents a PAR we are likely looking at an X/S-band radar combo, with the X-band and S-band radars being the star attractions, taking place of the S-band and VHF-band radars from the 052D, respectively. Though it would be an interesting idea if there were an additional L-band or UHF/VHF-band search/early warning radar in addition to the X/S-band. What would be "ancillary" IMO would be something like a surface/horizon search radar mounted at the very top of the mast, or one of the satcom or datalink radars.
I do not believe the bottom of the mast will field a large X band radar. Ie: the off colour rectangular patches of metal are only indicative of paint and welding rather than positionining of radar. In that respect, the graphic I posted gets it incorrect.
Personally I do believe any X band radar will probably function in the limite role you describe, horizon and surface search. It is still early days as to where it may sit, but the mast may still have some meters to go before reaching its full height, and it may turn out that there will be enough space up there to accommodate an X band aesa
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