055 DDG Large Destroyer Thread

[Bhurki]

I expect 055 price per unit to go down as more ships are made. The reason why Zumwalt is so expensive is because three were made. If 20 were made the price would floor.

Imho, zumwalts case can't directly be compared to 055. Zumwalt tried to incorporate too many radical advancements in tech (automation to a level where the complement is only 160 compared to 055s 300, full IEPS, AGS etc) that made the point where r&d would've broken even with the quantity of ships, very high.

055 is rather conservative in its advancement over 052d other than size.
Upcoming classes like 055a might have a higher cost despite long runs of production due to newer tech being enabled on these ships.

Agree on the modular part,
Radar, UVLS and enough spare electric capacity certainly makes both 055, 052d capable of extensive refits for tech improvement and making them obsolescence proof for the duration of ships' hull life.

 

[Breadbox]

Actually come to think of it, what is the significance of the 055? Is there anything that it can do that the 052D couldn’t?

 

[Bhurki]

Actually come to think of it, what is the significance of the 055? Is there anything that it can do that the 052D couldn’t?

112 vs 64.
At sea reloading is a hell of a task

 

[Totoro]

Also two helicopters, rather than one. So the period of time the ship can monitor for targets over the horizon, on its own, increases from 4-8 hours per day to 8-16 hours per day. The same goes for ship looking for submarines, using its helicopters.

Even though the radars may seem similar, the 055 may indeed be more capable sensors wise.

Lower radar cross section is likely not that significant of a factor though. Though, I guess, even if it can be lowered from 400 km to 350 km, for some fighter's radar for example, or from 100 to 80 km for radar in LRASM missile (these figures are purely illustrative) it might still be worth it.

More room also probably means more command capabilities.

Basically, if the enemy cuts off the communication between fleet and the mainland, a fleet with 055 should be able to perform better than a fleet with just 052D. And the greater number of missiles is, of course, a huge thing. With 64 you're limited to a single role. Air defence. As tehre likely won't be that many cells left for other uses. With 112 cells 055 could have literally dozens more missiles for other roles - ship attack, land attack, submarine attack, anti ballistic missile defense etc. It's just a more multi-role ship in practical terms.

 

[Tam]

Actually come to think of it, what is the significance of the 055? Is there anything that it can do that the 052D couldn’t?

Others have said it. More VLS. One more helo. The sensors yes, but overall, its an overhaul of the electronics, with a truly remarkable but expensive and ambitious attempt to AESA everything, bringing its advantages thereof, over legacy designs. On top of all these, the communications and electronics warfare systems are also overhauled with entirely new generation ones whose full capabilities we are not aware of. Some of these systems may eventually be handed down to other future ships.

 

[TK3600]

Actually come to think of it, what is the significance of the 055? Is there anything that it can do that the 052D couldn’t?

Different platform that can carry more advanced systems like laser and rail gun. All in one compartment for radar improves stealth. But for now, it just have more missiles.

 

[P5678]

Actually come to think of it, what is the significance of the 055? Is there anything that it can do that the 052D couldn’t?

From networking point of view, I believe 055 can play a better hub/switch kind of role than 052D

 

[Lethe]

The Type-055 is very expensive, so the quantity will not surpass the Type-052.

Given the projected growth rates assuming same percentage of military budget annual increase, today's budget is a mere tip of the iceberg to come.

Nonetheless there are a great many demands to be made of that budget if China does indeed seek to attain "superpower-class" capabilities across all military domains. Submarines, carriers and their air wings, amphibious capabilities, helicopters of all varieties, strategic airpower, space and counter-space capabilities -- these and other areas will require dramatically greater investment going forward, and this will necessarily constrain the funds that are available to spend on surface combatants. I would not be surprised if the real level of funding for surface combatant construction and sustainment remains relatively flat going forward.

 

[Austin Powers]

Actually come to think of it, what is the significance of the 055? Is there anything that it can do that the 052D couldn’t?

It's bigger. Over time Type 055 replaces Type 052D the same way Type 052D replaces Type 052C the same way Type 052C replaces Type 052B the same way Type 052B replaces Type 052.

 

[Tam]

From networking point of view, I believe 055 can play a better hub/switch kind of role than 052D

This.