asif iqbal
Lieutenant General
big boys with two smaller boys
Chinese full-length cells are notably bigger than mk. 41 ones.At most, it will be a missile as large as the SM-3 or SM-6, both of which are huge missiles.
It wont be a DF-21. It will be a big missile, but not anything close to a DF-21. Remember the limitations of cell-length and diameter. At most, it will be a missile as large as the SM-3 or SM-6, both of which are huge missiles. And if the US has no problem with their infra-red signature when they inevitably launch hundreds of them in any fight against an opponent like China or Russia who have space based detection assets, China as well wont have any problems with the Type 055 launching missiles of similiar size and IR-emissions.
As far as we know, this sort of missile could actually be less visible than SM-3/6s because its warhead would be an unpowered glider after its booster seperation phase.
The VLS cells on 055 have significantly greater volume – 60% or more – than the strike version Mk.41 cells from which SM-3 or SM-6 are launched. The mid-ship cells on 055 likely have lengths of up to 9m, with a cell width of 0.85m. So no, it won't fit a DF-21, but it can most certainly accomodate something that almost dwarfs SM-6. A shipborne AsBM would likely be a relatively clean-sheet design, especially for the booster component. The payload could either be a glider or a downsized maneuverable warhead adapted from existing AsBM designs. Naturally, a glider would likely give greater range than a maneuverable warhead. They might get 500 to 600km or more of powered flight out of the missile, which seems low compared to DF-21 or DF-26, but remember that 055 will essentially serve as the first stage of the booster by sailing past the first and/or second island chains to deliver the payload. IMO, China has to be working on a shipborne AsBM; it'd be absolutely confounding and uncharacteristic if they weren't. For what is worth, the China is working on an AsBM for Type 055.
Since we're talking about the VLS a lot I figure I'll post this, not sure if it's posted before in this thread:
View attachment 63313
So options currently for Type-055 VLS:
1. YJ18 AShM, cold CCL
2. HQ16 medium range SAM, hot CCL
3. HQ9 long range SAM, cold CCL
4. DK10 SAM, hot CCL multi-pack
5. YU8 rocket propelled torpedo, hot CCL
6. CJ10 LACM, cold CCL
7. YJ83 AShM, hot CCL
I thought there's a YJ18 version that's LACM that's also compatible for 055 but I could be wrong. The fact that concentric canister launch supports both hot and cold launch is amazing.
People often lose track of the bigger picture. To stop the aircraft from operating from a carrier it may be easier to pick on a softer target - the fuel replenishment ships. Stop them from getting to the carrier and it will run out of aviation fuel ... eventually.When looking at anti-aircraft carrier missions, you do not actually need to sink the carrier, merely rendering it hors de combat will likely be sufficient to achieve the mission.