055 DDG Large Destroyer Thread
- Thread starter FarkTypeSoldier
- Start date
- Status
Skywatcher's blog made another post on 055, a decent read
A few corrections though:
-The radar on 055 is expected to be the 346A, not 346. Former is the one on 052D, latter is the older version on 052C
-346A is definitely not twice as large as SPY-1 (assuming D variant is meant). I think 346A is about 14 feet by 14 feet, SPY-1 is about 12 feet. Of course SPY-1 is a hexagon and 346A is a square so the latter likely has more effective TR arrays (interestingly as big as the AMDR-S for flight iii burke)
-VLS count at this stage is expected to be up to twice as great as 052D, not at least as great
-Starboard is right, not left (both port and starboard are said to be "left" in the write up)
But otherwise an informative update with good information on other similar systems by other nations to give perspective.
A few corrections though:
-The radar on 055 is expected to be the 346A, not 346. Former is the one on 052D, latter is the older version on 052C
-346A is definitely not twice as large as SPY-1 (assuming D variant is meant). I think 346A is about 14 feet by 14 feet, SPY-1 is about 12 feet. Of course SPY-1 is a hexagon and 346A is a square so the latter likely has more effective TR arrays (interestingly as big as the AMDR-S for flight iii burke)
-VLS count at this stage is expected to be up to twice as great as 052D, not at least as great
-Starboard is right, not left (both port and starboard are said to be "left" in the write up)
But otherwise an informative update with good information on other similar systems by other nations to give perspective.
Last edited:
by78
General
Yep, the aspect ratio was definitely wrong.
Digging the look of that integrated mast.
Looks well sized to be fit on a frigate, and maybe a carrier or LHA as well, given its compact nature and likely shorter effective range.
antiterror13
Brigadier
Just curious ... why SPY-1 D variant is a hexagon, what are the main benefits of being a hexagon than just a square (as 346A) ?
by78
General
Both SPY-1 and 346A have roughly octagon shaped arrays, except 346A has a squarish 'cover'. The Europeans iMast appears to be the only one without a octagonal shape for the array.
Edit note: changed 'hexagon' to 'octagon'.
Last edited:
my *guess* is, if the cells are located on a rectangular pattern, it is better geometrically for T sideways or up-down sweeps. if it is on a hex pattern, then it is better for Y axis sweeps which means better 2D sweeps as you less interpolation as you have one more core axis.
Is that so?
I believe 346's array is rectangular and fills the full area of the cover, I don't think 346A would change from that. More importantly, i think if 346A was indeed hexagonal they would have a cover shaped accordingly too.
Edit: well, I was half right. The 346s array doesn't fit the full area because there are four cover mounting holes, however its overall outline can be considered a rectangle. I suspect 346A is similar, with mounting points near the vertical and horizontal edge but with space between the mounting Points and the outer edge for additional roles of TR modules. Certainly its overall outline probably isn't hexagonal. Of course, if there is information to the contrary, I'd be interested in seeing it
Edit2:
SPY-1s actual radar array isn't octogonal either, and is sort of a weird semi circle. I never knew this. Neat
Last edited:
by78
General
Well, 346's array is 'roughly' octagonal, as we have photos of it before the cover was installed. I'd expect 346A's array to be of the same shape.
In fact, most large, non-airborne phased arrays have octagonal shape. I don't know why, but there must be a reason for it.
Edit note: changed 'hexagonal' to 'octagonal'.
Last edited:
- Status