055 DDG Large Destroyer Thread
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It seems like it is assumed that a 055 will be part of an escort fleet guarding carriers but what about the possibility of 055s leading a green water ASW/ABM task force within PLAAF air cover?
I'd imagine a 055, 2x 054As, 3x 056A and 2x 039As backed by island based J-16s will be quite the force to be reckoned with in say, the South China Sea. They'll be able to hunt hostile subs while protecting own subs from patrol planes and helicopters.
I'd imagine a 055, 2x 054As, 3x 056A and 2x 039As backed by island based J-16s will be quite the force to be reckoned with in say, the South China Sea. They'll be able to hunt hostile subs while protecting own subs from patrol planes and helicopters.
When people talk about 055s being part of a CSGs escort force, I don't think they mean that it is the only mission the 055s will be tasked with.
Modern surface combatants including 055s and 052Ds are multirole by design, they can slot into various formations without too much issue.
The idea of 055s being tasked to lead/cover an SAG of course is very reasonable.
I think ASW is overkill for a Type-055. Frigates and Corvettes would be fine.
There is no ABM requirement
I'd expect Type-055s to be part of SAGs with specific missions eg. a blocking position on the Northern approach from Japan to Taiwan
Such a SAG would include Frigates and Corvettes as an ASW screen
And there would be AWACs and fighters overhead
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I think using the Type 55 for ASW patrols would be a very inefficient use of resources. While it has a full sonar suite - hull mounted sonar, TASS and VDS, which means it is certainly very capable of ASW patrols, there are far more numerous, smaller ships that can do the same thing. Using the Type 55 on ASW duties would also expose a fairly valuable ship to risks that can be borne by say, a Type 56A corvette.
A 56A corvette has a similar, full sonar suite, meaning it excels at ASW patrols, for just 1/8 of the construction cost of a Type 55. The only drawback is that it won't have ASW missiles, so it will have to close to within torpedo range of enemy subs to engage it with its own ASW light torpedoes. However, the 56A can deploy its helicopter to eliminate that risk, but only assuming that PLAAF has air superiority.
A 56A corvette has a similar, full sonar suite, meaning it excels at ASW patrols, for just 1/8 of the construction cost of a Type 55. The only drawback is that it won't have ASW missiles, so it will have to close to within torpedo range of enemy subs to engage it with its own ASW light torpedoes. However, the 56A can deploy its helicopter to eliminate that risk, but only assuming that PLAAF has air superiority.
ISTR a YJ83 sized missile carrying an LWT a few weeks back? Also Type 56A is much more likely to call in other air or ASROC equipped surface assets to engage an enemy submarine than try to close and use its own torpedo tubes. Its main use is to get more VDS/TASS to sea at a low cost.
Call in=delay=chance to run away.
Depends on circumstances, of course.
Not sure ASW patrols are the right thing for ships in the first place.
For planes - sure, but for surface warships escort work and/or sweeps are probably more to their merits.
Well if you look at the Type 56A, the corvette was primarily designed to do ASW patrols - it is very uncommon for a corvette, or even a frigate, to have a full set of sonars (most Arleigh Burkes don't even have VDS, except the most recent flight). I would agree with the post above yours (and you might agree too) that the point of that ship is mostly to get more sensors into the water, rather than engaging the target itself, although with the ASW helicopter it has the potential to do so safely. Once the sub has been identified, then you can deploy air based assets to engage them.
Aerial ASW assets are not that effective at acoustic detection than ships. Dipping sonars, which are used by helicopters, are limited more to active sonar roles than passive sonar, and deployment time is necessarily limited. Unless you know a sub is in the vicinity, you don't want to 'ping' with active sonar, because that will alert the hostile sub, which will then try to cruise away. Active sonars can typically be detected at over twice its own effective detection range by the target, if not more.
Aerial ASW assets are not that effective at acoustic detection than ships. Dipping sonars, which are used by helicopters, are limited more to active sonar roles than passive sonar, and deployment time is necessarily limited. Unless you know a sub is in the vicinity, you don't want to 'ping' with active sonar, because that will alert the hostile sub, which will then try to cruise away. Active sonars can typically be detected at over twice its own effective detection range by the target, if not more.
And here it is:
Sorry for going OT, mods please move to 056 thread if required.
I don't think a 055 would be leading a green water SAG for ASW purposes. Most likely it will lead blue water SAGs if it wasn't in carrier escort duty.
Type 054As will lead green and brown water SAGs just fine. We have already seen many pictures to that effect.
YU-11 firing off from a Type 056A. Don't forget a 056A also has its own helicopter. It would most likely engage a submarine with its own assets before calling in for help. These ships also operate in packs of four, so they won't be alone. Type 056A or even Type 053H3 are sometimes seen in support or in lead.
Type 054As will lead green and brown water SAGs just fine. We have already seen many pictures to that effect.
YU-11 firing off from a Type 056A. Don't forget a 056A also has its own helicopter. It would most likely engage a submarine with its own assets before calling in for help. These ships also operate in packs of four, so they won't be alone. Type 056A or even Type 053H3 are sometimes seen in support or in lead.
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