056 class FFL/corvette

jackliu said:

I guess LCS is the example that I am looking for, however looking at the ships, you can still see the conventional mass and sensor equipment attached, but I wonder how can they do the same Zumwalt with almost complete smooth surfaces.

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Check out this site for the Zumwalt:



...and be sure to watch the video at the top of the photo area where they roll out the major section and attach it to the other section arleady out of the construction building.



Pretty awesome.

jackliu said:

Most of the new PLAN warship are very stealthy by modern definition, but I been thinking about US navy's next generation warship the Zumwalt class destroyer, the stealth feature is just out of the league, there nothing on the surface, no radar dooms, no mass, just one smooth superstructure, I wonder how can they come up with this technology, because the current warship in inventory are not stealthy at all, you can see life boats hanging on the sides of Arleigh Burke, so how can they jump from no stealth to total stealth, while completely ignore the stage of semi stealth like PLAN and all other warships produced around the world.

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The most noticeable change zumwalt brings is the integrated mast, with all the small sensors designed to fit into the single superstructure sleekly. other ships such as la fayette frigate also bring their own stealth developments such as cleaner surfaces etc

Very cool ship indeed, must have incorporated many new technologies, this is probably the reason they can only afford 3 of them.

when you make only 3 ships the cost per ship goes up very high, first they planned 32, then 10 then down to just 3, in my opinion the numbers built doesnt even justify the cost, reminds me of a anothter similar tragedy, the Type 45 DDG programme, first was 12, then 10 then 8 then only 6 built, cost per year in excess of billions, both programmes suffered similar fate

Since Type 052C destroyers and the Type 054A frigates are now nearing the end of their production run. The ex-Varyag is about to be handed over to PLAN at any moment and the Type 052D destroyers now under construction will need a testing and evaluation period after finishing the first ships. The shipyards across China will be building these Type 056 corvettes for a time to keep skilled labours working and keep the shipyards open.

asif iqbal said:

when you make only 3 ships the cost per ship goes up very high, first they planned 32, then 10 then down to just 3, in my opinion the numbers built doesnt even justify the cost, reminds me of a anothter similar tragedy, the Type 45 DDG programme, first was 12, then 10 then 8 then only 6 built, cost per year in excess of billions, both programmes suffered similar fate

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Reason they cutting it down was because of the cost, but as they cut more, it cost even more. So I see this 3 ship more of technology demonstrator for future class rather than a class on it is own. Kinda like the Seawolf sub.

asif iqbal said:

when you make only 3 ships the cost per ship goes up very high, first they planned 32, then 10 then down to just 3, in my opinion the numbers built doesnt even justify the cost, reminds me of a anothter similar tragedy, the Type 45 DDG programme, first was 12, then 10 then 8 then only 6 built, cost per year in excess of billions, both programmes suffered similar fate

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I believe it is very possible, that once the first one is out there performing, and depending on what happens in November, that you may see another three built...maybe more. We shall see.

According to Naval and Merchant Ships magazine 056 has a lenght of 90m, a beam of 10m, a draft of 4.4m, a full displacement of 1300t with a max speed of 28kt. Propulsion is provided by 2 high-power diesel engine.

asif iqbal said:

when you make only 3 ships the cost per ship goes up very high, first they planned 32, then 10 then down to just 3, in my opinion the numbers built doesnt even justify the cost, reminds me of a anothter similar tragedy, the Type 45 DDG programme, first was 12, then 10 then 8 then only 6 built, cost per year in excess of billions, both programmes suffered similar fate

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Let's not forget that China also built several navy ship types in small numbers as well. 051C, 052B, 052, 051B, and the original 054. The cost is offset somewhat by using proven imported systems/technologies. But the unit cost can't be that cheap when R&D cost is factored in and you only built 2 ships of the class.

As for the type 45 DDG, I believe the total program cost has been estimated at 6.5 billion British pounds. At current exchange rate, the total program cost per ship is $1.74 billion USD. In comparison, an AB class DDG cost $1.8 billion USD to build today. Considering that only 6 Type 45 DDG will be built and the total program cost per ship is less than an AB class DDG, I would say its not as bad as it seems.

The Zumwalt class, on the other hand, is a pork barrel like the $480 million USCG national security cutter. For that much money you could probably order a bare FREMM frigate without weapon systems.