056 class FFL/corvette

no_name said:

the corners are shaved, similar to the bridge, which I think is not the case from before.

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Will need to look at the pics again, but I thought instead of shaving, they seem to have built it out a little more with the top corners angled (shaved)? Also, I don't think the first batches had an access panel there?

MwRYum said:

If you're talking about ships at this size, aerodynamic is irrelevant because it won't result any improvement, better to shave off RCS and whatever that'd help to improve handling.

be it as it may, the 056 designs might see a few more "Blocks" throughout its production run.

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Yep, which is why I only said "look more aerodynamic". As you say, the actual aerodynamic improvement would be negligible although maybe it does help with RCS.

I concur, the first ship has yet to be handed over and we've already seen numerous mods with the first batch.

This pic shows the original layout.



It seems the original front part of the structure wasn't closed off at the top, and covering was built only around it, with a ladder for climbing in for maintenance. It seems with the new change they've decided to fully enclose the structure, angled the corners, removed the ladder and built an access panel instead.

no_name said:

This pic shows the original layout.

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Except for the part about the top portion being open, these are excellent points. Here they are together. Clearly better for maintenance and for stealth.




Love to see this type of improvement on the fly!

Yulin Naval Base

I take it that she's been handed over to Chinese Navy since she's now at Yulin? Too bad those trees block the pennant number, wonder which one of the builds is she.

It seems the original front part of the structure wasn't closed off at the top, and covering was built only around it,

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Was wrong about this part, obviously from this pic the structure was closed off at the top.

joshuatree said:

I take it that she's been handed over to Chinese Navy since she's now at Yulin? Too bad those trees block the pennant number, wonder which one of the builds is she.

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unlikely, it's still on its sea trials. 150 showed up at ESF many times while still on sea trials.

Jeff Head said:

Excellent points. Here they are together. Clearly better for maintenance and for stealth.

Love to see this type of improvement on the fly!

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The side by side comparison shows they didn't simply modded the exiting box structure in front of the main radar mast but actually extended the length of the box a little to create the angled front with center door opening.

These corvettes are a great addition to China, they will provide China with littoral combat capability and will provide a modern surface capability in the disputed regions

In addition they will free up the FFG and DDG to carry out more sophisticated tasks further out in deep ocean

This is in contrast to Royal Navy which had recently retired 4 pretty good Type 22 FFG and sold 3 Type 23 to Chile and decommissioned 3 Type 42 since 2011 and further 4 Type 42 since 2009 and 3 Type 42 in 2008 alone, that's total of 10 DDG in the last 4 years

So in total Royal Navy has lost 17 surface combatants in recent times, shocking to to say the least

If China wants to fulfil its commitments it must build its FFG and DDG vastly with modern ships, also they will need to expand greatly thier Cruiser and Carrier forces for international commitments, while at the same time keeping a force for home waters like this Type 56 which is said to number 36 units

A quick look East and you get a idea of the numbers Japan is operating plus its allies

China needs more small ships beacuase of her long coast line. These developments also show coastal defense was not abandoned as PLAN's top priority.