From Henri K blog
Some rumors about the characteristics of LHD Type 075
BY
"36,000 tons of displacement", "capacity of 28 helicopters", "diesel engine with the 9,000 kW 16PC2-6B", "Four CIWS including two HQ-10 and two H / PJ-11" ... Here is a bit closer
.
But a month ago, several independent sources in China said, almost at the same time one after another, that the construction of the lead ship at the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard has made "considerable" progress, knowing that that the cutting of the first sheet goes back to the beginning of 2017.
Does that mean that, six years after the official launch of the project, we will finally see the first blocks of Type 075 in Shanghai? Probably. Whether for potential conflict zones such as Taiwan or the South China Sea, which require a complete amphibious capability, including "vertically", or for any rapid ground support interventions along the Silk Road maritime, to have an adequate amphibious tool seems then coherent and crucial for the Chinese navy and this before 2025.
It is therefore not surprising that at least two sources have recently mentioned a firm launch order for three copies, plus two other optional hulls.
Unofficial CG images made by a Chinese amateur (Images: baoxiuyuan)
The more detailed characteristics of the Type 075 have also been leaked, at least in the form of informal elements. We learn then that the ship would be a little less than 250 meters in length and 33 meters to the width. The size of its continuous flight deck remains unknown but there would be six spots for helicopters. And unlike the US Navy
Wasp class or the Japanese
Izumo aircraft carrier , the Chinese Navy did not plan to operate Yak-144 or F-35B VTOL aircraft on its future 'amphibious assault', although a related engine development project is currently under way in Sichuan.
It is unclear for the moment why the Chinese navy voluntarily reduced the displacement of the Type 075 by a quarter when it was planned to move more than 40,000 tons. Anyway, it will keep a write-off following the example of Type 071, a class of Chinese LPDs moving more than 20,000 tonnes with the sixth copy currently under construction at the same Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard, where at least it will carry two
. The ship would also include a level for storing helicopters and two (??) levels for amphibious vehicles.
A former Chinese naval technical officer also talks about the ZKT series combat system, which is different from the ZKJ series used by most Chinese frigates and destroyers, like the Type 071 which is equipped with the Command H / ZKT-1B. Type 075 will also incorporate systems for fleet command and amphibious operations, but will not equip any anti-ship or fire support equipment on the ground.
Apart from the close self-defense systems such as the two HQ-10 CIWS missiles and two H / PJ-11 CIWS, which are already on the main Chinese combat ships, the Chinese LHD will only equip systems such as the Type 726 for the electronic control part and the Type 562 for torpedo control, standard anti-aircraft weapons such as H / HQ-9 and HQ-16 are not planned. The Type 075 will therefore rest entirely on its escort ships to ensure its own anti-aircraft, anti-ship and anti-submarine protection, for this the trans-armored data links will be installed automatically.
We will have the opportunity to come back to the different topics around Type 075 by the end of the year.
To be continued.
Henri K.
