Has there been a picture of 24 VLS? AFAIK only half has been seen at best. Even 18 is a speculation nevermind 24.The hypothesized number of 24 VLS cells on 09IIIB is -somewhat- corroborated by photographic evidence.
Has there been a picture of 24 VLS? AFAIK only half has been seen at best. Even 18 is a speculation nevermind 24.
Has there been a picture of 24 VLS? AFAIK only half has been seen at best. Even 18 is a speculation nevermind 24.


If you dig through the archives of this thread this was discussed years ago.View attachment 169813
Apparently, the 093 family is not simply just 093, 093A and 093B like most western analysts classify them as but instead there are atleast two subclasses of what western analysts call the 093, the original and one with minor sail modification. For 093A, like some members here mentioned are likely all different from each other in some ways, but externally there seems to be atleast 3 subclass within the 093A family, all with similar sail structure of which all are longer than the original 093s but different hump size and design with the last variant having a different auxiliary intake arrangement as well.
Lastly is the 093B, of which little is known about difference in the class. It is possible 093B might be the first truly serialised Chinese SSN design but it is also possible there are similar variation in the class to act as testbeds for 09V technology.
Didn't they do an induction ceremony for a 075 09IV and 055 at the same time? Was that more than 5 years ago?A surprising claim that 2 x 094 (Presumably B models) have been built in the last 5 years:
Whilst this would tally with the rumour that 14FYP required 8x093B, 2x094B and 1x095, we haven't seen any launches (of course, could have been under cloud cover) or other evidence. We don't know either than PLAN actually does CASD so maybe the 6 seen are all of them? Perhaps the plan is to surge deploy in times of tension rather than CASD.
It does seem to quite logical for PLAN to build a new variant of 094 to continue building up its SSBN force while 09VI is likely several years away. And any new ones are likely much quieter than old ones. But as you said, it doesn't look like people on this thread have noted any launches.A surprising claim that 2 x 094 (Presumably B models) have been built in the last 5 years:
Whilst this would tally with the rumour that 14FYP required 8x093B, 2x094B and 1x095, we haven't seen any launches (of course, could have been under cloud cover) or other evidence. We don't know either than PLAN actually does CASD so maybe the 6 seen are all of them? Perhaps the plan is to surge deploy in times of tension rather than CASD.