Corvette/Light frigate thread (056A, sub-4000t FFLs)

[Maikeru]

First impression for me is that this is the PLAN’s take on the Buyan-M, but firbthewith a dual second role as fleet long range forward picket.

The heavy investment in stealth is at odds with a typical fleet picket role, as such pickets would generally need to be actively scanning, thereby loosing a lot of value from the stealth shaping investments. The PLAN’s current fielded designs are generally what one would expect for effective and efficient stealth applications for escorts. Anything more is frankly wasted due to the need for active sensor emissions and the background signatures of the rest of the fleet.

Such a heavy and total investment into stealth only makes sense if such ships are intended to operate independently or with similarly stealth focused ships. And the only mission that makes sense for such a platform/formation would be to act as highly stealthy but ultimately expendable long range LACM delivery platforms.

The point is less to be able to rain fire on the enemy with them, but more to create credible threats against infrastructure and assets in the enemy deep rear where they should be safe. The enemy would need to invest and expend vast and disproportionate amounts of resources and assets in order to safeguard their rear against such threats, thereby taking some assets and pressure off the main frontlines. Any actual damage these ships can inflict would be a welcome bonus.

What you're talking about there is called a "submarine".

I think this new FFL/corvette is ASW focused with a secondary GP role.

 

[plawolf]

What you're talking about there is called a "submarine".

I think this new FFL/corvette is ASW focused with a secondary GP role.

Yeah, would make things so much easier and cheaper if the world’s top navy and friends didn’t invest vast sums into putting anti-submarine hydrophone networks into all the natural geographical choke points and ASW in general to prevent just such a breakout of PLAN subs into the wider pacific.

 

[Temstar]

A photo from the launch ceremony of the stealth frigate has emerged. The banner refers to this ship as 综合试验平台/Integrated Test Platform, so likely it is indeed for PLAN and not for export.

I honestly thought all the argument for why this thing does not fit into current PLAN fleet composition and how PLAN has abandoned "small ship big gun" thing were pretty convincing, but the thing that made me not 100% convince was actually the colour.

Perhaps this will test among other things IEP?

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

View attachment 122166
A photo from the launch ceremony of the stealth frigate has emerged. The banner refers to this ship as 综合试验平台/Integrated Test Platform, so likely it is indeed for PLAN and not for export.

I honestly thought all the argument for why this thing does not fit into current PLAN fleet composition and how PLAN has abandoned "small ship big gun" thing were pretty convincing, but the thing that made me not 100% convince was actually the colour.

Perhaps this will test among other things IEP?

"Comprehensive/Integrated Experimental Platform" would be a more accurate translation.

Though, saw some who questioned whether the words that are between the word "综合" and the words on either side has been PS-ed and removed.

 

[iBBz]

View attachment 122166
A photo from the launch ceremony of the stealth frigate has emerged. The banner refers to this ship as 综合试验平台/Integrated Test Platform, so likely it is indeed for PLAN and not for export.

I honestly thought all the argument for why this thing does not fit into current PLAN fleet composition and how PLAN has abandoned "small ship big gun" thing were pretty convincing, but the thing that made me not 100% convince was actually the colour.

Perhaps this will test among other things IEP?

The ship is so stealthy it looks like people wearing hardhats

 

[Gloire_bb]

What you're talking about there is called a "submarine".

I think this new FFL/corvette is ASW focused with a secondary GP role.

mostly yes, but it should be remembered that subs, unless under periscope, are half deaf in terms of communications and elint.
furthermore, faster guided missile subs are inherently large and nuclear.

Otherwise, submarines would've long replaced surface strike ships.

 

[KangarooPriest]

The banner refers to this ship as 综合试验平台/Integrated Test Platform, so likely it is indeed for PLAN and not for export.

I do wonder why they decided they wanted all those integrated weapons on a dedicated test system.

 

[Zichan]

I was thinking the same thing, but wouldn't that compromise IR stealth?

Waterline exhausts are usually mixed with water, which should lower the temperature of the exhaust and improve the IR signature.

French FREMM frigates have the exhaust for their diesel engines at the waterline. This article makes the claim they are underwater, but the photos clearly show them above water:

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[iBBz]

Waterline exhausts are usually mixed with water, which should lower the temperature of the exhaust and improve the IR signature.

French FREMM frigates have the exhaust for their diesel engines at the waterline. This article makes the claim they are underwater, but the photos clearly show them above water:

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

the FREMM appears to have a top exhaust.

 

[szbd]

View attachment 122166
A photo from the launch ceremony of the stealth frigate has emerged. The banner refers to this ship as 综合试验平台/Integrated Test Platform, so likely it is indeed for PLAN and not for export.

I honestly thought all the argument for why this thing does not fit into current PLAN fleet composition and how PLAN has abandoned "small ship big gun" thing were pretty convincing, but the thing that made me not 100% convince was actually the colour.

Perhaps this will test among other things IEP?

it should be 热烈庆祝XXXX综合XXXXXX项目试验平台下水，translate to celebrate xxxx comprehensive xxxxxxx project experiment platform launch