FFG 054/054A Thread

[oringo]

Re: Type 054 FFG status

Thanks Dusky for that brief intro. I met an old BP engineer once who worked on gas turbines that powers the oil pipelines. Pretty much the same stuff he told me: diesel is cheaper and most ships run on diesel when cruising.

On the other hand, China is actively seeking the gas turbine technologies. I know GE has a partnership with Liming (located in Shenyang, my hometown), to build large gas turbines primarily for railroads/power plants, at least that's what's claimed to be. But I suspect that such gas turbine technology can be easily converted for ship and aircraft (turbofan engines) use. I have a friend who used to work for a forging company that supplied turbofan engine parts (very expensive titanium alloys) for GE and they are also supplying parts to that partenship between GE and Liming. It doesn't take an engine expert to guess that these technology transfers can easily be used for military ships and airplains (turbofan engines are really miniature gas turbines).

See these two press releases:

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[bd popeye]

Re: Type 054 FFG status

Salamit Po! That means thank you in Tagalog(Filipino) for you Tagaloically challanged among you

Bottom line on the engines..Desiels are cheaper to operate. And much simpler to maintain.

The USN uses turbines because of those 6 month plus deploymenst over vast distances of ocean. And most ships have to be able to keep up with a CVN.

I know that the USN uses JP-5(jet fuel) to fuel it's turbine powered ships.

oringo sez;

It doesn't take an engine expert to guess that these technology transfers can easily be used for military ships and airplains (turbofan engines are really miniature gas turbines).

When the first GE turbines where on board the Spruance class DD's. The engines were very similar(almost the same!) to the J-79 installed in F-4 Phantoms and other US aircraft.

 

[oringo]

Re: Type 054 FFG status

I know that the USN uses JP-5(jet fuel) to fuel it's turbine powered ships.

I had no idea... I don't think PLAN could afford these fuel for all her ships. GE does have some very efficient turbines. In one of their press release, they claimed to have made a turbine with 46% efficiency (simple cycle) and 55% efficiency (combined cycle). Although I have no idea what simple and combined cycle means.

When the first GE turbines where on board the Spruance class DD's. The engines were very similar(almost the same!) to the J-79 installed in F-4 Phantoms and other US aircraft.

I knew they were very similar, but I had no idea they were that similar . China is gaining design/assembly experience in turbine/turbofan engines, but one thing they currently don't have is the advanced forging technologies in produce the parts. In that respect, even the Europeans are behind USA. Most of Rolls-Royce engine parts are forged in the US.

 

[bd popeye]

Re: Type 054 FFG status

This is so intresting. I grew up in Cincinnati Ohio. Which is the home of GE's engine plant. Years ago while in High school we toured the plant. They were using computers about 37 years ago...they,GE, may in fact have a technological edge.

As for the Spuance engines. When the CV's I was on would refuel them they sounded like a jet when they pulled away. Many of the USN's Jet mechanics changed to Gas turbine techs because of large monetary bonuses offered when the USN was comissioning Spruances.

 

[Jeff Head]

Re: Type 054 FFG status

As for the Spuance engines. When the CV's I was on would refuel them they sounded like a jet when they pulled away. Many of the USN's Jet mechanics changed to Gas turbine techs because of large monetary bonuses offered when the USN was comissioning Spruances.

Yep...and many of those ships had a good 15 years service life left in them before they were all decommissioned. You know what is happening to a large number of the decommissioned Spruances now don't you popeye?

 

[oringo]

Re: Type 054 FFG status

Yep...and many of those ships had a good 15 years service life left in them before they were all decommissioned. You know what is happening to a large number of the decommissioned Spruances now don't you popeye?

Let me take a guess... Sell to Taiwan for double the original price?

 

[bd popeye]

Re: Type 054 FFG status

Yep...and many of those ships had a good 15 years service life left in them before they were all decommissioned. You know what is happening to a large number of the decommissioned Spruances now don't you popeye?

Most are being sunk By the USN no less. My son's old ship the USS Paul F. Foster DD-964 is in service manned by civillians at Port Humeme CA performing test on new and improved warfighting equipment. 19 0f the 31 built have been sunk.

Those Spruances should still be in service!

This is what happens to "SPRU-CAN's" they take MK48 ADCAP torpedo's right in the gut!

 

[eecsmaster]

Re: Type 054 FFG status

no, the Kidds got sold (2) to Taiwan. I think Pakistan got some Spruances, and maybe Greece.

 

[Jeff Head]

Re: Type 054 FFG status

Most are being sunk By the USN no less. My son's old ship the USS Paul F. Foster DD-964 is in service manned by civillians at Port Humeme CA performing test on new and improved warfighting equipment.

Those Spruances should still be in service!

This is what happens to "SPRU-CAN's" they take MK48 ADCAP torpedo's right in the gut!
[qimg]http://www.acig.org/artman/uploads/sinkex3_hit_by_usn_mk-48_torpedo.jpg[/qimg]

Exactly...it is a shame to see...sorry to be off topic, but here's another pic you may not have seen yet:

...and here's what happened to the Belleau Wood, which also had a good 15-20 years service left in her:

Boy, you would think some good ally could have made good use of her...or many of the Spruances too. 19 so far I believe have been deep sixed.

 

[oringo]

Re: Type 054 FFG status

no, the Kidds got sold (2) to Taiwan. I think Pakistan got some Spruances, and maybe Greece.

That was meant to be a joke. I know the Spruances didn't get sold to Taiwan.