Rand Report

I think China might try this:

Develop UAV's around the size of a Global Hawk with a balance beam like phased array.

Launch these UAV's from a flat top ship about the size of the Japanese Hyoga (maybe using some kind of explosive-aided launch like cold launches). In other words, something around the size of an LHD. One ship can probably carry around a dozen of these UAV's (with below deck storage). And it should also have a powerful radar on the mast and a lot of VLS cells.

The UAV's can land in the water with the help of parachutes and balloons and get scooped up by the ship.

Just one ship like this can monitor a huge swath of airspace, it can also defend a big swath of airspace with its SAM's. If it's paired with a frigate or two equipped with ASW helicopters, antiship missiles and some cruise missiles, then this would have nearly all the functionality of a carrier battle group!

So pretty much a mini-carrier/aviation cruiser equipped with UAVs instead of helicopters/manned aircraft loaded with a ton of air defense missiles? Adding such a platform to any surface group will sure add a lot of defensive capability. Add a few 052C type ships to the group and you'll have something that can do the job of the Ticonderoga/Arleigh Burke + Aegis combo. Throw in 054-type ships with improved ASW capabilities and you'll have a very, very tough nut to crack.

Then all such a group will need is some offensive punch from some source other than the Sovs.

Roger604 said:

I think China might try this:

Develop UAV's around the size of a Global Hawk with a balance beam like phased array.

Click to expand...

I would hate for them to do that. It would be a clumsy flying piece of an aircraft. Although a rotodome is even worst.

Launch these UAV's from a flat top ship about the size of the Japanese Hyoga (maybe using some kind of explosive-aided launch like cold launches). In other words, something around the size of an LHD. One ship can probably carry around a dozen of these UAV's (with below deck storage). And it should also have a powerful radar on the mast and a lot of VLS cells.

The UAV's can land in the water with the help of parachutes and balloons and get scooped up by the ship.

Just one ship like this can monitor a huge swath of airspace, it can also defend a big swath of airspace with its SAM's. If it's paired with a frigate or two equipped with ASW helicopters, antiship missiles and some cruise missiles, then this would have nearly all the functionality of a carrier battle group!

Click to expand...

I would prefer using helicopter type UAVs. Just a lot more convenient to store, launch and land.

FriedRiceNSpice said:

So pretty much a mini-carrier/aviation cruiser equipped with UAVs instead of helicopters/manned aircraft loaded with a ton of air defense missiles? Adding such a platform to any surface group will sure add a lot of defensive capability. Add a few 052C type ships to the group and you'll have something that can do the job of the Ticonderoga/Arleigh Burke + Aegis combo. Throw in 054-type ships with improved ASW capabilities and you'll have a very, very tough nut to crack.

Then all such a group will need is some offensive punch from some source other than the Sovs.

Click to expand...

I agree. They should just develop an outer sea based air defense perimeter using a network of 052x and 054x warships.

I would prefer a helicopter carrier using manned/unmanned helicopter types with search radar similar to the Ka-31. This sort of thing can support ASW operations and even relief and projection power missions.

It should not be too difficult for China to build an LHD along the same lines as the Japanese Hyoga. But it should have an elevator for below deck storage (which the Hyoga doesn't have). A ship that size can probably carry about 20 helicopter UAV's, each with a phased array radar.

The LHD should also be outfitted with long range and medium range SAMs.

Add to that a Type 52x with a DF-21 class ASBM and a variety of land attack cruise missiles.

And finally a Type 54x with a helicopter for anti-submarine warfare.